February 19, 2010

Some writers are doing more than just surviving in the current economy. They are thriving! How are they managing this?

“The most important thing I did to thrive in this recession is that I managed my emotions, attention, and attitude at all times. I focused on what I can do, not what I can’t do,” says one much published author. “I  swam upstream, ignoring the people in retreat all around me.”

Uncertain Times

“Call it what you will,” says Mark Haverstock in “Freelancing in Uncertain Times,” “a recession, a downward correction, or a pause in recovery. The national economic downturn has taken its toll on everyone, including freelancers.” (Writer’s Guide to 2010) That’s the bad news. However, the article is full of good news too–and great tips by authors who are thriving despite the economic realties.

In Mark’s “Marketing 101″ section, there are five ways you can market yourself that require time but very little or no money. And keep your manuscripts–many of them–in constant circulation. You can’t sell what isn’t out there. One author pitched a dozen different book ideas with a dozen proposals, and sold eight of them! How?

She said she learned the formats of “book proposals, pitch letters, feature stories, opinion pieces, etc. There are formulas for all of them and once you’ve got the formula mastered, your work is much easier.”

Web Work

Mark has much to say about writing for online publications too. He has lists of resources helping you decide how much to charge, a good number of  websites appealing to “starving writers” that you want to avoid, and five bona fide, legitimate websites that list job leads for writers that pay decent money.

“Freelancing in Uncertain Times” is only one of seven marketing articles in the book, and there are 21 more information-packed articles under Style, Submissions & Career, and Ideas and Research.

Do More, Offer More

With many magazines and newspapers having online web editions–or moving to the Internet altogether–you can rise above other freelancers if you offer photos and videos to accompany your articles. While you need professional ability to shoot for print magazines, it’s not as important with the web.

With digital cameras and phones that also make videos, many writers already have this ability. And if they can supply on-site visuals like this to accompany web content, that saves an editor the expense of sending a photographer on location.

Swim Upstream

Instead of being one of the naysayers and gloom-and-doomers, dig in and determine to overcome the obstacles you’re facing in this recession. Some writers gave up long ago. Others decided to be one of the writers who survived–and even thrived–despite the economy.

Which one are you? Can you leave one tip for others on how you’re staying afloat during tough times?

3 Comments »

1. 

   I don’t have a secret, just a desire to move forward with a purpose.
   I have challenges thrown at me all day every day; whether it’s the day job, the family, or my own fears, I have a desire to overcome & change my circumstances. Some days it’s very hard to rememebr why I’m doing this but they are few when I think about the days that I know why I’m doing this. Never give up on what you want, the dream is there just reach for it.
   Cheers

   Comment by Ally M — February 19, 2010 @ 9:19 am

2. 

   Great advice! Just this week I heard of two more magazines moving strictly to online publishing. It’s an ever-changing business and yet that’s what makes it so exciting. Great post!

   Comment by Amy Tate — February 19, 2010 @ 6:22 pm

3. 

   Ally, I loved your phrase “move forward with a purpose.” That “with a purpose” is so key! Sometimes we get so busy and think we’re making progress when we’re just spinning our wheels. I may just tape that above my computer.

   Amy, your attitude will take you far. Changes scare many of us, but you find them exciting. That’s good–because I think we’ll continue to see many changes in the future as well!

   Comment by Kristi Holl — February 20, 2010 @ 4:23 pm

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website