by Jay Donnelly

If you want to make your living putting pen to paper, you need to treat it like any other business. That means you have to be serious about your writing craft, as well as the actual business side of writing. To that end, you will need to ensure that you have done these 5 things listed below before you launch your writing business.

1. Decide on your niche

The number one task that you have to complete before you launch your writing career is to decide which nice you will specialise in. Of course, this sounds a lot easier than it actually is because there are so many writing-related careers available in the current market. Yes, you have the more traditional routes such as novel author, technical author, or journalist, but there are also many others to consider.

These include things like CV writing, a role in which you can help your clients land the job of their dreams. Then there is ghostwriting where you get to write a book in line with someone else’s ideas, and it gets published under their name.

Another area of writing that can be a good niche to focus on is writing things like a sponsorship letter for startups or helping them create their business proposals. These are vital documents that help to secure funding for businesses when they need them most, and as they need to be both clear and convincing, employing a professional writer to do them is a popular choice.

You also may want to consider writing in the marketing sector, which often includes creating blog and social media posts, as well as advertising copy. Something that the demand for is increasing, as more and more business embrace the efficacy and low cost of marketing their brands online.  

2. Get confident

Number two on the list is to get confident in your writing. What does being confident look like? Well, it’s really a multifaceted thing, but includes things like knowing your grammar, and being able to edit successfully. It is also about finding your unique voice, as well as being able to tailor pieces in tone and style to the places that they will be published.

To do this, you can take several steps, the most important of which is to ensure that you make time to write every day that matches the niche that you hope to enter into. In fact, there is no better way to ensure that you are honing your craft than to practice is regularly, no matter how you feel.

You can also read about around the niche that you want to specialise in, including advice on how to write for the most popular publications, or publishers, as well as actual examples of work that is out there.

3. Get the business side of things in order

Of course, getting prepared to launch your writing business isn’t all about the details of the written work. It’s also about the practicalities of the business side of things. Something that you need to have spot-on if you hope to be a success.

The first thing to think about here, is, like any other business, how you will get your writing company off of the ground financially. Luckily, starting a writing business isn’t usually too expensive, as all you need is a computer, internet connection, and some funds to market yourself and cover your costs.

Then you need to ensure that you have the legal side of things covered. This usually means registering for tax purposes, but some working related business may want to look at specific insurances as well.

Last, of all, it’s vital that when considering the practicalities of your writing business you know how you will source work. This can vary widely from niche to nice as well, so its best have this sorted before you jump in.

For example, copy and CV writers can work independently, or as freelancers for companies that find work for them. While novelists may choose to take their work to established publishers or self-publish as an ebook on platforms like Amazon.

4. Have a strategy for when things aren’t going too well

Remember too, that making your money from writing can be a tough gig, especially if you aren’t feeling particularly creative that day, or you are suffering from a bad case of writer’s block. That is why is so important to have a strategy for the bad days and the things that can go wrong.

These strategies may include dealing with writer’s block by assigning a time to write daily and not allowing yourself to do anything but write or sit at your desk during that time. That means no smartphones, Facebook, radio or TV. Many writers say that after a while writing becomes preferable to sitting there in silence and so the block is lifted.

Others find that time away from their office and desk, walking outside or doing something physical like an exercise class is the best medicine for when they just don’t have the inspiration that they need.

That is why it’s essential to know your personality and working practices well, so you can choose the option that will get you back on task, and earning money in the quickest manner possible.

5. Find some support

Last of all, while us writers may tend to err on the more introverted side of the personality scale, it can be a somewhat lonely lot. Especially if we are working from home, and have little interaction with people doing a similar job.

Writing can be a lonely lot, and joining an online writers group can be a fab source of support.

To combat this, it can be really helpful to join an online group that deals with the areas in which you are working. The reason for this is not only can they offer support and empathy, as they will be going through similar trials themselves, but they will also be the absolute best people to ask for constructive criticism on your work. Something that will enable you to improve, and can help you writing business to be ever more successful.

Find more writing and publishing tips at Nothing Any Good.