The Professional Writer: Part 1 - Self Promotion

(This post originally appeared on the CopyWrite blog. Join the April subscription drive today or subscribe here!)

Introduction

I love writing for a living. From 9 to 5 every day, I get to tap keys and receive money in the bank for my trouble. It is a concept I thought would never happen. And it never would have happened if I didn’t work hard at things other than my writing.

Many amateur writers fail in their bid for a paycheck by not considering what factors separate the professional from the dreamer. There is a great deal more to professional writing than harnessing creative inspiration and spending hours crafting a work of beauty.

This series on ‘The Professional Writer’ aims to discuss some of the aspects often overlooked by amateurs. Rather than covering grammar and stylistic issues, the series assumes you already have these skills and the appropriate talent and creativity. These five articles aim to fill in the gaps between writing skill and professional success.

How do you present yourself? What is your time worth? How do people become exposed to your talent? There are many issues a professional writer has to consider and address every day.

Getting the Message Out

There is no doubt that I made the leap from amateur to professional writer through self promotion. Getting noticed was immensely important in attracting the attention I needed to jump-start my career.

When shopping, you are less likely to buy the box of cereal you’ve never heard of with nothing on the box and hidden in a dark corner of the supermarket. A potential employer behaves in much the same way. If they are choosing between two writers for a job – one an unknown quantity and the other a familiar name with a large and impressive online profile – it’s not hard to guess which one gets the paycheck.

There are many ways to turn heads in your direction and not all of them involve going naked. With the advent of the internet, it has never been easier to publicise your own work and the qualities you have on offer to the guys with cheque books.

1. Your Own Website

This is a no-brainer but it is surprising how many writers screaming for attention have yet to take this step. Your own website can hold script samples, list your achievements, provide contact details and generally serve as an easy portfolio or online resume that anyone in the world can be pointed to. It doesn’t matter whether you live in darkest Peru or the middle of Manhattan, a website exposes you to the world.

By adding the address of your website on your business cards (more on those another day), at the bottom of all your emails, or whenever you are networking, you present a professional approach that says you are serious about your product. That product is you. My current role as a copywriter was achieved partly because of my website. Although my boss sifted through a number of resumes, my application stood out because he was able to read my writing and learn more about me than a simple resume could ever manage. It showcased my talent and demonstrated my professionalism.

2. Blogging

A writer without a blog is like a fish without water. If you really have writing in your bones, there will be times every day when you are itching to pour your ideas, opinions and thoughts into words. A blog fulfils that need, whilst providing an avenue for you to share these bite-sized hunks of literary skill with your readers.

But more than a receptacle for your over-spilling brain, a blog is one of the best publicity and networking tools on the internet. You will have noticed the blog you are currently reading is themed around various writing issues. These posts attract visitors from other like-minded writers who then link to my website or leave comments. This additional traffic may also experience the script samples and other treats I have within my website. The blog serves as the honey to attract the eyes of people who can help my career. This blog now attracts hundreds of visitors every day, where a simple, unchanging five page website will have a great deal of difficult attracting a fraction of that amount without some expensive marketing techniques.

For proof of how blogging can launch a professional writing career, consider the Oscar winning success of Diablo Cody, or visit the following writer’s blogs.

* Warren Ellis
* Paul Cornell
* Neil Gaiman

3. Networking

There are many online writers networks. You may already be a member of one or two. What they do is provide a massive support network of writers from all backgrounds and skill sets. The ability to have so many people critique my writing and provide constructive feedback has been brilliant for me. Also, by swapping advice, passing each other leads and generally helping each other along, we maintain and energy and positive attitude which is so important in keeping a productive writing schedule.

The more you participate in these communities, the more recognizable you become. And the right people do go to some of these places. Some of the world’s top writers are very active on the internet and enjoy participating in forums.

Writer’s networks you should be a part of include;

* Storylink (well, you're here, aren't you?)
* Scribomatic
* Joblo
* Webwriting

4. Competitions

There are hundreds of writing competitions every year. Participating can be hugely valuable for your development as a writer and for networking with others. I was heavily involved in both years of the Project Greenlight Australia competition, attending every event, chatting online to as many other contestants as possible, and savouring every new piece of feedback on my script. Many of us are still in contact, swapping advice and success stories as we help drive each other to the top.

But let’s not forget the prizes. Even if you don’t win, being shortlisted or gaining a placing gives further validation for your writing and can be used to introduce you to new contacts.

Shout It From the Rooftops

Self promotion takes time. I devote half an hour a day to publicising myself on the internet, even before I’ve started reading the blogs and posting on forums.

Self promotion works. You may think your writing is the product you are trying to sell, but that is only half the story. A potential employer is interested in what it is going to be like to work with you. Therefore, you need to become comfortable in marketing yourself as a great person to work with as well as selling your wonderful script or great first novel.

Don't forget to subscribe today so you don't miss any of the five articles in this series. Return next week for Part Two in this series - 'The Customer'.