Are you a writer who would love to find a business where you could
utilize your talent and profitably work at home? Priscilla Y. Huff, author
of
'101
Best Home-Based Businesses for Women' and one of our expert home business
columnists, has advice for writers who are looking to start a home
business.
Dear Priscilla:
I love to write and am currently writing a
novel. But you know how it is--novel writing doesn't bring in money for a
long, long time and I would like to start a home business that allows me
to use my love and talent for writing, and gives me some extra time to work
on my novel. I am looking for a business to compliment my ultimate goal:
that is to be a writer and have a novel published. Do you have any suggestions
for home businesses that would fit into my life plan?"
Priscilla's Answer: Hello, most, if not every successful
writer has held various jobs while they wrote on the side. That is actually
good in that "life experiences," can (and has) added so much to writer's
stories-- both nonfiction and fiction. Writing is a craft that only improves
as you do more of it, so if you can use writing in a home business, it will
also help to improve your skills along the way.
Here are some ideas:
* Newsletter Writing: You can publish
one yourself on a topic with which you are familiar, or write newsletters
for companies which can be quite lucrative. Visit your local printer's shops
and desktop publishers who can give you leads as to which companies or
organizations publish in-house and/or customer newsletters. Then contact
these companies and see if they need your writing services, or if not, their
competitors to see if they would like one published.
* Web Content Writers: With all the companies
wanting to have business Web sites, they also need writers for supplying
them with articles and advertising copy. Contact Web designers and or Web
masters in your area for referrals.
* Web Writing: Many online business sites
need article content. If you have some expertise or experience with a certain
topic or industry, you might check to see if they pay for freelance
submissions.
* Copy writing: Writers are needed to write
ads, direct mail pieces, commercials, and other kinds of sales literature.
You can contact advertising agencies for possible freelance assignments or
home business owners who cannot afford an advertising department.
* Freelance Magazine and Newspaper Writer:
I started out with a local, weekly paper at 3 cents a word doing assigned
features (although usually beginners at newspapers are given "stringer"
assignments, covering local government and school meetings). This freelance
position helped me learn to write feature stories, acquire interviewing skills
and learn basic photography.
* Public Relation Writing: If you are familiar
with press release formats, and other kinds of feature writing, you can offer
your services to businesses, nonprofit organizations, and PR firms. Many
public school districts are also working to improve their community relations
with newsletters and articles about their students and staff.
These are just a few of the many job ideas for writers out there.
Meanwhile, read and study about the mechanics of writing, especially in the
genre of writing you plan to target your novel. Enrolling in writing courses
offered at local colleges will help give you some credentials needed for
certain writing positions and to assist you with the mechanics of writing
your novel.
Here are some suggested resources to help you:
* "Newsletter Nameplate," an excellent publication with tips about
publishing newsletters published by Ruddle Creative
http://www.ruddle.com.
* Writer's Digest Books
http://www.writersdigest.com publishes
"Writer's Digest Magazine," which covers business and all genres of writing;
and their annual "Writer's Market," listing of writing markets; and an extensive
listing of how-to writing books in their Writer's Book Club.
* Other Writer's Publications (look at your local book store, newsstand,
or library) or for addresses and listings in the Writer's Market or in The
Literary Marketplace (see library's reference section).
Books:
* How to Start a Home-Based Writing Business, 2nd ed., by Lucy V.
Parker
* Making Money Freelance Writing by editors of Writer's
Digest.
* The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman (Fall, 2000)
http://www.wellfedwriter.com Great
for freelancing business info!
* The Chicago Manual of Style (reference book, used by many publishers
and editors)
* 1001 Ways to Market Your Book by John Kremer
* The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing by Tom & Marilyn
Ross
* Writers.net by Gary Gach (Internet resources for
writers)
* Organization for Children's Writers & Illustrators Society
of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
http://www.scbwi.org
Internet site for writers
http://www.inkspot.com
To order
"More
101 Best Home-Based Business for Women" by Priscilla Y. Huff, click
here.
About the Author: Priscilla Y. Huff, small business expert,
author of the just-released, "101 Best Home-Business Success Secrets for
Women (Prima Publishing). For feedback or business questions, contact her
at
pyhuff@littlehse.com. |
