“Luck is when opportunity meets
preparation.”
Like many writers, I spend a great deal of time
surfing the Net, seeking markets for my work. The
problem is, many writers’ publications pay
little or nothing for efforts, or take a great deal of
time from publication to payment.
To add insult to injury, they’re usually
saturated with submissions from subscribers as well as
wannabe scribes.
Oprah Winfrey
Though these zines are an excellent starting point for periodic pocket change, you must do more if you wish to maximize your earning potential! Many people mistakenly believe that success in writing is attributed to “luck”. But as a veteran writer, I can tell you it takes much more.
Writing is a business. Bottom line. And if you want to bring home the bacon, it all boils down to how well you hustle and how creative you are! Sure, you’re talented. But so are thousands of other people.
Here are 7 fool-proof ways to give opportunity a helping hand and maximize your earnings!
1. BLOW YOUR OWN HORN. Many of us have been taught that bragging is unbecoming. But how will others know how great you are if they’re never told? I recently published 2 books—(A PARADOX IN PINK and LIFE’S SPICES FOR SEASONED SISTAHS). Immediately after they were released, I contacted the college I graduated from, told them about my success, and offered to speak to their writers’ club. As a result of sharing my success and entrepreneurial experiences with a dean, I was booked to do a 1-hour lecture in May for $150.00. “Nothing succeeds like success!”
2. COLD CALL. In a former life, I used to be a telemarketer. That job taught me the importance and impact of just picking up the phone and making a sales pitch. Go through your yellow pages and connect with people that might have a potential need for your services. Have a brief script to read from so you don’t become nervous and/or ramble on. What have you got to lose? Some of my best bookings have been the result of this particular strategy.
3. CONSIDER PARTICIPATING IN VENDORS’ FAIRS. With warm weather, vendors’ fairs are abundant. Take advantage. Once a fellow poet and I split a booth at a church‘s vendors fair (for 7 bucks a piece) and sold quite a few books, not to mention, we passed out promotional flyers and business cards for future gigs.
4. THROW A BOOK RELEASE PARTY! If you’re a published author or poet, what better way to celebrate and tap into potential fans?
5. CHECK OUT THE LISTINGS OF YOUR AREA’S COMMUNITY CALENDAR. Local publications are usually laden with new business openings, organization meetings, contests, church bazaars, school events, and potential writing, speaking and networking opportunities.
6. THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. Besides penning pieces, I have also marketed myself as a contest judge, consultant, entrepreneur and tutor. Diversify to keep the dollars coming.
7. PLANT A SEED. It’s an old rule that bears repeating. Sometimes future work comes from past efforts. A few months ago, I wrote an article for Funds for Writers. In it I mentioned my credentials and areas of specialization. The day after it appeared, I got an E-mail from The Dabblingmum.com requesting my services. The ironic part was that I had tried unsuccessfully several times to break into their publication before! To make a long story short, I sold a piece to them the following week. Indeed “You reap what you sow.” Start planting your seeds today for a bountiful spring harvest!