I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve discovered over the years that writing is more than just a hobby or a craft. In fact, it has become my mode of earning a living, my passion, a way to gain credibility in my field and my favorite promotional outlet. But it is so much more. Writing has brought me some fabulous opportunities.<\/p>\n
I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve discovered that unusual, and often marvelous, things happen when I put myself out there through my writing. <\/p>\n
1: I meet interesting people. Both in person and over the Internet, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve met many high profile movers and shakers in the world of independent publishing as well as some extremely talented and successful authors. One can never have too many friends and business associates. Personal and professional connections are vital to establishing a successful writing\/publishing career. <\/p>\n
2: I get some lucrative writing assignments. After writing articles for The Toastmaster Magazine <\/em>for about six or seven years, they rewarded my loyalty and reliability with a new job offer. For a tidy sum, I rewrote several of their member manuals.<\/p>\n We complain when we find our articles or stories posted on the Internet. But wait, sometimes this can be a good thing. A member of a school district in Arkansas saw my article, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Rewards of Exercise\u00e2\u20ac\u009d on the Internet and contacted me for permission to make 1,000 copies to distribute at an upcoming event. Next, he wanted to know how much I would charge him to do this. I suggested $1,000. He agreed, without hesitation. <\/p>\n Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a bit of that article\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s history: I had already sold first rights for $300. Later, another organization came along and purchased reprint rights for $350. When I wrote that article, I knew it was a good one, so I am pleased that it has earned $1,650 so far.<\/p>\n See this article posted at my Web site: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/articles\/rewardsofexercise.htm<\/a><\/p>\n 3: I receive interesting invitations. Last year, Scott Flora, Executive Director of SPAN noticed my byline on writing and publishing-related articles in a multitude of magazines and ezines such as: Writer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Digest, Writers World, Writer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Weekly, SPAWNews, PMA Independent, Fiction Factor, Dabbling Mum, Author Me, RJ Publications, Book Promotion Newsletter <\/em>and so forth. He figured that I had something of value to say, so he invited me to be the lead speaker at their annual marketing conference in San Francisco that fall.<\/p>\n Last year, something really remarkable happened to me and this, too, was a result of my writing. Because I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m known as a regular contributor for The Toastmaster Magazine<\/em>, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been invited to many Toastmasters events as a speaker or a workshop leader. Toastmasters is an international organization. And it was because of my writing history with this magazine that I traveled, all expenses paid, to Dubai\u00e2\u20ac\u201dyes, in the Middle East\u00e2\u20ac\u201dwhere I was the first woman ever to present a keynote speech before 800 people at their annual Toastmasters convention.<\/p>\n 4: I attract some fascinating clients. A few years ago, I conducted a publishing workshop for a group of home-schooled students as a SPAWN project. (That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) http:\/\/www.spawn.org<\/a> We actually produced a perfect-bound book of the students\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 work\u00e2\u20ac\u201da book that they also designed. The local publicity for this volunteer project, landed me two wonderful new clients. <\/p>\n A search for people to interview for an article on learning public speaking when English is your second language, resulted in my meeting a lovely woman living in Florida. She just happened to be finishing up a book and needed some help. I am currently editing her book.<\/p>\n 5: I do a lot of networking. This is a marvelous practice for anyone who needs people. And don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t all authors and editorial consultants need people? I make important connections anytime I attend a gathering of writers\/authors\/publishers. It is through networking that I discover new writing organizations, potential clients and customers, new distribution programs and conferences where I can present workshops.<\/p>\n 6: I stay connected. I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t consider any of my customers to be former customers. They are all current customers who, if ever they need a question answered or a few words of support, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m there to offer it up. Twice a year or so, I contact my customers to ask how they\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re doing with their writing or publishing projects. Not only is it enjoyable to get to know some of these talented writers, it is a pleasure to help them. And some of them will hire me to help them move their project forward in some manner. Sometimes they need an editor or help writing a book proposal. Maybe they need counseling with regard to their marketing plan. As you can see, some of my good customers also become treasured clients.<\/p>\n Writing is not just about writing what you wish at a particular moment in time. It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not only about developing characters and writing clear instructions. If you aspire to earn a living as a freelance writer or succeed as a published author, keep putting yourself out there in a positive, professional way. Become active in your field or genre. Seek constant exposure in the ways I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve mentioned above. And you, too, will experience greater success and some marvelous opportunities.<\/p>\n The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book <\/em>is continuing to help authors wade their way through the myriad of options available today. Authors contact me every week to tell me how much more well-prepared they were when it came time to enter into the world of publishing only AFTER reading this book. Purchase your copy today at: http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/rightway.htm<\/a> And contact me with your questions and concerns at plfry620@yahoo.com <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve discovered over the years that writing is more than just a hobby or a craft. In fact, it has become my mode of earning a living, my passion, a way to gain credibility in my field and my favorite promotional outlet. But it is so much more. Writing has brought me some fabulous opportunities. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t