I never thought of myself as a “business” person. For me the term called up images of a pinstripe-suited executives gleefully poring over profit and loss statements, PowerPoint presentations, and charts and graphs of God-knows-what. But recently I’ve learned that being “business-minded” is mostly about taking yourself seriously and believing in your gifts and talents, whether it’s writing or something else. Obviously it involves work too, but I believe that’s the underlying attitude one needs for success.

Another thing that was helpful for me to learn is that I don’t have to be the best writer or eat, breathe and sleep marketing in order to be a good copywriter. I just need to know more than my client (or roughly the equal amount if I’m dealing with an agency). I’m simply contributing my skill and knowledge to someone who needs it. The prospects I’m calling take me seriously because I take myself seriously and believe that I have something valuable to offer. As long as I don’t waver in my faith in myself, I should be where I want in six months (or less).

I’ll let you know.

Michael

I go to a local freelance group where one person says she leaves feeling like she’s not doing enough. I was always puzzled by that statement. Maybe she’s a writer first and feels a little out of place with those of us who are taking a more businesslike approach.

I worked as a textbook editor for 18 years until the company closed our local office. While figuring out what to do, I read a book called Second Acts, which talked about doing what you love but not going broke doing it. That’s what I wanted then and still want. Things are a little slow as far as projects go right now, but I’m confident they will pick up. It has given me time to create a Web site and blog for my business, which is turning out to be a wonderful outlet for my writing. I’m even more excited about the idea of creating a personal blog, which is on my to-do list. I will take a business approach to that too.

I like the professional aspect of writing–working for clients to help them reach their goals.

Maybe I’m just too left-brained to be a writer first.

Eileen and Marci, great insights and stories as usual. Marci, I love the bit about being dropped from the writers group b/c you weren’t serious enough. Shaking my head. WHATever.

And Jennydecki? Sounds like you’ve carved out quite a nice life that works for you on YOUR terms. What more could you ask for? As for the other, see, I KNEW you were a rock star, so I was a little intimidated… Hey, just ask away. I don’t bite.

PB

Thanks for the kind words I keep trying to get Peter to talk to me, because I’m a rock star, maybe testimonials on his blog will help. (Of course, so would having an actual reason to talk to him…I haven’t worked up that part yet. I don’t do Internet marketing anymore so a JV deal is out of the question.)

I’ll think of something.

Asking might help. *grin*

[I have to relate this story: After I started my business, I continued in a fiction writers group for about a year. It was very small and 3/4 of us were already published -- books. Not me, although the group loved my manuscript. But as I wrote for business and had to concentrate on that, I wrote less for the group. Then one meeting, they didn't tell me when it was. I was more or less dropped from it -- because they were "serious about writing" (fiction) and I apparently was not. I was the only one who had to work and didn't have a spouse to support my writing time... There is an elitism about "being a writer" -- I didn't fit it anymore.]

Sometimes I confess to people I like — in and outside of business — that I feel like an “artist in an itchy wool business suit.” But I’ve been wearing that suit for 13 years now, working as an independent communications specialist… or FLCW, whichever you prefer. Either way, I have been supporting myself and for a while, my growing sons. I work out of my home office. I BOUGHT my own home 8 years ago — after a disasterous divorce — something I didn’t think I’d ever be able to do when I started my own business. There was no “divorce money” to buy a home. It’s mine because I’ve worked very hard and had clear vision that writing was the way to make money, and it was in commercial writing. I’m still here, and still changing and growing in my professional life — wearing that suit.

Because, even as a magazine writer, and a (still) hopeful novelist — I agree with Debbi. You must have a business mode for whatever writing you do, if you are to be successful. Today I have a contract with Gannett as the head writer and associate editor for development of a regional magazine where I live. This is a part of my income but certainly not the whole shebang! I work on other clients and projects. I missed writing for magazines, and happened to see that Gannett was looking for someone with exactly my skills and background. I went after it knowing that they put out a spectacular product in the city nearby. We went about working together as a business arrangement — I am helping them develop the issues in addition to writing features. Then I put my work up on my site, as part of my portfolio — it’s very attractive to other clients.

Meanwhile, I’m working on re-vamping my web site. I realize that it needs to be less “writerly” and more about the problem solving and consulting I do with clients — benefits over features. I’m asking feedback and ideas from former clients, current clients, mentors, and people whose advice I respect — what do they see, and how can I do it better?

“The suit” may itch at times, but it keeps me warm!!!

Alan, thank you for your clarion call. Thank you to all — you have so many valuable things to say.

Well-said, ‘JennyDecki’ of the Chicago area! That’s the best, shortest description of Peter’s guiding principle I’ve seen . . . even from The Man himself.

Also has particular resonance on Election Day, I daresay.

Don’t charge by the word, Jennifer, even though you know how to make each one count.

Then I started blogging and got comments and free stuff and was all, “Hey, I really thought writers were starving artists…I need to do more research…”

I had done some writing as part of marketing work and found that people loved what I had to say and then when I was searching for a way to turn the writing into the “what I sell” I ran across the Well-Fed Writer. Then I had a pretty standard “ephiphany moment” and have been writing ever since.

While I don’t make six figures yet I do manage to balance my work from my home office with two toddlers and when they’re in school I will up my game, but for now I’m just looking to maintain what I’ve got and add more a little at a time.

So I’m absolutely, positively a businessperson/writer. It helps when talking about money with clients, because I think most people choke on that part and it’s important to treat it like any other part of the conversation, openly and without fear.

And thanks Michelle. Your comments and those of several others here (Eileen, Steve, Alan, Craig) remind us of what it takes to be successful, and that the stakes are nothing less than having a life truly worth living – where we get to do what we enjoy and make a difference for a lot of others. And that’s pretty cool. Do you all get how rare that is for most people? Don’t forget it. As I’ve learned over and over, the #1 key to having a great life is to first realize that you indeed DO have a great life.

PB

Well, YOU are the reason I made the jump into freelancing from a career on Broadway backstage and doing things like writing plays and short fiction.

The bulk of my writing is still fiction, but I expanded into business writing in order to make the leap. So I’d say I’d come from the writer/businessperson POV. However, your techniques have helped me take the next leap in my fiction – I apply what you talk about in your book and what we discuss here to the fiction.

I do less corporate writing and pick up more of the “odd” types of business writing jobs, where fiction and playwrighting come in handy.

And, Arthur Miller said to me once, “you’ll never really be a writer until you count on it to pay the bills” and he was right.

It’s a different perception. You don’t have excuses; you can’t “wait for the muse to strike”, you can’t skip writing because you don’t feel like it that day or because you’re tired.

And you get to take a day off whenever you want, once you’ve met your deadlines!

You put the butt in the chair and you DO IT.

Adding the business perspective into the business of writing means you approach everything with action, not passivity, excuses, or re-action.

I love writing, it’s like breathing to me, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to allow some cubicle slave who hates his life to punish me because I love what I do. I have valuable skills, and I deserve a living wage for them.

I think that’s the most important thing writers who approach it from writing-first need to learn — respect your own worth, or no one else will. Don’t let anyone punish you for loving your job.