If you want to make money as a writer, you have to think like a business. It’s not enough to simply get out there and start writing. You have to think about things like marketing, advertising, and finances.
If you’re ready to take your passion to the next level and start monetizing it, we’re going to show you how.
Here’s how to start writing professionally and become a successful business.
Create Your Business Plan
Many businesses require a writing or SEO content and copywriting service so you’ve got the potential to create a lucrative business. But before you can begin, you’ll need to develop your business plan. This is essentially your road map to success.
Your business plan should detail how your business will grow and become profitable. You’ll want to include your financial goals, as these will show you how much you need to charge for your services in order to be profitable.
It should also include buyer personas, depending on the writing services you’ll be providing. Are you focusing on broad content like technology or general business or in a more niche industry like healthcare? You’ll need to develop a persona for each type of customer you’ll be targeting.
You’ll also want to do some digging into your competitors, find out what they charge and what they’re doing to market their business. While marketing should be a section in your business plan, your marketing strategy should be outlined elsewhere. More on that later.
Take Control of Your Finances
If you want to operate as a business, your goal is obviously to make more money than you were making as a hobbyist.
To become a profitable business, you’ll need to learn how to manage your finances and set a budget that will allow you to pay yourself while covering any overhead expenses.
Luckily, the majority of your business will be conducted online so the biggest expense will be your website. Keep track of the costs and stick to your budget when factoring in website design so that you’re bringing in enough income to support yourself.
Launch Your Website
While there are free options out there for websites, some of them can limit your reach. To establish authority, you’ll need to purchase a domain name and choose a platform that will allow you to self-host.
When you create your website, you’ll need to create a business email as well. Many website hosting companies provide email services as well so you can easily set up both.
Develop a Solid Marketing Strategy
If you want your writing business to be successful, you’ll need to develop an effective marketing strategy.
Content is king and since you’re a writer this will be a piece of cake. You’ll need to update your blog frequently with engaging, SEO-optimized content. This will bring in readers and get you up the search rankings. End each post with a call to action for your services. It could be as simple as asking them to call you or offering a download for a free resource.
You’ll also want to think about the social media channels your target client frequents. You should have this info in your buyer persona research. For example, if they’re on Facebook you’ll need to put more time and effort into posting and advertising there.
Follow These Tips and Learn How to Start Writing Professionally
Now that you’ve got the tools to learn how to start writing professionally, it’s time to put them into practice. Once you have your business and marketing plans in place, your finances in order and your website up and running, you’ll be able to get your name out there and start building your enterprise.
We’ll be here for you during every step of your journey. Check out the rest of our site for more helpful tips for entrepreneurs.