I understand writers who are artists. I get it. I read Bird by Bird and Writing Down the Bones, too. Those are beautiful values to have when it comes to writing.
There are days when I’m on the hammock in my backyard swing, writing longhand. But there are also days when I’m barricaded in my home office, with a conference on my speakerphone while I’m writing an article and hoping the mailman comes with my check soon. That’s because, as a freelance writer, my end goal is to make a buck. To pay my bills. And to do that, I’m constantly selling myself. And, if you’re a freelance writer, you are too. Here are some things you are constantly selling:
- Your ideas via pitches to magazines and clients.
- Yourself and your experiences to potential clients.
- Past experiences and future projects through grant prposals.
- Your position and viewpoint on things to the editors who are shaping your work.
- Your career path to friends at social events (or families at the Thanksgiving table).
- Your tips and experiences via your blog and websites.
- Your image and brand on your website.
- Your pricing structure through bids and proposals.
- Your personality and charisma at business events.
- Your brand, personality, and image at writer's conferences.
I know that many writers prefer the other side of the career- the artiste side. Frankly, I do, too. But we're going to need to cultivate these extrovert skills in order to be successful. Think about it as your dual personality. I do.
