Become a Six-Figure Writer - June issue

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Become a Six-Figure Writer

Tips and Techniques to Build
a Six-Figure Writing Business

June 2007
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Websites of Six-Figure Writers

No matter what kind of writing you do, a website designed to market you and your writing talent is essential. Having an online presence makes it possible for potential clients – editors, agents, publishers, corporations, non-profits, and others you may not have even thought of – to find you. Once there, they can also move ahead to assess your fit for their needs. Being able to take that step – researching your experience and skills – now, rather than later, significantly improves the odds of your being considered for some work. A functional website is a key part of that income-generating process.

But all websites are not created equal. To emulate writers making a solid six-figure living, be sure your website has the following.

Clean design. I could go into a huge discussion about branding here, but I won’t. The key is that you need to come up with a “look” for your marketing materials that ties everything together nicely. These elements could include a color scheme, a logo, and a particular font. But there should be plenty of space on your website that does not include writing or graphic elements. It’s just easier on the eyes and looks more upscale.

Easy-to-follow information. When editors or publishers visit your website it’s because they want to learn more about you. Don’t make it more difficult to track down information about your background and the types of writing you do. Use a navigation bar and clearly marked tabs to lead visitors where you want them to go.

Photo of you. One thing you’ll notice about many highly-paid writers is that they aren’t afraid to post a photo of themselves front-and-center. They want editors to get to know them, and part of that process includes seeing what they look like. If you don’t have a photo of yourself you like, have a nice, professional one taken.

Examples of a wide range of your work. You may write frequently on a particular topic, whether it’s pregnancy, or mergers and acquisitions, or technology, and it’s great to demonstrate to editors that you have this background. But if there are other topics you also write about, or want to write more about, you should also feature them to catch an editor’s eye. Showing the breadth of your work may help expand the number of opportunities you are presented.

Contact information. After reading through your site, visitors should be impressed and eager to hire you. So make it extremely easy for them to get in touch. List your phone number and have a link to your email, so clients can make contact right away.

Conversely, avoid the following, lest your credibility be damaged.

Unprofessional photos. You want a nice photo of yourself, but you in your bikini or Speedo holding a drink on a Caribbean beach is not a good image for you. Nor is a photo that is so dark that you can’t be seen, or one that is low resolution or jagged.

Ads. Yes, your website exists to bring in business for you, but keep the focus on you and not a slew of other products your web visitors might also be interested in. Steer clear of banner ads and Google AdSense for this, your “brochure,” site listing all your qualifications.

Take another look at your current website, or start plans for your first one, to make sure it reflects the successful writer you aspire to be. For inspiration, look at the sites of other well-known writers.

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AUTHOR RESOURCE

Some of my favorite resources and tools are those that cost next to nothing. Or, better yet, nothing at all.

Well, VistaPrint.com (www.vistaprint.com) specializes in printing small quantities of marketing tools like business cards, postcards, note pads, and calendars, all at very reasonable rates. And if you sign up to receive notices of special offers and promotions, you’ll frequently have the chance to get products for free if you pay the shipping. Not a bad deal!

I’ve used them several times, but I’m most proud of the business cards with my latest book cover featured on it – an idea I stole from my friend Sandra Beckwith, who teaches an excellent online course on book publicity (www.buildbookbuzz.com).

For a few pennies each, I now have a stack of cards on quality stock emblazoned with a color photo of the Unofficial Guide to Marketing Your Small Business alongside my contact information. Think about what you might feature on your business card.

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NEW CLIENTS GALORE

To be a six-figure writer you need to earn money consistently from a range of clients. While many writers work with newspaper, magazine, and book publishers, another group that few writers know about is custom publishers.

Custom publishers produce, print, and distribute magazines on behalf of their corporate clients, who send the magazine out to customers and prospects. The team putting out the magazine works for a custom publishing agency rather than Condé Nast or Hearst, however.

What that may mean for you is less competition, although the assignments and pay rival national newsstand publications.

Sound interesting? To find some of these elusive custom publishers, there is a great database you can access for free at www.custompublishingcouncil.com. There you’ll learn what types of clients the publisher works with and who to contact for more information.

If you’re looking to branch out, or you just want to upgrade your current client list, you may be pleasantly surprised at the lucrative opportunities with these companies.


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Email: marcia@becomeasixfigurewriter.com
Web: www.becomeasixfigurewriter.com
Blog: becomeasixfigurewriter.blogspot.com
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© 2007 Marcia Layton Turner