When some people think of writers and editors, they envision disheveled creative types who spend long hours reading or writing at their local coffee shop or maniacally editing copy with bright red pens. Minus the disheveled part (I'd argue we clean up nicely), the rest isn't far off. We crave writing time and are passionate about clean copy. And yes, we love coffee shops! But more and more of us believe in the idea of "networking to grow your writing business" – stepping out of the shadows to connect more with people in person and on social media.
And I gotta tell ya ... I love to see it. Networking – with business owners, community members, non-profits, and other writers and editors – has put my writing business, Edit This®, on the map and helped me build personal and business relationships that will last a lifetime.
I see the same things taking shape for many of my writing and editing colleagues. So, please consider networking to grow your writing business.
Have you considered these networking options?
* Your local chambers of commerce
* Networking groups
* In-person or virtual writers' groups
* Lunch-and-learns
* Social media
* Small-business expos
* Young entrepreneur events
* Rotary
Have you started a writing business, or are you at least thinking about it? Our consulting and coaching services are geared toward writers because we've been in your shoes and want to see you succeed! Call Steve today at 469-360-3611 or send an email to steve@editthisllc.com.
Networking Benefits for Your Writing Business!
The bottom line is that it's all about building connections in today's world and staying visible so that people know you actually exist and can help tell their story. You can do that through social media (I'm a huge fan). But I also spend a healthy amount of time meeting people face-to-face at many of the events I mentioned earlier in this post.
These events are happening right now. And the more you show up, the easier it will be to grow your writing business. Just a few quick benefits to networking include the following:
Meet new clients
Create brand awareness
Strengthen your list of business connections
Meet other writers and editors
Prove you can be trusted
Find inspiration
Exchange best practices
Build long-lasting relationships
Give and receive career advice and support
Get more involved in your community
Build your confidence
Here are two excerpts from my book, Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion for the Written Word, that illustrate what I mean by networking to grow your writing business.
"They saw value in what I was doing and wanted to know how they could help. I knew web designers, marketing gurus, graphic design artists, and even other writers who wanted to develop synergistic relationships with Edit This. I was a one-person show, yet I had business owners in neighboring fields willing to work with me and introduce me to people they knew. It was a powerful feeling to know that I had developed that level of trust with people. And it still is. Today, I'm still an active member of the local chamber of commerce. I still have my favorite networking groups, and there isn't a mixer I haven't been to."
"Building authentic relationships is one of the best ways to grow a successful small business – especially for freelance writers. If people feel like they know you, they see you a lot, and they like you, they'll never forget you. They'll think of you when they have something that needs to be written, and they'll share their story with you."
Want More Writing Business Tips? Call Edit This!
Please check back with these blogs over the next several weeks for a deeper conversation about the power of networking to grow your writing business – because there is still so much more to discuss with this vibrant topic. I feel an incredible sense of responsibility to share with other writers and editors who are just starting out on their own what worked for me, what didn't, what I wish I did differently, and everything in between. This way, they can start their writing business faster and with more confidence than I ever had all those many years ago.
And if you're interested in working with us on an ongoing basis for more tips and tricks, pick up the phone and call. A writing consulting and coaching professional works collaboratively with a writer to help take their passion for writing from a hobby to a successful freelance writing career. We aren’t your editor, writer, ghostwriter, or second set of eyes, and we won’t take the steps toward small-business ownership for you. But we will coach you through getting that business started, including giving you practical advice, actionable step-by-step instructions, accountability and structure, and anything else we can do to help you overcome obstacles that may pop up.
Everything starts with a FREE 30-minute call. From there, you’ll have three 45-60-minute phone, Zoom, or in-person sessions per month, where we provide customized step-by-step instructions to keep you on track and turn your hobby into a successful writing business.
There are hundreds of ways to flex your creative writing muscles and build a successful freelance writing business. And we want to help.
Thank you for reading!
STEVE GAMEL is the President & Owner of Edit This®, a writing and editing services company in Denton, TX. He is also a consultant and coach and the author of Write Like You Mean It: Mastering Your Passion for the Written Word. Steve handles anything involving the written word. Give him a call today to help give your business a clear voice.
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