The Word Wrangler

The new year is fast approaching and most of us will be resolving to increase our business in the coming year. Here are 5 tips for getting started on the right foot.

1. Attitude - The number one factor that makes or breaks most of our ventures in life is our attitude. If your outlook on life and business is sour, then you’ll probably end up frustrated and eventually quit. Negative thoughts are bound to creep in, but don’t dwell on them. Talk to other freelancers and share your concerns. We’ve all had them and, once you vent, you can move on.
2. Exercise - That’s right. Getting in shape is not only good for your body, but can be good for your business too. When you exercise your body produces endorphins which create a natural euphoria and sense of well being. The better you feel about yourself, the better you’ll be able to conduct business.
3. Try New Markets - Maybe your specialty has been in writing keyword articles, or maybe you’re a stud (or studette) when it comes to feature stories, the fact is that success means taking risks. Try stepping out of your comfort zone and pursuing a market you either hadn’t thought of before, or thought you’d never be able to break into. The worst thing that can happen is you find out you’re not cut out for a particular kind of writing and simply go back to your specialty. But even if you fail, you’re guaranteed to learn a lot along the way, which will make you a better business person in the long run.
4. Network - Freelancing can be a lonely business. It’s tempting - especially with the web - to conduct all of our business online without ever seeing another person. If you want to increase your business then you need to mingle amongst the people. Join your chamber of commerce, attend local events, job fairs or any other place that professionals gather. Be sure to keep plenty of business cards on hand AND don’t be shy about selling yourself. That’s not to say that you make a pest of yourself, but let people know what you do and why it’s important to hire good writers. Let’s face it, judging by some of the marketing materials that I’ve seen, many businesses don’t realize the importance of good copy.
5. Read - Good writers read. They read everything because they understand that the more information they can absorb, the more effective they can be at their jobs. And don’t just read about writing, or your particular niche, either. Going outside our boxes helps us to expand our knowledge, which makes us more valuable in the marketplace. And you never know when you’ll discover new markets or areas of interest in your daily reading.

I hope these tips have helped. There’s plenty more you can do to become a more successful freelancer in 2008 and I wish you all the best.