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Don’t Query, Be happy!
(Effective strategies for working smarter, not harder)
By Jennifer Brown Banks
Contrary to popular opinion, queries are not the only way to
reach the pinnacles of publishing--no more than a college
degree is a prerequisite for corporate success. Look at Bill
Gates.
During today’s tough times with limited resources, it’s all
about savvy and strategy. To this end, here are seven insider’s
tips to maximize your resources and your creative potential in
2010.
Know your editor!
Writing is a business. Just as you would research a company for
which you would like to work, you should do your homework with
editors for whom you’d like to write. Editors are people too. As
such, they have built in biases, pet peeves, charitable causes,
idiosyncrasies, favorite topics, and geographic preferences. Give
yourself a competitive edge by spending time researching their
online Bios, backgrounds, and even Facebook and social media
profiles to create a connection. Knowledge is power.
If opportunity won’t knock, Create it!
2010 will mark five years for me as a relationship columnist for
a popular online dating site. Truth be told, when I pitched the
editor for a potential columnist gig, there was no job posted
on his website. I liked his publication and what it stood for,
so I took a chance. I simply sent a few of my best crafted
articles and a letter of introduction, and the next month he
hired me. Sometimes success means taking a few risks.
Govern your time like you would govern your money.
Know how to glean the most out of your time and your resources.
Ever wonder how each of us is allocated the same number of
hours, and yet some folks seem to be more productive and
profitable? Learn how to identify your most productive time of
day. Multi-task. Capitalize on any time at your disposal.
Dodge the television and learn to say no to social requests.
It's amazing the time you'll have at your fingertips if you
grasp it.
If you want to go the distance, learn the shortcuts.
To save time on researching markets, sign up for the popular,
free Ezines for writers that email money-making markets to
your inbox on a weekly or monthly basis. My two favorites are
Funds for Writers and Writing for Dollars.
Freelancedaily.net
also offers a similar service for a nominal fee. Another
valuable tool in your arsenal is networking. There’s great
truth to the expression, “It’s not always what you know, but
who you know that counts.”
To build your portfolio, don’t burn bridges.
Have you had a bad experience with an editor or publisher?
Join the club. Just like any other professional industry, the
world of publishing has good folks and bad. But whether you’ve
encountered “creative differences,” were treated unfairly,
didn’t get paid as promised, or worked with someone who was
a real she-devil, don’t feel the need to exercise your “first
amendment rights” all over the Internet. Report it to one of
the watchdog agencies for writers, and then move forward. Put it
behind you and expend that frustrated energy toward queries and
writing rather than sour grapes.
Let go of your ego.
Know your strengths and limitations. This awareness keeps you
focused and empowered. Recognize when it comes to certain genres
and creative pursuits, you, well . . . suck. Be okay with that.
Know how to be your own fan, while being your best critic as well.
Reward yourself for progress.
What good are the “spoils of success” if you can’t spoil yourself
with the money you make from writing? Treat yourself to some
Starbucks. Buy that new gadget. Or revamp your writer’s space.
Pay for a new website designer. A new image will jack up your
self-assuredness. The reward system has always been a motivator
for kids and adults alike. So go for it!
By following these seven common sense tips, you’ll experience a
more profitable career, with more leisure time to enjoy it.
All it takes is a little focus and attitude adjustment, and
before you know it, you've put a few dollars in the bank.
BIO
Jennifer Brown Banks, Veteran freelance writer, columnist, editor.
http://penandprosper.blogspot.com/
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