Writing careers are becoming a very popular choice for many young people. Indeed, many writing jobs can be done without having to climb the corporate ladder simply because you will be working remotely or freelancing – which is why careers in writing are so appealing.
However, it is important to understand that career growth in creative writing jobs is very important and includes tasks that are not directly related to writers work (e.g. marketing). Here are the three main steps to climb the writer’s career ladder.
#1 Develop Your Craft
First and foremost, you need to develop your craft. The only way to become a good writer is by learning how to write and practicing as much as you can. Don’t be afraid to start calling yourself a writer before you become “famous” or start “earning good money” with your writing. If you write, you are already a writer. The difference is that you could be putting your work into your drawer – or you could be trying to publish it in some way.
On the other hand, it is vital to understand that there are many different forms of writing from journalistic articles and news coverage to non-fiction cookbooks and encyclopedias, to poetry and fiction writing. Before you can become a writer, you need to understand what you want to be writing. For example, you might be very passionate about fashion and want to cover topics related to it – or you could be an avid fantasy reader who loves writing fantasy too.
Speaking of reading, this is probably one of the easiest ways to learn the craft of writing. By reading a lot, you will see what others are doing and understand how things work. You will learn what good writing looks as well as what bad writing looks like and the kinds of mistakes you will want to avoid. In other words, reading is your best friend, so you should definitely seek out relevant pieces to read (i.e. read the books you want to write).
Official education can also be very useful. Getting a degree in writing or even attending writing courses can significantly improve your chances of becoming a good writer, especially if you make sure to develop lasting relationships with your fellow writers and start making connections in the industry. In addition to that, you will get good feedback from your teacher and fellow students that will help you improve your writing.
#2 Create Your Brand
The second thing you will need to do once you develop your craft is to create your brand. This stage as well as the next stage or tip are probably the once writers dread the most. Most writers, especially those in creative writing, consider themselves artists and don’t want to think about marketing their work. They believe that talent is all they need to become successful and well-paid writers. But this is not true – you still need to be a good marketer.
Branding is the best way to establish yourself as a writer. All the famous writers were known for certain characteristics that defined them. When you think of H.P. Lovecraft, you immediately associate his name with mystery, dark themes, and fantastical elements. These features defined his brand image – even if he didn’t mean to make them his brand image or didn’t consciously try to create one of such kind.
The same thing goes for any and every writer who wants to be successful. You already know what type of writing you will produce (e.g. poetry, cookbooks, news coverage, epic fantasy novels), but you should also decide what style of writing you will use and what features will make you stand out as a writer. Think of your writer’s voice and how it is unique and original, but don’t stress about making it completely new as it is nearly impossible.
You should also think about your image as a writer. If you know that you might become (or you are absolutely sure you will become) a public figure, you need to have a particular image as a person that will be likable and will correspond to your writing style. Many of your readers and followers will want to relate to you as a person rather than only reading your books without considering who wrote them.
#3 Build Your Business
Last but not least, you need to build your business. Once you have developed your craft and created your brand, you will need to start actively promoting yourself and doing everything you can to kickstart your career and then keep it alive through the years. Here are some things to keep in mind when building your business:
- Create A Good Portfolio: By creating a good portfolio, you will be able to showcase your work when someone requests it. At the same time, you will also be able to show off your work even when it is simply posted online for anyone to see. After all, this is how you can get noticed! Start your social media accounts and post your work there.
- Take Every Opportunity You Can: At first, you might not be getting many jobs. In fact, it will be very hard to get a good job as a writer who has just started out. This is why you need to take every opportunity you can get and maybe even write for free.
- Make Reasonable Choices: That being said, you should still make reasonable choices. You should still make money to pay your bills which is why you should definitely have some kind of job even if you are already writing for free.
- Continue Learning: You can never know absolutely everything about writing. At the same time, you should continue learning to be able to perfect your craft over time and become a better writer with every year. Just look at how the works of famous artists evolve through the years!
- Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Taking risks and experimenting is a must for creative professions. Otherwise, how will you be able to know what works and what doesn’t, what you enjoy and what you dislike?
- Always Be an Optimist: Lastly, always be an optimist. Creative professions are known for being hard to tackle which is why being an optimist and staying determined to succeed is the best way to become a successful writer.
Final Thoughts
All in all, there are certain things you need to do to get started as a writer, but it is very important to understand that dedication and determination are the two most important things when it comes to building a lasting career in writing.
Mary Byrd is a self-driven specialist who currently works in the companies Best Writers Online and Online Writers Rating writing services review and enhances her blogging skills. She is not looking for easy ways, she is always developing and looking for new ideas. Professional development is an important part of her life. Marie always improves her skills and her main goal is to inspire people.
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