Staying focused

When you finally come to sit down to do some serious article writing (because this is where you'll earn as a freelancer - if you're good), take some time to brainstorm your favourite topics. When you have a list of all the things you think you might like to write about, pick your top 2 and run with them for a while. Any writing or research activity that sits outside of these top 2 subjects should be left on the shelf for the time being.

STAY FOCUSED

At the end of each week - in preparation for the next - put together a marketing plan for that week. Keep your top 2 in mind when doing this and brainstorm what I call your "spin offs" - ideas that come from ideas. Remember, the aim of all this is to put a new spin on an old topic. Start studying magazines that relate to your top 2 either at your local book store or library - or both - and analyse the articles they publish. To target these publications, you need to be able to write in a similar style and with similar content. Start by finding out the name of the editor/s and writing queries to a few of your chosen markets.

STAY FOCUSED

Include in your marketing plan how you will network with other businesses and other writers each week. This is an integral part to staying focused, but one that is often overlooked (and I'm guilty!) However, thank god for Twitter... Contact with fellow writers will keep your passion for writing and freelancing alive and networking with businesses might just result in a few leads or assignments.

STAY FOCUSED