My article originally appeared in The Writers Store eZine.
As an aspiring novelist or screenwriter, it can be frustrating to work at a day job that doesn’t allow for much creativity. Fortunately, there are avenues you can explore for bringing in a steady stream of income that incorporates your passion for writing.
Below are 5 writing gigs that can turn into full-time careers with enough perseverance. You’re only limited by your own imagination!
1. Affiliate Blogger
Sure, most writers know what a blog is, but many don’t realize the potential cash flow that comes with being part of an affiliate program. A marketing tactic employed by many online businesses, an affiliate program is a system in which a company rewards a registered affiliate (in this case, a blogger) for driving customers and sales to the company’s website. In short, bloggers receive commission payments when their readers click over to a company’s site from their affiliate links and make a purchase.
The best way to start affiliate blogging is to choose a topic for a blog that has a natural propensity for purchases, like travel, music, tech gadgets, or other type of consumer product. Once you’ve chosen a topic, you can search for available affiliate programs, or join a site like VigLink.com, which automates the affiliate process for you. You can use affiliate programs (and VigLink) on an existing blog as well. Simply join a program and add affiliate links to your past and future content.
Continue reading »
Author platform. A buzz term in the writing industry these days, and one that may be a mystery to many scribes. So what is it?
An author platform refers to the different means a writer employs to promote and market work, and connect with an audience.
In the past, writers could depend on their agents or publishers to publicize their creations. Today, most of these same insiders expect writers to have a following already established before they’ll even consider looking at their work.
Want proof? Check out this blog post from esteemed literary agent Rachelle Gardner, who clearly states that she’s looking for writers with an active online presence.
Fortunately, there’s an easy (and often free) way to get attention for your writing.
Continue reading »
Lately, I’ve been walking around singing the 800-588-2300 Emmmm-pirrreee jingle from the flooring company Empire Today. I‘m not currently in the market for new floors, but one day I may be, and I’m willing to bet I pick up the phone and call Empire. That crazy jingle has been around for 30 years, and while some may find it annoying (dogs, in particular), no one can discount its effectiveness.
This is a powerful example of creating awareness for a brand. Empire understands the need to plant a seed in the consumer’s mind in order to reap new business. It may not happen today, or even tomorrow, but it will certainly blossom one day.
As a writer, you can create awareness for yourself (and get in the market for any number of writing jobs and assignments) through a blog. Think of your writing as the brand you need to promote. When you first start out, it will feel like you’re posting into a dark, lonely abyss. But remember this: you’re building awareness for your brand, and that takes time.
Before you know it, there will be someone that’s in the market for your unique writing style!
Copywriting can be a challenge for a person who takes pride in his extensive vocabulary and grammatical prowess. Effective copy often contains colloquialisms and traditional grammar gaffes in order to sound conversational. “Eatin’ Good in the Neighborhood,” “Got Milk?” and “A Little Dab’ll Do Ya” come to mind.
That doesn’t mean copy is a dumbed-down form of writing; quite the opposite. Copywriting is a specialized skill that requires the ability to trigger an emotional response, convey a product’s unique benefits, and induce the reader to act in the way the writer desires, all in a just few words. Not so dumb, right?
When it comes to copy, a good rule of thumb is this: keep it simple. Set a friendly tone and be conversational. You may use conjunctions. Sentence fragments. It’s even okay in some cases to be grammatically incorrect.
Be still your beating Strunk!
Rhythm is just as important to a copywriter as it is to a musician. Just like the jazz greats who scat their way through a be-boppin’ beat, copywriters must learn to lay down some words that are music to the audience’s ears.
The most effective way to decide if your copy has good rhythm is to read it out loud. If you trip over any words, or sound like a robot, then chances are your rhythm is off key.
To get a better flow going, try changing the length of your sentences. Too many short sentences in a row tend to sound like a dime-store noir novel. (He walked to the door. He grabbed the handle. No one was inside.)
Another enemy of rhythm is the same sentence type over and over again. Compare these two short paragraphs:
Continue reading »
Final Draft 8 - Download Edition $199.00 
