If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the possibilities, we get it. Social media tools can feel daunting, but there are quick things you can do every day to slowly grow a brand that rocks.

Hop over to Part One for tips on using Facebook and Twitter to develop your platform. Then, meet us back here for Part Two on LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat.

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Snapchat

LinkedIn

If you thought LinkedIn was just another career site to repurpose your resume, think again. LinkedIn has emerged as a publishing powerhouse over the past few years. Time to dust off your profile!

Publish a post on LinkedIn

It’s a game-changer: LinkedIn now allows users to publish long-form content on the site.

If you don’t have your own website or blog, use LinkedIn to write content and share your expertise. If you do have your own blog, republish some of your posts on LinkedIn, sharing a link back to the original post on your site.

LinkedIn shares your post on your profile as well as on the main news feed, allowing your words to be viewed by those who follow you and the greater LinkedIn community.

Update your profile with documents, images and presentations

Gone are the days of copy and pasting resume bullets into LinkedIn and calling it a day. LinkedIn is fancy now!

Now you can add all kinds of media to different positions listed, including presentations, videos, documents and photos. Set yourself apart by making your LinkedIn profile an interesting and visual place to get to know you and your work.

One of the best ways to optimize your LinkedIn profile is to check out this Freelance Writers Den program. They have numerous case studies on how freelance writers are using LinkedIn to get INBOUND leads and land clients.

Instagram

Who doesn’t love scrolling through Instagram? It’s meant to be a beautiful place for creativity, inspiration and eye candy. And it can also help you build a strong writing brand and community.

You get one link

Instagram is notorious for only giving users one link in their profile and not allowing clickable URLs within a post. The truth of the matter is that Instagram doesn’t really want to be a place that sends traffic to your website; instead, it wants to be the place you build your brand and community through compelling images.

However, you do get one link, so use it wisely. Your link appears underneath your bio on your main profile. Most people include their website’s homepage in this space, but don’t be afraid to change the link every so often when you have something specific (an article, blog post, etc.) you want to give a little extra love.

To draw attention to that link, post a relevant image, write a clever caption and then include somewhere in the post the phrase “Link in profile” so folks know to click over to your Instagram homepage if they want more details.

Use Insta-stories

The best way to get your content discovered on Instagram is by using their stories and reels features. Just like Snapchat (which we’ll cover in a minute), Instagram allows you to create short-form stories called Insta-stories.

What are Insta-stories?

They are typically made in 15-second increments of video but can be strung together for as long as you want to record. They can also be photos, music, or text, depending on what you want to post. The trick is that they expire in 24 hours, creating a border-line addictive need for your audience to know what you’re up to.

What are Reels?

Reels are similar to Insta-stories in that they are short-form content, but they are slightly different in that they can last for longer than 24 hours on the platform. They are currently limited to 60 seconds of video, but you can overlay the video with plenty of other features.

If you’re asking yourself, “What would I ever use an Insta-story or Reel to do?” let me challenge you to get creative!

Writers and bestselling authors are using Insta-stories and Reels to show behind the scenes of their days and lifestyles, like Donald Miller. They are using it for podcast and speaking clips and promotion of upcoming events, like Jon Acuff. And they are even using it for audiobook previews, like Rob Bell.

There are plenty of other ways to utilize these powerful aspects of the Instagram platform, including promotional giveaways, announcements, and more. The possibilities are endless if you think creatively.

Use relevant hashtags

Another great way to get your content discovered on Instagram is by using relevant hashtags.

Hashtags are super useful, but can also quickly muck up a post if you use too many or don’t place them properly. If you only plan to use a few hashtags and they make sense within the text of your caption, sprinkle them there.

If there are other hashtags you’d like to use that don’t fit in the post itself, add them in the comments section. This way, when others comment on your post, the hashtags comment is hidden, but they still lead others to find your post.

More is not always better! Don’t pepper your post with dozens of hashtags, although Instagram does allow up to 30 hashtags on a given post. Consider using between five and 10 relevant hashtags on a given Instagram post.

Some favorite and popular hashtags for writers, according to Iconosquare? Try #writing #amwriting #writingcommunity #instawriting and #writinglife.

Pinterest

Pinterest may be best known for tasty recipes and some serious closet inspiration, but it’s also a great place to display your portfolio — and find additional writing inspiration and resources.

Create a living resume or portfolio

Looking for another beautiful and creative way to showcase your work? Turn your writing portfolio into a Pinterest board.

Pin articles and blog posts you’ve written, as well as any type of press you’ve received. Let this living resume Pinterest board be a place where you truly shine. (Here’s mine!)

Build your board over time rather than pinning everything at once to give your followers a chance to see the content in their feed as you pin. As you’re pinning archived content, consider posting three to five pins a day; once you’re up to date, pin new articles and posts are they’re published.

Find inspiration and be a resource to other writers

You know all those awesome articles and resources you find and want to save for to read later? Before you know it, you’ve got 25 tabs open in your online browser.

Nope? Just me?

Pin those articles to a Pinterest board about writing, marketing, entrepreneurship or whatever it is you’re hoping to build your brand and expertise in. This type of board not only keeps you organized, but also positions you as a resource for others who may be interested in similar topics.

While you’re at it, find other inspirational writing boards to follow to build relationships with other writers and find new content to pin.

Make your writing pinnable

Pinterest can serve as a great source of referral traffic to your website if you put processes in place to make your writing Pinterest-friendly.

You may not have much control over the images selected to go with your post on external websites, but for your own blog or site, use a free tool like Canva or PicMonkey to create fun graphics. These visual cues will entice viewers to repin your pin and click out of Pinterest to read your content.

Snapchat

If you’ve been ignoring Snapchat because you think it’s just for teens, grab your phone, download the app and prepare to be amazed. With 100 million daily users, Snapchat is nothing to sneeze at.

Create (or simply watch) a Snapchat story

Flex your creativity in a new way by creating a Snapchat story. Perhaps one of the app’s best features, Snapchat stories allow users to create a narrative through photo and video.

Within a story, a Snapchatter can write text, draw pictures, insert emojis, and add filters to mark their location, time, weather, speed and more. Speed videos up, slow ‘em down, put them in reverse; Snapchat allows you to share stories in a unique, fun and unfiltered way.

Consider documenting a day in your writing life using Snapchat. Don’t be afraid to flip the camera and turn it on yourself; Snapchat audiences love to see the person behind the phone. Talk to the camera about your latest writing project or what inspires you to write.

Remember: Snap stories disappear after 24 hours, so you have a limited window of time to share your message.

If you’re not ready to create your own story yet, watch stories of those you follow, or enjoy one from any of the “Live” stories featured that day.

Conclusion

If you’re neglecting social media as a writer, you’re doing yourself a disservice. You’ve invested so much time in creating great written content, don’t click publish and hope people magically find it. With social media, you can now get your written content in front of more eyeballs than ever!

You don’t have to use every social platform available. If you try, you’ll burn yourself out. But you can choose 1 or 2 that appeal to your audience, where your readers are already hanging out, and go for it!

What do you think? What is your favorite social media site? If you have any social media tips for writers, leave a comment and let us know!

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published in 2016. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

Congratulations! You are now the CEO of your personal brand.

In addition to writing, it’s also your job to create a strong online platform to share your work, reach new readers and discover opportunities.

One of the most effective ways to build your personal brand is through social media. And these quick social media tips will help you confidently navigate those murky waters and build a writing brand that rocks.

Just like the writing world is always changing, the social media world moves at a ridiculously fast pace. It’s easy to get overwhelmed or even lost by all of the possibilities.

If the thought of adding another social media site to your already long list of things to do as a writer leaves you feeling frazzled, take a deep breath and settle in.

We’ve rounded up some quick tips and ideas for using Facebook and Twitter to develop your platform. Stay tuned for Part Two detailing how to build your personal brand using LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat!

• Facebook
• Twitter

Facebook

While Facebook may be the place Aunt Sally comments on all of your photos and status updates (Thanks, Aunt Sally), it’s also emerged as a bustling social network to build community and meet fellow writers.

Join and participate in relevant Facebook groups for writers

One of the best ways to use Facebook as a writer is by joining relevant groups and communities. Participating in Facebook groups is a great way to meet and network with fellow writers, share resources, gather inspiration and even find new assignments and writing projects.

I highly recommend joining the Freelance to Freedom Project community and of course, our Write Life community.

Looking for more Facebook groups for writers? We’ve rounded up 16 of them for you!

Use Facebook to help find inspiration and sources

Your Facebook experience can be as pleasant and interesting as you choose to make it. By unfollowing people who no longer interest you and instead following publications and brands you love, your Facebook newsfeed can become a hotbed for writing inspiration.

Similarly, your Facebook network can help out when you’re in a bind. On deadline and need a last-minute source to interview or a quick quote for a piece? Facebook to the rescue!

Consider posting your sourcing needs in one of the active Facebook groups you’re part of and be amazed at the speed in which you’ll discover potential sources or interviewees.

Let your personal network in on what you’re doing

We tend to associate Facebook with being the social media site we use to share personal photos and stories and to keep in touch with family and friends. However, you never know when your personal life and professional life may have some crossover.

When I quit my job to take my business full time, I began sharing my “Becoming CEO” blog posts on my personal Facebook page. I left the privacy setting for those specific posts open to the public and was amazed at the reach of the posts and the number of people who weren’t my friends who began “following” my personal page.

Several interesting business opportunities have popped up after choosing to share my professional life with my personal network.

Twitter

This fast-paced social media site is the place to share your work, commiserate with fellow writers in real time and find inspiration for future writing projects.

Schedule your tweets ahead of time

An easy way to stay active on Twitter without spending all day online is to pre-schedule your tweets using a social media tool like Hootsuite, Buffer or Edgar.

Every time you craft a new tweet promoting a blog post or article you’ve written, create two or three different versions of that tweet and save them to a spreadsheet or Word document. Before you know it, you’ll have a master list of all the tweets you’ve written to promote your work.

One day each week, sit down with that document and schedule out at least three tweets a day for the next week. Be sure to share both your new content, as well as re-sharing older evergreen content; consider the fact that Twitter moves at a fast clip and just because you tweeted a post three months ago doesn’t mean your following necessarily saw it then.

Make friends and share the love using a “Notice Me” list

Promoting your own work on Twitter is important, but so is being an active part of the Twitter community. In between those tweets sharing your latest blog post or article, be sure to interact with those you follow and share their work, as well.

My favorite way to find great content to share is by monitoring my “Notice Me” list. It’s a curated list of bloggers, writers and entrepreneurs I admire who create great content and who I’d like to make part of my network.

I add these folks to a private Twitter list and check that feed regularly to find interesting content to share and people to chat with on Twitter. Twitter moves quickly and can be daunting, so curating a list of the people you actually want to hear from can help you save time and be more effective.

Share your writing progress with your community on a regular basis

If you’re not interested in live broadcasting your writing sessions (Let’s be honest: No one needs to see my signature PJs-and-messy-hair writing look), consider Periscoping weekly or monthly to update your community on your latest projects and progress.

The good news? Periscope is connected to Twitter, so when you start a broadcast, it sends a tweet to your followers that you’re live, giving your video more reach.

Periscope broadcasts don’t need to be super long to be effective; jumping on for five or 10 minutes is a great way to give your network a visual peek behind the scenes of you and your latest projects.

Stay tuned for Part Two on LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest and Snapchat!

Chime in! What’s your favorite social media site? Do you have any social media tips for writers looking to develop a personal brand online?

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published in 2016. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

The Writer’s Bundle 2020: Freelance Writing Edition

This one-of-a-kind bundle is focused on a topic that’s super relevant given the economic climate: earning money as a writer.

We’ve bundled together 12 courses and products on freelancing. If you purchased all these resources separately, they’d cost $2,000. But for the next three days only, we’re offering the entire package for just $99.

Here’s what’s in The Writer’s Bundle 2020: Freelance Writing Edition

✴️ Kickstart Your Freelance Writing Career, from Stephanie Land and Andrea Guevara (course value: $49)

✴️ Freelance Blogging in a Weekend, from Elna Cain (course value: $95)

✴️ How to Make Money Self Publishing Non Fiction, from Yuwanda Black (course value: $397)

✴️ Master Self-Editing, from Bryan Collins (course value: $297)

✴️ Breaking Into Media Q&A, from Kristin Wong and Alex Webb (event value: $99)

✴️ 38 Tips for Expert Writers on Medium, from Dave Schools (course value: $49)

✴️ ProwritingAid license, valid one year (editing tool value: $79) 

✴️ Pitching 101: How Writers Find Better Client Leads, from Carol Tice (course value: $97)

✴️ Turn Content Into Cash, from Heather Lloyd Martin (course value: $297)

✴️ 30 Days to Freelance Freedom, from Craig Cannings / FreelanceU (course value: $147) 

✴️ The Social Media Starter Kit, from Andréa Jones (course value: $297)

✴️ Productivity Power for Writers, from Tim Leffel (course value: $99)

Grab The Writer’s Bundle 2020: Freelance Writing Edition

Why we’re offering The Writer’s Bundle this year

If you’re a longtime reader of The Write Life, you might remember us offering a bundle of digital products several years ago. Since then, readers keep asking when we’re going to run this sale again. To be honest, we weren’t sure we would ever offer another bundle.

And then 2020 happened…

It’s no secret this hasn’t been a particularly easy or fun year for anyone.

With so much uncertainty, we noticed more and more people in The Write Life community expressing interest in earning money through their writing. 

That’s why we decided to focus this year’s bundle on exactly that: freelance writing. This bundle provides practical advice and support from experienced freelancers that will help you earn money from your craft.

Even if you’re only interested in one or two of the trainings, it’s worth grabbing this bundle at such a reduced rate. Once this three-day sale is complete, we’ll never offer this combination of products again.

Plus… We’re giving back

Because it’s a tough year for so many people, we’re using The Writer’s Bundle to give back. We’re donating 10% of the proceeds from this sale to charity.

The coolest part? You helped us choose the charities! Two organizations got the most votes: Feeding America (supports food banks) and Together We Rise (supports children in foster care). We’ll split our donation between these two charities.

When you choose to invest in yourself through The Writer’s Bundle, you’re also giving back to others. Thanks for joining us in this effort.

Grab your bundle by Wednesday, September 16 at 11:59 p.m. PST

Photo via Roman Samborskyi / Shutterstock 

Technology, social media and email have certainly made it easier to connect with sources, but when it comes to writing a feature story, phone interviews beat email every time.

Why? As a writer, when you speak with a source on the phone, you’re able to:

• Build rapport and a comfortable dialogue with a source.
• Put an interviewee at ease, making them more likely to share compelling information.
• Ask provocative questions that build off of previous questions and answers.
• Hear and feel the person’s emotions as he shares his story, giving you a better understanding of the given topic.
• Find new angles or hidden gems that might not have been shared if the interview had been completed via email.
• Save the interviewee the work and time of having to type her answers out in an email.

Strategies for conducting an effective phone interview

After completing phone interviews with sources and experts for magazine feature stories, I’ve found a few strategies can lead to better, more insightful conversations.

Here are five phone interview tips that will help you write better stories.

1. Be prepared for the interview

There’s nothing worse than jumping on a call with a source with little to no background information.

Do your homework and research the person before your interview. Ask your editor for as much information as possible about the source ahead of time, and come to the call with a list of pre-written questions to get the conversation going. Not only will you appear more prepared, you’ll put the source at ease with your level of professionalism.

Plus, when you prepare well beforehand, you can often complete an interview much more quickly than if you hadn’t done your homework. I like to schedule phone interviews for 30-minute blocks. With the right amount of pre-work, I’m able to stick to that timeframe, helping me complete interviews more efficiently, and feel confident I’ve collected all the information I need.

2. Start with a softball to break the ice

To get the best interview possible, you need your interviewee to feel comfortable. When a source feels relaxed and at ease, you’re in a better place to find the most compelling angle and capture quotes that will enhance your story.

Start the phone interview with general pleasantries and small talk. I find this strategy often helps the source feel more comfortable speaking with me because he recognizes that I’m a real person, just like him.

To ease into my list of interview questions, I like to ask this one first: “Tell me a little bit about who you are and how you got to where you are today.”

This question helps the interviewee open up, gives you some much-needed background information and lays the groundwork for the questions that will come later in the interview. Also, this open-ended question gives you the chance to learn something new that might help the story and trigger other interview questions.

3. Listen (and resist the urge to talk)

Depending on if writing is your full-time gig or a side hustle, listening carefully may prove difficult.

In my role as the founder and CEO of a content management agency, I’m usually the one talking, consulting and teaching my clients. Being quiet and truly tuning in to a source can be challenging. I find myself wanting to have a two-way conversation, and while it’s great to build rapport with the person you’re interviewing, you’ll get a better story when you keep your mouth shut and let the other person do the talking.

On some calls, I don’t speak for 10 minutes — I’m busy furiously listening and taking notes. I don’t record my interviews, so taking clear, concise and accurate notes is of utmost importance, making listening carefully even more crucial.

And these calls where I don’t speak for 10 minutes at a time often give me the best information.

Resist the urge to interrupt with further questions or comments while a source is telling her story. Instead, write down your comments or questions and wait for the interviewee to finish speaking before you jump in and move the conversation forward.

4. Embrace the silence

Silence can feel uncomfortable, but in the case of phone interviews, it can be pure gold. Sources often share crucial bits of information if you let the silence linger just a little bit.

Because of the feeling of discomfort or awkwardness, the person you’re interviewing will generally jump to fill the silence…and he’ll often fill it with great information you may not otherwise have been able to pull out of him.

Plus, when you leave room for a little silence, the interviewee has a moment to reflect, gather his thoughts and perhaps share information in a different and more quotable way than before. Don’t fear the silence; practice embracing it and you will soon be reaping the benefits.

5. End interviews with this question 

Here’s the best question you could ask at the end of an interview: “Is there anything else I should know?”

As the writer, you’ve come to the interview with a list of questions. You have an idea of the information you need from a source to complete your story. However, the interviewee is usually a wealth of knowledge… and there may be an important question you haven’t asked.

To make sure I get all the information I need before hanging up the phone, I end all my interviews by asking the source if there’s something she hasn’t had the opportunity to share but feels would benefit the story. Usually there is a question I haven’t asked, and some information the source is dying to share.

It’s usually a hidden gem that I only discover in asking that last open-ended question.

Or, sometimes the interviewee doesn’t offer new information, but summarizes everything you’ve talked about with a quote that’s the perfect addition to your story.

You’re a writer, yes. But you can make your job a whole lot easier — and do that job better — if you ask good questions.

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

Photo via GuadiLab / Shutterstock 

How do I find clients? What should I charge? How do I build a personal brand?

How do I get started?!

Now, years later, with triumphs (and naturally, a couple failures) under my belt, I want to answer your frequently-asked questions about making a freelance writing career or side hustle work for you.

Read on for answers to five of your most pressing questions about how to become a freelance writer.

1. How do I get started as a freelance writer?

Sometimes getting started is the trickiest part.

The best way to get started, especially if you have little-to-no prior freelancing experience, is to do these two things:

Use the work you’ve already done to build a portfolio.

You may have no “freelancing” experience per se, but I bet you do have samples of the kind of work you want to do on a freelance basis!

For example, if you want to become a freelance writer, you might already have a blog that showcases your writing. If you want to do social media for small businesses, perhaps you’ve already worked or volunteered at a small business and manage its social presence.

Use those samples to showcase your expertise and to help you reach toward paying opportunities.

Consider working for free.

Controversial topic alert, we know. Let me clarify: strategically work for free, in the beginning, to gain experience or to gain exposure.

Throughout your career, you may discover opportunities where writing for free is worth your time. In the beginning of my freelance writing career, I wrote unpaid guest posts for credible websites because I saw the value in having my name and work associated with those sites. I knew they’d help me get to the next paid opportunity. 

2. How do I find legitimate freelance jobs?

Freelance jobs can be challenging to find because there are a lot of scams out there. You definitely want to avoid these at all costs and be careful as you’re evaluating potential opportunities.

However, there’s a wealth of real, legitimate and awesome freelance writing jobs available online, too. It’s up to you to do the research to determine what’s a true opportunity for you. (Our ebook on freelance writing jobs for beginners is a great starting point!)

First things first: Avoid content mills and freelance-bidding sites. I’ve personally never used one of these sites because it seems like an awful lot of work for a small reward; the companies are often looking to hire someone at an extremely cheap rate, and you compete with lots of other writers all bidding on the same project.

Instead, spend your valuable time researching and pitching legitimate potential clients.

Networking can also lead to paying clients. I got one of my first major gigs when I mentioned a blog post the company’s founder had written in a post of mine. He reached out to thank me, and from there we developed a professional relationship. I began writing for him occasionally, and after a couple of months, I became the blog’s editor. Six years later, we’re still working together!

3. What should I include in my online portfolio?

That depends on what services you’re planning to offer! The items below are great ones to consider for your online portfolio:

• Blog posts
• News articles
• Feature stories
• Case studies for marketing or social media projects you’ve worked on
• Design projects
• Links to relevant social media accounts, websites, etc. where your work has been featured

Testimonials are another great marketing tool for your online portfolio. Ask the people you’ve worked with to write a brief recommendation for you that you can include on your site or LinkedIn profile. I have a dedicated “Praise” page on my website that features multiple testimonials; I also sprinkle testimonials into my “Work With Me” page.

Don’t have your own website to house your portfolio? Check out these great portfolio sites for freelance writers.

4. How much can I earn as a freelance writer?

Dun, dun, dun…this is the number one question I hear from most new (and experienced) freelance writers. How much should I charge my clients?

The honest, and not very helpful, answer is: it really depends.

As a freelancer, you can choose to charge clients hourly, or on a retainer or project basis.

For my blogging/writing clients, I charge per post or per article. Some clients prefer to pay by the word.

For my content management clients, I charge a flat monthly rate for all the work I do. I choose not to charge hourly for any of my clients because I like to base my fee on the value I provide, rather than the amount of time I put in.

Of course, when I’m putting together a proposal package, I consider how long a project will take me to complete, but I don’t let that become the deciding factor.

In terms of freelance writing and blogging, I’ve found most blogs that pay tend to offer writers between $50 and $150 for a post of around 500-700 words.

For longer feature stories, perhaps in a magazine or other type of publication, the rate can go much higher; between $200 and $1,000, or even more, depending on the project.

Here’s a piece of advice The Write Life founder Alexis Grant taught me: ALWAYS aim higher than what you really expect to be paid for a project. It doesn’t hurt to ask for more, and the worst that can happen is the client says no and you negotiate down (but not so low that you’re uncomfortable).

For more on what to charge, check out this post packed with rate-setting resources.

5. How do I send an invoice and get paid?

Worry about landing clients and producing great work first. But once you’ve got that down, you’ll need to create an invoice.

This is a challenge all new freelancers face, so we’ve outlined how to write an invoice and provided an invoice example.

A simple PDF invoice sent via email is probably the easiest starting point, just remember to specify how you want to be paid (for example, via PayPal or check). Once you’re jugging multiple clients, you’ll probably want to transition to a software that generates invoices for you. Most offer a free version or at least a free trial, and they’ll help you keep track of which bills have been paid and which are outstanding.

There’s a lot to figure out as you start freelance writing, but rest assured that everyone faces this learning curve initially. If you have more questions and want answers from successful freelance writers, The Write Life Facebook group is a helpful resource.

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

My name is Jessica Lawlor and I am the new managing editor of The Write Life.

Wow, that feels pretty awesome to write.

You may recognize my name (or perhaps, my words). I’ve been a contributing writer around these parts for quite some time. I’m an avid supporter, reader, and let’s face it, superfan, of The Write Life and TWL founder, Alexis Grant.

Let’s get acquainted

A little bit about me:

• At heart, I’m a writer. It’s what I’ve always done. It’s what I do now. I blog about stepping outside your comfort zone and dabble with creative fiction, too.
• I’m a voracious reader. When I was three years old, my parents gave me a basket of books for Christmas, and I refused to open my other presents until I was finished reading each and every book. #NerdAlert
• I quit a safe career in public relations in December to take my communications consulting, blog/brand, speaking and teaching full time. I’m documenting this journey in a series called Becoming CEO (juicy income breakdowns included, if you’re into that sort of thing). I wear *many* hats: communications professional, consultant, blogger, writer, editor, yoga teacher, adjunct professor…the list goes on. I’ve cobbled all of my passions into a career.

Now, I want to learn about you!

As a contributing writer for the site, I already know The Write Life’s community is passionate and engaged.

As managing editor, I want to work even harder to make sure our team is delivering you high-quality and valuable information that makes you a stronger writer, helps you earn money writing and moves you closer to your writing dreams.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Leave a comment in the post below introducing yourself. I’d love to say hi!
• Like us on Facebook and join our private Facebook community to connect with more writers, just like you.
• Join our email community for even more writing tips.
• Become a contributor to The Write Life. Our inbox is open to your guest-post pitches. Be sure to check out our submission guidelines before sending your pitch.

For those who have been part of The Write Life community for the last year, you’ve been reading the meticulously edited words of the wonderful Lisa Rowan, editor and writer extraordinaire. Please join me in a big round of internet applause for Lisa for the dedication, creativity and love she’s poured into this site. I have very large shoes to fill. We’ll miss Lisa, but she’s onto new adventures in Florida at The Penny Hoarder. We wish her very well!

A new chapter unfolds…

Until next time,

Jessica Lawlor

Managing Editor, The Write Life

That’s what powerhouse TV producer Shonda Rhimes wondered after her sister told her, “You never say ‘yes’ to anything.”

These words shook Rhimes to her core and inspired her to accept her sister’s challenge: Say yes to every opportunity that came her way for one full year. She documented the experience in her best-selling book, Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person.

While those of us who love writing aren’t necessarily making appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live or producing Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal, pursuing your dream of being a writer can be equally scary to the activities Rhimes said “yes” to during the year-long experiment.

When it comes to being a writer, the easy thing to do is to stay tucked away in a writing nook, typing away at a keyboard, keeping your drafts hidden away, never to be seen (until they’re perfect, that is).

The harder, scarier and much more rewarding thing to do is to step outside your comfort zone and say “yes” to writing opportunities that will help you grow, thrive and share your words with the world.

Take a note from Shonda Rhimes and say YES to these potentially anxiety-inducing writing activities.

1. Pitch a guest post to your favorite writing blog

One of the best ways to gain exposure as a writer and build your personal brand online is through guest posting. When you publish a guest post on a big or popular blog in your industry, your work is shared far wider than your personal network and you begin to establish credibility.

Pitching a guest post can be scary, but I often encourage writers to consider the worst-case scenario. The very worst thing that can happen is the blog editor declines your post and you pitch it to a different site or publish it on your own blog.

As writers, we need to learn to deal with rejection, so take any “no” you receive as a chance to practice patience and keep moving forward.

Ready to pitch your first guest post? Be sure to check out this guide to knock your next guest post out of the park.

2. Join a writing critique group

No doubt, sharing your work with others can be a terrifying experience. After all, these words, characters and worlds live inside our hearts, brains and souls.

However, joining a writer’s critique group either online or in-person can both give you a network to lean on (accountability, people!) and also help strengthen your writing. What makes sense to you because you are so close to your work may not make sense to someone seeing it for the very first time.

Developing a relationship with a critique partner or group gives you a much-needed outside perspective on your story.

Still not sure how to find a critique partner or group? We’ve rounded up 40 places to find your perfect match.

3. Attend a writing conference, retreat or residency

Physically step out of your comfort zone to take your writing offline and into the real world.

Consider applying to a writing residency for a set amount of uninterrupted writing time in an often-beautiful and inspiring setting. Similar to a residency, but often shorter and without the need to apply, writer’s retreats are a wonderful way to change up your surroundings to find new inspiration.

Looking for a more educational experience? Professional development opportunities like attending a writing conference are a great way to hone your skills, meet other writers and walk away with new ideas, tips and tricks.

4. Find an agent to represent your work

Dream of being traditionally published? You’ll need to find a literary agent to represent your work and pitch your book to publishing houses.

To find the agent that’s right for you and your work, check out the acknowledgement pages of the books you love in your genre. This is a great way to see who handles the type of book you’d like to publish. Similarly, research agents online and via social media to determine fit.

Once you’ve identified a list of agents you’d like to work with, you need to write a query letter to pitch your book and explain why you want to work with that particular individual.

5. Self-publish your book

As traditional publishing becomes much harder, more and more writers are turning to self-publishing.

While self-publishing isn’t the simplest route, it often gives writers more control, freedom and flexibility.

As author Linda Formichelli explains in this post, “There are no gatekeepers telling you what you can and can’t publish. No one telling you what to charge, and no one taking most of the money and giving you a paltry 15-percent royalty. No ten-month lag time between starting your book and seeing it published.”

Self-publishing your book is a big step. Consider your decision carefully.

6. Start a blog

Get comfortable sharing your writing online by starting your own blog.

When you blog, you begin to develop your unique voice and style, write more consistently and learn how to market yourself and your writing online. These are all important skills for being a successful writer or author in today’s digitally-charged world.

Oh, and if you’ve been dreaming of starting a blog, but are still feeling hesitant… don’t let excuses hold you back.

Staying within your comfort zone is just that; it’s comfortable. However, we all know that the most rewarding things in life are just out of reach — just a few steps outside your comfort zone.

Be brave. Take a chance on yourself. Say “yes.”

What writing challenges have you faced recently?

Something else many of us have perfected? The art of procrastination.

You know the feeling. It’s time to sit down to work on your novel, publish that blog post or draft an article for a client, and all of a sudden you can think of a thousand other things you’d rather do besides writing.

Despite your love of writing, tasks like laundry, washing the dishes, snacking and Netflix-bingeing all sound extremely appealing.

Procrastination. It always strikes at the most inopportune time.

We took to social media to ask writers their favorite way to procrastinate their craft. Here’s what they had to say.

1. You decide it’s the perfect time to do a deep clean of your house or apartment. Dishes, laundry, dusting — the works!

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2. Just one more episode of this British drama on Netflix. (And please don’t ask me, “Are you still watching?”)

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3. Procrastisnacking!

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4. You stare at a blank document for a while.

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5. You take a nap.

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6. Purrcatstinating. (Yeah, we went there.)

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7. Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, LinkedIn, YouTube. All day, every day.

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9. You shop online. Amazon Prime, man. Gets you every time.

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9. You read. Everyone needs to read more to be a better writer, right?

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10. You play video games for “research” purposes.

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11. MORE COFFEE, PLEASE.

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12. You brainstorm.

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13. Must. Achieve. Inbox. Zero.

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14. You panic for a bit.

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15. You actually start writing.

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In all seriousness, if you’re struggling with procrastination, check out these five foolproof methods to stop procrastinating and start writing now!

Okay, procrastinate a little bit longer and help us add to this list in the comments. How do YOU procrastinate writing?

Thank you to members of the One Woman Shop and The Write Life Facebook communities for contributing to this post!

Oh, wait. We’re grown ups now.

For most of us, summer may not mean two empty calendar months, but it does signify the start of a new season.

As adults with jobs, families and responsibilities, we likely haven’t experienced the joys of a true summer vacation for many years, but we can still look at this summer as a blank slate of possibility when it comes to writing.

Let this summer be a time of experimentation. Allow these next few weeks and months to be a creative playground to find new inspiration, dedicate time for your work in progress or start a new project.

Your summer writing to-do list:

1. Write in a new space

There’s nothing like removing yourself from your normal writing space to give you fresh perspective and new inspiration.

If you already have a vacation for the summer planned, great! Try to set aside time each day of your vacation to write — even just a few minutes.

If you’re staying close to home, you can change up your space by taking your writing outside, sitting in a different room of your house or checking out a local coffee shop or coworking space.

2. Plan an at-home writing retreat

No exotic vacations planned for the summer? No problem.

Plan an at-home writing retreat. A DIY writing retreat can be as simple as setting aside a full afternoon with no distractions to write in your own house.

3. Participate in a summer reading challenge

You know how they say the best way to become a better writer is to be a voracious reader?

It’s the truth. The more you read, the more you expose yourself to different writing styles, voices, genres and authors.

Back when you were a kid, you probably participated in your local library’s summer reading challenge. Why not complete a summer reading challenge as an adult?

Check in with your local library; many offer summer reading challenges for both kids and adults.

4. Join a writing group or find a writing partner

Need accountability when it comes to writing? Consider joining a writing group or developing a relationship with a writing partner.

A writing group can provide encouragement, ask questions and hold you accountable to your writing goals.

A one-on-one writing partner is great for workshopping projects, working through specific problem areas and providing general support for one another.

5. Clean up old files to find new inspiration

If you’ve been writing for a long time, you likely have lots of just-started pieces and half-written drafts saved on your computer or tucked away in a notebook.

Sometimes, taking space from an old idea is just what we need to come back to it refreshed and inspired to start anew.

Spend time this summer reading through and cleaning up old files, notebooks and folders; you may just find your next great idea!

6. Start a blog

You’re still not blogging? It’s time to get started!

Blogging helps you build a personal brand, and can lead to valuable connections and new opportunities. It also helps you improve your own writing skills.

7. Find new blogs to read

One of my biggest sources of inspiration is through other people’s blogs and writing.

Finding new blogs to read can be challenging — where do you even start? — but browsing our list of 100 Best Websites for Writers will keep you busy, entertained and informed for quite some time.

8. Refine your personal brand

Summer is the perfect chance to dedicate a little bit of time to further developing your unique personal brand as a writer through social media.

Our guide to Facebook, Twitter, Periscope, LinkedIn, Pinterest and Snapchat should help.

9. Pitch a guest post

One of the best ways to drive traffic to your website, build your brand and get more eyes on your writing is by guest posting on other popular blogs and websites.

Make a list of blogs where you’d love to see your work, research their submission guidelines and craft a pitch to send their way. Better yet, find a website that also pays for guest submissions and make a little extra money on the side, too.

10. Plan ahead

Want to amplify your writing in the months ahead? Use summer as a time to plan for the future.

Consider:

• Applying for a writing residency
• Finding a formal writing retreat to attend
• Registering for a writing conference
• Entering a writing contest

It’s time to change your mindset. Summer may not hold the same meaning as it did when we were kids, but we can still use these next few months to take our writing to the next level. Let the summer of creativity begin!

Tell us about your writing plans for the summer in the comments below!

It’s easy to get stuck in our own heads and create excuses for why we can’t do something. Blogging is no different.

I’ve been casually blogging since 2004 (remember Xanga and LiveJournal?) and more seriously on WordPress since 2009. My blog allowed me to quit my job to pursue my dream of running my own business.

When I talk to fellow writers about blogging, they often tell me, “That’s great you have a blog, but I could never do that.” They share their fears around blogging. They rattle off a laundry list of reasons they can’t do it. They make excuses.

I get it. Blogging takes time, energy and strategy. It’s daunting. In the beginning, it can feel like a lot of work for little reward. Blogging can take time away from your other writing projects.

But ultimately, blogging can change your life. It can help you build a personal brand that draws attention to you and your writing. It can lead to book deals, valuable connections and new opportunities. It also helps you improve your own writing skills.

Don’t have a blog yet? Here’s an easy way to see if your preferred domain is available:

If you want to see whether a specific domain is available, try this domain checker:

If you’re nervous about becoming a blogger, stop letting these five fears hold you back from starting a blog.

1. “Do people even read blogs anymore?”

Here’s a fun fact to try to wrap your head around: 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created every single day.

That’s a lot of content.

Between blog posts, news articles, snaps, Facebook posts, tweets, live streams, GIFs and pins, we’re in a state of constant content overload. Yet we continue to consume and demand even more content.

So, yes. People do still read blogs. The way we read blogs and interact with content has changed, but the eyes and opportunity for attention and growth are still ever-present.

If you put good content into the world and take the time to promote your posts properly, you can build a blog people actually read.

2. “It’s too late for me to start now.”

Starting a blog in 2016 when so many veteran bloggers have been at it since the early 2000s can be scary. You may feel like you’ve missed the boat and there’s no way to catch up if you get started now.

To that I say, It’s never too late. Start now.

Think about this very website. The Write Life came onto the scene in 2013, relatively “late” in the blogging game. But we have an engaged email community and a strong social media following. All this was built in fewer than than three years.

In fact, thanks to new social media apps and tools, there’s more opportunity than ever — right now — to create a blog that gets noticed and grows quickly.

Though Snapchat has been around since 2011, it has exploded in popularity in the past 12 months and bloggers who recognized the opportunity early on are reaping the benefits. Fashion bloggers, travel bloggers and online personalities of all kinds are getting massive attention on Snapchat, and if done smartly, you can actually use the app to send eyes back to your blog.

Snapchat is just one example here. Newly-introduced Facebook Live is getting lots of press and bloggers everywhere are experimenting. Musical.ly is capturing the attention of teens. Pay attention to new social media sites and see if you can become an early adopter to help grow your blog.

It may feel like getting started now is a disadvantage, but by being savvy and strategic, you can play catch-up quite quickly.

3. “I don’t know how to make a website.”

Sorry, not sorry to be the one to tell you this. Not knowing how to make a website is no longer a valid excuse.

I know. You’re not a website designer. You don’t know how to code. You’re not a graphic designer, either.

But that’s the beauty of blogging in 2016. You don’t have to be. Resources like Wix and Squarespace make it easy to create simple websites using drag-and-drop tools. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

Similarly, consider hiring a web designer. If you’re serious about blogging, it might make sense to invest a bit of money into a professionally designed website that helps grow your brand.

If money is holding you back, consider bartering with a website or graphic designer. Offer up your writing skills in exchange for website design. A win-win situation for everyone!

4. “It’s all been said before. I don’t want to get lost in a sea of sameness.”

I hear would-be bloggers say, “There are already too many blogs out there,” or, “I have nothing new to contribute to the conversation.”

Yes, this is true. There are so many of blogs in the world; more than 74 million, in fact. And yes, little content is original. Many of the same subjects have been covered over and over again.

But that doesn’t matter.

It’s all been said before, but it hasn’t been said by you.

Whether your blog gets thousands of hits a day or has just five loyal readers, those people want to hear from you because they trust and value your opinion and insights. Your unique spin on a topic might be exactly what someone needs to hear in this moment. Why rob the world of that?

Don’t let the fear of being another voice in an oversaturated blogosphere hold you back from making your mark.

5. “What if I lose interest?”

You start a blog. You’re super pumped about it. You wake up eagerly every morning to publish your latest post. And then a few months later, you feel uninspired. Bored. You’re over it.

There’s nothing worse than starting a project and having the initial excitement wear off within a few months. This is a common fear that holds would-be bloggers back from getting started.

It’s a completely valid fear, but one that can easily be smoothed over.

If you lose interest, pivot. Make a change. It’s your blog and you call the shots.

Or, go against popular advice to find a niche and instead, choose to keep your blog more general. Rather than cornering yourself into a niche subject that you may lose interest in down the line, write about the subjects you’re most passionate about. Your readers will connect with you more when it’s clear you’re excited about your topic of choice.

If you let it, blogging can change your world (and your writing career), too.

But in order to allow that transformation to happen, you need to stop letting fear hold you back. Stop making excuses.

Get started now. A year from now, six months from now, maybe even a few weeks from now, you’ll be glad you did.

Are other fears holding you back from starting a blog? Let’s hear them in the comments.

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