How to Be a Professional Writer

The secret to being a writer is really no secret at all. It is simply this: Write.

Writers write.

That is it. I cannot guarantee that writing will make you into a great writer, but I can guarantee that you will not be a great writer if you don’t write.

Writing is simply another form of communication, a very specific form. I believe that each of us is born with a certain amount of talent for writing. But make no mistake, it takes work to write well. In fact, my friend, Dave Lakhani says that “writing is the doing part of thinking”. That sounds true to me.

No matter what your level of innate talent, writing will make you a better writer. If you write every day, you will be a better writer than you would have been had you not written every day.

Now, as to being a professional (paid) writer… that’s a different story. You still have to be able to write well, yes. But…

The truth is that being a professional writer has less to do with how great a writer you are, and more to do with how good you are at marketing your professional writing services. That is an art unto itself – which is exactly what we’ll be dealing with in my upcoming print newsletter.

It hasn’t launched yet (I’m hammering out the first few issues and bonus reports first). If you want to be notified when “Marketing Your Copywriting Services” becomes available, you can get notified here.

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PatrickScottDonovan 5 pts

Ray, I'm in a state of confusion (yes, I'm in California). I've signed up for the notification list. But it is not clear whether or not you will be lending assistance to writers in general or to COPYwriters only. I understand a focus on copywriters, given your talent and experience. But when you have post titles that mention "Freelance Writer" or you say "professional writer" there is no "copy" to be found. I guess what I'm trying to say is I really hope your valued insights are not limited to marketing copywriting services since there is a world of desperate writers beyond the "copy" in need of marketing assistance. I am certain you have much to contribute for the benefit of writers of all "stripes". I hope your new newsletter provides such a platform.

RayEdwards 10 pts moderator

PatrickScottDonovan Thanks for the feedback - what I'll be sharing in the newsletter should translate to most freelance writers and not JUST copywriters. I'm open to broadening the focus if there's enough interest!

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