Do You Want to Expand Your Writing Business Services?

by R. J. Thesman

As one of those kids who “always knew she would be a writer,” I started early.

Think Big Chief tablet and a fat pencil.

But it was many years later when I attended my first writers conference – everything came together. I was completely overwhelmed with all the information, but also giddy because of everything I learned.

After that week, I returned home and told my husband I was going to become a freelance writer. I spent almost a year (while also working a full-time job as a teacher) and studied everything I could find in the 808 section of the library – all the “how-to-write books.”

Then I began writing in earnest and submitted my work to various publications. Of course, I gathered numerous rejections but gradually, I also received some checks which cemented my determination.

I Wrote Every Day Even After a Full Day of Teaching, Housework, and Fixing Meals

I made the commitment to write every day, so even after a full day of teaching, homework, housework, fixing meals, etc — I sat down to write. I followed the WED plan which is included in my book, Finding Your Writing Plan.

So I wrote every day and submitted something every Wednesday. Gradually, I gathered more and more credits and the attention of editors who requested my work.

Now I have 800+ published articles and stories in various publications and still write the short pieces. Although I love writing books, putting together an article and cashing that check is faster.

As a Freelance Writer, I Expanded Into Editing and Teaching

Then I began teaching at writers’ conferences.

One of the mantras I learned at my first conference was, “When you are beginning, learn everything about your craft. When you become published, teach another writer.” So I have followed that principle and usually teach at four conferences / year. Covid-19 changed that scenario, but hopefully 2021 will open the opportunities again.

As I began working with other writers, I realized my English background and experience teaching could help others. So I offered my services as a freelance editor.

I worked up a business plan and included editing as another stream of income. Since one of my core values is life-long learning, I have continued to educate myself about editing. I also took a course by CS Lakin which was helpful.

We Must Build On Our Strengths and Challenge Our Weaknesses

The whole idea of niche-building has always been difficult for me, because I love doing so many different things. I think knowing our strengths and weaknesses, then building on our strengths and learning how to challenge our weaknesses is the best way to go.

For example, I felt marketing was a weakness so I started learning more about it. Listening to podcasts, following the example of others, and convincing myself that marketing is not a bad word (an issue many writers have. They sabotage themselves with this attitude).

Now I do some sort of marketing every day, and because of that practice — I have Amazon royalties to deposit each month and keep my name out there for new clients.

My brain is definitely wired for non-fiction, so most of my earlier writing was in that genre. It helps that I am a firstborn and naturally bossy. I can tell anybody what to do about anything and easily write an informational article.

And I have learned how to make nonfiction booklets from the content I teach at conferences. It’s a great way to have a product to sell at the back of the room.

With Indie Publishing, I Get a Much Higher Percentage of the Profits

In 2008, I was downsized out of my job because of the recession. What a scary time it was for my son and me! By that time, I was a single mom and I had worked for a nonprofit, so there was no unemployment money.

So between searching for jobs, I started scribbling down a story about a woman minister who is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and is afraid she will forget God. Within six months, I had the first book of a trilogy and sold it to a trade publisher.

The Unraveling of Reverend G also provided self-therapy as my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. After that trilogy was finished, writing more fiction was definitely in my plan. But then I had to study again to learn about a new genre.

The Alzheimer’s world and caregiving issues opened up multiple speaking events. Everybody thought I was an expert — NOT! Then I wrote another novel about domestic abuse in a Christian home, which opened up another world for speaking and helping women.

No Visible Scars is still selling, even though I have antagonized several people who refuse to believe that one out of four women are living in destructive relationships, including women who sit in church pews. Okay – I’m finished preaching!

Nonfiction is still easier for me, so I publish about three nonfiction books / year but I’m also working on novels on the side. A niche that I have chosen is Indie publishing. I liked my trade publisher, but it took forever to get those three books edited and published. I control my own process now, using Kindle Direct Publishing or Ingram Spark, and I get a much higher percentage of the profits.

The Best Way to Gain New Clients: A Discounted Referral System

The very best way to gain clients is to do a super job with the clients you have and ask them for referrals.

Whenever a client finishes a project and chooses to leave, I ask them to send me at least two referrals. And since I offer several types of services, I can help clients in numerous ways. Some of my clients have been with me since 2012. Most stay with me for several years, and some come back after they’ve taken a hiatus.

One of the best ways to gain new clients is through a discounted referral system. So if a client finishes her project, I ask her to send me at least two referrals and those referrals will receive a $10 discount on the Coaching Fee. That makes the referrals feel good, but also the former client who has helped her friends.

The year of Covid has definitely affected my clientele, but I have spent quite a bit of time giving my clients resources and creativity tips for writing. Stress kills creativity, so we cannot allow Covid to do that to us.

Marketing Techniques: YouTube, Newsletters, and Workshops

Two years ago, I started making videos about writing and coaching and building up my YouTube Channel. I hired a virtual assistant to help me with it, and my clients say they love my short videos.

I also send out a newsletter every three weeks, something about the writing life and practical tips to help grow my email list. And I am always thinking about new ways to grow my clientele and my presence online.

Currently, I’m working on a new workshop about Writing Your Legacy which I’m going to present to numerous senior facilities in my area. During 2020, I’ve been more intentional about guest blogging and reaching out through various channels. Writer CEO was a connection through LinkedIn, so social media does work.

My Most Lucrative and Steady Writing-Related Projects

Coaching writers is my steadiest income, although editing books is a large chunk of change. Royalties from my books is a smaller income stream, but I’m gaining ground. In January, 2020 – I reached my goal for monthly royalties. Although not the most lucrative, writing and selling the personal experience article can be a steady income stream.

I am constantly marketing my services and networking with other writing groups. When teaching at conferences in person, I always gain a couple of clients. Although Zoom has been a helpful tool, there’s nothing quite like meeting someone in person and pitching to them. At conferences, I always offer my coaching services for a nominal fee, and I’m usually booked up with appointments.

Again, marketing is so important. Give people something that helps them and they will come back to you. Serve people well, and they will trust you. Discover exactly what they need and meet that need.

How Coaching Helped Me Go Freelance Full-Time

In 2012, as I was working for another nonprofit, I was offered the opportunity to become a certified life coach. It was like a giant light bulb for my personal business. I have the skills and personality to coach others about life’s challenges, but also to help writers birth their words.

So I added coaching writers to my income stream. I sincerely love helping other writers, and I often feel like a midwife when they hold their first book in their hands or I help them launch that first project.

In 2017, I resigned my position at the nonprofit and went full-time as a Writing Coach, Editor and Author. Because I had gradually built up my clientele through the years, it was an easy transition.

I would definitely recommend Coaching as a reputable and credible business model, but I do believe it’s important to be certified and know what you’re doing.

Then it is important to find a particular target market. For example: do you want to coach beginning writers or seasoned pros? Do you know how to coach a writer through the publishing process? How many resources can you offer a client? Do you know how to encourage but also be tough?

One of the advantages I have – which several clients have mentioned – is that I have published 17 books and I have gone the trade route as well as Indie. I know the process inside and out, so I know how to help them.

Why You Need to Find Your Writing Plan

Several years ago, I developed a workshop around the theme of the Writing Plan. It has become one of my most popular workshops. Once I even had people sitting on the floor b/c the room was so full. Then I decided to put it into a booklet so I could help more writers who weren’t in my workshops.

Especially for bi-vocational writers, I believe having a writing plan is an absolute necessity. Without a plan, it’s too easy to find that precious chunk of writing time, then sit down and wonder what to write about. Then when you can’t think of anything, you give up and do something else.

As mentioned before, I began with the WED plan: Write Every Day and send something out every Wednesday. This plan absolutely worked for me. I recommend it to everyone, especially beginning freelancers. The Weekend Novelist plan helped me complete a book while working full-time. I include other plans in the book such as words/day, pages/day, after-the-conference plan, etc.

As a coach, I’m all about setting a goal, then coming up with a plan to reach that goal. This book (Finding Your Writing Plan) tells how to do that in practical ways.

How to Write and Sell Personal Experience Articles

Most of the articles I have sold throughout the years have been personal experience articles. They work for the following reasons:

• Nobody can discredit your personal story.
• Almost every online mag or print mag wants the PEA, especially if it’s done well. The Chicken Soup line is an example – entirely personal experience stories.
• It can morph into a memoir or a blog-themed post.
• It’s easy to write in a few hours.
• Everybody loves a good story.
• You can leave a legacy with an effective PEA.

My first tip would be – obviously – buy the book (Write and Share Your Story) and follow the instructions and examples.

My second tip would be to scan through your journals and find the experiences that have been notable in your life. If you journaled about them – that’s a “duh!”

Which of those stories might help someone else? How has your personal experience changed your life? You can bet someone in the world needs to know they are not alone and they have the same problem. Your story can change another life.

My third tip is to milk the personal experience article for everything it can offer.

If you have an evergreen topic, you can sell it over and over and over – as a reprint. One of the first stories I sold was about the miscarriage of my first sweet baby. About six months later, I sold it as a reprint. I have sold that same article at least 20 times to various publications, tweaking it to fit each place, of course. I have also copied the article and carried it with a casserole to a young couple who have lost their baby.

So … the personal experience article is one of the most powerful types of writing we can do.

Advice for a Young Writer: Don’t Listen to the Naysayers

First, I would say, “Congratulations! I am so proud of you for making this choice!”

We need more young writers, fresh voices and creative thinkers. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword.

I would also say, “Don’t listen to those naysayers who tell you artists starve and you’ll never make a decent living.” A decent living is defined differently by our individual needs and our passions. Some writers make six figures. Others are happy to write for much less.

If I was starting out again, I would get a degree in journalism because that can open so many doors and create options. I would also tell young writers to go to a writers conference, listen to podcasts and learn from those who have done it well. Then find a mentor, a coach, a writing partner, or an encouraging soul who will be honest and objective about how you can improve (not your grandmother or BFF).

The best piece of advice is always just six words: Read Read Read & Write Write Write.

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RJ Thesman works from the heartland of Kansas where she loves to help writers birth their words.

She is also an avid gardener and cook – especially anything with blueberries.

Her library card is one of her most prized possessions.

Connect with RJ on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and on her website.

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Write and Share Your Story: What is the easiest type of writing to sell to an editor? The Personal Experience Article.Your article gives you instant credibility as you become the expert. No one can discredit your personal experience. With unlimited topics, a personal experience article offers a time-tested way to break into almost any market.But how can you do it right and what are the best practices to employ? Write and Share Your Story presents proven techniques, best types of hooks to use and how to write a query that intrigues editors.Take a step closer to publication by following the action steps in Write and Share Your Story. Then submit your personal experience article to an editor who is waiting to hear from you.

Available on Amazon.

Finding Your Writing Plan: Author and Writing Coach, RJ Thesman, compiles practical advice and encouragement in Finding Your Writing Plan.

With years of experience, Thesman offers one of her most popular workshops – in print form. For bi-vocational writers, finding a productive writing plan is a must. For writers who struggle with procrastination, a personal writing plan eliminates excuses. For writers of any genre, deciding on a writing plan can jumpstart a flagging creative spirit.

Use Finding Your Writing Plan individually or within a critique group for accountability. Then decide on the plan(s) you will use to move toward your writing and publishing dreams.

Available on Amazon.