There are few things more wonderful than being able to earn a living by writing and speaking. It’s a remarkable gift that allows us to share our thoughts and ideas with the world, and to connect with others in a meaningful way.
If you’re lucky enough to be a speaker or writer, then you know how precious this gift is.
But it’s also a gift that comes with a lot of responsibility. Because when you’re a writer, you’re not just writing for yourself.
You’re writing for your audience.
And that means that you have to be constantly aware of what your audience wants and needs. You have to be able to give them what they’re looking for, whether it’s information, entertainment, or both.
- First, you will have found a way to express yourself, your feelings and your opinions beyond simply writing one more Facebook entry or a Tik Tok Tweet.
- Second…you will have developed a craft that allows you to make a living, or some supplemental income, in a variety of different ways.
Myself, I have made a living by writing for the last 10 years.
One of my brothers-in-law is a journalist. One of my nephews is a feature writer. I know someone who makes a living as a travel writer, and a couple of people who are nonfiction writers. Not to mention all the people I know professionally, most of whom make an excellent living as copywriters or business communications writers.
Writing or speaking is not simply one more way to make a living. It is a unique way to make a living.
As a writer and a digital marketer, I have some huge advantages over friends and colleagues who have traditional jobs.
– My work skill is evergreen. I don’t have to relearn how to write as the world and technology change around me.
– My work skill is hugely flexible. I can write sales copy, editorial content, books and ebooks, programs and courses, and so on.
– My work skill is totally portable. Give me a small laptop and you can drop me off anywhere in the world, so long as I can find internet access. In other words, I can work as a writer from wherever I want.
– I can’t be fired. I work for myself and am light on my feet. If I lose a client, or some project comes to an end, I can just find another. In effect, I can never “lose” my job.
– It doesn’t matter how young or old I am. Most employees start to get pretty nervous when they hit the age of 50. If they lose their job, they know they’ll have a tough time finding another. That isn’t the case for me, or for anyone else who writes for a living. For as long as my writing and speaking have value, I’ll never be penalised for my age.
And so on. In a world where everything is changing fast, and where jobs are disappearing faster than they are being created, it’s wonderful to have a skill that is so resilient.
