Welcome back! Let’s talk today about value.
TIP OF THE DAY
Why do people buy something? The answer lies somewhere in-between need and want, correct? We buy certain foods because our bodies need sustenance to survive. We buy other foods because we want a sugar high or because we love the taste of peanut butter and chocolate combined. In fact, often the price of a product is determined by the amount of need or want in the market place. Demand for a product can drive up its price in our free enterprise system.
So let me ask you this: what is the value of your article or book?
Let’s do an exercise. Take an old writing of yours. It can be an article or a book or poem or whatever. Now, write a value statement about that piece of writing. Finish this sentence: with this article/book, I will help you ____________________________________________.
If you are currently just writing articles for HubPages or some other site, this exercise is not terribly important other than to provide some focus to your writing. However, if you are attempting to sell you writing, you must be able to answer that question. If you do not provide some sort of service or meet some sort of need for the reader, then you will never be able to market your work properly. Think about it…..people buy a certain number of books per year. Why should they buy yours? People read a certain amount of articles each day. Why should they read yours? You, the author, have to tell the reader what you are going to give them, or you will just be words blown in the wind.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Writing is like prostitution. First you do it for love, and then for a few close friends, and then for money.”
Moliere
Lord, don’t ever let me get to that point, where I am just writing for money!
SITE OF THE DAY
Writer’s Digest Competitions can be found here
I encourage each of you to enter writing competitions. Get your work out there and take on the best of the best. Who knows what could happen? You will never know unless you try!
BOOK GIVEAWAY
Yes, I am giving my novel away and yes, I will personally sign it. The 12/59 Shuttle From Yesterday To Today,” a fantasy about hope and making this world a better place, can be yours if you win this very simple contest.
How do you win? Simply answer this question about yours truly, Bill Holland: How old was I when I first climbed Mt. Rainier?
Whoever comes the closest to the correct answer will receive this coveted prize.
WRITING PROMPT OF THE DAY
What do you see when you look at this picture? What memories does it give birth to?
That’s it for today. Keep writing and keep loving it!
Bill
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
I’ll play. 25?
My guess 20.
Thanks Barb! We will find out tomorrow.
12!
Lizzy, I must have been quite a stud at twelve. 🙂
Hope I’m not too late to enter….I’m going to go with 15. *Crosses fingers* Checking out the writing competition page now, thanks Bill. I think it’s time I started stretching and trying a few of these. Loved your post and picture today. 🙂
No, Mel, you are never late to my site. Thanks for entering the contest and I’ll announce the winner in a couple hours.
The quote about writing being like prostitution is right on…not that I would know from personal experience of course!!!!
Of course, Patricia, but I’m glad you liked the quote. LOL Thanks for stopping by my friend.