And a very Happy Thursday to you all. I didn’t do a blog for my other blog yesterday; seemed a little strange not posting one, but I’m ready and willing to carry on today so let’s get started.
Today I think I’d like to talk a little bit about thinking outside the box as a writer.
First a quote and then we’ll get started.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.”….Jesse Jackson
Let’s begin by stating that if you are a writer then chances are you have an imagination. I think I’m safe with that statement. Okay, good, step one is out of the way.
Now let’s turn to some marketing questions: who is your audience? Next question: what do they want to learn or read? Now the final question: how can you give them what they need in a unique way?
The key to this all is finding a unique way to reach your audience. It does not take an Einstein to figure out that online writing is an incredibly competitive gig. Everybody and their mother writes articles about travel and finances and crafts and food and on and on and on….and when I say everybody, we are talking about millions of articles on each of those subjects.
So, how are you going to make your article pop? How are you going to make it stand out among the millions already online?
Use your imagination! Boldly go where no man (or woman) has gone before. J
The same can be said for your freelance business. How are you going to reach the customers who desperately need your writing service, even if they don’t know they need you yet? Use your imagination! Don’t post an ad on Facebook and think you are done. Don’t start a new business page on Facebook and think the job is completed. Find new ways to reach your customers.
Let me put it another way: are you a lemming or a creative entrepreneur?
SITE OF THE DAY
It’s not a site per se, but rather my new travel article idea. You can read about it here. Like I said, use your imagination. I want to find a way to draw traffic to my travel articles, and this is an attempt to do so. It may fail miserably; it may be successful. I’m never going to find out if I don’t try.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
Another glimpse of my home town of Olympia. What do you see? What do you feel? Write it down; brainstorm your reactions to this picture. Maybe you can use it as a scene in your next novel?
THAT’S ALL FOR THIS WEEK
I’m approaching 500 words and that is more than enough for this posting. If you want more writing tips then check out my articles that appear on HubPages about writing three days a week. As long as I have ideas you will have things to read. I hope it helps all of you. Notice that there is no advertising on this blog. I don’t do this for money; I simply try to share ideas with you in hopes that they will help my peers.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
You know I love your writing tips amber get enough. Thank you Bill for being you and sharing. Happy Halloween again, too!! 🙂
Thank you Janine and Happy Halloween to you; have fun with your girls today.
I am glad to have found your blog today…missed it yesterday.
Your tips sure have helped me grow incredibly, Bill.
One day when I am making enough money from this profession I am gonna mention your name 🙂
Have a spooky halloween!
And Ruchira, when you do, I will be honored. 🙂 Thank you!
I have been thinking a bunch about this very question lately–mostly in conjunction with advertising my voice teaching skills—out of the box!
I love it, Audrey! Good luck with that brainstorming.
Bill, your new camera takes awesome pictures. They’re so clean and clear!
I just designed a flyer to send out to local businesses. I’ve already left some at the grocery store and my friend’s organic foods shop. Next step is to mail some out to targeted businesses I the area. I’m also revamping my website based on what I’m learning in the boot camp I’m currently attending. We’ll see what happens!
Okay, this is a response to this post and the post you just left on my blog: you’re right. And when you’re right, you’re right. 🙂
I really want to tackle a writing project. On top of school. On top of my almost full-time teaching. On top of taking on some part time work. I know what it is, but I don’t want to say: don’t want to “disperse the energy” you know?
But I’m going to start. Today. Not this moment (what…lesson plans and coursework? Never! LOL) but I already get up at 5:30. Why not get up at 5:00 and squeeze in some writing? More than my art. More than photography. I need my writing. Yes, I write a goodly amount of words every single day, so I’m not out of practice. But I am aching to write for myself. It’s starting today. I’d already thought this before I saw your comment on my blog. But I’m interpreting your comment as the sign that I needed. 😛
PS – I get up at 5:30 because I need to fit in time to meditate and practice my Spanish for an hour and a half. Hey, now, if I give myself two hours every morning, I’m going to conquer the world. 😉
Cyndi, first, in no way was I criticizing you….but I was motivating you and hoping you would take the bait. You are too gifted and too young to waste time. You will have more than enough time to rest up when you are dead and buried. 🙂 I want your talent out there for the world to enjoy, because talent like yours should never been kept silent. 🙂
Sometimes I feel like I’m cursed with the gift for lack of focus, lol
But I DO have an idea burning in my head ^_^
And oh yes, like a fish to a worm, I’m munching on bait. NOM NOM NOM
Cyndi, you can lurk here all you want. The rent is free and I love the fact that you have an idea and the juices are flowing. 🙂
Thank you Bill!!! I told you I’ll be stopping by more often and I’m going to be. From January I’m going to be back home working full day, blogging and freelancing. I’m going to set up a REALISTIC plan on things I want to achieve in the next year and getting more views to both my blogs is definitely one of them! So, I need to offer something different? Hmmmm…. I’m going to think that one over quite a bit over the next few weeks. You have a good point my friend! Have a super weekend!
Mel, I really am sorry about the job situation, but I’m happy you will be around more often….very selfish of me. 🙂 Enjoy your weekend and put that thinking hat on. 🙂
Somebody needs to tell Cyndi to stop lurking over here so she can get to her coursework and lesson plans AND do some fun writing later on….but it’s so fun to read everyone’s comments, especially when it comes to taking time for writing.
Oh, Lord help me…