2 – How to Act Like a Professional Writer (Even When You Don’t Feel Like One)
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I received an email from a writer who’s been blogging for 10 years. She wrote, “But I am still a novice! I’ve never taken it seriously. It’s just fun and a hobby.”
She followed up with, “I would like for that to change since I would like to be taken seriously as writer.”
In order to be taken seriously, writers need to take three important steps:
- We need to cultivate a life of writing – to seriously (not haphazardly) pursue whatever form of writing we want to do.
- We need to think like an entrepreneur who’s starting a business.
- And we need to apply what we’re learning.
As we start acting like a professional, we’ll discover that we will begin morphing into a professional.
What does it mean to be a professional writer?
Here are five traits that we’ll explore in today’s episode:
Trait #1: Identify what you want to be known for.
Action Step: If you could choose any type of writing-related business to become the world’s top expert in, what would it be? Write one sentence that states what you want to be known for.
Trait #2: Practice.
You need a 10% edge. You need to know only 10% more than the people you serve. You’ll pick up the other 90% as you go along.
Action Step: Intentionally make decisions throughout the day that align with what you want to become known for.
Trait #3: Fight against imposter syndrome.
Think about the skills and experience you’ve acquired during your life that contributed to that 10% edge you have. Chances are, knowledge and skills you possess that that you assume are easy or unimportant may be exactly what your readers most need from you!
Trait #4: Generously serve your readers.
You’ve been practicing a particular skill. You’ve seen the results of your practice. Now help your readers achieve results, too.
Trait #5: Be ethical.
Work and behave in such a way that others view you as consistent, competent, reliable, confident, and worthy of respect.
- Meet deadlines.
- Routinely over-deliver.
- Own your mistakes.
- Tell the truth.
- Respect those with whom you interact.
- Be consistent. Whether you’re around clients, co-workers, family, friends, or by yourself, you act the same way.
Action Step: Choose one trait of being an ethical professional that you most need to work on. Commit to start working on it, today.
Resources & links mentioned in this episode
Outliers, by Malcolm Gladwell (aff link)