A frequent conversation I have with my writing clients is how to best utilize their writing to gain more exposure and to create more income. If there is one thing that will accomplish both of these objectives, it's learning how to leverage your writing.
I suggest that you write something once, then use it in various mediums. Here's an example. I offer a teleclass series called Getting Clear About the Writing Process. I spent several days developing the content for that four week, one hour per week series. I recorded the classes and produced a workbook from the written content. I will be selling the recordings as CDs and downloadable MP3 files, and the workbook will be offered in both printed and downloadable file formats. Eventually, I will use the content to produce a book on writing, and will record that book for sale as a book on tape. I am also planning to submit portions of the content to magazines and online sites that are seeking guest columnists. And finally, I will be expanding the content to begin offering live workshops and retreats for potential writers.
My goal is to use any writing I create a minimum of five different ways, more if possible. Some will be direct income; others will be for marketing purposes. From my example, here are the methods I am using:
1. Teleclass Content
2. CDs
3. MP3s
4. Workbook
5. Downloadable PDF file
6. Articles for publication
7. Book
8. Book on tape
9. Workshops
10. Retreats
Another form of leverage is to use parts of what you've written to create another completely new piece. I save all my writing, regardless if I use it immediately or not. This week, as I was finalizing my chapter for the next book in my coaching book series, A Guide to Getting It: Sacred Healing, I used writing I had done several years ago titled, "Breaking the Pattern: The Seven C's of Transformation." Although it was not published at the time I wrote it, I've used various versions and parts of it in several other works that have subsequently been published.
Writing is like piecing together a quilt. Sometimes just one sentence from a work you've already written will fit nicely into a new piece. Other times, I've used an entire article and put it in a longer piece, such as a chapter in the series, or in the book I am writing for publication next year.
The creative process is like diving for pearls. You might write ten pages and only one sentence works well for your current use. Or you might write ten sentences and they are all pearls. Combining bits and pieces from different writing sessions has resulted in some of my best work.
Then there are the times that I write something that doesn't seem very dazzling or pertinent at the time I wrote it. Then-sometimes years later-I will read it again and the message is completely apt and the writing is compelling. I'm sure you've had the experience of reading a book and getting a specific message from it, then reading it again a year or two later and another completely different message jumps out at you. It's the same with your own writing. So keep everything you work on, whether it's on the computer or in long-hand. You never know when you will be leveraging it in one way or another!
Writing coach Marilyn Schwader is the creator and publisher of the "A Guide To Getting It" book series, which provides ideas and tools from Life and Business Coaches to help you live your life's dreams. To learn more about this book series, writing coaching, and to sign up for FREE teleclasses, visit www.clarityofvision.com.
Want to write a how-to article but can't come up... Read More
IntroductionSometimes it may be beyond a companies or individuals budget... Read More
Effective screenwriting relies on the good understanding and use of... Read More
As one of those fabulous Baby Boomers, you now own... Read More
How many of you take the time to really write... Read More
Do you have trouble getting your thoughts and ideas down... Read More
Charles Dickens was born in Portsea, England, in1812. His father... Read More
Whenever you sit down to plot a story (or even... Read More
Started a book and then got bogged down? Like many... Read More
Recently I was watching the Oprah show and it was... Read More
One of the biggest problems that inexperienced writers have is... Read More
Winning writing contests can provide several advantages to writers. For... Read More
PASSED, PASTPassed is the past tense of pass. Past means... Read More
What is Sense of Place? It's the image of a... Read More
If you dread the thought of writing, if you fear... Read More
Q: How do I expand on an idea without getting... Read More
Kallu was a tenant of Santosh Kumar Nayak. Santosh Kumar... Read More
1. Write it fast, fix it later.2. Commit to writing... Read More
We've all seen those ads that grab our attention and... Read More
Have you ever wondered why some people can make millions... Read More
I owe the completion and success of my book to... Read More
It's the funniest thing. When someone asks me what I... Read More
How to Start Your Story with a BangThe purpose of... Read More
There is a lot of confusion about recommendation letters.Recommendation letters... Read More
The greatest gift you have to give to yourself and... Read More
shuttle from Midway Munster are ..There are various forms of structure, including frameworks, work processes... Read More
We've all seen those ads that grab our attention and... Read More
As an aspiring or an established entrepreneur, you are an... Read More
Great business writers combine narrative skills with sound judgment to... Read More
Writing is a muscle that needs exercise to stay in... Read More
It's a good idea to use TextPad because all opt-in... Read More
And a dreadful thing from the cliff did spring, and... Read More
Whether you keep a separate spiritual journal or just want... Read More
Editorial guidelines, also known as writer's guidelines, are the rules... Read More
A good white paper is a paper that makes you... Read More
Many of us have always wanted to write. We have... Read More
To write books for readers at an elementary reading level... Read More
Listen, consider this scenario.You have a deadline to honour. Time... Read More
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by marketing. First, there's so... Read More
Good writing requires self-examination. Why is one writing? What part... Read More
People want information, they want it quick, frequently in short... Read More
Many of the most effective low-cost marketing strategies require writing.... Read More
Your struggling to sell just a few copies of your... Read More
Welcome to the zany ideas of a productive writer. My... Read More
The short-short story has been likened by some as being... Read More
When one population in one century survived five wars, two... Read More
You must write a hypnotic persuasion letter to help you... Read More
Q and A.Best choice when subject is very verbal or... Read More
Readers often send me interesting and exciting e-mails about the... Read More
How to Come Up with Fresh Story Ideas When Your... Read More
Writing |