For most of the time, we take our ability to write for granted.
After all, pretty much everyone can write. It’s one of those default skills we learn at school. And because everyone can do it, the act of writing becomes a commodity. There is no longer anything special about it.
Your mother writes. Your neighbors write. Your kids write. In fact, chances are that one of them is writing something on Facebook right now.
But if you view writing as a craft instead of just a commodity activity, remarkable things can happen.
First, you will have found a way to express yourself, your feelings and your opinions beyond simply writing one more Facebook entry. Second…you will have developed a craft that allows you to make a living, or some supplemental income, in a variety of different ways.
For myself, I have made a living by writing for the last 30 years.
One of my brothers 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 novelists. Not to mention all the people I know professionally, most of whom make an excellent living as copywriters or business communications writers.
Writing is not simply one more way to make a living. It is a unique way to make a living.
As a writer and a freelancer 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 changes 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 about 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 has value, I’ll never be penalized 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.
Can you follow the same path? Of course you can.
I have written a number of programs for people who want to develop their writing skills in ways that will bring them a healthy income.
And my favorite among all the programs is the one about writing your own money-making websites, because it represents the ultimate in flexibility and portability.
About the author: Nick Usborne is an online writer, copywriter, author and coach. Read more…