Are you trying to standout more as a writer? The year 2018 is approaching quickly, which means it’s time for you to start writing like a pro.
What exactly does that look like? Elevating your writing skills to a professional level involves using the writing process, seeking expert feedback, having a strong work ethic, and continuing education.
These traits might sound basic, but they are vital for success in every type of writing field. Now, let’s look at the breakdown as to why writing like a pro is so important.
1) Pros get the big bucks
While it’s still hard to pin down an exact figure for how much income writers make per year, most freelance content writers average with a $50,000 yearly salary. Of course, this varies from person to person and niche to niche. But, as you gain experience and credibility, coupled with business savvy techniques, the possibilities are endless.
Some writers can make hundreds of thousands of dollars per year just by strategically networking, sharpening their skills, and being dependable. Professional writers who think beyond limitations typically meet and exceed their own expectations.
2) Pros establish themselves as reliable
Although reliability isn’t associated with other related tangible skills, such as proofreading or publishing, it is essential to the professional writing game. The key part of this is showing clients that they can rely on you. It sounds like a no-brainer, but many writers are actually known for disappearing unexpectedly, sending in late work, or being stubborn when it comes to editing their content for clients.
Professionals, on the other hand, put their egos aside and think in terms of a client first mentality. These writers aren’t afraid to lose a few hours of sleep to make a deadline, and they will eagerly revise work that is less than ideal to the client’s needs. Therefore, simply turning in work on time proves to be a coveted habit that results in positive feedback, solid working relationships, client referrals, pay raises, and more rewards that make the job satisfying for writers.
3) Others will seek your expert advice
Professionals shine like superstars in the writing community. Therefore, it’s only natural for up-an-coming and seasoned amateur writers alike to look up to you if you demonstrate the career and lifestyle they desire. Other writers want to know your secret to success, how you first got started, what type of skills are needed to get in the writing field, the major writing challenges, and other insightful information.
When they see your name in the spotlight and know many clients are automatically drawn to you, it’s normal for them to want to emulate your methods. This allows you to create another source of income by generating how-to classes that could be purchased by novice writers for a flat rate.
4) Your skills are widely transferable
Sure, professionals are known for having expertise in a particular niche, but their talents don’t only fit into one category. If pros are trained in copywriting, they are often able to take jobs that encompass specialties like email marketing, product descriptions, brochures, and web page content. Likewise, blog posts and informative website articles can also be written from the same hand.
Technical or academic writers generally begin their professional writing journey by making content comparable to the best essay writing services list. They might initially start out with fundamental writing techniques, but once they seek to improve their essay writing skills, they have unlimited options to which direction they want their writing career to go.
5) Your education is priceless
As you grow into your writing style and niche, you’ll soon discover how much there is yet to learn. Not only do professional writers thoroughly research material to best equip themselves for each writing job, but they also have to continually be updated with changed information, policies, and demands from clients. Pros become a unique version of an entrepreneur, so they have to stay informed about legalities, paperwork, marketing, finances, and time management regarding their work.
Additionally, professionals become well-versed in latest trends and tools that are popular for writing. They keep up with current technology, they inevitably—and suggestively—market themselves online through social media, they use Search Engine Optimization (SEO), they target potential clients with digital ads, and much more. All of this education, with both the content they write and how they advertise, is priceless when it pays off tenfold in advancing their career.
The bottom line
Up until this point, you may have been doing so-so with your writing. Perhaps you’ve been getting by with producing mediocre work, investing little time into your education, and doing bare minimum networking. However, there are substantial reasons for why you need to write like a pro—many of which include an elevated reputation and better profits. It’s clear that writing like a pro will only benefit you in the long run. So why not take the leap and make 2018 your best writing year yet?