Getting Down to Business: 2 Steps to Make Your Dreams Come True

November 14, 2008

“Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”~ Jack Welch

I’ve covered some wonderful topics here on blue Duck Copy. We’ve talked about writing skills, integrity, inspiration, and regrets. Each of these topics has weighty value for a writer, and I believe they serve as a firm foundation for reaching for the stars. However, there is more to building a business than feeling good and looking pretty. Online business is hard work. Competition is fierce and the wolves will eat you alive unless you face reality.

Getting Down to Business

Despite poplar opinion, money will not fall from the sky simply because you bought a domain name and write well.

Thinking good thoughts and believing that your website will make money helps you avoid ulcers, but it won’t fatten your checkbook.

Making money requires marketing, promotion, analysis, networking, planning. You need to know about branding, self-promotion, buzz words, social media, advertising, website coding, time management, organization, taxes, business law, communication, how to handle difficult people, setting goals, making a business plan….. and a whole slew of other universal and niche business principals. If you want to make money from your writing, your writing becomes your business. Treat it accordingly.

(This doesn’t mean you have to stop writing form the heart, it just means you need to work smarter if you want results.)

The Kicker

If you’re not willing to give your business your all, find another line of work. Save yourself a boatload of time and money. There are no quick and easy shortcuts to a paycheck.

If you are willing to work hard, step out of your comfort zone, read until your eyes burn, and type until your fingers bleed, you can make money writing. But you have to be willing to go that far.

For those who are still reading, there is hope and help.You can achieve your dreams with two steps:

1 )Go here.

2) Then go here

Step one is entering a terrific contest sponsored by Men With Pens. Through sheer generosity and a belief that building your dreams is possible, they’ve put together an absolutely phenomenal package of prizes to help you get your business started. James, Harry, and Charlie know what it’s like to start out with nothing but a dream and desperation. They want to help.

Step two is Itty Biz’s Online Business School. it will cost you a few dollars, but if you’re serious about building an online business, you need this information. Naomi’s been where you are now and she can help you get out of that rut.

Dream Big. Work Hard. Get Help.

P.S. If you order Online Business School, please email me or leave a comment saying so. We have a small group forming that will gather to discuss the course and brainstorm together.

Share and Socialize:

Posted by Jamie | Filed Under Blogging

Comments

Jamie Simmerman

Hi Miguel, I' a Psychology major at a Christian University, so I can relate to writing hordes of papers!

So many new writers want to know how to break into a field or market. The answer from the pros is always "Just write". There is no easy way. You just have to put in the hours and write everyday.

Thanks for stopping by. We'll start with the first OBS tip on Monday. :)
Miguel

Impressive, I like the idea of forming a group. Our goals and dreams in life will only come at a heavy price. I've developed my writing throughout college because as a theology major we constantly had to write papers. William Zinsser says, "The only way to learn to write is to force yourself to produce a certain number of words of a regular basis." He's right, my experiences have proven these words, at least in my case. :)

<abbr>Miguel´s last spectacular blog post..Pimp Your Blogging Experience With Thesis</abbr>
Jamie Simmerman

Hey Maya! OBS is terrific! We'll be posting little tips and such as they crop up over the next few weeks to help out.

We''ll also be praying for your success. :)
Maya

Jamie,
I am not a writer but I am working on my startup.
I can use this help and pep talk.
Thanks!

<abbr>Maya´s last spectacular blog post..Are you a storyteller? What is your story?</abbr>
Jamie Simmerman

Hey Wendi! I am so glad you got Online Business School!

LOL, I So wish I was helping to sell OBS! It's just a regular old link, no affiliate, just unadulterated promotion for a good product.

The group will be for ANY OBS owner. I have a few tips already written up and will post more as the program progresses, and thought OBS students would benefits and might like to share what they are learning, thinking, struggling with.

I'll add you to the "list:".
Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Insp

Hi Jamie,

I have my Online Business School already. Spent most of yesterday listening to the Affliate Marketing section and will probably go over it again today and mark out a plan. I don't know if you only meant to get together a group from people who ordered from you, (which would be fine) but if your group is open ended, I would be interested in joining up with an OBS mastermind type of group. Let me know!

<abbr>Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirations´s last spectacular blog post..Are you Planning for the Fog?</abbr>
Writer Dad

"If you are willing to work hard, step out of your comfort zone, read until your eyes burn, and type until your fingers bleed, you can make money writing. But you have to be willing to go that far."

Check.

"Making money requires marketing, promotion, analysis, networking, planning. You need to know about branding, self-promotion, buzz words, social media, advertising, website coding, time management, organization, taxes, business law, communication, how to handle difficult people, setting goals, making a business plan….. and a whole slew of other universal and niche business principals. If you want to make money from your writing, your writing becomes your business. Treat it accordingly."

I can do better.

I entered the contest yesterday. Thanks for the reality check, Jamie.

<abbr>Writer Dad´s last spectacular blog post..Bright Ideas</abbr>
Jamie Simmerman

That is the ultimate question, Lance. If you don't want it bad enough, it's just a waste of time and money.

Pray about it. The answer will come.
Lance

I'm tempted Jamie...

Geez, do I bite the bullet, how badly do I want this??

<abbr>Lance´s last spectacular blog post..Thanks For The Cookie</abbr>