Is Your Writing a Pet Project or a Cash Cow?
This is what turns your writing into a profitable business.
You have an answer yet?
Is your writing a pet project or a cash cow?
Keep it for now.
Let’s talk about why a lot of writers are running around in circles, writing stories that go nowhere. And why some actually make money — like real, spend-on-a-beach-vacation money.
The secret?
There’s no secret.
It all depends on you. And how you shape your writing.
I call it “purpose-oriented” writing.
See, most writers, especially when starting to write, tend to write just for the sake of it.
Yeah, I know, I know…You have to find your voice and test the topics. True.
But how do you do that?
Most writers treat their keyboards like an open diary, spilling out thoughts, ideas, experiences, and unutilized emotions. And don’t get me wrong, that’s therapeutic and all that, but it’s not gonna pay the bills.
If you want to turn your words into a cash cow, you need to have a goal, a purpose with each story.
Yes, that’s right! Each and every one of them!
What kind of purpose?
There are three main groups:
to entertain,
to educate (or solve a problem),
or to sell.
Notice something? It’s all about your audience, not about you or the topics you choose to write about. It’s about them.
The purpose is to have a reader in mind. Write for them.
You know what? That’s what they want too! To feel special while reading you. No one wants to know you need help. But everyone wants to know how you got out of a situation when you needed help.
It’s a huge difference!
That’s it. If your article doesn’t fall into one of the three categories, you’re probably just writing for yourself. And unless you’re already a famous writer, that’s not going to get you far.
You’re nurturing a pet.
Not just a CTA
Purpose isn’t just about adding a CTA (Call to Action) at the end of your article. Although, I see so many writers missing that one piece of gold, it’s not just about it!
It’s about infiltrating your purpose throughout the entire story.
If you’re writing to entertain, every paragraph should be loaded with humor, emotion, or suspense. Examples: Tim Denning is writing like this, then he sells over the email.
If you’re educating, drop nuggets of wisdom and actionable advice from start to finish. Examples: Eve Arnold, Nicolas Cole and Sinem Gunel are writing like this, then they sell over the email.
Both go hand in hand with a CTA leading to your freebie or newsletter.
And if you’re selling, your whole article should gently lead the reader towards the value that your product or service brings, without feeling like they’re being sold to.
Here you add the CTA to your product or offer. Examples: Ayo is writing a lot like this.
This is how you sell without selling!
Let me ask you again: is your writing a pet project or a cash cow?
Next time you sit down to write, don’t just open a blank document and let your thoughts spill out.
Think purpose.
Think about what you want to achieve with every single word. Trust me, your readers, and your bank account, will thank you for it.
Thanks for reading!
Yana
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