No wonder so few writers are able to earn a living with their writing!
Freelance writers often love to research and write about topics, but often don’t get to write about things they are passionate about – or in any case, at least cannot fully control the direction or ultimate book that results from their freelance writing.
Authors and entrepreneurs who decide to write a book often direct their work according to their assumptions over what sells or are influenced by mis-directed book coaches, writing coaches or publishers.Â
Whenever I meet successful authors or entrepreneurs who have done well launching their own book, ebook or information product almost always strike me as overwhelmingly, over-the-top about their writing topic.Â
I’ve taken jobs writing for someone else and writing for magazines and without exception I’ve never been near as successful as when I pick my own writing topics and create information products.
If you are struggling to find a topic, get started writing, sticking with your writing projects, earning enough money with your writing or generating a strong portfolio of writing, then try this:
1. Start with areas of interest – travel, health, alternative health, business, pets, self-help, gadgets, etc…
2. Dive into your market – read the latest magazines, scan the discussion forums, see what others are talking about and writing topics within that market. Seek out patterns of problems, frustrations, questions and desire. This shouldn’t be difficult if you understand and have followed the instruction in #1.
3. After having developed some of the top problems, you need to consider what sort of solutions you could offer to the market. Do you have enough knowledge and experience to offer a system, tips, or solution for your market? If not, can you at least chart out the outline for such a system to be filled in with research? Alternatively you may know an expert in this area that can you can tap to help develop your product.Â
4. How else can you enhance your product? Can you mix audio interviews, video tutorials, additional reports, checklists, a workbook? How can you increase the value and differentiation of your product to move well beyond your competition?
All of this is possible because you started with a writing topic that fanned the flames inside of you. Without this fire in your belly, you’re goal to write a book is dead in the water – you won’t reach the personal and financial goals you seek and your dreams will be dashed.
Now, you have the basic system – if you’re ready to really jump-start your information product writing and marketing business, then join the high achievers over at Information Marketer’s Zone – we’ll be happy to see you achieve your writing dreams.
Jeff
