You Are A Writer (So Start Acting Like One)

by Jeff Goins

Your brand is the sum of all the parts of you that are important to your writing.

The point isn’t to cram as much in as possible. Instead, choose the parts of your personality you want your brand to emphasize (and know why you chose them).

You will have to work to find your voice. It will not come to you in a daydream or revelation. It’s not just how you talk or act. It’s a product of elbow grease.

We are all publishers.

A connection must be meaningful.

Likewise, when you’re first starting out, your audience doesn’t trust you. Not yet. Why should they? There’s no relationship,

all because he decided to be helpful.

You need to serve your way into relationships.

A channel of your own is essential to building a platform and extending your reach beyond your immediate networks. Without it, you are either borrowing attention or stealing it.

Stay in touch. Follow up with an email (or phone call) after the meeting (you’d be surprised how many people don’t do this).

A writing career happens iteratively, over time. You don’t need to take a giant leap. You just need to take the next step.

As it turns out, content is not king. Relationship is.

If an editor says she wants to work with you again, she means it.

There’s nothing like a good relationship with an editor.”

This is about forming relationships as much as it is about creating content.