When I decide that I want something, I go for it. I don’t like to wait. I’m not always patient. And I can get easily frustrated if something is taking too long.
Delayed gratification is not something I am very good at.
It’s not just me. We live in an “instant” world. Instant mashed potatoes, instant coffee… Our cars are faster, we work more, and we get the things we want, preferably without waiting for them. Credit cards mean we don’t even have to be able to afford something before we buy it; we just need to have a big enough spending limit.
The thing is, instant mashed potatoes will never be as good as the kind made the old fashioned way. To get the best mashed potatoes, you need to peel (or at least carefully scrub) the potatoes, cut them up, boil them, and then drain, mash, and mix. You need to know what seasonings taste best. It takes time, and it can take a little practice. It takes work. But, in the end, you end up with a superior product. Right?
As writers, we need to remember that, while instant has it’s place, we also need to put time (and work) into our careers. Instant work, where you don’t have to try too hard to be accepted and the work (and pay) is minimal, is nice. Sites like Demand Studios or other content sites, usually pay every week, and the work is steady. You know that there will be work every day. It’s a nice feeling. Especially if you have bills that need to be paid right now.
But writing for content sites has few real long-term rewards. You probably won’t get any great referrals, you don’t set your own rates, and you won’t see any real recognition. And if you spend most of your time writing for $15 an article, you begin to think that is what your writing is worth. Want to know a little secret? Your writing is worth twice that, easily.
Take the time to develop your skills as a writer. Find a niche to specialize in. Maybe you want to write resumes, or you really want to be a food writer. Learn as much as you can about your chosen specialty, put up a website or two, and then start looking for clients. Although clients don’t always pay weekly, you can more or less set the terms of payment and the cost of your services yourself.
Don’t do all of your work for clients, however. Put a couple hours a week into building your own site. A niche site, blog, or whatever else you may decide on can not only lead new clients to you but also create a stream of passive income. Also spend some time on social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, and so on), building a community. This is a great way to meet new clients, and get to know other writers.
Like any good thing, building a career that goes beyond instant gratification takes a lot of effort. You need to be patient, and believe that your work will eventually pay off. And it will. Investing in yourself, and your future, always has huge returns.
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