I can finally say the economy is negatively affecting my business. In just the past two weeks I’ve had two classes cancel due to low enrollment, had a publisher ask if I’d take a 75% decrease in income and had a business write me a bad check. And just last month a magazine I’ve written for often, ceased publication for economic reasons. All of these changes will mean about a $3000 decrease in my summer income.
These woes have definitely caused me to rethink the way I do business. If the economy has you concerned about your business or writing career, here are some don’ts that are helping me in these difficult economic times.
Don’t panic. I know that may sound Pollyannaish, especially if you don’t know where your next paycheck is coming from and the mortgage is due. But a business owner (especially those of us in creative fields) cannot afford to go into terror mode. Nothing limits productivity and creativity more. Try to remain calm by concentrating on the work at hand and realize that this is a natural consequence of doing business. Also remember that many others are in far worse situations than we are.
Don’t hide, ask for help. Some of you may be surprised at my honesty in the opening paragraph of this article. While I don’t want to panic, I don’t want to hide and pretend everything is fine either. The economy is influencing many industries. Just recently a real estate agent asked me to think of him if I knew anyone wanting to buy or sell property. Earlier this week, a popular public speaker sent me a Facebook request asking for referrals. If you know someone looking for a writer, editor or coach, I’m asking for your recommendations as well. Likewise, let me know how I can help you with your business.
Don’t get stuck. I primarily make my income from writing nonfiction magazine articles. The income I earn from this more than paid my salary in the past. Lately, I’ve been forced to look into other options for earning money. I’m considering teaching telecourses, putting all of my classes on audio CDs and may do some ghostwriting for a psychiatrist. Examine your current skills and see if you can transfer them into different means of earning income.
Don’t give up. Persistence pays off, not just in freelance writing, but in any endeavor. The trick is to keep writing, keep sending queries, keep blogging, keep teaching, keep looking for opportunities. Keep plugging away and things will turn around before long. Who knows that all of this may be a test to see if we have the prsrverance, resolve and determination to survive, not just the economy, but any setbacks that may come our way?
Please let me know if and how the economy is affecting your business. And don’t forget to tell me how I can refer others to your business. Likewise, I’d appreciate your kind words about my written words. We can triumph over this.
Angela Dion is the owner of Dion Communications, LLC www.dioncommunications.com. To subscribe to her free e-magazine Write Words and get the free 9 page booklet, Write Killer Queries, go to http://www.dioncommunications.com./newsletter/?p=subscribe.
This article may be reprinted freely as long as the entire article and bio are included.
Tags: alternate sources of writing income, economy affect on writers, economy woes for writers, how to overcome economy for freelance writers, writing opportunities
I took some of your classes,and was going to take the creative writing class in the fall. I don’t know if you remember me I’m Louis after 30 years in the construction/excavating business this is the worst I’ve seen it we found it was better to close up and sell most of the equipment off, to cut back on overhead, I don’t see much future projects in the working much any more either, investors and bankers are scared. We averaged 20 to 30 people paid all kinds of taxes that they don’t get now. in one way I have enjoyed the rest and major and ease of responsibilities. I guess its time to think of a new career good luck to you I’ll see ya in another class one day. times are tough but the strong do survive I’ve lived through this similar times before, gotta watch your cash flow and really pinch pennies. one of your ex students Louis.
This is both well written and timely. Thanks for the great insight and transparency. God’s blessings on your now more than ever.
Your friend, fan and fellow writer
Hi Angela, (I extend my congrats to Marcel on his graduation and notable achievements. He was a little boy when we met).
I enjoy reading your newsletter, and I just wanted to add some words of encouragement that were placed in my own heart about having patience in these difficult times. Please feel free to share.
You can read my comments on my blog “Signs of the Tynes” at
http://claudiatynes.com/blogger2
and the May/June issue of The Writer’s Touch Newsletter “It’s “R” Time”
at http://publishedauthors.net/claudiantynes/news.html
With your permission, I would like to use your newsletter as a reference for writers in the July/August issue of the Writer’s Touch?
Keep up the good work.
Blessings,
Claudia
Thank you Angela for penning those honest and forthright words. The Economy is affecting the majority of us. Thanks again for those encouraging words. May God continue to establish You in your endeavors.
Angela,
Your admission about how the economy is effecting your income hit home for me, too. My job for the Fall is still in question as private schools are funded by enrollment and the numbers are currently low. You can pray for me and I will pray for you!
I thought you might be interested in my blog post for this week on Hope. I felt it was relevant as we all hold our breaths and wait to see what will happen next.
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope” I Thessalonians 4:13.
The most exhilarating and empowering emotion on earth is Hope. It allows our minds to dream and our hearts to soar. When the days are dark, hope is what keeps us holding on, believing that the light will shine again. Without it, there is only bleak and empty despair.
Paul admonishes us not to live as those who are without hope, for we are not tethered down to grief and suffering. Every one of us will know it, but as Christians, our hope is anchored in Jesus Christ, who has conquered sin and death forever. We still live with its effects, but we also live with the hope of Christ within us, and the hope of eternal life with the perfection of God as our bright sun.
As my heart heals from past scars, I realize that the most successful thing the Enemy of Our Souls can do is to whisper in our ears that all is hopeless. Without hope, we give up. Something inside us slowly dies, so that we do not have the strength to dream, to try, to live abundantly. The gifts that God has given us go unused. The message that we could share with others goes unspoken. The life that could be given back to God as a song of praise is wasted.
We cannot live as those who do not have hope! God’s dream for our lives can be realized, and we must learn to share his dream.
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