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July 28, 2010
Setting Up Your Writing Business
“How do you officially set up your writing business? What are the benefits to treating your writing business as a ‘real job’ by setting it up in a professional manner? And what have you done to make that happen?”Chantrelle asked,
Let me offer a handful of thoughts for you...
1. Find a place. Make this your "writing" place and designate it as your office.
2. Make that your official "home office," then read up on what the IRS will allow you as a tax deduction.
3. Establish a writing time. For most authors, that's simply "morning." Protect a time each day when you can do some actual "writing" and not just checking email, answering letters, meeting people for coffee, etc. When I started, I set aside 6 to 8 every morning. (I had young kids. Later wouldn't have worked. I hate mornings.) Tom Wolfe starts writing at 9 and stops at noon. Find a time that works, in which you'll just WRITE.
4. Create a filing system. ("Alphabetical by title or author" works well. Don't rely on the "Eureka!" system.)
5. Set up a bank account that is just for your business. Sign up for PayPal.
6. Set up your address book. Keep emails and phone numbers handy...and if you want to move into the bold new world of 1996, invest in a phone or something that will keep those handy.
7. Create a calendar. Not just for your day, but for the big projects you've got. It'll help you figure out what you're writing when. It'll also remind you that you've got to take Fiona to the orthodontist.
8. Group similar activities. Do all your mail at one time. Group your phone calls back to back so you get through them all. Ditto email, if that were possible. Things that are "occasional but regular" should be scheduled -- for example, I look at submissions every Friday morning.
9. Create a budget. How much do you expect to make this year? How much do you expect to spend? (Having more of the former makes for a better business, by the way.)
10. Create a to-do list. Every day. Work through it. On Friday (or every other Friday) start at the bottom and work up – that’ll prevent you from never doing the one task you hate.
11. Create a contact list. Capture names and email addresses.
12. Invest in a separate business phone line or business cell phone.
13. Invest in a website and business cards.
14. Make sure you've got quality high-speed internet. (Duh.)
15. Invest in the help you need – training or people or space or tools.
16. Invest in a great computer and the software you'll need.
17. Invest is a good printer, preferably with a scanner.
18. Invest in yourself -- take a class, attend a conference, join a support group, get therapy, whatever it is you need to grow. Buy a good dictionary and thesaurus.
19. Learn to keep good records. If you need a class on it, take one. (There are even personal organization trainers who will help you get organized. Talk to someone like Tiffany Colter about that.)
20. Learn about taxes -- expenses, etc.
And the BEST advice? Write regularly. If you don't do that, you won't make a living at this.
That help?Posted at 10:11 AM in Career, Questions from Beginners, Quick Tips, The Business of Writing | Permalink
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Comments
This is a wonderful and helpful list. Thank you!
Posted by: Robbie Iobst | July 28, 2010 at 03:17 PM
Consider *very* carefully whether or not to designate a portion of your house as a "home office" ... at least as far as writing off part of your mortgage as a business expense.
If I remember correctly, if you do that, you will have to pay taxes on any profit from that portion of your house when you sell it.
However ... if you do the same thing, but *only* write off utilities, then you don't mess up the sale of your house.
I recommend anyone considering this.
consult with a tax expert.-Robert
Posted by: Robert Treskillard | July 29, 2010 at 07:14 AM
Very informative list, but the most impt is the end of course - you must write!
Posted by: Alana Morales, Author Domestically Challenged | July 30, 2010 at 12:32 PM
"good dictionary and thesaurus..." What's a thesaurus you'd recommend? I find so many are lacking.
Posted by: Willow D. | August 02, 2010 at 07:44 AM
I second Willow's request. What's a thesaurus you'd recommend?
Posted by: Joshua Zapata | August 02, 2010 at 10:07 AM
As far as a dictionary, I'd suggest the New Shorter OED. It has double the number of definitions compared to most so-called unabridged dictionaries. I got mine for $99 a few years ago, I see it new at Amazon for $89. I don't know about the newer versions, I have the 2 volume (readable) ISBN 0198612710.
Posted by: Brian | August 02, 2010 at 03:19 PM
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