|
A frequent conversation I have
with my writing clients is how to best utilize their
writing to gain more exposure and to create more income.
If there is one thing that will accomplish both of these
objectives, it’s learning how to leverage your writing.
I suggest that you write
something once, then use it in various mediums. Here's an
example. I offer a teleclass series called Getting Clear
About the Writing Process. I spent several days developing
the content for that four week, one hour per week series.
I recorded the classes and produced a workbook from the
written content. I will be selling the recordings as CDs
and downloadable MP3 files, and the workbook will be
offered in both printed and downloadable file formats.
Eventually, I will use the content to produce a book on
writing, and will record that book for sale as a book on
tape. I am also planning to submit portions of the content
to magazines and online sites that are seeking guest
columnists. And finally, I will be expanding the content
to begin offering live workshops and retreats for
potential writers.
My goal is to use any
writing I create a minimum of five different ways, more if
possible. Some will be direct income; others will be for
marketing purposes. From my example, here are the methods
I am using:
1.
Teleclass Content
2.
CDs
3.
MP3s
4.
Workbook
5.
Downloadable PDF file
6.
Articles for publication
7.
Book
8.
Book on tape
9.
Workshops
10.
Retreats
Another form of leverage is
to use parts of what you’ve written to create another
completely new piece. I save all my writing, regardless if
I use it immediately or not. This week, as I was
finalizing my chapter for the next book in my coaching
book series, A Guide to Getting It: Sacred Healing, I used
writing I had done several years ago titled, “Breaking
the Pattern: The Seven C’s of Transformation.”
Although it was not published at the time I wrote it,
I’ve used various versions and parts of it in several
other works that have subsequently been published.
Writing is like piecing
together a quilt. Sometimes just one sentence from a work
you’ve already written will fit nicely into a new piece.
Other times, I’ve used an entire article and put it in a
longer piece, such as a chapter in the series, or in the
book I am writing for publication next year.
The creative process is
like diving for pearls. You might write ten pages and only
one sentence works well for your current use. Or you might
write ten sentences and they are all pearls. Combining
bits and pieces from different writing sessions has
resulted in some of my best work.
Then there are the times
that I write something that doesn’t seem very dazzling
or pertinent at the time I wrote it. Then—sometimes
years later—I will read it again and the message is
completely apt and the writing is compelling. I’m sure
you’ve had the experience of reading a book and getting
a specific message from it, then reading it again a year
or two later and another completely different message
jumps out at you. It’s the same with your own writing.
So keep everything you work on, whether it’s on the
computer or in long-hand. You never know when you will be
leveraging it in one way or another!
|
About
The Author
Writing
coach Marilyn Schwader is the creator and
publisher of the "A Guide
To Getting It" book
series, which provides ideas and tools
from Life and Business Coaches to help you
live your life's dreams. To learn
more about this book series, writing
coaching, and to sign up for FREE
teleclasses, visit www.clarityofvision.com. |
|
|
