| What exactly does it mean to be a "professional | | | | solely on providing web content to these |
| writer?" In reality, the title means different things | | | | businesses can not only make money at the |
| to different people. The general definition (for | | | | onset, but can also get repeat business when it is |
| most people) includes an exchange of money for | | | | time to add new products and services or to |
| work created by writers. Just what form this | | | | update old material. |
| "work" takes, however, can really vary. If you're | | | | 6) If your goal is simply to see your book in print, |
| determined to become a writer who actually gets | | | | then perhaps you might want to self publish it. |
| paid, then here are some of the paths you might | | | | While the upfront costs can sometimes be a little |
| choose to take. | | | | high, you can set your own price and be in charge |
| 1) Many people associate the term "professional | | | | of marketing and selling your work. For many |
| writer" with their image of a novel writer. If your | | | | people, once that first copy has sold, they |
| obsession is creating whole worlds (or universes!) | | | | consider themselves "professional writers." |
| by writing fiction, then writing novels may be your | | | | 7) Another way to self publish is to create |
| ticket to becoming a paid professional writer. | | | | booklets or pamphlets on a subject that interests |
| 2) If you long to make the kids smile with your | | | | you. These can be marketed online or through |
| creative writing and crazy images, then maybe | | | | catalogs that advertise publications in a number of |
| you should consider becoming a children's book | | | | areas. |
| writer. Many children's books include wonderful | | | | 8) A different spin on using websites to become |
| artwork, so if you love to draw or paint, then | | | | a professional writer is to start your own blog. |
| perhaps you will become both a paid writer and a | | | | With the addition of advertising or affiliate |
| professional illustrator. | | | | marketing, the content you write can actually |
| 3) So many people focus on writing fiction that | | | | earn you money. |
| the very real possibility of becoming a nonfiction | | | | As you can see, there are no strict rules about |
| book writer often gets completely overlooked. | | | | what a professional writer "needs" to be. If you |
| This is a potentially lucrative way to become a | | | | get a thrill from writing fiction, then perhaps being |
| professional writer, as long as you have the skills | | | | a novel writer or a children's book writer is the |
| and know-how to back up your ideas. | | | | best outlet for your interests. If you prefer to |
| 4) There are literally thousands of writers who | | | | organize and share facts, then it's possible that |
| make good money through jobs writing for | | | | you should consider being a nonfiction book writer |
| commercial and trade magazines. If you have a | | | | or should seek jobs writing for magazines. If your |
| great idea for an article that should be in your | | | | biggest dream is just to earn a little money for |
| favorite magazine, consider checking out their | | | | something you wrote, well, there's even the |
| writer guidelines and then querying the publisher. | | | | option to self publish. Each of these methods is a |
| Bigger magazines are more competitive, but they | | | | lot of hard work, but each also has the potential |
| also pay more for professional writers. | | | | to be the path that makes you into the |
| 5) In today's age, nearly every business has its | | | | professional writer you aspire to be. |
| own website. A professional writer who focuses | | | | |