Last Monday I signed an independent contractor agreement with a corporate history book publisher to work as a research-writer, developing an “archivist manuscript” for a new book. Basically, I’ll outline and write the first draft of the book manuscript for a Minneapolis-based corporation commemorating its 50-year anniversary in 2011. The finished books are high quality, hardcover, oversized “coffee table” type volumes that are impressive to say the least, and the rags-to-riches story of the owner will make for an intriguing and fascinating text.

Yet, what’s most impressive to me as I begin the development process for content is the degree of efficiency demonstrated by both the publisher and the profiled corporation. This efficiency is punctuated by a single practice that they both employ: outsourcing. Outsourcing not only improves efficiency, it increases profits. And it can do the same for you. Read the rest of this entry

Writing is a career where you traditionally get paid only for your time. Even if you bill by the project, it’s still based on an hourly rate that, if you’re experienced (or lucky), you’ve bid correctly. But there are ways for writers to increase profits without extending your schedule to a 20-hour work day or making every vacation a working vacation. Here are three of them: Read the rest of this entry

If you’ve been writing for a while, you likely have a pretty good stash of published articles, rejected articles, posts from article directories, blogs and forums, and a number of folders of unused research material gathering dust. Repurpose your content to make quick and completely new submissions—and potential profits. Here are 3 ways to repurpose content: Read the rest of this entry

Unless you sell products or receive substantial royalties on book deals, writers are paid only for their time to research, write, and think for their clients. Developing efficient and productive habits will pave the way for additional profits. Remember—you are running a business. Focus on efficiency and productivity to attract money, not tasks that eat up precious time. Here are five ways to increase your productivity for bigger writing profits: Read the rest of this entry

I am a behind-the-scenes kind of writer. I love doing the work but hate doing the self-promotion to get the work. I don’t cold call. I don’t beg clients for referrals. Even after writing several books with reasonable success, I never spoke in front of an audience or did any public appearances; I agreed to be a guest on a radio show for my first book and decided never to do another one. I am borderline reclusive. So if I go against the grain of every highly-touted self-promotion tactic out there, how do I manage to find clients, sell books, and make a great living as a writer? Read the rest of this entry