If Your Writing is a Business, Invest in It
Taking it to the next level
When you're trying to make it as a writer, you really don't need money to get started. But investing in your writing can help you take it to the next level.
Business advice, however, isn’t one-size-fits all. Some people have plans to turn their writing into a full-time job; others just want a side hustle. So depending on your needs, the amount of money you spend will be different.
Either way, though, you’re going to want to make a written plan of what your expenses will be, and how you expect to pay for them or see results.
I consider my Medium membership, at $50 a year, to be a business expense. It helps me interact with the community and keep up with other writers; this is increasingly necessary as Medium’s algorithms change, and I need to know what’s going on.
Last year, when I got started with Medium, I bought a new smartphone that easily allows me to type posts on the go. It’s not exactly a business expense, but it was an investment that paid off, as I type most of my stories on my phone.
Earlier in the year, I also splurged on a new laptop. I was worried about the price, but I’m glad I bought it. My old laptop was really slow, and the speed and ease of typing, researching, and uploading things makes a huge difference. I only use the laptop in my home "office," but it makes me feel like more of a professional.
Next on my agenda, I’ll need to start a mailing list. It will cost me about $50 a month to reserve a PO box for six months. I plan to use free mailing list software to start, and see how it goes.
Right now, I don't have a dedicated website for my writing, but that's something I'm considering for the future.
Some people swear by particular writing software, but Microsoft Word works fine for me. Even when I type novels, I can’t imagine using anything else (and I’ve tried).
I want to self-publish my novels, so that I’ll have complete creative control. Once I finish each book, I’ll need to pay for an editor, proofreader, and cover designer. (Some writers can design covers themselves, but I have no talent in that area.) I’ll also need to pay for marketing. But that’s a little ways off.
Some writers attend conferences, which can be a worthwhile endeavor, but right now I don't have the time or money for them. I've been able to find most of the information I need online.
I do have a bank account that’s solely for my writing, and I’ll use it to keep careful accounting, and invest a lot of my earnings back into my business.
My business plan for my writing will likely be tweaked over time, but for now, it’s working for me.
