Writers are artists who can create new worlds using the power of letters. They create stories that appear out of thin air with a clean slate.
Statista reports that in 2020 more than 44.2 thousand writers and authors worked in the United States, which is slightly less than in the previous year but still noticeably higher than the figure registered back in 2011.
However, as simple as it may seem to seasoned writers, those new to the field often run into problems. Most of these problems are common to all and can be easily avoided by “knowing the enemy by sight.”
In this article, we’ll show you how to find and avoid common mistakes aspiring writers make.
1. Absence of portfolio
At the start of their careers, most freelance writers have no experience. It makes it challenging to find a job because you cannot show the employer what you can do.
Potential clients and editors may not take you so seriously if you don’t have at least a few decent writing samples to showcase your skills.
How to solve:
Create a few samples of your work, save them on the freelance platform or google dox, and attach them to your resume every time you apply for a job. It’s good to create real text examples for some of your friends that you can connect as an example of your work.
2. Lack knowledge of marketing
Your skills as a good writer aren’t all you need to find a successful project to work with. As a writer, you are in charge of your own business, which means you need to know how to run it wisely.
It is essential to know some basic marketing principles, develop a strategy for your promotion and know how to close the pain points of your employer.
How to solve:
Learn the basics of marketing, create monthly and weekly marketing plans, and build your job search goals.
Make sure you write down your tasks and track your progress as you go.
3. Lack of ideas
This factor can be called one of the most giant stumbling blocks for an aspiring writer. Forbes writes that most writers tend to agree that the more you do it, the better you write. If you don’t write constantly, you start to rust.
You are pretty sure that you can write any article, but you have no ideas or points to write about.
How to solve:
Become an observer who notices everything around you. Read a lot of good literature to inspire. Use social media and motivational articles on the internet for inspiration.
4. Lack of productivity.
You have received an order but do not know where to get the forces for its implementation. Or maybe you have already written a significant part of the book/article and do not find inspiration to continue. It often happens because the work of the author is associated with substantial mental work.
How to solve:
As in any work, a writer needs rest. As a beginner, you may mistakenly grab onto a large project and not calculate your strength. Create comfortable working conditions for yourself: you should not be distracted by children and household members; it is good to have your own office or a separate space for work.
Set a timer and periodically get up from the table to rest, stretch exercise. It will also help if you listen to relaxing music from time to time. Take a break for the day, forget about work, and only after fully resting, return to writing.
4. Lack of confidence
It is also sometimes called impostor syndrome. And this problem happens to writers very often, especially with newbies. Regardless of how much experience you have, it will be difficult for you to move forward if you are unsure of what you have to offer.
Confidence is that you know your business and that you are willing to demand what you are worth. If you are confident in your skills and worth, you know your worth and write good lyrics. Fear is one of the main factors blocking aspiring writers.
How to solve:
It’s important to realize that fear is your blocker. And that by itself, it does not allow you to develop and move on. And how to understand what kind of author you are? Do and write on. Despite the fear, you are not belittling your dignity and knowing your worth.
5. Failure to succeed
A writer’s work is quite complex, and only those who reach the top in this food chain receive all the bonuses and standing ovation. Most newbies are afraid that they will never succeed and that you will waste time spent on training and work.
However, achieving success is not as tricky as maintaining it.
The key to success is creating value for other people. To be a successful writer, you need to be intelligent, unique, and present your ideas to other people.
How to solve:
Connect with successful authors you would like to look up to. Get inspired by the success stories of acclaimed authors of world literature and writing. That being said, you can even contact a software development company, as MLSDev, to find out how to find your target audience and effectively market yourself as an author.
6. Perfectionism
It is a problem that each of us struggles with within every area of our lives. However, writers are even more prone to perfectionism. It is partly okay – you strive to create the perfect text. However, this is already a wake-up call if you start to slip in place due to perfectionism.
How to solve:
Accept the idea that the main idea is not to improve something before it is released. The important thing is to build it, release it, and then – if need be – improve it. Don’t waste days and weeks wondering if it’s worth publishing. Post and then look at the response.
There is no limit to perfection.
The problems of a novice lyricist are inevitable. As in any profession, you will need strength and endurance to go through difficulties and find a dream job. It is important to remember that no problem should make you mad if you have the right attitude and are ready to work on your improvement every day.
Knowing what to expect, preparing, and staying assertive can help you overcome challenges and develop your writing and business skills.