Position and Earn as a Writer in 3 Months
This article is a direct response to one of the questions I get asked about positioning a writer and speaker. Please note while this guide works(it has worked for me and dozens of people I coach), you have to put in the work. The insights I shared is useful for creatives, not just writers and speakers. Have a great read.
The strategy for positioning yourself as a writer/speaker is the same whether you're in the marketplace or you're in the interview room. The demands and requirements are the same. The people you're playing before have specific expectations and you must deliver. It does not matter how many months or years you've spent on this journey, without meeting these expectations you will always fall short and you will be inadequate.
These requirements feel like David’s killer stone. The ones he picked in the brooks for his sling to overcome Goliath. You always have to pick your stones before the battle. If you don't, you will become the victim of the marketplace.
I'm writing for a specific audience. The ones who want to spend the next 6 months, laying the bricks of their writing career so they don't appear incompetent and inexperienced before their employer. So that they can have something good to show as proof that they are qualified and they know what they are doing. Yes, 6 months is enough if you follow my prescription as you should.
There are six stones you need to have in your pouch to shine in the marketplace:
1. Your product
2. The quality of your craft
3. The platform
4. The audience
5. The feedback
6. Metrics
Your product: in the next six months. You should have articles, at least 10-15 articles you have written as a writer. The most ridiculous drama I've seen is people who call themselves writers who cannot point to the products(pieces) they've written in their 2 years of writing. You do not deserve that title. Writing is not a desire. Your products(the ones you've written) qualify you for that title, not the one you're thinking of writing. No employer will trust you without proof!
The quality of your craft: Put in your best work in the piece you're putting out. We are not looking for just a write-up. Your employer needs something quality that will assure them that if you get the gig, the gig, you will not mess up. And with each piece you write you will improve. If you can afford a coach like myself, who will guide you and offer on-point input, please do. The investment of a guide is invaluable. It will shorten the years of your meanderings. You will know why quality matters in the next point.
The platform: You are writing or speaking and creating quality pieces and putting them on an open platform because you are building in the public where people can visit, read/watch your piece, and verify your claim. Most writers are writing randomly like birds. On a piece of paper, on Facebook, on Twitter, in abandoned dusty journals, etc don't let that be you. Put all your works where people can visit, read, and verify that you wrote them. That's your portfolio. Some of you can write but it is easier to discover the tomb of Moses than to discover your manuscripts or pieces. I'm helping you to put your act together. Write LinkedIn articles, start a Substack, start a podcast, publish on Amazon, etc. You will not know the pain of knowing how to do something but lack the proof to present when you meet opportunities. Every time you find yourself in the interview room, you will always wish you had written more. I was once there, learn from me.
After platform, Audience matters: Your consistent and quality content on an open platform will bring like minds to you. You are reading now because you sense value here. The almost 1000 readers I have on substack are there because of value. The over 300 members of the AI Tribe are there because of value. Your audience is proof that you are giving value or supplying a nuisance. So you need an audience. They are the consequence of your input. Don't look for them but write for them. Speak for them because they are the soul of your business.
There are questions about whether to write on social media or not. It's great to write on social media. I have written there. It will help you to build the initial confidence and validation you need as a new writer. It will also gift you with your first set of readers and followers. But if you want to grow as a writer, find a way to carry your readers to an exclusive medium and grow them there. This will give you the opportunity to nurture both your audience and your craft.
Feedback: This is what your speakers ask for after speaking at your event. It validates their work and serves as proof that they've done a good job. It's what MCs ask for when they do a selfie video and ask you to shout their names. It's what gospel artists ask for when they say you should put on your torch in their concerts. It powers your brand and serves as a credible voice over your craft.
Metrics: Numbers matter. You can brag with numbers when you have them particularly if you're building a personal brand. Some numbers are important when you're writing or putting your work in the open. The number of readers, followers or subscribers, impressions, etc will help people to know that you're not invisible or faking it. Most importantly it will inform you about your progress and what you need to do. For instance, my channel is about two years old, I've published 28 articles, my newsletters have a 25% open rate in the last 30 days, etc. These are tangible figures that will help you to grow. Creating products without metrics is like building blindly.
When you tie all these 6 things together. You can begin to position yourself for jobs and gigs in the next three-4-5-6 months confidently because you have results to show for it. I hope you find this valuable. Reach out via email for questions or interest to join my writing program. Breakthrough from within
©Abiola Iyiola, 2024
Principal, AI Leadership Consult
