The Truth About Writing Success: Marketing Over Talent
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Chapter 1: The Misconception of Talent
The truth is, the most talented writers often don't earn the most money. The reason? Their success hinges more on effective marketing strategies than on their writing abilities.
As a young adult, I aspired to be a top-selling author like Stephen King or J.K. Rowling. I believed that by writing regularly and honing my craft, I could turn this dream into reality. Malcolm Gladwell's notion that spending 10,000 hours on a skill could lead to mastery fueled my ambition. I calculated that if I dedicated three hours a day to writing, I could achieve mastery within a decade.
Nothing could deter me from my quest to write bestsellers.
Then I pondered: What if I accelerated my efforts? If I wrote more, I could potentially publish a bestseller in my early twenties!
Thus, I committed to writing daily, driven by the hope of becoming a literary genius. Christopher Paolini, the author of "Eragon," served as one of my inspirations. He achieved remarkable success as one of the youngest bestselling authors in history.
Christopher embarked on his trilogy, "The Inheritance Cycle," at the age of 15. His accomplishments made me believe that I, too, could become a bestseller through sheer hard work and improvement.
I kept pushing myself. After two years, I had completed two novels, both of which faced numerous rejections from publishers. Self-doubt began to creep in.
I started to wonder if Christopher possessed some innate talent that allowed him to produce quality work effortlessly.
What I didn't realize was that Christopher was not an extraordinary writer. He was certainly competent, but he wasn't necessarily superior to countless other teenage writers. So, what was the secret to his success?
His parents were in the publishing industry, facilitating his career launch. While many of us toiled away perfecting our craft, writing multiple drafts, and amassing towering stacks of rejection letters, he seemed to glide effortlessly towards fame.
You could be the most skilled writer in the world, but without a solid marketing strategy, you'll remain unnoticed, just another struggling artist.
It's essential to understand this: If you've poured your heart into your writing and still haven't found success, it's not due to a lack of talent—it's a marketing issue.
Many writers mistakenly believe that by solely focusing on their writing skills—improving their prose, vocabulary, and style—wealth and recognition will naturally follow. They envision money flowing in, admirers chasing them, and legions of fans adoring their work.
When success eludes them, they often turn the blame on themselves, questioning their work ethic or inherent talent. The reality is, marketing is paramount.
I used to write extensive Twitter threads that barely garnered three likes. Meanwhile, I watched other writers receive 200 likes and assumed they were simply better than I was.
I was unaware that they had larger audiences. One day, I decided to share one of my threads in a Facebook group with a substantial membership. The result? I received 97 likes and numerous comments.
This experience taught me a valuable lesson: Most writers possess the talent necessary to be published and make a living from their work; they simply need visibility and marketing.
This situation is reminiscent of many YouTubers who post countless videos with minimal subscribers. Once a notable figure shares their content, they can suddenly attract thousands of followers.
These YouTubers were capable enough to gain a large following; they just lacked the exposure. Imagine if they had given up before receiving that crucial attention—they would have wrongly believed their failure was due to their shortcomings.
Section 1.1: The Importance of Online Presence
If you aspire to earn from your writing, it's imperative to start sharing your work online. There's no valid reason not to.
You don't need to become a better writer. You don’t need to read another writing manual or purchase another course. What you truly need is to cultivate an audience.
Utilize platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Substack, and Medium to establish your presence and grow an email list. You’d be surprised at how many writers secure book deals simply by having a substantial following.
In addition to having readers who will engage with and purchase your work, writing online offers another significant advantage: feedback.
If you keep your writing to yourself, you’ll perpetually question your abilities. By sharing your work, you'll quickly discover that you are indeed good enough to be appreciated.
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Your friend,
Ali
Chapter 2: Marketing Yourself as a Writer
The first video discusses why most authors struggle to make a living from their writing. It explores the disconnect between talent and marketing, emphasizing the importance of visibility in the literary world.
The second video delves into the reasons why authors often find it challenging to generate income. It provides insights on the necessity of effective marketing strategies in achieving success as a writer.