It’s officially a new year! So, let’s start it off by examining how to write a business plan for writers!
Writing a Business Plan for Writers
Time sure flies by and it’s super easy to fall into the trap of desiring to achieve a lot in a year, but never quite getting it together to make it happen. But here’s how you can rectify that. Here’s how to build a business plan for writers.
In my last post on Author Business Plans, I focused on the budgeting side and why that was important for your business finances. In this post I want to focus on what else a business plan can offer you as a writer.
Yes, your finances are important, but what about the accountability and goal setting? Forcing yourself to sit down and make specific and focused goals and following that plan to achieve them is absolutely priceless. So, here’s how to start.
Establish Your Primary Focus
First thing, is you need to figure out exactly what you want to be your primary focus for the year. Is this the year you want to complete a book? Or maybe this is the year you want to launch your book to the public. Wherever you are in your writing journey- try to take a step back and look at what you’d like to be the ONE primary focus you’d like to see happen this year.
Break Down Your Business Plan Manageable Goals
Now that you have your primary focus, try and break it down into the steps you need to accomplish to make it happen. For instance, if your focus for the year is on content, how many pages or words do you need to write a week to complete your project? If your focus is on expanding your readership and platform- maybe you need to focus on building a website and newsletter list. Make sure you write these down in clear, specific language with measurable outcomes. Otherwise, the checklist approach will never work.
Establish a Timeline with Deadlines
A year sounds like a long time, but we all know it flies by. So you need to hit the ground running. The sooner you can set deadlines, the sooner you can work towards fulfilling them. Just as I mentioned in my Writing Schedule blog post though, you need to also build in buffer room for life happening. So, yes, have a deadline, but know there’s SOME wiggle room in case of unexpected snow days, sickness etc. So for instance, don’t have an editor pre-booked for the day after you expect to have your book completed. Maybe schedule the editor for a week after, just in case.
Build in Support Systems
Do an honest assessment of your obstacles and shortcomings. Where do you usually falter in achieving your goals? For instance, I know I struggle with accountability. I’m an obliger and I prioritize everyone else’s needs over my own writing time. So, I combat that by sharing my deadline with my friends and family. Once it’s out there I have them check up on me. Now I feel like I HAVE to complete it. Plus, with them now cheering me on, they’re more apt to give me space to work without disturbing me.
Give Yourself Permission to Get Help
You need to remember that your writing IS a business if you treat it like one. Oftentimes, we classify it as a hobby because we’re not bringing in a huge sum. However, you ARE producing a complete product. Hopefully more than one even! Be proud of that. Own it! So, allow yourself the permission to unload things off your plate to prioritize your business time. Allow yourself a night away in a hotel for some uninterrupted writing time as a deadline grows closer. Hire a web designer to build your website for you instead of struggling through it yourself. Figure out what you need to be successful and budget the value of your time as well as if you can swing the monetary value.
Celebrate Your Successes Along the Way
Keeping to any business plan is never easy. But a business plan for writers can be even harder in some ways. Let’s be real, there’s a lot of variability and a lot that’s out of our control. Writing a book is hard. We might set out with every intent of keeping to a weekly word count and then one week can completely disrupt our flow! Then there’s the unpredictability of book sales, social media platforms etc. The point is I get it, it’s a lot!
Which is WHY– it’s crucial to celebrate the little successes along the way. You might not remain completely on deadline, but how many chapters have you completed? You might not hit your exact subscriber count, but how many more followers have you gotten? Every little bit matters and brings you one step closer to achieving your goal.
Good luck and happy planning everyone!
Looking for more author business resources? Here are a few posts you may want to read!
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