Launching Into Success

  How to Become a Successful Freelance Writer

In a nutshell: write, submit, write, submit. 

Okay, there's more to it than that. But if you don't actually have a plan you will not be successful.

After 18 months of learning, thinking, and taking some baby steps with freelance writing, I carved out this week of July 15 – 20 to get serious. The goal is to launch a working schedule to stick with regularly. 

Sometimes, the conditions have to be just right for success. After 30 years of raising a family, homeschooling, and helping with our dairy and maple syrup business, I am now in a season of transition. And the conditions are right.

So, with my 11 year old off to camp, the always-available wife, mother, and friend had to make sure this was my week. It’s day 2 and I am thrilled at what I am accomplishing.


As I have been implementing all of the wonderful lessons which I have learned here at WOTM, and from other seasoned authors, I had to take a step back to not lose myself in the logistics. I believe in hard work. But I also believe one can get buried in crossing all the “T”s and dotting all the “I”s (pun intended) - to the point of not dreaming big and following your instincts.


One bit of advice I had printed off last January helped me find balance this week. On the topic of marketing strategies, Holly Weiss writes in Scaling the Marketing Ladder in One Fell Swoop:

“Are you trying to get your opinions, writing skills, or articles noticed? Do you spend hours a day reading advice from well-meaning experts on how to drive traffic to you blog?”

Yup! That’s me. Trying to get it all figured out before I moved off of square one. Thing is, I wasn't going anywhere. I was getting buried under a heap of "getting it right" and all I was getting was overwhelmed. 


Holly's advice was like a welcoming breeze. It filled out my sail and I started moving.


She continues to say, “Down deep, you know your own best marketing tactics. Find your talent and put it out in front of the public – consistently.” 

"Down deep, you know..."

This, coupled with the technical advice from seasoned authors, helped me find the right combination to set sail.

Only you know when the conditions are right. Learn, learn, learn. But don't be afraid to make a move when down deep you know yourself. Don't let too many opinions overwhelm you and hold you back.

Fair winds!


*Edit: week 2 and I'm sticking to my writing schedule!

Photo Credit: Jared and Corin

You can find her passion to bring encouragement and hope to people of all ages at When It Hurts -http://kathleenmoulton.com/

7 comments:

Karen Cioffi said...

Kathleen, good for you. We all need to stop and evaluate where we are and where we want to be. It's important to know that if you're not moving forward it's time to find out why.

Holly's article is a great reminder that we can't just think about doing, we must do.

Karen Cioffi said...

Oh, I love that picture!

Magdalena Ball said...

Well done Kathleen. I've also ramped things up and set a few goals - of course for some of us, the time will never feel right - just got to decide that now is it.

Kathleen Moulton said...

Thanks, Karen!

Kathleen Moulton said...

Thanks, Magdalena!

Anne Duguid Knol said...

Kathleen, what an encouraging article. Following behind you in August--it's always next month with me lol. But I shall do it with your example in mind. Do keep updating us on your progress and successes. Many thanks for all your articles to date too.

Kathleen Moulton said...

Aww, thanks Annie. Will do!

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