Five essential tools to jumpstart your writing business
If you’re considering starting a writing business, whether as a freelance journalist, content writer, technical writer, or copywriter, you’ve probably wondered what you need to invest in your new business venture.
With over sixty thousand writers in the UK, the industry is still rapidly growing, and you must set yourself apart. How do you do that? By using the right tools and equipment to make your writings stand out.
Fortunately, you do not need to spend thousands of pounds starting your writing business. But there are a few important tools you need to make your career as a writer a success. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out what you need for your writing business, especially if you are new to the industry. In this article we curate five of the most necessary equipment you need to begin your writing career.
1) A private working space
If you truly want to succeed as a professional writer, you will need to have hours of uninterrupted writing time. It might seem cool working from a café, but you will soon find it difficult to get work done with so many distractions.
Writing does require a considerable amount of concentration and research. That’s why most experts will recommend having a dedicated writing space that is comfortable and quiet. The ideal office is spacious and comfortable. It should also have good ventilation.
Experts advise that your office space should be at room temperature to avoid stuffiness and prevent distractions of adjusting the thermostat or opening and closing windows every few minutes. It should also be organised and clean.
Most importantly, your workspace should be devoid of distraction. So, if your office is set up at home, ensure that other household members know your working hours and when you are available.
2) A stable internet connection
If you are starting a writing business, you will need reliable and stable internet access. The internet is extremely useful for conducting research, accessing resources, and keeping in touch with your clients or agents. Think about how annoying and distracting it would be to have your internet cut off during an important writing task.
If you spend a lot of time on the road, perhaps as a freelance writer, you must ensure that you plan your trips ahead of time and make provisions for a fast internet connection. Check out the Wi-Fi availability at where you will be staying. You can also increase your mobile data plan or look into getting prepaid data.
3) A computer and office equipment
Starting a writing business is relatively more affordable than many other startups in other industries. However, you must also consider your cash flow when investing in your business. It would be best to buy top-quality equipment, but you also need to buy high-quality equipment you can afford.
A good computer doesn’t need to have millions of flashy features that you probably might not even need for writing. But it needs to have a good memory and speed that can accommodate your writing software programs, research documents, and other applications.
You will also need to invest in good quality hardware. For example, suppose you spend several hours typing away behind your computer. In that case, you can invest in a custom keyboard that provides you with additional comfort and makes your typing experience more responsive.
Additionally, you have to have the right furniture set up to give optimum comfort. Ensure that your chair and table are fully adjustable and have a lot of space to do additional tasks like storing documents and writing notes. Your other stationery and gadget items should also be within a close distance, so you don’t need to stand up and interrupt your workflow.
4) Communication tools
How do you plan on communicating with your clients or agents? It’s much easier to communicate with them if you all reside in one location. But if your clients are abroad or you travel a lot, you must find smart ways to make communication flow easily and with little restriction.
You must ensure that the medium you choose has a clear connection and that you are available during your working hours. Your clients will lose interest if you are not responsive. So, what are some of the channels you can use?
Phone calls are probably the most common channel writers use to communicate with their clients. It allows for faster conversation, especially when face-to-face communication isn’t possible. However, long phone calls can get very expensive.
You can have a phone plan with your service provider for international calls. But some clients might not mind talking over WhatsApp, Skype, or Facetime. You can also use texts to send regular updates on projects or remind them to share important documents. Emails are also excellent options for sharing updates, as well.
5) A calendar
A calendar is perhaps one of the most important tools you will need for your writing business. It’s a great tool to help you keep track of tasks and deadlines. Missing deadlines cause your clients to lose faith in your service, forcing them to take their business to competitors. Don’t let that happen to your business, as it can damage your reputation as a writer.
To help you stay on track, ensure that you always enter every deadline the second you receive that information. You can also use it to set project milestones and updates. This shows your client that you are extremely responsible and take your projects seriously.
As your business grows and expands its clientele, having a calendar becomes more important. A digital calendar, for example, can allow you to not only track your deadlines but also set reminders for other related activities and important events.
Starting a writing business is an amazing opportunity. It can earn you a stable income and provide you with some flexibility to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
With these essential tools and equipment, you will be well on your way to managing a successful writing business. You must ensure that your purchases are relevant to your business.
Photo by Javier Sierra
