There’s nothing like a great paid writer success story, especially when the person it happens to is someone like Pam Foster, who’s one of the nicest, brightest, most helpful copywriters I’ve ever met.
She did a thing that might sound crazy to outsiders, but if you live on the inside of the creative world and you know how energy has to align with the actual work... then this all makes sense.
Also I’m a huge fan of her method. I once used it plan out the colors, design, and layout in my writing office, and enjoyed similar unexpected success.
Should you try it? Yes. Yes, I think you should. And have fun doing it — that’s what this freedom-based lifestyle is all about!
To your best writing life,
Mindy McHorse
Executive Editor, Barefoot Writer Magazine
The 5,000-Year-Old Way to Get Bodacious Clients Now
By Pam Foster
I’d like to tell you about a popular, ancient technique that people all over the world use for getting exactly what they want.
This technique has been proven to generate success for people in all cultures, across the globe, for thousands of years. It’s an approach that anyone can use, anywhere, to achieve goals of all sizes. And it’s a simple approach that has a track record of creating powerful results.
Think I’m a little over-the-top with all this gushy praise for a 5,000-year-old success technique?
Hear me out, and then decide.
A while back, my freelance writing business took a powerful turn and I’ve been absolutely swamped with work and new-client inquiries ever since.
My income more than doubled in a year.
And I’m booked solid with steady work for many months to come.
So what made the big difference? What turned me into a client-magnet? And how can you do the same thing for your writing business?
Promise me you’ll keep an open mind, okay?
The 5,000-year-old success technique I was following unconsciously is Feng Shui — or I should clarify … the INTENT aspect of Feng Shui.
You’ve heard of Feng Shui, right?
It’s an age-old practice of intentionally creating an environment that balances natural elements for positive outcomes in one’s life.
Architects apply Feng Shui principles to home design so they can build homes and office structures at the most advantageous angles for the best flow of energy. Home decorators place furniture, plants, and art in certain ways to create positive results. And millions upon millions of other people use Feng Shui techniques to enhance their wealth, health, harmony, and happiness.
But the part of Feng Shui that worked so well for me was INTENT — the intentional part of going after the work I wanted to do as a freelance writer.
Let me explain, because it can be life-changing for you too.
Feng Shui followers believe that intention drives results. So if you intend to be healthy, and you intentionally create a home environment that supports health, you should do just fine.
A few years ago, I decided to put all my energy and focus into marketing myself within a single business category — the pet industry.
Once I determined that pet industry clients were my main focus, I made it my daily intent to bring in more work with pet-related businesses.
That’s all I focused on as I took steps each day to make it happen.
I created a website with that single focus. I created marketing materials with that focus. And I approached a specific, targeted pool of potential clients in the pet industry.
You know what? It worked. Man, did it work!
It literally changed every single aspect of my writing business for the better. So now I’m …
Working with fun clients
Working on fun projects
Getting paid more for my valued contribution in an industry I love
So consider this for yourself.
Is your writing business a bit scattered right now? Are you struggling to gain momentum with clients you’re hoping to attract? Are you frustrated that you haven’t found the right kinds of projects yet?
If so, focus your intent in one direction; one industry that excites you. And then back up that intent with action steps that are 100% fixated on marketers in THAT industry.
How do you do that?
Apply the INTENT principle of Feng Shui. (You can find lots of Feng Shui resources that explain this in detail, but in short — declare your intent in a sentence or two.)
State your intent loudly by saying something like, “I’m the best writing resource for clients in the [fill in] industry!”
Next, establish your ownership of that niche market. For example, if you decide to be the best writing resource for the Tropical Island Tourism industry, position yourself as the best writer in that market.
Create a simple website that clearly demonstrates your value to that market. Tell your site visitors how you understand the Tropical Island Tourism industry and how to attract people who’ve had enough winters for a lifetime.
Once your website is all set, create other marketing materials focused on your primary intent, possibly including a direct-mail letter, an online ad campaign, a trade publication ad, a special report, or other approaches.
Then go after the work! Go to trade shows, market yourself to tourism websites, and ask your friends and professional contacts if they can introduce you to clients in that industry.
Never waiver from your intent. It’s tempting to start drifting when you see something new in your email inbox, but trust me ... Don’t stray from your original intent.
If you follow this path with 100% focus, day after day, you will see some amazing results.
At the very least, you will have a clear direction that you control when it comes to marketing yourself, and you’ll discover a newfound excitement about writing for an industry you enjoy.
Mindy, I'm delighted to get a like from one of my tutors. I'll be walking the tightrope - right behind you. Hoping not to fall
This really reinforces something I’m working on now. When I decided to try ghostwriting, I knew I didn’t want to write everything for everybody, so I chose real estate and started focusing on helping professionals educate potential buyers through content.
I’m already noticing how much easier it is to decide what to write, who to connect with, and what belongs in my portfolio when I have a clear direction.
I’m also learning to give that direction enough time to work instead of changing it every time another interesting possibility shows up.