How to Treat Your Writing Like a Business
Use business principles even if you’re not earning yet
Imagine traveling through a mountain town and you pass a crafts store. Rocking chairs with a nice redwood finish are along the sidewalk, so you park, get out and take a closer look.
You sit in a chair, begin rocking and the wood creaks. You feel the arm rest and suddenly the chair collapses and you crash through to the ground. The owner comes out.
“I didn’t mean to break it,” you say. “It looked sturdy, but it was weak.”
The owner is a nice man who laughs, waves his hand and says, “Don’t worry about it. No problem. You see, I’d like to sell a chair every now and then but I guess it’s just a hobby.” He furrows a brow. “I’m just not sure how to make this a real business. I’d like to, but I guess that’s just not in my future.”
He retreats inside to work on another chair and you stand outside, puzzled. He wants people to buy what he creates, but he admits it’s a hobby and not a business.
How is that possible?
You continue driving and then see another store along the road with more rocking chairs. You’d really like one if you found one that worked so you stop, get out, and inspect the chairs.
