Did you know that Information Marketers and Writers have a lot in common. So, much so that they can actually be the same person. Information Marketers promote products or information to a particular group of people or a niche in the market place. They specifically target this group to help solve their problems with their products.
Writers on the other hand, write often in the same genre for a particular group of people. Lately, I have noticed that although Information Marketers and Writers are similar, Information Marketers usually have a greater understanding of the business end of writing and tend to make a greater profit from their writing in comparison to the traditional writer waiting to be published.
I’ve discovered four things from Information Marketers that has changed who I am and what I do as a writer.
1. Content is KING. Yes, as writers we know that good writing is expected but we don’t know how valuable the content is. As writers we often focus on the editing part of writing – Is it perfect? Do I have any grammar mistakes? Information Marketers want their copy to be grammatically correct but more importantly they are not stuck on the logistics. They know that high value content outweighs a grammar mistake or two. Their goal is to get information to their readers and clients in an efficient manner.
TIP: Don’t be so busy crossing the i’s and the t’s that you make the mistake and not produce something that is of value to the reader.
2. Timing is EVERYTHING. So, you have a good idea. In fact, it’s a great idea that can solve a problem for thousands of people. What do writers do? We begin an outline, get our thoughts together and then we see if we shop it around to an agent or publishing house for possible publication next year! Information Marketers know that timing is essential to the life of a product and it’s viability in the market place. If you’re writing a book for first year teachers, you don’t want that book to come out in June. You have to recognize when it is time to act fast. As writers we get caught up in someone publishing our material, but we need to consider our timing. Our sole purpose is to help our readers. If our information is consistently delayed in the market place it can significantly lower our profit and our visibility.
TIP: Traditional Publishing is not always the best route – especially when you have a time sensitive idea that can solve a problem in the market place.
3. It’s not personal; It’s BUSINESS. Writers carry our work in our hearts. We don’t want to change our stories. We want our words to remain our words; besides we are the writer. Information Marketers know differently. Writing is a business. It’s a process of gathering information for the reader in a way that they can understand quickly. It’s not personal, it’s business. If a sentence has to be changed for clarity; they change it. If the theme of the book or product needs revising; they revise it for the better. As writer we need to take our feelings out of it and write from a business end. Your goal is to see your work in print and reach the masses. Don’t be so close to your writing that you can’t see how to profit from it. Your gift should support your livelihood.
TIP: It’s okay to make an income from your writing.
4. Validation is relevant but not IMPORTANT. Often writers seek validation of their peers. They can’t submit an article without someone taking a look at it and approving it. Writers crave validation of their work. Information Marketers usually do not. Information Marketers are confident and believe that their past experiences and/or research validates their information. Can it be a gamble? At times, but it is much more profitable and rewarding to complete and promote your work without the pain and rejection of another who may not truly understand your vision.
TIP: Don’t get caught up in what other people think about your work. Follow your vision.
