Episode 296 - Article Writing for Platform and Profit with Kerrie Flanagan
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Kerrie Flanagan discusses ARTICLE WRITING FOR PLATFORM AND PROFIT, including practical strategies for finding paying markets—and why you should stop giving your work away for free. From her first paid piece in Better Homes and Gardens to her advice on researching and targeting the right outlets, Kerrie offers encouraging, actionable guidance to help writers turn their passion into income.
Kerrie Flanagan is the author of The Writer's Digest Guide to Magazine Article Writing and creator of the online course, Magazine Writing Blueprint. She has also published twenty other books, including three sci-fi/fantasy series' co-authored under the pen name C.G. Harris. Her expertise and passion for teaching writers have led her to present at writing conferences across the country and teach continuing studies classes through Stanford University. Her dedication to her writing is evident in her contributions to numerous publications, including The Writer magazine, Alaska Magazine, Writer's Digest, and six Chicken Soup for the Soul books.
Episode Links
https://www.kerrieflanagan.com/
Summary
In this episode of The Indy Author Podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with Kerrie Flanagan about a critical topic for writers: finding paying markets for their work. Kerrie emphasizes the importance of not undervaluing one's writing by giving it away for free, especially for authors with previous publishing experience. She advises authors to seek compensation for their work, even if it's a modest amount, as this not only acknowledges their skills but also sustains their writing endeavors financially.
Kerrie shares a compelling personal anecdote from her own career in writing. She recounts her experience with Better Homes and Gardens — her first paid writing opportunity for a small craft article. This experience was pivotal for Kerrie, as it made her realize that with the right research, targeting, and relevance to the market's audience, writers can indeed earn from their craft. This realization is crucial for writers at any stage of their career, as it alienates the mindset of seeing writing solely as a passion project and reinforces it as a viable means of income.
Throughout the conversation, Kerrie underscores the strategy of thoroughly researching potential markets. This includes understanding what specific publications are looking for, the type of content they publish, and how your writing can fit into that framework. By tailoring submissions to meet the needs and interests of a publication's readers, authors significantly increase their chances of being published and paid.
Another key point discussed is the professional satisfaction and momentum that receiving payment can bring to an author. It’s not just about the money; it’s about valuing your work, which in turn can boost confidence and open up further opportunities for professional development. Being paid for writing can serve as validation that the author's work is valuable, leading to more submissions, improvement in craft, and potentially larger projects.
The conversation aligns writers with the idea that by maintaining a professional standard, they avoid devaluing their work. The takeaway is clear: prioritize paid submissions, because doing so underlines the principle that your writing is inherently valuable and deserving of compensation.
For any author trying to navigate the often-challenging waters of the literary world, this episode offers encouragement and practical advice. By understanding and applying Kerrie’s insights, writers can efficiently contribute to the broader literary landscape while ensuring their art not only fulfills them creatively but rewards them financially as well.
This episode is packed with actionable insights for authors at various stages of their writing journey. Whether you are just starting or have been published multiple times, the advice to seek out paying markets remains pertinent. Authors are encouraged to think strategically about their market placements and submissions.