Ready, Aim, Specialize!: Create Your Own Writing Specialty and Make More Money (Paperback)

~ (Author) "WANT TO MAKE MORE MONEY and set yourself apart from other freelance writers?..." (more)
Key Phrases: garden topics, other interactive features, health writing, New York, Family Circle, Woman's Day (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A powerful resource for aspiring and established writers. If you're looking to become a better writer and boost your income . . . this book is chock-full of sound business acumen and advice."  —Samual Greengard, former president, American Society of Journalists and Authors

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Description

When you develop a writing specialty, you set yourself apart from other freelancers, save time researching and writing articles and command higher fees for your work. Contrary to what you might think, you needn’t be an M.D., or other recognized "expert" to focus your writing in a particular area. Your educational background, life experience, and interest in certain subjects can all be translated into a writing-related specialty. Need proof? The majority of freelancers who make a good living from their writing specialize—and you’ll hear from 56 of them in this book.

You’ll learn:

·Why you should develop a niche of your own and determine which areas are a good fit for your background and experience;

·What the top ten writing specialties are and how to break into and write about each one;

·How to better market your work and research and write more efficiently;

·How to find sources, research, data, and experts for articles;

·Techniques to help you maximize your time and income.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 259 pages
• Publisher: Writer, Inc. (March 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871161990
• ISBN-13: 978-0871161994
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #993,633 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Get on Track With Read, Aim, Specialize, December 31, 2004

By	Tammy Powley "tammypowley.com" (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been a part-time freelance writer for a number of years, and I think I've been fairly successful at it. However, I have to admit that Kelly's book really made me stop and think about what I was doing. Not only did it give me the confidence to try to make my writing a full-time job, her practical advice has provided me with a way to do it. Though I thoroughly read through her book a few times, I still find myself picking it up again and again, and it's finally got a permanent spot on the bookshelf over my computer desk. I recommend this book to writers like myself who have wanted to write full-time but weren't sure if it was even possible as well as those who want to start a freelance writing career.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If youre a freelancer, do you specialize? You should..., April 2, 2003

By	Julie Hood, OrganizedWriter.com (OrganizedWriter.com) - See all my reviews

and Ready, Aim, Specialize! tells you how. James-Enger shares the details, resources, and secrets you need to know about the top ten freelancing specialties: health, business and finance, parenting, travel, essays, diet, nutrition and food, technology, fitness and sports, profiles and features, and home and garden.

If you're not sure which area is for you, just read the first chapter. A simple exercise tells you where to focus.

In "Tales from the Front," James-Enger interviewed over 50 successful freelancers from each specialty for their tips and success stories. These interviews are like having personal mentors who tell you the most important steps to take as you pursue a new area.

Each specialty chapter also includes the nuts and bolts on how to crack the market and a large list of resources. Where do business writers find their experts? Find out in chapter seven. Should travel writers take complimentary trips from travel agencies? Read what the specialists think in chapter 10.

Every freelancer trying to make a living writing should read this book. Why? James-Enger knows what it takes to thrive (she has a six-figure writing income!), and this book leads you step-by-step from everyday generalist to successful specialist.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant resource for writer's, July 23, 2003

By	Kevin Hogan "Author of The Psychology of Pers... (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

OK, so you want to be a writer? Here is the book you are going to start with! You will find crisp, fresh advice from an author who walks her talk. Ready, Aim, Specialize shows you specifically how to build a successful writing career.

You are going to learn how to get interviews, get interviews with EXPERTS, and learn how to get from interviews...to print...and paid.

The text is up to date and will be a resource you will use every week in your career as you break into the hottest markets!Kelly James-Enger shows you how to win in a challenging field!

Kevin Hogan, Psy.D.
The Psychology of Persuasion: How to Persuade Others to Your Way of Thinking