Ashamed

Ashamed A while back I approached C Hope and asked, â€Å"If you could special order your next article for FFW, what would it be about and when would you need it She replied, â€Å"I cannot begin to tell you the perfect article unless it was I’ve been reading the FundsforWriters newsletter and absorbing C Hope’s advice for nearly 20 years. I should have known better before sending the first email. I was brazen, albeit dumb, enough to send yet another. â€Å"You answered exactly what I asked, but what I really wanted to know is what kind of article could I write for you? Im basically asking for an assignment. I realize you dont typically do that, so Im kind of asking you to push the boundaries a bit because Im special and you love me?† I said those words! She responded (I suspect she rolled her eyes while doing so), â€Å"I cant begin to tell you what to write for FFW. I depend on writers relying upon their strengths to pitch the right pieces.† I know the types of articles that comprise the FFW newsletter. I have developed a relationship with C Hope over the years. I hold her in the highest regard and respect her implicitly. She pours her entire heart and soul into helping her readers succeed. It is because I know this, I am ashamed of my actions. It is why I decided to write this, even though it isn’t the â€Å"perfect† article she described. I learned three vital lessons. BE A PROFESSIONAL Whether you have been reading FFW for a week, or a decade, you are reading it because your goal is writing for money given the title of the newsletter is â€Å"FundsforWriters.† Writing for money, means you are running your own business. Unless your niche is business writing, it can be easy to slip into a conversational tone when sending queries and emails. When it concerns your writing business, keep correspondence professional. DON’T ABUSE YOUR NETWORK One of the golden rules in business †¦ in life, is to network. It is equally as important not to abuse your network. It is acceptable to ask questions or for guidance in their area of expertise. It is okay to ask for a special favor occasionally. It is never okay to say, â€Å"I’m asking you to push the boundaries a bit because I’m special/new/learning/don’t know what to do/know you.† TAKE YOURSELF SERIOUSLY The internet is inundated with ezines, newsletters, blogs, coaches, consultants, and advisors. Glean knowledge from these sources to build your writing business. FFW has printed numerous articles on the importance of queries, pitches and writers’ guidelines. Had I been taking myself seriously, I would never have sent the email. I would have gone to the website and searched the archives and the writers’ guidelines. Be willing to research. Be willing to put in the elbow grease. Take responsibility. Own your process. Don’t end up ashamed.