Two Essential Platforms for Writers: Impact or Income
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Chapter 1: Understanding Your Writing Goals
When it comes to writing, whether your aim is to inspire or earn, selecting the right platforms is crucial. This simple three-step method is what I share with my mentees when they focus on making an impact.
To effectively influence and engage, clarify your "What" (the message), "Who" (the audience), and "Where" (the platforms). Answering these three essential questions lays a solid foundation for your personal brand:
- What is the essence of your message? — Impact or influence never exists in isolation.
- Who is the audience for your message? — This helps identify your ideal reader.
- Where can you locate this audience? — This pertains to the platforms available.
By addressing these questions, you'll be well on your way to establishing a strong personal brand.
On the other hand, if your writing is aimed at generating income, you'll need to expand this to four key components: Value, Target Audience, Portfolio, and Platform.
Here’s a more detailed look at these four steps:
- Determine the value of your writing. What forms will it take? (e.g., blog posts, white papers, newsletters, sales copy, etc.)
- Identifying the value helps pinpoint your target audience. For instance, if you specialize in SEO blog writing, businesses may be your main audience.
- Prospective clients will want to see examples of your work. Therefore, having a portfolio is essential.
- Platforms are again critical for connecting with and selling your services to your audience.
It's evident that whether your focus is on passion (impact and influence) or financial gain (or both), recognizing which platforms to utilize is vital. Moreover, mastering these platforms is equally important.
Writing for Impact and Influence
For those looking to create impact and influence, I suggest utilizing LinkedIn and Medium. If you prefer brief content, consider adding Twitter to your list.
Writing for Income
When it comes to earning through writing, my preferred platforms include Upwork, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Medium. For those keen on newsletters, Substack is a fantastic option.
Now that you've identified potential platforms, the next step is mastering them. You could spend considerable time trying to learn these platforms independently, but why not learn from experts who have already navigated this journey?
If you’re interested in leveraging LinkedIn for influence or income, I recommend checking out “The Digital Millionaire” training, which also includes insights on Upwork. For those eager to create and grow a brand that resonates on Medium, my masterclass “Crush It On Medium” is worth exploring.
I hope these insights are beneficial! If you found this useful, feel free to leave a comment, follow me, and subscribe for updates.
The first video discusses whether Substack is the ultimate platform for writers, featuring insights from Jane Friedman.
The second video explores the best digital writing platforms for building an audience in 2024, focusing on ghostwriting and digital products.
Related article: “Dear Writer, Never Choose Between Impact And Money”