Recently I have seen a disheartening trend by writers on LinkedIn. Many writers have lost their job and have resorted to begging for work through their LinkedIn profile. Believe me when I say that it’s not my goal to judge because it is very tough for writers to get a decent job or gig right now. I share your pain. I have been there and most writers I know have, too. But there are other ways to brand yourself so that you can negotiate your worth and retain your dignity.
How did we get here? Part of the reason is that many people found themselves without a job and decided they should try out the writing path. I would never discourage anyone interested in becoming a writer but it has made it hard for longtime professional writers to make a living. The market is saturated. But another story for another day. Instead, let’s look at ways to market yourself if you need work after a job loss or for any reason. Here are a few tips to help you get good gigs or a new writing path as soon as possible.
Find Yourself
Finding yourself is a very important step after the loss of a job. This can be difficult because so much of who we are as writers is based on our writing career. When you lose a job it can feel like the rug has been pulled out from underneath you. But there are steps you can take to move forward. Here are some suggestions to help you get back on track:
Rethink your writing career. Don’t be afraid to write outside your comfort zone. Think of all the interests and topics you always wanted to write about but never had the time for. This is a great time to flex your writing muscles, so to speak. Be sure to let others know on various platforms of your most recent content.
Create a niche. Do you have a hobby or special skill? Well, here’s your opportunity to create a blog or look for work in that field. And of course, make sure you market your blog on various platforms. You never know who might be looking for a writer with your expertise. There are many free blogging platforms available. As you gain subscribers you can upgrade your site and maybe even monetize your site.
Grieve your loss. The loss of a job is stressful. But beating yourself up about it will just add to the frustration. Take a moment to reflect on what you gained from your recent role and move on. Remember that you can’t control other people and their actions. But you can control your response and how you choose to use this event.
At the end of the day, the loss of your job does not signify the end of your career. These steps will help you regroup and maybe even get attention for your “new” writing career. Keep on writing and stay positive.
Happy writing!
