Feed the Beast! Are You Up to the Challenge?

OK. You have jump started your writing career. Don’t you need an editor?

Who is an editor?

According to a few definitions, an editor is:

• A journalist who is responsible for a particular section of a newspaper or magazine.
• A person who collects pieces of writing by different authors and prepares them for publication.
• Someone who is a critical reader and a lover of words.
• A professional who will prepare a client’s article for publication by refining and polishing it.

Are you all those people?

Yes, you are!

You have a new title—EDITOR. What does it mean? I use my favorite phrase: “With the title comes the obligations.”

1. What's Your Writing Stats?

Have you checked your writing stats for June? How are you doing so far?

I am new at WA—my first post was published on April 7th.

Stats as of today: 26 posts and a

total number of written words is slightly shy of 40,000.

It put me at approximately 1,530 words per post on average. Given that there is one week before July 7th, I will end up with 43,000 words as a 1st quarter end.

But this post is not about my stats.

During the month of June my ranking has improved significantly, and I have started noticing that my

written words are more than 97% of WA members.

How can this be? How can I be better in written words than 97% of other members?

In fact, I have a few clear disadvantages:

1. English is NOT my native tongue
2. I am new in the business
3. I have a very demanding full-time job

But guess what?

It only means that I should work harder and turn my disadvantages into advantages.

Well, it’s all about attitude, committment and discipline.

For sure, my “editor” would love me!

Where do you stand with your "editor?"

2. Missing a Deadline?

Of course, different metrics would apply to your “blogging” progress—SEO, visitors engagement… and just pure financial rewards. But it’s not for newbies. True?

So, for the sake of the conversation, let’s focus on content only and your stats.

Why do I love stats?

When you know your numbers, it is easy to analyze where you are, how you are measured up to your competition, and what should be done. Right?

Well, since CONTENT IS A KING and a BLOODLINE of your site and any media platform, what are your commitment for your weekly stats? Is there a plan? How many words?

The fundamental question is: are you running a personal online journal or a digital media channel? Is it “maybe", "sometimes” or you are building a potential super BRAND?

If it’s NOT “maybe,” – YOU MUST FEED THE BEAST!

It is hungry all the time and demands content, content, and content!

It doesn’t care if you are tired, busy with other stuff, on vacation, want to relax, stuck in traffic—beast wants content!

So, if my writing stats is 97% better than other WA members, I am wondering: are you meeting your publishing deadline? Do you have a target date of submission?

Well, my friends, I’ve got news for you: yes, all of us sooner and later will miss a deadline. It’s life. But occasional “missing” in a professional editorial community means that you will make up for that “miss.”

Result? You are still on the target.

If you are your editor, are you giving yourself a PASS?

Or, maybe you need me as your editor?

Please, let me know.

3. Must-Have: Your Editorial Calendar

Why having an editor is crucial?

ACCOUNTABILITY!

When you are working for yourself, do you have your “editorial calendar” as professional editors do? They are the ones who will keep you on your toes every time the deadline is approaching and kick in your rear if need be!

Do you know what you will be publishing next month? Do you have your roster of articles?

And I am saying nothing different than Kyle is telling us over and over again—HAVE A PLAN! I do nothing other than follow his check list.

In the past, any of your “misses” – did you make up for that?

If you want to run your site as a professional mass media channel, it’s got to be an editorial calendar. End of story!

Below are goals you should revisit:

• Line up all posts for the next 30 days with the initial title or what they are all about.
• Pick days(!) when your posts should be published.
• Set-up approximate target number of words per article.
• Set-up total number of words for a month.
• Research keywords and set up an outline for each post – precisely how Kyle train us.
• Have an accountability session with yourself (or a friend) weekly to see how you progress.
• If you miss – make up for it!

Put your plan in writing, have it in front of you and give it the title “My Editorial Calendar.”

Also, set up a threshold you cannot cross. What happens when you are out of range when you take your blood test?

You are deficient in something!

Now you must work harder to “cure the deficiencies.”

On the other hand, give yourself a bonus if you meet your publishing deadline.

Do you like this action plan?

4. Editorial Policy, Anyone?

But wait. There is more!

You are not only an editor. You are also your editorial board. What does it do?

According to Wikipedia, it is “…a group of experts… who dictate the tone and direction the publication’s editorial policy will take.”

Well, are you an “expert?”

That is why it is easier to write about something you know a thing or two. So, choose your niche wisely.

Also, you need an “editorial policy” and you should stick with it.

Why?

It is high-priority guidelines on how you handle the content based on your site mission, objectives, and needs of your target audience.

Your editorial policy will also dictate your writing style and what is in and what is out. It includes other points, but for now, let’s stick with content for your target audience.

So, do you have your editorial policy? Or, in our case, I would rephrase: what rules do you follow?

5. Content - No Ifs, Ands or Buts

Well, in the writing world – are you up to the challenge? If yes, where is your CONTENT?

“Sometimes next week?”

In real life, there are no ifs, ands or buts. There is not maybe or sometimes.

It’s all about editorial calendar, rigid publisher’s deadline, your content commitment, requirements of the editorial board, and terms of your contract!

You don’t want to derail your writing career, do you?

So, FEED THE BEAST!

I hope you will follow my advice and have enough in your “shopping” bag.

Happy writing!

BlueJ