How do you measure success as a writer?
A target is a lot easier to hit once it’s been identified, so it makes a lot of sense for you as a writer to spend a few moments and nail down a personal, specific measure of success. Of course, that definition can be reworked as needed, but it’s helpful to give yourself a reference point.
How do you arrive at a definition of success?
It can be as easy as completing this sentence: I will be a successful writer when I ________.
If you’re having trouble filling in that blank, consider the following questions:
Is writing for your own personal pleasure your goal? (By the way, it’s easy to pass over this one, but it is a valid goal, worthy of pursuit.)
Is it enough to finish the project you’re working on?
What happens after publishing your current project? Do you want to keep writing?
Is there a certain number of units you want sell?
Do you want to earn enough to write full-time?
Are there awards or other recognition you want to garner?
Do you want to win a movie deal?
Are you hoping to gain a million followers on Twitter?
Are you looking to log ten thousand visitors each month to your blog?
Realistically, how much time, effort and money are you willing to invest?
Why does it matter?
Here are some quick reasons why you want to be the one to define what your personal writing success looks like rather than measuring yourself against someone else.
It removes some of the angst that comes with wondering if you’ve arrived. You set a specific tangible goal and there will be no doubt when you reach it.
It means you’re no longer waiting for some person or group to validate you. Success is as unique and personal as the writer pursuing it.
It helps with time and resource management. You can’t do it all, so if an activity isn’t moving you toward your goal, you can bypass it, no matter how intrinsically awesome it may be.
Let me give you a personal example. When I started writing, I decided my definition of success would be to build a reader base big enough that self-publishing would be self-sustaining. In other words, the revenue from one book would fund the next one. Since building my base was key to success, I focused on finding and making connections with readers. We set up lots of free promos with the first book and the first book in the new series. I ran social media ads that were genre-targeted. I enlisted some early readers who would leave reviews for me. I take time to respond to every email, every Facebook message and every tweet. (I don’t, however, respond to flaming criticism.) We reached our goal somewhere between books four and five. That means I can keep doing what I’m doing which makes me very happy. I can keep my readers supplied with a new book every nine to twelve months which makes them happy. For me, that is success.
Paula Wiseman is an award-winning author. Paula has published five books with MindStir Media — all of them have spent time on Amazon.com bestseller lists. Her sixth book, Sanction, will be released later this year. She also had the honor of appearing on Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act,” where she discussed her books. Learn more about Paula Wiseman at her website/blog: www.paulawiseman.com
