Writer Dads last blog post..The Eighth Wonder of the World

@ David – it’s the nature of small business. Again, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. As far as outsourcing, I’m trying to build up a small group of folks to whom I can farm work out, so that if one’s busy another can do it. That’s really the way to go, I think.

@ Melissa – you’re not far off the mark. She’s really been an amazing boon to business lately.

I think all of your options are good ones, but each has its consequences, too. I’m hoping to put up a post next week on the options available when growth happens, but we’ll see what time allows.

@ Dennis – Be careful about clients. Some are indeed up to no good. Some just don’t write very well and come across as sneaky. That’s why they need us.

@ Alex – Welcome. Glad to see you. I’m enjoying your stuff at Escaping Reality, by the way. I think there’s a huge market for what you’re talking about, too, as far as folks online needing organization assistance.

@ Lode – “talent is not enough.” Haven’t I said that about a Bajillion times? I’m with you totally, my friend.

From the same book that taught me that successful people create their own luck, I also learned that talent is not enough. It takes a lot more besides talent to succeed. But it sure helps

After a nearly two-year sabbatical, I’m rebuilding the business but making the focus online. I look forward to hearing more about your growing pains as I go through some of my own (and learn what to avoid based on yours).

Cheers,
Alex

Alex Fayles last blog post..I Really Like to Work

I’m not big enough to have these growing pains yet.

I hope to remain solo. Maybe outsource some tech stuff, collaborate with others on joint projects, but I prefer the solo life.

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Dennis Riveras last blog post..Working Together In The Bedroom prt1

I’ve thought about what I would do if I started getting more work than I can handle by myself (I’m solo) and I’m just not sure. Raise my rates? Bring on other writers? Refer clients to other freelancers?

This is a scenario few freelancers blog about, and one that I’d love to see discussed more often!

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Any pointers to become as busy as you are would be much appreciated!

Cheryls last blog post..You are Not Alone

@ Jamie – Over and over again, I’ve tried to tell folks: writing (for a living) isn’t an art: it’s a business. Treat it as one, and you’ll be successful.

@ Joel – I consider you the Bizzaro-world version of me, so the fact that your wife is working with you now comes as no great shock Seriously, though, congrats on the growth.

Scalability is certainly an issue. Today I brought my wife on to help me handle everything, including the book-keeping and some of the research stage for articles (I’m going to be so screwed when she gives birth and has less time for this!).

I know growth is great, but the headaches involved in making the business scalable are insane. On the other hand, I look forward to bigger headaches, like incorporating and hiring a team of writers.

That experience certainly informs the way I think about my writing future.

And juggling the job and the company might be challenging at times too.

Oh, and one thing I have learned. There’s no such thing as beginner’s luck. Lucky people create their own luck. Either by skill (like shooting with a sniper rifle) or by increasing the chance of winning (like shooting shots of hail).

“People insist on calling it luck.”