In addition to copywriting, writing nonfiction has been the mainstay of my career for a couple of decades, and I can’t see that changing. Here’s why: you’re always learning, and so is everyone else.
“But Everyone Knows That…”
Years ago, I was having lunch with my current book editor and copyeditor. We were discussing nonfiction book topics. My editor suggested a topic, and I replied: “But everyone knows that.”
She replied: “No, they don’t.”
I’ve thought about that conversation often over the years, because I often find myself responding to students in the same way. We imagine that everyone has the knowledge that we have. No, they don’t. And that means that you can make money writing about what you know.
Make Money Writing About What You KNOW
Someone once said that the best way to learn is by teaching. It’s sometimes a challenge to get over your own “everyone knows that” response when you consider nonfiction topics without the help of a writing coach. Your coach can push you past that automatic “everyone knows” reaction. 
So, think about what you’ve learned in the past 12 months. I’ve learned more about self-publishing, social media, and geriatric dogs. Could I write nonfiction magazine articles and nonfiction books about these three topics?
Of course I could. Yes, I’d need to research the topics. Every piece of writing you do needs research, even if you’re writing personal essays. However, because I’ve learned about these topics, I can write about them. I could write magazine articles and nonfiction books.
The Big Benefit of Writing Magazine Articles: You Get Known
Here’s the big benefit of writing magazine articles for unknown writers: you get known. Looking back, I can see that every traditionally published nonfiction book I’ve written came from magazine articles. Editors at publishing houses read the articles, and approached me to write books on the topic.
That’s very common. So, you may get publishing offers. These days, it’s likely you’d refuse the publishing offers, because you can make more money self-publishing.
However, there’s another benefit: you can charge more.
Once you can write: “published in__________ (high profile magazine)” after your name, you develop a certain cachet. All things being equal, who do you think a fashion website editorial director would hire, if the choice was between a writer who’s been published in Vogue, and several writers who hadn’t been published in any magazines?
BIG TIP: Nonfiction Magazine Articles Equal Instant Nonfiction Book Topics
If a magazine article gets lots of interest, write a nonfiction book on the topic. You can be sure that other writers, if they see that your article is winning attention, will be doing exactly that. With my magazine writing students, I encourage them to keep books in the back of their mind while they’re writing for magazines.
As we’ve said, today you’d be silly if you accepted a traditional publishing contract for a nonfiction book. You could make more money self-publishing the book. There might be reasons you’d sign a contract, however. Some writers baulk at self-publishing and marketing, and that’s fine. Self-publishing may not suit your temperament.
These Two Offerings Will Help You to Write Nonfiction Articles and Books (They’ll Be Withdrawn on September 21)
As you may know, we’re whittling our offerings right down. Thinning the herd, as you might say. I’m husbanding my resources to write more fiction in 2015, and we’ve got lots of new workshops coming up.
Until September 21, you get great deals on two products which will help you to write magazine articles and nonfiction books.
Here they are…
Freelance Writing: Make Great Money Writing Articles for Magazines (in Your Spare Time)
This program will help you to write magazine articles with confidence. Here’s a full description of the program.
Nonfiction Ebook Superstar: Write and Sell in 24 Hours or Less
Although this program has “ebook” in the title, it refers to books in general, of course. Here’s a full description of the program.
Remember, these two program will be withdrawn on September 21.
Writing nonfiction will never go out of style. You can use your magazine credits to build your name as a writer. This will open many more opportunities and doors to you. And of course, people always want information. Your nonfiction book market is global.
Enjoy these two products. As always, you get the full products, including coaching, with our offerings.
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The post Make Money Writing Nonfiction With These 2 Offerings appeared first on Angela Booth's Fab Freelance Writing Blog.
