The Freelance Writer's Guide to Dominating Your Writing Market - Part Two

11/4/2014

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The Freelance Writer’s Guide to Dominating Your Writing Market – Part Two

The Power of Authenticity

Written by Freelance Writer and Author, William Ballard

I hope you are enjoying this series and that you are getting a lot of value out of it. Today were going to be talking about authenticity and I have a bit of a funny angle on this subject that I would like to share with you.

Brad Paisely County Song – Online

There was a country song by Brad Paisley done in 2009 called “Online”, and one of the main lines of the chores went, “I’m so much cooler online”. This song was meant to be humorous, but has a lot of truth in it.

It highlights how many people change when they are online. They lie about their age, looks, profession, financial status, etc. just so that they can appear more desirable to others (or to the opposite sex if it is in relation to online dating).

But just as much as people lie online when it comes to online dating, freelance writers also lie about how much money they make or how their writing business is booming. They lie in their marketing messages and make promises that they can’t ever keep.

I hope that freelance writer isn’t you.

Authenticity Defined

Dictionary.com defines authenticity in this way:

The quality of being authentic; genuineness.

I really like that definition because it truly speaks volumes of one’s character. We have already talked a little about the character of a freelance writer, but to take it one-step further, I would like to really emphasize the quality of genuineness.

What does genuine really mean?

Well…according to Dictionary.com, genuine is defined in this way:

Possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real: genuine sympathy; a genuine antique.
Free from pretense, affectation, or hypocrisy; sincere: a genuine person.
Descended from the original stock; pure in breed: a genuine Celtic people.

Genuine is the opposite of counterfeit. It is the opposite of hypocrisy. It is to be completely empty of falsehood and completely full of honesty and truthfulness.

Napoleon Hill said something along these lines in his book, Think and Grow Rich (AFF), “The most powerful and life changing possessions we have are not physical but intangible.” In other words, a lot of the time, we are trying to accumulate tangible resources in order to bring wealth or happiness, but the truth is that is an unintelligent way to accomplish such a goal.

Wealth and happiness cannot be forcefully driven to you, but rather gently drawn to you by the intangible qualities you possess. In other words, the intangible feeling of happiness that you experience in your writing business can only be attracted (drawn) and not forced (driven) by the qualities that wealth and happiness are attracted to.

Someone can’t attract the opposite sex if they do not possess the qualities that the opposite sex desires and the same thing goes for wealth and happiness. If you do not possess the qualities of authenticity, genuineness, and honesty, in your writing business you will never attract wealth and happiness in the same.

The Power of Authenticity

When I first got into this business one of my greatest fears was not rejection, as most that enter into this line of work have, but the fear of success. The fear that an editor or pub would like my article ideas and then I would have to deliver on what I promised.

I have been transparent with every editor and pub that I have pitched articles ideas to and have made myself vulnerable to them as not to present myself as a know it all when I know for certain that I do not. This would be lying and not being honest and authentic.

The Bible says that in our weakness He is made strong. Jesus also said, “I am the way , the truth, and the life…” if He is the TRUTH then when we are being honest in our business dealings, although we may come off as weak at times, truth and honesty, authenticity and transparency does prevail.

There is indeed strength in authenticity and your clients and customers will always submit to its power.

Today’s Take Aways and Action Steps

Don't Be a 'Wanna Be'...Be All That You Can Be - Don't fall into the trap of most newbie freelance writers and think that you can lie your way to the top or that you can fake it 'til you make it. Those types of mindsets don't work in this profession. Remember: If Jesus is the TRUTH, then when we are being honest in our business dealings, although we may come off as weak and vulnerable at times, truth and honesty, authenticity and transparency will always prevail.
The Power of Authenticity - Despite what others may think or tell you, there truly is power in authenticity. Although being honest, real, and transparent may, on the surface, appear to be signs of weakness, the truth of the matter is this: There is power to move mountains in authenticity. Not every freelance writer and freelance writing website that you come across will tell you these things, and that is simply because they do not want to appear vulnerable before you. We have been bombarded with lies so much that we have conditioned ourselves to accept these lies as truth and it will be our very demise. In other words, it will be the very thing that will kill our business as well as lives.

Don't confuse meekness for weakness for there is great strength in meekness. We will be discussing more about this subject in next weeks article. But for the time being I just want to put this thought in front of you. There are two kinds of humility one of which is being forced to be humble which we know is being humiliated, but the other is to make the choice to be humble which shows power in meekness.

The Bible also mentions that the humble shall be exalted. This is just a sneak peak into what we will be discussing next week so you will definitely want to stay tuned.

Now Over to You...

If you have never considered these points before I submit to you today that you should look at your business (your website, your emails, and articles) and intentionally search out the areas where you could be lying or exaggerating the truth and resolve today to start being more authentic and genuine in your writing practice.

Has this article added value to your freelance writing or writing business? If so, please share how in the comments below. And don't forget to share with those you think might benefit from these tips.

This article is part of the Freelance Writer's Guide to Dominating Your Writing Market series.

Series Table of Contents:

The Freelance Writer's Guide to Dominating Your Writing Market - Part One
The Freelance Writer's Guide to Dominating Your Writing Market - Part Two (This Article)
The Freelance Writer's Guide to Dominating Your Writing Market - Part Three
The Freelance Writer's Guide to Dominating Your Writing Market - Part Four

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I have written a short e-book (42 pages of invaluable content) that will guide you and encourage you through the development of the successful writer that dwells inside you. And who is just waiting to be released.

For just $4.99 you could be well on your way to developing the qualities that every successful writer has.

For more information CLICK HERE

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About the Author
William Ballard is the proud author of, "The True Writer's Life: Discovering the Author and Finisher of Our Faith".

He has been writing professionally for over 10+ years and has much experience within the industry, both in publishing and in freelance writing. He has successfully self-published over 10 books and eBooks. Visit his Amazon Author Page to see list of his most recent projects.

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