The Timeless Wisdom of Water: A Writer’s Journey to Success
In the ancient days, people faced a daily dilemma: fetching water from the river or building an irrigation system. This age-old choice mirrors the journey of modern authors and writers.
Choosing Your Path: The River or the Irrigation Ditch?
Initially, going to the river seems easier. It’s straightforward, requires less effort upfront, and satisfies immediate needs. However, digging an irrigation ditch, though demanding at first, pays off immensely over time. This process of investing effort now for future benefits was crucial in shaping human civilization. Similarly, it is a fundamental principle in the world of writing and authorship.
The Author’s Odyssey: Hard Work Pays Off
Embarking on an author’s career is akin to this ancient wisdom. Success in writing demands considerable upfront work with seemingly little return initially. Crafting a book involves intensive writing, meticulous editing, creative designing, and precise formatting. Additionally, navigating the technological aspects of setting up webpages and understanding the nuances of marketing and promotion is no small feat. The initial stages might not yield immediate results, but patience is key.
A Case Study: The Podcast Strategy
Consider the example of an author planning to appear on 100 podcasts. This is an excellent strategy for building a presence. However, the initial podcasts serve as a learning curve — honing content, gaining comfort, and establishing a reputation. As the author progresses, referrals to other podcasts increase, reducing the need to pitch. Eventually, the author may find podcast hosts and influencers approaching them. What starts as an active pursuit transforms into a stage where opportunities come to the author.
From Effort to Automation: Building Assets
In your writing journey, initially, you must actively seek out influencers and fans, akin to fetching water from the river. But, as you invest in content creation, systematizing processes, and implementing automations, you build assets that attract influencers and fans to you, much like an irrigation system brings water effortlessly. This transition doesn’t eliminate work entirely but shifts the balance towards less effort for greater rewards.
Keep Digging: The Path to Authorial Success
Remember, every step in building your author career, no matter how small, is a step towards creating your own irrigation system in the literary world. Keep digging, keep building, and soon, you’ll find that your efforts have paved the way for a flourishing career, where opportunities flow towards you, just like water to ancient civilizations.
In conclusion, the journey of an author, laden with challenges and hard work, eventually leads to a fulfilling destination where your efforts pay off exponentially. Embrace the wisdom of the ancients and turn your authorial journey into a well-irrigated path of success. Keep on writing, keep on digging!
Eric G. Reid
Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Skinny Brown Dog Media
