Now that your office is somewhat more organized, it’s time to take a look at your business–specifically your business vision and your business plan. Don’t have either? Next post, I’m going to tell you why you should have both, but even if you have neither I encourage you to keep reading this post. Why? Because the questions people with business plans and visions will ask themselves may convince you that you need both. At the least, even without either you may still be able to answer some of the questions and come to a better understanding of your writing business.
Before we continue on, however, you have to promise yourself that you’ll answer these questions honestly. Don’t just give a one-word answer to the questions. Really dig deep down and be honest with yourself about your business vision and your business plan. Otherwise, you’re unlikely to learn anything from 2010 that can help you in 2011.
Now, pull out your business vision and read it over. In 2010, did you follow your vision? Why or why not? Did you work in the sectors you stated you wanted to work in? Why or why not? If you did work in the sectors you laid out for yourself, did you enjoy the work? Would you prefer to try new sectors? Did you work the hours you said you would work or did your ideal hours get thrown out the window? Are there aspects of your business vision that should be updated? Do you have new skills that you can include on the business vision?
Now pull out your business plan and read it over carefully (you may already have it open if your business vision is part of your business plan). Think back on 2010: did you achieve the goals you set for yourself? Why or why not? Are there aspects of your business that worked well last year? Why did they work? What did you do really well, business-wise? Are there things about your business that did not go well or that you would like to change? Why? How can you change them?
Did you make as much money in your business as you planned to? If not, why not? Is there anything you can do this year to ensure you meet your financial goals? Did you take the professional development courses you planned to? Were they helpful? Are there more you could take?
Did you look at your business plan and vision at all last year, or did you write them up and pop them in a drawer, not to be seen until you reviewed them a year later? If you did that, they aren’t helping you. You should be reviewing them at least quarterly, if not monthly, to remind yourself of the goals you’ve set. After all, if you can’t remember your goals, what’s the point in having them?
Asking yourself these tough questions, and being honest with your answers, will help set you up for 2011. You may have some ideas now about business practices that work for you and those that don’t. Now, you have to follow-through on these things and put your ideas into action.
If you’re looking for a book to help you develop your business plan and business vision, I recommend Paul Lima’s excellent book “Everything You Wanted To Know About Freelance Writing.” The book includes information on both corporate writing and periodical writing. I find it an extremely valuable tool in my writing business and I think even long-time freelance writers would find this book useful.
Those of you without business plans or business visions will have until tomorrow (or Friday) to come up with your arguments as to why you don’t need them, so I can prove you wrong. But don’t feel too bad about it–I was a freelance writer for a few years before I decided I needed a business plan and business vision. Now, I’m glad I have them.
