Writers voting for their own destruction
Published: Tue, 09/15/20
But, I was reminded of it recently due to some affiliate adventures with another business venture.
Here's the story:
One thing I found extremely ironic was when, last year, writers were shocked & freaking out over California’s AB 5 legislation. Way I understand it is, this legislation caps freelance submissions at 35 "submissions" per year per "putative employer." Considering paid freelance stories go for a paltry $25 on the low end, and $1 per word on the high end, that makes it so anyone who makes their living as a freelance writer in California is pretty much screwed.
If that is true, then it sounds like quite the tyrannical law.
And, the only reason I knew about it is internet marketers kept incessantly emailing me about it in a panic, weeping & gnashing their teeth about how it’s the end of the world for freelance writers, will soon spread to other states, how I NEEDED to warn my list, blah blah blah. And maybe it is the end for freelance writers in California who overwhelmingly voted for the politicians who passed it.
Or maybe they changed it and it’s no longer an issue.
I don’t know, nor do I care, and haven't even kept up with the drama.
Why?
Because (1):
A lot of California freelance writers tend to be ideologically & politically self-sabotaging going by the ones I have personally known, interacted with, and have observed squawking from their soapboxes over the years, and practically in lockstep unison voted for the very bat shyt politicians who pushed for this law in the first place. If you are a writer still living there and you like that sort of thing, and if you voted for these politicians to help "the children!" or to save the world from manmade hellfire that's your business. But don't expect anyone to feel even a tinge of sympathy for you when the unintended consequences of your actions take a big, wet bite out of you & your family's well-being.
And (2):
I don’t cater to nor pretend to be able to help someone who thinks in terms of just being a “writer.” Especially when there are so many ways anyone with even a smidgen of writing skill (not even talent, just skill) can make out like a bandit... and not only be all but immune to these kinds of laws, but probably profit from them.
The knee-jerk reaction going on by writers horrified by it all was rather fascinating.
More:
This is also a perfect example of the important difference between thinking like a “writer” and thinking like a business owner. If you are a mere “writer” your income is most likely capped due to time & energy constraints anyway.
If you are a business owner, the sky is the limit.
The power is not in your “writing”, but in having a business that is not dependent on clients in the first place.
Which brings me to my 10-Minute Workday program sold by AWAI.
It's not something I fully practice today (I work 10 hour days, not 10 minute days).
But I do follow the structure of what's in the program today because it's always worked for me, and had the proverbial one email workday for many years until my ambitions sprung forth from the sheer boredom of living such a lifestyle.
There is no sales letter to send you to, though.
But if you hop on the waiting list you will get via PDF:
“The One Minute Business Plan”
Nary a writer I’ve ever met talks about business plans much less has one.
But I believe this short, easy to read report can help anyone interested in having a business, and not being just a mere “writer”, be more successful & get started off right.
Here’s the link:
https://www.EmailPlayers.com/awai
Ben Settle