Don’t judge me, but I’m a big fan of reality TV. Just like I love a good memoir and an autobiography, I get a high from watching real life people do crazy ass things. To me, it’s just inspires me to do something crazy myself.
One of my favorite shows is, “Shark Tank.” It seems antithetical to my very nature to be a shark when it comes to making money. But maybe that’s why watching it thrills me so. It’s also observing the inventors, creators and designers who work up the courage to give their 5-minute shpeal on what makes their product so shark worthy that a panel of millionaires would invest in it. It’s scintillating stuff for me. Better than a high from a horror flick or a roller coaster ride. Two things this scaredy-cat introvert would never do.
Anyway, I got to thinking that the things that make a few of these business people successful on the show can also be applied to what makes us freelance writers successful too. Qualities like consistency, determination, integrity, honesty, humility and a crazy perseverance to keep going despite flat out rejection and brutality honest responses (non-responses count too).
I also thought they should do a Shark Tank version for non-profit organizations and in googling it found this article: 7 Entrepreneurial Lessons From, “Shark Tank.” In it, they cover significant points that can help elevate individuals wanting to be a successful entrepreneur, which includes everything from being humble to being a good marketer. They comprised a great list of factors that any small business owner including writers can sink their teeth into and garner business savvy tips from.
What do you think?
Are there any lessons, tips, advice you’ve learned on the road to freelance writing that’s helped you? Do share.
Same idea – different reality TV. LOL! I just wrote a post on Ice Road Truckers, which is actually a show on the History Channel. I was horrified when a reader tweeted my post saying I was a fan of Reality TV when I profess to be quite the opposite. I guess it all depends on your definition of Reality TV. I shudder at the idea of The Bachelor or Survivor. 😀
But, I like to think there isn’t a topic that we (freelance writers) can’t twist into an analogy of our lives. 🙂 We have our highs and our lows, but we keep coming back for more. And why? Because we are passionate about what we do and that invites failure and success. And that’s just fine – I call it life. 🙂
How funny Cathy! I’m going to have to check your blog out. I haven’t heard of Ice Road Truckers. And for me I’m not much of a Bachelor/ette fan myself. But I love me some Dancing with the Stars, the Little Couple, Giuliana and Bill, and almost anything on HGTV. I think I just admitted that I watch way too much TV!
And yes passion does help when time gets hard as a freelancer. Something else I rediscovered is the importance of play. Wouldn’t get very far without those three P-words: perseverance passion and play.