What Kind of Writer Do You Want to Be, a Professional or Just an "Artist"?

If you're an academic writer and take great pride in your "way with words", but want to transition to becoming a professional, like myself, you will need to re-evaluate your writing style.

First of all, starting out you have no brand. You could write something brilliant, but your name isn't Stephen King. Coca Cola instantly register's in people's minds, but does your name - probably not. So, writing is going to take a great deal of patience, so you'll probably have to write for free as much as possible to establish yourself as more of a household name.

Also, readers are not interested in being impressed by your vast vocabulary or "brilliant" opinions when you don't have a brand or credibility. This is something I'm struggling with as I transition from college writing, where teacher's graded you on your writing, not on it's entertainment value. As you write, ideas might come into your head that you think are just brilliant and the urge to share it can be overwhelming, but save it for your mom.

Consider your audience and mold your language for them. Write at a sixth grade reading level, and use as few words as possible. Never use two words, when one will suffice, as Thomas Jefferson once said. Your readers online will want you to cut to the chase.

Keep it up as a hobby, get your name out as much as possible to establish yourself as an expert, than you'll have a portfolio to use to get those high paying freelance assignments with high profile magazines and websites.