Sometimes You Have to Write For.. Wait for it....Free.

 Now that you've accepted the fact that you might have to start small, let's take it back a bit farther. Try to come to terms with the fact that, for a while, you might have to write, brace yourself, for free. There may be opportunities that arise where the payoff is different than money. Each time you write you are gaining experience, knowledge, practice, maybe an audience, and you are getting your name out there.

 Keep your eyes open for opportunity. 

If someone offers you a job as guest blogger, take it. Does a friend have a website that needs content? Contribute. Book review for a local author trying to get their name out there? Do it. Does a friend need a paper edited? Yup, editing too.

 Most of the people I am currently writing for cannot pay me, yet. But, between those sites, this blog, and the few that are paying me, I have a new article floating around the internet, with my name attached, at least a few times a week (sometimes more). When I apply for jobs I have numerous sites, where I have written about many subjects in a wide variety of styles, that I can refer the employer too.

Trade Services.

Need help with a budget, advertising, design work, or building your website? Know someone who would be great at any of these? Trade Services. Someday, they might need something from you. Do a blog entry for your tech savvy friend if he will update your boring website. Edit your artist friends paper if they will design you a logo. Everybody is good at something and everyone needs help at one point or another.

Do it for the sense of accomplishment. 

If you're looking to build a career out of writing, you probably enjoy doing it. Trust me, no one would do it if they didn't find the process of making something out of nothing somewhat enjoyable. And, if you're a writer, you probably know how good it feels to simply finish something. And, maybe as a bonus, have it seen by one or two other people who enjoy reading it. When I write a book review and someone says, "I'm going to read that book because of your review," Wow. What a feeling. Someone read what I wrote, found it useful, and I helped out another author. Win.

So, write for free...simply to keep writing.