The Write Start

12/11/2023

Want a freebie? Here ya go! You might find something new to write about this week. Enjoy!
https://thewritestartpodcast.com/free-e-book-finding-ideas/

09/11/2023

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Write Start podcast.

In this episode (link in bio), I talk about how the writing industry is hard and getting harder. Writers face lower wages, fewer rights to our work, and laws that affect where and how we work.

I also talk about how important it is to use as many of the tools and resources that are available to help move the needle forward in your career. For me, one of those tools is Facebook. What do you think works for you?

I also talk about how the publishing industry needs to stop focusing on social media numbers when deciding to take on someone’s book. There are other things to consider!

Finally, I share tips from my experience as a judge in a major publishing contest. If you're looking to submit your work to a contest, these tips might help!

Thank you so much for listening! Please share if you like it.

Hello and welcome to the latest edition of The Write Start podcast. I’m Lisa Iannucci and I have been a full-time freelance writer for more than 20 years. This podcast is where you learn how to navigate a freelance writing career and how to make m...

29/06/2023

One of the most common questions I get asked is, "How do I get assignments (or a book contract) when I've never been published before?" First, you don't give up. You find ideas to write about and the right market to pitch them. Second, you listen to this episode of The Write Start. My guest is Pauline Bartel and she gives you so much great advice while sharing her own journey as a successful freelance writer. Give it a listen! And please share and review!

https://pdcn.co/e/www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/13061713-how-to-get-assignments-when-you-haven-t-been-published.mp3?download=true

14/06/2023

(There were a few audio issues that I addressed, and to fix them, I took out the original intro so it jumps right to the start of the episode. My regular intro will return in the next episode!) If you can't open it here, it's on Spotify and Apple.

Welcome to The Write Start podcast. I’m Lisa Iannucci, and this podcast is all about becoming a successful full-time freelance writer. I’ve had a very long career where I’ve written for many local and national magazines and newspapers and written, co-written, and ghostwritten more than 25 books. This podcast is where I share the lessons – both good and bad – that I’ve learned and give you tips on finding more work and making more money. I also bring on amazing guests who have had successful freelance writing careers too. Let’s get started!

In this episode, I talk about what I've been doing over the last year. I thought I would have been back last July, but life took me in a different direction, and I needed to step back and regroup. I am brutally raw and honest about grief, anxiety, depression, and mental health in this episode because I think there are so many other writers going through the same thing. I'm sure you feel alone, and I don't want you to.

After that, I dive deep into better interviewing skills. I'm often told that interviewing is a strong skill of mine, and, to be honest, it wasn't always that way. So I talk about how I got there, what I do to make the interview enjoyable while still getting the information I need, and more.

(There were a few audio issues that I addressed and to fix them, I took out the original intro, so it jumps right to the start of the episode. My regular intro will return in the next episode!)Welcome to The Write Start podcast. I’m Lisa Iannucci,...

17/07/2022

If you want to write a book to help others or to promote your business, but you don't even know where to begin, this is the webinar for you.

"I should write a book," is the most common thing that business owners say to me when I interview them. They see that I have written, co-written and ghostwritten more than 25 books and they want to know how to do it. I'm constantly being asked for advice so I decided to create this webinar to share my expertise.

If you want to write a book, I'm here to show you how it all works. I can show you how to decide if you're ready, how to find an idea, structure the book, write a proposal, find an agent and more. Should you self-publish or traditionally publish? What should you do once you write the book? Most importantly, I will show you how writing a book can help you to make much more money for your business.
This don't-miss 1-1/2 hour webinar!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/write-a-book-to-promote-your-business-and-make-more-money-tickets-385747971567

If you want to write a book to help others or to promote your business, but you don't even know where to begin, this is the webinar for you.

08/07/2022

In the latest episode of my podcast The Write Start, my guest is .Coken, a leadership coach and speaker who helps people bust through imposter syndrome. You can find her at JenCoken.com where you can also take her quiz to see if you are impacted by imposter syndrome. Before you do that though, enjoy this interview with Jen, and then when you’re done, take the quiz. (Spoiler alert: I get very open and honest about my issues with Imposter Syndrome.)
This podcast is about becoming a successful full-time freelance writer. I’ve had a very long career where I’ve written for many local and national magazines and newspapers and written, co-written, and ghostwritten more than 25 books. This podcast is where I share my experiences and give you tips on getting work and making more money. I also bring on amazing guests who have had successful freelance careers too.
If you like what you heard on this podcast, please share it and leave me a rating or a review wherever you listen to The Write Start. Thanks again and I’ll see you next time.
Here is the link: https://pdcn.co/.../10903213-let-s-bust-through-imposter...

13/06/2022

Hello all! Sorry about the lack of posts and podcasts, but I lost my mom a few months ago so my attention was on me, my grief, and my family, but I'm back. I'll have more podcasts coming and classes! So excited to be back. Let me know if there's a topic you want me to address or learn about!

03/02/2022

This week on my podcast, The , I talk about finding to write about. One of the most common questions I get about my is “Lisa you write about so much, how do you come up with all of these ideas?” Give it a listen:
https://lnkd.in/d_NsNjMw

14/01/2022

Here’s‌ ‌another‌ ‌example‌ ‌of‌ ‌how‌ ‌I‌ ‌make‌ ‌ ‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌ :‌ ‌When‌ ‌I‌ ‌come‌ ‌up‌ ‌ with‌ ‌an‌ ‌idea,‌ ‌I‌ ‌try‌ ‌to‌ ‌think‌ ‌of‌ ‌both‌ ‌a‌ ‌local‌ ‌angle‌ ‌and‌ ‌a‌ ‌national‌ ‌angle‌ ‌–‌ ‌or‌ ‌a‌ ‌consumer‌ ‌angle‌ ‌and‌ ‌ a‌ ‌trade‌ ‌angle.‌ ‌Last‌ ‌time‌ ‌I‌ ‌posted,‌ ‌I‌ ‌showed‌ ‌you‌ ‌how‌ ‌one‌ ‌interview‌ ‌led‌ ‌to‌ ‌multiple‌ ‌ .‌ ‌Here‌ ‌ you‌ ‌can‌ ‌see‌ ‌how‌ ‌one‌ ‌thing‌ ‌that‌ ‌happened‌ ‌to‌ ‌me‌ ‌(gallstones‌ ‌after‌ ‌pregnancy)‌ ‌led‌ ‌to‌ ‌a‌ ‌sale‌ ‌to‌ ‌a‌ ‌ local‌ ‌women’s‌ ‌newspaper.‌ ‌Then,‌ ‌I‌ ‌changed‌ ‌sources,‌ ‌changed‌ ‌the‌ ‌angle‌ ‌to‌ ‌be‌ ‌more‌ ‌of‌ ‌a‌ ‌medical‌ ‌ angle,‌ ‌added‌ ‌additional‌ ‌national‌ ‌statistics‌ ‌and‌ ‌information‌ ‌and‌ ‌pitched‌ ‌it‌ ‌to‌ ‌a‌ ‌national‌ ‌parenting‌ ‌ publication.‌ ‌Two‌ ‌publications‌ ‌that‌ ‌don’t‌ ‌compete.‌ ‌Multiple‌ ‌sales.‌ ‌What‌ ‌article‌ ‌idea‌ ‌do‌ ‌you‌ ‌have‌ ‌ that‌ ‌you‌ ‌can‌ ‌do‌ ‌that‌ ‌to?‌ ‌Maybe‌ ‌you‌ ‌can‌ ‌create‌ ‌a‌ ‌consumer‌ ‌angle‌ ‌and‌ ‌a‌ ‌trade‌ ‌angle?‌ ‌One‌ ‌idea‌ ‌ –‌ ‌multiple‌ ‌sales‌ ‌=‌ ‌more‌ ‌money.‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Need‌ ‌ideas?‌ ‌Want‌ ‌to‌ ‌take‌ ‌your‌ ‌business‌ ‌to‌ ‌the‌ ‌next‌ ‌level‌ ‌and‌ ‌make‌ ‌more‌ ‌money?‌ ‌You‌ ‌can‌ ‌also‌ ‌ download‌ ‌my‌ ‌free‌ ‌e-book‌ ‌25‌ ‌Ways‌ ‌to‌ ‌Find‌ ‌Something‌ ‌to‌ ‌Write‌ ‌About‌ ‌at‌ ‌ https://expert-artist-6660.ck.page/63d30a2bc8‌.‌ ‌Want‌ ‌to‌ ‌learn‌ ‌more?‌ ‌I’m‌ ‌launching‌ ‌my‌ ‌course,‌ ‌ Sold!‌ ‌How‌ ‌to‌ ‌Build‌ ‌a‌ ‌Successful‌ ‌ ‌ ‌Career.‌ ‌DM‌ ‌me‌ ‌if‌ ‌you’re‌ ‌interested‌ ‌and‌ ‌I’ll‌ ‌ send‌ ‌you‌ ‌a‌ ‌link‌ ‌when‌ ‌it’s‌ ‌live.

07/01/2022

Here’s an example of how I make as a : I have always been a fan of both and . I have also been a writer who looks for ways to turn something I love into assignments. As a writer who has also interviewed celebrities, I combined the two. I pitched my editor at (the now defunct) Frequent Flyer an article on how AI contestants stayed healthy when they went on tour. I got the assignment and reached out to AI. Sold! I got backstage with the contestants before a concert to interview , , and .

Then Taylor said something in the interview that gave me another idea. I pitched “Ya’ll magazine” and Sold! The article on Taylor became a feature. One interview, two ideas. But wait, there’s more. I remembered that Taylor is a sports fan, so I had him on my Sports Palooza podcast. When his food/travel show Slate Plate debuted, I was able to sell an article to Travel Pulse and interview him again. One idea I had sitting on my couch watching one of my fave shows, resulted in multiple article assignments.

But what about The Amazing Race? I did the same thing. I wondered how they stay safe when they travel. Again, I pitched this to my Frequent Flyer editor. Sold! I had a chance to interview the Race’s producer Bertram Van Munster and contestant Uchenna Agu and this (then) wife Joyce.

So not only do I do what I can to a) combine my interests with my niche and b) build relationships with sources I write about, I also do what I can to get multiple assignments from one idea.

What can you do to take your business to the next level and make more money? You can also download my free e-book 25 Ways to Find Something to Write About at https://expert-artist-6660.ck.page/63d30a2bc8. Want to learn more? I’m launching my course, Sold! How to Build a Successful Career. DM me if you’re interested and I’ll send you a link when it’s live.

04/01/2022

¼: Yesterday, I posted my pitch I sold to Weight Watchers magazine. Today, it’s about the sidebar for that article. A sidebar is a piece of information that goes along with the article or is close but doesn’t quite fit IN the article. In this case, I pitched a sidebar on hiring a personal trainer (the article was on gym instructors). You don’t always have to pitch a sidebar to go along with the article – sometimes the editor will come up with one – but if you do make sure you’re paid for it because it does add to your word count. Other examples of sidebars:
You’ve profiled someone in your hometown. The sidebar could be facts about that person’s life or a list of achievements.
You’ve written an article on a medical device created for a procedure. The sidebar could be a list of other medical devices created throughout the years for that procedure or treatment.
What other sidebars have you written with your articles?

Download my free e-book 25 Ways to Find Something to Write About at https://expert-artist-6660.ck.page/63d30a2bc8

03/01/2022

This year, I am looking back at article ideas I’ve pitched and sold and am sharing how I came up with the idea. For this article, I had been hired as an aerobics instructor for a local gym when I had no experience except as a front desk receptionist for their competitor. I wondered who was teaching ME! I looked into certification and what an instructor should know. Pitched it to Weight Watchers and sold! Personal experiences make great pitches. Want more ideas? Download my e-book, https://expert-artist-6660.ck.page/63d30a2bc8

01/01/2022

I would like to thank Kate Hanley for being my guest on this edition of The Write Start . Kate is the author of How to Be a Better Person and gives out some great for your writing career! (FYI, there is poor audio quality on this episode and I'm really sorry about that, but it's worth a listen.)
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/9813706

(Let me know if this sounds familiar – audio issues, but Merry Christmas to me because I invested in a new microphone and this will be the last poor quality podcast episode. So my sincerest apologies to you, the listeners, and especially to my gue...

30/10/2021

I would like to thank for being my guest on The Write Start ! If you want to this podcast is one that you must listen to!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/9423632

Welcome to The Write Start. I’m Lisa Iannucci, and this podcast is all about becoming a successful full time freelance writer. I’ve had a very long career where I’ve written for many national magazines and newspapers and written, co-written to and...

18/08/2021

Hate your job? Want to make a change? Listen to the latest edition of my The Write Start. talks about how she went from to successful fulltime at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/9043973

Welcome to Episode 19 of The Write Start podcast. I’m Lisa Iannucci, and this podcast is all about becoming a successful full time freelance writer. I’ve had a very long career where I’ve written for many national magazines and newspapers and writ...

31/07/2021

This week on The Write Start my guest is full-time Jennifer Fink an RN-turned-writer. She created BuildingBoys.net, co-hosts the ON BOYS , & wrote The First–Time Mom’s Guide to Raising Boys. https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/8951266

Welcome to Episode 18 of The Write Start. I'm Lisa Iannucci, and this podcast is all about becoming a successful full-time freelance writer. I’ve had a very long career where I’ve written for many national magazines and newspapers and written more...

19/07/2021

Surprise! In case you don't know I'm not only the founder of The Write Start podcast, but I've written hundreds (I lost count) of articles and more than 20 books. I have had a successful fulltime freelance writing career for three decades and now you can too! Here is the early-bird pricing event! Hope to see you!
Please pass this along to anyone you think might be interested!

Have you always wanted to be a writer? Do you love interviewing people and telling their stories? Do you have stories of your own to tell?

03/06/2021

Want 44 free days of MOSSA On Demand Exercise Videos? Okay it's a little self-promotion, but get the code by listening to this episode of The Write Start with YA book expert and bookseller Nicole Brinkley. They are adding 30 days onto their 14-day free trial just for my listeners.

Welcome to Episode 17 of The Write Start. I’m Lisa Iannucci, and this podcast is all about becoming a successful full-time freelance writer. I’ve had a very long career where I’ve written for many national magazines and written more than 20 books....

27/05/2021

I have a very special guest on this episode of The Write Start podcast. Nicole knows her stuff so if you're interested in writing YA books, you should really listen to this podcast episode. Thanks!

Welcome to Episode 17 of The Write Start. I’m Lisa Iannucci, and this podcast is all about becoming a successful full-time freelance writer. I’ve had a very long career where I’ve written for many national magazines and written more than 20 books....

25/05/2021

I came across this the other day and don't think I ever posted about it. Gary Provost was the author of The Freelance Writers Handbook. I always knew I wanted to be a writer. I bought a copy of it in the 1980s (Keep in mind I was only 18 years old when I did this) and he's the one who suggested sending out LOIs to magazines and newspapers that I wanted to write for asking for writers guidelines. So I did that.

From there I got a letter from Westchester Spotlight magazine's Gayden Wren (you might know him from The New York Times later) and he said they didn't send out guidelines, but they were willing to do a paid test assignment. I did one and while it was a little dry, Gayden gave me pointers for my next one. Yes, my next one. Each interview he gave me more and more pointers on improving my writing for magazines. I interviewed so many awesome people for Westchester Spotlight over the next few years, including TV directors, authors, baseball announcers and everyday folks with great stories to tell.

Two years later, I decided to write to Gary (I was big on fan mail back then LOL) and tell him how much I learned from his book. I got a postcard back that I treasure to this day. I'm now 55 and have written, contributed to, and ghostwritten more than 20 books and have written more magazine, newspaper and web articles than I can count. This year, I'm turning my attention to screenwriting -- which has really been my dream for years. But it all starts somewhere. And for me, it started with a postcard to a magazine thanks to Gary's advice in his book.

Where did it start for you?

09/05/2021

I missed a few episodes of getting this up because I was dealing with a sick mom (she's healing). Like many of us, I beat myself up because I missed putting them up. And then I read this and think it's a good message for all of us.

07/03/2021

I'd like to thank Christopher Elliott for being the guest on this episode of my The Write Start! Please give it a listen or share it with friends! Much appreciated!

Welcome to lucky Episode 13 of The Write Start. I’m Lisa Iannucci, and this podcast is all about becoming a successful full-time freelance writer. I’ve been working from home and on the road for the last 25 plus years, writing books and writing fo...

25/01/2021

Hello all! Here's some news: I will be launching The Write Start newsletter in late February. Be sure to sign up now for tips, motivation, ideas, and interviews with other successful writers! Keep up on when episodes of The Write Start podcast are released and I'll have other surprises too. Whether you are at the beginning of your freelance writing career, haven't started yet, or want to take your career to the next level, these resources can help.

Please sign up, and please share if you know others who would be interested. Thanks!

Everything You Need to Become a Successful Freelance Writer

24/01/2021

New of my is up! I'd like to thank for being my special guest this week!


"Think you're funny? Making Money Writing Humor" at https://buzzsprout.com/1322467/7449751

Welcome to Episode 11 of The Write Start. I’m Lisa Iannucci and this podcast is all about becoming a full-time freelance writer. I’ll show you how to make money writing for magazines, online publications, newspapers, and corporations. We’ll go thr...

05/01/2021

Here's the first episode of The Write Start for 2021. No guest in this one (I have a bunch of great guests coming up), but just little ol' me sharing five questions you should ask yourself when setting goals in your freelance writing career. Hope you enjoy it and if you can share it that would be great! Thanks!

Hi everyone and welcome to the first episode of The Write Start podcast in 2021 and episode #10 overall. I’m Lisa Iannucci and I’ve had a successful full-time freelance writing career for 30 years. How did I get here? I set goals. Today this episo...

01/01/2021

If you're a , what are your for 2021? I'll go first. Besides building my courses and podcasts and focusing more on articles I WANT to write, I'm finally finishing that screenplay. You? .

06/12/2020

I'd like to thank Merritt Minnemeyer for being the guest on The Write Start podcast. If you're wondering if it's the time to start your career, the right time to switch careers, whether or not you'd be good at a writing career or how to handle the rejection that comes along with it -- LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE. So good. Thanks Merritt!

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1322467/6716851

Welcome to Episode 8 of The Write Start podcast. I'm your host, Lisa Iannucci and I've been a full-time freelance writer for more than 25 years. In this episode, I welcome Merritt Minnemeyer, Certified Professional Coach based out of New Paltz, Ne...

05/11/2020

Here's this week's episode of The Write Start podcast: "Writing That Matters, An Interview with Award-Winning Journalist
Lisa Armstrong. Great interview with a great writer!
at https://buzzsprout.com/1322467/6229324

Welcome to Episode 6 of The Write Start podcast. I’m your host Lisa Iannucci and I’ve been a full-time freelance writer for more than 25 years. I’m here to share what I know about getting published in newspapers and magazines, about writing books ...

24/10/2020

I would like to thank Jennifer Goforth Gregory​ for being my guest this week on The Write Start Podcast. You will learn so much from her about being a content marketing writer. Give it a listen! Please share, give a rating on iTunes, or even a review. I really appreciate it.

Welcome to Episode 5 of The Write Start podcast. Do you want to work from home, or from the beach, or in an RV while you live on the road? Maybe you want to work from home because you want to be there for your kids when they get out of school. If ...

14/10/2020

The newest episode of The Write Start Podcast is out today and my special guest is Gwen Moran, a very successful business writer who gives some great tips and also talks about her newest passion project. This was fun. Please share or leave a comment or rating wherever you listen to it. Thanks so much Gwen!

Welcome to Episode 4 of The Write Start podcast with your host Lisa Iannucci, a freelance writer who has worked on the road or out of her home office for 30 years, If you’ve always dreamed of making a living out of writing, then this is the podcas...