Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in writing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Frank McKinley, owner of Frank McKinley Writing Services, located in Danielsville, GA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I write clear, persuasive content that builds your business—so you don’t have to. My customers are businesspeople who need more visibility and authority, want to increase the impact of their sales materials, and need reference material for their staff to use when they talk with customers.
Tell us about yourself
I’ve always loved writing. While my peers were staging wars with plastic army men, I was writing. One time I made a mini magazine with articles, pictures, and even commercials! Words fascinate me with their power. I’ve spent my life testing and arranging them in ways that bring me what I want.
My first professional writing assignment was at work. I was interviewing for an open sales position, and the conversation turned toward my business philosophy. While I didn’t get the sales position, I was offered one that was far better. “How would you like to write content for us?” Of course, I took the job! It led to a host of interesting assignments: leadership articles that helped clients run their businesses better, personal development emails that gave staff tips on doing better work and living a more fulfilling life with thousands of product descriptions for the web catalog, and email templates for customer service agents. Some of the articles became eBooks, selling over 30,000 copies!
Zig Ziglar’s most famous quote inspires me as I write for clients: You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want. That is my goal every day, and it has been for decades. If my words can change someone’s future, that is one of the best feelings in the universe.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Years ago, I learned how to succeed on Amazon selling eBooks. I learned everything I could, experimented a lot, and kept at it until my books succeeded. Back in 2018, I was featured on NBC news for an article I wrote. And finally, I got an interview with an author who has sold 4 million books. What I’ve learned about human behavior and relationships has been the secret of my success in my writing career.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Long hours of writing can lead to isolation. That can be tough, especially if you like to talk. What I do is schedule regular breaks throughout the day and make coffee dates with friends. Trust me, if you don’t schedule these things, you can sit at the computer until you burn out. When you factor balance into your day-to-day life, you won’t find your life is lopsided later. Or at least the imbalance will be easier to fix.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Remember that the primary job of a business owner is selling. There are plenty of activities you can and should delegate, like tax preparation (easy for me since I hate doing taxes). Hire out routine tasks that are necessary but don’t make you money.
- Never stop learning. When you think you know it all, you stop growing. Things are always changing, and it’s your responsibility to stay up to date. Spend time reading books, listening to podcasts, and attending seminars when you can. Whether or not you can write the expense off, your investment in your education can put money in your pocket.
- Don’t give up. You’ll be tested again and again. Use setbacks and failures as lessons. Experience is a great teacher because the lessons are so vivid you won’t forget them. The challenge is to see them in the right light and not let bad experiences cripple your future.
- There’s no better time to go into business than now. People are connected in so many ways. You have a host of online gateways at your fingertips. Use them to create opportunities to serve people, and soon you’ll find your way to the top of your profession.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.frankmckinleyauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrankMcKinleyBooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Frank_McKinley
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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