What do you do if you want to get promoted as a writer?

Writing is easy as long as you're OK with being awful at first. Seriously. Your first draft shouldn't be amazing. You just need to finish it. Once you do, the real work starts. That first draft isn't for other people; it's something you do to better understand the message you're trying to convey. Then, all other drafts are about making sure the reader gets what's important.

In order to improve you need to practice, you need to read others writing, especially in your area of specialty, and you need to study the craft of writing. Like every skill the more you use and study it the better you will become. As you become and excellent writer who meets deadlines then your work will be noticed by those that are wanting steady good writers for their publications.

It is all about constant improvement. Constant improvement of your writing; constant improvement of your understanding of your readers and the different platforms you write for.

Create a plan for how you want to share that you’re deserving of the promotion. The plan needs to center around the quality of your writing, times when you’ve delivered on tight deadlines and areas where your writing can help the company to better reach their audience. Put it all into a doc that you can pull from for emails or formal meetings - as needed. I’d also build it into a deck in case the email leads to a formal meeting where making an impression will go a long way.

To advance as a writer, network within the writing community, attend events, join groups, and connect with professionals. Build a diverse portfolio showcasing versatility and expertise across different mediums and genres. Collaborate with other writers and contribute to reputable publications to increase visibility and credibility. Combining skill development with strategic networking and portfolio building enhances prospects for promotions and exciting writing opportunities.

Here’s my advice: Make peace with yourself. The constructive criticism is there to build you and take you further in life. The more you accept criticism, the more you will come to know yourself and mold yourself into a beautiful person with beautiful words. My work is constantly criticized and at the same time it is constantly celebrated. Become receptive whenever someone has anything to bring your attention to. It basically means that there is always room for improvement. Understand that there is no power in this world that can break you except yourself. If you take the criticism positively then you will reach further in your life.

Writing is a form of communication, and communication is only complete when the sender receives feedback. So as a writer, seek feedback. From your editors, your readers, your friends, your colleagues, and most importantly from the data. Is the content ranking to the SERPs you intended? Is the content impactful to your readers? Is the audience understanding what you are trying to convey? Write, Fail, Writer better, Fail better, seek feedback, and bang one day you are suddenly a great writer.

Undoubtedly, constructive criticism is a valuable tool for growth and improvement for a writer. Once the writer publishes the work, they should not wait for the responses to come rather they should actively seek it out from peers or mentors who can provide valuable insights on their writing. Expressing gratitude demonstrates professionalism and encourage others to provide valuable feedback. As a writer, a person shouldn’t be afraid to iterate on their drafts and make revisions based on the suggestions received. Remember, by embracing constructive criticism and using it as a tool for growth and improvement can help a writer refine their writing skills, produce higher-quality work and position themselves for recognition and advancement.

In the early days of my career, I wrote for publications for free, wrote on Medium consistently, wrote on LinkedIn, and wrote Guest posts simply to get my work out there. As a writer when you reach out to potential hiring managers (full-time/freelance/contract) — the first thing they'd want to see is your proof of work. And a portfolio is just that, your proof of work. So just put it out there. On Medium, on LinkedIn, and your blog. Once you have a few samples, reach out to your desired firms/publications & pitch your pieces. If you have to write for pennies to build your credibility initially, do that. It pays off, I assure you (saying from my experience of being a writer for five years now).

Be active. Pitch publications. Use Medium and LinkedIn as free billboards for your work. Start building a fan base. Most importantly, write, write, write. Right?

My article in The Quint got published because someone I knew told me someone she knew was looking for a writer. I got a gig at Vogue as one of my acquaintances sent me the email of an editor who commissioned the kind of pieces I wrote. The network is literally your net worth here (as they get you 💰). Every day make it a point to connect with 2-3 people who might be writers/editors in the firms/publications you desire you work with. (I still do and maintain an excel sheet for it) 😬 Also, in addition to LinkedIn, I've found Twitter (now X) an excellent place for budding writers. Connect with like-minded people there & suddenly your feed is filled with pitch calls, writing gigs, newsletters & whatnot.

Communicate Your Goals Talk to Your Supervisor or Manager: Let them know you're interested in advancement. Ask what skills or experience you need to achieve a promotion, and work toward those goals. Seek Mentorship: Find a mentor who can guide you and offer advice on how to progress in your career.

If you're (a) an in-house writer, and keen on getting promoted, or (b) a freelancer with a long-term business relationship with one or a couple of valued clients, and aiming to serve them better in other writing jobs, adopt the mindset of loving the company so much, you're always reading about it: whether from internal publications that are from a different department, or from external sources such as trade groups. Most of what you take in will come useful at some other point in time, and as you develop such a strong and wholistic familiarity with and perspectives on the organization, you will gradually become an increasingly valuable asset in the communications team.

Take on New Challenges Seek Out Additional Responsibilities: Volunteer for new projects or offer to take on more challenging assignments to demonstrate your skills and work ethic. Pursue Diverse Writing Opportunities: Try different types of writing, such as technical writing, copywriting, or creative writing. This can expand your skill set and make you more valuable.