Social media, SEO, marketing and writingThe Key to Writing Success: Take Elocution and Singing Lessons
Writing assignments are commonly rewarded to people who are not best for the job. How can this be?
I am reminded of a phrase from Budd Schulberg’s endearing novel What Makes Sammy Run? When asked about the secret to achieving a successful career in Hollywood, one of the characters answers, ‘Take elocution and singing lessons.’ The implication being that in certain industries, the act of selling yourself may be more important than your core writing skills.
I tend to think that a successful writer owes homage to both. The quality of your ideas and the way your express those ideas to others can often make or break you. Success is never easy, but writers often hurt themselves by not learning how to pitch and sell like the best of them.
So next time you are up for a writing assignment, do me a favor. Throw on a black top hat, grab a wooden cane, jump up on the nearest table and sing– Hello, my baby / hello, my honey / hello, my ragtime gal….
