The "Cost" of the matter

**M* M* <g*@yahoo.com>**

The main time involved in a business plan isn't in the
writing (which really should not be a stumbling block
for us fantastic writers, right?), but in making the
plan itself; in thinking over all the details of a
business. If you don't need the income to live on, OK,
maybe you don't need a plan. But being a garden writer
as one's main income is no different from running any
other small business: You need an idea of your target
market, skills, pricing, marketing strategy, goals
(financial and project-based), etc. I know most
writers don't like the business side of writing,
myself included, but it really does help you focus
what you want to work on (and where you can donate
time, from a previous discussion).

Jeff, when I was a freelance business/technology
writer, I got a lot of helpful (and free!) advice on
the business end of things from retired executives at
the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development
Center (www.gvsu.edu/misbtdc/region12/). I'm sure
there are similar centers elsewhere.

Monica Milla
www.thegardenfaerie.com
gardenfaerie.blogspot.com
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