the options for this E-Type relating to training or public speaking a good fit.
4.You may be shy. You’re good with words but don’t necessarily want to communicate in person. If so, you may find the options for this E-Type relating to writing, copyediting, and other “behind-the-scenes” communication opportunities a better choice.
Obvious (and Not-So-Obvious) Business Choices for This E-Type
Corporate trainer
Public speaker
Newsletter writer
Translator
Website editor
Fitness instructor
Eco-tour Leader
Tutor
Freelance writer
Public Relations agent
Test prep trainer (e.g., S.A.T.)
Speech coach
Golf instructor
Technical writer
Sign Language Interpreter
Marketing consultant
Book editor
Advertising copywriter
Kids’ extracurricular activity trainer
Local tour guide
This E-Type’s secrets & strategies:
Target business customers. Writing an in-house newsletter for the electric company may not seem exciting, but they probably need your services month-after-month, year-after-year. Whether writing, editing, or training, the business world often pays communicators better than media outlets.
Pursue “boring” topics and media outlets. Yes, it is possible to enjoy writing articles for “Waste Management Monthly,” especially if it pays the bills. Offering seminars on OSHA (Occupational and Safety and Health Administration) compliance may get you more customers than giving motivational speeches.
Don’t expect to start at the top. You may have to do proofreading before you can do copyediting before you write feature articles. The key is building relationships, especially with key editors or others who can send business your way.
Develop a specialty. You’ll be able to get more work—and command higher fees—once you are seen as an expert in a particular area. You’ll also be able to work faster and more efficiently.
Watch out for . . .
Keep your feet on the ground, financially. While a very small percentage of people in this E-Type earn a great deal of money (John Grisham, Danielle Steel, and other bestseller authors) don’t let that blind you to the financial reality of writing. Most writing-related businesses do not generate great sums of money. Because so many people want to be writers, there’s lots of competition for most every job. So if you need to support yourself or your family, look for a niche that isn’t of interest to many others.
Competition will be tough. You’ll have to put in your time to make a name for yourself and build a track record as a capable, reliable writer, trainer, or speaker. It takes a while to get established.
Corporations cut their communications budgets in lean times. If you are very dependent on corporate clients, put money away to tide you over during economic downturns.
Legal ownership issues. In many cases, your contract will state that you are working on a “work-for-hire” basis. This means that your client—not you—owns whatever content you create. This not only includes any written material, but could include course curriculum you create for company training programs, or PowerPoint presentations. Be clear about ownership—and the ability to recreate and re-use content—before you begin work with a client.
E-Type: Entertainer/Host
Overview
You love a party. Even better, you love to be the life of the party.
The most social of all E-Types, Entertainer/Hosts thrive on being with people. They’re happy when others are happy. Their mission is to make certain that people are having a good time.
Entertainer/Host E-Types look for lots of interaction with people. Of course, to be a good entertainer or host, you need to have at least a certain level of talent or creativity. Most care—often very strongly—about their skills or craft. But, there’s a difference between being a chef—who is devoted to making a great soufflé—and being a “celebrity chef”—who not only wants to make a great soufflé but needs to come out of the kitchen and present it to the diners. What really drives this E-Type is sharing their talent with others, often “performing” in front of others.
The Entertainer/Host E-Type thrives on being with—or in front of—other people. This outgoing person enjoys the spotlight, can command the attention of an audience, and loves making others happy.
