Discover Four Ways to Use Your Local Library to Support and Grow Your Online Business. This Old-School Resource Offers a lot of Modern-Day Unexpected Benefits!
Using Local Libraries to Build Your Online Business
By: Kel Amstutz
March 02, 2020
You are probably overlooking this card in YOUR wallet. No, I'm not taking about that fancy credit card that gives you money BACK each month when you use it. This card is so much more valuable. And, it's a vital asset for building your freelance web-writing business.The card I'm talking about is the local library membership card that you probably signed when you were in grade school. Local libraries are still alive and kicking, even flourishing in many cases... despite many people writing them off as irrelevant.
Yes... they're as relevant as ever. Maybe more so.
As a web writer, we thrive on words. They're our hobby, our living... our passion. And, what better institution to help hone our skills than the venerable repository of so many great words, past and present.
Truth be told, I've been a card-carrying member of my local library since I was in Kindergarten. It's been exciting to watch its evolution as it strives to keep up with the times. The Oregon Public Library has expanded its offering - and its edifice - to keep up the pace and remain viable in this digital world in which we live and work.
The public library can be a great boon to your freelance business. Many freelancers forget that a library can be a valuable business-building tool.
I'd like to take you on a virtual tour of my local library and what it offers the freelance web writer. If your library doesn't offer some of these options, take notes and see if they might add them.
They'll be sure to appreciate the interest you show, and I'm sure they'll try to help where they can.
The first suggestion, however, may surprise you.
A fortress of solitude.
I know, I know... you are probably thinking... like Superman? Why, yes. He had a fortress of solitude.
It was a place where he could go relax, gather his thoughts. Sometimes, he just needed to get away from it all and spend a little "me" time.
The same goes for the freelance web writer.
I have an area within my home that holds my office. It's a nice area, fitting my business needs. I decorated this area with things that make me happy, make me feel at ease.But, sometimes I still just need to get away, to collect my thoughts, to give creativity a chance to strike. And sometimes, I just need a change of scenery!
I've written in restaurants over breakfast. I even wrote an article in my car while I was waiting for an appointment.
Almost everywhere you go nowadays, Wi-Fi is readily available. These days, I don't recommend restaurants for their food... it's the internet connection that inspires my praise and adoration.
But, then there are times when I need to get away from the responsibilities of daily life. To remove myself from the equation of the busy surroundings of people having conversations or dishes clanking in the background.
So, it's off to the library I go. Surrounded by books and magazines... and words, I find inspiration just sitting there in the quietness. And, of course, they also have great Wi-Fi.
Our library has a lot of windows. Sometimes I'll sit quietly, laptop at the ready, gazing down out at the street and the trees around the building. Watching the silent activity all around, and suddenly, inspiration hits me.
And off I go... writing like a madwoman!
But, wait... there's more.
The digital face of evolutionary libraries... or I suppose I can say, revolutionary libraries.
To stay in hip with the ever changing technology, our library has a digital wing. I can access various sections of the library from the comfort of my home office.
Or anywhere I have internet access... like on my phone sitting in my car waiting for my appointment.
Of course, digital magazines and eBooks are standard offerings in most online libraries. And, the selections offered might surprise you.
Business-building books abound, both traditional and, well, not so traditional. I've read books from business guru Seth Godin through our library's digital services.
And yes, they do come with a two-week checkout time limit. But, you can check them out multiple times.
In our online business reference section, you'll find:
- Business ProQuest, for real world business research
- Investment data from Morningstar
- Reference USA, my personal favorite, where you find a database and guide to local and not so local cities, towns, and businesses.
Online classrooms, open 24-7.
Our library hosts various kinds of offline workshops on a wide range of topics. Everything from basket weaving to writing a novel.
Free access to many tutorials from Lynda.com, a trusted learning resource that's been around for some time.
To gain entry, you log into their site through a portal on the library's website. All you need is a library card number, you PIN... and a willingness to learn!
In fact, that's how you access a lot of the digital content from the library. It's quick, convenient and handy. And through collaborations and joint agreements, the world wide web of information and learning keeps expanding.
I almost forgot one of the MOST IMPORTANT freelance-writing resources of all.
Books. Physical, paper-and-ink books.Not just books on business or copywriting or marketing.
Nope. Works of fiction and nonfiction from authors, both past and present. If you want to write "good"... read good books. Or is that, write "well"?
Either way, there's no better tutor for spinning words than books that have already been spun.
I was reminded of this when working through my AWAI course, reading about A-list copywriter, Bob Bly, who stated his preference for books, movies and music. I thought about this and my preference for books right now seems to stem from copywriting, business building and marketing. Bob Bly was quoted saying:
"You really need to read books on other topics. You need some history, some biography, and even some good fiction. Your writing, even you copywriting, will improve immensely."
Great advice from one of the best in Copywriting.
A final word on libraries...
I hope you've seen that a local library offers MANY resources to help you build your freelance business. Many are ramping up their services to keep pace and remain relevant.
But, some of you might be thinking, "Kel, there isn't a library near me. At least not one that offers these programs and services."
I get that. Research the opportunities local libraries in your state might offer. You may find out there's some resources that you can take advantage of, like access to their online resources for a small, annual registration fee.
I will close with this...
Research the opportunities your local library offers for building your business. You may find there's more out there than you ever thought available.
I wish you all the VERY BEST of web-writing success!!!
