HARO and The Writer as Entrepreneur

A marketing friend recently passed along a great site for publicity: Help a Reporter Out (HARO). It's a site for reporters and sources to come together. At first I was dubious. Was I an expert source? Expert seems such a high standard. I'm a word dork so I often consult the dictionary when in doubt.

An expert, according to Merriam-Webster, is one with the special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject. Getting closer, I then looked up mastery to find the synonyms were command and proficiency. I was feeling better about qualifying as an expert source in certain subjects. I signed up. If nothing else, it would be interesting to see the stories reporters were pursuing.

I receive daily emails listing media outlets and topics. I respond where I feel I can add genuine input, and I've been surprised by how many subjects I can contribute to: motherhood, writing, women's issues, and moving/relocating to name a few. Then I noticed another trend. As a writer, I am indeed an entrepreneur, one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business (yes, I hit the dictionary again). Interesting. I also found myself in the newly coined mompreneur category.

When I decided to write a novel, I did not set out to start a business. But now I file income tax returns, have an executed Limited Partnership agreement, file quarterly sales tax returns, and do my own marketing and sales. That's a business. More and more authors are finding themselves in this situation. Artist and business person collide.

Recently I saw a HARO topic about mompreneurs and finding balance. I responded, but more than that, I looked into the media source. I am constantly trying to find balance as a mother and a writer/business woman. I found a great website and story.

Andreea Ayers is a mom who followed her heart and started her own business. I find her outlook and know-how both encouraging and inspirational. Today, she features an article on Mompreneurs−How They Do It All, Part 3. A little bit of advice from me is included, so please take a look. I know I will be searching her blog for Parts 1 and 2.

Consider HARO. Whether you respond to the reporters looking for publicity or find sites with great information, it's a beneficial resource. And to my writer friends out there, remember you are business people, too. We may not have mastered it yet, but we are certainly gaining proficiency.

How do you find balance?