By Clara Wadi
Despite writing often being a mere passion or talent, many authors and writers in Malawi have found ways to turn their craft into profitable venture.
With the growing popularity of passionate writers, is it evident that through creative strategies and perseverance, they not only share their stories but also earn a living from their words.
A Social Entrepreneur, Author, Business and Marketing consultant, Carrer Development and ICT specialist Micheal Chauya Walker believes the writing industry in Malawi is ideal and is one of the best business ideas that one can use to make money,
In an interview, he said,
“Since I’m a business writer I would say writing is a big deal now and in the coming years because in it there is money, if you write a book today you write once but when selling you keep on getting money,
“I see writing as buying shares, when you buy shares and they will keep on accumulating and will be giving you money, so whether you are sick or not people will be buying your books.” He added
When it comes to strategies that writers use to market their books, Walker said its very important for writers do proper research and know their target audience when writing a book.
He said, “First strategy that I use to market my books is to know the target audience that I want to write the book for, because you don’t just write a book without knowing who would buy and benefit it. When I wrote my second book Talk Money Making Business Ideas, I knew I was targeting the youth who would want business ideas”.
Walker explained strategies he uses to sell his books is through digital marketing. He said he uses social media, partnerships and conversation marketing.
“On social media I have a Facebook page which by now has 168 thousand followers, and it reaches 89 million people the whole world.”
Walker said writers have to learn how to reach a wide range of readers that will buy and read their books platforms like Amazone are ideal for writers. They have to know how to upload their book and specifications.
Joseph Kondwani Loga, who is a writer, entrepreneur, founder and Chief Executive Officer of GrandPen publications company highlighted his writing journey and achievements.
He said: “As an entrepreneur, I established a content (ghost-writing) writing company known as GrandPen Africa. There is a great future for ghost writers in Malawi, with the presence of GrandPen Africa writers are now able to monetize their writing talent through ghostwriting,
“We do have clients across the globe and we have currently helped over 100 customers from different countries such as USA, UK, Nigeria, South Africa, etc with ghostwriting services. Most of our clients are from abroad and few are from Malawi.”
He emphasized that a ghostwriting is when one is hired to create a piece of content for a company or individual who will then publish the work and you let them put their name on your work in exchange for money.
Regarding the progress as a content writer, Loga said there is a huge progress in writing and their offices.
“We have our own office building worth 50 million Malawi Kwacha. This means we no longer operate on rented facilities; we have employed over 40 individuals. This is the most remarkable achievement and it was not easy” he said.
On the future plans, Joseph said he target to go globally in content writing and book publishing company in the whole world. At national level, they aim to have offices in all districts across the country and employ a lot of young people.
Favour Umar, an Author of Hope in my singleness and Best in the worst, a musician and entrepreneur emphasized on the strategies she uses to sell her books.
In an interview, she said, “Through connection I sell my books. The better I relate with people, the more they are willing to buy the books. At first, I was an introvert it was just me, school, work and business, but there was a point when a lecturer at MUBAS said that if I don’t connect with people and make relationships, then we are in a wrong program of Business Communication,
“That strategy changed my whole life because I started talking to people more and relating with them, hence it doesn’t become difficult to sell my books because I established good relations with them” she said.
Umar, believes in writing industry and she mention that there is more to come in the next five years because authors nowadays are more creative and innovative on how to strategize their writing to catch audience,
“More organizations are now training the writers on how best they go about their writing. That way, Malawian authors will be able to write the stories that can sell across the boarders even being awarded internationally in next years” she said.
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