For us to change the behavior of a lifetime can seem impractical but each and every successful achiever in writing events has had to adopt a new mental approach.

The first thing is to arrange a log book. Notebooks fast get outdated so use a program like Excel. But spreadsheets are tough to learn. It’s easier to adapt Table in Word.doc for such a simple application.

Precise records are vital so you know where you’ve been and where you’re going. Professionals set up a scheme and work the scheme, rigorously.

Research every competition that looks promising. Do a web search. Copy the competition instructions and closing date into your table and list the closing dates chronologically so you don’t forget a key event.

Discover the diverse and many options available to you. You may find a treasury of exciting new avenues as you search the web that should lead on to still more fruitful enquiry.

Be careful of interruptions The contest business is no longer a hobby. It’s a profession. Allow yourself a set period to finalize and submit each entry.

Investigating the market fully can soon become a compulsion. Therefore, after a period, close down your market research. Otherwise you will never start the real work!

Set parameters for the competitions you will research. Use precise key words in the search box. For instance, “story contests UK 2011“. These long tail keywords will bring you the best contests.

Set yourself a personal goal. For example, ten stories made each month.

Keep a record of the fees you spend on all the contests and the time you put in over a period. Are you receiving a worthwhile return in cash? If your payback is not wonderful, maybe you need to refine the stories or select the contests with greater care.

It’s a truism that, provided your stories are merely adequate, sheer persistence will win yet entries that are brilliant may flop if not submitted regularly.

To stay energized, plan what you might do with your winnings. After you’ve gained experience in the system, you will be able to afford many little luxuries. When your experience improves, you’ll receive major wins almost each week. That’s story winning magic.

Work the scheme and that system should ultimately bring you substantial wins. These tips are straightforward to make happen and all are very profitable to do!

To switch a lifetime’s behavior can seem impossible yet every successful achiever in this field has been forced to take on a fresh psychology.

Step one is to arrange a record system. Paper files fast get out of date so try a spreadsheet program such as Excel. But spreadsheets are hard to master. Better to adapt Table in Word for such a basic task. Precise documentation is essential so you know what you’ve done and where you’re going. Top contest winners arrange a scheme and fulfil the scheme, meticulously.

Investigate every contest that looks promising. Do a web search. Note the competition data and closing date in your records then arrange the deadlines in date order so you don’t miss one. Explore the many opportunities open all the time. You may find a wealth of exciting ideas in your search that will lead on to further profitable enquiry.

Don’t be interrupted The contest business is no longer a hobby. It’s your job. Allocate yourself a set time to tidy and submit each entry.

Research can become addictive. Therefore, after a while, close your research. Or you will never start the main task!

Set targets for the competitions you will research. Employ precise key words in the search box. For example, “story contests UK 2010“. The long tail search phrases should bring you the best contests. Set yourself a private target. For instance, twelve entries submitted every four weeks.

Keep a record of the monies you invest in all the events and the time you invest across the year. What payback are you getting in awards? If it’s not wonderful, maybe you need to improve the stories or select your contests more ruthlessly.

Let your failures teach you and adjust your scheme as you go. With persisent application, your prize rate should visibly improve. To keep inspired, dream what you’ll do with your winnings. Once you’ve mastered the scheme, you will find yourself able to fund many small luxuries. As your skill improves, you’ll get substantial prizes almost each fortnight. It’s contest prize magic.

Remember that, if your stories are simply adequate, sheer persistence will win yet entries that are brilliant will founder if not submitted systematically. Follow your schedule and that schedule should eventually earn you major wins.

Simply make use of those proven formulae and in a short time you will gain more contest wins. They’re easy to carry out plus all are a pleasure to do!