Simon Woolf made the transition from wine blogger to professional wine writer. At WBIS 2014 he talked us through this journey and the pros and cons of the job

1. Why am I here?
www.themorningclaret.com
www.timatkin.com
www.palatepress.com
Decanter
Roederer International Wine Writing Awards
(Shortlisted 2013)
UK Ambassador for Vinisud 2014
Palate Press “best of” articles, two years running

2. What does professional mean?
pro·fes·sion·al (prəˈfɛʃənəl)
adjective.
1. a. Of, relating to, engaged in, or suitable for a
profession: lawyers, doctors, and other professional people.
b. Conforming to the standards of a profession: professional
behavior.
2. Engaging in a given activity as a source of livelihood or as a
career: a professional writer.
3. Performed by persons receiving pay: professional football.
4. Having or showing great skill; expert: a professional repair job.

3. What does it mean for us?



You get paid
Standard of writing should be consistent,
assured & appropriate to the publication
Maintain your integrity

4. Why would you want to become one?

You get paid

Professional writers sometimes get taken
more seriously than bloggers

More access to press tastings and trips

Peer recognition and respect

Larger audience for your writing

5. Why wouldn't you want to become one?
You get paid – but not very much
Deadlines
Word limits
Less freedom – have to adhere to house style
Editors may change what you write
You're subjected to closer scrutiny

7. How to do it – Method #1
Write from the heart
Develop your own style
Know your stuff – do your research
Specialise
Improve your writing – take a course if
necessary
Read other writers and other subjects – learn
from them

8. How to do it – Method #2
Be outrageous
Be different
Be confident
Be funny

9. How to do it – Method #3
Network with wine trade professionals
Offer some free content to an online
publication
Pitch articles to the publications you enjoy
Enter competitions for wine writing
Promote yourself in a professional manner,
on social media

10. How NOT to do it



Use “smileys” in all your tweets/fb
messages
Slag off your colleagues
Brag about free samples you got or trips
you went on

Deliver your content late

Deliver content with too many words

Not spellchecking your work

Not writing in an appropriate style

11. Thanks / Get in touch!
Web
http://themorningclaret.com
Email
simon@themorningclaret.com
Twitter @simonjwoolf