WRITING | MAKE MONEY ONLINE
13 Ways You Can Utilize Your Writing Skills to Make Tons of Money in 2024
Don’t let these opportunities pass by!
The creator economy now includes over 207 million digital creators worldwide.
To stand out and build a sustainable career as a writer, follow these 11 methods to diversify your income streams and make good money as a writer.
1. Publish on Platforms That Pay
There are three main platforms to consider:
Medium
Medium is a blogging platform where writers get paid based on how many minutes paying members spend reading their stories.
The Medium Partner Program is currently open in 33 countries and is expanding to 60 more, including India and Brazil.
If you’re a new writer looking to build a portfolio and make money online, Medium is a great place to start.
For example, I started on Medium by sharing personal stories and tips on parenting and my passion for writing back in 2016.
As my readership grew, I began earning a steady income.
Vocal.Media
Vocal.Media pays writers based on the number of views their stories get. This platform allows you to write about a wide range of topics.
I once wrote a story about my travel experiences and was pleasantly surprised by the number of views and the money I earned from it.
It’s a fantastic platform if you enjoy storytelling and want to get paid for your views.
NewsBreak
NewsBreak is currently only open to people in the US. They look for local news stories and feature pieces on local businesses.
If you enjoy writing about your community, NewsBreak is a good option.
I know a local journalist who writes feature pieces about small businesses and events in her town and earns a decent income while supporting her community.
2. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing involves getting paid by companies or websites to write content for them.
If the content is published under your name, you’re a freelance writer. If it’s not, you’re a ghostwriter.
Freelance writing can pay anywhere from $15 to $150 per article.
To get started, you need a strong portfolio. When I first started freelancing, I wrote several free articles to build my portfolio.
Once I had a few published pieces, I began pitching to clients.
One of my early gigs paid $150 for a 1,000-word article on digital marketing. As I gained more experience, I was able to charge higher rates.
3. Submit Articles to Paying Websites
There are many websites that pay for articles in various niches. Do some research, write your article, and pitch it to the editors.
If accepted, you can earn up to $750 per article.
You could write for websites like Listverse, which pays $100 for list-based articles, or A List Apart, which pays $200 for web-related content.
I once wrote an article for a health and wellness site that paid $300.
The key is to find websites that match your interests and expertise, then pitch your best ideas.
4. Paid Newsletters
A newsletter is an article or post you send to your email subscribers regularly. You can make money from newsletters in two main ways:
- Paywall Content: Only subscribers who pay can read your content.
- Sponsorships: Find brands that cater to your niche to sponsor your newsletter.
For example, if you write about tech, you could get tech companies to sponsor your content.
I’ve personally made $800 for a single newsletter issue through sponsorships, so there’s a lot of potential here.
I started my newsletter by sharing tips on productivity and soon attracted sponsors interested in reaching my audience.
5. Reader Support
You can ask your readers to support you directly through platforms like Buy Me a Coffee, Patreon, and Ko-fi.
If you create valuable content that engages your readers, this can be a great way to earn extra money while writing about what you love.
I have a friend who writes in-depth book reviews. Her readers appreciate her insights and are willing to support her through Patreon.
This not only provides her with a steady income but also allows her to continue writing about her passion.
6. Brand Sponsorships
Brand sponsorships can be a lucrative way to monetize your writing.
To get started, focus on a specific niche and establish yourself as an expert in that area.
This might mean writing consistently about travel, tech, fashion, or any other topic you’re passionate about.
Once you’ve built a significant readership and have a high click-through rate, you can start approaching brands within your niche.
For example, if you’re a travel writer, you could reach out to travel gear companies or tour operators.
Share your audience demographics and engagement rates to show them the value of sponsoring your content.
A travel blogger I know started writing detailed guides about hiking gear. Over time, her blog gained a loyal following.
She then approached several hiking gear brands for sponsorships. The brands agreed, and now she earns a steady income through sponsored posts and gear reviews.
7. Digital Products
Creating digital products is an excellent way to leverage your expertise and generate income.
If you’re knowledgeable about a particular subject, you can teach others through digital products like eBooks, online courses, or webinars.
Start by breaking down your knowledge into easy-to-follow steps.
For example, if you’re a fitness expert, you could create a workout guide or a nutrition plan.
Use text, images, and videos to make your content engaging and informative.
A friend of mine who is a nutritionist created an eBook on healthy meal planning. She used her blog and social media to promote it.
Within a few months, she had sold hundreds of copies and established herself as an authority in her niche.
She later expanded her offerings to include online coaching and webinars.
8. Guest Posts
Writing guest posts for other websites can boost your income and expand your reach.
Many websites pay for high-quality guest content, especially if you have expertise in a specific area.
To find these opportunities, search for your niche along with the phrase “paid guest post” on Google.
For example, if you write about digital marketing, search for “digital marketing paid guest post.” This will give you a list of websites that pay for articles in your field.
When you find a site that interests you, pitch your idea to the editor.
Make sure your pitch is clear and concise, highlighting why your article would be valuable to their readers.
If your pitch is accepted, negotiate your rate and deliver high-quality content.
A writer friend of mine regularly contributes guest posts to tech blogs.
By doing this, he has not only earned extra income but also built a reputation as an expert in his field.
This has led to more writing opportunities and even consulting gigs.
9. Writing Contests
Writing contests can be a fun and rewarding way to make money. Many contests offer cash prizes for the best stories, essays, or poems.
Winning a contest can also help you gain recognition and build your portfolio.
For example, the Writer’s Digest Annual Writing Competition offers several cash prizes, with the top prize being $5,000. Another example is the Zoetrope: All-Story Short Fiction Contest, which offers a grand prize of $1,000.
One of my friends entered a short story contest with a local literary magazine.
She won the first prize, which came with a cash award and the opportunity to be published in the magazine.
This not only boosted her confidence but also gave her valuable exposure.
10. Self-Publishing
Self-publishing books on platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) can be very profitable.
You can write fiction or non-fiction books and earn royalties from each sale.
Take the example of Amanda Hocking, who started self-publishing her paranormal romance novels on Amazon.
Her books became so popular that she sold over a million copies and earned millions of dollars.
Self-publishing allows you to maintain control over your work and earn a higher percentage of royalties compared to traditional publishing.
Another example is a colleague who wrote a book on personal finance.
He self-published it on Amazon and promoted it through his blog and social media.
Over time, the book gained traction, and he started earning a steady income from royalties.
11. Corporate Writing
Corporate writing involves creating content for businesses, such as reports, white papers, press releases, and marketing materials.
These projects often pay well because they require professional quality and expertise.
Writing a white paper for a tech company could earn you anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000, depending on the project’s complexity.
Companies often look for writers who can clearly articulate their message and present information in a polished and professional manner.
A friend of mine works as a corporate writer for a financial firm. She writes reports and articles on market trends and financial strategies.
Her work is well-compensated, and she enjoys the challenge of breaking down complex information into easily understandable content.
12. Teaching and Workshops
If you have expertise in a particular area of writing, consider offering workshops or teaching classes.
Many people are willing to pay to learn from someone with real-world experience.
For example, a writer friend of mine runs a series of online workshops on creative writing.
She charges a fee for each participant and provides detailed feedback on their work.
This not only generates income but also helps her stay connected with the writing community.
13. Content Strategy Consulting
Businesses are always looking for ways to improve their content strategy. If you have experience in this area, you can offer consulting services.
This could involve helping businesses develop a content plan, optimize their SEO, or improve their social media presence.
I know a writer who transitioned into content strategy consulting. She works with small businesses to help them develop effective content strategies.
Her clients value her insights, and she’s able to charge a premium for her services.
Conclusion
To build a successful writing career, it’s important to diversify your income streams.
Use these 13 methods to make money from your writing skills in 2024:
- Publish on platforms that pay.
- Do freelance writing.
- Submit articles to paying websites.
- Start a paid newsletter.
- Get reader support.
- Obtain brand sponsorships.
- Create and sell digital products.
- Write guest posts.
- Enter writing contests.
- Self-publish books.
- Do corporate writing.
- Teach and run workshops.
- Offer content strategy consulting.
With dedication and creativity, you can turn your writing skills into a profitable business.
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