If you are a writer and thinking about how you can make money using your skills, then the good news is that by using the internet, you can find opportunities and turn your passion for writing into a profitable career. You may find a number of options to monetize your skill, but it is not always clear where and how to use these writing gigs. Many small and large websites are content writers to produce their content and provide writers a platform to share their insights and make extra dough. You can publish your article yourself but it will pay very little for your hard work or sometimes do not even pay anything.
We know that it takes a lot of effort and time to create a good piece of writing so here in this post we will describe how you can earn money writing online and answer all the questions you have as a beginner or a veteran writer.
How Can You Make Money Writing Online?
You can make enough money by writing online through different ways such as freelancing, blogging, ghostwriting, self-publishing, content mills and many others. There is more chance of being published by using several options at once instead of prioritizing one. Moreover, if you work for larger businesses or well-known websites, it will be easier to make more money. Let’s get into the details of different ways to make money by writing online:
i. Freelancing
One of the most popular ways to make money by wrong online is through freelancing. The platforms that you can use for this purpose include Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. These platforms work by connecting writers with clients who need their help. You can find a large number of freelancers writing gigs out there, from writing web pages and articles to blog posts to technical content.
You can start it by following the steps below:
- Sign up for the specific platform where you want to start freelancing and create a detailed profile to showcase your skills and portfolio.
- If you are a beginner you need to put effort into creating a portfolio. You can do it by writing sample articles and different content types to demonstrate your abilities.
- Search for projects that match your skills and expertise. It is better to tailor each proposal according to a specific project and client.
ii. Blogging
Another way of earning money is through blogging which means publishing content online. Although it takes some time to become profitable, the potential for income is great. You can write a blog in any category you are interested in such as business, journalism, home making or cooking and publish them on different self publishing platforms such as Blogger, Medium WordPress or Substack.
The time and effort needed for blogging depends on what you are writing about. For example, if you have a dedicated time for writing blogs, you can write many short blogs about a race in an hour. But if you want to explore advanced niches such as artificial intelligence, it may take hours to complete one post. The better your writing and sourcing, the better your post will perform. So, putting in extra effort, such as making your publishing grammatically strong, will always be worth it.
You can get started with blogs by writing the steps below:
- Choose a niche of your interest. It is easier to become successful in a specific niche than trying to be too general.
- Use platforms like Blogger or WordPress to create your blog. It is worth investing in a good hosting service and domain name.
- Create quality content which is valuable for end users.
iii. Ghost Writing
Ghostwriting is one of the most lucrative forms of writing. A ghostwriter captures the voice of a third party, crafting content that appears as though it were written directly by that individual or business. Companies and thought leaders often rely on ghostwriters to transform their ideas and insights into polished, compelling narratives presented in the first person.
This type of writing can be in many forms. You can create a book about any important event for a historical society or create communications for a company CEO. Each job is a little different from the others. Ghostwriting typically requires several years of writing experience, but you can do it if you are an expert on a certain subject matter. Time spent on a task varies but it takes longer compared to blogging. Ghostwriting requirements are critical as it needs a high level of clarity, readability and grammar.
You can earn money hourly or per project rate. With ghostwriting, you can earn $50 per hour or even more, and some ghostwriters even earn six figures per year. You can start working as a freelancer or work with agencies that hire ghostwriters.
iv. Content Mills
It is a platform which connects writers with clients who need large amounts of content quickly. Although the pay is lower than freelancing, it is a great way for those who want to gain experience and build a portfolio quickly. Popular content mills include iWriter, Textbroker and Writeraccess.
V. Technical Writing
Technical writing refers to providing information about niche topics like engineering, construction, manufacturing and medicine. It may also include things such as the directions to put something together or operating any electronic device. The purpose is to create an informative and digestible content while eliminating jargon.
This type of writing needs a great deal of writing experience, but it can be profitable. Only a few people have the talent to understand the information and serve it back in the right format. It may take hours to finish writing because even for a small piece of writing, you need to provide accurate information while leaving the extraneous ones. But most jobs pay you per hour, so the time and effort pay off.
Many technical writing jobs are full time but you can also find part time opportunities using different job sites such as Indeed, LinkedIn and Monster. Taking courses of technical writing can be a worthy investment as it will open up new opportunities to make money by writing online.
Vi. Copywriting
You may be wondering how copywriting is different from article writing or freelancing. And it is true that many freelancing writing gigs have copywriting within them. However, some writers are specialized in copywriting so it deserves its own section. Copywriting is a type of writing which is used to describe writing persuasive content for marketing purposes or advertising. It may include email marketing campaigns, website copy, case studies, product descriptions, video descriptions, press releases and more.
You can start copywriting by following the steps below:
- Learn the fundamentals of copywriting and understand how to create persuasive content.
- Similar to freelance writing you have to develop a portfolio which showcases your experiences and skills.
- Get yourself out there, which means networking with businesses and applying for copywriting jobs.
Vii. Social Media Writing
Social Media writing is among the new ways of making money by writing online. Many businesses and people now hire people to write captions on Instagram, video descriptions on YouTube or thought leadership posts on LinkedIn.
With social media writing you can earn a modest amount compared to other types of business writing and need less effort. It is usually between $15-$35 per hour. You can often create a lot of posts in an hour, also very little knowledge and experience is required for this type of writing. You can find jobs by reaching out to businesses directly or finding jobs at writing job sites.
Viii. Newspaper and Magazine Writing
Magazine and newspaper writing is a specialized avenue for earning money through writing. While it may not be the most lucrative path, it’s an excellent choice for those with some training who are passionate about using writing to inform and inspire change. You can begin by publishing articles in local newspapers or niche magazines to build experience.
Journalism writing is not likely to make you rich. Many prominent newspapers and magazines pay less than $1,000 per story, so making a living would require a steady stream of assignments. However, as a way to earn extra income and potentially influence societal change, journalism is hard to beat. To succeed, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with each publication’s style guide and follow it for all submissions.
Assignments typically come from editors, and you can secure them by pitching your story ideas through cold emails. In your pitch, explain your concept and why you are the ideal person to write it.
The time and effort required for each story will vary depending on its complexity, and many can be quite demanding. Editors often favour writers with experience, so it’s wise to start with smaller publications to build your portfolio.
ix. Write Online Courses
If you are an expert in a particular subject it is a great way to combine your passion for writing and your knowledge of the subject. It is also a great way of making money by writing online. Platforms such as Teachable and Udemy provide you facilities to create and sell a course online.
The following steps can help you in writing online courses:
- Find out your expertise. It can be copywriting, writing or another field altogether.
- Start putting all the course material together. You can include different types of learning material, such as quizzes, videos and assignments.
- Now you can sell your course in the market. The best way to do it is through social media or email marketing.
Final Words - Make Money Writing Online
Making money writing online offers diverse opportunities for writers of all skill levels and interests. From freelancing and ghostwriting to blogging, technical writing, and social media content creation, the possibilities are vast and meet the needs of different talents and goals. Success in online writing often depends on identifying your strengths, building a strong portfolio, and consistently polishing your skills. Whether you aim to supplement your income, share your expertise, or build a full-time writing career, the digital landscape provides sufficient avenues to turn your passion for writing into a profitable endeavour.
