There's a common misconception that in order to make money writing you have to be a best-selling, published author.
Not only that, but you need to have those books fly off the shelves and people driving miles in hopes of finding a copy at some long-lost, forgotten indie bookstore on the edge of town.
Maybe news channels would even be reporting that a few copies may be left here and there and that copies are being auctioned off online for double, no triple the cover price!
The great news is this; it is just a misconception. There are plenty of ways a writer, even beginners, can make money writing. The best part is most of the topics I'll cover in a moment are things that you can start immediately.
Even as you read the article, get a second browser tab open and get ready to start making bookmarks. It's time to learn how to make money through writing.
1 – Building your writing skills:
Regardless of what you think your current level of proficiency is with writing, it is always a good idea to build on that knowledge. It displays a willingness to improve your craft and shows potential clients that you want to offer them the best.
Check out the free online classes on sites like Coursera and other free online universities where you can strengthen your writing for free. Essay Mama is a great place to have your writing proofread and edited by a professional.
Knowing your mistakes is the first step towards correcting them.
2 – Join a freelance website:
Once you feel comfortable with your skill level, register with a couple of freelancing websites. Some of the more popular sites right now are Upwork, Freelancer, and Guru.
There are also plenty of others that can be found with a quick google search. Read through the terms of each site and find one that meets your expectations.
Then, start browsing and bidding on writing jobs. Before long, you'll be hired for your first paid writing job!
3 – Have your own website:
This doesn't have to be a dramatic and costly experience. Even something hosted on a platform such as WordPress would do. When you have your own site, it can help increase your visibility, display your portfolio and showcase your work.
It should have your profile, bio and cover letter information as well as present you as a professional freelance writer. Don't forget the social media feeds!
4 – Look for Guest Post opportunities:
If you build your site on WordPress, you're going to have access to a daily reader that will deliver you recent posts from any blog you follow. Find some that interest you and follow them.
Most revenue-generating blogs are open to guest posts and most will pay, so pitch them a guest post.
If you would like some guidelines on how to navigate this task, visit Bamidele Onibalusi's 110 Websites that Pay You to Contribute an Article or Sophie Lizard's The Ultimate List of Better-Paid Blogging Gigs.
5 – Write lists:
There are websites out there like TopTenz and Listverse that will pay for your take on the top 10 movie kisses of all time or top 5 best vacation spots.
Find something you're passionate about and create a list on it, then sell that list for money and feel good that you're getting paid to do what you love.
6 – Free Writing Contest.
Find free writing contests and get familiar with the work they are looking for. You already know you have what it takes to win, all you need is the right contest to submit your work too.
The Write Life's list of 27 Free Writing Contests will give you plenty to choose from and get you on the path to earning some impressive prize money for your work.
Not to mention some of these offer publication to the winners with your name on the byline. Bragging rights successfully earned!
Conclusion
When you get right down to it, there's actually very little you need to be afraid of when entering the freelancing world. A lot of writers get their start financially from these very sites and you can too!
The most important thing to remember is that you will be rejected. You will be rejected more often than not, and that's okay. If you dwell on every time another freelancer is chosen over you, you'll never last.
Dive back into the job search and find another project that peaks your interest.
Once you land that first gig, the others will follow with increasing ease and as you build your portfolio and skill set, you might even have clients inviting you to work on their project. Yes!
Eventually, the work will come to you, and it's an amazing sense of accomplishment when you see that invitation email sitting in your inbox. Not only are you a paid writer, but people actually want you to specifically work for them.
If you've searched for and found this article, it means that you already have the idea in your head that you can make money with your writing. Take the information I've given you above and put that creative talent of yours to work.
The only thing that is preventing you from making money doing something that you absolutely love doing is yourself. Don't stand in your own way, show the world your potential.
Author: Kenneth Waldman is a freelance writer and content creator. Get in touch with him on Linkedin.