Do you dream of being a full-time writer but doubt this is possible?
Did you know people are making a living by following their love for writing?
Writing is a valid career. Making money as a writer is possible. And there are more ways than you might think!
In today’s episode, Lauren shares 45 ways you can earn a full-time living as a writer.
From speech writing to writing a novel, to working as a copywriter, these are real, profitable ways to start a lucrative writing career.
Lauren has experienced this herself and is now making more money as a writer than she ever could have dreamed about making as a lawyer!
If she can do it, so can you! Need help jumpstarting your writing career?
The School For Writers podcast delivers a wealth of knowledge every single week, so check out the recommended episodes below and go write!
–Episode 17 How to Build a Writing Career You Love
–Episode 28 How to Write a Book Proposal
–Episode 30 How to Write a Query Letter
We want to know who you are and where you’ve been! Come hang out with Lauren in the Writers Squad Facebook group and over on Instagram @laurenmariefleming. We can’t wait to chat with you there!
You can also stay tuned for new weekly episodes @schoolforwriters, and if you want to spread the love even further, consider following, rating, and reviewing!
Resources mentioned in this episode:
-Get on the waitlist for The School For Writers Academy! A new program coming in June 2021. Spaces will be limited!
-Download your step-by-step guide to writing a query letter HERE!
-Download the step-by-step process on how to write a book proposal HERE!
-Check out the Write Your Frigging Book Already™ program HERE!
Book Recommendation of the week:
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Love audiobooks? Listen on Libro.fm and support independent bookstores. Plus, use this link and we both get a free audiobook: http://libro.fm/referral?rf_code=lfm116869
Wondering why we don’t link to Amazon? Check out Episode 2 of the Business School for Writers Podcast to hear all about how supporting independent bookstores helps you see more stories like yours out in the world.
Transcript:
First things first, yes, you can make money as a writer!
No, you don’t have to be starving or tortured. You are allowed to make money – and lots of it if you want.
J.K. Rowling is a billionaire.
Stephen King has multiple homes.
E.L. James and Silvia Day top millionaire lists.
James Patterson has left full art endowments to his alma matter.
You can be rich and be a writer.
You can also be broke as be a writer too. But hey, I’ve met broke doctors, lawyers, and accountants as well – yet when I went to law school no one warned me I’d be wasting my life on a career that could never pay my bills like they do when I tell them I’m a writer.
Whether you thrive in your career or not depends on so many factors, but here’s one thing I know for sure: having passion for what you do leads to profit.
Being a writer, just like choosing any other career route, can be as profitable and fulfilling as you want it to be, you just have to know where to look to bring in money.
Which is why today I’m sharing 45 ways you can make money as a writer. This is not an exhaustive list, but it’s here to help spark ideas in you and show you that there are so many ways to financially thrive as a writer.
If you want to find this whole list, go to the link in your show notes to find this episode on SchoolforWriters.com. And while you’re there, be sure to check out some of the other episodes we have that delve into some of these money making activities in depth.
Ready for 45 ways to make money as a writer? Here it goes!
- Self-publish an ebook on Amazon.
- Become a copywriter and write content for companies.
- Ghostwrite for experts in their field who aren’t writers themselves.
- Become a professional speaker.
- Set up a Patreon and get monthly contributions from people who want to read your work.
- Create a book proposal for your non-fiction book and pitch it to agents and publishers.
- Check out SchoolforWriters.com/bookproposal to help you do that. We have a free guide for you.
- Make money reviewing films, products, music and more.
- Write articles for money as a freelancer for magazines and other publications.
- Sell your notes from a class online to other students.
- Teach other people to write.
- Enter writing competitions to win cash prizes.
- Write greeting cards.
- Make money writing translations.
- Pitch your story to your college alumni magazine.
- Write a novel and sell it to publishers.
- You’re going to need a query letter and agent for that. We’ve got a whole course for you at SchoolforWriters.com/queryletter
- Start a blog or social media following reviewing items and get paid for ads.
- Work as a technical writer for how-to manuals.
- Create a niche and become the expert in it.
- Make money writing articles on Medium.
- Go into PR and pitch companies and people with your words.
- Create scripts for video games.
- Write speeches for others.
- Report on the news for your local paper or blog.
- Put together grants for non-profits.
- Create books for children.
- Start your own business based around something you’re passionate about and can write about all day.
- That’s what I did! Check out Episode 17 where I talk all about how I created a career I love based on my passion for writing.
- Put your foodie skills to use by being a food reviewer.
- Write textbooks for schools.
- Get a job on a marketing team and write copy for them.
- Investigate issues that you care about and write on them.
- Create lists for online list companies.
- Take the characters from your favorite book and write fan fiction.
- Tell everyone you know on social media that you’re open to writing gigs.
- Create a course around your content and sell it online.
- Get a job working for a magazine, newspaper, or online publication.
- Write quizzes online and sell them to companies.
- Write Role Player Game scripts.
- Find a blog that needs content and pitch to write for them.
- Write a series of books – the best way to sell your first book is to write the second.
- Join the Academy for ongoing support in writing more books.
- Write a tie-in novel, like for Star Wars, Warcraft, or other series that hires writers to write within their world.
- Become a short story writer and put them out in the world as little books.
- Write song lyrics.
- Travel and write about your experiences for local chamber of commerce.
- Write biographies of other people.
#45 One big option that we haven’t address yet, and that is to not write for money. To make your money elsewhere and let your writing be a source of creative joy without the pressure of paying your bills.
Just like making money as a writer doesn’t make you a sell-out, not making any money off of your writing doesn’t mean you’re any less of a writer. But if you do want to make money off of your writing, there are so many ways to do so!
As you may notice, a lot of the money making ideas fall into one of three general strategies:
- Write for a company
- Freelance for a company
- Write for yourself
So, if that list feels overwhelmed, start there. Ask yourself if you want a full-time job as a writer, a freelancing job as a writer, or if you want to start your own brand or company off of your writing.
Or, you can do like I do, and create a combination of all three.
If you’re stuck and want support in making money as a writer, check out the School for Writers Academy at SchoolforWriters.com/Academy. Opening June 2021, we’ll give you the accountability and camaraderie you need to thrive creatively and professionally as a writer and content creator.
I hope this episode helped you ditch that starving artist cliche and thrive. Come back next week where we’ll talk with Erin Skye Kelly about her book Get the Hell Out of Debt and delve even deeper into money tips specifically for writers like you.
Excited to keep supporting you in both the craft and career sides of writing.
See you next week!
