Can You Really Make Money as a Writer? Guest Post by Emily Jones

I think you all know that that I believe very firmly that you can indeed make money as a writer (as a full time writer, I’m the living proof that this is possible). But don’t just take me word for it.

Today I have a guest post from Emily Jones, a freelance writer, who also believes it is possible to make money as a writer.

Anyway, enough from me, I’ll hand you over to Emily.

Can you Really Make Money as a Writer? By Emily Jones

Writing for a living sounds farfetched to some, but it is definitely doable.

Being a well-paid author who can make their living from their books alone is a dream many writers have but it is not always realistic, and with a family to support it’s important that you have a decent income in order to pay for basic things like bills and food to stay alive.

However, for those of us who love writing (and in fact couldn’t live without it) there are options. Here you will find some tips on how to earn money from your writing- whether in full time employment or on top of your 9-5.

1. Start Looking

In order to make money from writing- you need to put yourself out there. Things rarely fall on your lap without a little effort on your part. One of the amazing aspects of writing is sharing your work with others and being part of a community of writers- you can help each other.

If you want to find a job where you can use your writing skills (and yes they do exist) you need to be aware of the jobs that are out there, and fit with your schedule/requirements. It has never been simpler to find a list of local vacancies as most companies now list them online.

Whether you are looking to write online content, copy, technical pieces or bid writing simply putting writer into the search bar might be enough to lead you to something that suits you.

2. Start a Blog

One of the most popular ways to start earning from your writing is starting a blog. Pick a specific topic that you enjoy writing about, like cooking, children, or travelling. Once you have figured out your main agenda, start writing your heart out.

The more blog posts you publish, the more audience and followers you will gain, making it easier for advertisers to find you and your wonderful blog.

Not only will you be attracting attention to yourself, but you will also be improving and developing your own writing style. Get going.

3. Content Writing

With content writing, you’ll be writing about topics that can range from how-to lists, to travelling posts, and so on. You will be able to expand your writing abilities, and definitely learn from all the topics you will be covering.

In essence, generally content writing is a freelance position that will allow you to work on your own time; so perfect to begin your writing career while keeping your 9/5.

However, a content creator can definitely move up into the writing world, and thanks to his/her meticulous writing, having a content writing position on your CV will definitely have you stand out.

4. Writing Contests

A fun and unique way of making money off of your writing skills, is entering writing contests. The contests are open to all, and present the participants with special topics and rewards for those who win.

Not that you can go on supporting yourself with writing contests, but as you make your way through the writing world, the contests are a smart way of keeping up your creativity, skills, and definitely testing your abilities.

Plus often part of the prize will involve having your work published which will make your application for other writing jobs more interesting to potential employers.

5. Start Writing your Novel

What are you waiting for? If writing is really what you want to pursue as a career, starting your novel is the best way to begin your life as an author.

There is no time limit on novel writing, and you can write wherever, whenever, and however you like. Keep in mind that the publishing field is evolving, and that self-publishing is now a valid option for many new and upcoming novelists.

If you are writing a novel in the hopes of becoming the next billionaire author (second only to J K Rowling) then I would suggest you’re in it for the wrong reasons. You must love writing and be committed to putting a lot of effort in in order to get somewhere.

These five ideas are great starting point for anyone looking to start to build a career as a writer.

Would you love to write full time? How do you plan to make it happen? Let me know in the comments 🙂