Do Not Write for Money. First, Learn to Write and Hone Your Skills
Establish a strong writing foundation first. Be patient with your writing.
We live in the age of content. There are blogs, videos, podcasts, and more everywhere you look.
Everyone is trying to make money online by creating content.
And I get it — who wouldn’t want to get paid to write about your passions?
But here’s the hard truth: most content created for money is mediocre. Sure, some people strike gold and build an audience.
But for most, it’s not a viable path to consistent income.
Why?
Because making money from writing requires a specific skill set that takes time to develop, you can’t just open up your laptop and start raking in the cash.
There are no shortcuts.
I’ve been writing professionally for over 15 years. During that period, I made nearly every mistake possible while attempting to monetize writing.
I chased trends, wrote for pennies, and burned myself out cranking out low-quality content.
Now, I make a full-time living from writing. But it wasn’t until I committed to writing that things came together.
If you want to make money from your writing, my advice is to focus on improving your writing skills first, and think about monetization later. The money will follow in due course.
Master the Fundamentals of Writing
Before making money writing, you need to know how to write well.
I’m not just talking about spelling and grammar. You need to understand what makes writing compelling, clear, and engaging.
How To Master the Art of Storytelling: Techniques for Every Writer
Here are some of the core skills required:
Structuring articles and stories for maximum impact
Crafting headlines that stop scrollers in their tracks
Developing a distinct writing voice and style
Conducting research and interviews
Editing and refining drafts
Formatting posts for readability
Many writers think these skills will come naturally. But the truth is, they require practice and education.
Taking writing courses, reading books on technique, and analyzing excellent writing are musts. It would help if you also committed to daily writing.
Set a goal to write 500 words per day on any topic.
It could be journaling, fiction, or article ideas — it doesn’t matter.
The act of regular writing will help develop your skills exponentially faster.
Find Your Niche and Point of View.
One of the biggest mistakes new writers make is trying to write about anything and everything. This scattered approach must be revised to establish expertise and a loyal readership.
Instead, it would be best if you niched down. Become known for providing a specific type of writing and perspective.
Look inward and examine your inherent interests and passions. Ask yourself:
What topics do I geek out on reading about?
What unique perspectives or ideas do I have about my passions?
What types of writing do I most enjoy? Educational articles? Personal essays? Investigative reporting?
Don’t just chase trends.
Write from a place of authenticity about subjects you genuinely want to explore. Your niche will evolve, so don’t worry about locking it down immediately.
Once you’ve established a niche, put your spin on it. Add your distinct point of view.
Share personal stories and anecdotes. Mix in a bit of humor and personality. This will set your writing apart.
Everyone Has a Story Worth Sharing. So, Why Not Write It
Build Your Portfolio.
As you improve your skills and refine your niche, you need outlets to practice and showcase your work. This means building a writing portfolio.
Your portfolio will become your resume and credibility builder all in one. Here are some ways to start filling it up:
Start a blog on a free platform like WordPress, Substack, or Medium. Focus on long-form articles 1500+ words.
Publish on existing publications—pitch freelance stories tied to your niche.
Post writing samples like whitepapers, ebooks, and reports on your website.
Collect physical work samples like printed bylines and projects.
Treat your portfolio like an artist would treat their collection of paintings or photographs.
Curate only your best work.
Update it frequently with new projects. Remove outdated or irrelevant samples.
Having a polished online portfolio is essential for monetizing writing. It’s proof to potential employers, clients, and partners that you have the skills.
Understand the Business Side.
Here’s the reality — writing to earn money is running a business.
While you don’t need to be obsessed with monetization when starting, you need basic business skills.
Some key areas to learn about include:
Content marketing — Using writing to attract readers and promote brands.
Freelance writing — How pitching works, setting rates, negotiating contracts.
Copyrighting — Protecting your work and licensing it properly.
Sales funnels — Converting readers into paying customers.
Metrics that matter — ROI, traffic, engagement, conversions.
Branding — Establishing a recognizable name and expertise.
Many writers resist the business side because they want to write. However, some business knowledge can help you earn more from your writing.
You don’t need an MBA, but understanding marketing, freelancing, and metrics will provide essential context.
Start Putting Yourself Out There.
Once you’ve built a portfolio and acquired business knowledge, it’s time to start actively promoting your work. This might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s a must.
Here are some practical ways to gain exposure:
Start guest posting on complementary blogs and sites. Aim to secure placement in a few prominent publications related to your niche.
Apply to contracted freelance positions at major online publications like magazines and news sites.
Participate in writing groups and forums on social media. Provide value by answering questions.
Connect with influencers and thought leaders related to your niche. Offer to interview them or highlight their work.
Attend writing conferences and network with publishers, editors, bloggers, and fellow writers.
Promote your articles and portfolio on social channels. Don’t spam. Provide legitimate value.
Cold email blogs and companies offering your writing services. Reference specific types of content you can create for them.
The goal is to build awareness of your work and expertise systematically.
Avoid tactics like buying fake followers or spamming promotional links. Deliver value and develop relationships.
Monetization Will Follow.
This leads to the big question: when should you start trying to make money from writing?
I advise waiting until you have a portfolio with at least 10–20 polished samples showcasing your abilities. This gives you credibility, earning people’s trust and interest when you pitch paid services.
With a portfolio built, aim to generate income through a combination of these avenues:
Freelance writing for publications, agencies, and direct companies
Sponsored content partnerships related to your niche
Display advertising on your blog and website
Affiliate marketing and recommending helpful products or services
Creating premium courses, ebooks, or pieces of training
Consulting or coaching services based on your expertise
Speaking engagements talking about your niche
Diversify your income streams to have stability. Only rely on a single blog or brand for some of your earnings.
Stick With It For the Long Haul.
Here’s the hard truth about monetizing writing — it takes commitment over an extended period.
Many people give up after months or years of not seeing significant income. But professional writing is a long game.
Expect the progress to be gradual.
Have patience in continuing to improve your skills. Maintain high standards for your work. Never settle for mediocre.
Stay focused on leveling up as a writer while incrementally monetizing the audience you build. Allow five to ten years to hit your full potential.
Of course, there are exceptions.
Some writers do achieve rapid financial success. However, this is only possible with an existing platform or fanbase.
Earning an authentic living from writing is 100 percent achievable. But it requires small steps forward over time.
Master the fundamentals, find your niche, build your portfolio, understand the business, and promote yourself systematically.