12 Ways to Make Money as a Writer

If you're a writer, you know that one of the most important things you can do is find ways to make money from your craft. Whether it's through freelancing, writing grants, or writing contests, there are many ways to make money as a writer.

In this blog post, we will explore 12 ways to make money as a writer in 2022. Some of these methods may require some upfront investment, but they can all be done from the comfort of your own home.

Whether you’re looking to make some extra cash on the side or build a full-time writing career, there’s something here for you. So if you're ready to start making money from your writing, read on!

01. Start a blog and monetize it with ads, affiliate links, or sponsored posts.

Blogging is a great way to share your thoughts, ideas, and experiences with the world. It's also a great way to connect with other like-minded people, and to build a following of loyal readers.?

There are several proven ways to make money off your blog. The most common are through ads, affiliate links, and sponsored posts.

Ads: One way to monetize your blog is through ads.??

You can sign up with an ad network such as Google Adsense or Media.net. Once you're approved, you can add code to your blog to display ads. The code will differ depending on which network you're using.

Adsense is probably the most popular ad network and they provide a wide range of ad types, including text, image, and video ads.?

Media.net is another popular option and they offer both banner and native ads.?

Affiliate Links: Another way to monetize your blog is through affiliate links.?

This is where you promote a product or service and earn a commission for every sale that you generate. To find affiliate programs, you can search for them online or contact companies directly.?

Once you've found a program that you're interested in, you'll need to sign up and get a unique affiliate link. You can then start promoting the products or services on your blog.?

Sponsored Posts: A sponsored post is where a company pays you to write a post about their product or service. This is a great way to monetize your blog when you have a large audience.?

To find sponsored post opportunities, you can contact companies directly or search for them online. Once you've found a company that you're interested in, you can pitch them an idea for a post and negotiate a price.

02. Write articles for other blogs or websites as a guest contributor.

As a freelance writer, one of the best ways to get your name out there and build your portfolio is to write articles for other blogs or websites as a guest contributor. Not only does this give you the opportunity to showcase your writing skills to a wider audience, but you can also make money from it.

Most guest contributors are paid per article, and rates can vary depending on the site or blog you're writing for. To maximize your earnings, be sure to write for sites that pay well and offer a good number of writing opportunities

Here are some great writers who have done it:?

• Maya Angelou famously wrote for several different publications throughout her career, including "The New York Times," "The Washington Post," and "Essence" magazine.?
• Toni Morrison was another prolific writer who contributed guest articles to various publications, such as "The New Yorker" and "Time" magazine.?
• Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Cormac McCarthy has also written guest articles for a number of different magazines and newspapers, such as "The New York Times" and "The Paris Review."?
• Margaret Atwood, another well-known author, has written guest articles for a variety of publications, including "The Globe and Mail" and "The Guardian."?
• J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, has also written guest articles for various publications, such as "The Times" and "The Daily Telegraph."

03. Sell your short stories or other writing online.

Yeah, you can sell your writings online! One of the best ways to do it is to join a writing platform like Wattpad or Scribd. These platforms allow you to upload your writing and set a price for it. People can then purchase and read your work. This is a great way to get your work out there and make some money from it.

Another option is to sell your writing through an online marketplace like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. With this option, you can upload your writing as a Kindle ebook and set a price for it. When someone purchases your ebook, they can download it and read it on their Kindle device.?

If you're looking for a more traditional way to sell your writing, you can always try submitting it to magazines or literary journals. This can be a bit more challenging, but it's definitely worth a shot.

Whatever route you decide to go, selling your writing online is a great way to get started as a writer. It's a great way to get your work out there and make some extra money.

04. Enter writing contests to win cash prizes.

As a writer, there's nothing more exciting than entering a writing contest and winning a cash prize. But how do you go about finding the right contest for you? There are a few things to keep in mind when you're searching for writing contests.?

First, make sure the contest is legitimate. There are a lot of scams out there, so do your research before you enter.?

Second, make sure the contest is a good fit for your writing. There's no point in entering a contest that's looking for a specific type of writing if you don't write that type of thing.?

Finally, make sure you read the rules and guidelines carefully. Some contests have specific requirements, so you need to make sure you can meet them before you enter.?

Once you've found a few contests that look promising, it's time to start writing. Enter as many as you can, and don't be discouraged if you don't win right away. Keep entering, and eventually, you'll find the right contest for you. And when you do, the cash prize will be that much sweeter.

• The American Society of Journalists and Authors hosts an annual Writing Contest with a grand prize of $1,500.?
• The Erma Bombeck Writing Competition is open to writers of humorous columns and offers a $500 first prize.?
• The Lorian Hemingway Short Story Competition offers a $1,500 grand prize for the best short story of the year.
• The North American Review hosts an annual James Jones First Novel Fellowship, which comes with a $1,000 cash prize.?
• Glimmer Train offers a First Prize of $2,500 in their Short Story Award for New Writers contest, which is open to writers who have not yet published a novel.?
• The William Faulkner – William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition offers a $5,000 grand prize in each of its three categories: Novel-in-Progress, Short Fiction, and Essays on the Writing Life.

05. Get paid to write book reviews.

One of the most popular and potentially lucrative ways to make money writing is to get paid to write book reviews. There are a few different ways to go about this.?

One is to find websites or publications that pay for book reviews. Another is to approach authors or publishers directly and offer to review their books. One of the benefits of getting paid to write book reviews is that it can be a great way to get your name out there as a writer.?

If you can build up a good portfolio of reviews, it can help you attract more clients and better-paying gigs. Another benefit is that it can be a great way to improve your writing skills. By writing reviews, you can hone your ability to critically analyze and articulate your thoughts on a piece of writing.

If you're interested in getting paid to write book reviews, there are a few things you should keep in mind:?

First, make sure you're clear on the parameters of the assignment.

- What kind of review is the publication or website looking for?

- What length should it be??

- What is the deadline??

Second, be honest in your reviews. If you don't like a book, don't try to sugarcoat it. Be respectful, but honest, in your assessment.?

Finally, don't be afraid to negotiate your fee. If you think your review is worth more than the publication or website is offering, don't be afraid to ask for more money.

Here are some websites that pay for book reviews:?

• Kirkus Media
• Publishers Weekly
• Booklist
• The New York Review of Books
• The Times Literary Supplement

06. Edit and proofread other writers' work.

If you have a knack for catching grammatical errors and typos, you can make some extra cash by proofreading and editing other people's work. Whether it's a blog post, an essay, or a document, there are many opportunities to proofread and edit online.?

To get started, you can sign up for a proofreading and editing course, such as Proofreading Palm, to learn the ropes. Once you've completed a course, you can start offering your services on sites like Fiverr and Upwork.?

If you want to take your proofreading and editing business one step further, you can start a blog where you share tips and advice on how to improve your proofreading and editing skills. Not only will this help you attract more clients, but it will also allow you to build up your own brand and authority in the industry.

07. Create a course on Udemy or other online learning platforms.

It seems like every day, there’s a new online learning platform popping up. While this can be overwhelming, it’s also a sign that e-learning is becoming more and more popular. And as a writer, this is good news! Why??

Because you can now make money by creating courses on these platforms. In the past, writers generally made money through one-off projects, such as writing an article or a book. But with online courses, you can create a passive income stream that can provide you with earnings for months or even years to come.?

Plus, creating a course is a great way to build your brand and establish yourself as an expert in your field. And as we all know, branding is important when it comes to making a living as a writer.

Here are some popular online platforms where you can create courses:

• Skillshare?
• Udemy?
• Udacity

08. Offer your writing services as a freelancer.

Out of every other way to make money as a writer, freelancing is the most popular one. Freelancing allows you to set your own rates, work as much or as little as you want, and choose your own projects. It’s an amazing way to make money as a writer because you have complete control over your career.?

There are a number of ways to find freelancing work, including online job boards, cold pitching, and networking. Once you land a few clients, you can start building a reputation as a reliable and talented freelancer. This will help you attract even more clients and command higher rates.?

If you’re looking for a flexible and profitable way to make money as a writer, freelancing is a great option. With a little effort, you can build a successful freelance writing business that will provide you with a steady income.

There are a number of ways to get started as a freelance writer:?

1. Join a freelancing platform such as Fiverr or Upwork.?

2. Create a profile on these platforms and start bidding on writing projects.?

3. Start your own blog or website and offer your writing services through it.?

4. Get in touch with businesses and individuals who may need freelance writers and offer your services to them.?

5. Attend writing events and workshops to network with other writers and potential clients.

6. Become part of writing communities or mediation platforms that offers writing works.

09. Get a job as a copywriter or content writer for a company.

There are many reasons why working as a copywriter or content writer for a company is a great idea. For one, it can be a great way to make money.?

These days, companies are always looking for talented writers to produce content for their websites, brochures, and other marketing materials. And, as a professional writer, you can command a pretty penny for your services.

But money isn't the only reason to consider working as a copywriter or content writer for a company. It's also a great way to get your name out there and build your portfolio. When you work for a company, your work is seen by hundreds, if not thousands, of people. This can help you build a name for yourself as a talented writer, which can open doors to other opportunities down the road.?

So, if you're a talented writer looking for a great way to make money and build your portfolio, working as a copywriter or content writer for a company is a great option to consider.

Here are some ways to find such jobs:

• Check job boards such as Indeed, Monster, and CareerBuilder for open positions.?
• Search for copywriter or content writer roles on LinkedIn.?
• Check with staffing agencies that specialize in placing marketing and advertising professionals.?

10.? Start a YouTube channel about writing and share your tips and advice.

If you're a writer, there's a good chance you've considered starting a YouTube channel at some point. After all, what could be a better way to make money as a writer than by sharing your tips and advice with the world?

Unfortunately, there are a few potential problems with this idea. First of all, it's important to remember that YouTube is a visual medium. This means that your videos will need to be high quality and engaging in order to be successful. Otherwise, people will simply click away from them.?

This can be a costly endeavor, particularly if you're just starting out. You'll need to invest in equipment and editing software, and you'll need to put in the time to learn how to use them effectively. In addition, it's worth noting that the vast majority of YouTube users are not looking for writing advice. They're far more likely to be searching for videos about cats or gaming. As such, you'll need to work hard to ensure that your videos stand out from the crowd.?

All in all, starting a YouTube channel about writing can be a great way to make money as a writer. However, it's important to be aware of the potential pitfalls before you take the plunge.

I’m Listing out a few channels by writers, check them out:

• ShaelinWrites
• Abbie Emmons
• The Creative Penn
• iWriterly
• Brandon Sanderson

11. Offer writing coaching or consulting services.

One of the best ways to make money as a writer is to offer writing coaching or consulting services. By doing this, you can help other writers improve their writing skills and techniques, and also learn more about the industry and what it takes to be a successful writer.

If you're thinking about offering writing coaching or consulting services, there are a few things you should keep in mind.?

First, you need to be an expert in your field. You should have a strong understanding of the writing process, as well as the different genres and writing styles.?

You should also be familiar with the different publishing options available, and be able to guide your clients through the process of choosing the right publisher for their work.?

Second, you need to be able to market yourself effectively. You'll need to create a website and social media presence that showcases your skills and experience, and that will attract potential clients.?

You'll also need to create a strong portfolio that showcases your best work so that potential clients can see what you're capable of.?

Finally, you need to be prepared to put in the time and effort required to build a successful writing coaching or consulting business. It takes hard work and dedication to succeed in this field, so you'll need to be prepared to work long hours and make a significant investment in your business.?

However, if you're willing to put in the time and effort, you can build a successful writing coaching or consulting business that can provide you with a great income.

12. Give talks or speeches about your writing process or journey.

It’s a little different than the other methods, here, you have to get out of your home sometimes to really make the difference. So, as a writer, giving talks or speeches about your writing process or journey can be a great way to make money. Not only will you be able to share your knowledge and experience with others, but you can also attract new clients and writing students.?

Giving a talk or speech about your writing process is also a great way to build your brand and platform. By sharing your story and tips with others, you'll be able to position yourself as an expert in your field, which can lead to more opportunities down the road.?

If you're interested in giving talks or speeches about your writing process, there are a few things you should keep in mind.?

First, you need to build a reputation beforehand to be invited to events so that you can give your talks there.?

Secondly, you'll want to make sure that your talk is engaging and informative. You'll also want to make sure that you're prepared to answer any questions that your audience might have.?

Finally, you'll want to make sure that you have a plan for marketing your talk or speech. You can use social media, your website, or even traditional methods like flyers and posters to get the word out. By promoting your talk or speech ahead of time, you can ensure that you have a full house when you're ready to deliver your presentation.

Conclusion

No matter what your current skill level is, there are always ways for writers to make money.?

If you're just starting out, you may need to write for content mills or other low-paying gigs to build up your portfolio. Once you have a few writing samples to show, you can start pitching to higher-paying clients. If you're more experienced, you can make money by writing ebooks, teaching online courses, or offering ghostwriting or editing services.

So choose one method that you can proceed with, based on your current skill level, and start earning from your passion for writing!