How I Got Interested In Online Writing: A Beginner's Guide for Aspiring Digital Writers

Igniting the Spark

If you're exploring the world of online writing, understanding how others got started can be both enlightening and inspiring. This piece is for aspiring digital writers eager to level up their skills, build a solid online presence, and connect with a broader audience. By sharing my journey, I hope to give you some insights and maybe the push you need to get started.

The Initial Spark

My love for writing began in elementary school when I represented my school in feature writing. I went from battling it out with other kids in my school to taking on challengers in the city, and finally, facing off with students from three different cities. Those early competitions lit a fire in me that never really went out.

Fast forward several years – life happened, as it tends to, but the writing itch never quite disappeared. About six months ago, I decided to dive back into writing. I’ve spent over 200 hours reading, learning, and writing my heart out. One day, while spiraling down the YouTube rabbit hole, I stumbled upon Dan Koe’s video, "Learn This Skill If You Want To Thrive In The Next 10 Years". Boom! His story hit me hard. Here was a guy who transformed from a web developer to a writing sensation. As a Digital Strategist, I’ve always been obsessed with how words can change the game, but I hadn’t fully explored it until then. Inspired by Dan’s journey, I thought, why not blend my digital marketing skills with online writing? And just like that, a new adventure began.

Learning from the Masters

A few legends have shaped my writing journey. Let’s give them a shoutout.

John Pagulayan: The Business of Writing

John Pagulayan, a rockstar email copywriter and freelancing mentor, taught me that freelancing isn’t just about writing (or any other skill) – it’s about understanding the whole business: offers, marketing, sales, delivery, and finances. Starting out by writing emails for a living, John eventually became a mentor who has helped thousands of freelancers thrive in the industry. His simple yet powerful approach gave me a whole new perspective. Suddenly, I wasn’t just a writer; I was a strategic thinker. It's fascinating how understanding the business side of things can illuminate the creative path.

Dan Koe: Crafting Your Personal Brand

Dan Koe, the guy who reignited my writing flame, is all about personal branding and vision. He showed me that writing can be a tool for personal growth and professional success. His lessons on self-education, pushing limits, and constant experimentation have been priceless. Through writing, I learned to see it as a mirror reflecting our inner evolution and external ambitions. Dan’s emphasis on authenticity and consistency taught me the value of maintaining a clear and unique voice, making writing a powerful means to express myself and connect with others.

Nicolas Cole: The Art of Starting Small

Nicolas Cole is the master of starting small and thinking big. He taught me to test my ideas in their smallest form before going all out, helping to identify what clicks and what flops without wasting time and energy. This approach has been a game-changer for me. By embracing the philosophy of starting small, I learned to let each step inform the next, ensuring steady and thoughtful progress. There’s a profound beauty in this method, as it allows for constant learning and adaptation, making the creative journey more manageable and rewarding.

Embracing the Daily Grind

If there’s one thing all successful online writers do, it’s writing every. single. day. This daily grind helps you get better, find your voice, and keep the content flowing. Plus, it’s key to building an audience that sticks around. Writing daily isn’t just about getting words on a page; it’s about building discipline and a solid work ethic. In essence, it's about committing to the journey, no matter how winding the path.

The Three Pillars of My Online Writing Journey

As I dive deeper into online writing, my interests naturally align with my professional journey: freelancing, digital marketing, and online writing itself.

Freelancing: Freedom and Flexibility

Freelancing offers freedom and flexibility. It lets me pick projects and clients that match my skills, passions, and values. I get to control my schedule and work from anywhere. Over the next two years, I plan to soak up as much knowledge as I can and build a freelance business that’s both financially stable and personally fulfilling. By sharing my journey, I hope to inspire others to give freelancing a shot and offer some tips for navigating its ups and downs. The freedom freelancing offers is like a canvas, allowing us to paint our professional and personal lives with the colors of our choosing.

Digital Marketing: Navigating Specialization

My digital marketing adventure began seven years ago, thanks to Seth Jared Hymes. The field has evolved significantly since then. Back then, you could dabble in SEO, social media, email marketing, and more. But now, each area has become so specialized that it’s nearly impossible to master them all. Keeping up with these changes and constantly learning has been crucial for my growth. As I continue to learn about digital marketing, I'm finding ways to improve my online writing, aiming to create content that not only engages readers but also reaches them effectively. I’m excited to share what I’ve learned about digital marketing and help others succeed in this fast-paced world. This ongoing evolution in digital marketing underscores our need to adapt and grow in a constantly changing world.

Online Writing: The Global Connection

Online writing has a magic that lets you connect with people all over the globe. In the next couple of years, I’m diving headfirst into this craft, aiming to build a booming online writing business and work with a mix of awesome clients. I’m working on building a daily writing habit, even though it’s a struggle sometimes. This journey keeps me curious and pushes me to keep leveling up, whether through reading, practicing mindfulness, or trying new habits. There's something almost poetic about the struggle to write every day, each word a step closer to understanding and expressing our inner selves.

The Journey Continues

The journey of online writing has been nothing short of transformative. It’s boosted my creativity, discipline, and sense of community. I’m here to share what I’ve learned and hopefully inspire some of you along the way. If you’re into freelancing, digital marketing, or online writing, maybe you’ll find a bit of yourself in my story. After all, every journey begins with a single word. Let’s see how far we can go with the power of writing.