If you’ve ever participated in the screenwriting process, you know that it can be a tedious and time-consuming task. Between finding the time to fit in writing sessions while managing your busy schedule and finding quality scripts to match your brand, it’s enough to make you want to leave the process behind and join the Jet Set as a full-time author.
While it’s true that you can generate consistent income as a screenwriter, it doesn’t mean that it’s easy. In fact, it can be incredibly difficult to earn enough money to justify the time invested in learning the craft. That’s why most screenwriters prefer to do it as a side gig while pursuing other interests. Fortunately, things have changed. Platforms like Draft2Digital have paved the way for writers to monetize their work, and new opportunities have opened up for aspiring authors. With the right strategies in place, it’s possible to earn a full living from your writing while also enjoying the process.
The Gig Economy
In the past, being a screenwriter meant living a transient lifestyle, getting paid per shot at a premium rate for major Hollywood blockbusters, and hoping that your script was one of the lucky few that made it into production. While that may still be the case for established writers, it’s not always the case for those trying to break in. It’s changed now. Thanks to platforms like Draft2Digital, which were built on the foundations of Amazon’s wildly successful Kindle Direct Publishing system, it’s possible to have a full-time job writing and submitting scripts while also earning a significant amount of money from the many gig-working platforms available online. When you consider the many perks that come with the gig economy, such as the ability to work remotely and set your own hours, you may begin to see why so many people are turning to this form of employment.
A Necessary Evil
On the surface, writing a commercial or editorial for free would appear to be a good idea; after all, you’re getting paid to do something that you enjoy, right? Well, yes and no. While the thought of getting paid to write something may appeal to the curious or hopeful writer, it doesn’t always lead to happy endings. There’s a reason why most writers wouldn’t touch commercial (or even some editorial) work with a ten-foot pole. It’s a necessary evil; at least, it used to be. Thanks to platforms like Draft2Digital, the line between writing for fun and writing for money has blurred, and it’s made a world of difference for those who’ve managed to capitalize on this new opportunity.
Get Paid to Write What You Love
If you truly believe that you have a knack for writing and that you can somehow put your skills to work even if you don’t yet have a platform, there are ways for you to get paid to write. You may decide to try your hand at crafting an original screenplay, or you may decide to try your hand at book writing for someone like Amazon.com. One of the biggest draws of the gig economy is that you can freelance write for multiple platforms, resulting in an ever-expanding (and often profitable) writing career. Plus, you get to write what you love. If you’re passionate about particular topics, you’ll be able to find a niche and build a following. Keep in mind, however, that the odds of making a living from your craft are greatly diminished if you don’t have any previous writing experience. It’s always better to have something to show for your efforts rather than simply dream about being able to write what you love and make a living off it. The important thing is to find a way to get your story out there. That’s where the rubber hits the road. Once you’ve found a way to generate some income, you can use that to fund all sorts of other ventures, including furthering your education or traveling to places you’ve always dreamed of visiting.
More Ways to Make Money
Beyond the traditional gigs mentioned above, there are countless other ways that you can make money online. You may decide to try your hand at selling and promoting products online, operating an online store, or becoming an affiliate marketer for a company like Amazon. There are ways to make cash on YouTube, too. You can use your channel to attach premium videos to product offers, earn commissions from sales, or even become a video creator for hire.
For some, the flexibility and independence of working remotely may be enough to outweigh all the financial benefits that the gig economy offers. For others, the lure of potentially earning more than you could ever need may prove too tempting to turn down. No matter what your motivation is for entering this arena, it’s important to remember that while it’s possible to make a comfortable living as a full-time writer, it doesn’t always come easy. Like any other job, you have to put in the time and effort to learn the ropes and establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field. Having a steady stream of income may not be enough to make up for all the late nights and long hours that are required to make a success of this new career.
One of the best things about the gig economy is that it has completely changed the way that we look at traditional employment. While a traditionally employed writer might struggle to find the time to fit in a regular writing session, an online writer can easily schedule themselves to fit in a few hours between life admin tasks and job searches. For those who can commit the time, the flexibility and on-demand ability to work is extremely appealing.