Most people who write for a living start out as journalists or bloggers, but there is more than one way to make money with creative writing. Here are just a few ideas.
Publishing
If you have a novel, you can try selling it to a traditional publisher. It can be tricky to find a literary agent to represent your work, especially if you are brand-new to the industry, but it is possible. If you managed to secure an offer from a publisher, you would have to make a decision on whether or not to accept the deal. The odds are likely against you, but it is still possible to get a good contract from a major publisher.
If you decide to go the traditional publishing route, you might want to consider investing in some professional editing services. While you’re at it, you might also want to look into paying for some cover design. As someone who has been through the ringer of trying to get my work published, I can attest that it is well worth the money to employ some professional editing help and a good cover designer. Don’t be afraid to spend the money. Traditional publishing is still a viable way to make a living as a writer. It just takes a bit of hustle.
Self-Publishing
If you decide against trying to sell your novel to a traditional publisher, you can still go the traditionally non-traditional route and publish the book yourself. In this case, you would want to look into independent publishing. Many successful self-published authors made their money before the invention of the internet. If you want to follow in their footsteps, you can certainly try your luck with self-publishing.
This could be a good option for writers who want to get their work out to the masses and make some quick cash. They can take advantage of the world’s largest digital marketplace, which makes it easy for anyone to find readers and make money off their work. While it’s a quick fix, it’s not the best option for writers looking to establish themselves as professionals. If you are serious about writing as a career, you should consider the traditional route.
Teaching
If you have an MA degree or an MD, you can consider taking advantage of your professional training and teaching. Since the invention of the internet, online universities have risen in popularity, allowing students to earn certificates and even degrees without leaving their homes. Since teaching is highly-esteemed and can be seen as a noble profession, you can imagine how easy it is to find teaching-related jobs. You just have to make sure that you follow the proper procedures to get certified to teach.
Even if you don’t have a teaching certificate yet, you can still look for jobs in the education sector and get paid to give lectures or seminars to other teachers. Many universities and even some high schools now offer online degrees, so if you are looking to make some fast cash, you can always look into teaching.
Consulting
If you have a specific expertise that you can bring to the table, such as expertise in healthcare or business, you can consider consulting. Since the dawn of the internet, online marketplaces have risen in popularity and made it much easier for businesses of all sizes to find the staff they need, when they need it. If you have a specific expertise that you can bring to the table, such as healthcare or business consulting, you can consider using your skills to help other businesses get the most out of their operations. Since consulting is generally a menial task that doesn’t require a lot of education, it can be a great way to make a little money while you pursue your creative writing career.
Writing
If you are really good, you can consider becoming a ghostwriter. This is someone who takes a written project and turns it into a finished product, usually for a business or an individual. The business owns the rights to the content and can decide how the end product is marketed. For some, writing is easy money. All you need is a good idea and a lot of time on your hands. To become a professional writer, you will need to put in the time and effort to build a portfolio. Once you have built enough of a portfolio, you can consider pitching your services to potential clients.
Ghostwriting isn’t for everyone. If you want to write for yourself or as a hobby, you can certainly give it a try, but don’t just because you want to make quick cash. Being a professional writer takes a lot of commitment. If you have your heart set on being a writer, you can follow the above suggestions. Just remember, the more you put in, the more you will get back. Developing a good writing portfolio takes time, so be patient.