There is more than one kind of writer. There is the one who writes in secret to please society and make a name for himself. There is the one who takes the safe road and works for the Man. And then, there is the rebel who dares to dream and wants to change the world for the better.
For years, I followed the path laid out for me. I submitted my work to be published and relied on the occasional check to put food on my table. But there was always a price to be paid for following the safety route. I lost my voice. My confidence vanished and I became an entirely different writer. I was no longer the confident, passionate individual who believed that they could change the world for the better. I was just another cog in the wheel.
So how does one become the writer they were born to be? How does one follow their heart and convince the world that they are passionate, enlightened individuals who care about humanity? How does one reclaim their voice and write with conviction knowing that there is more than one kind of writer?
These are the sorts of questions that the world around me asked after I became a full-time writer. I went from being a well-known magazine journalist to an unpublished, struggling novelist, unable to complete a full novel. I found myself in a self-perpetuating rut, trapped in my own head, wondering if I was capable of making a change. After all, I had once been a business reporter for a major publication. Did that make me a qualified author? Could I really write books and make my living that way? Was there some mistake? Some trick I could use to finally become what I was born to be?
It took me a long time to realize that the answer to all of these questions was staring me in the face. It was as plain as the nose on my face. All I needed to do was to find my inner rebel and free myself from the bondage of security.
Here are five ways that you can make more money as a writer:
1. Become A Freelancer
The biggest break in my writing journey came when I fell in with the right people. I started hanging around with other independent writers who were also looking to break out of the 9-5 office rat race. We came together and formed a co-operative. We would each contribute to an ever-growing pool of stories that could be purchased by interested publishers. This was exciting stuff. Before long, I found myself submitting work to major publications and winning acclaim for my writing, while also making a decent side money.
A freelancer is essentially a self-employed writer. They are commissioned by clients to provide content on a variety of matters. The amount of work can vary from small articles for human interest story magazines, to book reviews for local newspapers, to longform non-fiction for national magazines. While the exact nature of the work can vary, the general process is the same. A freelancer starts with an idea or a concept and then develops it into a rough draft. This is followed by another round of revision before the piece is hand-delivered to the publisher. If all goes well, the finished piece is published and the cycle begins again.
2. Publish A Book
My first experience of self-publishing was back in the day when only the rich and famous could afford to purchase their own printing presses. So when I decided to take my writing talents to the next level, I looked to the traditional publishers for guidance. Nowadays, however, the path to book publication is a little different. Thanks to the likes of Amazon and other online marketplaces, self-published books are a viable option for any writer who wants to see their work reflected in print.
With e-books taking off and being featured prominently on bestseller lists, the world of print is no longer the preserve of the wealthy. Any writer can now enjoy the benefits of a printed book with the click of a button. All that is required is an e-reader and some online selling platforms. Take my word for it: self-publishing is here to stay.
3. Start A Blog
The world of digital media is vast and ever-changing, but one constant remains. People still want to read. So if you can tap into this desire and provide content that is both entertaining and informative, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field. Consider starting a blog. Not only will this provide you with a steady stream of content, it will also offer you the opportunity to connect with potential customers via social media.
Blogs are a completely free way to establish yourself as an expert in your field. You may start with a general blog covering the whole gamut of your work experiences and knowledge. From there, you can branch out into more specialized topics, such as literary criticism or journalism. The sky is the limit.
4. Join A Society Of Authors
No, we don’t mean the kind of society that you might find at a book club. We mean joining a society of authors, where you get along with other professionals who are also passionate about writing. So much synergy! By joining an authordraft group, you will have the opportunity to workshop and edit each other’s work, and share in the rewards when a story is accepted for publication.
You may start with a simple group of three or four, then gradually progress to a more mature group. As a member, you will have the opportunity to become a published author and lend your expertise to other members’ works. The trick is to find a respectful group of writers who value collaboration and are willing to help each other succeed.
5. Use Your Social Media
The final element of my self-publishing formula involved utilizing my social media accounts. Once I had an e-book ready to go, I chose to promote it on social media. Why? Because at this point in my career, I had built up enough of a following on Twitter that I could reach out to potential customers. More than 90% of my traffic comes from Twitter, so I tried my hand at selling books via social media. The results were remarkable, to say the least.
Thanks to platforms like Twitter and Facebook, self-published authors can and do reach a vast audience. With over a billion monthly active users, Twitter is the largest social network globally. Facebook has over 1.8 billion monthly active users. So if you can harness the power of these platforms, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field and enjoy the benefits of being a published author. Be sure to take advantage of the social media tools available to you. Your contacts on social media may also prove to be your greatest selling tool. Don’t forget to connect with your contacts via email and let them know that you are now offering your services as a freelance writer.
I hope that these five ways to make more money as a writer have helped you to see the brighter side of things. As previously stated, following the path of security and convention can lead you to financial success, but it will never allow you to feel fulfilled. The journey from an uninspired journalist to a happy, successful writer is a long and winding road, but it’s a road that every writer must travel if they want to feel empowered and accomplished.