One of the biggest challenges for any content creator is to figure out how to make money from content marketing. For years, the tried and true method was to write for large publications in hopes of being picked up by a larger media company that can afford to pay you. Even then, the pay was usually small compared to what you would make from a traditional job.
Fortunately, all that has changed. Thanks to the internet and the ability for content creators to grow their own audiences, there are now viable opportunities to make a living from content creation.
Here is how you can start a writing business online…
The Basics
The first step to creating a successful writing business online is to figure out what you’ll need to achieve this. You’ll want to look into what softwear and hardware you need to run a successful blog, for example.
What is your pricing plan going to be? Are you planning on being able to charge a lot for your content? Or are you planning on offering your services for free to encourage engagement?
Is there anything specific you need to have in place in order to generate content? Answering these questions will help you figure out the basic structure of your online business.
Develop Your Audience
The next step is to develop your audience. You’ll want to look into what platforms they’re already using and what articles they’re finding value in. This will help you determine the kind of content you should be producing and in what direction you should be headed with your content marketing.
For example, if you’re a fitness instructor and you see that your students are already engaging with your content on Instagram, you might want to explore ways you can produce content that will drive more Instagram likes.
If you want to be able to charge a lot for your content, you’ll need to have a sizable audience. But if your goal is to have content that is free to the public and you don’t mind having your content republished on other platforms, you can probably get away with posting occasionally on social media and relying on organic reach to bring you audiences.
Build Your Platform
Once you have an audience, you can start building your platform. You’ll want to look at the different social media channels and consider which one will be the best fit for you. Depending on your niche, you might choose to focus on a specific platform or a combination of platforms.
As a general rule of thumb, audiences on small platforms like Twitter and YouTube almost always prefer content produced on larger platforms like Facebook or Instagram. This is because they’re usually more interested in the content itself rather than the platform on which it is posted.
Key Points
Creating a successful writing business online doesn’t have to be difficult. Thanks to the internet, everyone has access to a microphone and a camera. This means that anyone can become a content creator and offer their services to businesses and organizations looking for content. Just remember to learn from the best!