The topic of money and creatives isn’t a new one, but it seems to come up a lot in today’s society. From writers trying to pay their rent to lawyers trying to pay their bills, everyone has something they want to pay for and not enough money to do so. It’s a common struggle for creatives, and one that I feel especially close to. I get paid pretty poorly as a freelance writer and entrepreneur, and sometimes I feel like I’m not doing enough work to justify my low wages. But then I look around me and think about all the people who want my input and want me to provide it for them. I’ve always had a strong feeling that if I don’t write what they want, someone else will, and it’s a struggle to know where to draw the line. So here I am, trying to help you figure out how much money a writer can actually make in order to live comfortably.
The Most Commonly Sourced Paycheck From Write-Ups
It’s pretty common for writers to get paid per project, so if you’re someone who crafts articles and posts for cash, you can probably get paid pretty well. The trouble is that writing for money can sometimes become a bad habit, and just like any other habit, it needs to be broken. One of the best ways to do this is by taking a long break and not picking up a check for a while. If you’re worried about getting low-paying work, consider volunteering for a few hours a day or putting out a call for help on social media. In the meantime, here are some of the more commonly sourced paycheck examples from write-ups.
Advertising
If you’ve ever created marketing copy or adverts, you’ll know how lucrative this can be. For those who do it for a living, it’s not uncommon to earn six figures per year. The great thing about advertising is that you can get paid to learn new things and to help educate your readers about products and services. The more you know, the more you can charge. And what’s better than educating your audience while also making money off their eyeballs? An excellent hybrid!
Journalism
Another great option for writers is to become a journalist. Although the name might suggest otherwise, a journalist doesn’t necessarily have to be a person who reports the news. Many journalists now work as stringers for news agencies, taking their shots and filing them in from various locations. The great thing about journalism is that it’s a fairly in-demand field, and it’s flexible enough to accommodate both full-time work and side-hustles. Plus, you’re usually not asked to write a lengthy piece most of the time. In other words, it’s perfect for someone who wants to create content but also needs the money.]
Marketing & Advertising
Those who specialize in marketing and advertising can get paid per piece, or they can get paid per client. Marketing and advertising is a fast-paced field, and because there are so many jobs in this area, there’s always plenty of work for those who are looking to get into it.
Fashion
If you’ve got a good eye for fashion and know how to draft a killer outfit list, you could make a pretty good living. Fashion writing is a great job option for someone who wants to do something different with their lives and be their own boss. Not only that, but you get to travel the world and meet the most influential people in the industry. Who knows? You might even end up being a famous fashion writer one day.
The great thing about these options is that you get to decide how much you want to charge. It’s not uncommon for fashion writers to get paid per piece or per event, so you’ll always have plenty of work if you decide to pick up this side-hustle. Plus, you can make a lot of money without having to do any actual work.
Lifestyle Blogging
Nowadays, people are more likely to read about lifestyle choices and trends than they are to read about politics or current events. As a result, those who write about lifestyle choices can make a pretty good living. The great thing about this job option is that you don’t need to have any previous experience to get started. You just need to have a decent knowledge of current events and a good eye for style. Since this is such a widely-read niche, you’ll usually have plenty of work to choose from, even if you decide to take a bit of a break from blogging once you’ve made some money.
Creative Writing
If you’ve got a good ear for dialogue and can string a few sentences together, you could make a living as a writer. Creative writing is a bit like marketing and advertising, in the sense that you don’t necessarily need to write long pieces for clients. Creative writing jobs usually don’t require previous experience, either, so you get to choose your own pace while also being your own boss. Since this is such a lucrative field, it’s always busy, which means there’s plenty of work if you decide to take the plunge.
Non-Fiction Writing
If you’ve got a talent for putting words together, you could make a decent living as a non-fiction writer. You’ll need to have a good knowledge of current events and be able to articulate your opinions in a compelling manner. The great thing about non-fiction writing is that it’s such a lucrative field, you’ll usually be able to find a job quickly if you decide to pursue it.
Web Design & Development
If you’re a talented web designer or developer, you can get paid quite well for your work. Since web design is a form of graphic design, it can be quite a lucrative field if you’re able to charge enough for your work. Not only that, but you get to work remotely, so you don’t need to be chained to a desk. Of course, you need to have a good eye for design and be able to convey your ideas in a clear and concise manner for clients to understand. Once you’ve established a name for yourself, it’s a great place to build your portfolio and make contacts within the industry. Since this is a fairly new niche, there’s not really any formal training you might need to pursue this kind of work, so it’s open to everyone.
Copywriting
Last but not least, let’s not forget about copywriting. Much like creative writing, copywriting involves putting words together in order to persuade readers to take a certain action or make a certain decision. The great thing about copywriting is that it’s such a versatile field and it doesn’t necessarily require previous experience. As a copywriter, you’ll get to choose your own pace and work remotely, so it might be the perfect side-hustle for someone who wants to do their own thing while being their own boss.
The great thing about these options is that you get to decide how much you want to charge. It’s not uncommon for copywriters to get paid per project or per piece, so you’ll always have plenty of work should you choose to pursue it. Plus, you can make a lot of money without having to do any actual work.
As you can see, there are a variety of ways a writer can make money. But how much can you actually make? That’s the million dollar question, isn’t it? There are a lot of variables to consider, like what kind of work you do and how long you’ve been at it. But if you want to give it a try, the above-mentioned jobs should get you pretty far.