5 Ways to Earn Money Writing

One of the ways I’ve continued to explore earning income beyond the confines of a traditional office job is through freelance writing. Have you ever seen that person hanging out at a Starbucks during a weekday hammering away at their laptop while sipping on a latte? It’s possible they are a writer of some sort and the coffee shop is the closest they are going to come to setting foot in an office. It seems like an enviable position to be able to work where you want and when you want. But how are they getting paid?

Well, when you step outside the traditional means of office W2 income you may find that there isn’t just one standard way of getting paid as a freelance writer. So what the ways some people are doing it? Here are some examples below.

1. Start a Blog

There’s an extremely low barrier to entry for starting your own blog or website.  In fact, the only thing you really need to do to have a blog is basically

  1. Find an available domain name, and buy it,
  2. Then get hosting for your blog which typically runs between $50 to $100 a year.
  3. Choose a theme and start posting.

So while this is a bit of a gross oversimplification of the process, this is basically all you need to do to self-publish your writing on a blog.  But you’re published; so now what?

You’re published. So now what? Could these be bloggers checking their phones to see if they’ve made any money? Maybe.

2. Earn Affiliate Marketing Income

Well if your content is good enough and you start to gain some traction, you start to gain readers and eventually you find yourself with an audience.   An audience has the potential to be a customer and as a blogger your in the position to direct a message to your audience.   That could be to try a product or service you recommend as an affiliate.  It’s not hard to do if you have their attention.  Do I have your attention?  If so and you want to start a blog you could do so just by clicking here.    See what I did?  I just recommended Siteground as a host because I’m an affiliate.  They’re good and I use them.  So imagine you, dear reader, signed up.  I’d make some money.   Just like that.

If one of your readers signs up for one of your affiliate products or services, you earn a commission.   If you have a large audience you may start to receive several commissions a month, a week or even daily.

3. Write for Others

So writing is entertainment and it educates or informs but first and foremost, it should captivate the attention of the reader.   And if it’s doing so, that writing has value in a way that is similar to the way that TV, Netflix, movies, or the news captivates.   So just as studio’s pay directors and writers and actors to produce content that has value, there are website owners, news organizations, and publishers that are willing to pay for others to write content.   If you want to be a writer, you’re going to want to do two things:

  1. Find the people willing to pay for your writing.  (or let them find you)
  2. Demonstrate that you can write by showing them a bit of proof.

Now if you are reading this, you may be detecting a bit of irony in that this writing is probably a bit on the mediocre side.   Well, what can I say, it’s like I said, there’s a low barrier to entry to blogging.  So while my writing might not be Shakespear, I’m confident my ideas are good.  Hopefully, I’ll continue to improve and look back on this in a few years as a shining example of how far I’ve come.  If nothing else we can at least say I used the word “ironic” correctly which is more than I can say for an angsty 90’s singer.

4. Find the People That Will Pay You

If you’re looking to do #1 and find the clients that could use you as a writer you’ve got to recognize that to some extent, like so many things in life, it’s a numbers game.  So do your best, but also put yourself in front of as many people as possible.

  1. Getting your writing out through your blog is one method.
  2. Reaching out to others that might be interested in your writing is another method
  3. Marketing your writing services on various sites like Upwork and Fiverr is another method. Sign up for Fiverr with this link and you’ll get up to $100 credit.

5. Show Them You Can Write

If you’re looking to do #2 and demonstrate you can write by showing some proof, you’re going to want to be published.   Early on, it’s not going to be easy.  But creating a blog has almost no barrier to entry.  The next step will be reaching out to others and seeing if they will allow you to guest post for them.   It’s a bit of a quid pro quo.   They get some free content which is hopefully your best writing, and for your efforts, you get a bit of exposure.  Exposure means reaching a new audience which means the potential to reach new customers or clients.

But what if your writing isn’t that good?  Well, you could stick to the office job.  Or you could remain unemployed.  Or you could push yourself to practice and get better.  There are tools out there like Grammarly which aims to help improve your writing.  It’s definitely helping me.

Relaxed earning

10 Innovative Ideas to Earn Money Without a Traditional Job

Breaking free from the conventional 9 to 5 job and generating income on your own terms is an achievable goal, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s an effortless endeavor. For some, success may come easily due to luck or exceptional intelligence, while others may need to put in considerable time and effort. Regardless of your background, pursuing non-traditional sources of income requires dedication and patience.

One crucial step for many online ventures is setting up a website. To do this, you’ll need to choose a reliable web host like SiteGround or Big Scoots are recommended for WordPress hosting due to their fast servers, great reputation, and competitive pricing. WordPress, being a free and powerful content management system, enables you to effectively run a site, manage a blog, and maintain all related content.

Here are 10 innovative ideas to help you start generating non-traditional income:

1. Blogging

Blogging can be a lucrative way to generate income by driving traffic to your own site, earning advertising revenue, or making money through affiliate marketing. By creating valuable content that appeals to a specific audience, you can establish yourself as an authority in your niche and monetize your blog through various channels.

2. Freelancing

Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer an abundance of freelance opportunities across various fields, including writing, graphic design, programming, and marketing. Sign up for Fiverr and receive up to a $100 signup bonus to get started. As you build your portfolio and reputation, you’ll have the flexibility to choose projects that align with your skills and interests.

3. Tutoring

If you have expertise in a particular subject, you can offer your services as a tutor on platforms like Wyzant. Whether you’re teaching math, science, or a musical instrument, tutoring allows you to earn money while sharing your knowledge and helping others succeed.

4. Selling Stock Photos

If you have a passion for photography, you can earn royalties by selling your photos on sites like Shutterstock. As a contributor, you’ll receive a percentage of each sale, creating a passive income stream from your creative work.

5. Real Estate Investing

Investing in real estate, either directly by purchasing properties or indirectly through Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), can be a profitable venture. By buying rental properties or investing in commercial real estate, you can generate a steady income from rent payments and potentially benefit from property appreciation.

6. Creating YouTube Content

Establishing a YouTube channel and creating engaging content can lead to ad revenue, brand partnerships, or even drive traffic to your own site. As you grow your subscriber base and views, you’ll have more opportunities to monetize your channel and turn your passion into a steady income.

7. Teaching English Online

If you’re a native English speaker with a strong grasp of grammar and pronunciation, teaching English online can be a rewarding way to make money. Platforms like VIPKid, and Teach Away connect English teachers with students worldwide, offering flexible hours and competitive pay.

8. Participating in Market Research

Companies are always in search of consumer opinions to improve their products and services. By participating in market research, you can get paid for testing products and providing feedback. Sign up for platforms like Curion and Vindale Research to start earning money from your opinions.

9. Selling Handmade Products

If you’re a skilled artisan or craftsperson, consider selling your handmade products on platforms like Etsy or Handmade at Amazon. By showcasing your unique creations, you can reach a global audience and turn your hobby into a viable business.

Drop Shipping

Drop shipping is a low-risk e-commerce business model that allows you to sell products without holding inventory. By partnering with a supplier and setting up an online store, you can market and sell products while the supplier handles fulfillment and shipping. Platforms like Shopify make it easy to set up a drop shipping store, allowing you to focus on marketing and customer service.

Conclusion

Earning money without a traditional job may seem challenging at first, but with dedication and perseverance, you can create your own path to financial independence. By exploring these ten innovative ideas, you can find the best fit for your skills and interests and start generating income on your own terms. As you embark on this journey, remember that patience and persistence are key to success in any venture. Embrace the challenges, learn from your experiences, and watch your non-traditional income sources grow over time.