By Patrick Young

Assorted Ideas, Large & Small

Whether you’re working on a children’s book, the next novel to rival the Harry Potter series, or a poem to define a generation, making money as a writer isn’t always easy. Fortunately, there are many potential ways to put a talent for the written word to work for you before you make your big break. Looking for ideas? You have found them.

Today on Assorted Ideas, Large & Small, we will discuss ways to eke out a living without quashing your creativity.

Income Opportunities

Selling words isn’t for the faint of heart. Like being an artist or an actor, you may go through a series of rejections. Don’t fret, however, as there is money to be made. A few ideas include:

• Self-publishing. Self-published authors used to be the pariahs of the literary world. Not today. According to ZenBusiness, independently published titles account for nearly half of all book sales on Amazon. Taking the DIY route here has many advantages if you’re willing to put in the work. Not only will you enjoy higher royalties, but you can also fast-track your work to the market without giving up creative control.

• Writing for e-commerce. Gone are the days where our only option for shopping is a brick-and-mortar store. Instead, consumers today turn to the internet for many of their goods and services. As an e-commerce writer, you’ll have an opportunity to accurately convey information to shoppers who can’t put their hands on their intended purchase. Plus, you have a chance to learn about keyword research, SEO, and content marketing, which are all valuable skills in the digital age.

• Blogging. Blogging is essentially the act of keeping an online diary that’s free for people to read. And, although you typically don’t charge your followers, companies will pay to use your voice to get their message to the masses. Starting a blog takes time, patience, and a ton of self-promotion. For your greatest chance at success, you’ll need to write about something you’re passionate about, refine your storytelling abilities, and build relationships with your readers.

• Technical writing. If you have a background in computer sciences, employment services, or management, Technical Writer HQ notes that you may be able to earn around $76,860 as a technical writer. Unlike writing marketing content or creative stories, as a technical writer, you will need to have an in-depth understanding of your industry. 

• Resume writing and editing. If you enjoy helping other people promote themselves, have a keen eye for detail, and pride yourself in uniqueness, then writing and editing resumes may be a profitable side-gig. The Career Experts blog explains that most employers look beyond basic information during the hiring process. However, most employees stick with cookie-cutter templates. These don’t get attention, but professionally written resumes do. You can easily charge $100 or more for a one-page resume.

• Teaching English. If you have a bachelor’s degree and are authorized to work in the US or Canada, you may be able to use your comfort with words to teach English to students across the globe. Although not a writing job per se, being an English teacher can help you pay the bills during those in-between months when you’re not receiving royalties.