A Google search that contains the words “make money” and “writing” in a single sentence will quickly show you articles along the lines of “X Proven Ways” to monetize your writing.
Their advice is usually the same: Start blogging, get freelance writing clients, and use ChatGPT to write articles while you make money in your sleep. We get it. And none of that stuff works.
Look, many people who try to monetize their writing struggle.
This applies not just to “professional writers,” but to everyone who uses the written word to make a living: Marketers who write effective pitch emails to score a sale or VIP interview, designers who need to communicate their ideas effectively, entrepreneurs who are trying to make better sense of their business model.
The first step to making money with your words is to get the right mindset.
Here are five mindset shifts that will help you to monetize your writing.
1. Treat writing like a business
You must view your career as a business. You are a writer and an entrepreneur. Sure, you’re an artist too. But never forget that your career is also a business.
The late singer and billionaire Jimmy Buffett said it best:
“If you’re an artist, if you want to have control of your life . . . then you gotta be a businessman, like it or not. So the businessman evolved out of being an artist.”
Many writers don’t like this idea. They want to focus on the craft and let the work speak for itself.
Now, you definitely need to develop the craft of writing to ensure you’re communicating yourself well. Even with all the marketing in the world, bad writing won’t make you rich.
But you also can’t just focus on craft. You also need to market and promote your work.
If you don’t sell your work, you can’t continue creating work.
The other day, a reader emailed me about the pop-up on my website. It was more of a complaint. “Can you remove it?” Well, I can. But if I stop marketing, I need to quit writing because it’s just not sustainable to write for fun.
The internet today is full of noise. So you need to stand out as a writer, no matter what you write.
There are three steps to execute this:
- Think about your audience: Who are you writing for? What problems are you solving for them? Why are you the best person your audience should listen to?
- Consider how you can package your writing: Would you create an e-book, a course, or a series of blog posts on a specific topic?
- Don’t be afraid to pitch your work to publications, clients, or businesses. If you’re just starting out, it’s important to create multiple opportunities. So put yourself out there as much as you can.
2. Stick to a writing routine the same way you’d stick to a job
Think about your current job. Whether or not you feel like it, you go for it and do it anyway, right?
If you’re serious about writing, then you need to exhibit the same dedication and consistency.
A lot of people don’t successfully monetize their writing because they lack the discipline. Too many folks fall into the trap of waiting for inspiration. They tell themselves they’ll start writing when they get into “the zone.”
They need to have the perfect setup. Or better yet, they need to move to a warm place and have a view of the ocean—otherwise, they can’t write!
Of course. If a nice view made you creative, every single person who lives on the beach would be a millionaire.
The truth is, if you want to earn from your writing, you need to treat it like a job. That means showing up every day, whether you feel inspired or not.
You know what? I work best in a small room without a view, just looking at a concrete wall. That forces me to focus on the task at hand, which is to do great writing.
Consistency builds trust with your audience. It shows them you’re serious about your craft, and it keeps your work at the top of their minds. Plus, the more consistently you write, the better you get and the more opportunities you create for yourself.
Create a writing routine and stick to it. Whether it’s 500 words a day or two hours every morning, find what works for you and make it a non-negotiable part of your day.
3. Focus on value, not perfection
Writers often get caught up in the pursuit of perfection. They spend hours refining every sentence, trying to make their work flawless. This obsession with perfection is also the reason why many writers get stuck.
While attention to detail is important, it’s not what’s going to make you money.
What matters is the value you provide.
All of the stuff I’m talking about in this article will NOT work if you don’t have something valuable to offer to your reader. And that doesn’t mean you need to give your readers mind-bending insights.
No, if you can entertain your reader, it’s also valuable.
Or, can you help your readers solve a problem? Can you teach them something new? People don’t pay for perfection; they pay for value.
Instead of obsessing over every word, ask yourself:
- What does my audience need right now?
- How can I serve them better than anyone else?
Once you shift your focus to delivering value, you’ll be able to create content more efficiently and with greater impact.
4. Work towards multiple income streams
Many beginner writers think they’ll make all their money from one source—like publishing a bestselling book or landing a big freelance client.
Relying on a single income stream is risky. If that source dries up, you’ll be left empty-handed.
This is what happens when writers go all in on a single platform, whether that’s Substack, Medium, WordPress, freelancing, ghostwriting, or Amazon KDP.
You should always have multiple income streams. The internet moves in cycles. No single income source is stable.
The most successful writers diversify their income streams. They don’t just rely on one book, blog, or client. Instead, they:
- Offer freelance writing services
- Self-publish e-books
- Create online courses or workshops
- Create a paid newsletter or monetize their blog
Multiple income streams give you more stability and flexibility. Plus, it opens up new opportunities you might not have considered before.
5. Think long-term
Finally, you need to adopt a long-term mindset. Monetizing your writing takes time. You won’t see significant income overnight, and there will be setbacks along the way.
You must keep your eye on the prize, which is long-term financial success.
The writing teacher, William Zinsser, said it best:
“Writing is hard work. A clear sentence is no accident. Very few sentences come out right the first time, or even the third time. Remember this in moments of despair. If you find that writing is hard, it’s because it is hard.”
Just like working out, any activity that improves your mind and body is difficult.
Many writers give up too soon because they expect instant results. But writing is a marathon, not a sprint. If you’re consistent, provide value, and build multiple income streams, you’ll eventually see the payoff.
If you’re looking for ways to make money as a writer, watch my video:
Think about where you want to be a year from now or five years from now. What steps can you take today to move closer to that goal? Focus on the process, not the immediate results.
