There are many ways to earn a good living as a writer.
In my book “25 Ways to Write for Money” I cover twenty
five different ways that you can turn your words into
cash. In this article I want to show you five ways that
you can get started on right now.
1. Write an E-book
Electronic books or “e-books” have had a major impact on
the publishing world. Not too many years ago it was very
difficult and time consuming to get a book published and
distributed to thousands of readers. Now it is possible
to write an e-book and have it published in a fraction
of the time it takes for a traditional print book.
Because of this many authors are choosing to publish
their own e-books online. By doing this they end up
collecting as much as 90% from each copy sold rather
than paying it to publishers and distributors.
2. Write Articles for Magazines
When
many people think of freelance writing they
automatically think of writing articles for magazines.
And that’s not surprising since magazines are one of the
most popular types of publication that work with
freelance writers.
Many
magazines in North America pay freelance writers in the
range of $0.15 to $0.35 per word. At the upper end are
magazines that pay around $1.00 per word. These tend to
be the large circulation publications such as magazines
for women and travel, and some specialist magazines such
as in-flight publications.
3. Write Fillers
A
filler is a short item used to fill a space in a
publication. Fillers include tips, hints, jokes, facts,
light verse, recipes, puzzles, and anecdotes. At the
longer end there are sidebars, columns, and short
department pieces. Fillers are generally non-fiction.
Many
publications publish more freelance fillers than
freelance articles. Yet they receive many more articles
and article queries from writers than they receive
fillers. What does that tell you? There is far less
competition for filler writers!
Many markets pay $10 to $25 for fillers. That might not
seem like much until you recall that fillers have very
few words and are quick to write.
If you consider the pay ‘per word’, or calculate an
equivalent hourly rate for the time it takes to write
them, fillers can sometimes pay better rates than
articles.
4. Write a Column
If
you enjoy freelance writing for newspapers or magazines
then you might like to write a column.
At
Society of Professional Journalists web site, Eugene
Kane explains, “Columns are given out by editors, and
editors usually reward reporters with a column for
exceptional achievement or for a particularly stylish
way with words and information.”
A
column usually shows the writer's by-line at the top
next to the title. Columns tend to answer the why and
how of a topic. They are usually written in a strong
distinctive voice, in the first and second person and
unlike other forms of journalism in a column it is
acceptable to state an opinion.
An
advantage of writing a column is that it is a regular
work assignment. Compare that to regular freelance
writing where you need to make a new sale for every
piece you write.
5. Blogging
Blogs are a great way for writers to make money. They
are easy to set up and their design is simplified due to
the availability of good software and ready-made
blogging templates.
There are several ways to earn money from a blog. These
include selling advertising spots, showing Google
AdSense ads and selling your own information products or
e-books.
Blogs are also great for writers because they provide a
place to showcase their best work, promote any books,
and keep their readers informed about what they're
working on next.
I have shown you five ways that you can start writing
for money today. Now forget the starving writer stories
you might have heard. Be proactive. Get moving. Start
building your successful writing business today.
About the Author
David
Goldsmith is a freelance writer and author of the
popular e-book "25 Ways to Write for Money". Discover
how you can earn a good living from your writing.
Download your copy of his e-book today at
http://www.WriterIncome.com
