Top Ten Ways to Make Money from Article Writing

Top Ten Ways to Make Money from Article Writing

 

1. Freelance journalism

Magazine and newspaper journalism is relatively easy to get into as a freelancer. If you’ve ever read a magazine or flipped through a newspaper and thought that you could do a better job than the writer, there are many opportunities to prove yourself right. Choose a niche, find some magazines in that niche, and send an email asking if they accept freelance writers.

It is always a good idea to write about something that you know about. But even if you have just a passing interest in the subject, consider sending out an email anyway. You never know when a casual interest could turn into a long-term career.

 

1. Content writing

Blogs and websites always need content, and there is no end to the demand for writers to provide that content. It seems that new blogs and websites are cropping up daily, which means that there is always an opportunity for you to make some money writing from home to populate these sites. 

Keep in mind that the competition for writing gigs can be pretty fierce. You will have to be persistent and get your name out there if you hope to establish yourself as a content writer. Sites such as People Per Hour and Fiverr are good places to start, allowing you to offer your services to potential clients.

 

1. Entering writing competitions

Entering a writing competition might seem like an unusual way to make money, but don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it. Even established writers have been known to try their best at competitive Writing simply for practice or to keep the creative juices flowing. If you are between projects and have nothing better to do, there are worse ways to spend your time than writing for a competitive event.

If you need any more encouragement, consider the possibility of making some real money. Some established magazines offer substantial cash prizes to the winners of their competitions, so it might just be a profitable undertaking for you.

 

1. Article writing

Writing online articles has evolved into something of the industry over the past few years, with writers worldwide stepping up to feed the constant demand for content. If you have discipline, organizational skills, and a knack for writing, you could be on to a rewarding career as an article writer.

As in any field of endeavor, big money lies with the more established online publications. Sites such as What Culture, Cracked.com, and WOW! Women on Writing pay very respectable rates for articles. If you pass their muster and can crank out well-written articles regularly, you could have a steady gig as a writer.

 

1. Publishing a book

Self-publishing a book might seem a bit of a pipe dream for an aspiring writer, but it is possible to get your name in print and make some money in the process. Some of the most established writers got their start publishing a book when they were relative unknowns, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to pull off a similar feat. 

Of course, you need to have a knack for marketing and the persistence to manage your career as an independent author. You will also have to be reasonably prolific and have no qualms about writing for a commercial audience. If you check all of the above boxes, you might have a career as a self-published author.

See related posts: How to Write a Novel and 7 Low Content Books You Can Write Today.

 

1. I was writing fillers and snippets.

If you aren’t quite ready to dive into the world of writing fiction or self-help books, you could be able to make some cash by writing fillers and snippets. These are short, small content published in different publications such as The New Yorker and others.

Although not as creatively fulfilling as writing a novel or a sonnet, this type of Writing has a place in the real world. And you could make a substantial addition to your monthly income while doing it. This is a great way to get paid for poetry or for writing a short story.

 

Check out publications such as Reader’s Digest, Take a Break, That’s Life, The New Yorker, and the Family section of Guardian. Only some online publications pay for reader contributions and give cash prizes for fillers and letters. You may not strike it rich by doing this type of work, but every little bit you make will add to your income.

 

1. Selling revision notes

Do you have a talent for writing concise lecture notes? If so, you might want to consider selling your revision notes to other students. Many college students experience considerable difficulty making sense of their lectures, and ready-made revision notes might provide some much-needed enlightenment.

There are quite a few sites that provide a venue for listing your revision notes for sale. Some will charge a fee for any sales that you make, although this is usually pretty modest. In any case, selling your revision notes is a great way to make some money off something you are already doing anyway.

 

1. Translation work

Just like content writing, a viable industry has risen around translation work over the past several years. Writers with fluency in at least two languages and who have the knack for making quick and accurate translations can earn a hefty income with translation work. Best of all, this type of job can be done at home in your own time.

Keep in mind that the amount of money you make can vary considerably depending on the client and the language you are translating from. Even so, you could make a reasonably good income by handling one or two clients a month.

 

1. You are writing social media content.

Check out the social media channel of almost any brand or personality, and you will likely see a substantial amount of content posted regularly. Where do you think all that content comes from? Well, from writers like you, of course!

Writing content specifically for social media can be a profitable undertaking to get paid to write, and there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to get in on the action.

This job is ideally suited for writers with a talent for building followings and creating posts that are highly likely to go viral. If these skills come naturally to you, a career as a social media content generator could be in your future. 

 

1. Technical Writing

Admittedly, technical Writing isn’t quite as glamorous or creatively fulfilling as creative Writing or even blogging as one of the ways to do money writing. But if you are looking for a way to wrangle your writing skills into a lucrative career, working as a technical writer is a feasible option.

This job is a good fit for writers that can transform complex technical information into clear and concise copy. It is also better suited for those interested in building a long-term career rather than merely making a bit of cash in their spare time.