How to Make Money with Your Writing

by Tony Thomas

Many of those of us who love to write have a difficult time monetizing our efforts.  There seems to be no shortage of writers out there who are content to work for next to nothing.

Succeeding as a writer requires marketing skill, specialized knowledge, and the ability to "think outside the box".  And the more relevant knowledge and experience you have, the more money you can receive.

When I first decided to become a professional writer over 40 years ago, I hit the streets and found a local business that wanted to produce a marketing brochure.  While that was an ambitious project and I had zero experience, I hired a photographer/graphic designer, got quotes from a printer, and wrote the copy for the brochure with the assistance of the client.

Although I made very little money on the deal, I learned a lot about copywriting and print production.  I spent a lot of time with the dictionary, the thesaurus, and grammar books and honed my writing skills.  Shortly thereafter, I co-founded an advertising agency and did copy/creative for a variety of major clients.  I wrote magazine ads, radio commercials, marketing proposals, and copy for promotional pieces.

While working at the agency, I decided I wanted to write for print publications. I boldly walked into the office of a local newspaper with a sample of my work.  The editor was impressed and asked me about my areas of specialized knowledge.

That led to a long mutually beneficial relationship with that publication that lasted for decades.  With samples from that publication, I was able to get writing assignments from many other national and international publications.

My point is that small efforts can lead to substantial success with time and effort.  You just need to find your niche and your market.

The Changing Landscape

by Tony Thomas

I've noticed that writing is a lot different than it was in the 70s, 80s, and 90s when I was an active writer.

First of all, there aren't that many print magazines around anymore. The exceptions are large consumer mags and some specialized trade publications. Paper and printing costs have risen astronomically, and that has either bankrupted or constrained many players in the magazine business.

It seems like the British are still very active in magazine publishing judging from my trips to the local Barnes & Noble. Those buying their beautiful magazines probably get sticker shock every time they look at the prices. Some of them cost as much or more than a trade paperback.

Consolidation has also taken hold, and there are conglomerates with several similar publications under one roof. Many publications are entirely staff-written and, as a result, there is less work for freelancers. And most of the companies that were once involved in the magazine business have moved their content to the Internet, even if some of them maintain a print version.

The Internet has been a game changer in a lot of different ways. Some good, and some not so good. Content mills and writing brokers are pervasive. Some websites that allow you to bid on work, but it is a race to the bottom. Writing rates are going down, down, down. If you are a professional writer and want to get paid well, you have to market yourself to find clients that value quality writing.

On the plus side, anyone can start their own blog and write their own self-published book very quickly, easily and inexpensively. As a result, there are fewer barriers to entry for those who want to write. Technology has also improved greatly.

In the 70s, I wrote all of my articles on a manual typewriter. In the 80s, I moved to computers. And now, I can dictate my words into a microphone and they are automatically recognized by the programs that I use. That allows me to write faster, even if the final product requires a bit more editing.

The only thing that I struggle with is getting back into the frame of mind to write. That requires discipline and a lot of deep thinking. Right now, I am in the process of working to streamline my workflow and strengthen my writing muscles.