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Are you a writer looking for ways to make a little extra cash? This post shares 11 ways to make money writing from home.
If you are a skilled writer who prefers to work from home rather than going to an office every day, there are many work and employment options available.
Writing from home is a feasible way to earn an income these days, and there are plenty of jobs and career paths to consider. Here are a few examples:
1. Freelance journalism
Magazine and newspaper journalism is fairly 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. Simply 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.
2. Content writing
Blogs and websites are always in need of 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.
3. 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 hand out 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.
4. Article writing
Writing online articles has evolved into something of an 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, the 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.
5. 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 do 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
6. 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 pieces of 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 does have 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. These are only some online publications that 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.
7. 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.
8. Translation work
Just like content writing, a viable industry has risen up around translation work over the past several years. Writers with fluency in at least two different languages and who have the knack for making quick and accurate translations can earn a pretty 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.
9. 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 why you shouldn’t be able to get in on the action.
This job is ideally suited for writers that have a talent for building followings and creating posts that have a high likelihood of going viral. If these skills come naturally to you, a career as a social media content generator could be in your future.
10. 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 make money writing. But if you are looking for a way to wrangle your skills as a writer 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.
11. Writing reviews
Finally, consider using your writing skills as a basis for a career as a reviewer. There is always a healthy demand for music, film, and product reviews, especially if they are well-written and compelling. And if you get a steady gig writing reviews for a reputable website, you could look forward to a rewarding and profitable career.
These are only some of the ways you could use your writing skills to make money from home. With talent, persistence, and determination, you could earn a pretty substantial income and work on your own terms.
Do you have any suggestions for ways to make money writing from home? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!
