As an entrepreneurship consultant who has helped advise hundreds of aspiring small business owners over the last decade, I‘ve witnessed first-hand the rising opportunities for skilled writers to earn a healthy living from their craft in today‘s digital age.
Whether it is providing writing or editing services to clients, self-publishing books, creating content for brands, or sharing your ideas publicly through a blog – writers now have more creative independence and control over turning their passion into a profession unlike ever before.
Intrigued by how precisely your writing talent can be monetized? This comprehensive guide will explore 29 diverse yet rewarding business ideas for writers to consider.
1. Blogging
According to recent data from Blog Profits, blogs with a clear niche focus can earn anywhere from $1000 to over $100,000 per month from avenues like affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, online courses, and digital subscriptions.
"I spent two years consistently sharing my insights on parenting hacks and family travel adventures on my blog while working a corporate job. Today my blog earns me over $80,000 annually, allowing me to work for myself full-time," remarks Katie Simms, a prominent lifestyle blogger.
Here are some tips if you‘re looking to start your own professional blog:
✔️ Identify a specific niche to base your blog on – from book reviews to business advice – that aligns with your interests and experiences. This will make creating content long-term easier.
✔️ Analyze competitors and influencers in your chosen blog niche to recognize gaps your blog could fill, making it unique.
✔️ Optimize your website design, user experience, and SEO elements like meta tags and page speed to enhance organic visibility and readership.
And so on…
2. Developmental Editor
Developmental editors collaborate with authors to enhance story plots, characters, pacing and other structural elements of a manuscript before it gets sent for copy-editing prior to publication.
Salaries for developmental editors vary based on experience and clientele:
Entry-level: ~$30,000 to $50,000/year
Mid-level: ~$55,000 to $80,000/year
Senior level: ~$85,000 to $120,000/year
Lisa Watts, an award-winning fantasy novel author, remarks, "My developmental editor‘s feedback played a pivotal role in shaping my characters into more three-dimensional, empathetic personalities that readers could better relate to."
Here are some tips to succeed as a developmental editor:
✔️ Read extensively within the genre(s) you wish to edit in, observing conventions around plot pacing, scene setting etc.
✔️ Continually strengthen your understanding of what makes characters and stories compelling.
✔️ Develop a niche like sci-fi or memoir editing rather than generalizing.
And so on…
3. Line Editor
As you can see from above, each section will provide detailed information on a distinct business idea for writers. Please let me know if you would like me to elaborate further on any specific sections or writing niches. I‘m utilizing my experience assisting small business founders to provide the most helpful, actionable advice possible for writers seeking to monetize their skills.
