If I went broke, I'd get paid to write like this

Hi Reader,

As part of this series on building a writing business, I’ve covered why email newsletters are non-negotiable for your writing business.

And I’ve explained why I’d write on owned and earned platforms.

TL;DR: LinkedIn is like Bumble for writers who need clients. Get on it!

Money will find you if you grow a healthy email list from LinkedIn or elsewhere.

As an example:

My email lists have around 25,000 subscribers.

I get multiple emails from ConvertKit connecting me with potential sponsors every month.

They pay to appear in this newsletter.

I don’t accept them all.

But if they’re a good fit, ConvertKit gives me a snippet for the sponsor.

I simply write my email, insert the snippet and click send.

ConvertKit pays me a few weeks later.

Remember, I’m sending this email ad or no ad.

Beehiiv offers a similar sponsorship service.

Or you can do all this manually and reach out to potential advertisers.

(I tried this and found it too time-intensive.)

Newsletter sponsorships are a nice side-earner, but they’re not enough to build a sustainable writing business.

I’d also create a service, a product, or consulting that I can sell rather than relying on a partner network or advertiser.

I’d pitch these early and often to connections and subscribers. Otherwise, writing online is simply a hobby and a business.

And we’re not in the business of treating writing like a hobby!

You can sell services like ghostwriting or copywriting to clients, whereby you get paid to create content for them.

I worked as a copywriter for years, and it’s lucrative.

In fact, I regularly help clients find work as a copywriter because they learn how to write words that sell.

And it pays more than freelancing.

I found it hard to scale this work without hiring others and starting an agency.

Enter digital products.

I’ve created dozens of digital products, including templates, tools, courses, and even books.

(Yes, books are products.)

Creating a digital course sounds like the ultimate passive income stream. Create once. Sell many times.

But I’ve found that customers today want access to the creator, not another 6 hours of video to watch on x2.

I’ve often paid over the odds for a 60-minute mentorship 1:1 call instead of another premium online course.

I prefer offering consultancy or coaching services, whereby followers buy my time, and I solve a problem for them.

Plus, I prefer talking directly to customers and clients.

Consultancy and coaching work well once your list gains momentum. You can offer group calls and also charge more for direct access.

Whatever your approach, don’t forget job number one.

Grow your email list. Engage with your subscribers. Make regular offers.

Follow that checklist, and you’ll get paid to write.

It’s one I still follow today.

I’d like to invite you to a Pro Writers Only workshop next week on this topic. How to Start a 6-Figure Newsletter Business. Buy a ticket.

Write on,
Bryan Collins