How to Earn $1,000 a Month as a Writer: 5 Steps to Get Started

With tides moving from traditional methods of earning to the creator economy, being identified as a writer in this digital age is one of the most lucrative professions you can ever pursue.

Writing was once seen as a lazy man’s job. No parent wanted to hear their child say they wanted to be a writer, especially when there were more sophisticated career options like medicine or law.

Today, it’s a completely different ball game. Why? Because writing has evolved into a more viable profession than many traditional careers.

We now have people who identify as digital writers. These are individuals who write for a living, and you can find them on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter (X), Quora, Substack, Medium, and more.

These writers have shattered the misconception that writers are ‘poor.’ Of course, traditionally, writers who earned big were usually published authors with large fan bases, like J.K. Rowling, author of Harry Potter, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, author of Half of a Yellow Sun.

But things are different now. Many of these storytellers have gone digital, tapping into the opportunities that the internet offers.

A digital writer is someone who writes online for a living. They choose platforms like Twitter (X), LinkedIn, and others to document their thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

Most digital writers are ghostwriters, creating content on behalf of others who don’t have the time or skills to do it themselves. These ghostwriters have successfully built thriving writing businesses that fetch them not less than $10,000 a month on average.

Some prominent digital writers include:

• Dakota Robertson
• Nicholas Cole
• Dickie Bush
• Dan Koe
• Sahil Bloom etc

In today’s article, I’m going to share with you 5 steps to start your journey as a digital writer and earn at least $1,000 a month.

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1. Choose Your Writing Niche

If you want to succeed as a writer, you need to stand out — and the best way to do that is by selecting a niche. Trying to write about everything under the sun will make it harder to build credibility and authority in any one area. However, by focusing on a specific niche, you can become known as an expert in that field.

When selecting your niche, ask yourself:

• What topics am I passionate about?
• What subjects do I have experience in or knowledge of?
• What industries pay well for writers?

Some popular niches for digital writers include:

Finance: Helping individuals and businesses navigate money matters.

Technology: Writing about the latest in software, gadgets, or AI.

Health and Wellness: Educating audiences on fitness, mental health, and well-being.

Marketing and Sales: Crafting content that helps businesses attract customers.

Why it matters:

Choosing a niche helps you target a specific audience, making it easier to market your services and command higher rates. Instead of being a generalist, you become the go-to writer for businesses and individuals in your chosen field.

2. Leverage Social Media Platforms

Once you’ve selected your niche, the next step is to put yourself out there — and social media is your ticket. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter (X), and Substack are great places to establish your presence and showcase your writing skills.

Here’s how to make the most of each platform:

LinkedIn: This platform is ideal for B2B (business-to-business) content. Share thought-provoking posts and articles that demonstrate your expertise. Engage with other professionals in your niche, comment on relevant industry topics, and share case studies or personal success stories.

Twitter (X): Twitter is fantastic for sharing bite-sized insights. Use it to post quick tips, lessons, and reflections from your writing experience. It’s also an excellent platform for connecting with influencers in your niche.

Substack: If you enjoy long-form writing and want to build a loyal following, Substack allows you to publish newsletters and monetize your content directly.

Medium: Similar to Substack, Medium gives you a platform to publish in-depth articles and attract an audience. The Medium Partner Program can also help you earn money based on the engagement your articles get.

Why it matters:

Social media platforms serve as your portfolio and marketing tool. By consistently showing up with valuable content, you’ll attract potential clients and build authority in your niche.

3. Create and Share Your Writing Samples

If you’re starting from scratch, potential clients will want to see what you can do before hiring you. This is where having a few solid writing samples comes in. You don’t need a full-blown portfolio website (although that can be helpful later on); you just need to demonstrate your skills with relevant samples, and tools like canva can help you handle this.

Here’s how to create your writing samples:

• Write Blog Posts: Pick a few topics in your niche and write in-depth blog posts showcasing your knowledge and skills.
• Create Case Studies: If you’ve helped any businesses or clients with their content in the past, even if it’s unpaid, turn that into a case study. Show potential clients the impact your writing had.
• Offer Free Work (Selectively): If you don’t have any samples, offer to write one or two articles for a client or business you admire — for free. Use this as a way to build a relationship and get a killer sample in return.

Why it matters:

Having samples ready allows you to confidently pitch yourself to potential clients. It removes the guesswork and shows that you can walk the talk.

4. Pitch Your Services (and Get Comfortable Doing It)

Let’s face it — no one’s going to come knocking at your door asking if you’re available to write. You’ve got to put yourself out there, and that means learning how to pitch your services effectively.

Here are some tips for pitching:

Identify Ideal Clients: Research businesses or individuals in your niche who are likely to need writing services. These could be entrepreneurs, bloggers, startups, or marketing agencies.

Personalize Your Pitch: Don’t send a generic email. Show that you’ve researched the client and explain how your writing can help solve their problems.

Highlight Your Value: Instead of just talking about your experience, focus on the results you can provide. For example, explain how your writing can help them generate leads, increase sales, or build brand awareness.

Follow Up: If you don’t hear back from a potential client, don’t be afraid to follow up after a week or two. Persistence can pay off.

Why it matters:

Pitching is a numbers game. The more personalized and thoughtful pitches you send, the higher your chances of landing clients.

5. Start Small, Then Scale

In the beginning, your goal is to get your first few clients and hit that $1,000 mark. Once you’ve built up some momentum, it’s time to scale your writing business. This can mean:

• Increasing Your Rates: Once you’ve gained some experience and have happy clients under your belt, don’t be afraid to raise your rates.
• Offering Additional Services: Many writers offer complementary services like editing, SEO optimization, or content strategy. These additional services can increase your income without having to take on more clients.
• Building Long-Term Relationships: Aim to work with clients on an ongoing basis. Long-term contracts provide steady income and reduce the need to constantly look for new clients.

Why it matters:

Starting small allows you to build confidence and credibility. As you grow, you can scale your business and earn significantly more than $1,000 a month.

Breaking into the world of digital writing and earning $1,000 a month isn’t just a dream — it’s achievable with the right strategy.

Whether you want to become a ghostwriter, create content for businesses, or build your own personal brand on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter, the opportunities are out there. It’s just a matter of taking the first step. This strategy will be useful to you.

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