You love writing, and you want to monetize that? Blogging is still a great way to make money writing from home, but it’s not the only one. From copywriting to personal essays, we’ve collected a few great ideas on how to turn your writing skills into profit.
It’s 2023, and you’re still hoping to make it as a writer? Don’t give up just yet. AI is set to take your job, and competition is growing, but there are still ways to make money online.
Here’s what you can do to turn your writing skills into profit without leaving your home.
How to make money writing from home – Top 15 ideas
Writing is a wonderful skill to hone, especially considering just how many opportunities you have to monetize it! It’s not just booked authors and screenwriters who can get paid for their unique way with words.
From starting your own blog to getting into content marketing, winning writing competitions, and offering editing services, there are plenty of ways to earn top dollar right from the comfort of your home.
So check out the 15 best ways to make money writing from home and see which one suits you best.
- 1. Create content for your own blog
- 2. Write blogs and articles for others
- 3. Craft content for local businesses
- 4. Test and review branded products
- 5. Write tangible product descriptions
- 6. Write how-to’s, guides, and manuals
- 7. Write resumes for busy job seekers
- 8. Craft social media posts and captions
- 9. Help podcasters with show notes
- 10. Sell your scripts to video creators
- 11. Be a ghostwriter for eBook authors
- 12. Enter (and win) writing competitions
- 13. Get creative with personal essays
- 14. Provide written translation services
- 15. Read, proofread, and edit content
1. Create content for your own blog
Starting a profitable blog is the sweetest way to earn money writing from home, but we aren’t going to lie to you – it’s a challenge. There are currently more than 32 million bloggers in the US, all competing for attention and, ultimately, paycheck.
Successful bloggers make around $52,000 annually, but you need more than solid writing skills to get there. First, you must attract the right audience and build a loyal following. Only then can you start renting ad space, promoting brands, and selling your own stuff.
2. Write blogs and articles for others
Do you want to know the truth? You can’t get rich from guest blogging. However, if you have a knack for writing and no time to start your own blog, you can still try building your name in the industry by publishing as a guest. Make your content good, and you will likely get noticed.
The next stop is paid writing. Successful bloggers need help creating content, so they outsource to expert writers. Online magazines and journals employ skilled writers, too. The trick is to build a portfolio and be the first in line for the job – even if you’d be writing for free for a while.
3. Craft content for local businesses
Around 91% of businesses worldwide use written content to attract customers.
Who do you think is writing their website copies and tweets? That’s right – content writers just like you. Businesses big and small are always on the market for great copywriters and original content creators, so keep your eyes open.
As a freelance writer, you’d be crafting everything from blog posts to billboard slogans. Just set up shop on Fiverr or Upwork, and they’ll find you.
4. Test and review branded products
Over 99.9% of customers read reviews when they shop online, so it’s nothing unusual that reviews are becoming a standalone product. While everyone can have an opinion and put it into writing, it takes an articulate writer to create a review that sells.
If you choose to go this way, you could review things you already know, use, and like, like your favorite brands or art. Also, brands sometimes send their products to reviewers for free.
Here is an example of the review we’ve written: Bluehost Review 2023
5. Write tangible product descriptions
If you’re a concise writer with a good eye for detail, you can write product descriptions for money. They are a vital part of the online shopping experience, so businesses typically pay good money for them. Every online store needs on-point product descriptions.
With the only exceptions being high fashion and quirky food producers, all of these businesses require the same description format. You’ll be given specific information that you’ll need to present in a clear and inviting manner, but there’s not much room for creativity.
Here is an example of a product description written by Verde Alternatives:
6. Write how-to’s, guides, and manuals
While we’re on the topic of creative writing, here’s another writing gig that will take all the fun out of wordsmithing. How-to’s, guides, and manuals aren’t supposed to be exciting but strictly factual.
The good thing about them is that they are always in high demand – not to mention, they are easy to write – so it’s hardly unlikely that you’ll be left without a job.
Here is an example of our own how-to guide: How to Make a WordPress Website
7. Write resumes for busy job seekers
At least there’s a hint of personality in job resumes.
When you’re writing a resume for yourself, your language is expected to reveal who you are as a professional. While flawless grammar and technique should speak about the writer’s education and literacy, style and wording should match the employer’s brand and job description. That’s no task for an amateur, which is where your skills enter the scene.
Many job seekers pay a pretty buck to have a nicer LinkedIn page to show to their potential employers, so that’s another interesting opportunity to explore.
8. Craft social media posts and captions
Social media posts and captions might not be peak creativity, but they are art in their own right. First of all, don’t get fooled by how easy-flowing they seem. Most of these projects come with tricky instructions that are difficult to follow. In many cases, writers are paid to craft an information-rich message that must attract, instill trust, and convert into only a few words.
If you like a good word challenge, this job is perfect for you.
9. Help podcasters with show notes
Only recently, podcasting has grown into a medium with more than 460 million consumers worldwide. Could that be a threat to text-oriented content creators? Well, yes and no. Yes, because it’s time to adapt to changing audience expectations and play by new rules.
But at the same time, podcasting could be a breath of fresh air in the content-saturated digital sphere. There are ample job opportunities for writers in this new industry, starting with show notes or episode summaries with resources for further reading.
10. Sell your scripts to video creators
If you are familiar with apps (Attention, Promise, Preview) and similar attention-grabbing formulas, you could probably write a decent YouTube script right now. The only other thing you need is research skills. There’s virtually no topic that you can’t research online.
And need we stress that video is a preferred content format of billions of internet users? You should be able to find scriptwriting gigs on most job boards, but you can also pitch directly to your favorite vloggers and up-and-coming video creators. Most of them need you.
11. Be a ghostwriter for eBook authors
Publishing a book used to be complicated and expensive, but no longer. In 2023, you can self-publish your eBook using middleman services like Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing.
However, don’t get excited just yet – most eBook authors sell under 100 copies and earn less than $1,000 a year. In comparison, ghostwriting for established authors could be way more profitable.
If you don’t like writing from the shadows, pick a niche with relatively low competition. That way, self-publishing your own eBook might even be worth it.
12. Enter (and win) writing competitions
The next time you think you’re not a good enough writer, ask yourself this: why wouldn’t you win a writing competition? Most of these contests are only one-third skill – the rest is creativity and confidence. Pick a topic you’re passionate about and do your best.
Besides, many writing competitions offer cash prizes. You won’t get rich even if you win a few of them, but it’s still a good way to bring in extra cash and get your name out there. To top it off, being a contest winner will look amazing on your writer’s resume.
13. Get creative with personal essays
When was the last time you wrote a personal essay? If your answer is anything more recent than high school, you might have a shot at this creative job opportunity. Believe it or not, more than a few websites still nurture the forgotten craft of essay writing. What’s even more incredible is that some of them pay for the most creative contributions.
14. Provide written translation services
As a writer seeking employment, you’ll soon find out that bloggers, journalists, and other storytellers are lurking behind every corner. However, most of them can write only in English. You can start offering translation services if you’re fluent in another language.
International businesses need writers that can translate their copies into other languages and avoid the hilarious (and unprofessional) blunders of Google Translate. Localization implies knowing the subtleties of both languages, which comes naturally to most writers.
15. Read, proofread, and edit content
Although this is not exactly a writing gig, it’s in the closest relation to it. You can’t be an effective editor without understanding the intricacies of the written word first, whether as a writer or an avid reader. Be it as it may, most good writers perform exceptionally well as proofreaders and editors.
If this sounds like something you’d be open to, here’s a list of marketplaces.
Conclusion
Writing is scary until you finally start. If you’re new to the craft and the market, there’s little you could do wrong. Pin the job boards and put your ideas into words – sooner or later, your skills will improve along with your work prospects. Until then, stay committed.
