Writing is a lucrative online skill. Businesses and Companies are always in need of good writers to put their business online. Also bloggers are in need of good SEO writers to improve their ranking. However excelling as a remote writer requires training, patience and dedication. Also, there are some nitty-gritty you need to know to thrive in it.
If you’re a writer or aspiring to become one, there are loads of opportunities for you to choose from based on your interests and skills. Building a career as a writer will give you the platform and opportunity to create and craft a movie script, and write blog posts, and articles for newspapers, novels, etc.
However, before you can do all these it is good you understand the steps to take to pursue a career in writing. This will help you to know if it is the right career for you.
In this blog post, we will explain the step-by-step process of how to kickstart your journey as a remote professional writer, outline the niches you can choose to major in, and ways to earn income as a remote writer.
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How to Kickstart your writing journey
1. Acquire a degree
However, you can become a writer without a acquiring an academic degree. However, earning a degree will open more opportunities for you both in freelance websites and your vicinity.
We recommend getting a degree in English, communications, or journalism. However, if you already have a degree in other fields, you can still become a writer. All you need to do is to undergo a few certification training like content marketing and SEO writing and also master your writing language well.
A formal education will help you become a critical thinker and acquire writing skills that can be difficult to attain on your own.
2. Choose a niche in writing
To succeed as a writer, you don’t need to be a jack of all trades. You need to choose a niche to succeed in this career. You can choose from technical writing, blog post writing, script writing, business plan or proposal writing, health article writer, novelist, poet, etc.
However, when choosing a niche, it is good you go to your area of interest or the area you can easily master.
3. Find opportunities to write
As a starter in writing, opportunities will not come to your door knocking while sleeping. You need to go out there and hunt for it. Try writing on different niches, genres, and topics as possible. Doing this will help you to figure out what you’re best at.
Also, as a starter grab any opportunity that presents itself. It may not necessarily be your niche or area of interest but it will help in building your career.
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4. Build a writing portfolio
Strive to have at least two publications to your credit. Create a portfolio that effectively highlights your skills and expertise for potential clients or employers. This should be done strategically depending on the role or job opportunity you’re pitching.
5. Join a writer’s group
Networking is a great tool for success in any career. Joining a writers’ group is a good way to get early feedback on your work and to learn from what others are writing. Also, you will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the group.
How to make money as a writer
Writing is one skill that follows you to any part of the world you go to. The opportunities in this career are endless.
1. Writing Articles for Blogs, Magazines, and Journals
You can pitch top bloggers and publishers on social media and freelancing websites like Upwork and We Work remotely.
2. Become a Best-Selling Kindle Author
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (Amazon KDP) is rewarding its authors. So you can write and publish it and earn a royalty each time someone purchases your book.
To excel in this, you need to be business-minded. In addition, you need to target a large market with many readers. That doesn’t mean you have abandoned your passion, but you need to earn a living.
3. Become a Copywriter
Copywriting is a form of writing that makes readers to take action, mostly to drive sales. Companies and business owners highly demand skilled Copywriters to boost sales.
To excel in copywriting, get a book on it or get trained by an expert.
4. Build a blog and monetize it
This is capital intensive because not all writers can afford it but it’s a great way to make money as a blogger. You can start by learning how to design a website from digitalexpertness.com. Build your blog, write about your passion, and post there. Monetize it and start making a living from it. You can start by learning how to design your website from digital expertness
5. Social media content
As a writer, you make money by creating content and posting on your social media. To succeed in this, you need to choose a niche, and let people know you for something. It could be music, politics, fashion, religion name it.
Create your content around it. As your engagement increases, social media like Facebook will monetize your account and you will start earning from your writing.
In addition, as a writer, you can become a social media manager and get paid for creating content and posting on social media.
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6. Become a ghostwriter
A ghostwriter is someone who writes and gives full credit to people. You can make a lot of money doing this.
In ghostwriting, the client gives you a topic, keywords, and an outline. You tell their story. In the end, you receive payment. You walk away with the cash, and they walk away with full ownership of the story or whatever else you wrote.
7. Go to writing competitions
Hey! This may sound awkward to you but it’s also a way to make money as a writer. In writing competitions, someone must win the cash so why not you? It will increase your chances of getting hired when a potential client sees that in your resume.
Before you go for such it is good you need to be creative, an excellent proofreader, and check their terms and conditions. With these you’re good to go.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, starting a writing career requires dedication, practice, and perseverance. Developing strong writing skills requires regular reading and writing.
Building a portfolio of work and networking with other writers can open doors to opportunities. Remember to stay committed, believe in your abilities, and never stop learning. With passion and hard work, a successful writing career is possible.