How can you make money from writing? There are compromises that are necessary. Very few people succeed in writing what they want to write and selling it. Even established authors have to give their loyal readers more of what they are used to.
So, choose EITHER 1 OR 2, you cannot have it both ways
1. Be totally free to write whatever you choose
2. Have a good chance of making some money by writing what people want
OPTION 1 - Write whatever you choose
Many aspiring writers dream of publishers' cheques coming through their letter box
these writers can find a lot of help online from forums, help groups and specialist writing websites where writers are helped to develop their talents and find niches.
Writers do not have to spend quite as much sending proof copies through the post to hundreds of publishers. Lists of publishers abound on specialist sites, both Internet based and traditional.
Websites exist where you can post your story online and get paid every time someone reads or downloads it. There are programs that will help you produce ebooks from your poems or stories. Ebooks can be sold ClickBank very easily. You can receive credit card payments without any of the expense associated with having a Merchant Account.
You can find e-books on Clickbank that guide you through the brainstorming and writing process, step by step. The software helps you to structure your characters and story line in a coherent and professional way.
You can find other sites where a mentor will help you, one on one, to develop your writing skills.
Look for publishers who have a print on demand service. This reduces their costs and means that they are more likely to accept books from new authors because they do not have to invest large amounts of capital printing off thousands of books that they may be left with in their warehouse.
Private publishing is a last resort and the cost has come down, but if you write well, and in a way that appeals to a good number of readers you should be able to find a publisher willing to take a risk on you.
OPTION 2 - Making money from what you write
This option is less emotionally satisfying, but there are thousands of websites and ezines on the Net, which have a constant need for new, high quality and well written content to their own specifications.
If you live outside India and China you cannot compete on price. Know your worth and ask a substantial price for your work. Your English is better than that of most writers in the developing countries. Your knowledge of American and European idiom and culture is higher.
Print magazines are still looking for articles to fill their pages too. Read a few and write articles in a similar style to those already printed. You should be looking for payment in the $50-$500 range, depending on the readership of the magazine and the length of the article you write.
If you are planning a very long article it is better to contact the magazine before you start with an outline of your proposed article.
