Okay, it’s a cheesy title and not really the main point of this post. But I do wonder how many other writers out there would like to make some cash from their writing.
There’s a growing need for people who can write, to create articles for people who can’t. There’s some money in it, although I don’t think anyone here will grow rich quickly, or otherwise. But there is a living to be had by writing for people who won’t – or can’t.
Does anyone already do this? It seems like an ideal situation not least because of the payment, which is relatively minor, but also because your work does actually go out there. I’ve started writing articles, for myself, and they’re getting me some results in the search engines now.
What’s most interesting for me is that any skills I have as a writer are put to good use in making the articles worth reading. In my case they’ve been related very much to the health arena. If I can put some information across in a simple way then that’s a good thing of itself. Should it matter if underlying that some advertiser somewhere would like to make a sale too?
Particularly in internet marketing circles there seems to be a desperate need for fresh talent. A lot of those now filling that need are more marketing types than writing types and I would think that quality writing, of the kind I find in the blogs I visit, would do very well.
In the UK Salman Rushdie started out as an advertising copywriter. Went on to sell a few books and make some money. Of course he also went on to cause a massive ruckus, but cutting his teeth on making his words pay – someone else – was how he got to be a famous and published author.
Guess I’ve talked myself into doing some more article writing. Anyone want to set up a collective?
Hi, Amin. Yes, doing writing such as this can offer valuable practice, and, as someone once pointed out, writers need to eat, too. But I hope you’ll find time to write your novel, someday.
HI Amin,
I have no idea if the comment I posted earlier will be coming out at all. It doesn’t seem to show though I’ve pressed a few times.
What I said was to wish you the very best with this article-writing venture! And that I was sure there would be willing writers for the taking.
Your post also drove home the point as to the different platfroms writers continued to write & strive for.
I had worked as a copywriter – which may be similiar to the marketing campaign you mentioned. I worked for an international ad agency, then used this portfolio to work as a fashion magazine journalist and then used that portfolio to work as a travel writer. All were demanding full-time jobs.
Now I just want to write novels – stories and plays. And it simply isn’t about the money anymore. I think writing fulfills a different for me at this moment.
But as I said, the very best of luck with it all.
Susan, it’s interesting that you used your previous work in different genres to move from one to the other.
I think that’s what the article writing represents for me: a chance to create something, get it syndicated, learn and improve. Or rinse and repeat as my marketing friends are keen on saying.
I’m also with you 100% about the money. What I’m doing isn’t about the money; it’s about what I enjoy doing. I don’t think I could force myself to do it otherwise.
A while ago I had a very well paid job that I didn’t enjoy. Someone said to me that if they earned what I earned they’d be working all day long. I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t!
But, as soon as you enjoy what you’re doing it’s hard to stop yourself doing it. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to force myself to go to sleep at 2 am.
WA, writers do need to eat, yes! And I hope what I’m doing will help me write at least one of the novels sitting inside me, gestating even as we speak. I think truthfully though, I’d be scared ever to complete a novel in case it was an utter failure. I don’t think I could take that kind of disappointment.
Yes, you’re absolutely right, Amin.
Money and art.
It’ such a painful paradox, isn’t it.