How to make it as a writer

It’s said that we all have a book inside of us. If you’ve ever fancied seeing whether you could make it as a writer, it’s worth noting that it’s now easier than ever to find out.

Business Optimizer considers: how could you make a living as a writer in 2022? Here are some of our team’s tips for success as an author or copywriter.

#1. Exercise your writing muscle

You won’t make it as a writer unless you write. And like any other skill, the more you write, the better you will become at it.

Write. Write daily. Find time in your schedule and write every day.

If you aren’t sure what to write, begin by writing a daily journal. Creative writing books always advise that you write about what you know – so a journal is a great place to start. Plus, there are recognised wellbeing and mental health advantages to writing a journal.

Don’t forget to exercise that associated muscle too: your reading muscle. There’s a reason so many great writers are also voracious readers.

#2. Start small

You don’t have to start on a Tolstoy-esque epic on day one.

Sign up to the newsletters of writing groups, editors and publishing houses and you’ll receive regular writing ideas and exercises. It might be a visual prompt for a flash fiction competition or a suggestion for how you might source inspiration yourself.

Read and engage with these resources. They’re usually free and, as well as being good sources of creative inspiration, it’s also great to hear about other people who share your writing ambition and how they are making their goal of becoming a professional writer come true.

If you’re not sure where to start, being with the Writers and Artists Yearbook. The UK’s Mslexia is another great source of support and inspiration for women writers.

#3. Edit hard

While staring at a blank page seems hard at first, editing the filled page can be even harder. However, editing is a vital part of the writer’s craft.

Practice editing you own work. If you feel too close to it, put your writing aside for a week or two and then come back to it with fresh eyes. You might be surprised at the number of changes you want to make!

#4. Enter competitions

Competitions are great for many reasons. First, they are a brilliant reminder that thousands of people are working to make their ambitions to make a living as a writer come true – and if they can do it, so can you!

Competitions are also brilliant if you aren’t very good at completing your work. Having a deadline can help you focus on getting your masterpiece finished.

Some competitions also offer feedback on submitted works. This can be really useful, especially when you are just setting out.

Finally, there’s always the chance you may win! And that would be a brilliant encouragement for you as you continue on your journey.

#5. Join a local writers’ group

Joining a local writers’ group is a fantastic thing to do – and for the many of the same reasons that you should enter your writing into competitions, not least the encouragement, support and feedback.

As well as meeting like-minded people (and the not-so-likeminded), you – and your writing – will benefit hugely from their feedback.

It can be scary reading or sharing your work for the first time, but the benefits you will gain when your fellow writers give you feedback cannot be underestimated. You will have incredible support in shaping your story, honing your craft and finding your style.

#6. Turn your hobby into your side hustle

When you feel ready, you can start to put yourself out there and promote your services as a writer.

The connectivity of the Internet makes this possible in myriad ways. Job sites like Fiverr, Upwork and People Per Hour enable you to find people who need writing work completed. In this way, you can build up your side hustle from the comfort of your own home!

Remember that building a profile on these sites can be hard work at first, so don’t get disheartened – stick at it.

You may need to be prepared to work at very low rates when you start out. However, once you get a few good reviews under your belt, you can be a bit choosier about the jobs you take on. An established writer on these platforms can expect to make between $50 and $400 per article.

Want more inspiration?

• Discover our pick of the handwritten letters that changed the world.
• Learn from our writing lab: eight travel writing tips for aspiring travel writers.
• Be inspired by the magical success of JK Rowling.
• Or read more about the life and works of author Beatrix Potter.