The Single Most Important Factor in Making Money as a Writer

There are a number of elements which determine whether your writing is going to sell on a continuous basis. Obviously you aren't going to sell much without basic writing skills. There's nothing worse than picking up a small local newspaper filled with typos, grammatical errors, and a structure that leaves the one guessing what the article is trying to say. It may be permissible in a personal blog, but unless you are writing poetry or an experimental piece, a higher standard is expected.


Being relevant to the market audience is another must.  The information or story should hold some value to the reader. And having a writing style which communicates that message in an entertaining way will increase its popularity and bring readers back.


But even the best writing portfolio will not make any money sitting unread in a computer file. This is why marketing is essential for success. If you are lucky enough to have a publisher with a big marketing budget it will be less of a priority. But even in the world of traditional publishing houses, the writer is usually expected to contribute in some way to promotion.

Self-publishers and online writers will have to take a much more proactive and hands-on involvement in marketing if they expect to make any money at all. Fortunately, the internet offers the opportunity to reach the entire world with little or even no investment.


But even if all the above is achieved, there is one other element which no writer can survive without: Passion. There has to be a passion for writing to be successful in this business. Making money in this industry is tough. A freelance writer isn't going to get very far if that is their only motivation.

Long hours and low earnings can make flipping burgers seem like a lucrative alternative. The constant rejections and  lonely hours spent working at home will make those who just want a get rich quick opportunity wish they hadn't quit their corporate job.


Passion will provide the motivation to get through the inevitable periods of self-doubt, writer's block, and lack of income. A strong enough desire to live the life of a successful writer, no matter what, will compensate for weaknesses in other area. It will give the aspiring writer the perseveranceneeded to overcome any obstacles.



To earn a full-time income, a love of writing must be at the top of  priorities. Rather than looking at it as just another business opportunity, hobby, or dream, writing must be integrated into every aspect of life. Look at the entire universe through the lens of a writer. Every feeling, person, and thing, no matter how mundane, should be perceived as something that could be described in the written word. The writer's hat is never removed, even while sleeping.


A rewarding career as a full-time requires the boundless enthusiasm of passion. Anyone who has this can succeed.