Whether you like creating content online for social media, writing articles, journals, books or blogs, a lot of people aspire to become a writer.
Writing content for online is a sought after employable marketing skill, not to mention creative outlet for many people. Particularly those who may struggle with verbal expression or articulating their thoughts in person.
Writing in all its forms is extremely beneficial to wellbeing as well as being a vital skill in work.
“It helps you to articulate all the swirling thoughts in your head and put them into a linear order
explained a psychologist who regularly speaks to clients and then asks that those who are able to, to also try and articulate themselves through writing to show how your thought patterns change daily.
But how do you make money as a writer? And where to start?
“The key is writing content for a range of platforms,” said Sophie Mei Lan, co-founder of the Digitally Active project which aims to support aspiring neurodivergent digital entrepreneurs and enthusiasts.
Sophie who works as a journalist, content creator and communications trainer, primarily using video, words and audio to tell stories, said that due to her Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, she never thought she could work as a writer but now that’s her main job.
“I started blogging which got me into working as a journalist. I went from telling my own personal stories to setting up an online magazine to share other people’s stories.
“I managed to get funding to then train as a journalist but through the blogging, I had already started to freelance prior to doing a post-graduate diploma,” said Sophie who has also published a book through The Writing Hall publishers.
“I realised that due to my neurodivergent brain, I could see stories in a variety of ways and I added my own colour to them. I did this by writing blogs, making vlogs and then capturing that content for online initially.”
Here are some of the ways you can write for online:
- Create your own blog
- Write for other blogs (ideas below)
- Start writing short posts for a variety of social media platforms
- Writing adverts, blogs for businesses and copy writing for online articles and websites
- Publishing ebooks and journals
- Writing grant bids
But rather than create different totally new content for different platforms you can create multipurpose content to ‘repurpose.’
Use one macro piece of content e.g. a blog post or article and chop into segments or key quotes to create
Owner of The Writing Hall, Diane Hall, who delivered a training session on blogging and book writing for Digitally Active said:
You can turn a book into a blog and vice versa. The key is to start writing and getting into the habit of it and a routine.
Here are her top tips for making money as an author or blogger:
First of all ask yourself these questions –
- Are you wanting to focus on fiction or non-fiction?
- Who are you speaking to? Think about your audience first.
- Are you doing it for pleasure or work?
If it’s for work, audience is essential when it comes to creating a blog or book.
“Research what’s already out there,” said Author Rachel Dove.
