“Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, getting dates, getting laid, or making friends. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. Getting happy, okay? Getting happy.” — Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
The true freelance writer creates in response to a yearning that comes from deep inside their heart and soul. If your writing becomes only a method to turn a profit, it might be time to expand your horizons. Every writer needs an outlet where they can express their true creativity. It’s important to contribute something significant and meaningful.
Consider these Possibilities
If you were to ask yourself why you write, it is doubtful you would say that you do it in the hopes of becoming wealthy. We all have finances to consider, but you can find a balance between producing quality work to make a living and freelance writing to make a difference. The common misconception is that you can only do one or the other. However, the reality is that you can do both. When you weigh your options as to where you can best use your God-given talent, consider these possibilities:
Write for a Non-Profit Organization
Freelance writing for a nonprofit organization is a rewarding experience. You get to share your passion and skills with a cause that touches your heart and nourishes your spirit. You also get to connect with like-minded people who share your vision and values. Volunteer your services to a charitable institution, church or school. You can use your writing skills to help with blog posts, newsletters, social media posts or websites. You can also make yourself available to do office tasks, computer work, or teach classes in your free time. When you put the needs of others before your own, good things will come to you.
Write Blog Articles for Pay
Even though writing for a blog pays little to nothing, this venue allows you to lend your voice to a cause and speak out about something significant. There are many popular blogs looking for writers, and some of them will pay you according to how much traffic you bring in. The great big plus is that often you get to choose the subject of your article. Although writing about insurance, plumbing, the stock market, or interviewing celebrities can turn a profit, blogging about issues that speak to your soul yield more significant rewards.
Create Your Own Blog
You can create a blog about absolutely anything that inspires your imagination. From writing, to reading to everyday life there are blogs for virtually everything. You can share a personal blog with close family and friends or create a public weblog for all to enjoy. The world is your sounding board, so do your best to make your voice heard. How often do you get to tell your story about how you became a vegetarian, lost a pet, found religion or fell in love for the first time?
Advertise your articles on Facebook and Twitter to find an audience. Interesting and meaningful commentary will spread fast when people repost what you have written. There is always a chance that your article may be seen by the right person, and lead to a paying job. One other way of making a profit from your blog is by allowing advertisements to be placed on your page. You get paid by clicks, so it couldn’t be easier.
Guest Blog on Someone Else’s Blog
Write an article as a guest on someone else’s blog. This will give you a wider audience, get your blog out there and boost your online presence. By writing for a blog that has a different or larger following than yours, you can expose your content to more people who might be interested in what you have to say. This can help you grow your own blog’s traffic and subscribers. Invite other bloggers that have important and profound things to say to guest write on your blog. As you are drawing a larger audience, your message is reaching more people that might benefit from your literary thoughts and expertise.
In Conclusion
As you can see, there are many ways to use your writing skills for different purposes and audiences. Whether you write for your own blog, write as a guest on someone else’s blog, write for a nonprofit organization, or guest blog on someone else’s blog, writing isn’t always about money. Sometimes it’s about giving back and helping others with your writing. The paid jobs will be there when you need them. Thank you for reading this blog post and I hope you learned something new today. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them below. Happy writing!
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