Web writing exposed: why write for others, when you can write for yourself?

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Thursday, June 21st, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed

I get a lot of email from new Web writers - many of whom don’t consider themselves “writers” as such, they feel they’ve just lucked into an easy way to make money on the Web.

Let me share with you, what I share with them:

While it’s easy making money Web writing for others, the REAL money in Web writing is in writing for your own Web sites - your own Web properties. Any writing you do for your own sites now, will have huge payoffs down the road.

On the subscription page for Fab Freelance Writing Ezine, I say:

Fact 1: The money you make as a freelance writer is up to you. No one else sets your rates. You do.

Fact 2: If you want to make a fabulous income as a freelance writer, you need to set a high income as a goal. In addition, you need to focus on those markets which are capable of generating this kind of income.

Regarding Fact 1, there IS a lot of money in Web writing, but many writers condemn themselves to ghetto writing. This is simply because they’re not used marketing themselves and their services. If you’re a reasonable writer, at the moment you can name your own price online. I turn away much more work than I accept, because I’m just too busy, and so do most professional Web writers. Remember, YOU set your rates.

And regarding Fact 2, your income is up to you. Explore higher-paying markets. On the Web, this is sites which can afford to pay you reasonable rates, and it’s also creating your own sites which you can monetize and which will earn you a passive income for years to come; that is, if you don’t sell them first.
Of course you will write for others, but keep in mind that it’s YOUR WORDS which are making money for others. They can just as easily make money for you.