Let me be honest: I used to write for free. A lot. Like, embarrassingly a lot. Articles, blog posts, guest spots—you name it. I thought, “Exposure will pay my bills someday.” Spoiler alert: it didn’t.
But somewhere along the way, I cracked the code. I went from begging for scraps to making real money with my writing. And I’m here to spill the secrets.
If you’re tired of writing for free (or pennies) and want to get paid what you deserve, this is for you.
1. I Built a Portfolio — Even When I Didn’t Get Paid
Yeah, I know, writing for free sounds like the worst advice. But hear me out. I used every chance I got to write—even if it meant zero dollars at first. Why? Because I needed proof that I could actually deliver.
Those random blog posts and guest articles became my calling card. When I started pitching, people could see, “Oh, they can write. They’re not just talking the talk.”
Takeaway: It’s okay to start small, but make sure you have something real to show.
2. I Found My Sweet Spot (AKA My Niche)
At first, I wrote everything and anything: recipes, tech, lifestyle, cat memes (okay, maybe not cat memes). But it felt like shouting into the void.
Then I found my jam—content marketing and personal growth—and suddenly, clients were like, “Hey, you get us.”
When you narrow your focus, you become the “go-to” person, and trust me, people will pay for that.
3. I Made Myself Easy to Find
Imagine you’re a client. You want to hire a writer. Do you Google them and find crickets? Or do you see a neat website, some killer blog posts, and a LinkedIn profile that screams “professional”?
I made a simple website, shared my work on social media, and showed up consistently. It worked.
Pro tip: Your online presence isn’t bragging—it’s proof you mean business.
4. I Pitched Like My Life Depended On It
I sent what felt like a million emails. Most got ignored. Some got rejections. A few got “Yes!”
It sucked. But here’s the truth: nobody owes you a job. You gotta hustle. Be clear, be confident, and personalize every pitch.
My mantra: “If I don’t ask, the answer is always no.”
5. I Said “Yes” to Low-Paying Gigs — But Only When It Made Sense
Look, don’t fall into the trap of working for free forever. But early on, I accepted a few low-pay gigs—carefully chosen ones that had growth potential.
One small project turned into a steady paycheck. Another brought referrals. It’s not about selling yourself short, it’s about playing the long game.
6. I Learned to Ask for More
At first, I was scared to talk money. I thought if I asked for too much, I’d lose the client. But then I learned that if you believe in your value—and explain it—people will pay you what you’re worth.
Doubling my rates felt scary. But when clients said yes? Pure magic.
7. I Treated Clients Like Gold
I stopped thinking of clients as “one-and-done.” I showed up, communicated clearly, and delivered more than expected.
Guess what? They loved it. They kept coming back. They referred me to their friends. This turned my side hustle into a sustainable business.
The Real Truth?
There’s no overnight success. There’s no magic formula. Just smart moves, hard work, and a little bit of guts.
If you’re writing for free right now, that’s okay. But don’t get stuck there. Use these steps to level up and start making real money with your words.
Subscribe by Email
Follow Updates Articles from This Blog via Email
No Comments