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My Playbook for Starting a Writing Business in 2024
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Hi Reader, I started my writing business back in 2014. In 2014… My writing blog was a fun side project. I also worked as an in-house copywriter for a SaaS company. I didn’t realize I’d started a writing business until 2016. I somehow stumbled into the world of display advertising and affiliate marketing. It didn’t happen at once, but… Even then… I didn’t march into my boss’s office and declare, “I quit!” until 2020. My writing business has gone up and down since I said: “I quit.” These days, I write newsletters, YouTube scripts, and blog posts and copy for three hours every morning. I spend the afternoons helping members of my Pro Writers Only community and working with clients. But running a business isn’t always easy. And earning a living writing in 2024? Somedays, it feels like I’m fighting in a war for attention. If I were starting a writing business today, I’d do these three things: 1 Start a Daily Newsletter In 2024, an email list IS the cornerstone of a profitable writing business. The best way to grow an email list? Practice in public by writing daily emails. Writing in public, even if you think no one is reading your work. Pressing publish clarifies your thinking, no matter how small your list or audience is. It forces you to cement a writing habit. 2 Write on Owned and Earned Platforms You own a platform, such as your email list, newsletter, or website. They’re a nice little insurance policy against the algo and our future AI overloads. Growing on an owned platform is harder now than in 2014, even if you’ve got rock-solid SEO chops. Like it or not, a good chunk of your audience is too busy swiping madly on Instagram or TikTok instead of reading immaculately crafted content on some random person’s website. So, I’d also write and publish content on one or two earned platforms. Platforms where I must earn people’s attention… and their best email addresses by writing, creating content, and by asking them explicitly to join my list. 3 Connect With 5-10 Potential Clients Per Day on LinkedIn LinkedIn is hot right now for creators who can write valuable content. You’re also far more likely to connect with and find paying clients. It’s the perfect network for building a profitable writing business. I’d send connection requests to 5-10 people per day. I’d ask new LinkedIn connections to join my email list. And I’d pitch relevant clients in the DMs. Watch my video for the full scoop. So, should you quit your job to start a writing business like I did? The merits of quitting a day job to write depend on you, you know, life circumstances. Quitting was a terrible choice when I was in my 20s, with a baby, a mortgage, and no plans. Quitting was a better choice in my 30s with a growing writing business and savings. It could be a great choice for you if you have a financial cushion, several income streams, and loyal readers. I was going to run this workshop earlier in July, but a holiday to Greece got in the way! It’s for Pro Writers Only. The topic? How to Earn Your First $3–5k Writing Online. The workshop goes live Thursday, August 1st at 1500 GMT+1/10 AM EST. Write on, Bryan Collins |
Grow your business by changing how you create content
Join 25,000 readers for daily insights about personal brand building, writing online and growing a profitable business. For creators, coaches and business owners.
Hi Reader, My business was bloated. So, this year, I canceled half a dozen SaaS subscriptions. How I loathe bloated software! I also let my team of writers and editors go. Now, I keep things simple. I run my business using a few affordable tools and a virtual assistant’s help. I write emails in plain text files on my computer, so I’m not locked into any one writing app. I use ConvertKit to manage my daily newsletter because it hooks me up with sponsors. I use WordPress to manage my website...
Hi Reader, I run a daily newsletter. I earn four figures a month from it. If I can do it, so can you. Why should you rely on an algo. When you can write and sell directly over email. That's what I do. And my story isn't unique. Crafting a daily email is a good form of writing practice. I can touch on multiple topics, like marketing, creating offers, and writing online. Sending a daily email unlocks more opportunities for connecting with readers. I hear from subscribers every week who want to...
Hi Reader, Screenwriter and director Brian Koppelman wrote his first screenplay, Rounders, while working a day job. He worked on his manuscript for two hours each morning before work. Years later, he told aspiring screenwriters: "Don’t quit your job because the pressure will be so great that the anxiety will be thwarting. Instead, build your routine.” I built a routine like Koppelman’s when I’d a corporate gig as a six-figure copywriting job. I worked on my business for an hour or two before...