Writing is one of the most sought-after skills in the online world.
Whether you’re looking to make a full-time income or earn some side cash, there are numerous ways you can make money from writing online.
In this article, we’ll explore ten effective ways you can turn your writing skills into a profitable career. Let’s dive in!
1. Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is one of the most popular ways to make money from writing online. As businesses and websites require fresh, engaging content, they often outsource their writing needs to freelance writers. Freelance writing gives you the flexibility to choose your clients, topics, and rates.
How to Get Started:
Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer are great places to find freelance writing gigs. Additionally, building a portfolio by creating sample articles or maintaining a blog can help showcase your skills to potential clients. Once you establish a good reputation, clients will start coming to you.
Types of Freelance Writing:
Blog posts
Website content
Articles
Product descriptions
Case studies
Whitepapers
How Much Can You Earn?
Freelance writers can earn anywhere from ₦15,000 to ₦300,000 per project, depending on your niche and expertise. Payments are usually done through PayPal, Payoneer, or local bank transfers.
2. Blogging
Blogging is a fantastic way to make money from writing online, but it requires patience and persistence. When done right, a blog can generate passive income for years. Bloggers earn money primarily through ad revenue, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts.
How to Get Started:
Start by choosing a niche you are passionate about, such as travel, fashion, finance, or health. Once your blog is live, focus on writing high-quality content that provides value to your readers. Build your audience using social media, email marketing, and SEO.
Monetization Methods:
Google AdSense: Display ads on your blog and earn money from clicks.
Affiliate Marketing: Promote products or services and earn a commission from sales made through your referral links.
Sponsored Posts: Get paid by companies to write blog posts that feature their products.
How Much Can You Earn?
While beginner bloggers may earn about ₦20,000 per month. Successful bloggers can make over ₦500,000 per month depending on traffic and monetization strategies.
Beat 99% of online writers with these 6 tips
3. Content Writing for Websites
Businesses, especially those focused on digital marketing, need fresh content for their websites to engage users and boost SEO rankings. As a content writer, you can get paid to write blog posts, landing pages, and other web content.
How to Get Started:
Search for content writing opportunities on freelance platforms or apply directly to content writing jobs on job boards. Websites like Glassdoor and Indeed often list content writing positions.
Skills Needed:
To be a successful content writer, you’ll need strong SEO knowledge and the ability to write clear, concise content that ranks well on search engines.
How Much Can You Earn?
Depending on the platform, you can earn between ₦5,000 to ₦50,000 per article, depending on the length, quality, and publication.
4. Copywriting
Copywriting involves creating persuasive content for advertisements, emails, landing pages, and sales letters. The goal is to encourage the reader to take a specific action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a service. Businesses are always in need of skilled copywriters to help convert leads into customers.
How to Get Started:
To break into copywriting, you can take online courses to improve your skills and learn more about sales and marketing strategies. Start by creating a portfolio with sample sales pages or email copy to showcase your writing skills.
Types of Copywriting:
Sales letters
Email marketing
Product descriptions
Facebook ads
Landing pages
How Much Can You Earn?
Copywriters can earn anywhere from ₦10,000 to ₦200,000 per project depending on the scope and complexity of the task.
5. Ghostwriting
Ghostwriting allows you to write books, articles, or other content for clients who want to publish the work under their name. It’s a lucrative writing gig because many professionals, business leaders, and even celebrities need help writing content but don’t have the time or skills to do so.
How to Get Started:
Ghostwriting opportunities can be found through freelance platforms, writing agencies, and networking with other professionals in the industry. Make sure to have a strong portfolio to showcase your versatility and skill.
Types of Ghostwriting:
Autobiographies
Business books
Blog posts
eBooks
Articles
How Much Can You Earn?
Ghostwriting projects can pay between ₦100,000 to ₦1,000,000 for long-term projects like books, while smaller projects like blog posts can pay between ₦10,000 to ₦50,000.
6. Technical Writing
Technical writing involves creating instructional manuals, user guides, and other documents that explain complex information in a simplified manner. With the rise of technology and software products, there’s a growing demand for writers who can communicate technical information clearly.
How to Get Started:
You’ll need a strong understanding of technical topics such as software, engineering, or IT. You can find technical writing jobs on platforms like Upwork, or directly apply to companies in tech industries.
Skills Needed:
Strong knowledge of technical subjects
Ability to explain complex concepts clearly
Research skills
How Much Can You Earn?
Technical writers typically earn between ₦50,000 to ₦500,000 per project depending on the project and its scope.
7. Self-Publishing eBooks
With platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), it’s never been easier to self-publish your work. If you have expertise in a particular subject, you can write and publish eBooks that provide value to readers. Once published, eBooks can generate passive income for years.
How to Get Started:
Write a high-quality eBook on a topic you are passionate about or knowledgeable in. You can also write fiction if that’s your strength. Design an attractive cover, format your eBook, and upload it to Amazon KDP or other self-publishing platforms.
Tips for Success:
Choose a profitable niche (self-help, business, romance)
Use keywords to optimize your eBook for Amazon’s search engine
Promote your eBook through social media and email marketing
How Much Can You Earn?
The income from self-publishing eBooks varies, but successful authors can earn hundreds to thousands of dollars per month.
8. Writing on Medium and Earning via the Medium Partner Program
Medium is a popular platform for writers around the world, including Nigerian content creators, to publish articles and get paid based on the amount of time readers spend on their content. The Medium Partner Program allows you to earn money when Medium members engage with your stories, and the platform also has a large audience interested in various niches.
How to Get Started:
Sign up for the Medium Partner Program by creating a Medium account and enabling the monetization feature. Once you’re part of the program, focus on writing engaging, high-quality articles that appeal to Medium’s readership. Topics that perform well include personal development, business, technology, and storytelling. Promote your articles on social media platforms to gain traction and grow your follower base.
Tips for Success:
Write consistently and publish frequently.
Follow top Medium writers and publications to understand trends.
Use captivating headlines and images to draw readers in.
How Much Can You Earn?
The earnings from the Medium Partner Program vary based on how much time Medium members spend reading your content. Some writers earn between ₦20,000 to ₦100,000 or more monthly, depending on the popularity of their articles and engagement levels.
9. Writing on Substack and Earning Through Paid In-depth Articles
Substack has quickly become a popular platform for independent writers, allowing them to publish newsletters and offer paid subscriptions. Nigerian writers can monetize their content by providing exclusive, in-depth articles for paying subscribers. Whether you write about politics, technology, culture, or niche topics, Substack allows you to build a loyal audience and generate income.
How to land your first brand deal as a Substack writer
How to Get Started:
Sign up for a free Substack account and start creating high-quality newsletters. You can initially offer free content to build an audience and later introduce paid subscriptions for in-depth articles. Promote your Substack newsletter via social media, blogs, and communities where your target readers hang out. Focus on providing value through insights, detailed analysis, or stories that resonate with your audience.
Tips for Success:
Offer exclusive content to paying subscribers.
Consistently publish articles to keep your readers engaged.
Promote your newsletter across various channels, including Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
How Much Can You Earn?
Substack allows you to set your subscription price. On average, writers charge between ₦1,000 to ₦5,000 per month for paid subscriptions. Successful Nigerian writers can earn anywhere from ₦50,000 to ₦500,000 monthly, depending on the size of their audience and the subscription fees they charge.
10. Brand Endorsements
As you grow your audience on platforms like Substack or Medium, brands may start noticing the value of being featured in your content. Brand endorsements are a lucrative way to make money from your writing by partnering with companies that want to reach your audience. Brands will pay you to mention or feature their products in your newsletters or articles.
How to Get Started:
To attract brand endorsements, you’ll need to build a strong personal brand and a large, engaged following. Once you have a loyal audience, brands will see the potential of reaching your readers through your content. You can reach out to brands in your niche or wait for them to approach you. Be transparent about sponsored content and maintain authenticity to avoid alienating your audience.
Tips for Success:
Focus on building a niche audience that brands will want to reach.
Partner with brands that align with your values and interests.
Keep sponsored content subtle and ensure it provides value to your readers.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings from brand endorsements vary depending on the size of your audience and the brand’s budget. For Nigerian content creators with a medium to large following, brands may offer between ₦50,000 to ₦500,000 per endorsement, depending on the scope of the partnership and the level of exposure they want.
Final Thoughts
There you have it—10 ways you can make money from writing online. Whichever one you chose, the key to success is consistency, continuous learning, and improving your craft.
Writing is a flexible option as a creator, allowing you to work from anywhere and choose the projects you enjoy.
