10 Legit Ways You Can Make Money Online Writing!

Today I will be looking into:  some legit ways that you can make money writing online!

One of the major advantages of the internet is the ability to work from anywhere.

This has given people who, for one reason or another, can’t work outside the home – the ability to generate an income from anywhere they can get online.

It has also given many people the flexibility to travel freely and still earn an income.

Ranging from stay at home parents, to those who just prefer to work in the comfort of their homes, anyone can now make money via the internet.

Trying to find legitimate opportunities online however, can come with difficulty!

A significant reason for this is… that the internet is full of scammers, finding a never-ending string of ways to con people out of their money, or information.

Many have fallen prey to scams that promise real online jobs – such as job listings you have to pay for, (but which do not contain real jobs, or contain jobs you can find on any free website).

Then there are the thousands of get-rich-schemes, that promise you’ll make thousands within days or weeks online.

You therefore need to be careful when searching for a work opportunities online.

Writing online is definitely one sure way that you CAN generate a legitimate, (and rewarding) income.

But like other legitimate ways to make money online, you have to be careful and be cautious when looking for online work, or business opportunities.

Remember, if a potential writing opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

One example of this; is a site called: master writing jobs

It makes huge promises on their sales page and then just sends you to a sub-standard product, with info you could find for free online.

This is a common scam: making you pay for things that are of little or no value and that you could find anywhere.

They get away with it because they are providing SOMETHING, albeit, something that is useless to you!  This is how they can get away with it.

So, without further adieu, let’s get stuck into some real ways that you can actually make money writing online:

1. Freelancing

Although it comes with the ability to avoid long-term commitments to an employer, being a Freelance writer can be deceptively difficult.

On one hand, it seems like the easiest job but on the other hand, it has many challenges like finding legitimate clients and building trust with them.

The first step you should take is to do thorough research on a potential client just to make sure they are real.

You can use many available online resources during your search after which you need to build trust with the clients.

The best part about Freelance writing is that it can bring in considerably good amount of money and you only need a few good clients in the beginning.

They can send you referrals if they are contented with your work thereby expanding your clientele.

If you’re a beginner, you can join bidding platforms like Upwork, freelancer.com, or Fiverr and work your way up.

Whether you decide to look for clients on your own or you join a website hiring Freelancers, you should be prepared to work hard.

You may even want to do some writing gigs for free or lower pay initially, in order to build up a good portfolio of work and get some positive feedback.

• For a great course to get you started with freelancing try:  Gina Horkey’s Course here.

• Grab a freebie:  Don’t miss out on this free document: 200+ freelance writing niches!

2. Blogging

Blogging is the can be an enticing option for many, as you don’t have to look far to find impressive income reports of some super bloggers making 5 and even 6 figures a month!

However, the amount of money most bloggers make doesn’t come easily…  Especially at the beginning.

You need to have discipline, persistence and patience if you want to to make good money from blogging.

All bloggers start on zero…  and many bloggers won’t make nay money at all for months!

Then, when the money does come in, you may only be getting a few dollars here and there.

This can lead to a large percentage of people quitting, (many before they’ve made any money!).

Which is where your discipline, patience and dedication comes in.

You have to keep writing even when the returns don’t feel worth it at the time.

Other than creating your own blog or website, you can write as a guest blogger for other people too.

This is actually how some people start to get noticed as Freelancers.

They offer to write guest posts for bloggers for free, as long as they can link to their website, or just their contact details and also build up their portfolio of work.

You can blog about anything, any topic, but you should consider writing about topics you’re both passionate about AND which are profitable.

Many people may choose something that they’re interested in, (but which isn’t profitable/interesting to other people!) or choose something which is profitable, but which they get bored writing about.

Ideally, you want a mix of both.

For more help with this read:  How to choose a niche blog topic.

When thinking about starting a blog, consider:

• Your passions, interests and hobbies.
• A topic you can easily generate content on for a long time. Think long term – this isn’t a quick fix.
• Your target audience. The demographic you want to attract.
• The problem you’re trying to solve. Even if it is just entertainment, you should try to empower your readers with new information.

I have two main recommendations when it comes to starting a blog:

• For free training – and where I first got started: this platform can help you!

3. Writing Books/eBooks

If you’re looking into online writing you’ve probably thought about having your own book out there.

Now days it’s a lot more simple to get a book out there, because of the ease of which Amazon has made it to create e-books and paperbacks to sell on their platform.

Gone are the days you could slap up any old e-book and make sales, you really need to produce quality content now and there is a lot more competition.

But there are some ways that you can increase your chance of success…  Here are some tips:

Make sure you’re targeting a particular niche and one that isn’t highly competitive.

Consider building a brand – you can link to your blog or website within your book, or build and email list.

Consider selling something that already relates to your current audience – ask them what sort of content they’d like.

A good place to begin is to write about what you know, or what you’re already interested in.

Don’t scrimp on getting your book formatted and proofread either.

It won’t cost a fortune, but it will make a big difference to the finished product, (I’ve learnt this the hard way….).

Not long ago, writing and self-publishing a book was incredibly difficult.

Now there are so many online resources that can help you to both write, publish and promote your book.

This means this opportunity is available to anyone these days and is an opportunity that many people are still not aware of.

In the past, people self-publishing their book was frowned upon…

But now, there are self-made millionaires who have risen to fame in the world of self-publishing.

• Interested in self-publishing? I now make a large chunk of my income from creating low content books.

4. Content Mills

A lot of people put down content mills, because the pay can be very low…

However, it’s also a way for writers to get matched with clients, it’s possible to build up a good following and earn a lot more being requested for jobs personally if you’re made saved as a *favourite.*

It can be relatively easy to get your first job, (depending on the Content Mill) because it’s a first come first served scenario.

The problem is, with some sites you can only access limited jobs until you reach a certain level.

So, it can be hard to get the initial first job on some platforms, (like iwriter).

You should still be careful to avoid fraudsters. Check out the reviews of every content mill you’re interested in.

Some of the clients could also be trying to scam the system – by requesting written content, stealing it and then rejecting the article and escape paying.

This is in the minority, but can happen – even with various precautions in place to try and make it difficult.

To have a better chance of finding work, it’s a good idea to become skilled and knowledgeable in particular niches.

On some sites, like Hirewriters, clients can search for writers via their skills/expertise, so it can be a way of landing jobs.

It’s worth nothing, that Content Mills will keep a percentage of what the client pays to you as well.

While pay can be very low in the beginning, skilled writers can make a good amount.

Content Mills tend to have pretty negative reviews from writers themselves – it can be a bit of a mixed bag.

While I don’t recommend Content Mills as a career choice, they are one option to get started with Freelance writing.

Some well-known content mills include:

• Hirewriters:– Where I personally purchase content.
• Textbroker
• iWriter

5. Academic Writing

This is mostly a research-based type of writing and is arguably the most complicated.

Most sites hiring academic writer require some level of academic qualification, usually college degree or an equivalent.

This means that if you want to venture into this type of online writing you have to be a college student or graduate at the very least.

Other than writing research papers, you can also write essays.

Different categories of essays such as descriptive, personal, argumentative and persuasive essays are available to choose from.

Even though different clients may have different specifications when it comes to each project, you should know some of the basic rules that can help you produce good material.

Be clear and precise. Go straight to the point you’re trying to explain.

Focus on the purpose of your writing and don’t make it complicated.  Be professional and avoid using the short form of certain words.

You can be a general academic writer but most writers in this category find it easier to specialize in one area.

A large proportion of people paying for academic papers are actually college students and they may be requiring this for a number of reasons.

Considering that College students are clearly meant to write their own papers, it’s no surprise that many writers would not want to be a part of something like this.

There are plenty of companies online that allow you to sign up as a writer, (you’ll have a complete a test).

Below are a few that you can check out:

• Academicwritingexperts.com
• Writers.essayshark.com
• Edusson.com

6. Copywriting

I know most people confuse Copywriting with content writing.

Though the two may sound similar, Copywriting is for the purpose of advertising and selling/converting.

content writing will include all sorts of types of content created for the web, usually long-form and SEO opimised for the search engines, but could include sales copy as well.

The pay for Copywriters is reportedly high and there is a high demand for talented Copywriters, but one has to be an expert to reap large rewards.

You may not require a formal education to be suitable for this job and there are lots of online courses you could take to get you started.

The most important thing you will need is experience and most importantly, your copy will need to the job that it’s intended for!

Such as, making conversions and sales.

Like Freelancing, getting clients as a Copywriter initially can be challenging.

But you only need a few clients behind you to start gaining momentum.

Build your credibility by keeping your promises.

Deliver your work in time to avoid having problems with your clients, maintain a good reputation.

Choose a specific niche and become an expert at it.  This will really benefit you when it comes to finding jobs.

Many clients really want their Copywriter to have specialised experience in the niche they’re involved in.

It goes without saying, that you will also need to be determined.

It may very difficult to find good footing as a beginner, but don’t fret…

If you can’t find clients on your own initially, you could try somewhere like Upwork, or even work for free in return for good feedback, which you can share with future employers.

Don’t bypass small, low-paid tasks in the beginning, you can use these for experience.

Stay focused on the long-term goals and keep learning and growing!

• Check out some great value/highly reviewed Copywriting courses On Udemy!

7. Article writing

With article writing, you can write about anything literally, so long as it is based on facts.

The most important factor with this type of writing is that is is clear and concise.

You have to make sure the reader can easily understand your article, no matter who they are.

If you need a college degree to understand your article, you’re not doing it right.

Since it usually targets all types of people regardless of their background or education, you have to use simple language that even a non -professional can understand.

You must also have the ability to understand instructions to the later since this is very important for every client. This can also help with meeting deadlines.

Being non-factual is not allowed in some types of article writing. Make sure everything you write is fact that you can back up

In some cases creative article writing may be required you only have to use your creativity without doing much research.

Article writers commonly use visual content such as pictures and videos. This makes the content more pleasant thereby attracting more readers.

8. Online Journalism

Also know as digital journalism, this type of writing is commonly used by media outlets to reach a wider demographic.

The use of smart phones makes it easier for people to access information including news.

Most media outlets across the globe take advantage of this wide use by distributing news and entertainment material through the internet.

Most of these companies usually hire freelance journalists to provide them with the news.

You will need at least a college degree with a major in journalism or communications to be qualified for these types of jobs.

You should also be prepared for extensive hiring process that involves several interviews and is stricter in terms of qualifications.

Sometimes you may choose your own topics to write and other times you may be given one.

Though deemed lucrative, you should be prepared for some rejections before getting a contract with a news outlet.

9. Editing 

Every author needs an editor regardless of the type of writing done.

Online editors go through written material and correct any mistakes, which makes it one of the best ways to venture into online writing.

The best part about this type of writing is that you can start as a writer and work your way into editing.

Being a good writer is paramount in this field since you’ll require those skills to edit well.

Think about it. Every piece of content out there undergoes editing. This means there are no low seasons with this type of writing.

Once you start your writing career (whichever category you choose), it should be easy to get clients as an editor.

You will have already built a good working relationship with them and they will trust you.

The payment may be lower than what you received as a writer, but you could eventually end up getting paid more than your writing gigs.

• As a beginner – you could check out what some of the sellers are doing on Fiverr.

10. Social Media Content Writer:

Almost everyone from celebrities, to companies and brands, use social media and often need to produce a regular stream of outgoing content to keep their followers happy.

These people are usually too busy to keep up with their accounts, which can take a lot of work and upkeep.

They therefore end up hiring other people to manage these accounts for them, with a major that job being generating content.

Despite having the freedom to create relevant content on these platforms, you have to be careful with such a job in order to avoid inappropriate content.

Remember that you’re trying to attract a big following. Your content should therefore be relevant, short and interesting, (or funny! Depending on the business you’re working for!).

If you’re working for a company, you should keep in mind that that platform is good way to market their brand.

Be consistent by updating regularly and interact with the followers to find out more about their needs. You will then write content specifically suitable for them.

Conclusion:

Online writing comes in so many forms and is, without a doubt, one of the best ways to make money online.

It is also a great way for you to use your creativity, but like every other job online, it is going to be easy getting started.

Be prepared to work hard and always remember, have a plan, stay focused and produce great work.

Having a good reputation can be incredibly important in business because it gives you more referrals, more clients and more money.

You want your clients to love your work so much, that they tell lots of other people about it and who will ultimately hire you.