4 Ways to Get High Paying Writing Work

The work isn’t easy, but it pays well

Few writers write for the fun of it. The majority wants to earn a little money with their talent or even wave their employer goodbye to make writing their full-time job.

It is possible, but … yes, there is a but. Contrary to the saying that you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket if you want to be successful as a writer you should put your eggs in as many baskets as possible. If one egg doesn’t hatch, another might, so to speak.

While Medium is an excellent writing platform, if you want to earn a living as a writer you might have to expand your horizon. There are several options.

1. Writing for publications

Research newspapers and magazines and determine which publication suits your interests and writing style. Once you’ve decided on one or more publications, read several copies to familiarize yourself with what the publication is looking for and the writing style of the contributors.

Read the publication’s guidelines. Some will specify a minimum or a maximum word count. Some will insist on unpublished works. Some will only accept non-fiction.

Once you’ve written your potential contribution, go over it with a fine toothcomb for any possible grammar errors or typos. Nothing kills an article or story faster than mistakes.

Once you’ve submitted your contribution, be patient. Don’t bug the editor with questions. Publications get inundated with submissions and don’t have the time to get back to you. Your story is either accepted or it isn’t. While some publications will get back to you within a matter of days, it is not unusual that freelance writers have to wait months to get a response.

If your article or story is accepted, great, you have a foot in the door and there’s every chance that future works will be published. If your work is not accepted, don’t be discouraged. You know what they say … ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.’ Your perseverance might just get noticed.

2. Ghostwriting

A rather lucrative business is ghostwriting. There are a great number of people who have something valuable to say but don’t have a talent for writing. These people are looking for ghostwriters.

While some people want to engage a ghostwriter for an article or a story, others are looking for someone to write a book. Either way, know that while you get paid, you will get none of the glory if the article, story or book becomes a success. Someone else’s name will be on it.

Before you start the project, be clear on payment. While some clients will pay generously to complete the project, others will pay the very minimum but with an agreement to share the profits. Either way, don’t rely on a promise or a handshake, get something on paper.

Another form of ghostwriting is to aim your work at students. Students fall into four categories.

• Some have a real talent for writing essays
• Some break out in a cold sweat because they know they have no talent for writing
• Some are lazy and want someone else to do the work for them
• Some want to do the work but are swamped with other tasks

Whatever the case, if you were to offer your services as a ghostwriter for these essays, and you deliver excellent work, you soon find yourself snowed under with writing requests as word gets around.

3. Translation

Another profitable business is translation. If you’re proficient in a second or even third language, you can utilize that talent in a variety of ways. Individuals, authors, publications, and publishing houses are always on the lookout for translators. To get hired, you will have to formally apply for translation work and present a portfolio.

4. Legal transcription

Yet another form of writing work is legal transcription. Lawyers and notaries dictate legal documents into a Dictaphone and rely on their assistants to transcribe the work. While lawyers and notaries usually have assistants to do the typing work for them, more and more legal firms rely on outside help. Virtual assistants don’t take up office space, don’t require an annual salary, and don’t have to be paid vacation and other benefits.

Legal firms are not the only ones who rely on freelance staff, plenty of organizations do and it’s up to you to find them by cold calling.

These are just a few ideas. If you’re looking for more ways, type ‘Earning money with writing’ in your favorite browser and you can pick and choose.