Writing is an Under-Rated Second Income

I have noticed that many people in today’s society have a second income alongside their full-time job. I cannot blame them with the way things are in the world. There is increased pressure on people to live luxurious lifestyles and spend money they don’t have. Houses are at an all-time high and take YEARS to save for. People are having children at younger ages. We are in a pandemic. Some countries are in recession. It seems that things get worse as the days go on.

My friend started a business around two years ago in braiding hair. When she announced this to me in the car I thought it was a good idea but also wondered, how on Earth she is going to have time to juggle both this and a full-time job?

As time went on, I noticed there was an increase in girls having beautician businesses (e.g. nails and eyelashes) as their second income. Some were also trying pretty hard to become social media influencers. I began to think to myself, maybe it was time for me to get a second income. One can never have too much money (unless you’re Jeff Bezos). Would I start my own business? How would I even go about it? The whole idea seemed too stressful to me so it got put down very quickly.

Ever since the pandemic hit in March 2020, I saw a major increase in my followers advertising their second income business accounts. Many people were baking cakes and goodies, some selling dodgy diet supplements and some were offering personal training sessions.

I have been trying to move out for a long-time. I had been flat browsing but they said I cannot afford it alone on my salary. All my other friends had either moved out or weren’t ready. Probably time to get that second income going. But what?

The pandemic had given me a lot of spare time. One day, I came across an advert for a few writing competitions. Best advert I ever saw in my life. I have entered three and so far won two.

I wanted to carry on writing for fun. Not just enter competitions. Lo and behold, here I am on Medium. I have now decided that writing is my second income.

There was a few things I could have picked as a quick income earner.

I could have been a Sugar Baby. Seeking Arrangements reported a 36% increase in sugar babies during 2019. With a pandemic in 2020, I don’t doubt this number has doubled and potentially even tripled.

I could have started an Only Fans. This is a fairly new phenomenon and I would have only picked this as an option if I was absolutely flat-out broke (touch wood it doesn’t happen). Since the start of the pandemic, Only Fans have around seen 170,000 new users a day.

Many celebrities are now using Only Fans as a second earner. Kerry Katona, Bella Thorne, Tyga, Blacc Chyna. Some people have reported to earn £15,000 — £20,000 a MONTH. Sounds more than a quick earner to me.

I could have tried harder to become a social media influencer. However, I find the whole thing corny, cringy and extremely over-competitive.

I debated starting a sweet business. This idea was shut down quickly as my mother pointed out a few very good facts. “Where will the sweets go? There’s animals in the house!” Not ideal at this moment in my life.

All of the niches mentioned above have overcrowded markets. In addition, not all of them will last. Every one just goes in for what they know can generate money fast and create cash in-hand.

I have so much more to offer than a social media influencer or selling pictures on Only Fans. I wanted to find a second income that I will truly fall in-love with and be able to know the market just as well as I know my role in my full-time job. I wanted to be able to generate the passion and commitment to making it more than a “fast-earner”, the same way I want to climb my current career ladder.

So, I have settled with trying my absolute hardest with writing on Medium. Do not get it twisted, I am not just on Medium purely because of the cash. I am passionate about writing and after just two weeks I am thoroughly enjoying this. I have so many ideas and drafts ready to spur out.

Whilst there are around 60 million active users on Medium, I cannot deny that this a lot of people. But is it overcrowded? No. A good article is a good article. They are free to read and a few claps and highlights can make someone a few cents/pennies. Absolute minimal effort. No shipping fee included here!

If you become curated, that is when you can really start to generate a few dollars/pounds. Unfortunately, I am still waiting for my first article to become curated. Maybe this one will be the lucky one!

I believe that writing is the quickest earner of them all. Some months you can make nothing, other months hundreds, some are very lucky and make thousands. But it requires the least amount of effort. All you need is a brain, good Wi-Fi (which I am currently struggling with), good ideas, patience and passion. Totally under-rated.