From Struggling to Thriving: The Unexpected 7-Step Journey to Becoming a Full-Time, Well-Paid Writer
So, you want to break into the writing game, huh? Ever wonder why so many folks call it a “pipe dream,” like making actual money from writing is some fairy tale you’ll never live? Well, buckle up — it’s not only possible, it’s downright doable if you know exactly which door to knock on first. I’ve spent a decade turning words into a steady paycheck—enough to buy a cozy bungalow, deck out a killer home office, and still stash some retirement cash. No, I’m no CEO billionaire, but the dream’s real, and far from starving artist clichés. What’s the secret sauce? It starts with a killer website, a smart niche, and the grit to keep grinding. Curious how I cracked the code and turned that “pipe dream” into my daily reality? Stick around.
It’s not a pipe dream if you know exactly where to start
At least once a week, I get a LinkedIn message from a recent college graduate who asks, “How did you break into the writing industry?”
Fantastic question — but first, a little humble-brag to prove my credibility.
I live exclusively off the money I make from writing. I’m not CEO-level rich, but I bought a tiny bungalow. I decorated my home office. I eat out when I want to, and have enough left over to fund my retirement account. I’ve been at it for roughly a decade, and the opportunities have never run dry.
Every single day, I wake up grateful that I ignored my high-school guidance counselor’s advice: “Unless you want to be a starving artist, writing for a living is a pipe dream.”
It most definitely is not. I’m living proof — but you need to know where to start. Here’s how I became a full-time, paid writer in seven steps.
1. Build an impressive website
Fun fact: I made my website before I had a single client and directly after I got fired from waitressing.
Now, I haven’t sent out a resume in six years. Potential clients find my site through articles I’ve written for other publications, and then they reach out to me asking if I want to work for them.
A professional-looking website is the first step to faking it until you make it in the digital age. It then becomes a searchable CV.
I don’t care if you have nothing to put on it yet. Post a headshot of yourself with the title “Professional Writer” and call it a day — for now. As you build a portfolio, you’ll add those articles to your website, which will serve as a landing page for your best work.
To build and host my website, I used Wix. It has hundreds of sleek templates and its drag-and-drop interface is easy to use. Wix offers a free plan, though it does have branding and ads. No-ad plans start at $17 a month.
Other free, easy website builders include Google Sites, Yola, and GoDaddy, though you may have to pay for a domain name.
