5 Steps to Build a $10,000/Month Writing Business from Scratch

Many people dream of making money online through writing, but struggle to find a viable path. The good news is that it's possible to build a lucrative writing business, even without a large audience or following. This article outlines a proven 5-step process to build a $10,000/month writing business from scratch.

Step 1: Identify Your Information Advantage

The first step is to recognize your unique knowledge and experiences that give you an edge. This "information advantage" is key to providing value as a writer.

Many aspiring writers make the mistake of thinking they need to be world-class experts to monetize their writing. In reality, you just need to know more than the average person about a particular topic or industry.

Some key points about identifying your information advantage:

• Reflect on your work experience, education, hobbies and interests
• Consider what knowledge you take for granted that others might find valuable
• You don't need to be a guru - being a knowledgeable guide is enough
• Even a small edge in understanding an industry or topic can be monetized

For example, a junior doctor has specialized medical knowledge that most people lack. While they may not feel like an expert compared to senior physicians, they still have an information advantage over the general public when it comes to health topics.

Step 2: Target Businesses, Not Consumers

One of the biggest mistakes new writers make is trying to sell directly to consumers. The fastest path to a full-time writing income is to sell your services to businesses instead.

Why target businesses?

• Businesses have larger budgets and are willing to pay premium rates
• It's easier to find a few high-paying business clients than many low-paying consumers
• Businesses understand the value of quality content and are used to outsourcing
• You can charge much higher rates for B2B writing compared to B2C

For example, rather than trying to sell a $20 ebook to thousands of individual readers, it's much easier to find one business client willing to pay $2,000 for a white paper or series of blog posts.

Some lucrative types of business writing include:

• Ghostwriting articles and social media content for executives
• Creating white papers and case studies
• Writing email sequences and sales copy
• Producing industry reports and research papers

Alternative Step 2: Do Free Work First

An alternative approach, especially when just starting out, is to offer your writing services for free to build your portfolio and gain experience.

While many advise against working for free, doing some initial pro bono projects can:

• Help you gain confidence in your skills
• Allow you to build a portfolio of work samples
• Lead to testimonials and referrals
• Give you experience working with clients

The key is to treat free work as an investment in your business, not exploitation. Be selective about free projects and set clear boundaries.

Once you have a few successful projects under your belt, you can start charging for your services. The experience and portfolio you've built will make it much easier to land paying clients.

Step 3: Use the Problem-Solution Pitch

When approaching potential clients, avoid a hard sell. Instead, use what's called a "problem-solution pitch."

This approach involves:

1. Identifying a problem or pain point the prospect is likely facing
2. Educating them about this problem and its consequences
3. Presenting your writing services as the solution

For example, when pitching a doctor in private practice:

"Problem: You want to attract more high-quality patients for your specialized procedures, but your website isn't optimized and you're not reaching the right audience.

Solution: By creating educational content on LinkedIn, we can showcase your expertise, reach potential patients, and drive more leads to your practice."

This approach positions you as a helpful expert rather than a pushy salesperson. It also ensures the prospect understands the value of your services before discussing price.

Step 4: Focus on Education, Not Sales

When communicating with potential clients, your goal should be to educate rather than to sell. This mindset shift can make a huge difference in how you're perceived.

Key principles of the education-first approach:

• Freely share valuable insights and advice
• Focus on helping the prospect understand their challenges
• Position yourself as a knowledgeable guide, not a salesperson
• Let the prospect ask about your services rather than pushing them

This approach builds trust and positions you as an expert. It also takes the pressure off you to "close the sale" and instead allows the prospect to come to their own conclusion about working with you.

Step 5: Generate Lots of Leads

To build a sustainable writing business, you need a steady stream of potential clients. This requires consistently generating new leads.

Some effective lead generation strategies for writers include:

• Leveraging your existing network ("warm leads")
• Asking for referrals from satisfied clients
• Creating valuable content that showcases your expertise
• Engaging in relevant online communities and forums
• Using LinkedIn to connect with potential clients in your target industries

When starting out, aim to reach out to at least 50 warm leads (people you already know) and 100 cold leads (new connections). Personalize your outreach and focus on providing value rather than making a hard pitch.

It's important to do this outreach manually at first, rather than relying on automation tools. This allows you to refine your approach and truly understand what resonates with potential clients.

Conclusion

Building a $10,000/month writing business is achievable if you follow a strategic approach. By leveraging your existing knowledge, targeting businesses, using effective pitching techniques, and consistently generating leads, you can create a lucrative and fulfilling writing career.

Remember that success won't happen overnight. It requires persistence, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt your approach based on feedback. But with dedication and the right strategy, you can build a thriving writing business that provides both financial rewards and creative fulfillment.

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