Chapter 1: The Reality of Writing Part-Time

If you're in search of employment, it's wise to secure a job.

This piece was first published in The Writepreneur's Substack, where you can access the free version.

I find myself in a situation similar to yours: striving to make a living through writing online. Like many, I am eager to expand my subscriber base in hopes of earning a stable income from my email list. Unfortunately, the more effort I invest, the more it feels like I'm running in circles. To add to this, I am currently a full-time independent writer navigating the online landscape.

Two years ago, I decided to move away from relying exclusively on Upwork after receiving an unexpected email from a client informing me they no longer required my services. This was disheartening, and I grew increasingly frustrated with the unpredictable nature of freelance writing. One moment, everything seems ideal; the next, you're out of work.

Determined to adapt, I transitioned to being a part-time independent digital writer. In 2022, I delved into SEO and established a niche blog while continuing to submit proposals on Upwork. My resources dwindled, leading to financial stress. I found myself spending more time on Upwork than on my blog, posting only sporadically. I counted every penny until my savings were depleted.

Despite receiving a brief writing assignment, the client disappeared the following month. Upwork raised the costs associated with purchasing connects (the tokens needed for applying to jobs), alongside other features like bidding. The bidding process allows freelancers to pay extra connects to secure top positions for their proposals. If a job listing requires 8 connects to apply, some freelancers would bid as high as 50 connects to gain the top spots.

I realized I couldn't keep up. I decided to leave Upwork behind and redirect my efforts toward my blog while also applying on LinkedIn and Indeed, though without success.

By 2023, my financial situation became dire. I concentrated on optimizing my blog for SEO to qualify for affiliate programs. Living off loans and the generosity of friends and family, I hoped to monetize my blog by the year's end, yet that goal remained unfulfilled. I continued to work hard on my blog while occasionally sending out job applications, somehow managing to get through 2023.

In 2024, my blog's traffic showed promise until Google implemented an algorithm update, which drastically affected my visitor numbers. I'm currently trying to remedy this through social media while still relying on the support of friends and family. I've attempted to return to Upwork, but although the excessive bidding frenzy appears to have calmed, the connects remain costly, and the job opportunities are scarce.

Finding freelance day jobs is challenging in my area, where options are limited to taxi services like Uber and Bolt, and I lack a vehicle. Consequently, my focus is on making my writing projects successful. At times, I feel stuck in a cycle of overthinking and sadness, but I persist. My hope is to leverage Medium to generate income.

Here’s the key takeaway from my experience: earning a full-time income through online writing is tough! A more pragmatic approach is to cultivate your writing career as a part-time pursuit. Many successful writers you admire have been honing their craft online for years before finally reaping the rewards.

It's astonishing (or perhaps foolish) that some of us continue this journey. Giving up now feels impossible; after all, what else would I do? If you wish to accompany me on my quest to establish a livelihood as a writer and solopreneur, consider subscribing to my newsletter here.

The first video titled "Writing And Business Lessons Learned From 500 Episodes And 11 Years Of The Creative Penn Podcast" explores the valuable insights gained from years of podcasting in the writing community.

Chapter 2: The Transition to Full-Time Writing

In my pursuit of becoming a full-time author, I made significant life changes, including quitting my job.

The second video, "I Quit My Job to Be a Full-Time Author," discusses the bold step of leaving traditional employment to chase the dream of writing full-time, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced along the way.