There are 3 main ways to make money writing online: start your own blog, write for other people's websites as a freelancer, or self-publish a book. You don't need a degree or a three-page resume for any of them, just the right place to look, an honest idea of your abilities, and the option that suits you.
The internet has made it possible to earn money from writing part-time, or even full-time. That is good news for anyone who wants to get paid for writing, and it isn't limited to "professional" writers.
At one time, many companies paid people to write product reviews online. That market became crowded and is no longer a good way to earn extra income. There are still several legitimate opportunities, though.
1. Start a blog
One of the best ways to make money writing is to start a blog. There are many platforms you can use, such as WordPress or Blogger, and you don't need any programming or coding experience. The great thing about a blog is that it can be about anything you want. You can focus on any topic that interests you or that you know well. Your blog lets you share your knowledge, experience, and perspective with the world.
You will have to do some research to learn how to get people to read your blog (or find someone to help you with this), but if your content is interesting enough, people will find it. Blog writing has tips on writing posts people want to read.
The money part comes in when your blog has readers. You can place advertising on it, which pays you for the views or clicks it gets. You can add affiliate links, which earn you a commission when a reader buys something through them. Or you can offer your own products and services. Either way, you still get to write about what you want.
2. Write as a freelancer
Sometimes it seems as though "everyone" has a website. That is an exaggeration, but there certainly are a lot of them, and those websites need content: articles and blog posts that their readers will find interesting. This includes the websites of small businesses. Many of those website owners don't have the time or the skill to write. That's where you come in.
Freelance marketplaces match website owners with writers, and many businesses also hire writers directly. 5 must-have skills for freelance writers explains what clients look for.
3. Self-publish a book
Another good way to make money writing is to write a book. In the past, if you wanted to publish a book, you needed to find an agent and get a contract with a publisher. As you can imagine, that was very difficult, and only a few people managed it.
Today, almost anyone can publish a book of their own. You don't need an agent, or even a publisher. You can create your own e-book with one of many software options and publish it yourself, for example on Amazon. How to write your own book helps you get started.
If you want help with distributing your soon-to-be masterpiece, there are services for that too. For a fee, they publish your book and get it into Amazon and the other stores where readers can find and buy it. Some packages even include printed copies of your book.
Check before you send
Whichever way you choose to make money writing, always check your text before you submit or publish it. That is good advice for anything you write, but when you are paid for your writing, clean spelling is essential if you want to get paid and keep getting work. A quick spell check catches the typos you no longer see after reading your text ten times.