The Habits that Kept My Writing Stuck (and How Letting them Go Changed Everything) 

I never set out to be a writer - even though, technically, I have a journalism qualification.

The truth? I never considered myself a journalist. I tried being a staff writer once, but it wasn't for me. Writing under someone else's rules, chasing assignments I didn't care about, and fitting into boxes other people created sucked the joy out of it.

For years, I thought that meant writing just wasn't my lane.

But then I discovered the power of publishing online. Writing didn't have to be about working in a newsroom or grinding away for pennies per word. It could be about building something of my own. Over time, I used written content to create real businesses- businesses that attracted five and six-figure contracts, generated passive income, and helped thousands of others do the same.

I call myself a contentpreneur because I don't just write - I build.

But let me be honest: it took me way too long to figure this out. I wasted years chasing the wrong things. If I'd ditched these habits earlier, I would've gained traction much faster.

If you want to turn your writing into a digital business, don't make the same mistakes.

1. Asking for Permission

Early on, I thought I needed editors, platforms, and "official" approval to succeed.

But most of those gatekeepers weren't even doing much with their own voices. The day I stopped chasing validation and started publishing on my own terms, everything changed.

Your words don't need permission. Put them out there. Build your own digital space.

2. Chasing Gimmicks and Hacks

I've fallen for the gimmicks - engagement pods, comment swaps, shortcuts that promised quick growth. None of it built a business.

The only thing that worked was writing content people actually needed. Words that solve problems, save time, or spark action.

Forget the gimmicks. Instead, invest in real digital writing skills: powerful hooks, storytelling, formatting, clarity, and an authentic voice. Those are what compound.

 3. Building on Rented Land

I've built audiences on platforms that later changed the rules overnight. One day you're growing, the next you're shadowbanned, censored, or cut off.

That's when I learned: social media is rented land. You're borrowing an audience that can be taken back any time.

The smartest shift I made was focusing on email. Owning your audience means you'll never lose everything to an algorithm.

 4. Platform-Hopping Like a Tourist

Every new app promises to be "the next big thing." Most disappear within a year.

I've wasted time chasing shiny platforms, but what actually worked was choosing a few that have staying power and mastering them.

Consistency beats novelty every time.

 5. Comparing Myself to Others

Comparison used to wreck my confidence. There's always someone with bigger numbers or more followers.

But numbers don't always tell the truth. Some creators are gaming the system. Some are burning out behind the scenes.

When I focused on my own path, not theirs, that's when things started compounding.

6. Obsessing Over Virality

I once thought going viral was the magic key. A perfect headline, a perfectly timed post, some kind of secret sauce.

But virality is unpredictable. It's not a business model.

What lasts is consistent, valuable content that builds trust and leads to real opportunities.

 7. Treating Writing Like a Hobby

When I stopped treating my words like "just content" and started treating them like assets in a business, everything shifted.

Writing became:

 -A way to land big contracts

- A system for passive revenue

- A client magnet

-A foundation for building businesses that grow without me constantly hustling

That's when I knew I wasn't just writing. I was creating freedom.

 Final Thought

I may have a journalism background, but I never got stuck in newsrooms chasing bylines. Instead, I carved my own path - using words to build businesses, not just articles.

And that's what I want for you too.

👉 If you want to learn how to use writing to build profitable digital businesses without burning out, sign up for my Let's Make Digital Money newsletter. I'll teach you how to treat your words like assets and turn them into income streams that last.

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