How Much should Writers Aim To Earn?

Writing can be both a passion and a profession, but one of the biggest challenges writers face is determining how much they should aim to earn. Unlike traditional jobs with fixed salaries, writing income varies greatly depending on the industry, experience, and effort put in. Whether you’re a freelance writer, blogger, novelist, or content creator, understanding your financial goals is essential to building a sustainable career.

This article explores different writing income levels, factors affecting earnings, and strategies to maximize your writing income.

Understanding Writing Income: How Much Can Writers Earn?

Writers earn money in multiple ways, depending on their niche. Here’s a general breakdown of potential income sources:

1. Freelance Writing

Freelancers write articles, blog posts, copywriting materials, and other content for businesses and clients.

• Beginner Writers: $0.01 – $0.10 per word ($10 – $100 per 1,000 words)

• Intermediate Writers: $0.10 – $0.50 per word ($100 – $500 per 1,000 words)

• Expert Writers: $0.50 – $2.00 per word ($500 – $2,000 per 1,000 words)

Some freelance writers earn $3,000 – $10,000 per month, depending on their expertise and client base.

2. Blogging & Medium Writing

Blogging can be profitable, but it requires consistency and strategy. Writers can earn through:

• Ad revenue (Google AdSense, Mediavine, Ezoic, etc.)

• Affiliate marketing (Amazon Associates, commission-based products)

• Sponsored content (brands paying for articles)

• Medium Partner Program (earnings based on reader engagement)

A new blogger might earn $100 – $500 per month, while a well-established blog can generate $5,000 – $50,000 per month through diversified income streams.

3. Book Writing (Self-Publishing & Traditional Publishing)

Authors make money through book sales, advances, and royalties.

• Self-Published Authors: $1 – $5 per book sale (Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, IngramSpark)

• Traditionally Published Authors: 10% – 15% royalty per book, with potential advances of $5,000 – $50,000

Successful self-published authors can earn $1,000 – $10,000 per month, while best-selling traditional authors might make six to seven figures annually.

4. Content Writing & Copywriting

Businesses pay writers to create website content, emails, sales pages, and advertisements. Copywriting is one of the highest-paid writing careers.

• Content Writers: $30 – $100 per article

• Copywriters: $100 – $5,000 per sales page

• Email Marketers: $50 – $1,000 per email sequence

Skilled copywriters often make $5,000 – $20,000 per month working with brands and agencies.

How Much Should Writers Aim to Earn?

Setting Income Goals

Your income goal depends on:

1. Living Expenses: Rent, food, utilities, healthcare, etc.

2. Savings & Investments: Emergency funds, retirement savings.

3. Career Aspirations: Full-time or part-time writing?

Here’s a sample monthly income goal strategy:

• Beginner (0 – 6 months): $500 – $1,500/month

• Intermediate (6 months – 2 years): $2,000 – $5,000/month

• Advanced (2+ years): $5,000 – $10,000+/month

Writers aiming for financial freedom should target $10,000 – $20,000 per month by diversifying income streams.

How to Reach Your Writing Income Goals

1. Specialize in High-Paying Niches

Some writing fields pay more than others. The highest-paying niches include:

• Finance & Investing ($200 – $2,000 per article)

• Technology & SaaS Writing ($100 – $1,500 per article)

• Health & Wellness ($100 – $1,000 per article)

• Legal & Business Writing ($200 – $3,000 per project)

• Sales & Marketing Copywriting ($500 – $5,000 per project)

If you specialize in SEO writing, ghostwriting, or technical writing, you can command even higher rates.

2. Build a Strong Portfolio

Clients and publishers hire based on writing samples and past work. Start by:

• Creating a blog or Medium account.

• Publishing guest posts on authority websites.

• Writing for free or low-pay initially to gain credibility.

Once you have 10+ strong samples, you can increase your rates.

3. Pitch High-Paying Clients

Freelancers and content writers should focus on quality clients.

• Use platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and LinkedIn to find jobs.

• Cold email businesses with professional pitches.

• Join writing job boards like ProBlogger, Contena, and Freelance Writers Den.

A single $500 – $1,000 client per week can lead to $5,000+/month income.

4. Publish & Sell Your Own Content

Instead of relying only on clients, create your own income streams:

• Write and sell eBooks on Amazon Kindle.

• Monetize a blog with affiliate links and ads.

• Start a paid newsletter or Patreon.

Selling just 50 eBooks at $10 each = $500/month in passive income.

5. Scale Your Business

Once you hit $5,000/month, scale up by:

• Hiring ghostwriters or editors to handle more projects.

• Creating courses, coaching, or consulting services.

• Expanding to YouTube, podcasts, or social media content.

Top writers turn their brands into six-figure businesses by automating and outsourcing tasks.

Final Thoughts: Is a $10K Writing Career Possible?

Yes! Many writers make $10,000 – $20,000 per month, but it takes time, skill, and persistence. The key is to diversify income streams, specialize in profitable niches, and consistently produce high-quality work.

Your Next Steps:

1. Set a realistic monthly income goal ($2,000, $5,000, or $10,000+).

2. Choose one or two high-paying writing niches.

3. Create a strong portfolio and start pitching clients.

4. Build passive income through books, courses, or blogging.

5. Scale up by hiring help and automating your business.

If you’re serious about writing full-time, set a clear goal and take action. Writing is a profitable and fulfilling career, but success comes to those who treat it like a business and never stop improving.

Would you like help developing a personal writing income strategy? Let me know!