Chapter 1: A Year in the Life of an Aspiring Writer

Over the past year, I embarked on a journey to master copywriting and explore freelancing. After reaching out to countless businesses, I earned a mere $140 from my writing efforts online. Interestingly, this income didn't stem from freelancing but from an unexpected avenue, reshaping my perspective on generating income as a writer.

As 2022 came to a close, I recognized the challenges of making a living as a novelist and sought alternative ways to monetize my writing. This quest led me to copywriting, where I consumed every available resource—videos, articles, and even cold emails to industry professionals.

To my surprise, I landed my first client within 13 days. He boasted 110,000 Instagram followers and 5,000 email subscribers. During our call, I proposed promoting his books and courses to his email list, despite his initial skepticism, as he had never sent an email before. We struck a deal: I would receive payment only if I generated at least $500 in sales.

For the following six weeks, I diligently sent emails to his audience, but only managed to sell $150 worth of products. While not a total failure, I fell short of the $500 target, leaving me frustrated. My messages seemed to echo into a void, and his delayed responses on WhatsApp hindered our collaboration. Unable to devise a new strategy, I decided to part ways and seek new opportunities. Although I gained valuable experience, I felt disheartened by the lack of sales.

In the months that followed, my attempts to connect with potential clients were met with rejection. Despite altering my approach and refining my messaging, I only received a few polite responses, with people saying they needed time to consider my offers.

Then, in June, my cousin launched a TikTok account focused on psychology and quickly gained a substantial following. He reached out to me for advice on creating an ebook using ChatGPT, but I recommended an alternative: I would write the ebook, and we would split the profits. He agreed, and within two days, I completed a book on psychological persuasion tactics used by marketers, cult leaders, and politicians.

To my delight, we generated $280 in sales, splitting the earnings. This pivotal moment made me realize the true value of having an audience. Until then, I had spent countless hours reaching out to potential clients with little to show for it—no experience, no proof, and no reason for them to trust me.

In contrast, I wrote the ebook in under 12 hours and earned $140 simply because I had access to an audience. This experience shifted my focus toward building my own audience and creating my own products.

Initially, I pursued freelancing under the misconception that it would be a quicker way to earn money, but I was mistaken. Had I invested my time in cultivating my own platform, I would have seen faster financial rewards. Even though building an audience may take longer, it is a far more sustainable approach than freelancing.

This situation reminds me of a story about two men who transported water from a pond to their homes using buckets. One man devised a plan to construct a pipeline leading directly to his house, while the other continued to make repetitive trips with buckets. The man with the pipeline faced ridicule, but once completed, he could simply turn on a tap and access water effortlessly, while the other man remained stuck in his laborious routine.

This analogy perfectly illustrates the difference between long-term planning and short-term gains in writing careers. Both paths are viable, but the one that prioritizes building a sustainable foundation holds more potential.

Freelance writers often struggle to secure clients due to a lack of proof of their capabilities. However, once you establish your audience and successfully market your own products, you possess the ultimate validation of your skills. If you can create and sell your work, you can easily extend those services to others. Instead of tirelessly reaching out to strangers, leverage your audience to attract clients.

For instance, if your writing focuses on graphic design, you will naturally draw in not only fellow designers but also business owners seeking those services. Some audience members might even recommend you to their networks for additional opportunities. Therefore, prioritizing the development of your own platform is crucial.

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Your friend,

Ali

Chapter 2: The Power of Audience in Writing

In the video titled "Your blog's first 365 days... exactly what to do to make money [tutorial] - YouTube," you'll discover practical strategies for monetizing your writing and building a successful blog.

Chapter 3: Creating Profitable Content

The video "Create a JOURNAL IN CANVA To Sell - YouTube" offers insights on utilizing Canva to craft sellable journals, providing a step-by-step guide to profitable content creation.