To ask if anyone gets paid to write?

[RoseGoldEagle]

I’m not sure I want to go back to my regular job after I have DC2, and was thinking about trying to make some money from writing. I don’t need to make a fortune. Does anyone do this, and can I be cheeky enough to ask how you got into it, how easy it is to find someone to pay you for what you write, and how much you can earn? Sorry for posting in AIBU but thought I’d get more responses here.

Oh yes, I did some web content writing recently. it took forever and I made about 300 so unless you have a lot of spare time, I wouldn't recommend it!

Depends what type of content you're writing though - I know my main niche so well that I can rattle off 500 words in 20 minutes.

Op I could do a bit more- I don't have time around my job. I write for 5 different clients and it's a bit seasonal so there is no work between June and September. I suspect if I tried I could find another couple of clients.

I have to work roughly 3 evenings per week to achieve this, and Saturday mornings about once a month.

I really enjoy having it as a change from my usual job - I'm not sure I'd like it as much if I did nothing else. This month I have invoiced early because I am going on holiday for the rest of October: the invoices added to £377 so it probably would be around £500 if I could have worked all month. In August I earned almost nothing.

If I’m asked to describe my job it’s author, writer, coach.

Author - published books = passive income.

Writer - I specialise in web content and long form editorial and also run two blogs as child businesses of my writing agency.

Coach - I take on a few writers every three months for personalised coaching. Generally this is with creative writers and bloggers and they have the option of three or six month programmes.

The turning point for me was when I developed an ongoing relationship with independent magazines and work as a creative partner with marketing agencies. Together with retainer contracts and the coaching, I know my baseline income each month and then everything else is a bonus.

If you want to test the waters you could sign up to some of the freelancer websites or find out if any magazines you like have open submission queries.

I’m happy to answer more questions if you want to PM. My route isn’t usual and my approach is a bit different but it’s built me a niche that has paid off.

Yes, I'm a copywriter and comms manager. My freelance rate is pretty low at £500 a day (less for charities). I only do about 2 days a month, if that, just for some extra money. Most of my clients are people I've met through work or old employers.

@RoseGoldEagle I worked in financial services corporate communications for ten years or so then was made redundant just after the crash. So were a lot of people which meant that there often weren't enough people left to do the work = instant freelance opportunity. A colleague of mine went to another bank and introduced me to an agency and I started working for them. Gradually managed to diversify from that, but I would say my niche is still very much internal communications. I'm a freelance, you don't really need 'a company' as such.

I do creative stuff too but no-ones bought my book... one day... I survived on my redundancy for a few years, plus DH has a steady job. Took four years to get to a salary level. But working freelance from home means you keep more of the money you make - you don't have travel, lunches, coffees, clothes and - in my case - childcare. I didn't spend a penny on childcare once DS started primary. That meant often working at night etc, but not having those costs means your money is worth more iyswim.