Strategies That Generated Income for Me in Early 2024
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In the year 2019, I shared my ten different income sources, all linked to writing but incorporating various skills, with some requiring minimal writing. Since then, I've streamlined my writing approach, concentrating on three platforms I genuinely enjoy. Yet, as I reviewed my earnings for the first half of this year, I noticed I still generate income from approximately ten distinct sources, albeit with less effort than before, which is a positive development. Here’s a breakdown of what contributed to my earnings in the first half of this year.
Medium
I regularly publish on Medium several times a month. Occasionally, I have the fortune of being featured, resulting in earnings exceeding $2,000 from a single piece. At other times, I may still earn $1,000 from articles that aren’t highlighted. Some articles yield two or even three-digit incomes, while others may earn just a few dollars. The unpredictability emphasizes the importance of ongoing experimentation, which is my approach this year and will remain so.
Substack
Having joined Substack a few months ago, I am thoroughly enjoying the experience. I’ve managed to cultivate an audience of over 700 subscribers with minimal effort, while also forming connections within the community. My focus has sharpened, allowing me to write about topics I’m passionate about. My Substack publication, titled "Change The World With Words," aims to foster a community of writers dedicated to meaningful work. Although my newsletter is currently free, I still find ways to monetize it. For insights on this, refer to my article.
Freelance Writing
I engage in regular ghostwriting for a content marketing agency, which typically results in a healthy four-figure monthly income. There was a notable decline in earnings last year due to the impact of AI, and while it hasn't yet returned to previous levels, the work I lost was not what I was passionate about. You can read more about that in my article. Additionally, I ghostwrite for a couple of private clients and contribute regularly to Wealthtender. Although I usually pitch to other freelance outlets, this busy year has limited my outreach, so I intend to increase my efforts in the next quarter.
Affiliate Marketing
I’ve previously detailed how I leverage affiliate marketing for extra monthly income, so I won't elaborate extensively here. However, some affiliate programs that have generated earnings for me this year include:
- Write Your Way to 1K
- Coachglue
- Mom Webs
- Proofread Anywhere
- Co-schedule
- Grammarly
- Notion
- Newsletter Alchemy
- Amazon
It’s worth noting that some links lead to free resources. Users incur costs only if they choose to upgrade to premium versions. Certain programs pay for leads regardless of upgrades, while others only compensate upon upgrading. This model works well since readers appreciate free options and may choose to upgrade if desired.
Gumroad
As part of my platform focus, I utilize Gumroad to sell my success kits, planners, journals, and reports. Though it's not universally favored, I have my reasons for choosing it, and I manage to earn income there monthly, albeit with variable amounts.
Sponsored Posts
After transitioning away from my WordPress blogs, my income from sponsored posts has decreased. However, at the beginning of the year, I still earned from collaborations with brands, primarily through the Intellifluence platform. I’ve kept my account active there since they occasionally offer sponsored posts for social media, which I might consider if they align with my values. Remember to always disclose sponsored content on your platforms.
Domain Sales
Upon leaving my blog, I listed my domains for sale. One sold quickly, and I received payment almost immediately, while another remains available. I use Afternic for domain sales, which might be useful information for others as well.
Kofi
Many individuals regard it as inappropriate to solicit money from readers, a sentiment I once shared. I’ve since changed my perspective, and if you wish to read about my reasoning, you can find it in my article. If you disagree, that’s perfectly fine, and I’m not particularly interested in discussing it further.
My eBook
I have a concise, practical, and occasionally best-selling Kindle eBook titled "Free Tools for Writers, Bloggers and Solopreneurs." It boasts over 400 reviews with an average rating of 4.5 and has sold more than 10,000 copies. Although it doesn’t generate substantial income, it does contribute a modest amount each month through direct sales and affiliate links.
My Cafepress Shops
I launched my Cafepress gift shops for writers purely for enjoyment. I offer products such as mugs, refrigerator magnets, and T-shirts. I don’t actively promote these items, yet I still make consistent sales, which adds a few extra dollars to my income.
That summarizes my income sources for the first half of 2024. How has your year been in terms of earnings?
Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission. For more details on my use of affiliate links, click here.
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