7 Ways To Make Money Online As A Writer In 2025
“If content is king, then marketing it has become non-negotiable for brands everywhere,” Statista analysts emphasized in their 2024 content marketing industry report.
The report also revealed that the two biggest areas where companies are investing their marketing budgets are video content and thought leadership material.
Why thought leadership? Because it works. Businesses that consistently publish authoritative, insightful content not only build trust and credibility with their customers but also stand out from competitors and become the go-to source in their space. And when you’re seen as a trusted expert, it becomes much easier to naturally weave in opportunities to promote products and services.
For freelancers, this trend is a golden opportunity. Skilled professionals who know how to craft high-quality thought leadership content can turn that demand into steady income—whether by offering services to companies or by monetizing their own expertise as a side hustle.
7 Ways To Monetize Your Writing Skills In 2025
Let’s say you’ve built a career in software development, engineering, or another specialized field. You can absolutely leverage that background to make money as a writer. Here are seven proven paths:
-
Offer your services as a technical writer.
-
Write for B2B SaaS companies—covering topics like productivity, AI, or workplace tools.
-
Create an online course (written lessons plus video) teaching others how to break into your industry.
-
Freelance for industry publications as a contributing writer.
-
Launch a paid Substack newsletter for aspiring professionals in your field.
-
Build and monetize a LinkedIn newsletter by attracting a loyal following, then offering ad spots, sponsorships, or affiliate promotions.
-
Provide ghostwriting services for thought leaders—writing LinkedIn posts, white papers, or articles under their name.
Each of these can grow into a reliable income stream. Some (like ghostwriting or technical content writing) provide immediate cash flow, while others (like newsletters and affiliate marketing) can build passive income over time.
How To Start Writing Without Experience
You don’t need a journalism degree—or even years of professional writing behind you—to succeed as a freelance writer. What you do need are three essentials:
1. A Portfolio
Every freelancer needs samples to show clients. If you don’t have any yet, create them:
-
Start a blog—not to monetize at first, but to showcase your work.
-
Offer services at a reduced rate to build testimonials and case studies.
-
Create mock projects to demonstrate your skills.
2. A Niche
Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Focus on a niche you know well and are excited about. It’s easier to build trust with clients and to write high-quality content quickly when you’re not starting from zero on every topic.
3. A Pitch
Once you’ve built a small portfolio, start pitching.
-
Use platforms like Upwork and LinkedIn to find opportunities.
-
Look for SaaS companies or B2B businesses that hire freelance writers.
-
Be proactive: research companies in your niche and reach out directly.
When pitching, include:
-
A few writing samples.
-
An understanding of the client’s audience and needs.
-
Example article ideas or content outlines.
-
Metrics (if you have them) like audience reach, engagement, or conversions.
Pro tip: AI tools can help you speed up the research and brainstorming process. For example, you can use ChatGPT to generate a list of 50 potential clients in your niche, then reach out with tailored pitches.
The Bottom Line
Anyone with solid writing skills can make money online in 2025. The key is to pick one method to start with—whether it’s freelancing, ghostwriting, or launching your own newsletter—and take the first step today. Build your portfolio, choose your niche, and start pitching.
Your expertise is valuable. With the right strategy, your knowledge can pay off—not just in your 9-to-5 job, but in a thriving writing side hustle too.