Work Hair by Evil Erin via Flickr
Let’s face it, sometimes publishing isn’t the most lucrative of professions. For many of us it’s going to take years to make a living at publishing and since many have bills to pay from the holiday season, I figured why not talk about money?
Last month, I read an article that suggested authors do things like graphic design and social media to supplement their incomes. Not bad advice there, but when they suggested doing it via Elance and Guru (outsourcing websites), I nearly threw my computer out the window. For those of you who don’t know, these are project bidding places where it’s not uncommon to see writers working for pennies. Not a very lucrative market if you ask me. So, I decided to tell you how authors usually make their money outside of the typical day job.
Email Lists
Many authors have finally wised up to the idea of staying in touch with their fans via email. Some have even go on to acquire thousands of email addresses. Knowing there’s money to be made, authors will either rent their lists out to companies or have advertising in their newsletters. I don’t see anything wrong with that, as long as you warn your subscribers that there will be advertising and their information will be shared with a third party.
Aweber
MailChimp
Constant Contact
Vertical Response
Websites/Blogs
Today, many popular authors like J.K. Rowling are creating exclusive content for their own websites and selling books exclusively to their super fans. Some authors even have subscription services where readers pay a monthly fee for access to exclusive material. This would be more ideal for the nonfiction author who wants to teach or offer coaching.
Meanwhile, those authors who review books on their blogs can sign up for blog touring services via PR agencies or book review sites.
Affiliate Marketing
Places like Amazon and Book Baby are looking for authors with websites to pimp their products to both authors and readers. This is the side hustle of choice for lots of indie authors because it requires very little effort on their part. The responsibility of the product is solely on the retailer. Ads to other books or products can be put on blogs, websites, newsletters and even your eBook.
BookBaby
Barnes and Noble
Amazon
LinkShare
Smashwords
By Dave Berger via Flickr
Speaking Engagements
Since the time of Edgar Allan Poe and Mark Twain, authors have hit the speaking circuit to entertain as well as educated the masses. Many authors can make a decent living speaking to students and industry professionals about the writing craft or publishing. However, it takes time and effort to make this work. The more popular you are, the more you can command. Here are a few places to start your search for speaking gigs.
SpeakerServices.com
SpeakerZone.com
The National Speakers Association
Podcasts
There are podcasts for just about any profession you can think of, from doll making to accounting. The money is in advertising, as long as you can build an audience of an engaged listeners, you can make serious dough. The key is to have engaged listeners, otherwise, it won’t work.
BlogTalkRadio
PodBean
Podcast Garden
Freelance Writing/ Guest Posting
There are plenty of places looking for writers, websites, magazines and newspapers pay well for a piece that suits their audience. If you are passionate about a subject, why not get paid to write about it? Many times you’ll get a byline where you can mention your books. This is almost as good as advertising. For those of you wondering, yes, there are fiction magazines and websites that pay writers.
Poets and Writers
Writers Write
WritersWeekly.com
FreelanceWriting.com
WritingCareer.com
Final Thoughts
As you’ve seen all these things require hard work, but if you want to use your writing talents and visibility to make money on the side these are the most common ways authors do it. If done correctly, these side hustles can enhance your bank account and maybe even your career.
Filed under: Business, writing, Writing Business Tagged: Freelancing, hustling, Money, Publishing, Side Gig, Side Hustle
