The 4 Big Reasons Most Writers Do Not Make Money Writing Online

When I first started to write online I had a dream.

I dreamed of living wherever I wanted. I dreamed of writing about whatever interested me. I dreamed of working the hours that suited me. I dreamed of having a large audience who would instantly read whatever I published so that I would earn enough money to support my lifestyle.

Most writers start the same way. We think me, me, me, money, money, money, fame, fame, fame.

Be honest, you probably started out with at least some of the same basic ambitions. But the internet doesn’t work like that. In fact, no writing platform works like that. In fact, no success path works like that.

If you want to be a top tennis player you have to start at the bottom, hone your game and work your way to the top. If you want to be a wealthy and famous industrialist you have to start on the factory floor and work your way up so that you know the business inside out and backwards.

Writing’s the same. You have to learn your craft by trial and error and studying how the business works.

These are the 4 biggest mistakes most writers make. I know because I made all of them myself.

You must take account of how people search on the internet

People use the internet for two basic reasons:

to communicate with other people via email, texts and on group platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.

To search for answers to subjects that interest them.

In other words, as far as writers are concerned the internet is a source of information and communication.

Now, think about how you, yes you, search for information.

You enter a search word or phrase into the search bar of a search engine like Google or Ecosia the search engine that plants trees. You are then presented with a selection of answers. You scroll down the first few answers looking for a headline that suggests the answer you’re looking for.

You click on the headline and then you quickly scan down the information to look for the specifics that interest you. You do not read through large chunks of words until you have decided that you want to dig deeper into the subject.

The lesson is that you should present your information to your readers in easily digestible chunks and with lots of scannable headings.

And your headings should always suggest that there is more valuable information below.

Your answers must be specific and/or unique

Readers have chosen your headline because they expect it will introduce them to the answer they want.

What they want is very specific information to tell them what they need to do. And, when that information is unique to your answer, article or story, they will likely stay and read it all.

This is why the research you do is important. If you can save your readers time you will earn their gratitude. Then they may clap, or like or star rate your answer.

It is also why any unique knowledge you impart in your answer will be valuable to your visitor and earn their praise.

In fact, your answer doesn’t even have to be unique provided it is presented in a fresh and interesting way. I once read the same answer presented in 3 different ways. The first two answers did not resonate with me. The third answer inspired me and got me going.

You must listen to and take action on feedback

The internet is wonderful because it works so quickly.

You often get instant feedback on the articles you write. This is your readers and followers talking to you. They’re telling you what they want. A simple “like” is saying, “This is good, give me more of the same on this subject.”

Highlights left on your articles tell you, “This is a good point that I find of value, expressed in a way that resonates with me.” Keep a note of all the phrases and sentences that get highlighted.

The famous copywriter Leo Burnett who built the largest advertising agency in the world, outside of New York, used to keep a manila folder on his desk in which he left notes of phrases and sayings people used that had a ring of honesty about them. He used those phrases in his advertisements. They were a major reason why Leo was such a successful Mad Man.

When a reader leaves a comment or response to one of your articles read what they say, think about it and thank them. Responses are opportunities to start a dialogue with your readers, to get to know them better, to learn more about what they want and how they would like the information presented.

You must become famous on the internet to make real money

Don’t duck, or doubt, it’s not scary at all.

All the people who make significant money on the internet are well known. In that respect, the internet is just the same as the world of traditional publishing. Out there the most famous authors sell the most books and the most famous journalists have columns in the biggest-selling journals. We read their work and listen to their broadcasts because we view them as experts.

That is the secret of online fame — you have to become known as an expert.

I write a lot about writing because it is my way of studying the subject in order to get better and become an expert. I also write a lot about Mind Mastery because I have been studying the subject for nearly 40 years and practising it as a coach for 25 years.

To become famous on the internet you must know your niche and go on and on writing about it.

Important lesson

A few days ago I received a private message on my Twitter account. The sender wanted to know how much I earn by writing on Medium.

I asked him why he wanted that information.

He said he wanted to know what he could expect to earn as an online writer.

I told him you cannot expect to earn anything. Your earnings will be directly related to the four skills I have outlined in this article:

Present your information or your story in a way that readers/visitors can quickly and easily comprehend.

Give unique and/or specific information in a fresh way.

Take account of feedback so that you know your readers likes and dislikes.

Become a famous expert in a specific niche.

Thanks for reading, David.

P.S. To grow your writing practice and earn more money online, please subscribe below to get all the articles that will help you — see “Get an email whenever David Ferrers publishes”.