The BEST Ways For a Writer To Make a Residual Income
Everybody needs to pay their rent!
Residual income for writers involves creating work that continues to generate revenue over time without requiring constant, on-going effort. Here are some of the best ways for a writer to build residual income, in my opinion.
1. Self-Publishing Books or Ebooks
Publish books or microbooks on platforms like Amazon KDP, Gumroad, or Smashwords. Once written, they can sell for years. I currently find myself writing microbooks, a smaller book of non-fiction book. I use Amazon KDP for kindle books and Gumroad for PDF versions.
Write evergreen content (topics that stay relevant for long periods).
Use tools like Canva to create eye-catching covers.
Optimize your book's keywords and categories for better discoverability.
I like to write them in series so Amazon keeps them together. I try to make the covers obviously similar.
2. Blogging with Monetization
Build a blog around a niche you enjoy and monetize it through ads, affiliate links, or sponsored posts.
Use platforms like WordPress or Medium Partner Program.
Incorporate SEO to drive organic traffic.
Sell digital products or services (e.g., writing templates, guides, microbooks).
3. Online Courses or Workshops
Create a course on a topic you know well and host it on platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Gumroad.
Focus on actionable content (e.g., "How to s").
Offer upsells like one-on-one coaching.
Promote your course to your audience regularly.
4. Licensing Your Content or Selling Stock Writing
License your articles, poetry, or stories to websites or sell them to syndication platforms.
Submit evergreen content to outlets like Constant Content or Medium publications.
Write greeting card content for niche markets. When you land a good contact, use it as long as you can.
5. Affiliate Marketing
Join programs like Amazon Associates or CJ Affiliate.
Write reviews or resource guides related to your niche. This will require some advance work from you but it will be worth the time.
Incorporate affiliate links into your blog, email newsletters, or social media.
6. Create Subscription-Based Content
Offer premium content on platforms like Substack, Patreon, or Buy Me a Coffee. Subscribers pay a recurring fee for exclusive content.
Provide value with tutorials, behind-the-scenes insights, or serialized stories.
Keep subscription fees affordable to attract more readers. You can even put part of it behind a paywall and part not.
7. Develop Writing Tools or Templates
Writers love resources! Sell your templates for outlining, story structure, query letters, and/or blog post planning.
Use Gumroad or Etsy to list downloadable resources.
Bundle tools for added value.
8. Licensing Your Stories for Adaptations
If you’re a fiction writer, consider licensing your short stories or novels for audio dramas, podcasts, or screen adaptations.
Network with indie filmmakers or audio producers. Here again, a lot of up-front work.
Submit some of your work to platforms that accept scripts or serialized storytelling.
9. Write Evergreen Content for Revenue-Sharing Sites
Publish content on sites like HubPages, Vocal Media, or InfoBarrel that offer revenue sharing based on ad views or readership.
Write these articles with high search potential (e.g., how-tos, tips, and guides).
Focus on niches with consistent demand. Use Google Auto-complete.
10. Serialize Your Stories
Publish serialized fiction on platforms like Radish, Kindle Vella, or even as a Substack series. Readers will pay to unlock each episode or story.
Use cliffhangers to keep readers engaged.
Build anticipation with regular release schedules.
11. Invest in Your Backlist
If you have previously published books or articles, repackage them as collections, box sets, or updated editions. This is pretty easy to do on Amazon, and you can do it yourself on Gumroad.
Offer a discount for bundles.
Create audiobooks of your good-selling books to reach a wider audience.
You can even combine a few of these strategies, diversify your income stream, and consequently build a stable foundation for residual earnings as a writer.
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