Ali Abdaal
October 13, 2023
Building a $10K/Month Online Writing Business
TL;DR
Online writing leverages internet platforms and rapid feedback loops to help writers build profitable personal brands faster than traditional publishing, using three monetization models: advertising, paywalls, and services.
Key Takeaways
- 1Online writing differs from legacy publishing by posting to existing audiences on social platforms rather than waiting for traditional gatekeepers and publishers
- 2The feedback loop is critical: publish small pieces, get instant data on what resonates, and iterate based on audience response instead of spending years on unpublished work
- 3Three income models exist: advertising (attention-based, needs massive scale), paywalls/exclusivity (subscriptions and products, works with 1,000 true fans), and services (ghostwriting, copywriting, paid by outcome)
- 4Building an audience first through free content creates leverage for later product launches, courses, and premium offerings with built-in buyers
- 5Copywriting and outcome-based compensation structures allow writers to earn six-to-seven figures by taking a percentage of revenue improvements they drive
Notable Quotes
“Online writing is about publishing where the readers already are. I.E social media platforms”
— Host
“Feedback is the key to starting and sustaining and monetizing your online writing journey”
— Host (referencing Nicholas Cole)
“There are two types of writers today: those who use data to inform and improve their writing and those who fail”
— Nicholas Cole
“The beauty of productizing your service is that you're removing the constraint of being paid for time”
— Host
Chapters
1. Online Writing vs. Legacy Publishing
Online writing publishes to existing audiences on social platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, Quora) rather than pursuing traditional publishing deals. It removes gatekeepers and elitism, allowing anyone to build a writer career. Unlike legacy writing, which relies on rejection and years of waiting, online writing offers immediate feedback and audience building.
2. The Three-Part Funnel: Forest, Feedback, and Analysis
Step 1 is the 'forest of ideas'—publish consistently and experiment with many topics to discover what resonates. Step 2 is the 'feedback cave'—analyze comments and metrics to understand audience preferences. Step 3 is the 'pool of analysis'—identify patterns and double down on successful topics, as Mark Manson and Ryan Holiday did.
3. Monetization Model 1: Advertising (Attention-Based)
Earn money through clicks, ad space, affiliate commissions, and sponsorships. Simple to apply but requires massive scale. Medium articles with 25,000–38,000 views earn only $1,100–$1,700. Revenue is volatile and depends on platform algorithms outside your control.
4. Monetization Model 2: Paywalls and Exclusivity
Charge for premium content via newsletters, courses, or products. Kevin Kelly's '1,000 true fans' concept applies: earn a living with just 1,000 paying supporters at $100/year each. Examples include premium Substack newsletters earning $1M+ annually and ebooks generating $40,000 in 16 days.
5. Monetization Model 3: Writing Services and Copywriting
Offer writing as a service (ghostwriting, content writing, copywriting). Copywriting is most lucrative when compensation is tied to revenue outcomes rather than hours worked. Top copywriters earn millions by taking a percentage of sales improvements they generate for clients.
Key People & Entities
- Nicholas Cole
- Multi-millionaire online writer and author of 'The Art and Business of Online Writing'; built Shei 30 for 30 to millions in revenue
- Mark Manson
- Bestselling author who expanded his viral blog post 'The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F***' into a book after publisher suggested it
- Ryan Holiday
- Marketing writer whose viral blog post on stoicism led him to build a multi-million-dollar writing empire of books, newsletters, and products
- Packy McCormick
- Online writer whose newsletter 'Not Boring' reached 1M+ annual revenue within two years of launch
- Daniel Vaso
- Online writer who leveraged his audience to earn $40,000 in 16 days through an Amazon FBA ebook
- Kevin Kelly
- Creator of the '1,000 True Fans' concept, influential in understanding sustainable creator economics
- Gary Halbert
- Famous copywriter known for earning millions from single pieces of copywriting
- Shopify
- E-commerce and business platform sponsor; enables creators to build online stores and sell products without coding
Glossary
- Legacy Writing
- Traditional publishing model where writers seek approval from gatekeepers (publishers, editors) and wait years for manuscript review and publication
- Feedback Loop
- The cycle of publishing content, receiving audience response, and iterating based on data—much faster in online writing than traditional publishing
- 1,000 True Fans
- Kevin Kelly's concept that a creator needs only 1,000 loyal supporters willing to pay annually to sustain a living, rather than millions of casual followers
- Copywriting
- Writing designed to sell a product or service; often compensated based on revenue outcomes rather than hours spent
- Paywalls
- Charging readers for access to premium content, such as subscription newsletters or exclusive courses
- Ghost Writing
- Writing done on behalf of another person (e.g., a CEO or celebrity) who is credited as the author