How I Earned Over $25,000 Writing Online—And the Mistake I Made
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Chapter 1: The Beginning of My Journey
When I first ventured into online writing, I was thrilled to discover that I could actually earn money. It all started with a mere $0.37 while I slept! Until then, I had thought that earning income from writing online was just a fantasy or even a scam. The possibility of making money ignited my excitement. If I could earn $0.37, then surely $1 was within reach. From there, I believed I could scale up to $10, $20, and beyond. The possibilities seemed endless.
However, this story has its share of disappointments.
Let me share my experience with you.
The Beginning of My Online Writing Adventure
My journey into online writing commenced in 2015 when I created an affiliate marketing website. I directed traffic to affiliate links, and each purchase made through those links brought me earnings. After about 18 months, my site reached a peak income of over $3,000 per month. Yes, you read that right—I was making roughly $100 daily! That initial year saw me earn over $25,000 through my writing endeavors.
The Downward Spiral
The strategy seemed straightforward:
more content = more clicks = more income.
Or so I believed...
However, two years later, my website faced a significant setback when a Google algorithm update hit. Although my site recovered a few months later, it only regained about 75% of its previous traffic. Soon after, another update struck, followed by yet another. Each time my website was affected, my traffic and earnings plummeted. Now, my once-promising site is virtually worthless.
In general, websites can be sold for 30 to 50 times their monthly revenue. At one point, my site was valued at over $90,000. Reflecting on this is disheartening, but it taught me three invaluable lessons.
Lesson 1: No Shortcuts Exist
I've observed numerous writers on platforms like Medium searching for the elusive shortcut to success. The reality is that there are no shortcuts. Achieving success requires hard work.
Consider this scenario: you might stumble upon a shortcut that makes one of your articles go viral, resulting in a windfall of cash. However, the critical question is: how can you replicate that success? If you relied on a shortcut, you may have missed out on essential skills, such as:
- Crafting engaging headlines
- Writing quality content
- Building an audience
- Tailoring your writing for your readers
Yes, that one article may have gone viral, but you could be limiting your overall success.
Takeaway: Stop seeking shortcuts; success is built on hard work and quality writing.
Chapter 2: Quality Over Quantity
Initially, I believed that the secret to success was simple:
more content = more clicks = more revenue.
That notion proved to be incorrect. Google made this abundantly clear, and the cost of that lesson was steep.
The same principle applies on Medium. Many writers assume that:
more content = more reads = more money.
While you may gain followers and views initially, if your work lacks quality, readers will lose interest. Medium might stop promoting your articles, and your journey to success will falter.
Instead of churning out content, pause and take a broader view. Focus on producing high-quality material that genuinely assists your audience.
The formula for success should be redefined as:
high-quality content = more reads = more revenue.
Lesson 3: Diversify Your Sources
My website's primary flaw was its complete dependence on Google traffic. I failed to build a community or promote myself on social media—I relied entirely on Google for traffic.
Key Lesson: Diversification is crucial.
Do not depend solely on Medium for your income. Consider starting a newsletter, selling digital products, or cultivating a following outside the platform.
Final Thoughts
Contemplating the fact that my website was once valued at $90,000 is truly upsetting.
Nevertheless, the lessons I've learned are invaluable.
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