Writing That Makes Money

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A Complete Guide from Types to Monetization Methods

“What kind of writing makes money?” This is a question anyone interested in writing has likely pondered at least once. To get straight to the point, writing that solves a reader’s problem and provides value makes money. In modern society, writing has transcended being a mere means of expressing emotion and has established itself as a professional field that generates income with a clear purpose.

Profitable writing can be broadly categorized into Sales Writing (Copywriting), Informational Writing (Content Writing), Specialized Technical Writing (Technical Writing), and Creative Writing. Each field differs in the required competencies and monetization methods.

1. ‘Sales Writing’ (Copywriting) That Drives Direct Sales

Copywriting is writing that directly induces a reader’s purchasing behavior, used in ad copy, product detail pages, email marketing, and social media ads. The core objective is to compellingly convey the benefits of a product or service, persuading the reader to open their wallet.

• Key Activities: Crafting advertising copy, creating website landing pages, describing product details, writing marketing emails and newsletters.
• Monetization Methods: Per-project fees, monthly retainer contracts, performance-based incentives, etc. The income gap varies greatly depending on experience and portfolio, and professional copywriters can earn a high income.
• How to Start: It’s good to start by reading books on marketing and psychology, analyzing successful ad copy, practicing writing copy for hypothetical products/services, and building a portfolio by starting with small projects on freelance platforms like Kmong.

2. ‘Informational Writing’ (Content Marketing) That Builds Trust and Creates Fans

Content marketing involves providing useful information to readers through blog posts, informational articles, white papers, and social media content. It’s about building a trusting relationship with potential customers and, in the long run, turning them into fans of the brand.

• Key Activities: Blog posting, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) writing, publishing newsletters, writing YouTube scripts, creating e-books.
• Monetization Methods:
  • Ad Revenue: Earning income by placing ads on blogs or websites, such as Naver AdPost or Google AdSense.
  • Affiliate Marketing: Including links to products or services in your content and receiving a commission when sales occur through those links.
  • Selling Your Own Products/Services: Selling your own lectures, consulting, or e-books based on the expertise and trust built through your writing.
• How to Start: It is important to choose a specific niche, consistently publish articles on platforms like a blog or ‘Brunch’ (a Korean platform), and build your expertise. An understanding of SEO is very helpful for content exposure.

3. ‘Specialized Technical Writing’ (Technical Writing) That Clearly Conveys Complex Information

Technical writing primarily involves creating user manuals, technical reports, and development guides in specialized fields such as IT, manufacturing, and medicine. The ability to clearly convey complex and difficult technical content so that general users or experts in a specific field can easily understand it is crucial.

• Key Activities: Writing product user manuals, software development documentation, API guides, and technical white papers.
• Monetization Methods: Most technical writers are employed by companies and receive a stable salary. The average salary for technical writers in Korea varies by experience and specialty, but you can receive high compensation if your expertise is recognized.
• How to Start: A degree or experience in a relevant field is advantageous. It is good to build a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to systematically organize and clearly explain complex information (e.g., translating or participating in writing documentation for open-source projects).

4. ‘Creative Writing’ That Generates Income with Original Stories

This is writing that captivates readers’ hearts with your own original stories and style, such as web novels, webtoon scenarios, drama scripts, and essays. With the development of various platforms, opportunities for anyone to become a creator and generate income have increased.

• Key Activities: Serializing web novels, publishing essays, writing scenarios.
• Monetization Methods:
  • Platform Serialization: Receiving a share of the revenue generated from serializing a work for a fee on web novel platforms like Naver Series or KakaoPage.
  • Royalties: Publishing a book through a publisher and receiving royalties based on sales.
  • Derivative Works: Earning additional copyright income if your web novel or scenario is adapted into a webtoon, drama, or movie.
  • Platform Sponsorship: Generating income through functions that allow readers to directly support the writer (memberships, “cheer for” buttons, etc.) on platforms like ‘Brunch’.
• How to Start: You can steadily serialize a work on a web novel platform while monitoring reader reactions, or gather fans by serializing essays on ‘Brunch’ or a personal blog to receive publishing offers. Challenging various writing contests is also a good method.

In addition to these, Ghostwriting (such as for autobiographies or speeches), which involves writing in someone else’s name, is also a professional field that can generate high income.

In conclusion, writing that makes money goes beyond simply polishing sentences beautifully. It starts with understanding the reader and accurately providing the value they need. If you choose a field you are interested in and good at, write consistently, and cultivate your expertise, writing can undoubtedly become an excellent tool for generating income.

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