11 Writing Side Hustles + How to Earn Money with Your Words

professional writing resources for writers Feb 24, 2025

Explore flexible writing side hustles that turn your passion for writing into a profitable pursuit and get my step-by-step guide to getting started.

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

Why start a writing side hustle in 2025?
11 writing side hustles to explore
How to start your writing side hustle

Why start a writing side hustle in 2025?

Writing side hustles are a fantastic way to earn money while putting pen to paper. Whether you're supplementing your income, gaining valuable experience, or supporting your creative writing dreams, these flexible opportunities let you achieve your goals without the 40-hour-a-week commitment of full-time employment.

If you're a stay-at-home parent seeking a professional outlet with flexible hours, an aspiring entrepreneur eager to turn a side gig into a lucrative business, or a full-time professional planning a career pivot, writing side hustles can fit your needs. Best of all, with the right skills, a steady stream of clients, and a commitment to quality, your side hustle might even grow into a significant source of income—potentially allowing you to work less while earning more.

From part-time positions and contract gigs to starting your own business offering writing services, the possibilities are vast. Whether you’re looking to work with established companies or attract your own clients and build a personal brand, the key is knowing where to start and what types of writing are in demand.

In this article, we’ll dive into the top writing side hustles for 2025 and explore the steps you can take to get started today.

11 writing side hustles to explore

When selecting the writing side hustles for this list, I focused on opportunities that offer flexibility: the ability to work remotely and choose your own hours. These hustles also have strong earning potential, with income that grows as you gain experience and build a solid reputation. Finally, with each hustle, you can leverage the latest technology to produce exceptional work, attract new clients, and streamline your business for even greater success.

1. Content marketing

Description: Content marketing involves creating valuable, engaging, and targeted content to help businesses build brand awareness and drive sales. It's an ever-growing field with companies seeking writers to craft blog posts, articles, and social media copy.

Tasks: Write and edit blog articles, create social media content calendars, draft eBooks, research content trends, and optimize content for search engines (SEO).

First step: Learn the basics of SEO and content strategy through free resources like HubSpot Academy, SEMRush Academy, and NeilPatel.com. Then, offer your services on platforms like LinkedIn or Upwork.

2. Blogging

Description: Blogging involves sharing your knowledge, creativity, or passions while generating income through ads, affiliate marketing, or paid sponsorships. It can start as a hobby and grow into a full-time business.

Tasks: Write blog posts, optimize content for SEO, design your blog layout, position ads or affiliate promotions strategically within posts, and drive traffic to your posts through social media or email marketing.

First step: Choose a niche you’re passionate about, set up a blog using platforms like WordPress, Medium, Substack, or Wix, and write your first post.

3. Writing book reviews

Description: As a book lover or literary enthusiast, you can get paid to read and review books for platforms like Reedsy Discovery or through direct arrangements with authors, ultimately helping readers discover their next great read.

Tasks: Read books, write detailed and engaging reviews, and post them to review sites or share with publishers.

First step: Sign up for platforms like Reedsy Discovery or NetGalley to start reviewing books for free or paid opportunities.

4. Amazon self-publishing

Description: Self-publishing on Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allows writers to publish eBooks or print books, earning royalties on book sales while maintaining creative control over their message.

Tasks: Write, format, and upload your book to Amazon, manage marketing campaigns, and interact with readers.

First step: Research how KDP works and draft your first book idea. Then explore writing software to draft, revise, and format your book.

5. Affiliate marketing

Description: Writers with a blog, newsletter, or social media presence can earn commissions by promoting products or services through affiliate links.

Tasks: Create high-quality, informative content featuring affiliate links to products, monitor performance metrics, and build relationships with brands and affiliate programs.

First step: Apply to affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or ShareASale, and start writing content that aligns with the products you’ll promote.

6. Content repurposing

Description: Content repurposing involves taking existing content, such as blog posts or videos, and transforming them into new formats like infographics, social posts, or email campaigns. Businesses love this cost-effective way to maximize their content’s reach.

Tasks: Reformat content, create visuals, and schedule posts across platforms while maintaining brand consistency.

First Step: Offer to repurpose content for a small business or influencer to build a portfolio. Then showcase your work on platforms like LinkedIn or your own online portfolio.

7. Web content / sales page writing

Description: Web content writing focuses on creating informative, engaging copy for websites, landing pages, and sales pages. The goal is to turn visitors into customers with persuasive, clear, and compelling messaging.

Tasks: Write and optimize website content, create calls to action (CTAs), draft product descriptions, and design sales pages that drive conversions.

First step: Start by studying the element of successful landing and sales pages. Then, practice this type of writing by offering to generate sales and landing pages for small businesses or startups.

8. Email marketing / newsletter writing

Description: Email marketing involves crafting targeted email campaigns or newsletters that engage subscribers and encourage them to take action, whether that's buying a product, reading a blog post, or joining an event.

Tasks: Write email copy, segment audiences, design email layouts, and analyze open rates and click-through rates to improve campaigns.

First step: Familiarize yourself with email platforms like Mailchimp, MailerLite, or Kit. Then, practice by creating a small newsletter for a local business or a niche blog.

9. Freelance developmental editing

Description: A developmental editor takes a big-picture approach to improving a manuscript, focusing on structure, pacing, character development, and overall storytelling. While AI tools can assist with grammar and proofreading, developmental editors provide the human insight needed to refine a story’s emotional impact, identify plot gaps, and strengthen the writer’s unique voice.

Tasks: Assess manuscripts for story flow and cohesion, provide feedback on plot structure and character arcs, help authors enhance their narrative voice, and guide revisions to improve reader engagement.

First step: Join a writer’s group or an online critique community to practice giving feedback on others’ work. Over time, build a portfolio by offering free or low-cost developmental edits to emerging writers before pitching your services to paying clients.

10. Ghostwriting

Description: In a world where AI can generate content instantly, ghostwriters remain essential because they bring depth, nuance, and true human experience to writing. AI can assemble information, but it lacks the ability to craft a compelling narrative that feels authentic and emotionally resonant. Ghostwriters collaborate with clients to capture their unique voice, tell their personal or brand story, and shape ideas into well-structured, engaging content.

Tasks: Interview clients to understand their voice and vision, craft books, articles, and speeches that reflect their expertise, refine AI-generated drafts for coherence and authenticity, and create deeply personal or thought-provoking content that an AI alone cannot produce.

First step: Build a portfolio by ghostwriting blog posts or LinkedIn articles for professionals. Then network with entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and busy executives who need writing support but lack the time or skill to do it themselves.

11. Training generative AI

Description: As AI tools become increasingly popular, companies are hiring writers to train and refine generative AI models. This involves creating prompts, curating content, and offering feedback to help AI models produce high-quality, relevant outputs.

Tasks: Develop training content for AI systems, test AI outputs, and adjust the training process to ensure high-quality results.

First Step: Familiarize yourself with AI tools like OpenAI and Google’s AI platforms, then look for freelance opportunities on AI-specific job boards or general freelance platforms.

For more ideas on different types of professional writing, see my article, "Your 2025 Quick Guide to Professional Writing."

How to start your writing side hustle

Building a successful writing side hustle takes more than just talent. It requires strategy, persistence, and a willingness to adapt. Whether you’re starting from scratch or refining existing skills, these steps will help you turn your passion into a profitable endeavor.

1. Adopt a business mindset.

Think beyond writing as a hobby and start viewing it as a service. Even if you've never taken a business course or considered yourself an entrepreneur, embracing a business mindset is key to success. You’re not just writing. You’re solving problems for clients, helping them communicate ideas, and creating value with your words. Understanding your target client's needs and goals will help you position yourself effectively. And yes, that means getting comfortable promoting your skills and putting your work out into the world.

2. Decide on your niche.

Start by exploring the writing side hustle options that align with your skills and interests. If you’re torn between multiple possibilities, narrow your focus to three or four that excite you and show strong market potential. Consider how technology is reshaping industries.

Where is there demand for human expertise despite AI advancements?
Which writing fields have room for growth in 2025 and beyond?

Choosing the right niche ensures your work remains both personally fulfilling and financially viable.

3. Build in-demand writing skills.

To produce high-quality work, invest in continuous learning. This could mean taking courses, attending workshops, reading industry articles, finding a mentor, or studying the habits of successful professional writers in your niche. Writing is a craft that evolves with practice, and staying updated with the latest techniques will set you apart from the competition.

4. Practice and build writing samples.

Writers improve through practice, and the more you write, the more you’ll discover your unique strengths. Whether you're working on creative writing projects or professional content, having samples is essential to gaining a clientele and building a reputation in your niche. Writing consistently also brings personal satisfaction and gives you something concrete to show for your efforts.

5. Connect with a writing community.

Writing can be a solitary endeavor, but you don’t have to go it alone. Surround yourself with like-minded professionals by joining a writer’s group, an online network, or a professional association in your field. Community is invaluable for sharing ideas, asking questions, and learning about new business or job opportunities. And remember, networking is a two-way street. Be sure to contribute and offer support to others at the same time that you glean their wisdom.

6. Get writing feedback.

To refine your writing and gain new insights, seek feedback from different sources. Constructive criticism helps you identify blind spots, strengthen your voice, and create work that resonates with clients or audiences. Feedback isn’t just about discovering what corrections you need to make. It’s more about uncovering opportunities to elevate your craft and complete projects with authenticity and excellence.

For more on seeking feedback, see "How to Get Feedback on Your Writing: a Practical Guide."

7. Build an online body of work.

A strong online presence establishes credibility and attracts clients. Create a portfolio on your own website or publish work on platforms like Medium or Substack. Showcase snippets of longer projects, provide links to published pieces, and share testimonials from satisfied clients. You can also maintain a blog where you discuss industry trends, share writing tips, and position yourself as an authority in your niche.

8. Go after freelance, contract, and part-time opportunities.

One of the best things about writing side hustles is their flexibility. You decide how much time you want to commit. Explore freelance, part-time, and contract opportunities that fit your schedule, whether short-term projects lasting a few weeks or ongoing client relationships. Many job sites allow you to filter search results to find contract or part-time work that aligns with your goals.

9. Stay on top of AI’s impact on writing.

Like any major technological shift, AI is reshaping the writing industry. While it can speed up tedious tasks, the ability to craft original, emotionally resonant, and deeply insightful work remains a human skill. Successful writers in 2025 and beyond will be those who understand AI’s capabilities while maintaining their creative edge. Set your own boundaries for AI use, but also stay informed on how it’s changing your niche. For example:

Ghostwriters may increasingly be asked to refine AI-generated drafts, but clients will still need human expertise to capture their authentic stories, tone, and message.
Freelance editors can use AI for initial structural analysis, but will remain essential for deep, intuitive feedback on voice, pacing, and emotional impact.

By embracing innovation while strengthening your unique skills, you can future-proof your writing career and maximize your income potential.

Let's launch your writing career!

Eager to dive into the world of professional writing? Subscribe and get my latest insights, event announcements, new articles and courses ... all helping you turn your writing passion into a steady income!