(click play on the video above, or click here if you’re reading this in email)
As the traditional publishing industry has shrunk over the past decade, some writers are actually finding it easier to earn a full-time living.
For Jeff Goins, it all started with building his own following. Once his audience grew, traditional publishers came knocking.
But getting published wasn’t the key to earning a living. Jeff was already on his way to earning a full-time income by that point, through self-publishing and selling his own online programs. Getting published was an itch he still wanted to scratch, but for different reasons.
In this interview, Jeff shares the insider details every aspiring writer should know about what it really takes to earn a living in today’s environment. In many ways there are more opportunities for writers than ever before.
Here’s some of what you’ll learn in the interview:
- When you should “officially” consider yourself a writer (4:30)
- How Jeff made a habit of writing every day for over a year (5:35)
- When Jeff went from wanting to be heard to wanting to earn a living (7:30)
- How much money Jeff earned from his book advance (8:55)
- How to learn what your audience will pay for (9:50)
- Why what’s obvious to you might be amazing to someone else (11:38)
- Why “getting published” isn’t the golden ticket most writers hope for (14:06)
- How much revenue an ebook can generate compared to a book deal (18:00)
- How Jeff transitioned from simple ebook to full-fledged online course (21:37)
- Where advertising and affiliate income fits in the overall picture (23:50)
- How many revenue streams writers typically have (25:15)
- Other options for income (speaking, coaching, ghost writing) (26:58)
““What’s obvious to you might be amazing to someone else.””
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Make sure you watch near the end of the interview as Jeff talks about a very important concept that he calls the “portfolio life” (which is also the name of Jeff’s podcast). The idea is essentially that careers of the future won’t look like they have traditionally. Instead of earning a living doing one thing, most of us will have “portfolios” of projects and income streams based around a core expertise.
I’ve seen this transition to a portfolio-style career personally and among more and more of my friends and people I work with over the past decade. As William Gibson says, “the future is already here — it’s just not very evenly distributed.”
For more on becoming a writer, check out our full guide on how to become a freelance writer, featuring advice from 25 experts.
What did you think of the conversation? Any questions about Jeff’s advice for writers? Leave a comment below.
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Thanks for this one chaps – exactly the place I’m at right now. That transition, that journey.. :)
Awesome, glad to hear it.
Thanks for sharing! I have one question though: for eBooks, what about people just sharing the PDF among friends so that their friends don’t need to buy?
Isn’t that a good thing if more people are reading your stuff?
Then if you are set up like Jeff that is more people who are being exposed to your much more expensive course. Don’t let something like this hold you back from publishing.
Thanks for the insight. That’s very true.
No worries, I remember having the same concern before launching my product.
Gumroad is good because it ‘stamps’ each copy with the purchasers email address. Of course they could still share but I like to think that if people find something valuable then they will search for a way to give you money for it.
I totally agree with you, Kyle. In the beginning, one of the best things you can do is be as generous with your work as possible. It’s a great way to get discovered. Big fan of that approach.
OMG Jeff wrote back to me! Excuse me while I fan girl out about this.
I haven’t read your stuff in a while, but 2 weeks ago I started writing fiction nearly every day. I give it to my wife to read and it just feels so awesome to write it (I haven’t written fiction since I was a child). When I sit down to write I always think of ‘You’re a writer, so start acting like one’. In fact this quote pretty much applies to all aspects of life.
If you’re really concerned about this Lily, you can always use Amazon or Gumroad or some other platform that takes steps to secure the work. But as they say, this is a “good problem” to have. Making your work desirable enough to be shared is the first step.
Thanks!
Thanks for sharing this honest, practical and compelling story. Jeff’s perspective is always informative.
Hey Corbett,
I had planned on creating a freelance writing business earlier this year and had done a great deal of research, including reading Jeff’s stuff. Although many people have the fortitude to become successful in this market, I found out (the hard way), that I am not cut out for it. Thanks for the great interview…
Hi
I’ve started writing as a hobby a year ago and now I’m thinking to expand it.
I enjoyed listening to this interview.
Thank you
Awesome!
Awesome interview, thanks Fizzle team and Jeff. I think that mindset shift to really be able to speak what you are with confidence is so important. For ages after I started coaching, when people would ask me ‘what do you do?’ I’d sheepishly mumble something about being a coach under my breath. It took me a long time to embrace my new identity and start saying that with belief when people asked me. For me, my identity was so tied up with the work I used to do, I felt like such a fraud just giving myself a new label without anyone telling me I could. Thanks again!
I love hearing that, Leah. It’s been so powerful for me and for so many other people, but it’s the kind of thing that can feel kind of esoteric. Glad it connected with you!
This was phenomenal. Im just putting the finishing touches on an ebook and even though I don’t have a huge email list I’m getting some attention with my podcast and excited at the possibility of putting the ebook on amazon as well now.
Thanks guys
-Jamie
You’re welcome, Jamie. Good luck on the book launch. My first book was great for helping me get in front of new readers and building my tribe. I wish you success!
Very enriching video. I love the concept of declaring something and calling it into existence. Declaration (I am a writer) + action (writing an hour a day for a year and more) = positive reactions (massive success)!
Thanks, Nikoya! Glad you liked it.
I’m curious how many unique visitors he had per month when he got the publishers attention? Maybe he mentioned it but I didn’t hear him. I have a blog that gets okay traffic but not great (15-20k uniques per month), and a book contract is my goal. And obviously monetizing if it’s possible. It’s a travel blog.