The Journey of an Online Writer

This article delves into the realities of online writing, offering insights from a writer who has navigated the ups and downs of a decade-long writing career. The writer shares their own journey, emphasizing the importance of persistence and learning to embrace the realities of the online writing landscape.

It's Not as Bad as You Think

The author highlights that the success of an online writing career is not a quick sprint but a gradual climb. The writer encourages aspiring writers to focus on creating content consistently and learn from their experiences.

• Start creating content without fixating on immediate results.
• Embrace feedback from readers and analytics to improve your writing.
• Don't let perfectionism hinder your progress as a writer.
• Network and pitch your services to secure opportunities for collaboration and brand deals.

You Can't Make Everyone Happy

The author acknowledges that online writing comes with its share of negativity and criticism. The writer emphasizes that focusing on creating valuable content for your target audience is paramount, and that attempting to please everyone is futile.

• Even experienced writers face unwarranted criticism and negativity online.
• The author encourages embracing the online writing journey as a creator, recognizing that it is about creating value for your audience, not about winning over every reader.
• The author encourages developing a thicker skin to navigate the negativity.

Showing Up is All It Takes

The article underscores the significance of consistency in online writing. The author stresses the importance of disciplined content creation to maintain visibility and grow an online presence.

• The author recommends strategies for maintaining consistency, including creating an idea bank, batching content in advance, and learning how to repurpose existing content.
• The author also suggests creating templates for blogs and social media posts to streamline content creation.
• The author stresses the importance of delegating tasks to maintain consistency even during breaks.

Your Goals Will Change

The writer's journey illustrates how goals evolve over time. The author discusses shifting priorities, highlighting that it's normal for goals to change as experience and understanding grow.

• The author emphasizes the importance of flexibility and adaptability in an online writing career.
• The author encourages accepting that personal and professional values can shift over time and that this does not equate to failure.

Work Through the Dips

The author delves into the reality of post-viral content dips, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum despite fleeting success.

• The author encourages writers to focus on the long-term goal of consistent writing, rather than solely chasing virality.
• The author encourages perseverance and dedication to producing valuable content on a regular basis.

Harsh Lessons From 10 Years of Writing Online: Final Words

The article concludes with a recap of the harsh realities of online writing, but also underscores the rewarding aspects of the writing career path.

• The author emphasizes the importance of building a strong work ethic and developing a thick skin.
• The article encourages aspiring writers to embrace the online writing journey and its challenges.

The Author's Advice for Aspiring Online Writers

The article ends with 5 key takeaways that aspiring online writers should embrace to set themselves up for success:

• Every writing project contributes to future opportunities, even if immediate success is not apparent.
• Learn to ignore negativity and focus on creating high-quality content.
• Prioritize disciplined content creation over relying solely on motivation.
• Embrace growth and prioritize mental well-being over rigidly adhering to pre-defined goals.
• Focus on consistent writing instead of chasing fleeting virality.