50: How I 10X'd My Writing Income in 12 Months

50: How I 10X'd My Writing Income in 12 Months

Author: Michael Leonard: Copywriter & Freelance Writing Coach January 22, 2020 Duration: 31:29

In this episode, I go over 10 strategies to 10x your income in one year. I used these tactics to scale my freelance writing business while only working part time and I was able to double my income year over year. 

If you are ready to grow and scale your freelance writing income, these strategies will work for you! I implemented them in my business in 2018 and was able to earn more revenue in one year than I ever made working my 9 - 5. I did this all while only working part time. I know these strategies work to 10x your freelance writing career

10 Freelance Writing Strategies

  1. Create a Freelancer Writer Website to Instantly Establish Your Credibility
  2. Pitch like crazy! If you want to make more money as a writer, you need to get more clients. 
  3. Network, Network, Network! Attend free conferences, meet ups in your writing niche or seminars and start making introductions. 
  4. Ask for referrals. Leverage existing clients and ask them quarterly if they know anyone in their circle who is looking for a content writer. 
  5. Increase your rates or even double your rates. This may seem scary at first, but most clients won't even blink at the higher price tag. 
  6. Don't be afraid to drop clients. If they don't value your time or aren't paying on time, it's time to let them go. 
  7. Master SEO. If your clients rank high in Google, they will becoming repeat customers! 
  8. Write about what you love. Focusing on topics you love will make writing more manageable each month! The last thing you want is to feel like writing is just as bad as that 9 to 5 job you left. 
  9. Avoid complacency. Set income goals, pitch goals, client goals and daily goals so you can keep scaling your business!
  10. Write in a second niche. It only needs to make up 20-30% of your income, but when you pick a niche that is a hobby or a passion it won't feel like work and will be fun!

Michael Leonard was a professional copywriter earning a solid salary before he walked away from that career in 2017. With no safety net, he built a thriving online writing business from the ground up. In his Inspire Your Success podcast, he gets into the real work behind that transition, moving beyond simple inspiration to offer a practical roadmap. Each conversation is grounded in his experience as a freelance writing coach, focusing on the actionable steps needed to build a sustainable independent career. You’ll hear honest discussions about the mental shifts required to leave a traditional job, the systems that actually generate income, and how to navigate the common pitfalls of entrepreneurship. This isn't about vague motivational talk; it's a detailed look at creating a business that affords more freedom, whether that means paying off debt, traveling, or simply designing a life with more flexibility. Tune in for a blend of strategic business advice and personal development insights, all drawn from Michael’s own journey from a structured 9-5 to successful self-employment. The podcast serves as a direct mentorship for anyone feeling stuck, providing the tangible tools and mindset needed to turn professional aspirations into a working reality.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Inspire Your Success
Podcast Episodes
REPLAY: How to Beat Overwhelm As a Freelancer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:03
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127: How to Get Paid as a Freelance Writer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:08
Multiple income streams and making up your own rates is one of the reasons why so many people get into freelance writing. But how do you get paid? How do you invoice clients? What are the best practices to getting paid p…
126: Finding the Perfect Client Mix for Consistent Income [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:03
What's great about freelance writing is you can have a ton of different income streams... unlike a 9-5. Most months I have between 4-6 (sometimes up to 9) clients at a time. But dedicating the time and energy isn't easy…
125: How to Nail Test Pieces so Clients Say YES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:52
Most clients will want to "test" your services out before hiring your for a long term gig. Sometimes they won't but it depends... needless to say this is your audition to getting the gig. This short episode will help you…
124: Why You Need a Pricing Guide to Land Clients [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:47
Learn why you need a simple pricing guide to start landing clients. This simple (and cheap) tool will help you change clients perspective from... "Should I work with this writer" to "Which package should I hire them for?…
123: You Only Need ONE Client to Change Your Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:36
After a two-year hiatus of this podcast I'm back and want to help you start and scale your writing business in 2023. In this episode we'll cover: The new content schedule Discuss the ups/downs of freelancing How freelanc…
122: Why You Should NOT Write Every Day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:09
"Write everyday" said every writer ever... except me. After writing millions of words online and earning more than $250,000 writing I want to discuss why this is bad writing advice and what to do instead. >> Scale Your F…
121: Will AI Destroy Freelance Writing Careers? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:16
Will AI destroy freelance writing as we know it? Short answer: NO. Longer answer explained in this podcast where we'll cover: Why Google hates AI How to use AI to make writing easier Why my clients told me to ignore some…
120: Freelancing Helped Me Launch a New Business (Where I've Been) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:46
After a two-year hiatus of this podcast I'm back and want to help you start and scale your writing business in 2023. In this episode we'll cover: The new content schedule Discuss the ups/downs of freelancing How freelanc…
119: How Delaney Quit Her Job With Freelance Writing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:22
Learn how one of my students used freelance writing to quit her 9-5 in less than 6 months (while working full-time). Delaney went from: Not having a niche --> a niche to writing about topics she loves. Being scared to pi…