Writing content on the Internet can feel like navigating a minefield.
It’s tough, lonely, and often downright frustrating. I’m surprised I’m still here, fingers flying across the keyboard.
But at the same time, I don’t know what else I could do to make money since I never had a corporate job and have been doing this full-time since 2012.
There have been moments when quitting seemed like an option to consider. Yet, something inside me refused to stop.
Here are some hard-earned lessons that I’ve learned along the way to keep writing consistently.
Write on autopilot
You want to write and enjoy the internet lifestyle.
While many creators throw rocks at the 9-5, it can still teach you a valuable skill: living life on autopilot.
Think of writing as your daily grind. Sounds anti-4-hour workweek. I agree.
But that’s the point. Writing when you ‘feel like it’ is a myth. Habits are built by sticking to them on hard days. You don’t ask yourself if you’re in the mood to go to your 9-5. You simply do it.
I sit down at my desk every morning. That’s how content creation looks like. Those who tell you they write a tweet in 15 minutes and are done for the day are liars.
Forget those gushing tales about passion and spur-of-the-moment inspiration. It’s about the less glamorous, more impactful act of showing up. Consistently. Like clockwork. Writing isn’t always about bursts of creativity; it’s often about the grit of getting words on a page, regardless of your mood.
Build that mechanical skill of simply showing up.
The “no inspiration” cheat code
When you write daily, you need ideas. A bunch of them.
But coming up with new ideas every day is hard. Not to mention, if you want to come up with good ideas.
Add to this the fact that your brain isn’t a machine. It’s a muscle and needs time to rest. Sometimes, even drinking 3 espressos in a row doesn’t do the trick. So, I embrace reality.
I don’t always chase new ideas to create content. I circle back to familiar territory. You’ve probably written something before that can be expanded, twisted, or turned upside down. Take a look at this article. I’ve written dozens of articles and emails about the same topic.
The only difference? I tweak things and add a new spin to them.
Diving back into previous topics is like visiting an old friend and discovering they’ve had a whole life you knew nothing about. It’s comforting yet surprising. There’s always more to uncover in the themes you’ve touched upon. This approach saves you from the paralyzing quest for originality every time you write.
Stop destroying your brain by following this one piece of advice you see all “digital writers” talk about
The biggest problem is expecting money in return.
It doesn’t work that way. Especially in the beginning.
It’s like planting a garden. You don’t plant seeds one day and expect a blooming garden the next. It’s about nurturing your craft, not cashing in immediately.
Stop writing with dollar signs in your eyes.
The rewards will come if you stick to it long enough with the right system – but they shouldn’t be the driving force.
Focus on your words, not your wallet.
Stop clicking this link
I know writers who spend their day looking at data.
I don’t.
I hate spreadsheets (even if I use them in my business). Data makes me anxious. So stop obsessing over your writing stats.
It’s like constantly checking your phone, like a junkie. Most good things happen over time, not over seconds. Constantly monitoring how many views or likes your article got? That’s a sure-fire way to kill your creative spirit.
Consider stats as a sneaky trap. They can make you feel great one day and worthless the next.
I don’t say don’t look at the data. But look at them wisely after you’ve written your daily piece. Else, you might end up sabotaging yourself and procrastinating.
Writer’s block is a conspiracy – here’s how it really works
Read this twice.
You don’t write because you have ideas. But you get ideas because you write.
Think of writing not as a display of what you know but as a tool to discover what you think. Writing is thinking on paper. It clarifies, challenges, and refines your ideas.
My brain is a messy teenager’s room until I start writing. And the best way to clean it up is to start typing. My keyboard is my vacuum cleaner (or toilet sink).
The more you write about something, the sharper your ideas.
Inspiration is a scam
“I need to be inspired to write” is the biggest mental scam most writers operate with.
Instead, you need a system to show up daily. Not only to write, but to transform your expertise into a predictable online income.
If you want to learn more about how to monetize your expertise with online content, be sure to check out my free below: