Building your career as a writer and filmmaker takes time. In the meantime, I needed a way to make a living. Freelance writing was one such option. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on insights I learned from Ali Abdaal and Nicolas Cole, designed to help you earn ₹4 lakhs/month.
1. Shift Your Mindset
First things first. You are not going to get to earn ₹4 lakhs a month selling eBooks or making YouTube videos. Yes, you can. But it takes time. The fastest way to earn ₹4 lakhs a month is by offering writing as a service, not a product.
Writing as a service isn’t about selling your writing. It’s about solving client problems. Approach each interaction as free consulting where you help clients with your expertise. This reframing builds trust and confidence.
2. Find Your Information Edge
What sets you apart? Reflect on your professional experience, personal interests, or hobbies. What do you know more about than the average person? This is your unique value. Use it as the foundation for your services.
3. Define Your Audience
Who is your target audience? It’s not the individual, it’s a business. Businesses value money totally differently. They value well-defined solutions and are willing to pay for them. Look for industries aligned with your expertise where your knowledge solves real problems.
4. Leverage Your Network (Warm Leads)
Start with people you know—friends, family, colleagues. Create two lists:
- Direct contacts: People who might need your help.
- Connectors: People who can introduce you to potential clients.
Reach out with genuine messages, asking how you can help or who they know that could benefit from your skills.
5. Offer Free Work Strategically
Offering free work, especially early on, is a smart investment. It helps you:
- Build a strong portfolio
- Gain testimonials and referrals
- Understand what clients actually need
Be selective. Choose projects that align with your goals and have the potential to open doors to paid opportunities.
6. Move to Cold Leads (But Add Value First)
Once you’ve exhausted your network, identify 100 high-quality businesses in your niche. Research their needs and send tailored outreach messages. Before pitching:
- Share valuable insights
- Highlight gaps in their strategy
- Position yourself as the solution to their problems.
This approach builds trust and sets you apart from spammy pitches.
7. Solve Problems, Not Just Pitch Services
Clients don’t want generic services—they want solutions. Research their challenges and craft a specific plan to address them. For example, a doctor could benefit from educational content to attract patients.
By showing you understand their needs, you position yourself as an invested, reliable partner.
8. Go Premium with High-Ticket Services
Your time is valuable. Focus on premium services like:
- Ghostwriting
- Content strategy
- Social media management or consulting.
Price your offerings between ₹80K–₹4L per project. Higher rates reflect your value and attract clients who respect your expertise.
9. Iterate and Improve
Not every pitch will land. And that’s okay. Use rejections as opportunities to learn:
- Analyse what didn’t work
- Refine your messaging, service offerings, or pitch strategy
- Continuously improve based on feedback.
This iterative approach ensures your process becomes stronger over time.
10. Automate and Scale Smartly
Once you’ve mastered your outreach and delivery process, use tools like CRMs or AI to streamline repetitive tasks. Automate lead follow-ups, content scheduling, or research, freeing up time for high-value work.
Work smarter, not harder.
Conclusion: Build a Career on Value and Strategy
Earning ₹4 lakhs a month as a freelance writer isn’t just about earning money. It’s about solving problems, creating value, and building a career that aligns with your strengths. With a clear strategy, consistent effort, and adaptability, you can achieve financial independence and fulfilment.
You can watch the full video on YouTube below.
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