InIn the second part of this series on freelancing in an increasingly digital marketplace, Esther Chilton looks at different types of writing as ways you can earn from your work, including blogging, content writing and copywriting.

Blogging

It feels as if blogging has been around for a long time now, but when it first came on the scene a couple of decades or so ago, it was used for journalling purposes – for people to share their personal experiences and interests. It can still be used in that way and lots of bloggers enjoy writing about going on holiday, which books they’re reading, their pets, hobbies and much more.

Lots of writers start a blog as a way to get their work onto a platform and to make connections with other writers and bloggers. Others use it in place of a website.

For many they have become part of an essential online marketing strategy, helping to promote their writing. For example, you may have books that you’ve published. You can have a page on your blog with details about all your books and where they can be bought. Some writers sell their books directly from their blog and, if you have a new book coming out, you can launch it from your blog and write several posts about it in the run-up, including a cover reveal, blurb and extract.

With blogging, you need to post regularly, at least three times a week. You also need to interact with other bloggers and make comments on their posts. They’re then more likely to do the same with you. People in the blogging community are very supportive of each other and so, when you’re launching your new book, you’ll already have an audience keen to buy it. I’ve certainly found this to be the case.