From Passion to Profit: What It Takes to Turn Your Writing Into a Business

 We are please welcome guest blogger Justin Wigg to our blog page this week. Justin is the creator of Business Hub City, a website dedicated to helping entrepreneurs of all levels. He created the website with one goal in mind: to make it easy for business owners to find the resources they need, when they need them. Justin has been an entrepreneur since he was 24 years old, and knows first-hand how difficult it can be to find quality information online. That’s why he made Business Hub City completely free and user-friendly!"

The line between what you love and what you live off of is thinner than you think. People do it every day—turn an afternoon passion into a full-blown enterprise.

​But what doesn’t get talked about nearly enough is how uneven, humbling, and downright exhausting that transformation can be. Turning your writing into a business is not just about scaling your skills—it’s about scaling yourself. And to do that, you’ll need to think differently, act deliberately, and accept that joy and stress often sit side by side.

Forget the Fantasy of “Doing What You Love” All Day

You might start off believing that monetizing your writing will mean endless joy, uninterrupted creativity, and the simple pleasure of getting paid to do what you enjoy. But that belief cracks fast. When your writing becomes your business, it stops being entirely yours. You now have deadlines, readers, expectations. The slow ritual of creating for pleasure gets replaced by a calendar, word count, and sometimes, a creeping sense of burnout. You have to be honest about how much of your love you’re willing to share—and possibly taint—with commerce.

---

Sharpen Your Acumen

Going back to school for a business degree can be a game-changer when you’re ready to move from side hustle to sustainable venture. Programs like those offered by the University of Phoenix, The Open University and even short course offered by FutureLearn are designed to help you stand out while you continue building the brand you believe in.

Whether you choose to study marketing, business, communications, or management, the knowledge you gain can sharpen your instincts and provide the kind of strategic edge that helps your business thrive. With the rise of flexible online degree programs, it’s easier than ever to balance coursework with running your day-to-day operations.

Put Your Talents To Work

Launching a business as a writer begins with realizing that your words aren’t just art—they’re assets. Whether you're crafting blog content, ghost-writing books, or developing brand copy, there’s a real demand for sharp, adaptable voices across industries. Success hinges on treating your writing like a service: knowing your audience, setting clear rates, building a portfolio, and pitching with purpose. When you approach your craft with the same professionalism you'd expect from any other business, you stop chasing word count and start attracting readers who value what only you can deliver.

---

Time Is a Currency You’ll Need to Budget Ruthlessly

Turning writing into a business consumes time in ways that are rarely glamorous. Your evenings shift from quiet creativity to spreadsheets, social media scheduling, responding to reader’s emails, and figuring out taxes. You don’t just need more hours in the day—you need to get brutal about how you spend them.

What tasks can be automated? What roles should be outsourced, even on a shoestring budget? If you’re not structured, your time becomes fragmented, and your creative output suffers.

The Market Doesn’t Care What You Love—But You Should Still Lead With It

One of the hardest pills to swallow is that what you care about might not resonate with readers. The market is indifferent to your nostalgia, your process, or your artistic flourishes. It cares about drama, style, and perceived value. But that doesn’t mean you should sell out. The challenge is finding the overlap between what you love and what the market values.

That sweet spot—where passion meets demand—is where businesses thrive. And sometimes, you don’t find it right away. You have to iterate, test, and listen to more feedback than you’d prefer.

---

You’ll Need to Learn the Language of Money

Running a business isn’t just about bringing in money—it’s about managing it. Taxes, business structures, inventory costs, revenue forecasting, and paying yourself a salary aren’t things you can ignore until tax season. You’ll need to get comfortable talking about money—what things cost, what they’re worth, and what you need to stay afloat.

If that doesn’t come naturally, find someone who can help, or take the time to educate yourself. Because without financial literacy, your business will always be on shaky ground, no matter how good your product is.

Not Everyone Will Support You—and That’s Fine

There’s a peculiar kind of loneliness that comes with striking out on your own. People around you might not get it. They might think you’re making a mistake by quitting your job, or they might silently root for your failure because your risk makes them uncomfortable. Don’t expect cheerleaders in every room. Instead, find a network—online or local—of others doing similar work. Community matters. Not just for encouragement, but for advice, collaboration, and accountability.

If you’re looking for easy, this isn’t it. Turning your writing into a business will test your patience, your discipline, and your identity. But if you’re willing to evolve—both your craft and your mindset—you’ll find a kind of fulfilment that transcends either category alone.
​
Discover captivating stories and meet our talented authors at Selfishgenie Publishing – your gateway to a world of literary adventure!
 
If you have enjoyed this blog, or found it informative, then make sure you don’t miss future editions. Just click on the button below to sign up for our newsletter. We’ll even send you a free ebook for doing so.

---

newsletter