Question on Income from Writing

[MyTwoAs]

I know that discussing income isn't always a cool thing to do but I'm finding it hard to find data for comparison so I thought I would ask a question by using an anonymous poll.

If you write to either supplement your (or your family's) income or as a primary income stream, how much per month (on average) do you make?

I'm currently working on my paid writing endeavors about 20 hours per week and trying to gauge whether I want to pursue this with a little more focus.

[MyTwoAs]

Hmm, one response and several views - guess it is more of a taboo topic than I thought. If anyone knows of a website with statistics please feel free to post the URL.

[lisarussell]

I think the poll idea was genius, we can't we how people voted, can we? Not that I care- I'm open but I know some people won't vote if they see that. I used to bring in 3000 plus, but not anymore. My goal is $5,000-$10,000 a month in passive income. Like soon, very soon and only writing 3-4 hours a day, OK. That's all.

[MyTwoAs]

Thanks Lisa, you're right - the poll is anonymous.

[Ellien C]

Well, I don't write but I viewed it just to see what people made. I bet that's why the views are so much higher than the responses.

[mamadaan]

$200 - $700

I write for a set amount up front. I don't have articles that give me a passive stream of income. The amount that I earn varies a lot. We moved in the Summer and have been doing a house up since then. This has meant that my writing time has been cut . Yesterday, I managed to write for a whole day again, so maybe it will start picking up.

[Mamja]

Originally Posted by Ellien C

Well, I don't write but I viewed it just to see what people made. I bet that's why the views are so much higher than the responses.

Yeah, I'm still getting started.

[MyTwoAs]

Originally Posted by Ellien C

Well, I don't write but I viewed it just to see what people made. I bet that's why the views are so much higher than the responses.

Ahh yes, very good point! I was hoping I didn't offend anyone.

[lalaland42]

I viewed but didn't know how to answer so I didn't. I just stopped writing for a large company as a contractor and made between $5k and $6 a month. They lost their writing budget and now I am trying to find new clients. So currently, um, nothing?

[Crystal Pegasus]

We make varying amounts each month with our articles on our websites, which earn passively through advertising income. So, we're not actually *paid* for our articles, but they are the *honey* that attracts the *bees* (ad clicks).

[tjjazzy]

under $500

i don't write enough to make a lot at the moment but WOW to some of the $3000 and up!! that's great. i'd love to have a lucrative writing career someday when i have time. what do you do to get in that bracket?! ...if you don't mind me asking.

[krystyn33]

What do you do to get paid at all, other than in printed copies? Seriously, I've been under the impression that apart from luck & timing (making it to Oprah or the NYT bestseller list) writing--at least the artistic expression variety opposed to technical writing or journalism--has little potential to bring in a livable income. I'd love to be wrong!

[MyTwoAs]

Good question krystyn, I do technical and content writing plus blogging so not really artistic.