The 2 Foundations Every Writer Needs to Build a Sustainable Career

"Hustling" is not a strategy.

"I'm making okay money, but always looking for clients to keep the lights on is running me into the ground!” A talented freelance writer said this on a recent group call. 

We get it. Pitching prospects, posting daily on social media, scouring job boards, networking in online communities, and constantly tweaking your LinkedIn profile — all of these tasks consume a lot of time and energy. 

That’s not even counting the actual work of writing! 

So rather than embrace this spray-and-pray mentality, what should new writers focus on?

In two words — Skills and Strategy. 

Sure, this simple-sounding advice is said a lot. But many writers haven’t internalized what skills and strategy really mean, and how to effectively marry the two together to build a sustainable career.

1. Skills

Skill is the ability to create engaging, unique, and memorable writing. It’s knowing how to capture and keep your reader’s attention, connect on an emotional level, and deliver clear ideas.

This matters because, without putting in the work to develop real skills, you’ll end up chasing demand. 

“Follow the demand” is a common suggestion given to new writers. At first glance, this advice makes sense: Look for what people are willing to pay for — or ask ChatGPT which topics are currently trending — and then write about them. 

But this approach is dangerous for two reasons:

• Writing according to “demand” will kill your enthusiasm and joy for writing. Constantly chasing popular topics—especially ones you don’t care about—makes writing feel like a chore. Burnout sets in when you’re not genuinely interested in what you produce.

• It doesn’t help you stand out. If you’re covering the same trending topics as everyone else, you’re competing in a crowded space. The noise will quickly drown your writing. It’ll also be harder to ask clients for high rates because everyone else is trying to lower their prices to get the job. 

Take SEO articles, for example.

They’re in constant demand because websites always need content to drive traffic. With AI, you can churn out SEO content for pennies, making it a guaranteed race to the bottom. 

So instead of chasing demand and crossing your fingers that someone occasionally bites, focus on developing evergreen skills that make your work valuable and unique. 

Storytelling, persuasion, and learning how to edit like a pro — these skills will never go out of style. Investing in them allows you to connect emotionally with readers while inspiring them to take action.

Value comes from providing something inherently useful. This happens when you’ve mastered the right skill set.

When you learn how to capture and hold your reader’s attention and they consistently engage with your work, you’ve developed a valuable skill that has the power to create a fountain of opportunities.

2. Strategy

Strategy is your plan for building and sustaining your writing career. It’s the backbone of everything you do.

Defining a clear strategy allows you to focus on the actions that give you the best results, like reaching the right audience, choosing the most fitting platforms, and setting up income sources that grow over time.

Without a strategy, you put yourself at risk of having to scramble for income each month, which is not a fun place to be. 

What is NOT strategy:

• It’s not hustling: Constantly pitching and posting everywhere leads to burnout, not progress.

• It’s not chasing trends: True strategy is about long-term goals, not reacting to every trend.

• It’s not just working harder: Strategy means working with intentionality, not just putting in more hours.

In short, strategy = focus.

When you have an effective strategy, you stop being the writer who can only get by. Instead, you begin to earn well from your writing.

Here’s how to apply business strategy principles to your writing.

Know your audience

Your audience is at the heart of your writing career. Whether they’re blog readers, potential clients, or publishers.

Ask yourself:

• Who are they? What are their demographics, preferences, and goals?

• What do they need? What problems or questions can your writing solve for them?

• Where are they? Which platforms or communities do they spend time in?

Focusing on your audience gives your writing purpose and makes it stand out.

Select the best platforms for you and your readers

Not all platforms or opportunities are equal. Business strategy is about concentrating your efforts where they yield the highest return. As a writer:

• Prioritize platforms where your target audience is most active and engaged.

• Choose projects that align with your long-term goals, even if they’re less lucrative at first.

• Build relationships in communities that offer potential collaborations or referrals.

A focused strategy lets you say "no" to distractions and "yes" to the opportunities that move your career forward.

Get clear on where you want your money to come from

Relying on a single income source—like freelance gigs or one-off projects—makes your career vulnerable to market and economic changes. This is why a lot of writers don’t survive long in the industry.

Think about it: Every successful writer earns from more than one income stream. Even New York Times Bestselling authors — those who continue to thrive for decades anyway — don’t rely purely on their book royalties for income.

Business strategy teaches us the value of diversification. For writers, this can mean:

• Creating digital products like eBooks or online courses.

• Earning from affiliate marketing or ad revenue on a personal blog.

• Taking on a mix of client work and personal creative projects.

• Teaching writing classes in universities or writing retreats/workshops.

• Publishing in different paying platforms.

These income streams will likely start small. Over time, and with the right execution, you’ll grow them one by one.

With multiple income streams, you can continue to earn from your writing even when there are major changes in trends, the economy, or people’s preferences.

Block the noise

We live in a world where getting distracted is easier than ever. Tips and tricks are coming at us from all directions. “You should be on this platform!” “You must be writing about that!” 

Don’t buy into this talk. 

Instead, focus on honing your skills and establishing a strategy that’s in line with your long-term goals. Writing is dynamic by nature, and sticking to a single methodology, especially when it no longer works, will only hold you back.

Your job as a writer is to adapt.

Keep evolving your methods, refining your craft, and developing yourself. Committing to these two foundations moves you from being “just a writer” to a “professional.”

You become a writer with sought-after skills, a vision, and a plan. You’re not just chasing your next paycheck—you’re building a steady flow of work and gaining the stability to keep writing on your own terms.