Flexing Your Writer's Marketing Muscle in 2025
Turn your creativity into opportunity with these marketing ideas
Publisher’s Note: If there’s one problem every writer needs help with, it’s surely marketing. Our guest writer, Mike Searles is a marketing guru who is also a very credible writer. Read this well-crafted primer on self-promotion and marketing without anxiety.
If you’re a writer aiming to get better paid in 2025, here’s a mindset shift you need to make: Learn to think like a marketer as well as a writer. Bold claim? Absolutely. But adopting this approach opens doors to exciting opportunities, allowing you to reach clients and projects you may have never considered.
To see how this mindset can change everything, let me share my own experience. When I started as a freelance writer in 2013, my first paying gig earned me $35 USD. It felt incredible—my first official paycheck as a "professional writer." But I had bigger dreams. I kept investing in honing my skills, thinking there was a primary link between how polished my writing was and how much clients would pay.
My second client handed me $700, which felt like a massive leap forward. I kept studying. Oh, but wait. While I consider investing in education essential—it's not the full story. Because about a year later, I landed my first five-figure client. A leap? More like a quantum leap.
So, what changed? Did my writing quality improve 25 times over? Not really. My skills got sharper, sure, but the real game-changer was my mindset. I stopped thinking of myself as just a writer who occasionally marketed their work. Instead, I became a marketer who happened to write. And that shift in how I positioned myself—and how I attracted clients—made all the difference. Good marketing is magnetic, and when done right, it pulls paying clients straight into your orbit.
Why writers must embrace marketing
Most writers don’t realize they’re sitting on a goldmine of expertise. According to a Pew Research Centre study shared by AWAI (American Writers & Artists Inc.), 75% of people have skills or knowledge others would happily pay for—including writers. This means there’s a strong chance you already have valuable expertise that can help others. The trick is knowing how to market yourself so people see your value.
Approaching marketing as a writer isn’t about being pushy or salesy. It’s about discovering what resonates with your audience and framing your work as something that adds real value to their lives. Whether you're selling a one-off creative feature, a compelling newsletter, or a deeply researched article, your goal is to connect with your readers (buyers) on a meaningful level. Done well, it builds trust, showcases your authority, and opens doors to consistent opportunities and income.
Practical pointers for writers who think like marketers
Here are some strategies to help build your marketing muscle and attract paying clients in 2025:
Build your brand on platforms like Substack, Patreon, or Medium with Your USB:
Your USB (Unique Short Bio) is the one-liner that hooks first-time visitors. It’s your opportunity to clearly communicate what you and your writing are about and why it matters. For example, Pen2Profit published on Substack by Maryan Pelland reads, "Learn proven, successful, realistic secrets to monetizing your writing (based on actual experience).
Create value-packed offers:
Develop free resources (like checklists, guides, or templates) to entice readers and showcase your expertise. For example: A travel writer might offer a "Weekend Packing Checklist" or a "Hidden Gems Travel Guide" for free download.
Master the art of magnetic marketing:
Create titles and sub-titles that instantly attract the attention of your reading audience. Think of them as advertisements for what follows. For example: “5 Easy Ways to Save Hours on Writing” is more engaging than “Productivity Tips for Writers.”
Leverage email marketing:
Build a list of subscribers who love your writing and want more of it. Email is still one of the most effective ways to engage and convert your audience. Many platforms, like Substack and Mailchimp, make this easy with built-in tools. For example: Send an email series on “How to Write Your First Book” with actionable steps and templates.
Set the right price:
Price your memberships based on the value each delivers, not the work it takes to create them. Communicate the outcomes your clients can expect, and don’t undersell yourself. For example: A newsletter offering personalized coaching might have premium tiers, starting at $10/month for exclusive tips and scaling to $100/month for one-on-one support.
Invest in learning and mentorship:
Equip yourself with marketing tools and strategies from experts like Maryan Pelland’s Pen2Profit. Surround yourself with mentors who’ve been where you want to go. For example: Attend a live workshop or join a writing community where experienced marketers share their insights.
Find your voice and own your niche:
Developing a clear niche or area of expertise will help you stand out and attract your ideal readers. Make sure your bio communicates why your perspective matters. For example: A niche might be “Advice for aspiring novelists balancing full-time jobs.”
Show off what others are saying:
Highlight testimonials, reviews, or kind comments from readers and clients. Let their words build trust for you. For example: “Your newsletter on freelance writing is the most actionable advice I’ve ever read. It’s helped me land my first client!”
Host something live:
Run a Q&A, workshop, or webinar to showcase your expertise and engage directly with your audience. For example: A live session on “How to Start Writing for Digital Publications” could attract new subscribers who value interactive content.
Recycle your genius:
Break longer pieces into shorter posts or repurpose content into videos, audio, or tweets to extend its life. For example: On my previous YouTube channel, 'The COMEBACK Coach,' I published recorded Zoom interviews with authors and experts. I repurposed these as audio podcasts distributed across major platforms and am now creating bite-sized written pieces for Substack Notes from their transcriptions.
Not all of these ideas scream 'marketing' at first glance, but they’re the kind of things successful writers on platforms like Substack, Medium, and other online hubs are doing every day. Start thinking like a marketer as you put these strategies into action, and you’ll be well on your way to joining their ranks.
Call to Action: Invest in Your Future
Now is the perfect time to take the next step in your writing journey. If you want to profit financially as a writer in 2025 - I mean truly committed to profiting as a writer - then you need to embrace marketing. Flex and grow your marketing muscle. It’s not a chore; it’s the lifeline to your success.
And to fast-track your journey, I strongly recommend becoming a paying subscriber to Maryan Pelland’s Pen2Profit on platforms like Substack. Maryan has been a professional writer, editor, and publisher for over four decades. Her insights are priceless - and the nudge you need to turn your passion for writing into a profitable business with a solid marketing strategy at the helm.
P.S. Don’t feel like you have to tackle all of these strategies at once. Pick one or two to start with and build from there. Progress, not perfection, is the key to growing your marketing muscle - and your income.
About the Writer: Mike Searles is a retired grandfather with a lifetime of marketing and self-growth experience, sharing insights to help writers and creators turn their lived experiences into meaningful stories and rewarding opportunities. Click the link to support Mike with a subscription
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I don't usually 'heart' my own content - but did here to show gratitude to Maryan Pelland for publishing this article for her readers. Thanks Maryan.
Welcome to the Substack Rat Pack, Mike. Thousands of professional writers and even more just starting a writing practice find subscribers and support they yearn for in Substack. Rising from the pile of thousands are the few leaders and Maryan Pelland. Going paid with her is common sense. Your appeal Mike is wisdom. I created a community and Substack for millions of professionals and most are over 40. All are also savvy communicators and have taught marketing. They have wisdom and unlimited curiosity for learning more. You'd blend right in.