Did you know the writing industry is growing in 2024? Yes, you read that right. It’s hard to believe, I know.
If you check out social media gathering spots for writers, you’ll inevitably find posts from writers who are throwing in the towel. They’ve lost clients and haven’t been able to replace them. They claim freelance writing is dead. Maybe they’ve had to take up a side gig to make ends meet. Other writers are wondering if there are any new jobs out there at all. Responses from other writers indicate a combination of struggles and triumphs.
Clearly, there’s a major disconnect. The experts and data say one thing, but the soldiers in the trenches aren’t seeing it. What’s actually going on? More importantly, how can you make money writing now?
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The Writing Industry Is Growing in 2024 – Wait…What?
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 4% growth is expected in the writing industry between 2023 and 2032. Let’s look at the actual numbers, though.
As of 2022, there were 151,200 employed writers. This figure is projected to be 156,800 in 2032. Don’t stress about doing the math – the number of new jobs over that time period is 5,600. That’s an average of 560 new jobs per year. If you’re wondering why you can’t find a job, that’s why. (Well, partially.)
Now, that’s roughly 560 NEW writing jobs on on average. In addition to these new jobs, another 15,500 openings are expected on average each year throughout that time period. These are openings to refill a position that has been vacated for any number of reasons. So, on any given year over the next decade, there will be a little over 16,000 openings for writers to jockey for.
More than that, the median income of authors and writers in 2023 was more than $73,000. The highest-paid writers are technical, information, scientific and professional writers.
Writers are working in 2024. They’re finding jobs. And, they’re making a solid wage.
So, Where are All the Jobs?
The writing industry is growing in 2024 and beyond, albeit slowly. Why are some writers getting so frustrated and financially stressed that they are leaving their careers in the dust? Just because there are job openings – and a growing number of openings – does not mean that they’re easy to find.
And, the number of writers has catapulted.
According to Statistica, there are just under 41,000 writers in the U.S. in 2011. By 2022, there are more than 54,000. This is up 10,000 from 2020. There are a contraction in 2023 to 49,450. The large influx of new writers coincided with the pandemic. Now, most likely, many of these were new writers who were drawn to easy money on content mills. Unfortunately, between that influx and decline of content mills, there a lot of hungry writers out there today. The market is saturated.
The Low-Hanging Fruit Is Disappearing
Content mills have long been low-hanging fruit. Many content mills accepted almost any writer regardless of experience until a few years ago. Of course, if you weren’t a good writer, your rate on content mills was dismal. There was work, though. You could make money every day without concern until a few years ago, even if you were between clients.
The writing industry has experienced more than a huge influx of new writers. It’s also been hit hard by AI and Google algorithm changes with a one-two punch. AI does the cursory, basic work that some of the content mill clients needed. Those clients and their jobs are gone. Google algorithms have also killed traffic on many blogs. Clients who once used content mills to get guests posts saw their income drop by thousands of dollars per month or more in some cases. Many of those clients and their jobs are also gone.
Of course, some of these employers worked directly with writers. The result has been writers losing their clients and unable to find similar work.
Where the Growth Is
No writer will argue against the fact that content mills are drying up. So, where’s the industry growth? The writing industry is growing, but only in some areas. Where can you find job openings in 2024?
- Content writing
- Copywriting
- Ghostwriting
- Technical writing
- Grant writing
- Public relations
There are others, but this is a solid list to start with. The unfortunate reality is that you need to either find an entry-level job, have some experience or have a relevant education to qualify for these jobs. More than that, these positions aren’t like content mills. You don’t simply sign up. You have to meet the employer’s criteria and likely prove your skills.
Position Yourself for the Future of the Writing Industry
Despite the fact that the Bureau of Labor and Statistics anticipates modest job growth over the next decade, the future of the industry is somewhat uncertain. For example, Google continues to be a huge question mark. Just how advanced AI will be and how quickly that evolution will happen are also up in the air. For now, though, it’s important to get yourself up to speed in terms of where the industry is and where we anticipate it will be in the next few years.
The Evolving Writing Industry
It’s no secret that content mills are a shadow of what they were. More than that, traditional print publications likely reached their peak years ago. The future of the writing industry lies in specialized writing, such as in niches like cryptocurrencies, healthcare, legal and others. Find your niche. Look at your previous professional experiences and education to identify opportunities that many other writers simply cannot qualify for. If you don’t have a niche, find a way to get experience. If you have a few niches, that’s even better!
Pad Your Resume and Portfolio Now
What can you do to put yourself in the best position for today and tomorrow? Scour job listings. Not the scammy, spammy ones. Look for real companies hiring real writers. Pay attention to their requirements. When you spot a trend in what employers are looking for or notice a high demand for a niche, see if you can fill that niche. Find opportunities to pad your resume and portfolio. This may include taking low-paying jobs to gain experience, taking a specialized class at a community college or something else. The writing industry is growing and evolving, so find ways to grow in unison.