The Ancient Blueprint for Monetizing Your Words (if you don't have a product to sell)
Do this if you want to monetize your writing but you don't have a problem to solve or a digital product to sell.
I keep saying you need a problem to solve so that you can monetize your writing. And I keep getting feedback of the sort “But Yana, I don’t solve any problems, I write about…
News
Fiction
Entertainment
And so on…”
The truth is, you’re solving some of the major problems of humanity
The emotional ones.
Yes, they’re very hard to define, and that’s also why they’re very hard to monetize.
But they also have the biggest growth potential, because they’re evergreen.
“Give them bread and circuses” - that’s how you win the masses, ancient Roman poet Juvenal said it very clearly.
And both - bread and circuses - are solving core problems.
One very clear to define, very practical, obvious even - survival.
But the other? Vague. Very difficult to define with words. Because emotions are hard to define, they’re easy to feel. Because they’re unconscious. We’re physically unable to critically analyze them and work with clear evidence.
“Circuses” a.k.a.
“breaking news”
entertainment
fiction
reality shows
sports
Pretty much anything that makes you laugh, cry, shock, or even fall in love - is a solution to a deep emotional problem.
Humans need circuses
Sometimes it’s an escape, sometimes it’s an inspiration, and sometimes it’s just an offload of your brain - just because.
As humans we need that. Which makes it a necessity. Which makes it a great way to monetize a newsletter.
You only need to master the art of performing a great “circus”.
And the best part is that it’s very easy to differentiate, because the way you do it? That’s your signature style. No one else is able to do it like you do.
Just unleash that power you hold inside and do your magic.
What about sales?
Yes, it’s tough to build a digital product or a paid newsletter out of this. But only at first sight.
Think about it.
Humans are selling ideas from the day of birth.
Do you know why a baby cries so often?
the first cry - it’s hungry
the second cry - it’s hungry again
but the third cry? - it’s because it knows Mama comes every time it cries. It just needs human touch, but Mama is sold immediately and comes right away.
Manipulation? Maybe. I’d say the best influence lesson you can get from a baby.
And we keep “selling” our ideas throughout all our lives:
what to have for dinner
where to go for your next vacation
which school to choose for the kids
And even ourselves, every time you:
attend a job interview
apply for a scholarship
attend a competition with a prize
The problem is when you ask about the money.
And the problem is only in your head.
Because most of the time you think about you. When you make the pitch about them - how useful you are to your readers, the sale is easy. And they love buying.
Because what you do is already unique. And it can be easily turned into a course.
Just start talking about it as if you’re telling it to a friend - excited, overexcited even, with the same energy and enthusiasm.
Because that’s contagious.
That’s what people will remember.
And come back for more.
Let’s connect
So here’s to all the news, fiction, entertainment, spiritual, emotional, fandom, & reporter writers I love:
, , , , , , , , , , ,And if you know someone else I missed, please tag them in the comments. I’d love to know about them.
Cheers!
Yana
P.S. This short story was inspired by
- big thanks for that, I love what you do, although sometimes I don’t like my character in your writing, but it still makes my day 🤣
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Yana, I’m honestly honored to be mentioned here among such brilliant creators. The way you break down the emotional architecture behind what we write why people need circuses as much as bread is mind-blowing. I feel seen and inspired, and I have so much respect for the way you think, create, and elevate others. Thank you for shining this light it’s a reminder of why we do what we do, and why sharing our unique perspective matters more than ever. ✨ 🥹 🙏🏽
Thank you for the inclusion, Yana. This precisely has been my challenge since I got serious about Substack. The offer and what I solved.
I've concluded since we spoke on Livestream that I'm about giving you excitement and a sense of belonging. Along is you are not weird. You're just you.