My tiny writing biz will do $315,000 this year (feel free to copy how I did it)

I want to be transparent so you see the full picture.

This year, my writing business will bring in around $315,000, which is actually $185,000 less than last year.

Yeah… that stings.

But there are two things to know.

First, there’s a reason for it.

Which I’ll break down in this issue.

Second, I want to be transparent so you see the full picture.

Not every year is up and to the right. Some years you make big bets, take big risks, and they don’t pay off.

This was one of those years.

So, here’s exactly what happened...

How I earned that $315K, the mistakes that cost me, and what you can learn if you want to build a six-figure writing business within the next 12 months:

How I Structure My Writing Business

I don’t run traditional writing businesses.

I’m not writing sales pages, direct response emails, or ghostwriting books.

Instead, I run three “macro” offers and one “micro” offer.

Macro offers are high-ticket: usually $2,000 to $20,000.

Micro offers are low-ticket: usually $5 to $250.

They create a flywheel.

The macro brings in the good money; the micro builds trust and acquires potential customers.

If you want a 6 figure writing biz, you’ll need one of each.

Let’s start with the macros:

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A quick PSA, my paid Substack just went live.

In the first issue I have away my 2 custom GPTs for writing viral Substack notes that got me 700 subscribers in 30 days.

The next issue, will cover how to get 100 paid Substack subscribers in 90 days.

To get the custom GPTs and my future growth guide, subscribe here:

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1. Social Media Ghostwriting Agency (Ghostlii)

2025 Revenue so far: $169,000

We write for founders and coaches on LinkedIn and X.

Helping them grow audiences, book calls, and drive revenue.

This year was all about rebuilding:

• Clarifying who we serve

• Systemizing the backend

• Reducing the operational pains in my ass that took away from my writing time

Our biggest mistake?

We were busy fixing systems instead of acquiring clients. And testing too many different marketing channels at once.

(Social selling, DMs, cold email, Whatsapp group funnel, etc...)

The pivot for 2026:

Fewer clients.

Equity deals.

Long term partnerships.

We’ll become a lean, AI-assisted agency that takes deeper bets on clients we want to work with.

When they win, we win.

Lesson for you:

If you offer any kind of service…

Ghostwriting, consulting, design… Get crystal clear on one person, one problem, one promise.

Systemize your fulfillment first, then pour your energy into marketing.

You’ll earn more with less time.

2. Ghostwriting Coaching (GrowthGhost)

2025 Revenue (my share): $89,245

This program (co-run with Dakota Robertson and Dale Pyrcz) helps writers land their first $3,000/month ghostwriting client using LinkedIn, X, or Substack.

My mistake?

I lost authority in the ghostwriting space (cause I’m a dumbass).

For two years, I stopped talking about ghostwriting and people forgot I’d built a multi-six figure career doing exactly this.

That’s wild, considering our agency has helped clients earn $4 million collectively and reach 2 billion impressions.

This year, I had to rebuild my credibility from the ground up.

And I feel like I’m still working to get back to the credibility I once had.

Lesson for you:

You don’t need a massive audience to make money. You need trust per follower.

Authority compounds when you consistently show what you’ve achieved, what you’ve learned, and how you can help others do the same.

I recommend doing this by building in public.

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If you’re think you might like ghostwriting but don’t know much about it, here’s a simple breakdown of what getting started and landing clients would look like:

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3. Creator Consulting

2025 Revenue (first 60 days): $10,200

We launched this just 2 month ago.

It’s for writers, creators, and founders who want to:

• Grow their audience

• Generate more leads

• Build AI-assisted workflows

• Increase paid Substack subscribers

These clients don’t want to become ghostwriters and they don’t want us to ghostwrite for them.

They just want better systems and someone to give them a proven strategy that actually works.

This offer crushes. It’s fun. And I love the clients it brings in.

Huge mistake for me to not launch it sooner.

Lesson:

If a potential client asks for help outside your main offer and you can genuinely help, say yes.

Create custom consulting packages privately (in DMs or on calls).

Just don’t market custom offers publicly.

If I’d done this sooner, I would’ve made an extra $100K this year.

4. Micro Offers (I Didn’t Have Any, Until Now)

I completely ignored micro products this year:

• Digital courses

• AI workflows

• Paid newsletter

Huge fail on my part. Easily the biggest mistake I made revenue wise.

Last year, I made nearly $100K from writing courses and community offers.

This year?

Zero.

I went all-in on the macro side but that left me without an easy entry point for beginners.

And beginners are your long-term customers.

A $20 or $100 products main purpose isn’t to make money (although the money adds up).

It to build trust.

It gives people a chance to see your work, see what it’s like to work with you, and decide if they want to invest more deeply.

That’s why I launched my paid Substack:

Inside, I’ll soon be sharing my AI-assisted workflows, writing manifestos, and detailed monetization roadmaps for:

• How to make your first $1 as a writer on the internet

• How to earn $1,000 /mo as an AI-assisting ghostwriter

• How to get 100 paid subscribers on Substack in 3-6 months

This will be my main focus for 2026.

Mainly because it’s fun, it’s useful, and it scales.

I feel alive working on it.

If you don’t want to miss the future roadmaps, subscribe here:

The Big Picture (Recap)

Every few months, I rethink my business to make it more sustainable and aligned with my lifestyle.

2025 was a year of experimentation:

• Testing

• Breaking

• Rebuilding

2026 will be about doubling down:

• Less risk

• More leverage

• Tighter focus

If you follow this structure of one macro offer, one micro offer, strong marketing, and basic sales skills, you can realistically make your first $100,000 online within the next 12 months.

Even if you have a small audience.

Learn from my missteps, build your flywheel, and keep it simple.

Writing can change your financial future but only if you treat it like a business.

—Taylin

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PS. If you’re looking for realistic ways to earn as a writer on the internet, this video breaks down the only 2 ways to do it.