How I Make $5K/Month Writing 3 Hours a Day (Anyone Can Do This)
3 dead simple steps anyone can follow
Before we dive in, a quick heads up.
I’m running a free masterclass showing you how to create your first digital product (even if you’ve never sold anything before). It’s simple. Practical. 187 have already signed up.
Making money online isn’t complicated.
It’s not easy. It’s not quick. And it demands more grit than most are willing to give.
But the strategy? Stupid simple.
I make $5,000/month writing for 3 hours a day. But I spent 7 months making less than $25. It was brutal. I almost gave up. Then I found a rhythm. A system. And everything changed.
I’ve got no fake promises of overnight success. Just three steps that work. If you’re willing to stick at them. The online economy is booming. You're not too late. You're barely even on the dance floor.
Let’s fix that.
Here’s the 3-step system I used:
1. Get eyes on your words
My early stuff failed badly.
I posted everywhere. Quora, Reddit, Medium, Substack, X (even Facebook!) The result? No readers. No feedback. No idea what I was doing. Writing in isolation.
So I picked one platform. Committed to showing up. And used it to do these three things:
Sharpen your skills
Forget fancy tricks. You need to learn the fundamentals:
• Write concisely
• Use persuasive language
• Nail hooks and headlines
Pick 2 top writers. Dissect their stuff like a nerd in a lab. Then start experimenting.
Earn credibility
Forget views. Followers. Vanity metrics.
Real traction comes from trust. From showing your work. From giving details, not fluff. Be real. Share what’s worked for you.
It doesn’t have to be life-changing. It just has to be true.
Study your audience
Most people overthink what to post. The smart ones test in public. Let the market tell you what’s good.
Pay attention to:
Views
Replies
Restacks
What are people confused about? What do they love? Where are they stuck?
Find the answers. Then move to step 2.
2. Write for the inbox
Social media is great for getting noticed. But it’s a crap place to build something that lasts.
Algorithms shift. Platforms die. Audiences vanish overnight.
Ask me how I know.
2023 I was flying on X. Then my reach dropped 75%.
2025 I was a top writer on Medium. Got shadowbanned, views dropped by 90%
That’s when I realised: your most important asset isn’t a following. It’s a list. That’s where the magic happens.
For Substack that means write Notes to get noticed. And posts to build trust.
I write two long posts every week. I share what’s working for me. And I talk to my readers. I ask them what they’re struggling with. I reply with tips. I build trust.
These micro-moments compound. They’re deposits into the bank of credibility.
And they pay off in step 3.
3. Turn your words into wealth
This is where it gets fun.
By now, you know what your audience wants. You’ve tested ideas. Shared solutions. Earned trust. Now you can sell.
Not in a pushy, awkward way.
You already know what helps people. You’ve already proven it in public.
I started turning my top-performing posts into:
Live cohorts
12 months later: $25,000.
It’s surreal. But it’s not magic.
Here’s the truth:
Most people quit before step 3. They don’t stick around long enough to see the compounding.
But if you do?
You win.
So print this out. Stick it to your wall. Tattoo it on your forehead if you have to.
Get eyes on your words
Write for the inbox
Turn your words into wealth
One day soon, you’ll look back and realise: You didn’t need to be a genius. Or go viral. Or chase tactics. You just needed to keep going.
And you’ll be damn glad you did.
Derek
P.S. Want to create your first digital product? Sign up for my free masterclass. I’ll walk you through the exact steps I used to build mine. Simple, practical, and beginner-friendly.
Incredibly helpful. Thanks Derek.
I love that you’re trying to help people — that really resonates. That’s my kinda person.
If you ever want a neurodivergent lens on anything — new or old — I’m happy to help translate. Sometimes we just need things said in a way our brains can hear. 💜