The Secret Strategy I Used To Build A $60k Writing Business In 2 Hours/Day

My step-by-step system takes minimal effort

Imagine building a $60,000 business while still working a 9–5.

Sounds impossible right? Yet that’s exactly what I’ve done. And it only takes 2-3 hours a day. When I first started I was working every spare moment I had. Hustling like crazy. But eventually, I burned out and almost gave up. Then I discovered there was a smarter way to grow my business.

I figured out a simple, repeatable process that allowed me to turn one article into seven different pieces of content. And this rocketed my growth to 26,000 followers.

The crazy part is, you already have everything you need to make it work. So let me walk you through the exact system I use. So you can grow more with less effort.

Trust me, it’s simpler than you think.

1. Start with a deep-dive post

I write a 1,000-word article packed with insights.

This is the backbone of my writing business. Every day, I publish a deep-dive post on writing. Proven tips that actually work. I used to write once a week. But after discovering a few productivity hacks. I now publish daily. Two focused 60-minute sessions in the morning. And that’s 30 posts a month.

It sounds a lot. But with the hard work is done. Now it’s time to get clever.

2. Break it down into bite-sized gold

I turn my article into 10 pieces of short-form content.

These go straight to Substack Notes. If it’s a listicle, each point becomes a post. For other articles, I pull out punchy sentences or key subpoints.

created by author

Repurposing isn’t copy-paste. It’s adapting. Each platform has its own style and culture. Edit your words, tweak the format, and experiment. Turn insights into images for Instagram or LinkedIn.

Chopping up my articles is easier than creating from scratch. And it keeps my content working for me.

3. Create plug & play tools

Each month, I reverse-engineer my most successful posts.

Then I turn what worked into a ridiculously easy-to-use toolkit for my paid subscribers. They plug it straight into your writing workflow.

I share these 5 tools:

• A headline template that’s pulling in clicks

• A proven outline to speed up your writing

• My go-to AI prompt of the month

• A viral post breakdown (and what made it pop)

• A Note template that’s winning me new subscribers

My paid subscribers tell me it makes writing easier. Sharper. More effective.
Because these tools aren’t theory. They’re battle-tested. And they work now.

Because when something’s already working...why not steal the shortcut?

4. Reshape it into a newsletter to deepen trust

I write a weekly newsletter on Convertkit.

For other writers, this would be a lot of work. But I take a high-performing article from the previous week. Trim it down to 650 words. And my newsletter is ready to go.

I add an article of the week section. Where I post a link to another post that’s performed well.

author’s screenshot

This is a smart way to send my subscribers to my posts. While giving them extra value.

Your newsletter improves when you’ve already tested the ideas. And choose what resonates most.

5. Turn into free advice (to boost credibility)

I offer my new subscribers personal advice.

I invite them to send me their biggest writing challenge. And promise to help. 99% of the time I’ve already written about their problem. So I send them an article link. I call it a helpful guide rather than an article. This boosts the perceived value.

This gets the reader into my ecosystem. Every piece has 1–3 links to other articles. Some readers end up bingeing my content. This strengthens my authority. And enhances my credibility (useful for selling products latter).

And if I haven’t addressed their problem before. It gives me a new idea for my next post.

Offering help is a great research tool.

6. Bundle your best content into digital products

I’ve launched six products this year, earning $25,000+

I use my daily articles to test what readers want — then bundle the best pieces into a course. When my skills improve, I update the content to keep it fresh.

image created by author

Writing 500+ posts sharpens your thinking. You develop tools and insights that others find valuable. Here’s what I’ve built so far:

• Starter Kit (Everything you need to get started)

• Resource Bank (Templates & Cheat Sheets)

• The Ultimate Headline Toolkit

If you’re new, don’t start with a product. But follow the above steps. And you’ll soon have an audience willing to pay for what you’ve already created.

7. Turn your knowledge into live workshops

One of the most rewarding ways to make an impact is by teaching live.

I run monthly live workshops for my Premium members (the ‘Founding tier). I share my strategies for growing an audience. And the best part is the direct connection. It’s a space where I can answer questions, offer real-time feedback, and really dive into the topics that matter.

When I first thought about doing these monthly workshops, I wasn’t sure I could keep up with it. But when I looked back at all the articles I’ve written I realized I already had a lot of material to work with. It became clear that I had proven solutions people were looking for.

These workshops are about more than just sharing ideas. I want to give people something they can actually use. So I break down techniques, show examples, and help attendees apply what they’re learning right away.

What I’ve noticed is these live sessions have really deepened my connection with my audience. They spark new ideas. Help me refine my thinking, And strengthen my reputation.

If you’ve built a body of work, think about sharing it live. It’s a great way to offer more value and open up new opportunities.

Derek