How to Write for a Living

David McIlroy
  • 5.0 (3)
  • HOW TO
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

Writers should get paid for doing what they love. Let's talk about how to make that happen. thedavidmcilroy.substack.com

  1. 321: Why doing things the hard way matters more than ever (with Dani Zacarias)

    3D AGO

    321: Why doing things the hard way matters more than ever (with Dani Zacarias)

    Season 3, episode 21 is here! Dani Zacarias joined me to talk about her journey from criminology student to creator economy veteran, working at Wattpad, Skillshare, and now Sendowl. She shared a harrowing story about crossing a closed border with boulders exploding around her, why the pressure from VCs often misses what actually matters in content creation, and how writers can build sustainable businesses around their work. What we covered: - How Dani’s path from wanting to be a lawyer led her through international nonprofits and into the creator economy, including the moment in Uganda when a reader cried because he finally saw Ugandan names in a book for the first time - Why Silicon Valley and VC-funded companies trivialise art and creation by pushing data over taste, and how she learned to fight for what she believed in even when billions of dollars were telling her she was wrong - The border crossing in Peru where protesters closed the route with tripwires designed to decapitate motorcyclists, pits filled with glass, and boulders rolling down hills, and how she and her now-husband made it through by going completely silent and focused - Brandon Sanderson’s keynote argument that art isn’t about consumption or making money but about reflecting on who you are as a person, and why the creator economy’s obsession with content volume is dangerous for durability and meaning - What she learned from working at Wattpad by analysing massive amounts of data on reader behavior, discovering that people forgive bad writing but never forgive bad plot - Why Sendowl exists for creators who want total ownership of their audience and customer lists without platform algorithms changing the rules, offering unlimited products and storage that scales with your business instead of eating 10% of every sale - Her advice to think holistically beyond just the story itself, building an ecosystem with merchandise, short stories, and IP that fantasy and sci-fi fans want to engage with because that’s where the sustainable money actually lives ➡️ Interested in Sendowl? Email Dani at dani@sendowl.com and mention this podcast for a potential discount. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

    51 min
  2. 320: Write that damn book! (with Neera Mahajan)

    FEB 1

    320: Write that damn book! (with Neera Mahajan)

    Season 3, episode 20 is here! Neera Mahajan joined me to talk about writing books fast, building authority, and turning a single book into a scalable business. She shared why most writers never finish their books, the difference between vanity projects and strategic assets, and how she helps creators write their books in 30 days through implementation over information. This one’s a must-listen for anyone struggling to finish their book! In this episode: - Why Neera started writing not because she was good at it but because she was bad, and how quitting her job to write full-time led to publishing 14 books that now serve as the foundation of her entire business model - The moment she realised three years of articles gave her nothing to show for the effort, and how one voice in her head telling her to write that damn book changed everything about her authority and income overnight - Why most writers fail to finish their books because they make them too big and drift in and out of the work, and the strict framework of 13 chapters maximum with 2,000 words each that actually gets books done in 30 days - The difference between vanity projects and strategic authority assets, including how a strategic book needs a clear audience, addresses one specific problem, and launches your tiered offer at the end instead of just existing on a shelf - Her four-level productivity system for writers that starts with calendar management and email inbox zero, and why she now surrounds herself with notebooks that travel from room to room capturing ideas before they disappear - Why her cohort focuses on implementation and daily accountability rather than piling on more information, requiring participants to write 500-1,000 words daily toward their book while working in a group setting Check out all of Neera’s books here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

    45 min
  3. 319: The $5 Million Question: How writers actually get paid by brands without a massive following (with Justin Moore)

    JAN 25

    319: The $5 Million Question: How writers actually get paid by brands without a massive following (with Justin Moore)

    Season 3, episode 19 is here! I was super excited to have Justin Moore join me to talk about something most writers think is out of reach: getting paid by brands to create content. Justin shared the sponsorship strategies that built his multi-million dollar business, why your follower count matters less than you think, and the pitching method that stops brands from hitting delete on your emails. This is the perfect episode for anyone interested in finding game-changing sponsorships for their content! What we covered: - Why writers with small audiences can still land sponsorships by offering something completely different than traditional influencer posts, and how your writing skills become the product itself rather than just your audience size - The ROPE method for pitching brands that flips the script on how most creators approach sponsorships, starting with what the brand cares about instead of bragging about your follower count in the first sentence - How Justin’s wife went from accepting free products for years to earning $700 monthly from a single brand deal, and the simple question that changed everything about how they approached collaborations - The sponsorship continuum concept that changes what you pitch based on where you are in your growth journey, from ghostwriting for brands at the start to commanding premium rates once you’ve scaled - Why having a rate card on your website is the worst possible strategy for pricing sponsorships, and the budget range question that gets brands to reveal their numbers 75% of the time without you naming a price first - The ARC framework that determines how much leverage you have in negotiations based on whether brands want awareness, repurposing rights, or conversion metrics from the partnership - Why Justin believes books will outlast almost every other content format in the age of AI, and how writing Sponsor Magnet became the most impactful thing he’s done for his business despite never considering himself a writer 👉 Want to learn these strategies in person? Justin’s hosting Sponsor Games in San Antonio, March 15-18. Use code DAVID500 for $500 off your ticket! Find out more here. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

    37 min
  4. 318: Why collaboration beats algorithm gaming every time (with Jari Roomer)

    JAN 18

    318: Why collaboration beats algorithm gaming every time (with Jari Roomer)

    Season 3, episode 18 is here! My friend Jari Roomer from Write Build Scale joined me for a conversation about the most powerful growth lever on Substack. We talked about why collaboration matters more than ever, how to approach other creators without feeling awkward, and the specific strategies that brought us thousands of subscribers without spending a dime on ads. What we covered: - Why collaborations are the antidote to publishing in the void, and how they make the entire Substack journey more enjoyable while getting your work in front of audiences that already want what you offer - The guest posting approach that creates evergreen pathways for discovery months after you publish, turning one piece of content into a long-term subscriber magnet that keeps working while you sleep - Newsletter recommendations as the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it growth strategy, how Jari gained over 8,000 subscribers in 2025 from recommendations alone, and why most creators hesitate to reach out when it’s actually a win-win scenario - Going live on Substack as the collaboration format that builds the deepest connections, lets your audience see you’re a real person when things go wrong, and makes it easier for introverts who can share the talking with a guest - The exact DM approach that gets more yes responses to collaboration requests, including why you should offer multiple collaboration options and how to make it as easy as possible for someone to say yes - How to use AI as a ghostwriting tool rather than a crutch by recording 30-minute voice memos of your thoughts and stories, then letting AI handle the actual writing process while keeping your authentic voice intact - The ladder strategy for linking posts that guides readers to take the next step up rather than sending them sideways through your archive, and why fewer links actually create more conversions than overwhelming people with options This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

    46 min
  5. 317: How to build a successful solo business as an introvert (with Stuart Thompson)

    JAN 11

    317: How to build a successful solo business as an introvert (with Stuart Thompson)

    Season 3, episode 17 is here! In this episode, I sit down with my old school friend Stuart Thompson, who now runs a long-standing gym here in Northern Ireland. We talk about what it really takes to build a business over nearly a decade - not just systems and social media, but relationships, energy, and knowing your limits. We also cover fitness, creativity, confidence, and turning up consistently even when no one’s watching. This is an honest, practical, and surprisingly relevant chat, whether you run a gym, write online, or are just trying to build something for the long haul. What we covered: - How Stuart’s gym actually started - The underrated power of handwritten notes - Why not growing up sporty helped nurture Stuart’s story - Why confidence comes from reps (in fitness and in writing) - What it’s like running a people business as an introvert - Why asking for reviews is awkward but necessary - Why sticking around matters Make sure to check out Cross Functional Fitness before you go! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

    42 min
  6. 316: The art of storytelling in content creation (with Parker Worth)

    JAN 4

    316: The art of storytelling in content creation (with Parker Worth)

    Season 3, episode 16 is here! In this week’s episode, Parker Worth and I chat about his journey from being a high school dropout to becoming a successful creator living in Brazil. Parker discusses the importance of storytelling in building a personal brand and the challenges of navigating the ever-changing landscape of online content creation, and emphasises the need for creators to build relationships and trust with their audience, write real-life stories that convert, and understand their audience’s pain points. What we cover: - Parker Worth’s journey from electrician to creator in Brazil. - The significance of storytelling in personal branding. - How to navigate the challenges of the online creator landscape. - Why building relationships and trust with your audience is crucial. - How using personal stories can lead to higher engagement. - Why understanding audience pain points is essential for content creation. - Why embracing fear can lead to significant personal and professional growth. Make sure to subscribe to Parker’s newsletter before you go! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

    46 min
  7. 315: Why going Live can be rocket fuel for your creator career

    12/21/2025

    315: Why going Live can be rocket fuel for your creator career

    Season 3, episode 15 is here! In this solo episode, I share my thoughts on the critical importance of incorporating video and audio content into a creator’s strategy for 2026 and beyond. I walk you through how online platforms favour video, the engagement benefits of live video, and the monetisation opportunities it presents, as well as the community-building aspect of going live, the authenticity it fosters, and the compounding effects of creating video content in general. In this episode, I break down why: - Incorporating video and audio is becoming essential for audience growth - Live video can significantly increase engagement rates - Platforms prioritise video content over text-based content - Going live can help convert followers into subscribers - Video content enhances personal branding and authority - Live video creates a sense of community among viewers - Authenticity in live video builds trust with the audience - Starting to go live now can future-proof your content strategy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

    37 min
  8. 314: How to build your online creator presence from absolute scratch

    12/14/2025

    314: How to build your online creator presence from absolute scratch

    Season 3, episode 14 is here! In this solo episode, I walk through exactly how to build a creator presence from absolute scratch with no fancy equipment, no complex strategy, just clarity and consistency. This is for anyone who feels like the smallest voice in the room but wants to create something real online. In this episode: - Why your personal brand is actually about how people feel when they encounter you, and how that feeling is what makes readers stick around long after they discover your work - The five traps that kill most creator journeys before they start - My recommendation to commit to one platform for six months minimum before spreading yourself thin across the internet - How to craft the one simple promise that becomes your positioning - a single sentence that tells people exactly who you help and what you do for them within five seconds of landing on your profile - The power of predictable touchpoints and why readers follow creators the same way they follow their favorite TV shows - Why confidence comes after consistency, not before it, and how showing up for 3 to 12 months with minimal response is actually part of the process, not a sign you should quit - The recurring format strategy that eliminates decision fatigue and builds loyalty through repetition, turning your weekly presence into something your audience genuinely misses when it’s not there This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedavidmcilroy.substack.com/subscribe

    27 min
See All (60)

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Writers should get paid for doing what they love. Let's talk about how to make that happen. thedavidmcilroy.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    David McIlroy
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © David McIlroy
  • Show Website
    How to Write for a Living

You Might Also Like