You don’t need a journalism degree to make money writing. What you do need is a solid portfolio and the ability to string sentences together better than most. (And let’s be honest—after years of decoding toddler gibberish and crafting persuasive “why we need more goldfish crackers” arguments, you’re already halfway there.)
Read Like a Writer (Not Just a Mom Skimming the Back of Cereal Boxes)
Forget “reading more” as vague advice. Try this instead:
- Reverse-engineer great writing: Bookmark 3 articles you wish you’d written. Highlight what works—their hooks, transitions, how they end.
- Steal (ethically): Notice how your favorite parenting blogger turns tantrum stories into viral content? That’s a masterclass in relatable writing.
- Diversify: Read one piece daily outside your comfort zone—a finance newsletter, a food critic’s review. It’s like cross-training for your brain.
Write Like It’s Your Job (Because Soon, It Will Be)
“Practice writing” sounds about as fun as folding fitted sheets. Make it concrete:
- The 10-Minute Drill: While the kids destroy the playroom, write a product description for your coffee mug (“The only thing between you and total chaos this morning”).
- Turn mom fails into clips: That time you accidentally dyed all the whites pink? Perfect for a parenting site’s “Real Mom Moments” column.
- Blog with purpose: Start a Substack reviewing kids’ TV shows through a exhausted-parent lens. (Example: “Bluey vs. Reality: Why My Kids Will Never Build a Working Dam in the Living Room.”)
Find Your People (Because Writing Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely)
- Join #WritingTwitter: Follow editors who post calls for pitches. Pro tip: Search “ISO writers” + your niche (e.g., parenting, wellness).
- Local freelancer meetups: Check the library bulletin board—many host “write-ins” where moms work on projects together.
- Swap skills: Offer to beta-read a romance novelist’s draft in exchange for feedback on your portfolio.
Skip the Generic Courses (Try These Instead)
Instead of “copywriting 101,” invest in:
- A $20 Canva Pro account to make your portfolio look legit.
- The library’s free access to LinkedIn Learning for niche tutorials (like “Writing for Health & Wellness Brands”).
- One killer workshop: Look for small, interactive sessions like “How to Write Irresistible Email Subject Lines” by working editors.
The Portfolio That Gets You Hired
Clients don’t care about your diploma—they want proof you can solve their problem. Build yours with:
- 3-5 diverse samples (e.g., a blog post, a product description, a LinkedIn carousel)
- Before/after case studies (“Client’s website bounce rate dropped 40% after my rewrite”)
- Testimonials from non-family members (Trade free work for a Google review from the local bakery you wrote web copy for)
Real Talk: How One Mom Did It
Sarah, a former teacher, started by:
- Writing free “day in the life” posts for a mommy blog
- Pitching local businesses: “Your ‘About Us’ page could be working harder—here’s how”
- Within 6 months, she landed a $500/month gig writing newsletters for a pediatric dentist
Your Move
Stop waiting for “more experience.” Today:
- Write one 300-word sample (make it useful—”5 Things I Wish I’d Known About Potty Training”)
- Pitch it to a small blog (find them via “write for us + [your niche]” Google searches)
- Repeat weekly
Remember: Every writer started somewhere—usually with a terrible first draft and too much self-doubt. The difference? They hit “publish” anyway.