How to Make $10k/Month as a Writer - Nicolas Cole

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In today’s episode, I sit down with Nicolas Cole, and we explore the fastest path to making $10,000 per month as a writer, why monetising through a service is often more effective than selling products, and we debunk the myth that you need a large following to start earning money.
We also cover the pros and cons of traditional publishing versus self-publishing and delve into the intricacies of book deals and distribution.
Finally, we discuss Feel-Good Productivity, the process of writing a book, overcoming self-doubt, and the benefits of immersive writing sprints.
Enjoy :)
00:00 Introduction
03:48 The Fastest Path to Monetisation
08:00 The Value of Your Knowledge
19:08 The ROI of Free Work
25:26 The Three Services Every Business Owner Needs
26:47 Identifying Potential Clients
40:46 The Abundance Mindset
57:35 Doing the Work
01:09:26 Traditional Publishing vs. Self-Publishing
01:29:19 Overcoming Self-Doubt
01:46:55 Expanding the Feel-Good Productivity Category
01:57:41 Immersive Writing Sprints
🔗 CONNECT WITH NICOLAS
🎥 KZbin Channel - / @nicolascole77
🐦 X (Twitter) - / nicolascole77
📸 Instagram - / nicolascole77
💻 Website - www.nicolascole.com/about
🔗 CONNECT WITH ALI
🎥 KZbin Channel - / @aliabdaal
🐦 X ( Twitter ) - / aliabdaal
📸 Instagram - / aliabdaal
💻 Website - aliabdaal.com
👥 Linkedin - / ali-abdaal
📄SHOW NOTES & TRANSCRIPT
Visit the website for the transcript and highlights from the conversation - aliabdaal.com/podcast/
🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST
Deep Dive is the podcast that delves into the minds of entrepreneurs, creators and other inspiring people to uncover the philosophies, strategies and tools that help us live happier, healthier and more productive lives.
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[@nicolascole77]

Let’s go!!!!! Thanks again for having me on the pod Ali. Always great to hang with you

[@sadiayasin1463]

I absolutely love these guys and I was so happy to watch this podcast as I loved and watched multiple times the first one. Gems as someone who loves to write and wants to make online writing career, I’m going to follow these tips to the t.

[@KRB84]

Champ!

[@shaka_pottery91]

Bought your book and arrived today! Lets goooo

[@annevlogger]

Glad to see you back on the podcast! Thanks for sharing what you know!

[@yeahweburnstuff]

YOU are amazing!!

[@shaka_pottery91]

Can we just have this dude on every episode 😂

[@nicolascole77]

I’m game

[@ashraf_c]

​@@nicolascole77 you're very cool cole..🤩😍 love to hear you ❤

[@healthfirstfreelancer]

I'm only 25 minutes in, but the "get one bigger client not 27 small clients" is such valuable advice and something I totally do in my business. I have one anchor client that provides the majority of my monthly income, and a couple smaller clients around that. To some people that seems risky, but I have great relationships with all of my clients and it's worked really well for me. It also means I don't have to constantly go looking for new clients because I have monthly retainers with my clients that repeat every month. Again, not everybody's bag but it really works for me as far as consistent income and low stress. It also means I've been able to get better and faster at those repeating projects, use AI to my advantage, etc. And now that I have that sort of on autopilot, I'm able to build something new on the side that will be more of a "passive" product, eventually. Great convo so far!

[@healthfirstfreelancer]

Ah the warm/cold outreach advice is so good too! New freelancers seriously underestimate the value of their own network. Talk to people who already know you about what you're offering! And the, "hey, here's this thing you need to know about for your business, just wanted to let you know," set up for potential clients is so good and almost EXACTLY what I did to get my anchor client. It really works. Just tell people what they need, demonstrate your expertise, and let them come to you.

[@DontPraiseTheMachinePod]

Cole's back! I just finished posting day 22 of Ship 30 for 30. Highly highly recommend it.

[@nicolascole77]

Glad you had such a great time :)

[@Jen-Chapin]

@@nicolascole77I just signed up!

[@paulduplessis6113]

How much experience did you have before the 30/30 course?

[@DontPraiseTheMachinePod]

@@paulduplessis6113 literally none Paul. I'd made 2 LinkedIn posts maybe in my whole life. That was it, I've now posted 27 times in the last month 🙂

[@DontPraiseTheMachinePod]

@@paulduplessis6113 Hi Paul I think my reply got removed. I had virtually no experience. Just a couple LinkedIn posts.

[@lizzy.comm__]

As a writer, and someone who self-published their first book today, this was suchhhh a treat. Thank you😊

[@Change_is_permanent]

Waiting for this for so long. Please bring him back with dickie bush. That combo is going to be great for sure. Because the way Ali asks questions relates to the audience. Thanks, Ali Thanks, Cole Wish you all the best for future projects ❤

[@nicolascole77]

Would be great to do an episode with Dickie too!

[@IAmDavidWhipple]

The dating analogy. I was a champ at dating women. Now I want to teach my boy how to use an educational strategy over pitching hard. It’s smooth and cool. Works for writing, business, dating, and life.

[@juperrr]

32:49 "They can't care about the solution until they care about the problem"

[@Kamran_Club]

Cole love you, I started my writing journey by reading your book the art and business of online writing

[@nicolascole77]

Enjoy!

[@PranavVenkitaraman-vy4tq]

I have gotten SO MUCH value from both episodes with Nicholas Cole I’ve watched! The guy’s a machine! Not only is his writing awesome…he’s great at teaching it too!

[@Voltergeist]

I'm an artist and a lot of this still applies. He's saying a lot of things that are similar to my experiences, especially under valuing myself for a long, long time.

[@SophiaHaz3]

Everything is gold, but the last 2 chapters were so informative as an aspiring author. Thank you for putting this conversation out there for us 🙏🏽

[@OreApampa]

🤯🤯🤯 wow! What an episode! I couldn't get through it in one go. I had to come back to it keep writing notes on how to apply it to my situation.

[@LorinTorres]

Thank you for sharing such valuable information in this video! Very much appreciated and I look forward to binge watching your other videos and learning everything you're willing to teach from them 😊

[@AfzalHussein]

Solid episode. Cole is a G 💪

[@nicolascole77]

thanks broski

[@asoonami]

Freakin love the back and forth between Ali and Cole on feel good productivity category and what could work vs not for the next book. Just the whole thought process was golden. Other fav bit: Ali “my team has been listening to The Espresso Hour” podcast Cole, looked up, beaming, and with a hint of surprise “really?”

[@cync_]

wow i just went back to the first video and i really can’t stop listening and watching. Now i’m here! another great episode

[@HeyWilliamSalas]

Another banger episode. So good!

[@Tito-yd2sk]

Great Podcast learned so much more here than in any of my college courses!!

[@paulschina]

The self-publishing part was super interesting and useful. Thank you.

[@mindfulmentor11]

Never clicked so fast. Cole is truly inspiring and empowering, I'd love to have him as a friend and mentor. All his success is deserved. Much love. Bryan.

[@nicolascole77]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@njoasis5959]

I was introduced to Nicolas through his inspiring tweets, and they truly resonated with me. Ali recommended Nicole's book on online writing to me. this encounter has become a valuable treasure for me. i am grateful to both of you for providing us with the opportunity to learn and improve ourselves aligning with the online writing journey. Your advice on educating rather than pitching is truly insightful and appreciated. Thank you, Ali and Nicolas, for your contributions 😃

[@nicolascole77]

Glad you're getting so much out of this episode!

[@christopher.kennedy]

Excited to hear Cole's notes ;) plugging this in on my long run, thanks Ali!

[@nicolascole77]

Me too. I forgot what I said haha.

[@DrBeast-ky4bd]

Just love it cole it’s always the best, like him because he is a good human 🔑Take -Specific -Strat with small -Value over money -Grow the category -Growth and experience

[@nicolascole77]

thanks very much

[@upper9052]

He’s back! I haven’t even watched yet but know there will be massive nuggets throughout this episode

[@nicolascole77]

That's the goal

[@lunazamoraart]

I really appreciate your lessons!

[@gurlleenaroraa5837]

It is good to have you both together in one podcast🙌🏻🌟

[@YousufRafi]

Two legends sharing pearls of wisdom for FREE. Just WoW!!

[@madvillainy6845]

Technically not free, but we get what you saying. 🙂

[@NatashaJRiley]

Soooo many good points in this episode 👏🏾

[@essayem-creative]

This was such a great conversation. I enjoyed Nicholas' first appearance, and this one is definitely worth a couple of relistens. I wasn't looking for motivtion, but I got that and more.

[@nicolascole77]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@Sisanf]

Cole is really world class at this!! Dropping insane amounts of knowledge for free

[@nicolascole77]

Thanks very much. I'm passionate about sharing what I've learned and paying it forward to others, so glad it's resonating.

[@DaneYoukers]

The free stuff is all you need. DO NOT pay this guy for anything. I will be happy to share my experience with you.

[@BusinessAuthorAcademy]

I agree with Nic Cole as you have to get out of the commodity market. An 'information advantage' is an interesting perspective. Insight, info, plus writing skills. Skill level is important too.

[@ahmedbeddih890]

It's a great podcast episode, one of the best i've ever listened to.

[@nicolascole77]

I'm glad

[@temitopehunga4880]

Nicholas Cole is Brilliant!

[@Jen-Chapin]

I appreciate all of the book discussion. I published a cookbook with a publisher in 2020 and got royally SCREWED. Next time I’m self publishing!

[@nicolascole77]

Absolutely

[@bringbackthefiretv495]

Yeah wow! Been doing my own writing on linked in and now I feel like I’m building some cred and experience to do this. Duh!!! This is gold!

[@yeahweburnstuff]

Ali's a knowledge VAMPIRE!!

[@Ric_A]

So many good tips

[@aaronglynnwalker]

I love this man

[@Change_is_permanent]

Amazing. I can hear and learn from the Cole 24*7*365 Simple. Clear. Effective.

[@jacksonneptune4083]

This is some good insight. Educating over selling to sell.

[@nicolascole77]

the secret to success

[@haroonazizi]

Congrats on hitting 500,000 subs, Ali.

[@DeepDivewithAliAbdaal]

Thank you :)

[@4everInTheClouds]

So glad you brought him back! I finshed Ship 30 a couple weeks ago and I highly reccommend

[@nicolascole77]

Glad you had a great experience :)

[@himanshuthakur1044]

What is ship 30 , that everyone is talking about?

[@DwiariIvoni]

Cole, is full stack writer course still available? I couldn't find the sales page anywhere

[@Naimad319]

Someone needs to take Cole's thinking face when Ali's pitching him his business idea and turn it into a gif. You know that whatever he was about to say was about to be absolute fire🔥😂

[@nicolascole77]

Please make this haha

[@lighto76]

Cole came for the neck of Publishers

[@nicolascole77]

Somebody has to.

[@wesrezio]

So much value from this episode! Wondering how does passion play into this? E.g. I have expertise and information advantage on a certain niche but it’s not something that I’m passionate about and would want to pursue a different content/niche. How do I balance being good at one thing and being passionate about something else?

[@Mohammadparvazi]

Hi Ali thanks for this and hi to your teem and good job for all of your work this was a very informative video to watch. I noticed you are looking more handsome and as I paid more attention I think it's because of your pair of glasses I think you changed them and this one looks great on you ❤.

[@nomsaledwaba8931]

'Ok you got the status symbol "Once a New York bookseller, you'll always be a New York bookseller".... '~ Nicolas Cole 🎯

[@MaurerLajos-ih6gv]

This was a really good video saying it and I am just minute 22. I am in job hunting after losing my job after 3.5 years because the company shot down because the owner was doing tax fraud. Now I realized how under paid I was as PPC manager. Sub for both of you first video I saw from you like the algorithm was knowing what I need right now :D I am kinda doing writing too just ad copy. I am 27 old and actually thinking starting my own freelance career but I think finding a job first would be easier. From what I saw working for an agency and also dealing with clients most of them came from networking and mostly bad leads from online so that's what I am gonna do.

[@sierranmcmillan]

for the traditional vs self-publishing conversation, I think in Ali's case (and possibly more broadly), it's a matter of weighing which you value more, reach or money. If you value reach (and prestige), you have a better chance with traditional publishing, but if you value money, and you're willing to put in the work to do all the admin tasks to make it happen, self publish. It's also a question of if you are financially able to coordinate everything that the publisher would do for you (i.e. if you're a young, first-time author, you probably wouldn't have the finances available to spend on everything up-front like you have to do with self-publishing). Self-publishing seems to have more of a chance of success with a built-in audience (like Ali has).

[@nicolascole77]

People dramatically over-estimate how much it costs to self-publish a book well. New writers also drastically over-estimate how much a publisher is going to help them. I'm advocating for recognizing a) it doesn't cost that much, and b) give yourself some time to experiment and see what you can do on your own before you go sell 90% of your book to someone else.

[@arku_tube]

Ali bhai, Good explanation of earning from Writing 😊

[@grefelnable]

I've been dabbling on this ghostwriting thing. This podcast got me convinced to do it. I got warm leads that I can easily message but don't know how to do that email course that he's saying. So it will be bummer if they say yes then I got nothing.

[@FragranceCraft]

The shortcut is doing the work 😅 🎉❤😊

[@Lalaundercover389]

This is incredible,can anyone recommend similar podcasts?around business,productivity and health

[@rakshadevi7250]

Great!

[@abdullahmamun6983]

awesome 🎉

[@ariastarinights]

I don’t have information advantage. What do i do?

[@osiriswills6749]

This is a great conversation. I feel like you guys have a great perspective on how to make money as a writer. My only question is what if some of these businesses are using more AI based writing tools now? How can one stand out as a writer in this situation? Don't mean to be the difficult one in the group discussion. I'm just looking to get a general understanding.

[@tegamediatv]

Amazing chat. But didn't talk about social proof. Information advantage is cool but clients want to see social proof. Especially if you're asking $3K/mo. Would love to hear some advice on that.

[@nicolascole77]

This isn't nearly as important as people think. I sold $5,000,000+ worth of ghostwriting services without using a single case study. People don't care about social proof, they care whether or not you can help THEM, specifically.

[@tegamediatv]

@@nicolascole77 that's good to know. Would be a great topic to make a video about!

[@DaneYoukers]

@@nicolascole77 and if you can't or sold them under false pretenses, screw them...the Cole Credo.

[@BarneyR2]

This is very useful. I myself though don't like done for you solutions. Otherwise the rest of the content is great

[@TashkaUrban]

Yeh but how do you start finding the people who are in that spending range??!

[@PQ_497]

Is there anything creative writers can do?

[@pabloqcontent]

31:00

[@wholehardy]

Cole, the people need to know, did you close Alyssa with the brick chicken & fries free consulting? 😉 Solid analogy!

[@nicolascole77]

LOL

[@alyaa7336]

ة نص باستخدام الكاميرا I started publishing my services by writing content after hearing this man’s words 6 months ago genius!!!

[@ristoshikongo7730]

15:16 - 36 free work 17:36 - 19:27 My favorite 25:26 - 29:04 three services every business owner needs Offer script 30:35 OUTREACHING 36:27 - 37 referrals 37:05 - 41:14 Free consultation dont sell - educate them 41:14 Tone To be continued

[@moitreegraph9]

28:31 to do

[@Omnidragon00]

Is writing as a career still valuable in the age of A.I with things like ChatGPT?

[@firsthelix6726]

Thanks for the video! However, one of the most important questions you forgot to ask your guest is how you can be successful as a writer/ghostwriter in times of AI, where a ton of people are losing their writing jobs and online writing businesses have to close down. I can‘t believe you ignored that topic..,

[@nicolascole77]

There’s not much to discuss. It’s a new tool. Learn how to use it or get left behind, just like every other innovation in history

[@yaochen2278]

@@nicolascole77then you should have changed the title of the podcast to something else. The title deceives the audience.

[@firsthelix6726]

@@nicolascole77Well thank you for the update! Your answer comes across a little snappy while I expected it to be more eloquent. I‘m running a larger AI newsletter, and if you‘re thinking it‘s just another ‚tool‘ to be mastered, then you‘re being quite ignorant about the disruption of the writing industry, I‘m sorry. It‘s obvious it has to be addressed in these days, and I also mentioned why. There were comments regarding this on your channel that you didn‘t answer, for whatever reason.

[@nicolascole77]

@@firsthelix6726 Did photoshop ruin the photography business? No, it created 100x more photographers. Did Netflix ruin the film industry? No it created 100x more films, and film genres. Did industrial agriculture ruin the farming business? No it made farming 100x more efficient. AI is just "another" one of these innovations, and the way it's going to impact writers is: the writers who understand how to leverage AI to "scale" their own thinking are going to yield 100x the returns. And everyone else who says, "AI is ruining writing! AI is taking my job!" is going to sit there and not understand what to do because the world changed and didn't wait around for them to figure it out.

[@DaneYoukers]

@@yaochen2278 deception is @nicolascole77 biggest skill. (I have experience dealing with this guy...I wish someone had told me first)

[@OHANA-Beach-Suites-CDO]

I make 12K a month as a Security Officer at a few hospitals, while building my Beach Hotel in the Philippines…Ohana Beach Suites…

[@aj-lan284]

how to learn how to write? resources?

[@DaneYoukers]

Don't buy a thing from Cole. That's the best advice I can give.

[@aylinozus8988]

Wooow ✨️

[@LindyDesignLab]

Instead of Feel Good Relationships, how about Feel Good Breakups

[@nicolascole77]

That's another great idea

[@mariavalente6304]

Another podcast? Omg i will die

[@nicolascole77]

Don’t die plz

[@mdaltamashraza]

@@nicolascole77 You literally killed her. 🤧

[@verenice22]

I’m desperate to do something like thisI just don’t know how to get started 😮‍💨

[@manolopourikas6]

Junior copywriter here, making 400$/month working about 10 hours/week. 1)You pick up a niche. For example, mine is running, as i am a national champion here in Greece. 2)You find online/physical stores that sell something related to your niche, and see if they have an on-going newsletter. If they don't, and they have over 500 mail addresses sitting there, offer to write FOR FREE 5-10 emails that sell, and make profit out of thin air. Tell them that ONLY IF the mails will bring them an X amount of Dollars, then and only then you will accept to get paid. Go find some tutorials on how to set up a newsletter campaign using free tools, and practice till you are confident enough. Trust me, none will say no to you if you bring them money. But just be careful on approaching them. You can learn a lot about cold approaching from videos like these and many more of Ali.

[@DaneYoukers]

Start by not giving Cole a penny. I would not do business with him (again). Not a stand-up guy.

[@OverTheSevenSeas]

🙏

[@SilverXT]

Third!!!

[@NasirNasPin-ytb]

First

[@imaddemirci7126]

I wish it would be possible to listen to the song in Arabic, as you did in your last video on your first channel اتمنى لو يتم تمكين الاستماع الى الحقله باللغه العربيه كما فعلت في اخر فديو لك على قناتك الاولى

[@TaiwoMegbope]

Change the title of this video Ali. "Traditional Publishing Demystified". I believe that the most significant part of this video was when you went into traditional vs self publishing.

[@DaneYoukers]

He talks a good talk, that's for sure. My personal experience dealing with him leaves a lot to be desired. Don't sign up for anything he is selling. I will be happy to discuss my experience with you prior to you making a really expensive mistake. (I am talking about Cole...not Ali. Although, I wish Ali would quit having him and Dickie on here. Those aren't the guys that deserve a platform).

[@emmadedic4483]

Ali is so selfcentered but lucky to have generous people around him

[@seniorito5309]

"17 silver when I killed that" dork alert! lol

[@nicolascole77]

n3rd

[@Hakan-jt4wb]

Why on earth did ali give away 85% of his book when he could have self published

[@delanoose6420]

These people always claiming to do things for free, but did they do it? Did they give away their service for free when they started?

[@nicolascole77]

Yes, and I still do it all the time when the right opportunity presents itself.

[@bernardok.c]

I only made $22 on the internet as a writer 💀💀💀

[@shool2009]

Sixth

[@sergivizcainofuentes5858]

BROOO THE SOOILERS ABOUT MISTBORN WTFFFF

[@nicolascole77]

sry

[@GON22A]

I'm still no clear in what skills do i need to have to start writing, anything, i'm completely lost on how to start

[@asoonami]

The ship30 for 30 course is exactly for this purpose - to help first time writer to start writing online

[@DaneYoukers]

@@asoonami I wouldn't do any more than Ship 30 for 30. That is expensive enough. Don't sign up for anything else. Please, ask me first. I will GLADLY tell you about my experience.

[@djwayne3]

LFGGGGGG

[@delaslight]

Can i say most of this vid seems useless to me? Most of the strategies will end to “fuck off” as Ali said during the video. They wont work with me, so i assume they wont work with anyonr else.

[@CS-uc2oh]

There's so much wrong with this... I'm tired of pointing it out but you'll never win trading your time for money. Period. Anyone who doesn't understand they need to build a catalog of GOOD books to make money writing, have no business trying to make money off of books. You're not trying to make a ton of money off of one or two books, you're trying to make a little bit of money from a catalog of books. The time it takes to write one time for someone else, you could have written several books for yourself that will make you money for years to come.

[@nicolascole77]

lol

[@BusinessAuthorAcademy]

Ah, with 70 cents to 2 dollars per sale and 0.05 percent making $1000 from books, possibly a long shot. I have books, my clients have books, it doesn't work.

[@aymenarifmalik]

If uncle johny was a pakistani relative, you wouldn't get a penny for your work because 'who evil person charges money from family and friends' =D

[@PCGEEK2024]

second lol

[@PatriciaDawn3]

PLS REFUND MY MONEY DON'T STEAL IT PLZ I PAID FOR YOUR BOOK AND NEVER GOT IT PLZ REFUND MY MONEY WAITING STILL OVER 6 MONTHS NO REPLY TO EMAILS

[@PatriciaDawn3]

PLZ DON'T STEAL MY MONEY PLS REFUND IT. I NEVER GOT THE BOOK I BOUGHT OVER 6 MONTHS AGO

[@myopinions1]

it's just manipulation no?

[@onelove8062]

ChatGPT? Gun in mouth?

[@VictoriaDakeria]

*Great video! I really do have a question. For someone with less than $10,000 to invest, how would you recommend we enter the crypto market? I am looking at studying some traders and copying their strategy rather than investing myself and losing money emotionally. What’s your take on this approach?*