20 Business Ideas For Journalists [2024]
Interested in starting a business as a journalist in 2024?
If managed well, building a business as a journalist could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for Journalists?
We put together 20 of some of the best journalist business ideas you can start in today.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other journalist businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could be an ideal way to supplement your income as a Journalist. With your strong writing skills and ability to meet deadlines, you already possess qualities crucial for a thriving freelance writing career. The flexibility to work from home at any time means you could seamlessly integrate freelance projects into your current schedule, providing a practical way to explore diverse writing niches or delve deeper into areas you're passionate about.
As a self-starter who stays on the cutting edge, venturing into freelance writing could also keep you up-to-date with the latest writing tools and trends, enhancing your professional growth. Furthermore, the requirement for proper communication skills aligns well with your existing expertise in interviewing, reporting, and storytelling. Freelance writing offers the flexibility and autonomy to define your work schedule while leveraging your journalistic abilities to earn extra money or build a full-fledged side business.
How much you can make: $700 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 56 days (?)
How David Tile turned a freelance writing gig into an $80k/month business, discussing lessons learned through managing growing demands and maintaining a remote team operation.
2. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast as a journalist offers a compelling avenue to supplement your income, make extra money, or even build a side business. With your experience in storytelling and interviewing, you could easily create engaging and informative audio content that appeals to a wide audience. Focusing on a niche or topic you are passionate about can allow you to leverage your existing network and credibility to draw in listeners.
You'll need basic recording equipment like a microphone and headphones, and you can use free or affordable hosting platforms to publish your episodes. Promotion through social media, online communities, and word of mouth will be crucial for building an audience. With dedication, your podcast could eventually attract sponsors or advertisers, turning your side project into a profitable venture.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
3. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be a lucrative avenue for journalists looking to supplement their income and expand their reach. By leveraging your existing skills in content creation, storytelling, and research, you can build a channel that attracts a dedicated audience. The platform's established monetization system and incredible popularity make it a viable option for revenue generation.
Creating a YouTube channel on topics you specialize in, such as in-depth news analysis, investigative journalism, or even behind-the-scenes looks at the life of a journalist, can draw in viewers who appreciate insightful and high-quality content. If you're passionate about content creation, you could capitalize on YouTube's global platform to earn extra income and perhaps even turn it into a full-time business.
With successful YouTube channels requiring at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months to join the partner program and start monetizing, you could use your journalistic skills to produce compelling videos that engage viewers and grow your audience. While there's no quick path to success, the potential for entrepreneurial journalists is substantial.
How much you can make: $800 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $750 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Learn how this entrepreneurial couple made $5-7k a month by helping others find legitimate work from home jobs and creative ways to make money online through their blog and YouTube channel, as well as offering two flagship products designed to help beginner freelancers and new bloggers accelerate growth.
4. Start a business podcast ($111K/month)
Launching a business podcast could be an exciting opportunity to supplement your income and leverage your journalistic skills in a new, entrepreneurial direction. As a journalist, you have a keen sense of storytelling, interviewing, and staying informed on industry trends—all of which are vital components of a successful podcast. By tapping into your existing expertise, you could create engaging content that delves into business insights, trends, and expert interviews, providing valuable resources to your audience.
With low upfront costs and flexible scheduling, a business podcast can fit seamlessly into your busy life. Crafting compelling episodes and securing interviews with industry leaders will be key to building a loyal listener base and influencing markets. If you have a passion for both business and communication, this venture could not only enhance your professional portfolio but also generate additional revenue through ad placements and sponsorships.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $349,983/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Empire Flippers is a thought leader in brokering online business deals, having brokered over $50 million worth of deals and grown their pool of potential buyers by hundreds every month through a focus on content marketing and middle-of-funnel content.
5. Start a content writing company ($46.4K/month)
If you're a journalist looking to supplement your income or start a side business, a content writing company could be an excellent opportunity. Content writing involves creating, editing, and publishing digital content such as blog posts, product descriptions, eBooks, and press releases. Given your expertise in writing and storytelling, this venture could allow you to monetize your skills while setting your schedule and manageable workload.
Moreover, the demand for high-quality content is skyrocketing as companies strive to capture online audiences. Businesses are increasingly seeking compelling, informative content to engage potential customers, making this a highly lucrative and evergreen field. By launching a content writing company, you could not only generate passive income but also enhance your writing skills in ways traditional journalism might not offer.
To get started, it's crucial to research the market, identify a niche, draft a solid business plan, and set up a professional website. Hiring talented writers and leveraging modern technology to streamline your operations could give you a competitive edge, making your content writing company a viable and rewarding entrepreneurial venture.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $550,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $600 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Scribly.io, a subscription-based copywriting service providing high quality content that helps businesses scale at roughly 50% of the cost of hiring in-house, created by Dani, a first-time entrepreneur who started with just a few hundred dollars worth of projects and with the help of three other writers; as of last month, Scribly.io topped $14K monthly revenue.
6. Become an author ($227K/month)
As a journalist, exploring the path to becoming an author could be a compelling way to supplement your income or even establish a full-fledged side business. Your refined writing skills and deep understanding of narrative could give you a solid foundation to create engaging books, novels, or articles that resonate with readers.
By leveraging traditional publishing routes, you might find opportunities to work with publishing houses that value your expertise, while self-publishing offers the autonomy to control your creative and marketing process. Such ventures not only open up multiple revenue streams through book sales and royalties but could also lead to additional opportunities like speaking engagements and workshops.
Entrepreneurially minded journalists could harness their knack for storytelling and journalistic excellence to successfully transition into authorship, creating a new and satisfying dimension to their professional life.
How much you can make: $200 — $1,500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
This case study follows full-time thriller and action-adventure author Nick Thacker who earns between $10k to $20k per month from writing, predominantly through Amazon Kindle Unlimited sales, and goes in-depth into his self-publishing strategy which maximizes sales and minimizes costs, such as developing a mailing list and utilizing print-on-demand services.
7. Create an online course ($83.3K/month)
As a journalist, starting an online course could be an excellent way to supplement your income or even launch a full-fledged side business. Imagine creating in-depth classes on investigative journalism, digital storytelling, or social media reporting—areas where you have considerable expertise. By identifying educational gaps in journalism training and developing engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could attract a dedicated student base eager to learn from a seasoned professional.
With options for self-paced or cohort-based structures, students can progress through courses at their convenience, offering a flexible learning environment that appeals to many. This not only provides you with a passive income stream but also allows you to share your passion for journalistic excellence with others. The startup costs are relatively low, making it a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents by serving lifelong learners interested in your insights.
How much you can make: $275 — $1,000,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 88 days (?)
Learn how one couple created a successful personal finance blog, The Savvy Couple, that now makes over $20,000 per month and has sold thousands of digital workbooks and courses, by focusing on purposeful content and optimizing their ROI with efficient time management.
8. Start a decorative partition screen manufacturing business
As a journalist, your keen sense for storytelling and aesthetics could easily translate into designing and manufacturing decorative partition screens. Leveraging your writing platform, you could market unique, stylish screens that reflect current trends and themes, tapping into your existing audience for initial sales.
You could start small by creating prototypes and showcasing them through social media or at local craft fairs, utilizing your networking skills to build connections in the interior design industry. This venture not only provides a creative outlet but also diversifies your income streams, offering a potential full-time business as it grows.
9. Start a puzzle and game books business
As a journalist, your skills in research, creativity, and storytelling could seamlessly transition into developing puzzle and game books. You could leverage your knack for crafting engaging content to design unique puzzles and games that captivate readers. This endeavor could easily start as a side business, offering you a flexible way to supplement your income while tapping into your existing editorial expertise.
Furthermore, your ability to identify and explore niche topics could set your puzzle and game books apart in a competitive market. Whether it's creating crossword puzzles centered around current events or inventing games that reflect popular cultural trends, your journalistic insights could ensure your products resonate with a broad audience. Taking advantage of digital platforms for publishing and marketing could also help you reach a wider audience without significant upfront costs.
10. Start a glass installation service
If you're a journalist with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a glass installation service could open up diverse income avenues. This venture would allow you to use your skills in research, storytelling, and networking to identify market needs, craft compelling marketing campaigns, and build strong client relationships. You could leverage your attention to detail and investigative skills to ensure high-quality service and customer satisfaction, setting your business apart from competitors.
Additionally, if you're looking to supplement your income, a glass installation service can be run as a side hustle while you maintain your journalistic career. With flexible scheduling, you could manage client appointments and installations around your reporting and writing assignments. As a journalist, you have the unique advantage of potentially uncovering industry trends and insights that can inform your business strategies and growth opportunities, making this a practical and lucrative side business.
11. Start an unfinished furniture store business
As a journalist, your keen eye for detail and storytelling abilities could translate well into the world of unfinished furniture. By starting an unfinished furniture store, you could leverage your research skills to source high-quality, raw furniture pieces and your writing skills to craft compelling narratives about each piece's potential. These stories could resonate with a customer base interested in personalized, hands-on home improvement projects.
Furthermore, your existing network and communication prowess would be invaluable in marketing your store and connecting with artisans, suppliers, and customers. This venture could serve as a viable side business to supplement your income, allowing you to explore entrepreneurial avenues without straying too far from your journalism roots. As you build your brand, you could also create content, such as blogs or videos, detailing restoration tips and highlighting successful projects, thus integrating your journalism expertise with your new business.
12. Start an entertainment company ($31K/month)
As a journalist, you build stories that captivate audiences, a skill that's immensely valuable when starting an entertainment company. You could leverage your storytelling expertise to create, produce, and promote compelling entertainment content, such as events, shows, and multimedia projects.
From organizing concerts and theater productions to managing corporate events and digital media, this venture allows you to blend creativity with business acumen. By coordinating with artists, managing budgets, and ensuring seamless audience experiences, you position yourself to craft unforgettable experiences. The demand for high-quality entertainment remains steady, making this a resilient and satisfying entrepreneurial path.
How much you can make: $12,000 — $50,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 318 days (?)
Dan Chan Presents, LLC is a unique company specializing in sophisticated magic entertainment for savvy corporate audiences, earning $160K performing live, and was able to pivot to virtual events during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding marketing reach performing internationally, and being featured multiple times in Business Insider and The Hustle.
13. Start a holiday decorating service
As a journalist, your flair for storytelling and attention to detail could translate seamlessly into a holiday decorating service. This side business requires minimal startup costs and allows you to tap into your creativity, making homes and businesses festive for the season. Given its seasonal nature, you could manage this alongside your regular writing gigs without a significant overlap.
Furthermore, your strong network from your journalism career could help you quickly build a client base. You don’t need specialized training, but your eye for detail and experience in crafting compelling visuals will be advantageous in creating memorable holiday displays. This endeavor could supplement your income and offer a refreshing change of pace from your regular writing routine.
How much you can make: $20,000/month
Balloon Haus LLC, founded by Janeen Brown, is a successful balloon boutique generating an average of $20K/monthly, providing custom exquisite and trendy balloon installations and decorations to notable clients such as Instagram, Marriott, and American Express.
14. Start a natural health product business ($188K/month)
As a journalist, starting a natural health product business could be a lucrative side venture that allows you to leverage your research and storytelling skills to tap into a growing market. With the global focus on health and wellness, your keen eye for trends and ability to craft compelling narratives could be invaluable in marketing natural health products like supplements, weight management solutions, and health foods. This sector is poised for significant growth, with an anticipated CAGR of 5.3% and a projected market size of over $32 billion in the next few years.
You could utilize your investigative skills to identify unmet needs and niche markets within the realm of natural health products. Additionally, your expertise in creating engaging content could enable you to develop a strong brand presence online, generating trust and authority among your audience. By focusing on products that address specific health issues, you could create a business that not only supplements your income but also provides value to your readers who are eager to lead healthier lives.
How much you can make: $35,000 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
SuperGreen TONIK's founder developed a greens powder supplement with 38 superfood nutrients, adaptogenic herbs, vitamins, and minerals that achieved $250k in sales in its first year and is looking to hit 7-figures in its second year, thanks to transparency, repeat customers, and focusing on fewer, properly dosed ingredients.
15. Start a bike tour business
As a journalist, starting a bike tour business could offer a unique way to supplement your income while tapping into your storytelling skills. You could design tours that highlight historical landmarks, cultural hotspots, or hidden gems in your city, using your expertise to craft engaging narratives that captivate your audience. Your ability to weave compelling stories could make each tour a memorable experience, setting you apart from generic tour providers.
Additionally, a bike tour business could be a flexible side venture, allowing you to work around your journalism schedule. You could even leverage your network and media presence to promote your tours, attracting a steady stream of clients. This venture could also provide an opportunity to gather new stories and insights, enriching your journalistic portfolio while earning extra income.
16. Start a housekeeping business
As a journalist, starting a housekeeping business could supplement your income by offering essential cleaning services to busy homeowners and businesses. With flexible scheduling, you could cater to clients on days when your journalism duties are lighter, thus maintaining balance between both professions. This dual approach not only maximizes your earnings but also diversifies your skill set.
Leveraging your meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills, which are essential in journalism, you could excel in offering high-quality and reliable housekeeping services. Customizing your offerings to meet specific client needs—whether it's a regular cleaning schedule or a one-time deep clean—can set you apart in the market.
Furthermore, investing in a staff that embodies reliability and efficiency, along with utilizing online platforms for booking and payments, can streamline operations and ensure client satisfaction. By providing exceptional service, you could build a loyal client base, contributing to a steady source of additional income.
17. Become a fan page administrator
As a journalist, you could tap into your content creation skills and extensive industry knowledge to become a fan page administrator. Managing fan pages for influencers, media personalities, or niche communities allows you to leverage your expertise in crafting engaging narratives and insightful commentary. By curating relevant and timely content, you could attract a dedicated following, boosting engagement and visibility for the pages you manage.
Additionally, your experience with research and trends can help you identify what resonates with fans, enabling you to create compelling posts that drive interaction. With the flexibility to work on this side business alongside your primary career, you could supplement your income significantly while building a portfolio that showcases your digital marketing and community management skills. This pivot not only diversifies your professional experiences but also opens the door to new entrepreneurial opportunities within the media landscape.
18. Start a nail salon
For entrepreneurial-minded journalists looking to supplement their income or start a side business, opening a nail salon could be a strategic move. A nail salon offers a variety of services, including manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements, catering to both men and women. This type of business allows you to tap into the continually growing beauty industry while providing a steady stream of revenue.
By finding an ideal location and registering a unique brand name, you could create a reputable salon that draws in loyal clients. Additionally, ensuring you have the necessary permits and a solid business plan will set you up for long-term success. This venture could become a satisfying parallel career, allowing you to explore a different field while maintaining your roles in journalism.
How much does it cost to start: $3,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
19. Become an audio visual technician
As a journalist, your skills in storytelling and technical know-how can transition seamlessly into the field of audio visual (AV) technology. By leveraging your expertise in capturing crisp audio and video footage, you could offer specialized services such as event recording, podcast production, or video editing. These services are in high demand for corporate events, weddings, and even virtual conferences, making it a lucrative side business or primary career.
Starting an AV technician business can diversify your income streams while allowing you to remain connected to the media landscape. Your journalism background equips you with a unique perspective on content quality and narrative, which can set you apart in a competitive market. Whether you're interested in freelancing or building a full-fledged business, the opportunities are vast and varied.
20. Start a lattice manufacturer
As a journalist with an eye for detail and a knack for research, you could venture into the world of lattice manufacturing to diversify your income streams. This business idea leverages your skills in meticulous documentation and storytelling, crucial for effectively marketing and managing a new product line.
You could utilize your network connections and media prowess to craft compelling narratives around your lattice products, emphasizing their quality, durability, and unique designs, thus attracting a broader customer base. Additionally, your proficiency in communication could be advantageous in negotiating with suppliers, securing materials at competitive prices, and establishing partnerships in the construction and home improvement sectors.
By documenting your journey and sharing insights through articles or a blog, you could also build a loyal following while simultaneously promoting your lattice manufacturing business. This dual approach not only supplements your income but also positions you as a multi-talented entrepreneur in your field.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
