How to Make 6 Figures As A Journalist? (11 Best Ways in 2024)
So you want to make six figures as a Journalist? Good for you! Being a Journalist is a highly respectable and well-paid profession, and there's no reason why you can't earn a high income if you put your mind to it.
In this blog post, we'll look at some of the best ways to make more money as a Journalist - business ideas you can start to achieve such income. Keep reading to learn more!
1. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast could be a lucrative side venture or even develop into a significant income source, helping you achieve six figures as a journalist. By creating and producing audio content around a niche or topic you’re passionate about, you could attract a dedicated audience. As your listenership grows, opportunities for sponsorships and advertising could follow, adding a steady revenue stream to your income.
To get started on a budget, ensure you have essential equipment like a microphone and headphones, and choose an affordable hosting platform to launch your episodes. Promoting your podcast via social media, online communities, and word of mouth is crucial in building a substantial audience base. The entrepreneurial spirit, combined with journalistic skills, could transform a podcast into a successful business model.
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.
2. Become a social media influencer ($57.4K/month)
Becoming a social media influencer could significantly boost your income as a journalist, bringing you closer to a six-figure salary. Given the rapid integration of social media into everyday life, brands are increasingly looking to platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok to reach their target audiences. By establishing yourself as an influencer in your journalistic niche, you could attract brand collaborations and sponsored content opportunities, diversifying your income streams.
With your existing credibility and industry expertise, your recommendations could carry substantial weight, making you an appealing partner for these brands. There's no need for a massive budget to get started; all you could need is a well-thought-out content strategy. Selecting a popular niche aligned with your interests and consistently producing engaging content could fast-track your journey to becoming a trusted influencer in your field.
How much you can make: $2,500 — $166,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $800 (?)
How long does it take to build: 155 days (?)
How one mother built a profitable frugal motherhood, life, and travel blog from scratch, using Instagram, Pinterest, and paid sponsorships to grow from 0 to 18.5K followers and generate $1,500-$3,000 per month in less than two years.
3. Start a blog ($44.9K/month)
Starting a blog could significantly supplement your income as a journalist by leveraging your writing skills to reach a broader audience and potentially creating a full-time, location-independent business. With 77% of internet users actively reading blogs and monthly page views surpassing 20 billion, the opportunity to establish a profitable blog has never been more accessible. By selecting a niche you are passionate about, developing a solid content strategy, and maintaining a consistent posting routine, you could attract a dedicated readership.
Your experience as a journalist positions you well to create trustworthy and engaging content, a key factor considering that blogs are rated as the 5th most reliable source of online information. Additionally, building a mailing list and engaging with your audience can lead to various monetization opportunities such as sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, or even launching your own digital products. This entrepreneurial approach could eventually turn your blog into a substantial revenue stream, helping you achieve a six-figure income.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 30 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
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.
4. Start a social media marketing agency ($386K/month)
Starting a social media marketing agency could offer you an excellent pathway to supplement your income and potentially reach the six-figure mark as a Journalist. By leveraging your storytelling skills and media connections, you could develop effective social media marketing strategies and use automation tools to manage multiple client accounts with minimum time commitment. This flexibility allows you to handle your primary journalistic duties while generating additional revenue.
Furthermore, building an agency portfolio will enable you to showcase your successes and attract new clients more easily. Whether you aim to clear your utility bills, finance your education, or save for a vacation, a well-managed social media marketing agency offers a lucrative and entrepreneurial avenue for financial growth.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $4,166,667/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 30 hours/week
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.
5. Start a youtube channel ($146K/month)
Starting a YouTube channel could be an excellent way to supplement your income as a journalist and move towards earning six figures. With YouTube's built-in monetization system and its massive user base, you could leverage your storytelling skills to create compelling and informative video content that attracts viewers. By joining the YouTube Partner Program, you have the potential to earn money through ad revenue, channel memberships, and Super Chat donations once you reach the required 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours.
In addition to ad revenue, having a successful YouTube channel could open doors to brand partnerships, sponsored content, and merchandise sales. These opportunities could significantly amplify your income and build your personal brand. Moreover, starting your own YouTube channel allows you to be your own boss and explore entrepreneurial ventures, making it an exciting and lucrative avenue for journalists looking to enhance their financial prospects.
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.
6. Digital products ($242K/month)
Creating digital products could be a lucrative way for you to supplement your income as a journalist and potentially reach six figures. Whether it's developing an informative ebook, launching an in-depth course, or even creating a subscription-based membership site, these digital products allow you to leverage your expertise and reach a wide audience without significant overhead costs.
The beauty of digital products lies in their scalability and ease of distribution. You don’t need to worry about physical inventory, and they can be sold directly from your website. With the right marketing strategy, you could turn your specialized knowledge into a steady stream of passive income, building a sustainable side business or even a full-time venture.
How much you can make: $10,417 — $1,766,666/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
FilterGrade is an eCommerce platform offering digital assets such as photo filters and video templates; attracting over 450,000 monthly users and generating approximately 30k a month, the founders worked hard to build a valuable marketplace for creators while focusing on digital marketing, partnerships, and content creation.
7. Start a freelance writing business ($62.6K/month)
Starting a freelance writing business could significantly boost your income and help you reach six figures as a journalist. With the flexibility to define your work schedule and work remotely, you could easily take on multiple projects across various niches, expanding your market reach and client base. This makes it possible to supplement your income through a range of writing assignments that align with your expertise and interests.
By leveraging your strong writing skills, ability to meet deadlines, and being a self-starter, you could position yourself as a reliable and versatile writer. Staying up-to-date with current writing tools and trends will keep you competitive and enhance your value to clients, ensuring that your freelance business thrives. This entrepreneurial approach not only adds to your financial growth but also diversifies your career opportunities.
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.
8. Become an affiliate marketer ($55.3K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business could help you make six figures as a journalist by allowing you to leverage your existing skills in storytelling and audience engagement. By promoting products or services related to your niche, you could earn commissions for every sale made through your unique referral links.
With minimal upfront investment and the flexibility to work alongside your journalism career, affiliate marketing offers a practical way to supplement your income. Imagine crafting compelling content that not only informs but also drives traffic and sales, turning your passion for journalism into a lucrative side business.
By signing up for affiliate programs and strategically integrating them into your content, you could build a sustainable revenue stream, potentially leading to six-figure earnings.
How much you can make: $18,000 — $83,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $100 (?)
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
9. Start an ecommerce store ($287K/month)
Starting an ecommerce store could be a lucrative side business for journalists looking to supplement their income and reach a six-figure salary. The flexibility and lower overhead costs associated with selling products or services online make this venture particularly appealing. As a journalist, your knack for storytelling and content creation could give you a unique edge in marketing and promoting your ecommerce business effectively.
eCommerce is booming, and consumers appreciate the convenience of purchasing from home. Leveraging your skills in research and writing, you could create engaging product descriptions and compelling blog posts to drive traffic to your site. With a well-executed ecommerce store, you could tap into this growing market and significantly boost your income.
How much you can make: $350 — $13,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Southern Elegance Candle Company, founded by D'Shawn Russell, started as a side hustle making around $200 per weekend at a local Farmers Market, but now averages approximately $20,000 per month in sales across their retail site, wholesale site, and Faire.
10. Start a career coaching business ($48.5K/month)
Starting a career coaching business could significantly boost your earnings as a journalist by leveraging your expertise in communication and storytelling to guide others in their professional journeys. By offering personalized sessions in resume building, interview preparation, and workplace advancement, you could attract clients seeking to enhance their careers, thereby creating a lucrative side income.
With the flexibility to conduct virtual or in-person meetings, you could manage coaching sessions around your journalism schedule, enabling you to build a broad client base. This venture allows you to monetize your natural motivational abilities and set your own working hours, making it a practical pathway to achieving six figures.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $235,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $1,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Wall Street Oasis, the largest online community focused on careers in finance, has over 100 million visitors during its 14-year history and is currently receiving over 2 million visits per month, offering interview courses and mentorship services, in addition to building and investing in a thriving online community.
11. Create an online course ($82.8K/month)
Creating an online course could be a powerful method to boost your income as a journalist by sharing your specialized knowledge with a global audience. By identifying educational gaps in your field and developing engaging video lessons and supplementary materials, you could tap into the growing demand for convenient access to professional expertise and lifelong learning.
With the flexibility to structure your courses as self-paced or cohort-based, you could establish a student base that generates passive income. For entrepreneurial-minded journalists, launching an online course platform could be a lucrative way to monetize your instructional talents with minimal startup costs. This innovative approach not only supplements your income but also allows you to make a significant impact by educating aspiring journalists and industry professionals.
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.
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.
