222: How to build a million-dollar writing business without selling your soul (with Kieran Drew)

Season 2, episode 22 is here!

In this episode, Kieran Drew tells me what it was like to leave dentistry to build a thriving online writing business.

He shares how he went from zero audience to over 280,000+ readers and more than $1.3M in revenue, why storytelling became his most valuable skill, and how he balances depth, reach, and revenue in his work.

We cover everything from selling in a human way to resisting the algorithm’s pull, and why curiosity is his ultimate compass for long-term success.

What we covered:

- The moment Kieran decided to quit dentistry and bet on himself as a writer

- How one vulnerable story unlocked an audience and reshaped his approach to content

- The trap of “incentive drag” and how to avoid losing your voice to trends and algorithms

- A simple structure for selling without losing trust or turning people off

- Why brand is a long-term moat in the age of AI and how to build it authentically

- The three pillars of his business: reach, relationships, and revenue… and how Kieran balances them

- His best advice for anyone who wants to quit their job and build a writing business from scratch

👉 Make sure to subscribe to Kieran’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