How to Write for a Living

Season 2, episode 20 is here!In this conversation, Chenell Basilio shares how she went from a solo deep-dive experiment to building a newsletter followed by tens of thousands and her own successful community. We get into what drives real growth, how to stay visible without burning out, and why keeping things human is still the most underrated advantage online.What we covered:- How Growth in Reverse started with a 60-hour research obsession and four subscribers- The simple moment that got Jay Clouse to become one of Chenell’s first readers and how that early support changed everything- Why human connection and 1:1 outreach still outperform any automation or tactic- How Chenell approaches branding without overthinking it and the little design details that actually matter- What makes a sponsorship worth taking and how to grow trust without ever calling yourself an expert- The tool Chenell’s most excited about right now and why it exists- Why creators should worry less about followers and more about retention, relationships, and staying in the game long enough to get great👉 Make sure to subscribe to Growth in Reverse 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

In this insightful discussion, Jay Clouse, a creator and business strategist, shares his journey of transforming passions into viable businesses. He emphasizes the significance of trust in building audience relationships and offers four key attributes that shape this trust. Jay also dives into the balance of retention over growth and why thoughtful onboarding is critical for community success. He explores branding amidst AI saturation and reveals his aspirations for personal growth in the evolving creator landscape.

Season 2, episode 18 is here!In this episode, Erica Schneider shares what it really takes to go from full-time agency work to running your own solopreneur business as a writer. We chat about personal pivots, marketing strategies and emotional clarity in writing - this one’s a real deep dive into the mindset and mechanics of modern creative work.What we covered:- Why Erica left a stable agency job and what she learned from cycling through multiple business models before finding the right fit- The surprising pressure behind selling cohorts and one-on-one offers, and how to know if they’re right for you- How Substack Notes helped Erica gain traction and drive hundreds of subscribers from a single viral post- What it actually takes to thrive as a solopreneur, and why charisma, bias for action, and self-awareness matter more than a polished plan- A breakdown of how Erica writes emotionally resonant emails, builds confident offers, and uses AI as a creative partner, not a replacement- Her “MP3” framework for building a personal brand that connects- How to close the recognition gap and future-proof your writing business in the age of AI 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

In this discussion, Rodney Daut, a talented course architect, shares his expertise in creating impactful online courses. He explains common pitfalls in course design and how to restructure content for engagement. Rodney highlights the effectiveness of storytelling and engaging facts, like the fascinating tale of Mongolian horsemen, to captivate learners. He also discusses using AI to enhance, not replace, course material and how to identify specific audience needs to ensure course success. A must-listen for aspiring course creators!

Season 2, episode 16 is here!In this episode, I chat to Dina Marais, a coach and publisher who helps aspiring authors turn their stories into bestsellers. Our conversation is packed with insights for any writer dreaming of seeing their name on a book cover and building a thriving business behind it.What we covered:- How Dina pivoted from IT to coaching and publishing, helping over 100 authors reach bestseller status.- Why multi-author books are a powerful first step for new writers — and how they work behind the scenes.- The biggest difference between publishing a solo book and a collaborative anthology.- How writing just one chapter can kickstart your brand and audience building.- Dina’s practical approach to coaching writers — from story feedback to launch strategy.- How to choose book categories and time your launch to hit number one on Amazon.- Why podcast guesting and evergreen content matter more than chasing social media trends.- How to use your book as a gateway to bigger programs, courses, and speaking gigs.- The mindset shift every author needs: don’t wait for perfection, start sharing your story now.- A powerful reminder that your story, exactly as it is, can help walk others home.Make sure to subscribe to Dina’s publication 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

Season 2, episode 15 is here!In this episode, I chat to Ciler from Newsletter Circle about the realities of building a sustainable newsletter business from scratch.Here’s a taste of what we covered:- The surprising career pivot from corporate marketing to running a thriving newsletter business.- How Newsletter Circle carved out a unique niche in the crowded newsletter space.- Behind-the-scenes of analysing 75,000 Substack newsletters, and the biggest shock from the data.- The #1 underrated secret to growing a newsletter audience (hint: it’s not fancy tools).- Why half of newsletters die off, and how to make sure yours isn’t one of them.- How to pick a newsletter niche people actually pay for, and why going broad can backfire.- The real numbers: what most paid newsletters charge and what pricing traps to avoid.- How to turn loyal readers into superfans (and annual subscribers!) through personal outreach.- Should you build a paid community space on Substack or move to Slack, Circle, or somewhere else?- A candid golden rule for anyone dreaming of living off their writing: treat it like a startup, not a hobby.Make sure to subscribe to Newsletter Circle 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

Season 2, episode 14 is here!In this episode, I chat to Alex Mathers about how writers can use clear positioning, consistent messaging, and audience trust to generate real, sustainable income online.You’ll learn:- Why most online writers struggle with visibility despite being highly skilled.- The concept of the “Recognition Gap” and how it affects client acquisition.- The importance of having a clear offer, point of view, and market presence.- How to position your writing as a marketing tool, not just content.- Common traps like writing for peers instead of potential clients.- Why consistency doesn’t equal effectiveness in content strategy.- How to identify whether your content is leading to inbound interest.- The difference between content pillars and problem-led marketing.- Simple, real-world signals that show your market position is weak.- A soft but effective call to action approach that drives responses.Make sure to subscribe to Alex’s publications before you go (check out his profile). 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

Season 2, episode 13 is here!In this episode, I chat to Yana G.Y. about how and why to treat Substack like a business and generate real, sustainable income on the platform.You’ll learn:- Why treating your Substack like a real business changes everything- How Yana hit a 6% conversion rate (and keeps it steady)- The overlooked channel on Substack that converts better than email- What a smart 20-day automation can do for your paid signups- Why selling transformation beats listing features every time- The subtle power of monthly challenges to drive retention and growth- How to actually use AI without sounding like everyone else- A simple system for turning audience insights into paid content ideas- Why branding isn't optional if you want to be memorable- The retention mindset shift that most creators overlook- The one thing most writers are scared to do, and why it’s the key to incomeMake sure to subscribe to Yana’s publication Unplugged by Yana G.Y. 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

Season 2, episode 12 is here!In this episode, I chat to… myself… about why Substack is the best place to be right now as a writer, and what I’d do if I was just starting out on the platform.You’ll learn:- Why Substack is the #1 platform for writers starting today- How I grew from ~50 to 23,000+ subscribers using simple, consistent strategies- The three biggest advantages of using Substack over other platforms- How to leverage Substack’s discovery tools to grow without a large following- Why owning your email list is more powerful than having social media followers- How Substack integrates seamlessly with YouTube for creators- Tips for turning YouTube videos into Substack content- Three key steps to follow in your first month on Substack- How to engage effectively on Substack to build a loyal audienceThis is a quick and easy episode for anyone who’s just getting started on Substack! 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

Season 2, episode 11 is here!In this episode, I chat to Derek Hughes about how he’s built a thriving online writing business on Substack and Medium.You’ll learn:- How Derek grew his audience and income with Notes, coaching cohorts, and digital products- Why autonomy and personal freedom matter more than just chasing big income- The most crucial advice for new writers: focus on starting and staying consistent- How to build a rock-solid writing habit and overcome imposter syndrome- Why success in digital products comes from smart marketing, not just creation- How simple, practical resources (like templates) can outperform complex offers- How to stand out as an authentic, differentiated creator in the age of AI- What a balanced, sustainable writing life looks like, and why it’s worth aiming forIf you’ve been looking for practical strategies, hard-earned lessons, and honest encouragement to build your own writing path, this episode delivers. 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