I started writing during one of the hardest seasons of my life.
Not because I had a brand plan. Not because I wanted to make money.
I wrote to survive.
To make sense of grief.
To feel something other than pain.
It was a personal outlet. Just me, the silence, and the words that gave me room to breathe.
But something happened.
What began as therapy slowly became a pathway forward. Not just emotionally but financially, too.

- Affiliate Disclosure
- From Notebook Scribbles to Building a Brand
- Overcoming Tech Overwhelm: Building a Website the Easy Way
- The Power of Writing Through Pain
- Long-Tail Keywords: The Hidden Key to Discovery
- Passion into Profit: Real Ways Writers Get Paid
- Monetization 101: Earning While You Sleep
- Success Stories & Final Fuel
- Last Word: Your Writing Can Be Your Turning Point

Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links on this website are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
As a member of affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, Wealthy Affiliate, and others, I only recommend products and services that I personally use, trust, or believe can genuinely help you on your journey.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
These small commissions help support the content I create and allow me to keep building helpful resources, guides, and tools all designed to help you move forward.
I’m committed to full transparency, and I want you to know that I’ll never promote something I don’t believe in. The goal here isn’t to “sell” you anything it’s to share the tools and platforms that have made a difference in my own journey.
Always do your own research before making any purchase decisions. You’re in full control, and I respect that.
Thanks for supporting this work.

From Notebook Scribbles to Building a Brand
If you’re thinking,
“How do I go from journaling to making money online?”
You’re not alone. That was me. Sitting in a truck cab with a beat-up laptop and a head full of ideas.
I had no training. No degree. No connections.
But I had one thing most people overlook: a story worth telling.
The internet doesn’t care if you’re famous.
It cares if you’re real.
And when you’re real people listen.
Writing gave me my footing again. Blogging gave me a platform. Branding gave me direction. And affiliate marketing gave me income.
If you’ve got thoughts, passions, experiences you’ve already got the ingredients. You just need to know where to start.
Overcoming Tech Overwhelm: Building a Website the Easy Way

Let’s be honest the tech side can feel like a beast when you’re first getting started.
But here’s the truth:
It’s way easier than it looks.
All you need is:
- A domain name https://affiliatesights.com/
- Great host Like I get at wealthy Affiliate
- Platform like WordPress
Most beginner-friendly platforms come with one-click installs and easy setup wizards no coding required.
Then you choose a theme that fits your vibe, drop in some plugins (like contact forms, SEO tools, or email opt-ins), and suddenly… you’ve got a place for your voice to live.
And that’s how it starts.
One simple setup.
One blog post.
One click at a time.

The Power of Writing Through Pain
People also ask:
How does writing help you heal?
What are the 3 C’s of writing?
Can I make $1000 a month freelance writing?
Let’s start with the first one:
Writing is one of the most powerful tools we have to process what life throws at us.
For me, it became a lifeline.
Each post was a way to honor what I’d lost.
Each word was a step toward something new.
And somewhere along the way, people started reading… and relating.
That’s the power of authenticity.
If you can speak your truth, you can build trust.
If you can build trust, you can build an audience.
And with an audience… comes opportunity.
Long-Tail Keywords: The Hidden Key to Discovery

Here’s something I wish I’d known earlier:
Not all keywords are created equal.
Long-tail keywords are specific phrases (usually 3+ words) that zero in on what people are actually searching for. These aren’t broad terms like “writing tips” they’re phrases like:
- “How writing helped me heal after loss”
- “Beginner-friendly blog setup for writers”
- “How to build a writing brand in 2025”
Using long-tail keywords bridges your creativity with search intent.
It connects your story with the people already looking for it.
Use tools like JAAXY or Google Keyword Planner. Do the research. But above all stay human in your writing. Let the SEO serve your story not the other way around.
Passion into Profit: Real Ways Writers Get Paid

Now we’re talking. You’ve got the site. You’ve got the voice.
Let’s talk money.
đź’» Blogging
Create helpful, heartfelt, consistent content. Monetize with:
- Ads (like Google AdSense)
- Affiliate links
- Your own digital products (e-books, courses, etc.)

📚 Self-Publishing
Platforms like Amazon KDP make it stupid simple to publish your own books. Whether it’s your life story or a how-to guide, it’s yours to own.
✍️ Freelancing
Websites, magazines, and companies need writers constantly. Build a profile on Reedsy, Upwork, Fiverr, or even pitch directly. Your blog? That’s your portfolio.
👣 Brand Building
This one is huge. People don’t just follow blogs they follow people.
Build a presence. Build trust. Be the one others come to for advice, answers, or inspiration.
I can help you with all 3 of these just grab your free credits and I’ll see you in there
Monetization 101: Earning While You Sleep

The goal is freedom not burnout.
So once your blog’s up and running, set up income streams that keep working after you log off.
Here’s what I use:
- Affiliate Marketing
Link to tools, books, or services you use. If someone buys you earn. - Ads
Simple, automatic, and ongoing once you hit good traffic. - Digital Products
One-time effort. Lifetime payoff. E-books, printables, guides whatever fits your niche. - Memberships / Exclusive Content
Offer behind-the-scenes access or bonus material to your most loyal readers.
Stack your streams.
Keep creating.
Let your voice work for you, even while you sleep.
Success Stories & Final Fuel
People also ask:
Can I make $1000 a month freelance writing?
Yes — and so much more.
But more than money, I’ve found something deeper: purpose.
I’ve watched people go from trauma to triumph from empty journals to powerful brands.
One friend started writing after losing his job and now runs a niche blog.
Another began with morning poetry posts and turned them into a selling book.
But the real win?
They found themselves in the process.
So if you’re doubting your voice…
If you’re wondering if writing is worth the effort…
Here’s what I’ll say:
It saved me.
It built me.
And it changed everything.
Last Word: Your Writing Can Be Your Turning Point
Your story matters.
Your struggles. Your voice. Your grit.
Whether you’re a trucker, a teacher, a parent, or a poet your words can change lives, starting with your own.
So pick up the pen.
Start the blog.
Build the brand.
And bet on yourself even if no one else has yet.

📌 Blog written by Shawn Thomas Founder of Just Me, Built With Dreams and Affiliate Sights.
Leave me a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can thanks


This is a very educational article, Shawn. I am a Premium member of Wealthy Affiliate, too, so I can truly relate to all you have written here. One thing that is important here is that in brand building, offering information, if not solutions to someone’s needs or wants, depends on the “niche” that you are passionate about. It will also give authenticity to your work. A question: Why does it seem that a lot of people feel that they can’t succeed in the internet world because they feel they are not “techy” enough? Thank you for a very useful article.
Best wishes,
Kent
Hey Kent thanks so much for this awesome comment!
Totally agree with what you said about niche + passion = authenticity. That combo really does shape how deeply your brand resonates. When you’re building something you care about, the content doesn’t just flow easier it connects with people in a real way.
As for your question? Man, I feel that one deep. I think a lot of people still believe building online success means knowing how to code or do complex tech stuff. But the truth is, platforms like WA strip that fear away once you get into the training. It’s not about being “techy” it’s about being willing to learn, take it slow, and lean into what you’re good at. I always say: if you can send an email, you can build a website. It’s the mindset that needs the biggest shift, not the skill set.
Really appreciate you stopping by and sharing your insight, brother. Wishing you nothing but wins on your journey keep that brand burning!
 Shawn
Thank you again, Shawn, for a very insightful post about building a writing website.
Kent
Thank you, Kent — I’m just sharing the journey as it happens. It’s people like you that make it all worth it. I’m really looking forward to seeing how your journey unfolds too. Shawn
This post really hit home for me, Shawn. I started writing in my own season of uncertainty, using words as a way to process pain, not for profit, not for fame, but for healing. Over time, that same creative outlet turned into something bigger; a platform, a brand, and eventually, a way to earn while I sleep. Reading your story reminded me how powerful that transition can be when you stay authentic.
I also love how you framed the tech side. When I first built my site through Wealthy Affiliate, I felt totally unqualified, no coding, no fancy background, just a passion for helping people through words. But like you said, once I got started, I realized it wasn’t about being “techy,” it was about being consistent.
One question, though: what would you say to writers who still struggle to believe their story is enough to build a brand around? Because I’ve met so many who underestimate how much their personal experiences could actually inspire or guide others online.
Thanks for reminding us that writing can be more than an escape, it can be a bridge to purpose.
John
John, I really appreciate this, my friend. Your words hit me just as much as you said mine hit you. I started the same way writing just to breathe a little easier through the hard stuff. It’s wild how that kind of honesty slowly turns into purpose, then somehow into a brand that helps others.
You nailed it about the tech side too it’s never been about being “qualified.” It’s about showing up real, even when you don’t have all the answers.
As for those writers who doubt their story I’d tell them this: your story is already enough because it’s yours. The parts you think are too small or too broken are usually the ones that connect the deepest. People don’t follow perfection; they follow truth.
Thanks again for sharing this, John. You’ve clearly walked that same path, and it shows
Shawn