Write • Build • Scale
Write • Build • Scale Podcast
From College Teacher to Making $500k a Year Writing Online (Ft. Taylin John Simmonds)
0:00
-46:16

From College Teacher to Making $500k a Year Writing Online (Ft. Taylin John Simmonds)

Write • Build • Scale Podcast [Episode #10]

In this week’s episode, I sat down with

- a former college teacher turned $500k a year content copywriter - to unpack how to start as a ghostwriter, land your first clients, and scale your income as a writer.

In this value-packed episode, we cover:

  • The surprising way he landed his first ghostwriting client (00:50)

  • How Taylin scaled from $3K/month to $40K/month in just four months (05:59)

  • The dark side of “fast success” (07:30)

  • How Taylin rebuilt his business to run without him (systems > hustle) (09:29)

  • The mindset that separates six-figure ghostwriters from those who give up (13:02)

  • The 3 types of leverage Taylin uses to scale his business without burning out (22:00)

  • The best online platforms for writers in 2025 and beyond (30:02)

  • The million-dollar advice Taylin got from a mentor - and how it changed his focus overnight (33:43)

  • The belief shift every new writer needs to make to start earning real money (40:00)

And much, much more…


Watch On YouTube:

👉 Subscribe to the Write • Build • Scale YouTube channel, where we’ll upload a video version of the podcast every week.


Connect With Taylin John Simmonds:


Key Lessons From This Episode:

Lesson 1: Proof Comes Before Profit

Most beginner ghostwriters try to make money before they’ve built proof, and that’s what keeps them stuck.

In the early stages, your only goal should be to become your own case study.

Grow your own account, deliver results for free if needed, and collect undeniable proof of skill.

Once you have proof, getting high-paying clients becomes so much easier.

Lesson 2: Go All-In on One Platform (Until You Master It)

Don’t chase every new social platform that pops up.

Pick one where your audience already hangs out (for ghostwriters, LinkedIn is gold right now) and master it completely before expanding.

You’ll make progress faster by focusing 100% on one platform than by being scattered with five.

Lesson 3: Write for Your Audience (Not Just for Yourself)

Many creators make the mistake of writing only about what they find interesting - and then wonder why their content doesn’t resonate.

Taylin learned to flip that mindset: write for your audience’s problems, goals, and aspirations, not just your own curiosities.

The sweet spot is the overlap between what excites you and what your readers actually need.

When you serve others first, engagement, trust, and revenue follow naturally.

Lesson 4: Build Systems

Scaling too fast without structure can kill your motivation. Taylin learned this the hard way when his agency hit $40K/month but left him burned out.

The antidote is to build systems and create templates, SOPs, and automations so your business runs smoothly without you having to do every task yourself.

Lesson 5: Focus on Leverage, Not Labor

Leverage is the secret to real freedom.

Whether it’s through media, people, or systems, always build assets that keep working after you stop.

Write content that attracts clients on autopilot, hire or delegate to skilled people, and set up processes that multiply your output.


Enjoyed This Episode? You Might Also Enjoy:

Discussion about this episode

User's avatar

Ready for more?