If you’re a Christian, you’ve likely heard of devotionals. Many churches and denominations offer these books to their congregations at the back of the room or near the entrance when people are entering and exiting. This is a great way to make money writing devotionals.
Devotionals are small books that contain bible verses, prayers, and other things related to Christianity. A lot of Christians buy devotionals every month as well. They might get one for every day or just have them for special occasions like Christmas time or Easter season. But what about those who don’t live in an area with such resources? Or those who want something different than what’s offered by their church?
If this sounds like you then there is good news! It is possible to make money as devotional writers for Christian faith organizations or the Christian writing market. Here are 9 tips to help you find writing jobs in the devotional market for Christian publications.
Decide on the Type of Devotionals You Want to Write
There are a few different types of devotionals that you can write. You can choose to write ones that focus on a certain topic, like prayer or the Bible. Or, you could write themed devotionals for specific times of the year like Advent or Lent.
Another option is to write devotionals specifically for a certain audience. For example, you could write them for kids, teens, young people, or adults. Or, you could target a specific denomination like Catholics or Lutherans.
No matter what type of devotionals you choose to write, make sure that they are based on the Bible. This is the cornerstone of Christianity and should be the foundation for all of your freelance writing.
Come Up With a Title
As a devotional writer, the title of your devotional is important. It needs to be catchy and interesting enough to make people want to read it. It’s also a good idea to include the theme of your devotional in the title. For example, if your devotional is based on prayer, you could call it “Prayer: A Guide for Christians.” This is especially true when writing for Christian magazines or another type of church life online magazine.
If you don’t have a good title for your submissions, brainstorm with a friend or family member before you email submissions to the magazine. They might be able to give you some ideas that you hadn’t thought of for your magazine articles. In addition, there are plenty of online resources that can help you title your devotionals. Just do a quick search and you’ll find what you’re looking for (like if you’re thinking of writing greeting cards).
Titles should be short and to the point. You don’t want to include too much information in them because you want people to be intrigued and want to read more. However, you want your title to accurately reflect the contents of your devotional so that people know what they’re getting into and know what to look forward to when reading the Christian publication in their secret place or upper room of their house.
Come Up With a Catchy Tagline
Along with the title, you’ll also need a tagline for your articles. This is a short phrase that will summarize what your devotional is about. It should be catchy and memorable so that people will remember it.
For example, one of my favorite devotionals has the tagline “Reading the Bible with Your Eyes Shut.” This summarizes the main point of the devotional which is that we should read the Bible for its content, not for the words on the page.
Your tagline doesn’t have to be as clever as this one, but it should be something that stands out and makes people want to learn more about your devotional. After all, writers are trying to help people connect with Christianity more deeply and the best way for writers to do that is to catch their attention with their writing.
It could have an angle about the following:
- your personal beliefs
- your personal experience
- biblical accounts
- a personal story about faith
- Jesus Christ
- tips on Christian living
Choose a Theme for Each Month
If you’re planning on writing a monthly devotional, it’s a good idea to choose a theme for each month. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed with your writing jobs.
Themes can be anything from forgiveness to thankfulness to faith. You could also focus on different Bible verses or principles each month. Just make sure that your themes are relevant to Christians and based on the Bible. Each month’s theme should also be reflected in the title of your devotional.
It’s a good idea to get a feel for your potential audience before putting your content calendar together so that you know you’re on the right track. One way to do this is to talk to people in your church or online forums where Christians gather. They’ll be able to give you some great ideas and feedback, helping you know what kind of articles to write.
More importantly, though, talk to your client and get their input. For example, if a church hires you to write the devotionals, they might have a specific theme in mind that they would like you to cover (such as faith). Talk to the church committee, church members, or pastor who hired you so that everyone is on the same page. You could also double-check the submission guidelines to ensure you’re following them. This is especially important for new writers looking at these writing opportunities for the first time in their writing career.
Create an Outline for Each Devotional
Once you’ve chosen a theme for the month, it’s time to create an outline for the articles to be written. This will help you stay on track and make sure that each devotional is well-rounded and faith-centered. It will also keep your freelance writing jobs well-written and appealing to your magazine or devotional audience.
Your outline for your articles should include the following:
- Introduction (which includes the theme for the month)
- A Bible verse or passage
- Discussion points (based on the Bible verse or passage)
- A prayer
- A conclusion
Your introduction should be brief and introduce the topic of the devotional. The discussion points in the articles should provide a deeper understanding of the Bible verse or passage as written and provide inspirational teachings. And, finally, the prayer should allow readers to apply what they’ve learned.
Including a written conclusion is important because it provides closure and allows readers to reflect on what they’ve just read and apply it to their own personal experience. It’s also a good idea to have a question or two at the end of each devotional to get people thinking.
If you’re having trouble coming up with an outline, there are many templates online that you can use as a guide. Just do a quick Google search and you’ll find what you’re looking for. Some publishing houses provide you with the templates they use for their publication or magazine.
Write in a Personal Style
One of the things that make devotional writing unique (and why a magazine would pay freelance writers) is that it should be personal. You want readers to feel like you’re speaking directly to them and that they can relate to what you’re saying, no matter if you write opinion pieces or non-fiction stories
This doesn’t mean that you have to share your personal life with magazine readers, but it does mean that you need to be honest and transparent. Let your personality shine through and make your writing engaging. Devotional markets love when you write a true story about your Christian beliefs for their online magazines or publication.
In addition, use everyday language that people can understand. You don’t want to use difficult words or terminology that readers won’t be able to comprehend. Many writers think they need to be flowery in their vocabulary use when writing for a magazine. However, good Christian writers now how to write a wonderful article without resorting to this kind of language.
Be sure to proofread your work to make sure that it’s error-free. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to read a devotional (whether online or in a print edition) that’s full of mistakes.
Submit Your Devotionals on Time
This one should be obvious, but it’s still worth mentioning.
If you’re hired to write a monthly devotional for a newsletter or magazine, be sure to submit it on time. This means that you need to start writing well in advance so that you have plenty of time to edit and proofread it.
If you’re unable to submit your devotional on time, be sure to let your client know as soon as possible. They’ll appreciate the heads-up and will likely be understanding.
Remember, this is your business or side hustle. You should treat it as such. That means being professional, meeting deadlines, and providing quality content. Also, follow the submission guidelines regarding accepted pieces to determine the correct word count, adding stories, assigned contracts, how you earn money, and how the publication will pay writers.
Marketing Your Services
If you want to make money writing devotionals, you need to market your services.
There are many ways to do this, but here are a few ideas:
- Create a website or blog where you can share your work
- Post links to your devotional writings on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter
- Submit articles to online publications that focus on Christian topics
- Practice writing devotional books
- Reach out to Christian magazines or freelance writing websites for devotional writers
In addition, as a Christian writer, you can reach out to churches and other organizations that might be interested in hiring freelance writers.
When marketing your services as a freelance writer, be sure to highlight your experience and the quality of your work (or if you’ve had a devotional published already). You may also want to create a portfolio that showcases your best writing samples.
The more you do promote your services as a Christian writer, the more chances you have of finding clients in paying markets that will pay you a good fee and allow you to earn extra income, whether you’re a new writer just starting or have been writing articles as a devotional writer for a long time.
Charge a Reasonable Price
One of the best things about writing devotionals is that freelance writers can charge a reasonable price for their services.
Most people aren’t expecting to pay a lot for devotional writings, so there’s room to negotiate a fair price.
When setting your price, consider the amount of time it takes you to write a devotional, the number of revisions you may need to make, and the number of clients you have.
As a freelance writer, charging too much might scare people away while charging too little could devalue your work. Find a price that’s in the middle and that feels comfortable for you. Remember, even if you enjoy writing, you should still get paid for your freelance writing even as a Christian writer.
The Bottom Line
Making money writing devotionals is possible. All you need is a strong command of the English language, a willingness to market your services, and the dedication to produce quality content.
If you can provide all of that as a freelance writer, then you’re well on your way to finding clients who are happy to pay for your devotional writing services.
FAQ – Make Money Writing Devotionals
What are the best ways to make money writing devotionals?
There are a few different ways that you can make money writing devotionals. You can sell them to religious publications, or you can post them on websites that pay for content. You can also create your own website and sell advertising space or use other methods to monetize your site.
Where can I submit my devotionals?
Several websites accept submissions of devotionals. You can search for “devotional submission websites” online and find several lists of reputable sites. In addition to submitting to websites, you can also publish your work in ebook form and sell it on Amazon or other online bookstores. Finally, you can approach in person or by e-mail local churches, religious organizations, and even small businesses that might be interested in purchasing a subscription to your devotional writings.
What should I include in my devotionals?
There is no one right answer to this question. However, most effective devotionals are personal, insightful, and inspiring. They also tend to be short – typically around 500 words or less depending on the magazine or publication. Look at the articles of a magazine or publication that accepts articles or will accept freelance submissions from a devotional writer so you know what to expect.
What are the best topics to write about?
Again, there is no one right answer to this question. However, some popular topics for devotionals include faith, hope, love, overcoming adversity, and spiritual growth. These topics are open to interpretation, so you can write about them in a variety of ways.
Do I need to have a degree in theology or religious studies to write devotionals?s
No, you don’t need a degree in theology or religious studies to write devotionals. However, it is helpful to have at least a basic understanding of the Bible and Christian theology. This knowledge will help you to write about religious topics in a way that is accurate and meaningful to your readers.
How can I make my writing more personal?
One way to make your writing more personal is to include anecdotes or stories from your own life. This will help readers to connect with you on a personal level and to feel like they are getting to know you as a person. You can also use humor to inject personality into your writing. Be sure, however, that your humor is appropriate for a religious audience and that the stories don’t take away from the faith of the readers.
What are the requirements for a good devotional?
There is no one formula for a good devotional. However, most devotionals are short and centered around a specific topic or scripture passage. They also typically include an introduction, main body, and conclusion. In addition, good devotionals are personal, insightful, faith-promoting, and inspiring. Think of the stories in the Chicken Soup for the Soul devotional books.
Can I write about current events or political topics?
No, you should avoid writing about current events or political topics in your devotionals. These topics can be divisive and are not typically appropriate for a religious audience. Stick to religious topics that are universal and will be meaningful to all of your readers.
What should I do if I get stuck while writing a devotional?
If you get stuck while writing a devotional, don’t panic. Every freelance writer gets stuck. Take a break and come back to it later. You can also seek out feedback from friends or family members over e-mail or phone, or post a query on online message boards or forums about the writing jobs you’re working on to earn money.
