How to Escape the Average Writing Income Trap
Unlock 10x More Earnings with Multiplicative Skills
Ever wonder why some writers pull in thousands while others struggle for pocket change?
It’s not just luck or timing—it’s how they combine their skills.
Think of additive skills as essential ingredients: each adds a little flavor, leading to steady but average results.
Now, picture multiplicative skills as a recipe where each ingredient multiplies the flavor, creating an unforgettable dish. That’s the difference: linear growth vs. exponential impact.
Most of us operate in the world of normal distribution, where outcomes cluster around the average. But the top earners break free into log-normal distribution, where outliers dominate.
The secret? They don’t just get better at writing—they master complementary skills like marketing, storytelling, and data analysis, multiplying their value.
Stop briefly and ask yourself:
What skills can I combine to break free from the middle of the Bell curve?
The key isn't just adding skills but finding ones that amplify each other. Think multiplicatively, not additively, and see your potential earnings soar.
Want to know more? I dig deeper into strategies that show you how to measure, visualize, and act on what truly drives success.
How top earners escape the normal distribution
Think about a typical 9-5 job. For most people, salary follows a normal distribution —the familiar Bell (Gaussian) curve.
Companies have different salary ranges for various jobs, trying to match the market rate for a particular job.
You might start with an entry-level wage, and as you gain experience, learn new skills, and work your way up the ladder, your salary increases.
These raises and promotions are predictable because they’re based on additive skills: you learn new software or tools, improve your communication, or take on managerial tasks.
Each new skill adds some value, but your salary growth remains steady, following the traditional career path.
In the companies I have worked for, HR departments follow an annual calendar, and people managers are given a budget. They must use the budget to grant promotions and merit increases. Usually, the budget is way too small, and employees are not happy with raises less than the inflation rate.
If the manager has any rising star performers in their team, they are forced to choose who to give more and who might not get any increase.
The system is built to enforce normal distribution.
Different rules for unicorns
But then, there are these unicorns— rare individuals who break free from the normal distribution and end up in a completely different realm: the log-normal distribution.
Gergely Orosz has written a great article that explains how total compensation works in small local companies, mid-market companies, Big Tech companies, hedge funds, and some VC-funded scale-up companies.
Total compensation includes salary, cash bonuses, and company equity. Sometimes, these individuals earn 3-5 times more in Tier-3 companies than in smaller local companies.
These unicorn individuals don’t just earn more; they create extraordinary value that sets them apart from the rest. They might be top-notch software engineers who can architect and build high-performance, scalable e-commerce platforms or tech executives with several successful start-up companies in their resumes.
But how does this apply to writers?
Think about a top writer making 10x more than others or a solopreneur whose startup reaches a multimillion-dollar valuation. Their earnings don’t just hover around the average—they soar far beyond it.
So, how do these unicorn individuals escape the confines of the bell curve and leap into the realm of log-normal outliers?
The secret lies in the combination of skills they develop. Instead of adding new abilities to their toolbox, they focus on acquiring multiplicative skills that amplify each other’s impact.
Here’s how it works:
Combining Technical Mastery with Storytelling: Imagine someone who’s not only a skilled software developer but can also weave compelling narratives around data. They don't just create a SaaS solution to present numbers; they turn them into stories influencing decision-makers. This combination doesn't just add value—it multiplies it, as few people can do both at a high-performance level.
Pairing Marketing Skills with Deep Domain Expertise: Knowing how to market yourself is valuable, but when you have deep expertise in a specific field—finance, technology, or health—you can dominate your niche. Your marketing amplifies your authority, allowing you to command higher consulting fees than a typical expert or marketer.
Integrating Digital Products with Teaching: Experienced writers with excellent teaching skills can multiply their value by creating Digital Products for their customer base and transferring valuable knowledge through training courses.
In these cases, it’s not just about being good at one thing. It’s about merging rare and complementary skills to make your contributions unique and hard to replicate. This skill combination propels individuals from the middle of the curve to the extreme end, where true outliers reside.
While most people follow a linear career path, climbing rung by rung, these outliers take a different route. By strategically acquiring skills that multiply their value, they transcend traditional career limits, creating opportunities far beyond what additive skills alone could achieve.
My journey from a software developer to a multiplicative skill builder
I began my career as a software developer at a small startup, a role that taught me the fundamentals of coding and product development. After a few years, I transitioned to a product manager position, working directly under a seasoned CEO. This experience was a game changer.
I learned how to specify complex high-tech products and had the incredible opportunity to travel with the CEO, pitching yet-to-be-developed products to prospective clients. Here, I first began to see the value of blending technical knowledge with communication skills—an early example of how skills could amplify one another.
Next, I took on a sales and marketing manager role working with a global corporation, where I was tasked with building a sales channel across 42 countries. This was a pivotal moment for me, as I gained insights into effective sales support and marketing strategies while forging relationships with global company leaders. I discovered that understanding how to communicate value was just as important as developing the product—another layer of multiplicative skills was forming.
Eventually, I moved to a rapidly growing multinational corporation as a business development manager. My role involved scouting for new business opportunities and companies to acquire, which opened my eyes to Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). I learned how to integrate acquired companies and navigate the complexities of growth on a larger scale.
As the years passed and through various reorganizations, I stepped into the general manager role, overseeing a global division of 600 people in five countries. This experience broadened my skill set beyond traditional software engineering. I went from coding to leading teams, from technical specifications to negotiating deals, while continually building and refining diverse skills.
I have had a side business for 20+ years, with some software projects to produce extra income. As I am approaching retirement, I have taken an individual contributor role and enjoy refreshing my software engineering skills, working with a talented team of experienced senior engineers.
Through this journey, I’ve understood that cultivating multiplicative skills is the key to achieving a significant impact.
Writing is one of those communication skills that can multiply the value of many other skills.
Actionable steps for writers to start thinking multiplicatively
How can writers and creators start thinking in this way?
Audit Your Skills: Take some time to list out your current skills—everything from writing, marketing, and research to technical know-how and social media proficiency. Identify which of these you’re already good at. Next, look for complementary skills that could amplify your existing strengths. For instance, if you’re a great storyteller, consider adding data analysis or SEO skills. How might those enhance your storytelling?
Learn Strategically: Once you’ve identified skill gaps, invest in learning those skills strategically. Look for online courses, workshops, or books that focus on skills that fill those gaps and add exponential value to your current abilities. Don’t just focus on traditional writing courses; explore subjects like marketing, analytics, or graphic design that can elevate your writing and broaden your reach.
Experiment with Combinations: Try different skill sets to see what happens. For example, you could write a blog post incorporating data visualizations you create yourself or launch a newsletter combining personal stories with practical insights about your expertise. Track the results of these combinations to see what resonates with your audience.
Questions and exercises to uncover multiplicative skills
How can you figure out what additive vs. multiplicative skills are?
Reflect on Your Experiences: Think back to projects or roles where you felt particularly successful. What skills were you using at that time? How could you combine them with new skills to create even more remarkable outcomes?
Create a Skill Map: Draw a mind map of your skills, branching out to include potential complementary skills. Which branches could lead to new opportunities or unique combinations that set you apart?
Ask for Feedback: Contact fellow writers, friends, or mentors and ask them what skills they think you excel at and where they see growth potential. Sometimes, an outside perspective can reveal blind spots.
Set Up a Skill Development Plan: Identify one or two complementary skills to focus on over the next few months. Create a plan for how you’ll learn these skills and start applying them in your writing projects.
By taking these actionable steps, you can cultivate a skill set that goes beyond the ordinary, allowing you to harness the power of multiplicative skills in your writing journey.
Remember, the key is not just to add skills but to find ways to combine them for exponential impact.
What unique combinations will you create?
Common objections and concerns
As you think about developing multiplicative skills, it’s natural to have some reservations or concerns. You might find yourself saying things like:
“But I’m not good at marketing.”
It's completely normal to feel that way! Many writers believe that marketing is an entirely different skill set, one that’s reserved for salespeople or business professionals. However, remember that marketing doesn’t have to be intimidating. It’s simply about understanding your audience and communicating value effectively.
Start small—perhaps by exploring social media platforms where your readers hang out. You could share snippets of your writing, ask questions, or even start a conversation about a topic you're passionate about. These small interactions can help you build confidence and familiarity with marketing concepts over time.
“I don’t have time to learn a new skill.”
I get it; our lives are busy! However, developing multiplicative skills doesn’t have to be a monumental time commitment. Think about integrating learning into your daily routine. You could dedicate 10-15 minutes daily to reading an article, watching a quick video, or even listening to a podcast about a skill that interests you. Alternatively, choose one skill to focus on each month. This way, you can gradually build your skill set without feeling overwhelmed.
“What if I fail?”
Fear of failure can hold us back from trying new things. But remember, every successful person has faced setbacks along the way. Think of these experiences as learning opportunities rather than failures. Embrace the mindset that it’s okay to stumble and that each misstep can teach you something valuable. You might even find experimenting with new skills leads to unexpected and exciting results!
“I’m too old/too inexperienced to learn new skills.”
Age or experience should never be barriers to learning—there are countless stories of individuals who started new careers or developed new skills later in life.
The key is to adopt a growth mindset, recognizing that learning is a lifelong journey. Your unique experiences and perspectives can enhance your learning process and make your contributions even more valuable.
Small consistent steps
The journey to developing multiplicative skills doesn’t require a complete overhaul of your life overnight.
Instead, focus on taking small, actionable steps consistently:
Set a Goal: Choose one skill that excites you and commit to learning it over the next month. Write down specific actions you can take to explore that skill.
Find a Buddy: Partner with someone who shares your interest in learning new skills. You can motivate each other, share resources, and even brainstorm ways to combine your skills.
Celebrate Progress: Track your learning journey and celebrate even minor achievements. Each step builds momentum and reinforces your ability to grow.
Addressing these concerns and encouraging a proactive approach will empower you to break free from the constraints of additive skills. Remember, every small effort adds up to significant progress over time.
What will your first small step be?
Final thoughts
As I wrap up this exploration of multiplicative skills, I want to remind you that success is not just a distant dream—it’s well within your reach. The secret to making 10x more lies in your ability to think multiplicatively rather than just adding skills to your toolkit.
Don’t settle for incremental growth. The real leap happens when you stop adding skills and start multiplying them. Imagine the potential you unlock when you strategically combine your unique talents, interests, and newfound skills.
This isn’t about overwhelming yourself; it’s about integrating what you already do with what you can learn to create something extraordinary.
Every successful writer you admire didn’t just happen upon their success—they carved their paths by amplifying their abilities. They learned to blend their storytelling prowess with marketing savvy, data analysis, or networking skills, allowing their voices to rise above the noise.
So, what are you waiting for?
Think strategically, combine wisely, and watch your efforts amplify in ways you never thought possible. Embrace the journey of skill multiplication, and let it propel you into a realm of opportunities and earnings you once thought unattainable.
The power to transform your writing career is in your hands—start multiplying today!
Great read Finn! As a writer, we often want to just create. But we have to think of our craft as a business if we truly want to have freedom to do it autonomously. There's no shame in that, no matter what some may say. For me personally, I've been able to make much more than the average freelancer by 1) not calling myself a freelancer, and 2) positioning myself and my writing as a business consultant, not just someone who gets paid by the word or the hour. It's helped immensely in escaping what you call the 'writing income trap'. Thank you for sharing this!
Wonderful article! Nice review of your experience and how it grew over time. I appreciate the questions to ask oneself to help growth. Quite insightful!