The Art & Business of Writing Podcast with Nicolas Cole

✍️ Read the newsletter version of this video: https://artandbiz.substack.com/📚 To shop my library of print, eBooks, and audiobooks, visit my bookstore: https://www.differentpublishing.press/~If you’re new to my channel… hey there!My name is Nicolas Cole and I’ve been writing online since 2007.Since then, I’ve generated over a billion views on my writing, written 10+ books, and built multiple 7+ figure writing-related businesses, including two of the largest writing programs on the Internet: Ship 30 for 30 & Premium Ghostwriting Academy.I have made millions of dollars writing online, so I fundamentally reject this narrative (pun intended) “nobody makes a living as a writer.”Yes, you absolutely can make a living as a writer. In fact, you can make more than just a living. You can make tons of money as a writer… IF… you’re a digital writer, and embrace learning the new skills required to thrive in a digital world.Which is why I started this YouTube channel.Consider me your Digital Writing Mentor!On this channel I talk about:Digital WritingGhostwritingWriting With AISelf-PublishingWriting Services & Business ModelsSo if you have any questions, drop me a comment on any video and I’ll answer them in a future video!Keep writing,Cole~🔗 Other digital writing videos I think you'll enjoy:10 Lessons Selling $10M Of Digital Products:   • 10 Lessons from Selling $10M of Digital Pr...  How To Build A $200k/yr Paid Newsletter On Substack:   • How To Build A $200k/Year Paid Newsletter  This 20-Email Sequence Made Me Millions of Dollars:   • This 20-Email Sequence Made Me Millions of...  ~✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: [https://yt.startwritingonline.com](https://yt.startwritingonline.com/)🚢 Ready to build your daily writing habit and accelerate your trajectory as a Digital Writer? Join Ship 30 for 30: [https://www.ship30for30.com](https://www.ship30for30.com/)👻 Want to enter the lucrative world of ghostwriting? Here’s a free guide to get you started: [https://yt.premiumghostwritingbluepri...](https://yt.premiumghostwritingbluepri...)🤖 Need some help learning how to leverage AI as a writer? Come subscribe to our newsletter (100,000+ readers!) on how to Write With AI: ht...

A clear breakdown of four core writing elements: explanation, description, action, and narration. Short exercises show how to isolate and practice each piece. Practical metaphors compare the parts to chess and color-coded sentences. A step-by-step plan explains how to combine elements to build stronger openings and advance craft.

Practical tactics for landing ghostwriting work without any proof. Creative ideas like free custom samples and trading value for referrals are highlighted. Learn how to use your own writing as a case study and pitch publicly to demonstrate skill. Emphasis on educating prospects as the real way to win business.

A deep dive into treating a newsletter like a never-ending book. Practical tactics for turning repeatable assets—prompts, templates, short stories—into reader demand. Real-world breakdowns of successful models and when to choose free vs paid. A clear path for starting free and building paid products.

A candid take on how writers actually build big incomes by owning a niche and compounding attention. He contrasts scattered topic-hopping with single-topic focus and explains why consistency across platforms creates lasting growth. Practical playbook on niching, the timeline for success, and common excuses that hold writers back.

A breakdown of X's new algorithm and how platform incentives are reshaping where and what to publish. A look back at platform shifts and why building a reusable content library matters. Practical advice on preferring articles over threads, repurposing past work, and two winning formats for 2026: short paragraphs and long-form articles.

A recount of a high‑intensity VAM workshop in Vegas and why small, focused events accelerate learning. Observations on elevated standards, thoughtful logistics, and compassionate teaching that scale impact. Practical talks about org structure, sales shifts to annual offers, media team expansion, faster outbound follow‑up, and doubling down on webinars and paid challenges for 2026.

A clear tour of the six digital product types creators can sell. Short vs full courses, cohort and live learning formats, and when to pair async material with paid cohorts. How communities, newsletters, high-ticket coaching, and masterminds differ in pricing and experience. Practical starting-path advice for validating products before scaling.

A candid breakdown of nine common money mistakes people in their early 20s make and why comparison traps hurt financial progress. Conversations cover building a stronger money mindset and improving financial literacy. Practical talk about making money through digital writing, scaling creative businesses, and planning revenue and personal goals for the years ahead.

A rapid breakdown of why landing high-paying writing clients is easier now. Discussions cover positioning, productized offers, and pricing strategies. Practical workflows for finding businesses, packaging services, and daily prospecting routines are outlined. AI-powered shortcuts for positioning, creating offers, and outreach are highlighted.