Writing Tips

Learn from Writing Legend Derek Hughes (Who Makes $2.5k per Month)

Had my first online interview just for you all. Felt those nerves, but it was worth it 😅

Alright, here we go—my first online interview with another author. I'm thrilled to say it was with none other than Derek Hughes.

I've been following Derek since I started my writing journey, and watching his growth has been incredible. In just 18 months, he's become a big name on Medium, gaining 13k followers and earning $2.5k a month from his writing and the digital products he launched this year.

I reached out to Derek because I thought you, my Wander Wealth Community on Substack, would love to hear his story and pick up some tips on how to succeed as a writer.

I originally planned to share this as a video, but, well, I messed up and only recorded my voice. 😳 Oh boy, was I embarrassed. The nerves really got to me.

Thankfully, Derek was incredibly kind and understanding, and we made it work. So, I've got everything written down here for you instead.🧡

Let’s jump in.

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Interview with Writing Legend Derek Hughes

Claudia: Hi Derek, very nice to meet you and nice to have you here. We would love to get to know the Derek behind the writing tips, and because we're on Substack, let's start with what's your favorite book and why.

Derek: Sure! I live in Manchester, UK, and my main job is leading a church. When I’m not busy with that, I’m usually buried in a book—I read a lot. I also love hiking and getting out and about. I’d say The Obstacle is the Way really stands out for me. It’s a book full of wisdom that had a significant impact on my life, especially during a difficult period when I was going through a divorce.

Claudia: Thank you for sharing that. What are you doing when you're not writing?

Derek: When I'm not writing, I'm usually reading, running, going to the theatre, or doing some archery. I also love spending time outdoors and hiking when I can.

Claudia: Oh wow, very cool. It's super interesting. I mean, you never really see the people behind the screen, and getting to know them a bit better and what they like to do besides writing is super cool. Then, one last question as part of this introduction—what made you start writing in the first place?

Derek: I’ve always had a lot of thoughts from all the reading I do, and honestly, I was a bit bored and needed an outlet. Reading a book by Nicolas Cole was what pushed me over the edge—I decided to give writing a go, and it just stuck.

Claudia: Great! My community is all about writing, online business, and monetization, so let’s jump into those briefly. How do you come up with new ideas all the time for your writing?

Derek: I listen, read, and interact with my community a lot. I try to see where I can add value based on what they’re talking about. I also stick to my niche—helping writers—because that’s where I’m most focused and where I can offer the most. I have a strong idea capture process, using Evernote, and I’ve built a system that’s really based on what my readers like. That’s how I keep the ideas flowing.

Claudia: That sounds like a solid approach. Are you planning to branch out to other topics eventually?

Derek: Definitely. My topics grow as I grow. I’m also looking into different Medium publications, like Better Marketing. I would like to explore new areas, but always in a way that helps my core audience.

Claudia: One other thing I would love to know is how did you discover Medium, and what brings you also back to Substack?

Derek: I discovered Medium through Nicolas Cole, and it was a great platform to get started. But I've noticed that many people from Medium have migrated to Substack, so I decided to give it a try here as well. I'm still finding my way around Substack, but I'm excited about the potential it offers.

Claudia: I was also quite surprised that there are so many people from Medium on Substack. This is also how I discovered it—by a lot of people on Medium writing about it. It's good to see. Substack also has all kinds of awesome features. Have you discovered this feature on Substack where you can see where your audience is based, kind of like a world map?

Derek: Yeah, I’ve seen that feature around on Substack, and it’s really cool. Most of my readers seem to be based in the US, which is great to see. It’s fascinating to get a visual of where people are tuning in from—it really brings the global aspect of writing to life.

Claudia: Let's talk about monetization. You have a couple of writing courses out there. Do you have any further plans?

Derek: Yes, I started producing digital products every two months since February this year. I’ve got a course on writing headlines, another on How to make your first $1,000 on Medium, and a Resource Bank. They’ve done pretty well—I’ve made about $9,000 in total from these courses, and it’s split pretty evenly between them, depending on which one I’m promoting at the time. I’m planning new products too. I want to keep them affordable, around $50, so that they’re accessible to more people.

Claudia: That’s impressive!

Derek: I’m also thinking about starting live monthly workshops on Substack. It’s something I’m really excited about, but honestly, imposter syndrome kicks in sometimes—I find myself thinking, "Who’s going to pay to hear me talk?" But that’s the plan, and I’m hoping to push through those doubts and make it happen.

Claudia: Where do you make the most money from your writing? Which products are your top earners?

Derek: I make around $1,000 to $1,200 from Medium, and about $1,500 from my products. It really depends on which product I’m pushing at the time, but overall, it’s been a solid split between these different revenue streams.

Claudia: What would you recommend to people who want to monetize their writing?

Derek: My advice would be to start small. Don’t make it too big right away—just go with it and see where it takes you. Also, go with what you love. For some, that might be ghostwriting, but for others, it could be something else. Experiment and see what sticks. I had a failed coaching page, but I learned a lot from that experience.

Claudia: Finally, one last piece of advice from you. What should everyone know, whether it's about life or writing?

Derek: Little things every day truly make a difference. It all comes down to the compounding effect—whether in writing or life, small actions repeated over time can lead to big changes.

Claudia: That’s some great advice to end on. Thank you so much for your time, Derek. This has been wonderful.

Derek: Thanks for having me, Claudia. It was great talking with you.

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I am fairly new to ConvertKit, but have a thriving community on Substack. If you are interested in checking it out, follow me along here.

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