Before the internet, writing was a profession that saw authors producing novels, journalists reporting for magazines and newspapers, and public relations professionals turning out press releases.

It was possible for amateurs to submit their short stories to magazines, and record their thoughts in diaries, and get creative in local publications. However, the opportunities for amateurs to actually earn a living from their writing were few, if at all.

The internet has changed all that by creating a huge demand for material, referred to as 'content' to keep websites fresh and interesting. There are websites on every topic imaginable, and in order for them to rank with the search engines, they need to provide unique and novel content.

Most people with websites have them to make money. This could be from advertisements on the site, or they could be promoting their own product or range of products. They are marketers, not writers.

So they outsource their writing needs. They neither want, nor are prepared to pay for, university qualified writers. Ordinary, everyday people are providing these internet marketers with exactly the type of material they need - written in everyday language for everyday people.

A lot of people have expertise in some area. It could be making rocking chairs, baking the best fruit cake,raising children, writing letters, traveling, speaking another language or even shopping. There are websites on all of these topics, and if you can write about them, you can earn money.

There are even websites whose whole reason for being is to bring amateur writers and website owners together (for a small commission). They can open lots of doors for people who would like to earn money from their own homes - moms, retired people, students. Your age or situation doesn't matter in any way.

You can earn money by writing in your spare time, or make it your full time business - or grow from one to the other. The choice is yours.