It’s a universally acknowledged truth that a publisher in possession of great connections and access to the writing industry wants good writers. It seems, however, that this is a truth that the publishing industry doesn’t always acknowledge. Thus, a life as a successful writer is a distant dream for many. Breaking into the career field is like trying to break into a brick house that has no windows and a door that can only be opened from the inside. In other words, it’s hard.

If only being a skilled writer was all that was needed to establish a career in the profession. Talent is important, but you usually need more tools to get your foot in the door. To elaborate, a life supported by the art of storytelling means you need an audience. Accordingly, the success of your work depends on more people than just yourself. When it comes to traditional publishing specifically, it means you need to find that one person in the crowd who will notice your work. This can be one of the greater challenges of building a creative career since success is often dependent on reaching this audience.

Far and beyond extends the line of people hoping to strike luck in showcasing their work to the right people. Maybe that luck is now hitting more people at once, though, because the presence of online media and platforms has given authors and writers alike the outlet they need to garner an audience and build the life they want. As this online world opens the opportunity to reach and directly communicate with an audience, a writing career isn’t necessarily dependent on a single person, like a publisher or producer; it’s often dependent on one’s self.

Ultimately, technology has become entwined in our lives in innovative and surprising ways. The internet has become a hub for business and entertainment, and it provides a means to build relationships, which has become a perfect environment for creators to grow. It seems that writers are seizing the opportunity that this age of technology is providing.

In recent years, writers have found new ways to promote their work and reach their audiences through the internet.

Websites and apps, such as Instagram, YouTube, and Tumblr, have given writers not only an outlet to present their work but also a way to build their audiences. For example, some writers have established their careers through online communities like InstaPoetry on Instagram or AuthorTube on YouTube. Even sites like Mindfray give writers a way to use their voices and express their ideas to groups of people. We can take a look at a couple of these successful writers who are only a few of many representing this wave of self-sufficient creatives.

In modern times, poetry is not as prominent as other forms of writing, yet some have found ways to popularize it. One of these well-known modern poets is Rupi Kaur, a popular poet on Instagram. Her published works include Milk and Honey and The Sun and Her Flowers. Kaur is best known for writing about women empowerment and sexuality—attempting to normalize them within the South Asian community.

Her poetry often criticizes society’s view and treatment of women’s sexuality and reflects on her own experiences regarding the topic. She began writing from a young age and showcased her work online while she was in college. After sharing her writing through various websites, Kaur’s following began to grow; in fact, she now has over 2.7 million followers on Instagram. That said, she is only one of many writers who have decided to use Instagram to share their poetry, utilizing what might seem like an unconventional way to build their audience and create success.

Off in a different world and online writing community is AuthorTube. AuthorTube is considered a subsection of YouTube creators who dedicate their channels to describing their experiences in writing and often providing advice about writing and publishing. They have also been able to use their channels as a means to promote their own work, and many of them have gone on to publish books, starting with their debut novels. Several of these channels have gained sizeable followings, allowing the writers on YouTube to build a platform that supports their own work.

Jenna Moreci is a popular author who has created her brand using online media to develop a large YouTube following, earning over 130K subscribers. She has released two novels: Eve: The Awakening and her most recent book, The Savior’s Champion. She is listed as one of the best-selling self-published authors from YouTube, and she has built her brand by utilizing social media

Alongside YouTube, Moreci is active on Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, Facebook, and her own website. She is credited for being well-versed in integrating her knowledge of business with her writing, which adds to her success as a self-published author. She’s popular for the combination of information and humor relayed in her videos.

Gone are the days when aspiring writers were restricted by conventional routes for sharing their work. Writers nowadays have found their own success through these different online platforms that allow them to deliver their work directly to their readers. Writers have the chance to promote their work, reach their audience and exhibit their work on their own without relying on that one person in the crowd.

The age of social media has opened up the opportunity for more control and less dependence on luck or chance when it comes to success. From InstaPoetry to AuthorTube, writers are claiming their voices and projecting them far and wide. Building a career as a writer is still difficult, but with new ways of sharing their work, it’s now more possible.