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When I started a blog four years ago, I had no idea I could get paid to write about anything. Fast forward three years. Now I get paid to write about things I love, and I make a full-time living doing it.
Freelance writing can be a great way to make money from home. But with any business, there’s a steep learning curve. You have to know what editors want, where to find jobs that are legitimate, and what to charge as you progress.
How to Get Paid to Write (Step by Step)
Before you apply to get paid for writing, there are a few things you should do to make yourself stand out to potential clients.
1. Choose What to Write About
When you’re writing for money, you might think that only writing about a couple of topics limits your options, but it actually expands them. Sites and companies that pay well don’t want freelancers who write about anything, they want experts in their field. When you stick to a single niche and become known for it, you’ll become a sought-after writer.
Choosing one topic also allows you to scale your business faster. You learn your subject thoroughly, research less, work faster, and can take on more clients. All this leads to being able to earn a higher hourly rate for your work. The key is to pick a profitable niche.
2. Create a Portfolio
There are several ways to create a portfolio. The first is with a blog. Every new writer should have a blog, especially if you don’t have many clips to show potential clients.
Once you choose your niche, write five to ten blog posts on various topics within it. This shows potential clients your writing style, expertise, and gives them a place to contact you.
You can also make money with a blog. One way is to find products and services related to your niche that you like using and see if they have an affiliate program. Then every time someone makes a purchase through your affiliate link, you’ll earn a small commission.
3. Create Profiles on Multiple Sites
Once you’ve written a few articles for other sites or publications, you can create profiles and portfolios on multiple professional freelance writing sites. Clippings.me is a portfolio site for journalists, Contently is used by many web-based content writers, and LinkedIn is a go-to place for businesses looking for expert writers.
Having a presence on a few different sites makes it easier for clients to find you and your work. They may also learn personal facts about you that give you an edge over other writers so don’t underestimate including things like your alma mater, pets, and hobbies.
4. Post on Social Media
Building a social media presence around your niche can also put you ahead for freelance writing jobs. Twitter is most popular for journalists and print publications while Instagram is becoming a popular place for e-commerce businesses to find writers.
You don’t have to make another social media account just for your writing. Post facts, breaking news, advice, and stories related to your niche and tag them with relevant hashtags. It’ll help brands find you, and it can further reinforce to potential clients that you’re knowledgeable and stay current about the topics you write about.
Related: How to Become a Social Media Manager
5. Accept Smaller Jobs While Building Your Reputation
While you’re building your portfolio and expertise in your niche, you’ll have to be willing to accept lower-paid writing jobs. Think of them as practice that you’re getting paid to do. The more organizations, editors, and platforms you work with now, the more you’ll be able to impress high-paying clients in the future.
You can also pitch websites to guest post. You won’t get paid to write guest posts, but you may be able to add links to your blog posts in your article. This will help your posts rank higher in Google, and potential clients may be able to find you through simple Google searches.
Related: How to Get Paid to Write Reviews
6. Learn to Network
You can start freelance writing on your own, but if you want to build a business and make a living writing, you need a network of other writers. Your network should be filled with writers and editors in your niche who are a little ahead of you and a little behind you in the journey.
Your network can also help you find sources for stories, give you feedback on pitches, advise you on rates to charge, and help you to feel like you’re not alone in this often isolating industry.
Related: How to Make More Money as a Freelance Writer
Join the Best Freelance Writing Websites
When you’re building your writing portfolio, there are some freelance writing sites that stand out for offering legitimate jobs and paying writers a living wage. They’re the best freelance writing websites for beginners.
1. Upwork
Upwork is a freelancer marketplace and go-to source for business owners looking for all kinds of digital services. You can find hundreds of paid writing jobs in dozens of subjects.
One of the benefits of using Upwork is that you won’t have to chase down payment from clients. All invoices and payments happen through Upwork, and you’re guaranteed payment for the work you do.
The downside is that Upwork charges a 20% fee on your first $500 earned with each client, 10% up to $10,000, and 5% beyond that. It’s a good place to get started, but you won’t want to use it for long.
2. Fiverr
Known for offering services starting at $5, Fiverr is a marketplace for freelancers to showcase their services to prospective clients. You create a profile, list a “gig,” and then it becomes available to a global audience.
All communication and payments are processed through Fiverr, but it also charges a steep 20% fee on all earnings. If you’re nervous about reaching out to clients yourself, Fiverr can be a good platform where they come to you.
But you’ll have to do something to make yourself stand out in a sea of other writers. That’s where specializing in one subject matter can be your strength.
3. Textbroker
Textbroker only offers content and writing services on its platform. Writers who sign up with Textbroker will find many resources on how to improve their writing, including editors to review articles, writing tutorials, and videos on how to get the most out of Textbroker.
Earnings per word depend on your quality level. You can earn from $0.07 per word up to $0.50. You choose from thousands of orders available based on your quality level, and there are no additional fees. Textbroker also offers milestone and quarterly bonuses when you achieve different word counts.
4. Skyword
Writers, designers, videographers, and other creatives can all find jobs on Skyword. Skyword is a marketplace where you can find jobs and be found by clients. It works with both small and high-profile clients and is a great way to make the jump from lower-paying job sites.
You can’t just sign up for Skyword clients. Fill out a profile and wait until you’re hand-selected for jobs, meaning your profile can sit in Skyword for a long time before you’re submitted to clients or able to view job opportunities. You can increase your chances of being picked by editors by keeping your social media relevant and updated.
5. ClearVoice
ClearVoice connects qualified writers with job opportunities based on the writer’s CV or ClearVoice portfolio. Once you complete your CV, you’ll be able to join ClearVoice’s Talent Network and have your CV sent to prospective clients.
Writers are then handpicked for opportunities based on their CV, so there’s an incentive to create one that stands out. You set your own rates and are paid via PayPal upon assignment approval, so you get the security of going through a marketplace without the fees typically associated with them.
6. Contently
Contently is an online writing agency that connects freelance writers with businesses. Many writers use the site for its free portfolio service, but Contently editors use these portfolios to handpick freelancers for clients.
Many high-profile websites and companies use Contently to source writers, so the jobs pay well. These jobs tend to go to the most experienced candidates, and it can take years for an editor at Contently to refer you to a client. But if you’re patient, Contently can offer lucrative writing opportunities.
7. nDash
Another place experienced freelance writers can find high-paying jobs is on nDash. nDash is a content platform where writers can create a profile and pitch ideas for blogs, articles, and whitepapers to prospective clients.
nDash claims the average writing assignment on its platform pays between $175 to $450. Once an assignment is approved, payment is deposited directly into the writer’s bank account within two to three business days.
It’s a relatively new site so not as many companies are using it, but writers have reported that if you’re willing to pitch more, you’ll make a decent income.
8. SmartBug
SmartBug is a content marketing company specializing in B2B (business to business) marketing and copywriting. Its writers produce content for the web, social media, email, sales pages, and more.
This is a great site for writers who aren’t beginners but may not have the experience or portfolio to compete for jobs with other top writers. There’s no direct way to apply, but you can fill out a general interest application on the website.
9. NewsCred
NewsCred is a community for experienced freelance content creators. In-house editors pair creators with customer programs, but you can also view freelance positions on the platform. Then NewsCred’s editorial team serves as your managing editor for all client work.
You can find high-profile Fortune 500 companies from a variety of industries using NewsCred, the most popular being tech, healthcare, and financial services. There’s currently no button to apply on NewsCred’s website, but you can contact the company via the contact form on its website.
10. The Writer Finder
Growth Machine is an SEO-focused content marketing company with a freelance writing platform called The Writer Finder. Growth Machine works with a variety of clients in AI, travel, wellness, dogs, weddings, and more.
What sets The Writer Finder apart is the Slack group for freelance writers. It lets you communicate with other freelance writers on the team. Rates are competitive, and you’ll also have the chance to learn sought-after SEO skills.
Related: 51 Freelance Jobs Websites with the Best Remote Work Opportunities
Apply for Assignments on the Best Freelance Writing Job Boards
Job boards are easy places for companies to post their jobs. The job board doesn’t vet freelancers, handle payments, or make promises on behalf of clients.
There are some things to be aware of when applying and taking a job from a job board. Because the service is free for writers, you’re competing against thousands of other bloggers for a limited number of jobs.
Job boards are also notorious for phishing scams. “Clients” may ask you to download a zip file of their payment terms or writing guidelines and ask you to invoice them via PayPal. The zip file is actually a keystroke logger allowing them to steal your PayPal credentials. Be careful when applying to jobs on these boards.
11. ProBlogger
The ProBlogger job board is updated daily with blogging and article writing jobs across all subjects.
Businesses have to pay ProBlogger to post their job ad, meaning the writer isn’t paid through ProBlogger. They don’t charge the writer any fees for joining or getting paid.
12. Indeed
Another job board filled with many freelance writing opportunities is Indeed. You can find full-time, part-time, and freelance remote writing jobs across all subjects, and because of the vastness of the board, competition isn’t as high compared to others.
You can sign up for job alerts based on your searches. Simply enter your email address and activate emails to see them as soon as they hit the website.
13. MediaBistro
Journalists and anyone else in media will find MediaBistro helpful for finding jobs in the industry. If you’re looking for paid writing jobs in marketing, advertising, television, or news, you can find hundreds of jobs from recognizable names on MediaBistro’s job board.
There are entry-level positions listed, but your best move is to get enough writing experience to make a professional-looking resume before you start applying for jobs on this site.
Resources on How to Get Paid as A Writer
When you’re running your freelance writing business, you’ll want to have some resources to make it easier to write and get paid.
Freelance Writer’s Den
Started by veteran freelance writer Carol Tice, the Freelance Writer’s Den is a membership site just for freelance writers. You have access to over 300 hours of freelance writing education including eCourses, webinars, and podcasts.
There’s also a forum for networking with other writers and a job board with new writing jobs posted every Monday and Thursday, all with a minimum rate of $50 per article.
Membership for the Freelance Writer’s Den only opens twice a year. If you’re interested in joining, sign up for the waitlist to be notified.
Holly Johnson’s Earn More Writing Course
If you want to take your freelance writing business to the next level, Earn More Writing is the course to do it. The creator, Holly Johnson, consistently makes multiple six figures annually from freelance writing and can show you how to make money writing online.
In addition to outlining the best business practices in freelance writing, Johnson gives students a daily look at her writing jobs in the course’s Facebook group where you’ll be able to communicate with her and other freelance writers taking the course.
Related: The Best Online Writing Courses for New Freelance Writers
Getting Paid to Write is Possible
You can get paid to write in any field at any level. Like any business, it’s difficult to get started. However, if you work your way through the many content marketing agencies and job boards, you’ll be able to find steady work and grow your business.
FAQs
What sites can I write on and get paid? ›
- Contena.
- Blasting News.
- Listverse.
- InstantShift.
- FreelancerCareers.
- Metro Parent.
- HubPages.
- The Dollar Stretcher.
New article writers can expect to get paid three to four cents per word. More experienced article writers can get paid eight cents or more per word. If you are interested in becoming a freelance article writer, these specific steps will help you get paid to write faster.
Where can I find high paying writing gigs? ›- ProBlogger.
- Upwork.
- BloggingPro.
- iWriter.
- Freelance Writing Jobs.
- FlexJobs.
- Freelance Writers Den.
- Freelancer.
You'll usually get $50 for articles, paid 30 days or less after the article is published. However, articles with lots of photos — recipes where you take pictures, DIYs where you take pictures, et cetera — are worth $100. Very few articles are $75. Usually, these are reviews with a couple of original photos.
How can I get paid for writing with no experience? ›- Rewrite local small-business websites. ...
- Find abandoned business blogs. ...
- Write business emails. ...
- Create a newsletter or brochure. ...
- Report articles for local news media. ...
- Write for local magazines. ...
- Turn your former employer into a client. ...
- Write for local marketing agencies.
- Start a blog. Blogging is a tried-and-true method for writers to make money online. ...
- Create blog posts (for others) ...
- Establish a niche website. ...
- Self-Publish a book. ...
- Create affiliate content. ...
- Write scripts for video creators. ...
- Write show notes for podcasts. ...
- Create written content for social media.
Forbes.com currently offers a modest payment to writers who post a certain volume. Write five pieces in a month, that's $250.00. Write seven, it's $500.00. In 2020, I hit the $250 threshold several times and the $500 bonanza one month, earning a total of $1,250.00 from Forbes.
How much should I charge for a 500 word blog post? ›How much should I charge for a 500-word blog post as a Freelance Writer? The cost of a 500-word blog post would be anywhere from $25 to $100. Usually, those with 5+ years of experience can charge on the higher end. Keep in mind this pricing is typically for basic blog posts.
How much does a beginner writer make? ›How much does an Entry Level Creative Writer make? As of Feb 27, 2023, the average annual pay for an Entry Level Creative Writer in the United States is $49,501 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $23.80 an hour.
How do I make my first $1000 as a content writer? ›- Introduce yourself (1 sentence)
- Tell them you want to write content for them.
- Give them 3 examples of articles you can write for them.
- Tell them you're available for a quick call any day this week to talk further.
Which content writing pays the most? ›
- Long-form Blog Posts or Ultimate Guides. ...
- E-Books. ...
- White Papers. ...
- Case Studies. ...
- Email Writing. ...
- Sales Pages or Landing Pages. ...
- Video Script Writing. ...
- Online or E-Learning Courses.
To submit a pitch, email buzzfeedpitches@buzzfeed.com.
And yes, we pay for published pieces! Rates vary depending on amount of reporting or research, turn-around time, and topic expertise.
- Fiverr. Fiverr is a freelance marketplace where you can get paid to write articles by creating a “Gig” and becoming a seller. ...
- Greatist. ...
- Longreads. ...
- Listverse. ...
- Copyhackers. ...
- Photoshop Tutorials. ...
- Informed Comment. ...
- The Travel Writer's Life.
The estimated total pay for a Freelance Writer at BuzzFeed is $32 per hour. This number represents the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated base pay is $30 per hour.
How can a beginner make money online? ›- Get involved in market research.
- Become an online tutor.
- Sell your clothes and other belongings.
- Become an affiliate for your favorite brands.
- Start a dropshipping online business.
- Transcribe recordings.
- Rent out your stuff.
- Traditional Job Boards. If you're looking for a full-time writing job, traditional job boards are the way to go. ...
- Freelance Writing Job Boards. ...
- 3. Facebook Writing Job Boards. ...
- Work for More Established Writers. ...
- Upwork. ...
- Use Your Network. ...
- Creative Staffing Agencies. ...
- Cold Pitching.
We recommend beginner freelance writers charge no less than $0.05 to $0.20 per word. If you consider the example of a 1,000-word blog post, this means you'll range from $50 to $200 per post. In reality, many beginning writers make $0.01 to $0.04 per word, which is an unreasonably low fee.
Is article writing profitable? ›That's because article writing can be seriously lucrative — it's the bulk of the work I've done as a freelance writer, including years where I earned six figures. But you have to know where to look for better pay. I've got a list of a dozen great-paying opportunities for you to think on below.
How much does narratively pay? ›According to Who Pays Writers, Narratively pays $0.10 a word on average.
How do I start writing articles? ›- Keep a list of ideas handy. You never know when writer's block will hit. ...
- Eliminate distractions. A lot of people claim to work better while multitasking. ...
- Research efficiently. ...
- Keep it simple. ...
- Try writing in bullet points. ...
- Edit after writing. ...
- Set a timer.
Is it hard to get an article in Forbes? ›
The long answer is that you most likely have to invest a lot of time or a decent amount of money on your own Forbes story. How much that is, highly depends on variables such as your niche, your brand reputation (including personal brand), the date, and, of course, a little bit of luck.
Can anyone write articles for Forbes? ›To Contribute:
The content must be original and exclusive to Forbes. They will reject any content already published on other sites or in print. They typically take around five business days to review articles.
- Submit your completed article to ideas@forbes.com.
- The article can be any length.
- The piece must be original and exclusive to Forbes. ...
- They ask that you allow five business days (i.e. excluding weekends and holidays) for them to review your article. ...
- No follow-up emails.
Average freelance writing fees for a 500-word article
Typically most content creators will charge between $3 to $50 for a 500-word article, which is a good ballpark; however, the more experienced writers who possess not only more knowledge but also have a certain way with words can often charge upwards of $100.
A post between 400-600 words is widely considered the "standard" length, and it's a good middle ground if you're looking to get more social shares and comments. While posts between 75-300 words can be a great tool for conveying company news or generating discussions, the truth is they're terrible for SEO.
How much is a 1,000 word article worth? ›From 50 Cents to About $2 Per Word. Starting From $0.10 Per Word for a Basic Blog Post. At Least $250 Per 1,000 Words. $15 to $20 for 1,000 Words Depending on the Topic and Deadline.
How do new writers get paid? ›- Guest Post on High-Paying Publications and Magazines. ...
- Become a Copywriter. ...
- Do Freelance Content Writing for Businesses. ...
- Ghostwrite Stories. ...
- Get Paid to Write on Medium. ...
- Self-Publish on Kindle. ...
- Blog and Make Money through Affiliate Marketing. ...
- Find Paid Writing Internships.
The amount ranges from lows of Ksh5,000 to highs of over Ksh50,000 depending on the specific account. According to Xavier Mwangi, a local freelancer engaging in article writing, a beginner can write an average of 2,000 words per day - earning an average of Ksh400 per 250 words (Ksh3,200 in total).
Can you make a living freelance writing? ›Freelance writing can be a fantastic way to earn money and can even lead to full-time income if you can consistently produce quality work.
Which content writing is in demand? ›Writing for social media is one of the most popular content writing careers. This has a lot of marketing strategies involved in order to influence consumers. This kind of content writing career demands good writing and research skills.
How do I find my writing niche? ›
The first thing to do to identify your niche is to be able to pinpoint what you love writing about. The same way you identified writing as a passion to pursue among your many interests. You have to identify the area of writing that makes you tick.
How much does Textbroker pay writers? ›minimum 2.15 cents/word
You can request a pay-out at any time during the week, as long as your Textbroker balance is $10 or more. Pay-outs are processed twice per week.
- Step 1: Create a Portfolio. ...
- Step 2: Begin Generating Social Proof. ...
- Step 3: Establish Authority by Blogging. ...
- Step 4: Develop a Pitch. ...
- Step 5: Start on Websites for Freelancers. ...
- Step 6: Create Your Linkedin Profile. ...
- Step 7: Apply to Firms That Have Openings.
- Decide what you want to write about. ...
- Set a schedule. ...
- Practice your freelance writing. ...
- Build your writing portfolio. ...
- Start pitching to freelance writing jobs. ...
- Invest in tools to improve your skills. ...
- Expand your writing services. ...
- Just keep going.
It's $15 per article so it basically boils down to $7.50 or $5.00 per hour depending on how long it takes to write an article.
Do magazines pay you for articles? ›That's often the going rate for local, regional, or small-circulation magazines. If you want to write for magazines, and have limited experience, these are great places to get some clips, and earn some money, but it shouldn't be your last stop. Many consumer and trade magazines pay $500 or more per assignment.
How much does BuzzFeed pay per word? ›Rate. The website says they pay competitive rates. Who Pays Writers says the average for BuzzFeed is $0.22 a word.
How much does a content writer on BuzzFeed make? ›How Much Does BuzzFeed Pay Writers? BuzzFeed pays Writers $51,467 per year on average. This is 22% less than the national average salary for Writers. Writers make $66,143 per year on average, or $31.80 per hour, in the United States.
How can I make money from online articles? ›- Work as an Insurance POSP. ...
- Look for Freelancing Work. ...
- Try Content Writing Jobs. ...
- Start Blogging. ...
- Sell Your Digital Products. ...
- Look For Translation Jobs Online. ...
- Beta Test Apps and Websites Before They are Released. ...
- Work as a Travel Agent.
Photos add $15–25 to your pay for high definition and clear images. A submitted article can earn 20 cents per published word and $200–400 on features.
How much does psychology today pay for articles? ›
Psychology Today covers the latest in the field of social psychology. What they pay: $1 a word.
How much does the New Yorker pay for articles? ›Try The New Yorker. For literary fiction, this is the best of the best. It's been around forever, has a circulation of a million readers, and will pay you well for that short story (about $7,500 according to reports) . The New Yorker also accepts poetry submissions, humorous stories, and cartoons.
What apps pay you to write? ›- Kindle direct publishing (KDP) Kindle direct publishing is an excellent platform powered by Amazon where you can easily self-publish your stories and start making money from your home. ...
- Listverse. Are you an experienced writer? ...
- Wattpad. ...
- Dreame. ...
- Writers Weekly. ...
- Inkitt. ...
- Strange Horizon. ...
- Penpee.
Writer's Weekly
They pay $60 for original articles of 600 words or more. You must submit a query and follow their writer's guidelines to get paid on this site. You can also publish reprints of articles you have previously published.
- 1 BloggingPro.
- 2 Grammarly.
- 3 Kikolani.
- 4 NaNoWriMo.
- 5 Association of Writer & Writing Programs.
- 6 Writer's Digest.
- 7 Calmly Writer.
- 8 Scapple.
- Branded Surveys.
- Survey Junkie.
- Opinion Outpost.
- Ibotta.
- Upside.
- Swagbucks.
- Amazon MTurk.
- Mindswarms. Work Online and Get Paid Every Week.
Unfortunately, Textbroker has one of the lowest pay scales for their writers of all the content marketing platforms. If you're fortunate enough to receive a four-star rating right off the bat, you'll enjoy a $0.014 per word. And that's for SEO content that Textbroker describes as “very good quality.”
What app can I use to write article? ›Scrivener makes it easier for writers and even students to organise their ideas and manage more complicated writing projects, using both the desktop and mobile writing app. It's also available on iPad. Scrivener also has plenty of keyboard shortcuts to speed up the writing process. Read our Scrivener review.
What search engine pays you? ›iRazoo is an online rewards and cash-back site. Since 2007, it's paid users to search the web, take surveys, watch videos, and enter promo codes. If you set your browser's default search engine to the iRazoo Engine, powered by Yahoo, you can win iRazoo Points each time you search the web.
What apps pay you instantly to PayPal? ›...
6. Cashyy
- Free PayPal money.
- Amazon gift cards.
- Steam codes.
- Free Google Play credit.
Can I get paid for Googling? ›
Become A Search Engine Evaluator
One legit online job is becoming a search engine evaluator. An evaluator rates the results from sites like Google and Bing, checking to make sure they're relevant and useful, and that they fall within the company's guidelines.
- ProBlogger.
- Freelancer.com.
- Constant Content.
- Guru.com.
- Writer Access.
- Craigslist.
- BloggingPro.
- FreelanceWriting.com.
- Freelance Writers Den. A great resource for freelancers, this membership site is so much more than a job board. ...
- FlexJobs. ...
- SolidGigs. ...
- Opportunities of the Week. ...
- Working In Content. ...
- ProBlogger Job Board. ...
- Content Writing Jobs. ...
- Behance Creative Jobs.
- Mswishlist.com/ManuscriptWishlist.com. ...
- JaneFriedman.com. ...
- Queryshark blog. ...
- NaNoWriMo. ...
- Grammar.com. ...
- Grammar Monster. ...
- WritersDigest.com. Writer's Digest magazine is the go-to for everything writing. ...
- Helping Writers Become Authors. On her website, K.M.
- Blogger (our top pick for high paying online jobs) ...
- Virtual Assistant. ...
- Watch Ads. ...
- Complete Surveys. ...
- Dropshipping. ...
- Create an Online Course. ...
- Teach English Online (best online jobs for citizens of English speaking countries) ...
- Manage Ads.
- Food Delivery. This is one of the easiest ways to make $1,000 fast, and DoorDash dominates the market, controlling nearly 60% of the market share. ...
- Take Online Surveys. ...
- Rent Out Your Unused Space. ...
- Rent Out Your Car. ...
- Open a New Bank Account. ...
- Make Money When You Buy Gas. ...
- Earn Cash Back When You Shop. ...
- Pet Sitting & Dog Walking.
...
- DoorDash. ...
- Instacart. ...
- Shipt. ...
- Uber Eats. ...
- Branded Surveys. ...
- Survey Junkie. ...
- Ibotta. ...
- MyPoints.