Getting paid to write is the ultimate dream of many aspiring writers. Are you tired of sitting on a gold mine of unexplored and unappreciated writing talent? It’s time to unearth that treasure and turn your passion into paychecks.
And no, we’re not peddling snake oil here. You really can get paid to write. Today, we will share an in-depth guide on 30 websites where you can start getting paid for writing. And we’re not talking about peanuts either – these sites will pay you $50 or more per piece.
Understanding the Freelance Writing Market
Before diving headfirst into the pool of opportunities, it’s crucial to have a firm grasp of the freelance writing market. Understanding the demand, the nature of work, and how to pitch your work effectively will go a long way in setting you up for success.
Types of Writing Jobs
Freelance writing isn’t a one-size-fits-all kind of field. There’s a myriad of writing types that each require a unique blend of skills and style. For instance, blog writing needs a friendly, conversational tone, while technical writing calls for precise details and professional language. Other popular categories include SEO writing, scriptwriting, copywriting, and content writing.
Demand and Pay Scale
If you’re wondering whether there’s a market for freelance writers, rest assured, there is – and it’s a big one. Businesses, bloggers, and digital marketers are always on the lookout for fresh content and willing to pay handsomely for it.
However, the pay scale depends largely on the project’s complexity, your experience, and the client’s budget. For instance, writing an in-depth, research-intensive article will typically earn you more than a short blog post. But don’t worry, all the sites we’ll share today pay a minimum of $50 per piece.
How to Get Started and Get Paid for Writing
You might be eager to leap into the get paid to write journey, but here’s the thing: a little preparation can smooth the road ahead. So, let’s walk before we run.
Writing Portfolio
Even in the writing world, showing trumps telling. Hence, having a writing portfolio to showcase your best work is crucial. Free platforms like Medium and WordPress can be great starting points. If you don’t have any published work, write a few sample pieces in different styles and niches.
Pitching Your Work
Now that you have a portfolio, the next step is learning how to pitch your work effectively. This involves sending a brief email to potential clients, introducing yourself and explaining why you’re the perfect fit for their project. A well-written pitch can often be the difference between hearing crickets and landing a lucrative writing gig.
30+ Sites For Getting Paid to Write $50 (or More) in 2023
Now, let’s proceed with our curated list of 30 sites where you can get paid for writing.
1. Easy Essay Writer
This is an online platform dedicated to providing top-notch academic writing services to students globally. Catering to various academic levels, from high school to postgraduate, the site offers a range of services including custom essay writing, research paper assistance, thesis and dissertation help, editing, and proofreading. With a team of professional writers who are experts in their respective fields, it ensures that all written works are plagiarism-free, thoroughly researched, and delivered on time. The platform prioritizes customer satisfaction, offering round-the-clock support, competitive pricing, and a user-friendly interface for seamless order placement and tracking.
2. Listverse
Listverse pays $100 for each accepted post. They love intriguing lists of ten items, especially if they’re offbeat or novel. The good news? You don’t need to be a professional—you just need to have great English, a sense of humor, and a love for things unusual.
3. A List Apart
A List Apart pays $200 for each accepted post. They’re not first on the list because they tend to publish fewer articles, meaning you have a smaller chance of getting accepted. But they’re big on quality articles over quantity, and if you can produce a smashing piece, your effort will be well-compensated.
4. International Living
International Living pays $75 for each accepted post. They’re mostly looking for travel experiences from countries you have visited. Their audience is interested in the cost of living, real estate, and retirement in other countries. So, if you’ve got the travel bug and can write an engaging story, this one’s for you.
5. FundsforWriters
FundsforWriters pays $50 for each accepted post. They’re looking for articles on how writers can earn money, whether it’s through writing, blogging, contest grants, or self-publishing.
6. Uxbooth
Uxbooth pays $100 for each accepted post. They’re primarily focused on articles related to user experience, so if you’ve got expertise in creating delightful digital experiences, this one’s for you.
7. iWriter
iWriter provides a platform for writers of all experience levels. While their pay starts at a few dollars per 500 words, experienced writers with high ratings can earn over $50 per article.
8. TextBroker
TextBroker pays up to five cents per word, which means a 1,000-word article can earn you $50. With a large number of clients constantly needing content, there’s always work available.
9. Contently
Contently pays well but you’ll need to apply with a portfolio of published works to get approved. Once accepted, you can set your own rates, making earning more than $50 per piece possible.
10. Great Escape Publishing
Great Escape Publishing pays $50 to $200 for articles about travel, photography, or earning an income while enjoying the two. If you have unique experiences to share, this site may be for you.
11. Cracked
Cracked is known for its humorous, quirky style. They pay $50 to $200 per post. You’ll have fun writing for Cracked, and you’ll also get a nice paycheck in the process.
12. The Penny Hoarder
The Penny Hoarder looks for articles about unique job ideas, saving money, earning money, and managing money. They pay up to $75 per post.
13. Tuts+
Tuts+ is looking for in-depth tutorials and other educational content. They pay $50 to $250 per article, making it a great site for those with expertise in any field.
14. Matador Network
Matador Network pays up to $60 for each accepted post. They are looking for travel-related content. So if you have traveled extensively, why not write about it and earn some cash?
15. Smashing Magazine
Smashing Magazine is geared toward web developers and designers and pays $50 to $200 per post. If you have experience and knowledge in these areas, this site might be a good fit.
16. SitePoint
SitePoint pays $100 to $150 for each accepted post, focusing on web design, HTML, CSS, and other web development topics. Your experience in this area could certainly pay off here.
17. Metro Parent
Metro Parent pays $50 to $100 for parenting-focused posts. If you have advice to give to parents and can craft it in a friendly, helpful tone, this site might be for you.
18. Write Naked
Write Naked pays $50 to $200 per post and looks for articles about the writing life, including interviews with other authors, and writing craft tips.
19. IncomeDiary
IncomeDiary pays between $50 to $200 for articles about making money online, including SEO, affiliate sales, and traffic generation.
20. B. Michelle Pippin
B. Michelle Pippin pays $50 to $150 for business-related articles. If you have entrepreneurship, marketing, or business growth expertise, consider submitting an article.
21. The Write Life
The Write Life pays $50 per post and focuses on writing tips related to freelancing, marketing, and blogging. As a writer, you likely have some advice to share, making this a great site to consider.
22. Freedom with Writing
Freedom with Writing pays between $30 and $150 per article. They publish lists of paying publishers and writing jobs to help writers find new opportunities.
23. Bitch Media
Bitch Media seeks to provide thoughtful feminist responses to mainstream media and pop culture. They pay $50 to $200 per piece.
24. Eureka Street
Eureka Street pays up to $200 for politically and ethically engaged articles addressing the issues of the day. If you enjoy dissecting politics, this site could be a good fit.
25. The Anxiety Foundation
The Anxiety Foundation pays $50 for mental health articles. This is an excellent opportunity for writers with a background or interest in mental health.
26. SlickWP
SlickWP pays $100 for posts about WordPress and the Genesis Theme framework. If you’re a WordPress wizard, consider submitting an article.
27. Photoshop Tutorials
Photoshop Tutorials pays up to $300 for tutorials about Photoshop. A perfect site for graphic designers and Photoshop experts!
28. The Travel Writer’s Life
The Travel Writer’s Life pays up to $200 for articles about the craft and business of getting paid to travel. Travel and write—sounds like a win-win!
29. Writer’s Weekly
Writer’s Weekly pays $60 for articles about making money from writing. This site could be a great fit if you have tips about writing productivity, marketing, or freelancing.
30. Back to College
Back to College pays $55+ for articles that address older students returning to college. This site would be a good option if you have insights about adult education or distance learning.
31. Compose
Compose pays $200 and up for articles about databases and database management. Consider this platform if you’re a technical writer or database wizard.
So there you have it – 30 lucrative websites ready to pay you for your words. Remember, the world of freelance writing is vast and varied. With every no, you’re one step closer to that yes, and you might even discover a new niche.
One final note. Remember the age-old question: How many writers does it take to change a light bulb? The answer: But why did the light bulb go out? What’s its backstory? And does it feel fulfilled in its role as a light bulb? Jokes aside, best of luck on your writing journey. Now go out there, get writing, and get paid!
Avoiding Scams While Getting Paid to Write
With the increased demand for freelance writers, scams have unfortunately also become more common. Be wary of websites asking for an upfront fee or offering payment rates that seem too good to be true. Always research a website thoroughly before signing up, and trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.
How Can I Make Money Online Writing?
Writing is one of the best ways to earn money while working online. Whether you decide to start a blog, pursue a freelance writing career, or simply pitch story ideas to various online publications, you’ll discover that writing provides you with the skills and flexibility to earn money without incurring large startup costs.
Can a Beginner Make Money Writing?
Absolutely! One of the best aspects of being a freelance writer is that you don’t need much professional experience or formal education to make money writing. In fact, even if you’ve never had a client before, you can start making good money quickly if you have the writing skills.
But it will require effort.
It’s technically true that you don’t need a lot of professional experience or formal education to start making money writing.
I joined UPWork before they bought Elance, when it was still known as ODesk. I had a high school diploma then, and my work experience included radio and television news, bank teller, and restaurant server—nothing that prepared me for running a freelance writer or editor business. I just knew I liked to write.
I completed my profile and began searching for available projects, and within 6 hours I had my first client.
So, yes, you can start with little to no experience and quickly get a paying client. But it took years for me to start “making real money.” And getting off those sites and learning how to run a business without relying on sites like UPWork was a big part of that.
So, while you can make money right away, it’s unlikely that it will be “good” money.
Finding Writing Jobs Online and Offline
The Internet has created a plethora of opportunities for writers looking to make a living from their craft. One of the first places many new writers look for work is on freelance job sites like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer.com.
You can use these platforms to bid on projects posted by clients all over the world. You should be aware that many freelance writers dislike these sites, so asking for advice on how to use them will almost always result in a warning to avoid them. This is because these sites are not designed to allow individuals to start their own businesses, nor do they have the tools to assist clients in sorting and sifting through all of the available freelancers to find the right person for the job.
However, many people find jobs on these sites, so I can’t completely dismiss them. At the very least, these sites may help you gain valuable experience while you develop your portfolio and email.
Networking with other writers and editors in your area is another excellent way to find writing jobs.
Attend local writing conferences or events where you can network with industry professionals and make connections that could lead to paid work.
Finally, but not least. You could try cold-calling potential clients.
This entails researching companies or publications for which you want to write and sending an email with a pitch idea or simply introducing yourself as a writer interested in working with them.
Overall, finding paid writing opportunities necessitates perseverance and dedication, but it is doable if you are willing to put in the effort!
I’ve also compiled a list of sites that I know are currently accepting article submissions. They will pay you if your article is accepted. It’s not the same as being hired for consistent work with a long-term client, but these are excellent places to begin building your portfolio.
Do those Freelance Websites Actually Work?
Occasionally, if you know how to play the game. I know a lot of freelance writers who can at least get their foot in the door at some of these sites. And that is exactly what this is about: getting started.
The trick is to understand why these sites exist and who uses them to hire writers.
The websites exist to entice businesses and individuals to pay them. They are paid when a buyer pays for a service, even if the service received was poor. So they're not necessarily looking for the best writers; they just want the buyers.
People who use these sites to find writers are usually looking for low-cost writers. I can't tell you how many times I've heard authors and coaches tell people that they can hire editors on UPWork for under $50, setting a low bar. (This isn't to say that there aren't any good-paying projects on UPWork; it's just that finding them is more difficult because there are so many low-paying projects.Once you understand these two concepts, you will have a better chance of taking advantage of these sites rather than being taken advantage of.
How Much Can You Earn Writing?
The best way to respond is to ask a counter-question: how much money do you want to make from your writing, and how much writing do you want to do to get there?
When it comes to how much you can earn for writing, the sky is the limit. However, it will not be easy. It is your responsibility to determine your worth and set your rates accordingly. There will be clients (or would-be clients) who believe they can pay you peanuts or take advantage of your skills. It is your responsibility to ensure that they do not.
The Advantages of Pursuing a Writing Career
Flexibility is one of the most significant advantages of being a writer. You can work from any location with an internet connection at any time that works for you.
This gives writers more freedom than traditional 9-5 jobs.
Nothing beats doing what you love and making money at the same time! Furthermore, because writers have complete control over their output volume and price points, there is no limit to how much money they can make.
There’s something satisfying about putting pen to paper (fingers to keyboard?) and knowing that your words will be valuable to your clients! Writers wield enormous power: they can evoke emotions in readers through captivating storytelling or persuade people through compelling copywriting—the possibilities are limitless!
Conclusion
The key takeaway here is simple yet profound: you can indeed get paid to write. Whether you’re a seasoned wordsmith or a budding writer just starting, there’s a platform out there waiting for your talent. Remember, your first attempt might not land you a $50 gig, but with persistence and dedication, you’ll get there.
Here’s a parting thought: What did one writer say to another? “Don’t plagiarize; it’s a re-wording experience!” Now go forth, explore these websites, and start getting paid for writing. Happy writing!