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offer a ton of opportunities, but some are better than others.
Whether you're just starting a new side hustle or you've been for some time, having a list of the best websites always comes in handy.
In this article, we're laying out 17 of the best plus our best tips for increasing your earning potential as a .
Contents
Type of
There are a couple different types of that you'll find on this list and on the internet in general. There are even those for transcription and data entry which we discuss in our guide for how to make money typing.
But the first, and most popular, type of site is an online . Some online boards feature jobs in every industry imaginable, and others are dedicated specifically to .
Online Boards
boards function similarly to any online that you might already be familiar with like Indeed, Monster, and more. These boards list from a variety of and give you the opportunity to work directly with the client through the platform.
With most boards, you have the ability to create a profile, upload work samples, browse open jobs and submit pitches or proposals.
Mills
The other type of are services, or mills.
mills are widely talked down upon in the community because many low-quality mills are notorious for low pay rates.
services operate with an agency-type business model. These companies hire freelancers to produce for their . In return, the service pays the a portion of the total price they charge to . This rate varies, and some services pay more than others.
While some freelancers hate this type of business model, certain content mills can be a great place for both new and experienced content writers.
17 Best To Get Paid for
This list of the best includes general boards, -specific boards, and services.
1. Contena
Contena is a that's membership-based. This site is membership based because it's much more than just a . Contena's goal is to help writers not only find work, but learn and become better writers in the process.
This requires an application and membership fee to sign up, and writers have access to educational materials as well as the Contena .
Contena pay rates vary depending on client, niche, and experience level.
2. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is one of the number one online job boards today. This membership-based features hand-picked and vetted jobs in almost every industry imaginable, including .
If you want a that weeds out the scams and low-quality , FlexJobs is a great choice.
Use keywords ““, ““, “blogging”, “blogger”, and “article” to search for the best on FlexJobs.
FlexJobs pay rates vary widely based on client, industry, and experience level.
3. UpWork
UpWork is another one of the top gig websites online today, trusted by thousands of worldwide.
UpWork has jobs and gigs in just about every niche and industry you can imagine, and writers are in high-demand.
It's free to create an UpWork profile, upload your samples and experience, and start browsing for work.
UpWork features with a variety of pay rates.
4.
The aggregates from all over the internet into one easy-to-use board.
This is one of the most trusted , featuring from entry level to advanced.
This site updates daily, so be sure to check it often for new .
Since this aggregates from all over, pay rates vary widely.
5. The Morning Coffee Newsletter
The Morning Coffee Newsletter is a daily morning email newsletter sent out by the folks at FreelanceWriting.com. This daily newsletter sends the freshest and best straight to your inbox every morning: perfect for looking over with a cup of coffee or tea.
These jobs come straight from the , but can save you some time in the mornings while you're looking for work.
6. Textbroker
Textbroker is a that hires writers to write articles for a multitude of .
This platform is a good site for all writers, from beginners to professionals.
As a Textbroker writer, you get access to a steady stream of work from clients in a variety of niches. You can set your own hours and work as much or as little as you want.
Pay rate on Textbroker ranges from $0.007 cents per word to $0.05 cents per word based on content quality and experience. Although this is a , you have the ability to earn around $0.05 cents per word after you proove your .
7. Contently
Contently is an site for writers that works more as a discovery network than a .
This platform is a great place to create a portfolio to house your best pieces of . Editors are able to see your Contently portfolio and can contact you to inquire about their ‘ needs.
Contently is a great portfolio tool and can help you land gigs with big brand-name .
8. ProBlogger
If you're a looking for work, the ProBlogger should be at the top of your list. This aggregates the best around and updates several times a day.
ProBlogger jobs and span a variety of industries, experience levels, and pay rates. Pay ranges from $0.01 cent per word to $0.20 cents or more, depending on the client.
9. .com
.com is an online platform for freelancers in many industries, including and blogging.
Creating a profile on .com is free. As a on this , you can bid for jobs based on the price you'd accept to complete the work.
This is a good site for beginners looking to build experience and a portfolio. Since most hire freelancers based on the lowest bid, this might not be a good long-term option.
10. MediaBistro
MediaBistro is an site for writers looking to work with media publishers. This platform is best for experienced and professional writers and journalists.
The MediaBistro features high-paying jobs for writers with media companies like Fox, NBC Universal, Penguin Random House, and much more.
If you're a professional or journalist with an established portfolio and resume, MediaBistro is where you want to be.
11. Constant
Constant is another similar to Textbroker. This hires writers to write for multiple in a variety of industries.
You can set your own hours and decide how much you work with Constant .
Pay ranges based on client and your own experience, and writers have the ability to form long-term relationships with . On their website, Constant states that their highest-earning freelancers earn an average of $90k per year.
12. Guru
Guru is an online for freelancers and writers in many different industries including sales and marketing, tech, design, business and finance, and much more.
This is similar to UpWork in that you will create a profile, browse jobs, and submit bids to that you're interested in.
Prices vary widely, and freelancers can submit a quote for the work to be performed. Guru keeps 9% of revenue billed through the platform.
13.
WritersAccess is a marketplace for writers and to come together and create great .
WriterAccess allows you to create a portfolio and uses AI to match you with clients that are the best fit for your skills.
This platform has an application process that includes a test. After your test, you'll be assigned a star rating. This star rating determines what projects you can work on and how much you can earn on the platform. Pay rates range from $0.02 cents per word all the way up to $2 per word.
14. Blogging Pro
If you're looking for great paid blogging jobs, the Blogging Pro is a great place to start.
This site is updated daily with from a variety of and publishers around the web.
Jobs on the Blogging Pro vary from contract, , part-time, and full-time.
writers of all varieties can find work on this from news columns, copywriting, editing, blog , and more.
Pay ranges widely based on type of , client, and experience.
15.
aka is one of the top with daily for writers.
This website is much more than just a , though, you can find resources, freelancing tips, and so much more on this website.
This should be at the top of your list of to check daily for the freshest . Pay rates vary depending on client, project type, and experience.
16.
If you're a journalist or professional , you don't want to miss .
This website is similar to MediaBistro in that they compile jobs for media companies like news channels, newspapers, and other media groups.
Brands include NewsWeek, PBS, Hearst Media, and many more.
This is for experienced reporters, journalists, writers, and editors.
17. Craigslist
Believer it or not, your local Craigslist is actually a pretty legit place to search for .
Many local companies in need of web post jobs on Craigslist. Search the section and also be sure to look under “gigs”.
If your local Craigslist doesn't yield any fruitful results, check out the local Craigslist for other cities.
Use your intuition and research each posting on Craigslist for validity before even reaching out. And of course never agree to any listing or client that asks you for money.
How to Write a Great Pitch for Jobs on
Landing jobs with is about so much more than just sending over your sample pieces or portfolio. You have to write a great pitch or proposal, too.
- Read the listing thoroughly. In your pitch, demonstrate that you have full understanding of the project at hand. And ask any relevant questions if you have any! Some will want a secret question or keyword included in your pitch to ensure you read the entire description, too.
- Do client research if possible. If the client's name or company is readily visible, do research on them to better understand their type and needs. Demonstrate your familiarity in your pitch by sharing your own relevant , complimenting something in their business, etc.
- Share any relevant samples, qualifications, or even hobbies. If you're submitting a pitch for a niche you are passionate about but don't have published pieces in yet, you still have a chance! Talk about your passion and real-world experience in your pitch or proposal.
- Keep it short, sweet, and spaced out. Nobody wants to read a novel of a application, and nobody wants to read a huge wall of text. Keep it as short as it can be while also providing all the relevant information. And break up your paragraphs, too.
Tips to Become a High-Paid
When you're just getting started as a , it might seem impossible to turn it into a lucrative career.
Luckily, increasing your income as a isn't hard to do and it can actually happen pretty quickly if you follow these tips.
Browse for New Work Daily
When using like the ones listed here in this article, you'll notice that most of the jobs are one-off projects.
It's not impossible to find long-term on boards, but they're not as easy to find as one-time projects.
Because of this, you need to browse for new work daily. Complete more projects, gain more experience, and make more happy client connections.
As you gain experience and build a stronger portfolio, you'll have a better chance at scoring the higher paying gigs and long-term .
Create a Stellar Portfolio
writers have a unique upper-hand when it comes to getting without any experience.
A writers portfolio is a crucial part of your toolkit, and you don't have to have any previous to create a stellar portfolio.
You should write several sample pieces in your desired niche(s) to use as proof of the quality of your work to win new .
You can house your portfolio on a platform like Contently, Medium, or LinkedIn, but creating your own blog and website is even better.
When you have a website with several published pieces, you automatically look more credible and professional to . This factor alone can enable you to charge higher rates for your work.
The best way to create a client-winning freelance writing portfolio is to start your own blog. You can publish niche-related content to position yourself as an expert, have an email newsletter, a contact form for potential clients, and more.
Learn How to Start a Blog Here
Niche Down for Higher Paying Jobs
“The riches are in the niches” rings true even for writers.
Sure, you can make a decent income online as a generalist .
But if you really want to earn the big bucks, you need to niche down.
Choosing your niche means choosing a niche or industry like tech, marketing, relationships, wellness, etc.
But, choosing a niche also includes niching down what kind of you want to be.
Do you want to focus on SEO for blogs?
Or would you rather be a copywriter? If you decide on copywriting, what kind of copy will you write? Sales page copy, email marketing copy, etc?
The more specific and niched down you become, the more you can earn. are much more likely to pay premium prices for a specialist over a generalist.
Raise Your Rates With Experience
You can't write for mills or take the lowest paying jobs on UpWork forever. At some point, every has to raise their rates. And you deserve it!
Consider your experience, your published pieces, your sample work, and your niche when determining what to charge as a .
Branch Out
are a great place to get started as a . And you can make some great connections and long-term client relationships through them, too!
As you gain experience, consider branching out into other methods of prospective client acquisition like cold pitching.
If there's a dream-brand or company that you'd love to work with but they don't have any listings, send a cold pitch!
Cold pitching can help you land high-paying and even earn you the chance to form a long-term relationship with your dream .
FAQ
How Do I Start With No Experience?
- Choose a niche or a few that you can hone down later.
- Create sample articles in your niche(s) for your portfolio and publish them on Medium, LinkedIn, or your own website.
- Sign up for any of the in this article and start sending bids and proposals for .
- Browse the and send pitches every day!
How Do Online Writers Get Paid?
Online writers are paid in different ways depending on your country, the , and what type of you work through, if any.
writers are either paid per word, per project, and sometimes hourly or per month.
If you work through a like UpWork or Guru, the platform keeps a small percentage of your earnings and pays you via the payment method you select when you sign up.
How Do I Find My Niche in ?
The easiest way to find your niche in is to start with what you already know.
Choose a niche or industry that you either have relevant experience in or a deep passion and/or knowledge.
As a beginner, it's okay to choose a few niches and hone down later once you have some experience under your belt.
There are unlimited niches from parenting, gaming, travel, to marketing and tech and much more. You're only limited by your imagination here.
Wrap Up
Working as an online can be an incredibly lucrative career choice, and it can also be a great side hustle to earn a little extra income.
The key to having success with is to choose your niche, write and publish some sample pieces in your niche, and start pitching.
As you gain experience and confidence, raise your rates and keep pitching!
As a , your work speaks for itself. So if you have great sample pieces, it's easy to get started even if you don't have any experience.
Creating your own blog is a great way to display your sample pieces and show off your expertise. Learn how to start a blog here.
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