19 Best Freelance Writing Sites: Earn More This Year

In a rush? Writers Work is one of the best freelance writing sites. This article round-ups some of the best freelance writing sites for finding paid work fast

Freelance writing is an unpredictable profession. It’s hard to break into the industry when starting out, as many clients require writers with experience and testimonials. But how can you get either if you’re new to a niche?

Even after becoming a freelance writer, figuring out how you will earn each month is hard. Even if you earn $10000 this month, there’s no guarantee you’ll make the same amount next month. Often freelance writers spend weeks working with a client only to find they’ve no work lined up after that contract ends. It’s a real writing challenge. This can cause a lot of anxiety and sleepless nights.

But luckily, countless websites are offering thousands of freelancing gigs, and all you have to do is pitch them. Some of these sites are free, while others require paying a small monthly subscription. Obviously, the free sites take more time to use.

Whatever your budget, these sites can help when you need extra money, or you’re trying to meet a monthly income goal. So, what are the best freelance writing sites to pitch if you’re a new freelance writer and need quick cash? And which sites should you use if you’re looking to build ongoing writing opportunities? Let’s find out!

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Where Do Beginners Get Writing Jobs?

12 of the best freelance writing sites earn more this year

New writers land gigs through their personal or professional network or by using entry-level freelance writing websites like Fiverr or UpWork. Starting on these sites can help beginners land experience, and get paid to write and launch their careers.

The big benefit of freelance writing sites is that you can pitch thousands of jobs. No need to gather email addresses of potential clients and cold email them or create a content marketing strategy to bring in leads.

Although both these strategies are essential for making a living as a freelance writer, they are time-consuming, and sometimes you need money immediately. And that’s where freelance writing sites can make your search much easier.

Some might criticize freelance writing sites as a place where employers look to get the cheapest possible deal. While this can be true, some writing gems are on these sites, especially when you specialize in a specific field like computers, marketing, and personal finance.

1. Writers Work

Writers Work job search
To use it, you’ll need to pay a monthly or annual fee

Writers Work is a jobs board and also a site full of resources and tools for freelancers. Writers Work aggregates writing gigs from across the web in one place and surfaces them on a single dashboard so you can apply for suitable opportunities and manage submissions.

We found freelance writing gigs in areas like copywriting, ghostwriting, content writing, journalism and more. You’ll need to pay a monthly or annual fee to use it. It’s a good time-saver for new freelance writers and the fee is nominal. However, you can always cancel once you’ve found enough relevant job opportunities.

2. Blogging Pro

Blogging Pro
If you’re new in the freelance writing industry, Blogging Pro is super helpful

Unlike other freelance writing sites on this list, Blogging Pro is a job board with more than just content writing jobs on offer. People are looking for;

  • Journalism
  • Editing
  • Copywriting
  • And magazine writing.

This makes it a great option if you’re looking to expand from content writing into another field. Niches that are popular on the Blogging Pro job board include;

  • Social media content writing
  • Stock market writing
  • Poker news writing
  • And celeb writing.

And if you’re a busy freelance writer with many clients, this job site is perfect since they’ll let you know 24 to 48 hours after you’ve applied if you’re approved. They also have a blog where they help freelance writers with everything from getting more clients, writing articles, and asking for referrals from existing clients. So if you’re new in the freelance writing industry, Blogging Pro is super helpful.

Pros
  • Interesting writing gigs
  • Free
  • Ads indicate rate-per-word
Cons
  • Focuses on the lower end of the market

3. Freelance Writing Job Board

Freelance Writing job board
It contains jobs that are on other listing sites like Indeed and LinkedIn

This freelance writing website is one of the older on this list. It’s been in existence since 1997! What I love about the Freelance Writing job board is that it has advanced search and navigation options that make it easy to look for jobs in your niche. After a cursory search, we found jobs for copywriters, movie and TV freelancers and e-commerce writers.

This job board is different from others because it contains jobs on other listing sites like Indeed and LinkedIn. However, if you don’t feel like going to other sites to apply for jobs, you can choose to filter out listings that aren’t on Freelance Writing.

Pros
  • Ideal for freelancers
  • Great search
  • Established
  • Contains resources for freelancers
Cons
  • US-focused (may not be a con for US-based users)

4. Contently

Contently
Contently isn’t a website for beginner freelancers since they’re looking for an in-depth writing portfolio

Contently isn’t your typical freelance writing site since they actively help writers join with big-name international companies like Coca-Cola, GM, Walmart, and Google. It is great since you’re earning more by working with these big brands, and you get to put their name on your portfolio website, which can bring in more clients in the future.

The con about Contently is that you can’t pitch your writing services directly to these companies. Contently has talent scouts that look through writer’s portfolios and see which writer fits best with which brand. Once Contently has selected you, you negotiate a rate and they’ll forward you everything you need to get started.

But Contently isn’t a website for beginner freelancers since they’re looking for an in-depth writing portfolio. But once you’ve got a few gigs under your belt, feel free to give Contently a try.

Pros
  • Features high-paying clients
  • Specialist content writing gigs available
Cons
  • Not for beginners
  • Free to use

5. iWriter

IWriter
They have an extra feature that allows clients to tip you if you’ve delivered great work

iWriter is a convenient way for writers of all experience levels to earn some extra cash. All you need to do is create content that clients love and deliver it on or before the agreed-upon deadline.

Unlike other sites, clients on iWriter are specific with what they want since they are required to specify details like keywords, layout, and special requests. This makes it difficult to deliver content that’s not up to scratch since it feels like you’re just filling in blanks.

They also have an extra feature that allows clients to tip you if you’ve delivered great work. And you can receive this money along with your usual rate via PayPal. You choose how often you feel like getting paid, for example, once a week or twice a week.

If you use iWriter, you’ll need to level up from standard to premium, elite and elite plus to access higher-paying gigs. This requires landing good average ratings from your clients and frequently writing for the service.

Pros
  • Easy to join
  • Pay relatively good for new writers
  • Many niches on offer
Cons
  • Mixed reviews for users
  • Not all jobs open to application
  • Not suitable for once-off gigs

6. Contena

Contena
Advanced writers who’re looking to get higher quality clients and simplify their writing process

Contena is a freelance writing site that compresses the best gigs from all around the web. This can save you a lot of time if you don’t have much time to look for quality gigs and pitch them.

Contena also has an academy where they teach you how to get more writing clients, write better pitches, get more referrals, and manage your clients better. This isn’t only great for beginners but advanced writers who’re looking to get higher quality clients and simplify their writing process. 

The only con to Contena is that it’s quite expensive. It’s one of the few paid job boards on this list, costing $497 for a one-year membership and $997 for a two-year membership. This can easily throw the other pros out the window since you can get the same benefits at no cost with other job boards.

Pros
  • Good writing opportunities
  • Reduces time spent applying for writing jobs
Cons
  • Mixed user reviews
  • Expensive
  • US-focused

7. ProBlogger Job Board

Problogger Job Board
ProBlogger is easy and simple

ProBlogger is a website that offers a writing job board that hosts remote gigs which freelancers can pitch. I feel like the freelance writing work posted on this site is of far better quality than other job boards since employers must pay $75 to post a job. The drawback to this is that there isn’t so much volume on ProBlogger. And if you write in a niche like gaming, you’ll have to wait a few days before a job pops up.

But what I love about ProBlogger is that the job site is easy and simple. The website never lags, and the process of pitching for a writing job is straightforward. You must register as a candidate before creating a resume and applying for a gig.

Darren Rowse, the founder of ProBlogger, also runs a blog and email newsletter that provides helpful and in-depth tips, tricks, and tutorials on increasing blog traffic, writing higher-quality posts, and making money writing about what you love. 

Pros
  • Lots of gigs with small companies
  • Ease to use
Cons
  • Job quality can vary
  • Less popular with brands

8. People Per Hour

People Per Hour
Writing gigs are quite popular on People Per Hour

People Per Hour is a micro gig economy website offering thousands of jobs to freelancers. Writing gigs are popular on People Per Hour since most businesses need to communicate their value to their audience. Interestingly, one of the few websites here featured job ads for writers who can translate content. It also includes other exceptional opportunities like research writing gigs and proofreading.

If you have other skills like graphic design, video editing, or voiceovers, businesses are also looking for those services. Over 7 million businesses, to be exact.

And the process of getting jobs on this site couldn’t be more straightforward. Simply go to their website and sign up for an account as a freelancer. Next, search for the type of job you want, for example, “freelance writing” and pitch your services to whatever business needs your writing.

Pros
  • Lots of smaller writing gigs
  • Good for beginners
Cons
  • Not specifically focused on writing
  • Low rates

9. Upwork

Upwork
With Upwork, all you have to worry about is landing clients

Upwork is a helpful site for freelance writers who’re just starting and would like to get their feet wet. There are many things to consider, like designing a freelance website and promoting your services. But with Upwork, all you have to worry about is landing clients.

Upwork’s commissions start at 20% until you’ve earned $500, and it goes down to 10%. Once you’ve earned over $10000 with the platform, you only pay a 5% commission. It also has an advance payment protection fee, so if you’ve completed a project and a client refuses to pay, Upwork will transfer the amount to your account.

UpWork is a good choice for writers looking for new clients or testimonials. But I suggest you only stay on Upwork for as long as you need to since your freelance career can stagnate, and you have to pay a cut to UpWork. Once you start making money, invest in inbound leads since you don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket. At Become a Writer Today, we’ve regularly sourced freelance writers on this site, as have many entrepreneurs running content publishing businesses.

Pros
  • Ideal for entry-level and mid-level gigs
  • Ideal for freelancers without a website or profile
Cons
  • UpWork takes a cut of your fees
  • Locks you into the platform

10. Fiverr

Fiverr
The biggest benefit of Fiverr is the volume of work that’s available on their platform

Fiverr is a global online marketplace where buyers and sellers of various services come together and trade. Services that you’ll find on Fiverr include;

  • Content writing
  • Video editing
  • Proofreading
  • Voiceovers
  • Copywriting

Obviously, this is all low-paying work. The biggest benefit of Fiverr is the volume of work available on their platform. Almost every company uses Fiverr to outsource tasks, including freelance writing jobs. Simply sign up for an account and create a gig. Once a client finds your work compelling, they’ll hire you, and you’re good to go.

But just like with Upwork, I suggest not staying on Fiverr for long. It’s a good choice for beginners looking for experience and testimonials. When you’re done, transition to high-paying methods of attracting clients like inbound marketing.

Pros
  • Ideal for entry-level gigs
  • Lots of work
Cons
  • Less suitable for established freelancers
  • Low pay

11. Guru

Guru
Guru requires employees to fund their projects before they start

Guru is another micro-gig economy site like Upwork and Fiverr with its own set of unique strengths and weaknesses.  Setting up your profile is easy, head over to its website and sign up for a free account. From there you can find countless writing projects available for you to bid on. 

You can also get paid per milestone, hour, or task. Unlike other micro-gig economy websites, Guru requires employees to fund their projects before they start. And their methods of payment include:

  • Direct transfer for US banks
  • Wire Transfer for banks outside the US
  • PayPal
  • Payoneer
  • Mastercard

When starting, I suggest using Guru alongside similar websites like Fiverr and Upwork since it’ll give you access to the highest number of jobs possible.

Pros
  • Ideal for entry-level gigs
  • Free to use and or low fees
Cons
  • Less suitable for established freelancers
  • Fewer jobs than other listings

12. Craigslist

Craigslist
Craigslist is a good choice for new US-based freelance writers

Craigslist is one of the biggest userbases in the world, with over ten million users. But when you think of Craigslist, you probably think of scams and other shady dealings.

And although the user experience leaves much to be desired, there are some writing gems if you’re prepared to look. Unfortunately, depending on your location, this may take a lot of time and effort.

If you live in a big city, finding clients on Craigslist is easier. Typically, these are US-focused and have a low bar regarding a writer’s experience level. Keep an eye out for scams and don’t give out personal information or click on unsolicited links. Still, it’s free.

Pros
  • Free
  • Ideal for entry-level gigs
Cons
  • Lousy user interface
  • Scams

13. FlexJobs

Flexjobs
Signing up for FlexJobs only takes a few minutes

The FlexJobs freelance platform is geared toward people looking to work from home, like freelancers and part-time workers.

Signing up for FlexJobs only takes a few minutes, and they have over 60 categories and subcategories for every type of job like content writing, editing, copywriting, and more. You’ll need to pay a monthly subscription though.

FlexJobs also has tests freelancers can take; if you pass, they’ll display that to potential employers looking for a freelancer. This makes it easy to stand out amongst your peers. Like many sites here, you can set up job alerts, so you don’t miss an opportunity while offline or working on another project. It’s a good choice for new and more experienced freelance writers. To learn more, read our Flexjobs review.

Pros
  • Wide variety of gigs
  • Ideal for home workers
Cons
  • Not free
  • Emphasis on US jobs only

14. LinkedIn

LinkedIn
When tailoring your freelance writing profile on LinkedIn, include skills that B2B companies look for, like search engine optimization (SEO)

LinkedIn contains opportunities for freelance writers comfortable with applications and pitching.

Chances are you already use LinkedIn for building out your professional network. But it’s also an excellent choice for freelance writers working in the business-to-business (B2B) space. That’s because many companies are looking for full-time and part-time writers to produce content for their sites and advertise job listings directly here.

Don’t always expect job ads to feature the word “freelance writer” or “freelance writing gig”. Instead, a good LinkedIn ad for content writers typically uses job titles like:”

  • Content writer
  • Content manager
  • Content strategist
  • Content marketer

All of these new jobs involve various forms of writing, albeit in a business context. The terms are often negotiable too. So apply, and you may land yourself a lucrative ongoing gig. Alternatively, you could contact people in your professional network and pitch your services.

When tailoring your freelance writing profile on LinkedIn, include skills that B2B companies look for, like search engine optimization (SEO). For more, read our guide to social media marketing for beginners.

Pros
  • Ideal for freelancers in B2B
  • Easy to apply
  • Great for outreach
Cons
  • Less suitable for once-off gigs
  • LinkedIn InMail not free

15. MediaBistro

MediaBistro
Finding freelance writing gigs on this site involves paying a monthly subscription

If you want to work as a freelancer for media companies, check out MediaBistro. MediaBistro focuses on job opportunities with well-known digital media brands like the Daily Mail, NBC Universal, Bloomberg, CNN and others. Considering its focus on media companies, it’s also a good place for landing journalism jobs.

That said, finding freelance writing gigs on this site involves paying a monthly subscription. Membership unlocks valuable tools for freelancers like resources for pitching editors and discounts for industry events and resources. You can always cancel once you’ve landed enough clients to pay the bills.

Pros
  • Interesting jobs with media companies
  • Good for aspiring journalists and PR professionals
Cons
  • Limited amount of jobs (perhaps due to its focus)
  • Jobs board only, no other resources for freelancers

16. Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com
It’s a good choice for more experienced freelancers

Freelancer.com is a similar jobs board to UpWork, built for freelancers. On Freelancer, you can create a profile, apply for a job and then place a bid. Employers can accept then review your work and accept a bid.

Here, employers also post a project, invite multiple freelancers to apply, and hire the best one. As a freelance writer, expect to pay a fee on hours and projects: currently 10%.

Like UpWork, it includes a mobile app and live chat for users. It’s a good choice for more experienced freelancers. This site offers freelance writing gigs in these areas:

  • Copywriting
  • Ghostwriting
  • Article writing

We’d also recommend checking out the other categories including SEO and digital marketing as these often relate to the work of a good freelance writer.

Pros
  • Wide variety of work
  • Many high-profile clients
Cons
  • Freelancer takes a cut of your fees
  • Only 8 free bids allowed per month

17. Writer Access

Writer Access
You’ll need to apply, provide a high-quality writing sample and demonstrate some competence before being accepted

Writer Access is an established writing platform with 40,000 clients and thousands of freelance writers. Founded in 2000, Writer Access is a premier content creation platform used by large companies, agencies and small business owners. Tens of thousands of experienced writers work for this platform across a variety of niches and with varying levels of expertise.

Rates range from three-four cents per word to more than ten cents, depending on the topic and expertise required. It’s a great place to find long-term clients you want to work with as many place repeat orders. You’ll need to apply, provide a high-quality writing sample, and demonstrate competence before being accepted. Writer Access also takes a cut of your freelance writing fees.

Pros
  • Covers a wide variety of niches
  • Lots of paying work
Cons
  • Rate vary widely
  • Writers must apply

18. Glassdoor

Glassdoor
Glassdoor is a popular search engine for job hunters

If you’re looking to land a freelance or part-time writing big with a company or well-known brand, it’s a good idea to research them on Glassdoor. You can search and filter by job type and industry.

This website features hundreds of reviews and testimonials from current and past employees with well-known companies. That way, you can gauge what the work culture is like and if they’re a suitable fit for your skills.

It also provides information about how much companies pay across various teams, departments and experience levels. This type of information is a gold mine for setting freelance writing rates.

Glassdoor also often provides links to suitable writing gigs on sites, so it can save you time applying for jobs. To use it, you’ll need to create a profile via your email or Facebook profile. Then you must post an anonymous review of a well-known employer you worked for.

Pros
  • Ideal for client research
  • Provides salary/pay rates
  • Tailored towards well-known brands
Cons
  • You must write a review to use it
  • Less suitable for smaller gigs

19. Indeed.com

Indeed.com
I also like this site as it provides a pay range for jobs, so it saves time figuring out what to apply for

As freelancer sites go, Indeed is a popular search engine for jobs that often features writing gigs. It’s also good if you’re tired of using UpWork or LinkedIn for finding work. Small businesses, content publishers, and even media companies increasingly advertise writing gigs here too. The jobs advertised on Indeed often appear on the other premium websites featured here.

Bear in mind that many of these jobs are full-time rather than freelance but apply anyway and see if you negotiate terms for yourself.

You can search by job type and industry. As noted previously, search for terms like “content writer,” “SEO writer”, “content manager”, “content marketer”, and so on. That way, you can cast a wider net of jobs to apply for.

I also like this site as it provides a pay range for jobs, saving time figuring out what to apply for. Even if you’re not doing to apply here, you can. Use this site to set your rates for an industry or niche.

Pros
  • Provides salary/pay rates
  • Lots of writing opportunities
  • Free
Cons
  • Stiff competition
  • Requires some work to use

Final Word On Best Freelance Writing Sites

Freelancing is an unpredictable profession since you never know how much you’re going to earn in any given month. But by pitching on freelance writing sites regularly, you’ll bring in more clients, build lasting writing opportunities and earn a more predictable income.

FAQs About The Best Freelance Writing Sites

What Is The Best Way Of Pitching A Freelance Writing Gig?

The best way to stand out is to attach a link to an article similar to what your client wants. This gives them peace of mind knowing you’re familiar with the industry and know how to write a compelling article.

How Much Should I Charge For A Freelance Job When Starting Out?

New freelancer writers typically charge three to four cents per word. You shouldn’t care about making money on your first freelance job. You have no experience, and your client has little reason to hire you, so the only thing you should care about is getting better. Once you’ve become an above-average writer, you can focus on charging more for your work.

How do I start my own freelance writing website?

To start your freelance writing website, create a WordPress site around your niche or personal brand. Populate it with testimonials from happy clients and employers. Post examples of your work and case studies if you have permission. Create a page detailing what niche you work in and your pricing or services. Finally, promote your website on social media, via email and after pitching a client.

Resources

Where to find easy part-time jobs

Where to find writing jobs

The best side hustle ideas for creatives

Top freelance job ideas

Author

  • Bryan Collins is the owner of Become a Writer Today. He's an author from Ireland who helps writers build authority and earn a living from their creative work. He's also a former Forbes columnist and his work has appeared in publications like Lifehacker and Fast Company.

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