Where to Research Writing Jobs From Home: 7 Places to Start

Finding online writing jobs can mean a flexible schedule and the convenience of working from home. As you research writing jobs, it can be tricky to find legit writing jobs that pay decent rates. 

If you’ve started to research writing jobs, you know there are a lot of options out there. Let’s go over some of the top ways to become a freelance writer.

1. Job Boards

Researching writing jobs from home involves exploring job boards, content mills, self-publishing platforms like Amazon KDP, and blogging. Freelance writers can find legitimate remote opportunities through sites like ProBlogger, Upwork, and LinkedIn. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay for writers and authors was $73,690 in 2023, with remote work increasingly common.

There are a lot of job boards asking for content writers or remote writers based in the United States. Check out job postings to find the ones that offer the right fit.

It can sometimes be tricky to wade through the jobs that aren’t real offers. So always research the company to make sure it is legit before applying to a job.

2. Content Mills

There are a lot of sites that will pay you pennies per word to crank out content for brands that need a ghostwriter. Some aren’t looking for very high quality, so you can make a lot of money if you are a fast writer. Other sites expect top-quality writing with research — typically paying more per word to make up for your analytical skills and the time spent researching.

Many of the ghostwriting content sites will encourage you to build up regular clients. It can take time to build up a group of regulars who keep ordering content. Assignments range from conversational marketing to technical writer requirements or proofreading.

Some content mills will offer academic writing jobs as a research assistant if you enjoy technical writing. It may be hard to differentiate between these legit research writing jobs and the ones that are selling research papers and supplying academic papers to students. In most parts of the writing industry, this kind of research associate job is considered unethical and is frowned upon.

3. Self-publishing

If you like creative writing and feel like you have a great idea, you can self-publish a book. As an independent author, you have creative control over your writing and business decisions.

It might pay to have an editor proofread your work. People won’t take you seriously if you have typos and confusing sections in your book.

Platforms, such as Amazon, allow you to sell your book digitally or in hard copy. You can earn a much larger percentage of the royalties in many cases. You will have to build up your own following and self-promote your books since you won’t have a publishing house doing that on your behalf.

4. Start A Blog

If you want to start building your own content but aren’t ready to self-publish, a blog can be a great in-between option. Your blog can serve as a kind of gateway to bring in clients who want you to write for them. You can also get sponsored posts from certain companies if you build up a following and are willing to feature their products in a post.

Plus, once you build up your own content, it’s even easier to go from your blog to writing your own book. You may already have a social media and blog following in place, and you have content that can be slightly repurposed to create the book.

It will look more professional if your blog is connected to a personalized domain with hosting. Free blogs aren’t going to give you the same freedom and clout as creating your own website does. You can use WordPress.org, choose a hosting company, purchase a theme, and claim a domain name to build up a professional website with a blog.

5. Cold Pitching

You may directly pitch companies that look like they need to revamp their writing or are clearly behind in their content creation. Sometimes, pitching a company will result in a nibble or job, though you may have more work involved in the process of cold pitching. You will likely be ignored a lot as spam.

It helps to have your own website to point to with examples of your writing skills. You might also spend a lot of time in billing, waiting on clients to respond and pay in full.

7. Pitch Publications

There are a lot of magazines and content sites out there that will pay for approved articles. Some want the article written in full before making a decision, but many will allow you to pitch an idea.

You may be required to submit anywhere from a few hundred words to thousands of words per article. Pay ranges dramatically among publications, with some paying $75 for an article and others paying over $1,000. You might be paid based on how many visitors the post gets.

In most cases, you won’t get paid if your work doesn’t meet specific standards.

The Final Word on How to Research Writing Jobs

You might be looking for full-time writing work at home, or maybe you would just like to find supplemental part-time income. The normal process for a freelance writer goes something like this:

• You pitch a job to a potential client.
• The client may provide details on the job.
• You agree on a price, topic and job scope.
• You’re given a deadline.
• You write! And proofread a bunch of times.
• You submit the work and ask for feedback.
• You might have a revision request to make changes.
• The job is accepted. (You may need to send an invoice.)
• You are paid!

And, just like that, you are a freelance writer!

FAQs on How to Research Writing Jobs

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best job boards for finding legitimate work-from-home writing jobs?

Popular job boards for remote writing work include ProBlogger Job Board, LinkedIn, Indeed, and FlexJobs, which vet listings for legitimacy. Always research the hiring company independently before applying. Look for postings that list a clear pay rate, company name, and defined scope of work as signs of a legitimate offer.

What is a content mill and how much do they typically pay writers?

A content mill is a platform that connects writers with businesses needing high-volume written content, often paying low per-word rates ranging from $0.01 to $0.10 per word. Some higher-tier content mills like Scripted or ClearVoice pay more for quality writing. They can be a starting point for new freelancers but are generally not a long-term income strategy due to low pay.

How can a freelance writer self-publish and earn money from home?

Freelance writers can self-publish books through platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), which offers royalties of up to 70% on qualifying ebook sales. Authors retain creative control and set their own pricing. Success typically requires strong editing, a professional cover, and active self-promotion through social media or an author website.

Is starting a blog a viable way to earn writing income from home?

Yes, a blog can generate income through sponsored posts, affiliate marketing, display advertising, and attracting freelance writing clients. Bloggers with consistent traffic can earn anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars monthly depending on niche and audience size. Building a readership typically takes six to twelve months of consistent publishing.

Are academic writing jobs from content mills legitimate and ethical?

Some content mills advertise academic writing roles, but many involve writing essays or research papers sold to students for submission as their own work, which is widely considered academic fraud and unethical. Legitimate academic writing jobs include creating study guides, educational materials, or instructional content for publishers. Writers should carefully vet any platform offering academic writing work before accepting assignments.