Getting paid to write may sound easy, but the reality is a little more complicated.
However, publishing those first few pieces is typically the hardest part of your writing journey.
To help, weve compiled several places where you’re able to get paid to write now.
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Sometimes the companies will feed freelance gigs to you, and you might accept or decline them.
Other times clients will reach out to you personally through the marketplaces messaging system.
Upwork
Upworkis a massive online freelance marketplace.
It caters to all kinds of industries, including and especially writing services.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Fiverr
Started in 2010,Fiverris a freelance-service marketplace that has grown to become almost synonymous with freelancing.
you might offer almost any professional service imaginable on the site, but freelance writing services are especially popular.
You need tocreate a freelancer profileto start bidding on and accepting freelance gigs.
And contrary to its name, you are allowed to charge whatever amount you want not just $5.
However, Fiverr takes 20% of the cut.
For example, the lowest tier of assignment is 150 words and would earn you 91 cents.
Becoming an elite plus writer (4.85 rating or higher) will drastically increase your earnings.
Completea writer applicationto get started.
nDash does not take a cut of pay like other marketplaces.
It charges its clients instead.
(Well cover pitching and negotiating further below.)
Ready to make money writing online?
Here are 20 sites to try pitching:
5.
Readers Digest
Readers Digestneeds no introduction.
If your submission is selected, youll get $100 a pop.
(Thats among the highest per-word rates in the industry.)
Be sure to follow the appropriate guidelines forjokesand100-word true stories.
Copyhackers
Copyhackersis a content company based in Canada.
Itssubmission guidelinesare clear: You should be well versed in the topic that youre pitching.
Listverse
As its name implies,Listversespecializes in listicles aka list posts.
Your articles should roughly pertain to those areas.
Note: Listverse will only pay freelance writers via PayPal.
All sections of the website are open to submissions.
Just be sure that your story is longform, gripping and has strong narrative elements.
For an in-depth breakdown of the different sections and story types, readNarrativelys submission guidelines.
Youll need a Submittable account to send in your draft.
Unemploymentville accepts submissions every other month.
you could only submit stories in January, March, May, July, September, and November.
RankPay
RankPayspecializes in providing business solutions with services like PPC, content marketing, and website design.
Pay:$50 per blog post
Categories/Topics:SEO, content marketing, small business
12.
B. Michelle Pippin
Michelle Pippinis the founder and CEO of Women Who WOW, an organization of women entrepreneurs.
Pippin requireshires writers with actual first-hand business experience, particularly on topics relating to women entrepreneurs.
Not all creative writing publishers pay.
In fact, its common to see submission fees, meaningyouare payingthemto review your work.
In those cases, publication isnt guaranteed.
You want to avoid those scenarios entirely when youre just getting started.
Blue Mountain Arts
If your poetry has a more lyrical, feel-good vibe, consider writing for greeting cards.
(Literary journals are notoriously snobbish toward this key in of writing.)
Blue Mountain Arts, a greeting card and gift company,accepts season poetry submissionsonline and by mail.
First place receives $350.
Second place receives $200.
And third place receives $100.
Winning poems are published in greeting cards and online.
Outside of the poetry contest, you may also submit seasonal poemsthat follow these guidelines.
Reference theappropriate submission guidelinesbefore sending in your work.
Pay:$100 to $200 per poem
Categories/Topics:Poetry
15.
Poetry Nook
Poetry Nookis a website and forum for poets and poetry lovers.
Its operated by the literary magazine Plum White Press.
Each week, Poetry Nook holds afree-entry poetry contest(for 350 weeks and counting).
Multiple winners and honorable mentions may be chosen.
Winners receive a $20 payment via PayPal, and honorable mentions receive $10.
Poetry Nooks competition is a great way for budding poets to get paid to write.
Ensure youre entering the correct contest, as the link changes each week.
you’ve got the option to find the latest contest on Poetry Nooks homepage.
They might not be as clear cut as the options above, but theyre nonetheless important.
Pitch to Your Favorite Publications
Pitching unsolicited article ideas is a tricky and vague process.
But pitching is a crucial skill for freelance writers, especially freelance journalists and content writers.
Here are some key takeaways:
Even if the editor likes your idea, the work doesnt stop there.
You then need to be ready to negotiate your pay another vague and informal process.
Our guide will help you figure exactly outhow much to charge for your freelance work.
The truth is, blogging is tough to monetize.
Its certainly not a quick way to get paid to write, but its not obsolete either.
It will take sustained effort to become a successful blogger.
Luckily, we have a plethora of resources to help you.
First, youll need tolearn how to start a blog, if you havent already.
And dont fret if it doesnt take off.
Launch a Career as a Writer
The freelance writing business isnt for everyone.
There are a lot of unpaid hours and late nights involved in getting things set up.
(And thats not mentioning additional tax burdens and lack of benefits.)
What writing jobs are out there?
Plenty and aside from the obvious journalist and author jobs, too.
Everywhere you look, there are words.
Words on book covers.
Words in your vehicles manual that teach you what that dang squiggly exclamation point symbol on your dashboard means.
Words that entice you to buy stuff.
You get the idea.
Their titles include copywriter, UX writer, product writer, technical writer, content marketing writer and more.
Even more good news: These types of jobs were already remote friendly before the pandemic.
In fact, writing jobs are among the most commonly listed openings inThe Penny Hoarders Work-From-Home Jobs Portal.
The options are endless.
Plenty of people and publications will pay you to write articles, blog posts and more.
If youre freelancing, it all depends on how you find your client.
Many companies hire writers as employees.
The easiest places to submit writing for money are publications that have clearly stated submission guidelines.
We cover several such places to submit your writing in this article.
But theyre not always the fastest and most lucrative options.
Finding freelance writing gigs is much easier if you diversify your sources.
(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)
You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…
