writing jobs for beginners

Online Writing Jobs for Beginners: The Ultimate Guide

Of all the things readers ask me to help them with, online writing jobs for beginners is at the top of the list.

Over the years, we’ve built up a huge library of articles about freelance writing. The one you’re reading now is intended to be the very best guide you can find, with lots of honesty, practical advice, and insider tips.

We also cover THE most important thing: where to FIND online writing jobs for beginners .

Why Should You Listen To Me?

Why do you want to be a freelance writer, good reasons to become a writer, bad reasons to become a writer, what do you need to be a freelance writer, skills and traits, software and equipment, do you need a blog to be a writer, how do you get writing jobs with no experience, 1. get reading, 2. brush up on the technical side of writing, 3. consider signing up to a content mill, 4. establish your portfolio, 5. get set up on upwork (or another freelance job board), 6. pitch for (and win) your first few gigs, 7. move towards a speciality, 8. branch out, 9. refine, rinse and repeat, blog article writing, reviews and roundups, press releases, speech writing, business writing, fiction writing, ebook writing, freelancer.com, peopleperhour, other freelance job boards, problogger jobs, freelancewritingjobs, bloggingpro, mediabistro, where to learn more.

In case this is your first visit to HomeWorkingClub and you don’t know me, I’m going to start with the most important question of all:

I’ve been making money from freelance writing for over ten years. I run this site and several others, and I’ve been quoted on many sites including HuffPost, Business Insider and USA Today. I’ve written for well-known sites and publications including A Place in the Sun, The Freelancers Union and Rightmove.

But I’ve also been exactly where you are right now : sitting at a computer feeling overwhelmed, and wondering how on earth to get started with freelance writing.

It’s been a long and challenging journey. I’ve turned out soul-destroying bulk content for content mills, and paid my dues with plenty of low-paid gigs. But I’ve also had those true “living the dream” moments, being paid for things like reviewing restaurants, and earning great rates for writing about subjects I’m genuinely passionate about.

I want to help you do the same, and have no agenda in doing so. All the information here is free – and, in fact, I’m even offering a FREE email course for those of you who want to delve in a little further. More on that shortly.

This is a BIG article.

That’s why there’s a clickable index above – as I realise some readers may wish to zoom forward to specific information.

Here are some of the things you will know about once you’ve read all 7000 words of this guide:

• The questions you should ask yourself before you start out as a freelance writer.
• What skills and attributes you need to make it as a freelance writer.
• What equipment and software you need for freelance writing.
• What steps you should take, and in what order.
• What types of writing jobs are out there.
• How to pitch for your first freelance writing writing gigs.
• Where to actually find writing gigs.
• How to get writing jobs with no experience.
• Whether or not you should start a blog .
• Where to look for better paying gigs once you have some experience.
• How to make a full-time living as a freelance writer.

There’s a lot to cover, but you have so much to gain by working through it all. So grab a drink, make yourself comfortable, and settle in! If you have any questions at all about freelance writing jobs for beginners, feel free to contact me personally.

A REALLY Important Question Before We Start

As I said at the start, despite running a site that talks about hundreds of different online jobs , more people ask me about online writing jobs than anything else.

The popularity of freelance writing has led me to ponder why everybody seems to want to be a writer. I even dedicated a podcast to the subject. I’d suggest having a listen if you’re wondering about writing as a career.

I’d encourage you to do a bit of soul-searching and ask why YOU want to be a writer. And to help you explore the subject, here are some good and bad reasons:

• Freelance writing is something you’ve always wanted to do.
• It’s something lots of people have told you you’d be great at.
• You have knowledge about a particular subject that you’re keen to share with the world.
• You have particular skills that you know are in demand in the writing world (i.e. PR, technical documentation, writing for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)).
• You’re retired or seeking a second source of income.
• You love words and language and would genuinely enjoy the work.
• You want to work from home and think that writing is the only way to do it. (It’s REALLY not).
• You think it’s easy work.
• You’ve heard or read that blogging is a way to get rich.
• An advert or article online has convinced you that you can get high-paid writing job with no experience.
• You can’t be bothered to hunt for a more suitable remote or freelance job.

Some of these do – I know – come across as a bit harsh. But I can’t emphasise enough that you MUST consider your motivations.

Embarking on a freelance writer career requires grit, persistence, and a willingness to work hard. If you’re doing it for the wrong reasons you won’t stick it out and you won’t succeed.

On the other hand, if you’re coming at this from the right place I have good news for you: There IS a ton of freelance writing work out there. With time, you can make a living writing – perhaps even about the subjects you really care about. I’m living proof of that.

This next section splits into two parts:

First we cover writing skills, attributes and knowledge. Then we look at the more practical things you need to get into freelance writing as a beginner.

Writing isn’t for everyone. In many ways it’s a lot more technical (and sometimes more boring!) than people expect.

Here are the qualities you need to make it in freelance writing:

Great Spelling, Grammar and Vocabulary Knowledge

Do you read a lot, and always notice the grammar errors? Do you know how to lay things out clearly, and make your writing both accurate and engaging?

I receive many emails from people asking me for writing work. Depressingly often, they are poorly formatted and littered with spelling and grammar errors.

There’s a lot of online writing work out there, but not so much that clients have to use poor writers.

Writing is a craft as well as a job. You learn more of that craft with every single thing you write, whether it’s a paid article for a client or a post on your personal blog.

If you often read content and think “I could do better than that,” then that’s a good sign (so long as you’re not delusional!) And if you don’t read a LOT of content, I’d once again urge you to look within yourself to ask why you want to be a writer if you’re not an avid reader.

Specialist Knowledge

This isn’t an absolute must, but it gives you a HUGE edge.

What do you know about? What do you know more about that the average person?

If you have a quick answer to that question, that’s a good thing.

It can be literally anything. Between 2009 and 2014 I lived as an expat in Portugal, and wrote a huge amount of content about both expat life and Portugal itself. I’m also a Microsoft and Apple certified techie, so have had many writing gigs around computers and cybersecurity.

Maybe you know about pets, haircare, low-carb cooking, fitness, science fiction, book-keeping.

You get the idea.

While specialist knowledge isn’t essential, it really does help. I hire writers myself, and always look for people with specific knowledge of a particular subject area. Most clients do that too. Sometimes it can be subject-matter experience that wins you a gig, rather than your writing experience.

Strong Research Skills

A lot of online freelance writing involves heavy research. If you’re a seasoned browser tab juggler, that’s a good thing.

Obviously much depends on what you’re writing about, but lots of research is part and parcel of freelance writing. It’s not about sitting in front of a burning fire letting the words flow. Far more often you’ll be trying to find a statistic to support what you’re saying!

A Willingness to “Put Yourself Out There”

We will be talking about places you can find generic (and usually low paid) content writing work later in this article. But generally speaking, if you want good writing gigs, you will need to send out pitches, chat with clients, and market your services .

The “sales part” of freelance writing is something many aspiring writers don’t think about. Furthermore, fear of doing it is what causes many to fall at the first hurdle.

The actual writing is only half the job. You also need to be finding those initial trial gigs, impressing the clients, and working to turn them into regular jobs. Many people sell writing courses that brush over this reality – but a reality it is.

Attention to Detail

We’ve already talked about spelling and grammar, but attention to detail goes way beyond that. It’s about sending in your work on time, in the requested format, and with all the images and supplementary bits and bobs most clients need.

It’s about being your own editor and delighting clients with work that they can just use – without having to send it back lots of time for amendments.

It’s about taking in every little detail of a client’s instructions, internalising guidelines and style instructions so that the people paying you get exactly what they want.

I’m not saying that writers without attention to detail don’t get clients. They often do. But it’s the ones with the attention to detail that keep clients.

Determination and Tenacity

Becoming a freelance writer is NOT an easy career path.

The idea of a struggling writer is a little overblown and romanticised. Plenty of people doing online freelance writing make a VERY good and consistent living. However, it is a life where work tends to come in fits and starts, with lots of periods of uncertainty and anxiety – especially in the early days.

When you first start out, you will bid for loads of gigs that you never hear back from; You’ll end up with clients who want the earth for very little money, and you’ll endure lots of imposter syndrome until you gradually build up your confidence.

Are you prepared to go through all of that?

The next section is rather less intimidating, but no less important.

To get work as a freelance writer, you will need the following:

A GOOD Computer

As a writer, your computer (usually a laptop, these days) is the main tool of your trade. (We have an article on the best laptops for freelancers here ).

I say a “good” computer, because you shouldn’t be trying to undertake a career using something that’s not up to the job.

You don’t need something that costs a fortune, but you do need something that works consistently, and gives you the power and ergonomics to be comfortable and efficient. A good simple way to ascertain if your machine fits the bill is to answer the following questions:

• Does your computer start up quickly and reliably?
• Does it do what you ask it to, or does it glitch and slow you down?
• Is it a pain or a pleasure to use?

The Right Software

You don’t need much software to be a writer. However, you should have – at the very least – a full, legal copy of Microsoft Office. Nowadays people usually get this as part of an Office 365 subscription .

There are other things you might want to think about. A subscription to Grammarly ( review here ) is a good idea. It’s an app that checks your text for errors, plagiarism and bad writing habits. Many companies use this, and some clients even insist that you run your writing through it before submitting articles.

You can get some other ideas of software what could make you more effective and efficient in our guide to the best apps for freelancers .

Other Practicalities

You also need:

• A rock solid and reliable internet connection (and ideally a backup if it goes down, which could be as simple as a smartphone you can use as a hotspot).
• A comfortable place to work, ideally with a good desk and chair.

I’m asked this question a lot, so thought it worth answering here.

The simple answer is “no.” You don’t need a blog if you’re looking for freelance writing jobs for beginners. However, there is a whole host of reasons why it’s a good idea:

• An outlet for your work: A blog gives you a place to write about anything you want and practice your craft.
• A place to showcase your work: Clients will always want to see examples of your work. A blog gives you somewhere to create some of them.
• Freedom to write about anything: Often the things we want to write about don’t tally with the things client want to pay us for! But your blog is a place where you can write about anything.
• Potential to earn money: Many blogs (including this one!) are money-making businesses in and of themselves. A common strategy for freelance writers is to have paid gigs to pay the bills, with slow-burn blogging projects going on in parallel.

If you’re interested in further exploring the blogging side of writing:

• Check out my guide to how to start a profitable blog .

Let’s be real here: getting writing jobs with no experience isn’t easy. Clients almost always want to see examples of your writing. And that makes sense. If you were hiring a writer, you’d want to see what they could do before offering them money, right?

So there’s a simple answer: You need to GET some experience.

The good news is that that part is easier than you might think. But it means you’re going to need to spend some time building up a portfolio, and that often means writing online without getting paid.

In a moment, I present you with a step by step plan for getting your first writing jobs, based on exactly what I did. First, though, let’s look at some ways you can get some of your writing “out there,” so that you have examples that prove your worth to potential clients:

1. Start a Blog

We’ve already touched on this. My first writing was on a blog of my own. (For those who are interested it was a blog about moving to Portugal, documenting my life in a new country. It morphed into a book that sold over 4000 copies, but that’s definitely for another article!)

Your blog can be about anything at all. However, if you hope to make money from the blog itself, I’d recommend choosing a clear niche.

It’s important to note that clients are unlikely to hire you with no other evidence of your writing ability than your personal blog . However, you CAN include a couple of your very best posts as writing samples in your portfolio.

2. Contribute Guest Articles

Many websites and blogs accept guest articles, and these include plenty of big and well-known media outlets.

You can start off with a simple Google search for “write for us.” You’ll find thousands of sites looking for contributions. Concentrate on sites that fit your knowledge and interests, and make sure you follow their submission guidelines to the letter. Sites typically receive a huge number of submissions, and they don’t accept them all.

You may come across sites that pay for posts. Obviously getting some money for a contribution is a good thing, but I’d advise against making it a priority at this stage. The aim here is to get writing samples out there with your name on – articles that will impress potential clients when you start pitching for “real” work.

3. Volunteer Your Services

Is there a local charity in your area with a poorly written website? Perhaps you could volunteer to help them improve it, and do some good at the same time as boosting your writing portfolio.

4. Write for Content Mills

Content mills (explained in detail in this article ) are – in truth – at the very bottom rung of the paid writing work ladder. Many articles discussing online writing jobs for beginners advise you to avoid them altogether. I have a rather more pragmatic opinion.

Sites like Copify and TextBroker tend to pay low rates for monotonous and soul-destroying work. As if that weren’t bad enough, you often have to comply with very strict guidelines when writing your articles, and it’s rare to get your byline on the content you write.

So why do I suggest you consider them?

The reason is experience. I’d certainly advise writing for content mills for the minimum possible time, but while your other options are limited, they can give you experience of following style guides, interacting with editors and sticking to deadlines. At best, you’re likely to be looking at flipping-burgers-level pay, but you ARE still being paid to write.

I wrote for content mills when I first started writing as a beginner. Do I look back on that time fondly? Absolutely not! But do I value the experience it gave me? Yes.

Content mill work probably won’t give you article examples for your portfolio, but it WILL give you experience.

5. Reach Out to Your Personal Network

Think about everyone you know, both in the business world and in your personal life.

It may seem a little daunting to “go begging” for writing work. But as we’ve already discussed, pitching and putting yourself out there is a fundamental part of being a writer.

So consider who has a blog, who owns a business, and think about what you could offer to do to help them. Remember, the objective here is to put together a portfolio of work , ready for when you start to pitch clients.

6. Write on Medium or LinkedIn

Plenty of sites give you the ability to post your own articles. As with a personal blog, I wouldn’t recommend filling a portfolio only with articles you’ve been able to freely post yourself. However, there’s no harm in including one or two.

These platforms have the added benefit of giving you an opportunity to write about absolutely any subject. In the past, I’ve been known to post an article to Medium when it’s on a subject that doesn’t fit neatly onto any of my own sites.

7. Network!

Join some writing and home working groups (such as our own private advice group on Facebook ). Start reading Reddit threads about freelance writing.

It makes sense to live and breathe the world of freelance writing, even if you’re just getting started. You can read and chat about other writers’ triumphs and challenges and – you never know – you could get some leads too.

A Step By Step Plan for Getting Your First Writing Job

You now know a range of places where you can freely pick up some initial writing experience.

Next, we have a step by step plan for starting to find work.

It’s based on exactly what I did myself. And it took me from being a writer with no experience to somebody making full-time income solely from writing.

Just remember: this isn’t an overnight thing, nor is it entirely linear. If you’re not willing to pay your dues, writing is not a good choice of career!

If you want to be a writer, you should be an avid reader. As Stephen King says in his “On Writing” book , “read a lot…write a lot – is the great commandment.”

Here’s a more specific way to follow that advice: Make sure you read a lot of the kind of content you think you’d like to produce yourself (we discuss various different types of writing work shortly).

Let’s take a random example: Say you’re a car enthusiast and would like to write for motoring blogs. The chances are you already read several of them. The more you read, the more you’ll get an idea of the way these articles are written and constructed.

The same goes for every type of writing. The more you live and breathe it, the more prepared you are to create the kind of output people (and clients) want.

It’s good to learn about the science of the craft too. A lot of adverts for writing jobs will ask for “knowledge of AP style.” This means knowledge of the Associated Press Style Book , where you learn things like whether to spell out or type numbers, which words to capitalise, and other intricacies.

MANY online writing jobs are for website content, and some knowledge of SEO can come in handy. So consider brushing up on that with a book or a course.

Finally, it’s wise to learn about the kind of content that works nowadays, and there are some great books on that.

I remember soaking up all of this information in the early days. It helps to put you in the writer’s mindset. If doing this stuff doesn’t seem interesting to you or worth your time, that’s another sign that you may be considering a writing career for the wrong reasons.

Here are a few suggested resources:

• Coursera’s SEO Specialisation with the University of California
• Everybody Writes: Your Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content, by Ann Handley
• The Associated Press Style Book
• Strunk and White’s Elements of Style

I don’t want to turn this into an article about content mills, because I already have a huge one on the subject here .

But, I’m explaining how to get started in freelance writing based on what I did . And I DID do some content mill work. It was dull and soul destroying, and not particularly lucrative (although, at times, I found pockets of work that were easy to complete and paid reasonably well).

Content mill writing work is a bit of a rite of passage for many of us. I think it CAN be a valuable learning experience, but plenty of people disagree with me.

Why not read our reviews of TextBroker , Copify and WriterAccess , and see how you feel? It doesn’t HAVE to be your first writing job, but it may work out that way.

You need to think about what you’re going to send those first clients who want to see examples of your work.

We’ve already covered your options: blog posts, guest articles, work you’ve done voluntarily etc. For more on this, check out this article on how to build a writing portfolio .

Upwork is a huge freelancing platform (and there are some other alternatives here ).

Establishing a presence on Upwork allow you to browse through thousands of available freelance gigs and submit proposals. It’s the place where many aspiring freelance writers find their first gigs and start writing.

Upwork is a huge and complex platform, but we have lots of resources to help you understand it. Here are some of them:

• A detailed review of Upwork .
• Our guide to getting accepted for Upwork .
• A list of Upwork tips .

If you want a true head-start in this, my Freelance Kickstarter course , which covers all kinds of freelancing including writing, has an entire module on Upwork, including lessons on things like how to uncover the best clients and jobs, and how to set your rates. You can find it here .

At some point you have to bite the bullet and actually apply for writing work.

Whether you’re doing this on Upwork or via one of the many other sites I recommend below, this generally means sending a fairly short message to the client expressing your interest and showcasing your ability to produce what they want.

We have a dedicated article on how to pitch here .

As mentioned earlier, clients aren’t generally looking for “generic” freelance writers. When they are, it’s usually towards the lower end of the earning scale.

You may well find your first few gigs involve writing about some pretty random stuff. You’ll likely be grabbing whatever work you can, which can take you in some interesting directions!

But as your experience builds, it makes good sense to try to carve yourself a niche. In an ideal world, this will be a niche you love writing about, but it doesn’t always work out that way. As a techie, I’ve had a lot of technical writing gigs. For me, this is perhaps a little more about where knowledge and earning potential collide than genuine passion for the subject.

Regardless, the key thing here is to try to build up a portfolio that’s particularly strong on one or two subjects. Clients look for experts, so it’s wise to make yourself an expert in something.

Later in this guide, we look at a range of different places to find online writing jobs.

Once you gain some momentum, it’s time to broaden your horizons and start looking in more places. You never know where that perfect, quick paying and regular client may come from. It could be somebody you meet on Upwork, a friend of a friend, somebody from a board like ProBlogger Jobs, or a random client from LinkedIn.

Crucially, remember that you need more than one regular client to have a writing career . Things change, personnel move on, and trends and world events can cause work from a specific client to dry up over night. The more baskets you find to spread your eggs into, the better.

There’s no secret formula to growing your writing career once it’s underway. It’s a simple case of repeating the steps in the chart below.

What tends to happen is that a client asks you to write one article. If they’re happy with your work, they may come straight back and ask for five more, or an ongoing commitment to x articles per week or month. That’s how freelance writing gigs tend to work.

Then you just repeat the process: More pieces of work for more clients, with your freelance rates gradually going up as you gain more experience and confidence.

Over the years, I’ve had countless jobs evolve from a quick $50-100 article into a regular, well-paid gig. Essentially you do the same thing over and over again, getting better at it as you go.

How Long Does it Take to Make a Living from Writing?

There are simply too many factors in play to give a simple answer to the question of how long it takes new freelance writers to make a living from writing. For starters, people’s definition of “living” varies wildly. Similarly, so does each writer’s level of skill and experience, and their willingness and determination to hustle for more work.

I think it is reasonable to say that getting to the point where you have solid, “job replacement” income from writing is something that takes months (or years) rather than weeks . Even once you’re established, work can come in fits and starts (which is true of all freelancing).

With this in mind, it does make sense to have a solid plan if you want to become a full-time writer. Perhaps you could begin with having a part-time job in parallel, writing alongside some side gigs, or waiting until you have some savings to carry you through the lean times.

There’s no point in sugar-coating this – it takes time. If anybody tells you otherwise, there’s a good chance they’re trying to sell you something.

Types of Writing Jobs

There are lots of different types of online writing work out there. Some writing opportunities require specific skills and knowledge, and some will likely seem a better fit for you than others.

Lots of people make a living writing doing very different types of work, so let’s look at some of the options. Before we start, I should emphasise that this is, by no means, an exhaustive list.

A lot of today’s online writing work falls into the category of blog article writing.

Blogs can be about all kinds of subjects: dog training, fitness, dieting, home working(!), cookery, travel, antiques and collectables – the list goes on. Then there are the blogs on business websites, talking about subjects related to the products and services companies sell.

While “blog writing” can mean many different things, blog articles do tend to have several things in common, regardless of the niche you’re writing about:

• They’re written in a fairly short and snappy way, with short sentences and paragraphs.
• They’re generally designed to be helpful and actionable.
• They don’t tend to use lots of “flowery” descriptive words.

Despite the above, don’t assume blog articles are always short. On the contrary, Google tends to favour content that’s quite detailed and lengthy. You’re reading a “blog article” right now, and it runs to thousands of words.

The reason I’m being quite specific here is that there’s one demographic of people who can, at least initially, really struggle with blog writing: academics.

The snappy, attention-grabbing style of most modern blog posts goes directly against how many people are taught to write at college. Long, flowing paragraphs that introduce, explore and conclude a subject in one hit are great for academic papers, but they’re the exact opposite of what clients typically want for their blogs .

There are a lot of freelance writing gigs that involve product reviews and roundup articles – such as “the best budget coffee makers,” or “the best email marketing software for small businesses.”

In case you’re wondering why there’s so much of this work, it’s because articles like this are the cornerstone of affiliate marketing, where website owners are paid commission for recommending products and services that customers then go on to buy.

The way to win this work is to have expert knowledge of a particular product niche and (sometimes or!) the ability to research products and services in great depth.

I’ve done a huge amount of writing work along these lines, and there’s always demand for it. It’s also a type of writing work that tends to lead to repeat business. These sites usually publish hundreds of reviews and roundups, not just one. If you impress, there’s probably plenty more work for you.

Press releases are my wife’s specialist area. If you have a background in marketing or PR, they could be a good fit for you. The work itself can be quite lucrative and – in truth – not all that difficult once you have the skill to do it.

PR writing is all about producing stats, hooks and soundbites that are alluring to journalists. In turn these generate coverage and exposure for your clients.

Press release writing is definitely a specialised skill, one that you tend to either have the aptitude for or not. The output you produce is actually quite “small,” with releases often only being a few hundred words. However, they usually conform to a very specific format.

Press release work can morph into pitching stories and working more closely with journalists, but that takes us more into general PR, and is not a subject for this article.

Sales copywriting can be incredibly lucrative – but it’s another type of writing that only some people are naturally good at.

With sales writing, you’re writing copy specifically aimed at persuading people to part with their money. This could mean a sequence of emails to launch a product, or a sales page for a product or service.

The type of writing incorporates a lot of buyer psychology. Depending on what you’re promoting it could seem a tad sleazy too. It pays so well because the results of your work are immediately tangible. If your work on a client’s sales page sees them increase sales by 30%, the client immediately sees a pay-off for it.

If this work appeals to you, don’t assume you need prior experience, you could always take a course like this one to learn the basics.

Another specialised area – speech writing seems set to boom as life returns more to normal. Just think of all the weddings and corporate events that didn’t happen in 2020!

We have a dedicated article on speech writing here .

Business writing encompasses many different things. We’ve already covered blog posts, and many businesses need those. But there are other things like website copy, case studies and white papers.

Sometimes even large companies don’t have a suitable resource for this kind of writing, so they reach out to freelancers to do it. Over the years I’ve written entire websites for everything from pizza restaurants to estate agents and IT firms. There’s lots of demand for case study work too.

New writers emerging from a corporate background could find this work a good fit.

You’ll notice I’ve left this one for quite low down my list.

The truth is, there’s not that much work out there for fiction writers. You do see quite a lot of ads for ghost writers (interestingly, many of them in the erotica category), but generally fiction writers work in other ways.

Self publishing is one option (check out my self publishing guide ). Another is to go the “traditional” route to try to find a publisher. There are also lots of writing contests that allow you to submit fiction.

When people talk about online writing jobs for beginners, they’re not usually talking about fiction. The truth is that most of the paid work is in the business world. This is a disappointing truth for quite a few of the people I speak to.

Another type of writing work you see a lot of demand for is eBook writing. Many websites sell or give away eBooks, and some entrepreneurs create eBooks in bulk to market as Kindle books on Amazon.

If you like the idea of taking on big, lengthy projects, eBook writing might be worth some investigation. However, this is an area where many clients want the earth for an insultingly small amount of money. If this is a type of writing that grabs your attention, prepare to wade through a LOT of ads before you find some worth applying to.

10 Places to Find Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners

We’re nearing the end of this huge freelance writing guide now. Next we have a really important list of 10 places to actually find the writing gigs.

If you want to become a freelance writer, you will need to spend some serious time on these sites, and regularly apply to jobs that you find.

Already mentioned several times in this article. Upwork has its pros and cons, but it’s undeniably a source of plenty of work, and the biggest freelancing platform out there by most metrics. Many people find their first writing jobs on Upwork – and that includes me and many of the people I’ve worked with and coached.

More of the same – Freelancer.com is another big online freelancing platform where you’ll find plenty of job listings. There are some subtle differences to how the platforms work (and the fees they charge ) but really there’s little difference between them.

Another freelance job board. PeoplePerHour is UK-based but with global clients and a global workforce of freelancers signed up. We have an in-depth review of PeoplePerHour on the site, written by a writer who’s won plenty of work on the platform.

We’ve mentioned the big three freelance job boards above, but there are plenty of others, with new ones springing up all the time. For some more options, check out this job board list .

I’m a big fan of ProBlogger Jobs. I’ve both found work on the platform AND used it to find writers for my own projects. ProBlogger Jobs charges clients to place adverts, which tends to weed out the worst of the cheapskates and “bottom feeders.” It’s not a place with thousands of jobs, but always worth a browse. We have a ProBlogger Jobs review here .

Freelance Writing Jobs provides a daily posting of new writing gigs. They’re sourced from various places across the web, including big jobs sites such as Indeed. As well as one-off freelance jobs, occasional full-time positions pop up here, if you prefer a model where you get paid the same amount every month.

WriteJobs posts a steady stream of writing gigs, and also provides details of writing contests and requests for submissions. There’s also a (chargeable) Write Jobs Plus service, with some job details kept behind a paywall. I’ve not tried the premium service so can’t vouch for it at the time of writing.

FlexJobs is THE big name in remote and flexible jobs, and freelance writing jobs appear on the platform sometimes. It probably wouldn’t be my first port of call for online writing jobs for beginners, but the subscriptions are very affordable. You’d only need one decent paying gig via the platform for the subscription fee to seem like a very good deal.

Read our full FlexJobs review to find out more.

I’ve not personally picked up a huge number of online writing jobs via LinkedIn, but it has led me to some over the years. A lot depends on how established you are on the platform and how many people you are “connected” to. Don’t ignore LinkedIn as a platform – it could be a place to find writing work.

Another site that lists writing gigs, primarily for freelancers writing blog posts. It doesn’t feel as well-curated as ProBlogger, and doesn’t appear to charge clients for ads – but it could still be where you find your first gig.

Where To Find Freelance Writing Jobs with More Experience

This is a guide to freelance writing jobs for beginners, but perhaps you’re curious about where to head once you have a glowing portfolio and lots of experience under your belt.

The first thing I’ll say here is that, in many cases, the sites listed above are still good places for experienced writers to look for work. On Upwork, for example, there are entry-level freelancers charging $5 per hour and experienced freelancers charging $150 per hour – and there are potential clients for all of them.

That said, there are some sites that are pretty much “off limits” until you have more experience. Here are a few to check out once your writing career gathers momentum. On these platforms, high paying clients are the norm, and it’s common to find yourself seeing brand-names you recognise.

ClearVoice is a content platform you have to apply to join, and you need a decent portfolio to be accepted. Instead of browsing lists of jobs, you are invited to pitch for specific assignments that seem like a good fit for your profile. I’ve been on ClearVoice for several years and found it a good source of well-paying writing clients.

SkyWord is a similarly prestigious platform where you can be selected to write for well-known brands. Pay rates vary, and levels of work aren’t always consistent, but this is one to investigate once you have some good samples and you’re ready to take your writing to the next level.

Contently is an interesting one, because most people know the site as a place to create a writing portfolio. However, Contently also functions as a talent network.

It’s all very much an “invite only” thing. Contently’s site says “if you’re a good match for our clients, you’ll hear from us.” I’ve never personally heard from them(!) but you may as well set up a portfolio there – nothing ventured, nothing gained!

I’m a big fan of nDash because it takes an innovative approach. Lots of brands are set up on the platform, and you’re free to pitch ideas to them at any time, based on some quite detailed information they provide. I’ve been able to find jobs with some good clients on nDash, and most expect to pay good rates. Here’s my nDash review .

MediaBistro lists job opportunities across all areas of media, including writing jobs.

Two important things to note: First off, there are some jobs with big-name companies here, and some that are full-time (employed) positions as well as freelance. There’s also a heavy US-bias to the listings. It’s worth looking an MediaBistro if you get to the point that you want to try your luck with one of the media giants. I saw Hearst and NBC recruiting writers there when I last looked.

As you now know, freelance writing jobs for beginners is a HUGE topic.

However, if you’re willing to work through this methodically and put the work in, you ALREADY know what you need to do after reading this guide.

I’d recommend signing up for my free email course (see the form below). It covers some of the same ground, but also lays things out on a week-by-week basis so you can ease yourself in, and start freelance writing in a structured way.

Returning to what I said at the beginning, freelance writing work is the thing I’m asked about more than anything. In truth, I KNOW that many people ask about it and do nothing to get started on it – and you do NEED to start to get anywhere!

If you manage to migrate from the “thinking” to “doing” stage, there’s no reason why you can’t make a success of it, and get your freelance writing career underway.

• Get a head start with my Freelance Kickstarter course .
• Learn more about some of the realities of being a freelance writer .
• Listen to our podcast on finding your first freelance writing job .

Founder of HomeWorkingClub.com – Ben has worked freelance for nearly 20 years. As well as being a freelance writer and blogger, he is also a technical consultant with Microsoft and Apple certifications. He loves supporting new home workers but is prone to outbursts of bluntness and realism.

150 Beginner Freelance Writing Jobs From Home ($100+!)

Hi folks! Jorden here, and I’m back with another round-up of amazing freelance writing jobs from home, many of which are great for beginners! Mariana, the author of the post, did a great job including LOADS of different niches. Plus, the list only includes gigs that pay $100+! So no matter what you want to write about, you should be able to find at least a couple awesome sites to pitch by the time you’re done reading this guest blog post. 🙂 Over to you, Mariana!

As a beginner freelance writer, you might think that $20 is good pay. 

Someone paying you to do what you already love doing?

Sounds like the dream, and you’ll take whatever you can get!

Most of us have accepted that $20 per blog post rate so happily you would think that the editors were doing us a favor. 

…Except they’re definitely not . 

People pay you to write, not because they want to support the arts, but because they need your content. 

You are providing them a service and fulfilling a gap in their professional needs.

Once you realize this, you can see that $20 (or $30, $40, $50) is not good pay for work that is often research and time intensive. 

If you are consistently delivering great work and making editor’s lives easier while driving traffic to their websites, you deserve much more. 

And this blog post will prove how doable it is to make $100 your minimum and constantly strive for more, even as a beginner freelance writer with no experience.

Keep reading for a list of 150 freelance writing jobs from home that will actually help you pay the bills while fulfilling you creatively!

150 Amazing Freelance Writing Jobs From Home That Pay $100+ Each (Get Paid to Work From Home – Even as a BEGINNER!)

Activism/feminism .

1. Autostraddle: Cover queer/transgender lifestyle

Pay: up to $150.

This queer and transgender lifestyle magazine focuses on everything from beauty to entertainment and politics. They want pitches ( click here to see examples of successful pitches! ) from the demographic they represent and are especially keen to hear from POCs. 

https://www.autostraddle.com/submissions/

2. Bitch Media: Make money from your pop culture obsessions

Pay: up to $150-$1,000.

Bitch Media is all about feminism and pop culture. They accept personal essays, opinion pieces, and reported stories, as well as photo essays and illustrations. 

https://www.bitchmedia.org/writers-guidelines

3. Briarpatch Magazine: Shine light on social issues

This publication covers all things social justice. They want stories on ecology, grassroots organizations, gender equity, and indigenous struggles. 

https://briarpatchmagazine.com/submissions

4. Dame Magazine: Write for a respected women’s magazine

Pay: around $200.

One of the most highly-regarded feminist magazines, Dame wants stories relevant to smart women who are interested in knowing about the world around them. News, politics, culture, and science are some of their topics. 

https://www.damemagazine.com/about/

5. Femme Feminism: Explore fashion and feminism

Pay: up to $100.

Believing that fashion and feminism are not mutually exclusive, this website wants stories that explore their intersection. 

Payment info is based on reports. 

https://www.femmefeminism.com/about-contact-us

6. Food First: Delve into food justice issues

The focus of Food First is figuring out ways to end food insecurity. Send over stories about people who are affected by this issues, possible solutions, and more. 

Be aware that they don’t pay for blog posts, so make sure you pitch the other sections. 

https://foodfirst.org/submission-guidelines/

7. Huck Magazine: Write about radical culture  

Pay: up to $500.

Describing itself as a magazine for those who are self-prescribed radical and independent, Huck covers culture, outdoors, arts, news, opinion, and profiles from an alternative lense. 

https://www.huckmag.com/art-and-culture/submissions-guidelines/

8. Liisbeth: Showcase female entrepreneurs

Pay: cnd$100-2,000.

This Canadian magazine wants to help feminists entrepreneur succeed. It seeks profiles of business owners and changemakers, personal essays, service articles, investigative pieces, and more. 

https://www.liisbeth.com/contributors/guidelines/

9. New Food Magazine: Get political about food

New Food Magazine wants to explore the intersection between food and politics. How is food production affecting international relations? How do politics affect who is most vulnerable to lack of nutrition and food sources? They welcome stories that shine light on such questions. 

https://newfoodeconomy.org/pitches/

10. Color Bloq: Make content for queer & trans POCs

Pay: $200-$500.

This magazine is for queer and trans people of color. It covers personal essays, promotes the work of visual artists, and accepts reported pieces. 

https://www.colorbloq.org/submit

EDITOR’S SIDE NOTE: Want to learn how to make $1,000 freelance writing with NO experience? Join over 7,000 writers in my free class right here, all about how to land high-paying clients with a simple, 3-step, proven writer marketing strategy.

(Yes, writers are *actually* landing clients after implementing what they learn in this class!)

11. Yes! Magazine: Showcase solutions to world issues

Yes! focuses on societal problems that range from the environment to immigration crises and the violation of human rights. 

They don’t want just a description of the issues, but also solutions to them. 

https://www.yesmagazine.org/about/writers-guidelines-submissions

12. 60 Inches From Center: Shine a spotlight on art in Chicago  

This arts magazine centers around culture in Chicago. They are especially open to stories about marginalized voices, and seek submissions from minority writers.

http://sixtyinchesfromcenter.org/write-for-sixty/

13. Art Papers: Give wind to your inner art critic

Pay: up to $320.

Art papers looks for interviews, reviews, features on an artist or an artwork. It also publishes original photography and pieces. 

https://www.artpapers.org/work/write/

14. Critical Read: Show off your art history knowledge 

Pay: $4,000-$5,000 .

Critical Read wants bios on artists that explain a specific piece or a collection of work. 

Their definition of “art” encompasses music, dance, theater, and visual art. 

https://criticalread.submittable.com/submit/85624/pitch-an-artwork-biography

15. Inuit Art Quarterly: Write about Inuit art 

Pay: $200-$1,200.

As its name suggests, this magazine’s focus is Inuit art. They want news, reviews, and other related content. 

They pay $200 for online articles. Rates for their print magazine are $250 for reviews and $1,200 for features. Make sure you’re following pitching best practices to land this gig and others that pay the big bucks!

http://iaq.inuitartfoundation.org/about/submissions/

16. Offscreen: Put your film knowledge to good use 

Pay: cnd$150.

If you’re a film aficionado who wants to share your thoughts on movies, or write reports from film festivals, this is a great place to go. 

They are looking for pieces 1,000-2,000 words in length. 

https://offscreen.com/contribute

17. Professional Artist: Connect with other visual artists 

Pay: up to $600.

Covering the business-related aspects of being a professional artist, the magazine delves into everything from marketing, making sales, and useful online tools.

https://professionalartistmag.com/submission-guidelines/

18. The Artist’s Magazine: Share your passion for art 

Pay: $400-$800.

As the name suggests, this is a magazine for artists by artists. They are looking for people who understand technique and who can write how-tos, interviews, and reports on exhibitions and art-related events.

http://www.wetcanvas.com/Dan/Artists-Magazine-submission-guidelines.pdf

Environment

19. American Forest Magazine: Honor the people helping forests 

Pay: $500-$1,300.

This magazine is all about forests in America. They are open to freelance submissions that highlight the people who maintain forests, as well as relevant  science and policy pieces. 

https://www.americanforests.org/magazine/writers-guidelines/

20. Earth Island: Give free reign to your eco-warrior self 

Earth Island covers anything having to do with environmental issues.

They seek pieces on technology, policy, profiles, public health, cultural survival, and more. 

They pay $100 for online pieces, and 25 cents per word for print. 

http://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/page/writers-photographers-guidelines

21. Ensia: Contribute to conversations about the future

Pay: $560-960.

Ensia claims to be a magazine for those who “seek a better future.” They want stories on solutions rather than just discussions of the problems. 

https://ensia.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ensia_submission_guidelines_1807162.pdf

22. Green Lifestyle Magazine: Cover environmental issues 

Pay: au$150-$1,500.

This Australian magazine is all about sustainable living. They want profiles on trail blazers, useful infographics, travel, and more. 

https://www.greenlifestylemag.com.au/pdf/GMag_writers_guidelines-new.pdf

23. Hakai Magazine: Put coastal ecosystems on the spotlight 

Pay: $180-$3000.

Hakai publishes on the science of coasts and their ecosystems. They want well-researched articles and have a long lead time. 

https://www.hakaimagazine.com/submission-guidelines/

24. National Parks: Write stories about American nature 

This high-paying and highly-respected magazine covers topics having to do with American National Parks.

https://www.npca.org/resources/3151-magazine-submission-guidelines-for-writers-and-photographers

25. Sierra Magazine: Bring positivity to the discussion

Pay: $250-$2,000.

Belonging to the Sierra Club, this magazine seeks to bring positive stories to the discussion of environmental conservation.

Their departments include “Enjoy,” “Explore,” and “Protect.”

https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/editorial-guidelines

26. Tenderly: Write about veganism 

Tenderly focuses on vegan lifestyle. They cover a wide array of topics, including environmental justice and animal rights. 

https://tenderly.medium.com/how-to-write-for-tenderly-cc609f0e8425

27. The Revelator: Bring awareness to environmental topics

Pay: $350-$500.

This magazine covers climate change, pollution, and wildlife conservation. Stories should inform readers of things they don’t already know and cover national and international issues. 

https://therevelator.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Revelator-call-for-pitches.pdf

28. Affiliaise: Write about affiliate marketing 

Pay: $1,000.

Affiliaise is looking for bloggers with expertise on monetizing through affiliate marketing. They want useful advice on this topic, as well as stories on business and technology. 

https://affiliaise.com/contributor/

29. BMichellePippin: Share your business hacks. 

This blogs seeks experts who have knowledge on how to build a profitable small business and how to hack your way through headaches and failures. 

https://www.bmichellepippin.com/get-paid-to-share-your-expertise-with-us/

30. Elite Personal Finance: Help others with money

If you’re a whiz at making budgets, understand investments, and have great ideas on how to make and save money, this website wants your expertise. 

https://www.elitepersonalfinance.com/write-for-us/

31. Forbes: Show your finance expertise 

Pay: $1 per word.

Forbes is the authority when it comes to business and finance. To break in, you need a story that is high-caliber and that has not been covered elsewhere. This is an online freelance writing job that may be more well-suited to writers who have some experience, so consider that before pitching!

https://www.forbes.com/contact/#53c2cff77de2

32. Income Diary: Teach people how to make money online

Pay: up to $200.

Anyone who makes money online, works from home, or has a successful website is welcome to pitch to Income Diary to help others who want to do the same. 

They note on their website that you should specify wanting to be paid when you send your pitch. 

https://www.incomediary.com/write-for-incomediary

33. Income Voices: Share tips on how to make money online  

If you have been successful at making money from home and online, Income Voices wants your knowledge and advise. 

https://www.incomevoice.com/write-for-us/

34. Money Pantry: Use your money-making creativity

Money Pantry doesn’t want typical stories on how to make and save money. Instead, they’re looking for creative, perhaps unheard of ways that you have managed to do so. The more creative, the better. 

https://moneypantry.com/contribute/

35. Remark Me: Give your money making ideas

Remark Me focuses both on making money and saving money, covering diverse topics like working from home, passive income, and tech. 

https://www.remarkme.com/write-for-us/

36. Smart Business Trends: Show off your marketing knowledge 

Pay: $100-$200.

This blog covers all aspects of online marketing. They accept guest posts and useful tutorials on email marketing, WordPress, and other relevant tools. 

http://smartbusinesstrends.com/write-for-us/

37. The Freshbooks Blog: Give advice to small business owners 

Freshbooks helps freelancers and small business owners handle their finances, so it only makes sense that their blog would focus on this as well. 

They explicitly want story ideas that cover topics they aren’t already addressing, and want submissions on-spec rather than pitches. 

https://www.freshbooks.com/blog/contribute

38. Toggl Blog: Put a spin on personal finance

Pay: $150-$500.

Toggl is used by freelancers to keep track of the time they spent on tasks. Their blog focuses on aspects of working from home, freelancing, and personal finance. 

They specifically ask for unusual takes on common subjects. 

https://www.notion.so/Toggl-Blog-Submission-Guidelines-e44a782f194c432db9f9c69ac9b02915

39. Working Money: Put your stocks to work even more for you 

If you have great knowledge of the stock market and have advice and commentary on trading and its trends, send your ideas over and help others increase their nest eggs. 

http://technical.traders.com/content/editorialdepartment.asp

Food & Drink

40. Bon Appetit: Report on the culinary world 

This highly-respected publication is seeking deep and interesting reports on all things food. 

They do not want reviews or recipes. 

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/how-to-pitch

41. Eating Well: Talk about clean eating 

Pay: $250-$3000.

In harmony with its name, Eating Well wants to show the world how to eat more cleanly and sustainably.

They focus on health, recipes, and trends, but also accept travel stories. 

http://www.eatingwell.com/article/290691/writers-guidelines/

42. Edible Seattle: Highlight the city’s food scene 

Pay: $120-$300.

This Seattle magazine wants to honor its city by showcasing its incredible food scene. They accept pitches for features, microbreweries, local artisans, and more. 

https://edibleseattle.com/writers-guidelines/

43. Gastro Obscura: Open your culinary curiosity

Pay: ~$200-$450.

Atlas Obscura’s popular food vertical seeks weird and wondrous stories that revolve about food. They do not want simply a mention of a weird food, as they have a “places” section for that, but rather stories in which food is a major character. 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11ESd07ZEPY7AZuI4mca88IFACqEEQgdXOQsSDGDYDqQ/edit

44. Imbibe Magazine: Write drunk, edit sober

Imbibe covers everything to do with drinks. From recipes to interesting history to reports. 

Drinks covered need not be alcoholic. 

http://imbibemagazine.com/contact/

45. Modern Farmer: Write about agriculture 

This magazine is for and about all the elements that are necessary for the agricultural process. It cares about the people who grow our food, but also policies, tools, and such. 

This could be a great first-ever freelance writing job from home for you if you’re knowledgable about agriculture!

https://modernfarmer.com/submissions/

46. Oregon Coast: Help Oregon show off its cuisine 

This magazine focuses on the wonderful delights that can be found along the Oregon coast.

They have a food section that highlights local restaurants, as well as travel and shopping sections.

https://oregoncoastmagazine.com/submit-content/

47. Plate: Add a big byline to your food portfolio

Pay: $1/word.

Plate is a respected food magazine that accepts recipes, food and drink stories, and exclusive profiles. 

http://plateonline.com/contact

48. The Salt: Contribute to NPR’s food blog

Pay: ~$250-$450.

If you have an amazing food story of national interest (though not necessarily based in the US) submit it to this widely recognized blog.

https://help.npr.org/customer/portal/emails/new?i=1&s=The%20Salt

49. Saveur: Merge your love of food and travel 

Pay: ~$300-$600.

Saveur publishes recipes, cultural stories, and pieces that explore the intersection of food and travel. 

They want detailed pitches that include possible sources and your reporting plan.

https://www.saveur.com/contact/

General/Miscellaneous 

50. Atlas Obscura: Explore the world’s curiosities 

Pay: $300-$500.

Making a name for itself in the realm of the weird and the curious, Atlas Obscura wants your random knowledge, interesting facts, and unknown stories. 

Stories should have a strong sense of place (hence, Atlas), and a clear narrative arc.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/148yIs0J9bsmN3guV9arbundXjvZAL_OLUk4BywX9tm4/edit

51. Contingent: Feed the history nerd within

Pay: $250-$500.

If you love history but are not too keen on dry, academic writing, this might be the place for you. They want articles written in an interesting and accessible voice, and want unique takes on historical events. 

http://contingentmagazine.org/pitch-us/

52. Cricket Magazine: Address tomorrow’s leaders 

Pay: $150-$450.

Addressing children 9-14, this magazine publishes fiction, poetry, and nonfiction stories. They seek to engage and stimulate the young mind, and do not want submissions that assume children should be spoken down to. 

They publish calls for submissions throughout the year. 

https://cricketmag.submittable.com/submit/17789/cricket-magazine-for-ages-9-14

53. Damn Interesting: Monetize your trivia knowledge 

Damn Interesting lives up to its name by sharing stories about things that make people wonder how the world can be so weird and, well, interesting. 

They don’t want occasional contributors, but rather are seeking to build relationships with writers who are passionate about their work. 

https://www.damninteresting.com/the-write-stuff/

54. Discover Magazine: Break science news 

Discover covers general interest topics pertaining to science. Examples include technology, health, environment, and space & physics.

Rate varies widely, but you can expect at least $200. 

http://discovermagazine.com/magazine/contact/editorial-contact-form

55. Early American Life: Show off your historical expertise

If you are passionate about life in America from its founding to the mid-1800s, this magazine wants your knowledge. 

They have a long editorial process, and want pieces that cover history, travel, antiques, architecture, and crafts. 

https://www.ealonline.com/editorial/guidelines.php

56. Gay Magazine: Get paid for cultural criticism 

Pay: $1,200-$3,000.

The lovechild of Medium and Roxane Gay accepts personal essays that offer deep and insightful cultural criticism. 

They have themes for each issue, so you have to be on the lookout for calls for submissions and theme guidelines.

https://gay.submittable.com/submit

57. Harper’s Magazine: Show your creativity to the nation 

Pay: <$500-$5,000.

One of the most respected general interest national magazines, Harper’s accepts fiction and nonfiction, as well as art, photography, and illustration. 

One quirk of the magazine is that they still accept submissions only through snail mail. 

https://harpers.org/submissions/

58. Legion Magazine: Write for Canadian military members

Pay: cad$150-$1,200.

This magazine’s audience is composed of veterans, families, and active members of the Royal Canadian Legion. They cover policies, humor, history, and general interests for this demographic. 

https://legionmagazine.com/en/contributions/writers-photographers-guideline/

59. Parabola: Cover myths, traditions, and religions around the world

Pay: up to $400.

This quarterly journal seeks stories centering around myths and religious traditions from diverse cultures. 

They accept fiction, stories, translations, and nonfiction articles. 

http://parabola.org/submissions/

60. Religion Unplugged: Report on topics pertaining to religion

Religion Unplugged wants stories, investigative reports, interviews, and in-depth pieces on religion. 

http://religionandmedia.org/new-digital-magazine-platform-to-showcase-religion-reporting/

61. Rolling Stone: Break into music writing 

Rolling Stone is one of the most respected magazines in North America. Their main beat is music, but they also cover pop culture and politics. 

https://www.rollingstone.com/contact/

62. Smithsonian: Contribute your general knowledge

Pay: ~$400 online.

The online version of this well-known magazine accepts stories that cover history, science, culture, travel, and more. 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/contact/article-submit-website/

63. The Wisdom Daily: Share your wisdom

This magazine wants stories on wisdom. This includes historical figures who have taught you a lesson from how they lived their lives, real-life people who you have interviewed, and your own soul searching. 

http://thewisdomdaily.com/submit/

64. Unemploymentville: Make money from your misfortunes 

If you are currently unemployed or have been recently so, share your stories and advice on getting gigs, dealing with emotional pressure, and uncommon job searches.

This is a great chance to land a freelance writing job from home as you continue your job search ( and get a byline out of it!).

http://www.unemploymentville.com/blog/unemploymentville-guest-post-guidelines/

65. USA Today: Share your opinions 

Pay: $100-$370.

USA Today is seeking letters for its opinions section. Subjects are wide and tend to be relevant to current events.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2016/09/29/submission-guidelines-usatoday-opinion-column-oped-howto-letters-editor/89964600/

66. Wartime: Focus on Australian war stories 

Pay: au$300.

Wartime covers all and any military conflict that has happened in Australian soil. 

https://www.awm.gov.au/wartime/submissions

Hobbies/Trade 

67. adventure cyclist: give advice to fellow bike enthusiasts, pay: $300-$1,500.

The go-to magazine for cyclist who love exploring the world on bike. They are mostly looking for first-person stories about cycling trips, which should also include practical information for anyone looking to follow your route. 

https://www.adventurecycling.org/adventure-cyclist/adventure-cyclist-submissions/

68. American Angler: Talk shop on fly fishing 

Pay: $200-$600.

A magazine that covers everything about fly fishing, from personal essays to gear to tips and tricks of the trade. 

http://www.americanangler.com/submissions/

69. Coral & Amazonas: Write about aquariums

Pay: $100-$600.

These two separate magazines are published by the same media group and share similar guidelines. 

Amazonas focuses on how to make and upkeep freshwater aquariums, while Coral addresses marine aquariums. 

http://www.reef2rainforest.com/contributor-guidelines/

70. Curbed: Write about everything related to housing 

Curbed focuses on housing and urbanity. They want personal essays, investigative reports, and analyses that deal with architecture, real estate, urban planning, and such.

https://www.curbed.com/2016/8/4/12376064/curbed-seeks-longform-journalism-writers-guidelines

71. Cross Country Magazine: Exploit your love of extreme sports 

This magazine publishes 10 times a year, and covers extreme aerial sports like paragliding, paramotoring, hang gliding, speed riding/flying, and more. They want information on competitions, great photos, and advice. 

https://xcmag.com/contribute/

72. Medical Device + Diagnostic Industry (MD+DI):  Help others in your trade

If you’re in the medical device and diagnostic industry and have knowledge you’d like to share with others in the industry, this is your chance! 

The magazine takes stories on trending topics, general advice, pieces focusing on career, and more. 

https://www.mddionline.com/we-want-you-contribute-mddi

73. Motor Home: Contribute your RV knowledge

Pay: $100-$900.

Motor Home covers everything RV, from tips on maintenance, to travel stories, and profiles of prominent people from the community. 

http://www.motorhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/WritersGuidelines.pdf

74. Refit Magazine: Talk about your boat with other enthusiasts

Pay: $300-$1,000.

This magazine offers advice, techniques, and tools on how to repair and/or refit a boat. They also cover maintenance.

https://refit.guide/contribute

75. Rider Magazine: Share your motorcycle knowledge

Aimed at seasoned motorcycle enthusiasts, this magazine seeks experts on the topic. It publishes different topics but mostly seeks short and long form travel stories from new writers.

http://ridermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Edit-Guide.pdf

76. Solver Stories: Repurpose your love of puzzles 

Puzzles, and the way they change or shape people’s lives, are the topic of this New York Times’ column. Stories should always be true and your own. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/crosswords/solver-stories-submission-guidelines.html

77. Two Plus Two: Show off your poker skills

Poker aficionados and masters of the game are invited to contribute stories, personality profiles, and strategies.

https://www.twoplustwo.com/magazine/contribute.php

78. Abilities: Make inclusivity a reality 

Pay: up to $350.

This cross disability lifestyle magazine seeks to provide relevant content for people with disabilities, who can be otherwise ignored in magazines of this niche.

They cover health, travel, inspiration, career, relationships, and more. 

https://www.abilities.ca/writers-guidelines/

79. Better Humans: Inspire people to improve 

Better Humans’ mission is to help people optimize their lives.

Send over articles that cover how exactly to achieve something, be it finally having the motivation to exercise or learning how to stop yourself from self-sabotage.

https://medium.com/better-humans/write-for-better-humans-4c6c9884fc08

80. Black Youth Project: Gear your work towards millennials 

Catering to Black millenials, this site publishes on topics that are relevant to this demographic. Race, culture, sexuality, and politics are some of their most popular verticals. 

They also accept previously published work. 

http://blackyouthproject.com/submissions/

81. Bust: Share your stories with other women 

Bust wants to give you a place to share all your stories, be they wacky, funny, or serious. They seek personal takes that speak to universal experiences of modern women. 

https://bust.com/info/submit.html

82. Charleston Style & Design: Write about Charleston 

If you are based on or have deep knowledge of Charleston, you can contribute to this magazine, whose purpose is to provide residents and visitors a deep look into relevant topics. 

They cover travel, design, food & wine, fashion, and more.

http://www.charlestonstyleanddesign.com/contact/

83. Chatelaine: Contribute to Canada’s #1 women’s magazine 

Pay: cnd$1/w.

Chatelaine prides itself on being Canada’s most respected women’s magazine, and they cover all topics that would be of interest to this demographic. 

They ask that you specify what section you see your story fitting into, and why readers would be interested in it. 

https://www.chatelaine.com/about/writers-guidelines/

84. Common Ground: Write for a Canadian audience 

Pay: up to cnd$150.

This general interest magazine publishes on several topics, but accepts pitches from freelancers on health, travel, and the environment. 

They prefer submissions from Canadian authors. 

http://commonground.ca/contributors-guidelines/

85. Daily Yonder: Write about rural America 

With “keeping it rural” as its slogan, this magazine provides useful information for those living outside of big and medium-sized cities. 

They cover politics, travel, health, food, and much more. 

http://www.dailyyonder.com/about-daily-yonder/

86. D Magazine: Put Dallas on the spotlight 

Centered around life in Dallas, D Magazine publishes stories on food and drink, travel, style, art, business, and more. 

87. EQ: Use your knowledge of equestrian lifestyle

Pay: $100-$300.

This magazine focuses on everything having to do with the equestrian lifestyle, and has a particular luxury slant. 

They cover design, travel, profiles, events, and also accept fiction and essays that are relevant to their topic. 

https://eqliving.com/writers-guidelines/

88. Greatist: Help dispel wellness myths 

Greatist wants to cut through all the noise surrounding wellness and give their audience the grit of relationships, health, and life. 

They are mostly interested in personal essays, fun and original listicles, and service pieces. 

https://greatist.com/live/how-to-pitch-personal-stories-to-greatist

89. Healing Lifestyles: Share mindfulness tips and stories.

This website covers mindful existence, focusing on how to eat healthy, “spa consciously,” and live more mindfully.

https://healinglifestyles.com/contact/

90. Honolulu Magazine: Cater to Hawaii locals 

Pay: $100-$1,800.

This magazine is not about Hawaii, and it definitely is not for tourists. Rather, they cover topics that are of interest to Honolulu residents and locals. 

They cover lifestyle topics like food, cultural events, travel, and real estate. 

http://www.honolulumagazine.com/Honolulu-Magazine/Contact-Us/Guidelines-for-Freelance-Writers/

91. Long Island Woman: Break into print magazines

Published monthly in Long Island, this magazine focuses on topics that would interest women over 45. Their demographic is usually educated and well-off, and they want submissions to reflect this. 

http://www.liwomanonline.com/guidelines.php

92. Spirituality & Health: Write about soul and body

This magazine prints six times a year and covers how spirituality and physical health are intertwined. 

They want pieces on relationships, environment, food, meditation, mindfulness, and more.

https://spiritualityhealth.com/submissions

93. THINX: Share your period stories 

Besides providing an eco-friendly female hygiene option, THINX wants to break down the taboos associated with periods. 

Submit personal essays, think pieces, and advice relevant to people who menstruate.

https://www.shethinx.com/pages/thinx-periodical/

94. Wellbeing AU: Go international with your writing 

Pay: au$150-$700.

This print magazine welcomes submissions on sustainability, holistic health, and sustainability. 

https://www.wellbeing.com.au/contribute

Personal Essays/Stories

95. Chicken Soup: Warm hearts with your story 

The Chicken Soup empire has been built on the stories of everyday people.

They publish multiple books per year and are always looking for submissions on them. 

You can see upcoming books on their website.

https://www.chickensoup.com/story-submissions/submit-your-story

96. Longreads: Go deep inside the story 

Writers who have problems keeping stories short are made for longreads, where you are given the space necessary to tell personal stories that require more depth. 

https://longreads.com/2017/08/18/longreads-essays-editor-sari-bottons-guide-to-pitching/

97. Modern Love: Publish your story in the NYT 

Modern Love is a New York Times column that seeks stories about love in the modern world. 

Stories don’t need to be about romantic love, but they should reflect a larger social theme, be impeccably written, and be your own personal experience. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/21/fashion/howtosubmit_modernlove.html?_r=2&

98. Narrative Magazine: Submit to a literary magazine 

Pay: $150-$400.

Narrative Magazine accepts fiction, nonfiction, and poetry from aspiring and established writers.

They charge a nominal fee for unsolicited submissions to help cover the cost of evaluating them. 

https://www.narrativemagazine.com/submission-guidelines

99. Narratively: Tell your most personal stories

This relatively new magazines focuses on personal stories and reported pieces driven by a clear and defined narrative. 

https://narratively.submittable.com/submit

100. Sasee: Share your life experiences with other women

Sasee wants personal essays and nonfiction stories that resonate with women of all ages and backgrounds. 

http://sasee.com/submissions/

101. Reader’s Digest: Summarize a true story in 100 words 

This national magazine looks for shocking stories that sound made up but that are completely true. And they want them in 100 words or less. 

https://www.rd.com/true-stories/inspiring/100-word-stories/

102. True Story: Have an entire edition to yourself 

This mini magazine publishes only one story each month. They don’t have specific themes or styles, but it must be true and must have not been published elsewhere. 

https://www.creativenonfiction.org/submissions/true-story

103. Vox First Person: Pitch in to the understanding of the world

Vox claims that its mission is to “explain the news” and one of the ways they do so is with personal essays that connect to the wider schemes of current events and politics. 

104. Zora: Respond to a call for stories from Women of Color 

The publishing world isn’t as diverse as one would hope, but Zora is trying to level the playing field by focusing exclusively on women of color, their experiences, and topics of interest to them. 

Submit personal essays, opinion pieces, and cultural and political commentary. 

https://zora.medium.com/about

Politics/News

105. America’s Quarterly:  Report on Latin America 

Pay: ~$300-$400.

If you got the inside scoop on the latest happenings in Latin American politics, and can provide a detailed, well-written report that uses reliable sources, America’s Quarterly is interested in your stories. 

https://www.americasquarterly.org/contact

106. Informed Comment: Cover news around the world 

This publisher specializes on news and politics in the Middle East and South Asia, as well as US foreign policy. 

https://www.juancole.com/about/freelance-submissions

107. Folk Rebellion: Share a think piece

Pay: $150-$300 .

Folk Rebellion is looking for think pieces that cover culture, politics, and how the digital age affects them. 

They have strict guidelines, so they should be read thoroughly. 

https://www.folkrebellion.com/write-for-us

108. Foreign Policy: Share your knowledge of world affairs 

Foreign policy caters to readers who are well-read, well-informed, and curious. They want unique takes on world news, commentary on policy, and reported pieces that should be of interest to a wide and international audience. 

https://foreignpolicy.submittable.com/submit

109. Middle East Eye: Write about politics in the Middle East 

This magazine covers news, politics, and current events in the Middle East and North Africa. They want insider knowledge and well-sourced pieces. 

https://www.middleeasteye.net/contact

110. New Internationalist:  Focus on global justice issues

As its name suggests, this magazine’s focus is on issues of international importance. They cover everything from gender inequality to food justice around the world, and want articles that reflect the range of their interests.

https://newint.org/misc/write-for-us

111. News Deeply: Go deep into underreported stories 

News Deeply specially wants stories that cover oceans, refugees, Syria, women’s issues, malnutrition, and peacebuilding, but might be open to other topics. They want stories that have gone underreported or ignored by larger publications. 

https://www.newsdeeply.com/contact

112. Overland: Cover social justice 

This progressive culture magazine covers news, opinions, and reports on issues of interest to North American readers. 

They list some themes for which they are seeking submissions, but also accept pitches on subjects outside of these. 

https://overland.org.au/submit/pitch-to-overland/

113. Point.51: Report on European affairs

If you are knowledgeable about current affairs in Europe, or have exclusive insight into an issue of interest to citizens of the continent, pitch your story ideas to this magazine. 

https://point51magazine.com/working-with-us

114. Radio Project: Brush up on your script writing 

If you are a versatile writer who wants to dab into the world of podcasting, send your story ideas here. Stories accepted are not simple news, but rather manage to delve deeply into an issue. 

https://www.radioproject.org/production/submission-guidelines/

115. The American Scholar: Write for the Phi Beta Kappa Society 

The range of what this quarterly magazine covers is broad, and public affairs is a big topic. Articles should keep in mind that the audience is knowledgeable and well-read.

https://theamericanscholar.submittable.com/submit

116. The Diplomat: Write about the Asia-Pacific regions 

This magazine covers Asia and the Pacific, focusing on politics and news that would be of interest to an international audience.  

Payment is by case, but it is around $250 according to reports. 

https://thediplomat.com/write-for-us/

117. The Ferret: Put on your investigator hat 

The Ferret is dedicated to investigative reporting that is pertinent to Scotland and its residents. Although the stories themselves do not have to be based in the country, they should somehow affect its residents. 

https://theferret.scot/pitch-us-story/

118. World Politics Review: Influence policy makers 

This magazine seeks news briefings and features that are useful for both people interested in politics and policies and those who have the power to make them. 

https://intercom.help/world-politics-review/en/articles/1723157-contributor-guidelines

119. A List Apart: Write about web design 

This website focuses on web design and development, but also accepts posts about creating web content. 

http://alistapart.com/about/contribute/

120. Club House: Help developers with tutorials 

Pay: $300-$400.

If you know a thing or two about software development, and think you can help others code better, Club House wants to pay for your knowledge. 

Rates are $400 for tutorials (more if you can include working code examples), and $300 for blog posts.

https://clubhouse.io/clubhouse-write-earn-give-program/

121. Digital Ocean: Use your knowledge of all things software 

If you’re a tech wiz that knows how to do anything related to server administration and software engineering, you could be making money from your knowledge. 

Payment is for new tutorials, but if you see an existing tutorial that is outdated, they also offer a smaller payment for updates.

https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/digitalocean-s-technical-writing-guidelines#style

122. MIT Technology Review: Contribute to one of the best journals in the industry

Pay: $2,000-$4,000.

MIT Review is well-respected and publishes nuanced, well-researched, and impeccably written stories about technology and how it affects society. 

Payment varies according to each story, but reports note that it is usually $1-$3 per word. 

https://www.technologyreview.com/help/#mittr-help-editorial

123. Popular Mechanics: Publish your work in a centenarian journal

Pay: up to $150 online, $200-$1,000 print.

Popular Mechanics claims that it has been “explaining how the world works since 1902.” It focuses on everything from science and home electronics, to aerospace and flying. 

Although the content sometimes deals with technical issues, they do not want articles written in specialized language and jargon. 

https://www.popularmechanics.com/about/a45/about-us/

124. Real Python: Teach others to code

If you’re a real parseltongue and speak fluent Python, this website wants to pay you for stories, how-tos, and other practical information about this coding language. 

https://realpython.com/write-for-us/

125. Scotch.io: Make tutorials for others. 

Got programing knowledge you’d like to share? This website accepts tutorials and articles that can help those new to the industry, or seasoned programmers looking to polish their skills. 

https://scotch.io/write-for-us

126. SlickWP: Bank on your WordPress knowledge 

WordPress experts are invited to contribute with tutorials, plug-in reviews, and anything that might be helpful for people trying to navigate the sometimes-confusing system. 

http://slickwp.com/write-for-us/

127. Source: Highlight newsroom technology 

Pay $200-$500.

If you have experience with developing tools used in newsrooms, or if you’ve had to deal with their issues, you can contribute to this highly-specialized magazine. 

Pieces on how news are made and technical aspects of journalism are also welcome. 

https://source.opennews.org/contribute/

128. ToolsQA: Help answer people’s tech questions

This website seeks articles on everything related to software testing; including automation, tools, and more. 

https://www.toolsqa.com/write-for-us-and-get-paid/  

129. 101 Holidays: Get paid for travel itineraries and ideas 

Pay: up to £100.

This British website seeks submissions on holiday ideas that their readers can follow.

They want to cover a variety of destinations and want unique ideas.

https://www.101holidays.co.uk/write-for-us/

130.National Geographic Traveler: Write for one of the most respected magazines in the world

Pay: ~$375-$2,500, 131. bbc travel: break into a respected publication, pay: ~$350-$600.

BBC is a media giant with a worldwide audience. For their travel section, they are looking for in-depth stories for specific departments. 

Their submission guidelines are very specific, so make sure you read them thoroughly.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20160106-bbc-travel-author-brief

132. Coastal Review: Praise the North Carolina coast 

If you know and love the coast of North Carolina, submit interviews, stories, and green travel advice. 

https://www.coastalreview.org/about/submissions/write-cro/

133. Enroute: Write for an inflight magazine

Pay: ~$100-$1,200.

Air Canada’s inflight magazine covers news, events, profiles, culture, destinations and more.

Although their range of topics is broad, they should be pertinent to places on their flight routes. 

https://enroute.aircanada.com/en/articles/writers-guidelines/

134. Hawaii Magazine: Write for an award-winning magazine

As is obvious from the name, this magazine covers everything to do with Hawaii. It publishes stories on diverse topics from all islands. 

https://www.hawaiimagazine.com/freelance-guidelines

135. Hemispheres: Contribute to United Airlines’ magazine 

The magazine accepts freelance pitches for features, navigator, and diversions, with the two latter being the easiest to break into.

https://www.unitedmags.com/writers-guidelines/

136. Miami Herald Travel: Write for a local newspaper

Pay: $250-$300.

This local Miami newspaper wants travel stories that can be done in a weekend from its base town. They also focus on South Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean.  

https://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article1927967.html

137. Pack Smith: Share your packing tips 

If you can fit a month’s worth of clothes into a backpack and are an expert at keeping your bags light and organized, you can help fellow travelers to avoid the stress of overpacking.

https://blog.tortugabackpacks.com/submissions/

138. Recreation News: Advertise cool events in DC and Baltimore 

This magazine seeks submissions on unique and interesting things to do in the Baltimore/DC area. Writers should be very familiar with the area. 

https://www.recreationnews.com/site/contact.html

139. Southwest: The Magazine: Publish your story in the air 

Southwest seeks nonfiction stories that are of a narrative nature. They publish two of these in every issue. 

https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A7a2310bb-7e08-4cdc-b51f-8504d222f936

140. Sunset Magazine: Show off your westcoast colors

Pay: ~$300-$1,500.

Covering the American west, as well as British Columbia, and Mexico, Sunset wants travel ideas that are easy for readers to repeat. 

They want destinations that offer a wide range of activities rather than niche ones.

https://www.sunset.com/general/travel-writers

141. The Culturist: Help others travel more consciously 

This small publication wants to improve the way we travel, and wants travel writers who have fresh and insightful commentary on how to be more conscious and respectful of the cultures and nature we visit. 

https://www.thecultureist.com/about/submissions/

142. Travel + Leisure: Break into elite travel magazines 

Pay: $2-$3 per word.

Travel + Leisure is widely regarded as one of the best travel magazines in the world.

They are a leader in the industry and expect content pitches to reflect this. 

https://www.travelandleisure.com/contact

143. Barefoot Writers Magazine: Get meta about writing

Pay $100-$300.

Write about getting paid to write, and help fellow writers shake off the romantic idea of the starving artist. 

They also want pieces on improving the craft of writing, and finding motivation. 

http://www.thebarefootwriter.com/submission-guidelines

144. Copy Hackers: Show off your copywriting knowledge

If you’ve mastered the art of copywriting and want to share your knowledge with the world, this website is looking for someone like you. 

Articles should help writers improve their skills and should be based on your own experience mastering the challenges of being a copywriter. 

https://copyhackers.com/write-a-guest-post/

145. Craft Your Content: Let your entrepreneurial knowledge shine

This writer-centered magazine wants to explore all aspects of being a writer. This includes the creative part and the emotional labor that goes into it, as well as the more technical side of approaching your writing career as a business. 

https://www.craftyourcontent.com/write-for-us/

146. Econtent Magazine: Focus on content marketing 

If you’re a content marketing whiz, submit stories, case studies, and news about this booming industry. 

http://www.econtentmag.com/About_Us

147. The Travel Writer’s Life: Help others get paid to write about travel

As its title suggests, this magazine is focused on helping people achieve their dream of travel writing.

They do not publish travel stories per se, but instead advice, success stories, and more on making it in the industry. 

http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/writers-guidelines/

148. The Writer: Give tips on writing 

Pay: $120-$1,200.

The Writer is clear on its mission: to help writers improve their craft. They are looking for detailed and specific tips that readers could easily follow to produce results. 

https://www.writermag.com/the-magazine/submission-guidelines/

149. Write Naked: Get real about writing

Get in-depth and personal about life as a freelance writer, and share your own experiences about how to pitch and land online freelance writing jobs. Or, contribute information useful to other people seeking to live off of their words. 

Keep in mind that most posts pay around $50, but in-depth articles can receive around $200. 

https://writenaked.net/guest-blog-writers/

150. Writer’s Digest: Break into the mecca of writer’s magazines 

Pay: ~$720-$1,200.

Writer’s Digest can boast Maya Angelou, Ray Bradbury, and Margaret Atwood amongst its past contributors.

Its focus is the art of writing, what it means to pursue it, and the more practical aspects of turning it into a business. 

They rarely pay for unsolicited online submissions. 

https://www.writersdigest.com/submission-guidelines

Want to land awesome freelance writing jobs from home, work online, and get paid to write blog posts?

…then you need to learn how to pitch and cold email .

Seriously, learning how to pitch and sell your services is an essential skill as a freelance writer, especially if you’re a beginner.

If you don’t know how to market yourself, you’re going to find it virtually impossible to land any awesome freelance writing jobs from home – no matter how good your writing is.

The good news?

You can easily learn how to pitch and market yourself in a way that lands high-paying gigs, even if you have no freelance writing experience and are a beginner!

To get started, join over 7,000 writers in this free class now:

How to Make Your First $1,000 Freelance Writing as a Beginner (And Land Freelance Writing Jobs From Home Consistently!)

Get to pitching!

Author Bio:

Mariana Zapata is a sustainable travel writer who’s always in hot pursuit of new food. Her work has appeared in Atlas Obscura, SmarterTravel, Far & Wide, and GoHawaii, amongst others. Follow her work or get in touch at marianazapatah.com .

COACHING + PUBLISHING

FORMATTING + DESIGN

FREELANCE COMMUNITY

• How to Find Entry-Level Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners

Why this isn’t a list of writing sites

My advice is that you not sign up for any of those., if these platforms aren’t the answer, what is, do you need qualifications to be a freelance writer, the best entry-level freelance writing jobs for beginners, 1. rewrite local small-business websites, 2. find abandoned business blogs, 3. write business emails, 4. create a newsletter or brochure, 5. report articles for local news media, 6. write for local magazines, 7. turn your former employer into a client, 8. write for local marketing agencies, 9. cover the news for a niche local paper or newsletter, 10. write reviews for things around town, how do i start freelance writing with no experience.

Right now, a record-high number of people are considering a freelance writing career. When I first wrote this article, my inbox was overflowing with questions from newbies. And the first question is: “Where can I find freelance writing jobs for beginners?”

If that’s you, sending hugs! I totally feel your confusion. The freelance marketplace is a big, complicated place. There are many types of paid writing, and different kinds of clients too.

It can seem difficult to find good freelance writing jobs for beginners. Especially if the only assignments you ask for are 1,500-word feature articles or $3,000 white papers.

While some writers do seem able to go straight for the big score , most of us work our way up.

I’ve been helping writers get started for more than a dozen years now. And I know how mystifying it can be. You feel like there’s a door you need to find, a person you need to know, a secret you must unlock to become a freelance writer.

But really, the path to freelance writing jobs for beginners is simple.

You need to find someone willing to let you write for them. That’s it.

It’s to start with entry-level freelance writing jobs . There are quite a few simple assignments that are pretty easy to get, and a breeze to execute. Kind of un-f*k-up-able.

You get a few samples from these entry-level writing jobs and boom—you have a portfolio to show. And you’re on your way.

There are fairly simple, break-in writing assignments that newbies tend to get. I’m going to outline what they are below.

But first, I need to explain something…

I realize that what you might have been expecting in this post is a list of freelance writing jobs for beginners and which content mills to sign up for. A discussion of whether Upwork is better than Fiverr. Or whether Textbroker or Writer Access has more listings.

When you Google “freelance writing jobs,” that stuff comes right to the top. Believe me, I know.

Because they’re a trap. And their rates generally suck.

That’s why I didn’t link to any of those above. I generally don’t recommend you go there.

If you’re looking to replace your day job with writing income, it’s statistically unlikely you’ll get there hanging around any of these places.

Here’s why:

• Too much competition. In the current economy, all of the mass-job platforms like these are being flooded with newbies. Ditto for responding to online job ads. When every listing gets 500 bids or applicants, you can figure your statistical odds of getting hired are low
• Tiny money. Anywhere thousands of writers are gathered online, it’s a race to the bottom on price
• Lazy marketing. When you get into freelance writing, surprise: You’re a business startup! And businesses do their own, proactive marketing. They don’t sit around some platform’s dashboard hoping the luck fairy sends them a job. You learn bad habits that can cripple your chances of building a viable, bill-paying, remote-work biz
• It’s demoralizing. When you do nothing but scan writing job boards with $15 offers, it’s easy to get depressed. Or to conclude that freelance writing can’t pay your bills. When it can be a six-figure income .

Learning to prospect and find your own clients . Got a quick-start guide to that for you in the final section below.

We have an entire four-week course on finding your first freelance writing jobs that goes even more in-depth on the subject. I highly recommend checking that out plus over 300 hours of other video and audio training by becoming a Den member .

Once you commit to pitching independently for work, many doors will be open to you, to find decent-paying writing jobs even if you’re a beginner. And usually, you’ll be the only writer they’re considering. Your success odds just soared.

But: What sort of work should you be pitching to do? Keep reading and I’ll reveal what I think are the best writing jobs for beginners with no experience.

Don’t let a lack of experience prevent you from diving into freelancing. You don’t need any fancy, expensive certifications or degrees to be a freelance writer, but you should, you know, actually be a decent writer. And even more importantly, you need to learn how to pitch and how to run a business, so you can get jobs and make money writing .

Here’s a tip: Pitching a specific project gets way more responses than a generic: “Hi, I’m a writer. Do you need a writer?”

So—what should you say you could write, for these first writing clients? Here are some great newbie, entry-level writing projects you can pitch for to break into the biz, along with some thoughts on pricing:

Think about small businesses in your town that you patronize. Then, go look at their websites.

I know, they’re a mess! Offer to rewrite theirs. Or to add some new content. Perhaps they could use a press page, to help them get free media mentions. Or they have no ‘About us’ page with team bios and the company’s story. I find those are the most common missing pages on small-biz sites.

Study the big guys’ press pages or team bios, and then create a page like it for the little guy. Boom!

If you love writing and have had feedback you write well over the years, it’s a guarantee you’ll be able to create something stronger than Joe Businessguy wrote on his own.

Many small businesses start a blog, because execs know it can be a great way to improve their website’s search rankings, deepen customer bonds, and build their authority as a go-to expert in their space.

But few can keep it going. Because duh, they’re busy running a business! Which is like trying to repair a plane engine while you’re flying the plane.

The blog quickly falls to the bottom of the priority list, and soon, it’s gathering dust. Which looks sad and actually hurts their image.

Abandoned business blogs, where there’s been no post for six months or a year or more, are legion. Pick an industry you know a bit about, search up companies in your region, and take a look.

This one’s like shooting fish in a barrel. An easy pitch: “Would you like help getting that blog going again?”

You’ve read blogs. you’re reading one now. You could write a blog post on day one that’ll likely be better than that solopreneur could create.

Pricing: Start out at $50-$100 for short blog posts (500-750 words or so) from bitty companies, if you need first samples. Go up from there. My coaching students get $500 a post and more, from bigger companies, so there is move-up opportunity.

Ever make a purchase and not get a sequence of emails afterwards that offers to sell you more, or keeps building the relationship? Many, many businesses rely on email marketing .

But small businesses are often low on automated email marketing sequences. They may not email people who abandon their sales cart, for instance. Sign up on your prospects’ sites to get notices and see what emails you get.

Sending more emails = money in the bank, for businesses. So this can be an easy sale.

Ask if they could use help with those. There are a million examples of good marketing emails out there you can crib from.

Pricing: Consider $100 per short email a floor. Pros command much more.

You might think both of these are dinosaur marketing products that aren’t used much today—but you’d be wrong. There may not be as much call for physical ones in this Covid moment, but e-newsletters abound, as do digital brochures.

You’ve read newsletters , and you can write ’em, too. Partner with a designer if your client needs that.

Grab all the brochures from your local Chamber of Commerce’s members to study. Most are wretchedly bad writing, and it’s easy to improve them.

Don’t forget to look at nonprofits for these, too. They may not pay as well, but can be a great place to get some nice-looking clips to start.

Pricing: Varies by size and frequency of publication. But $750-$1,000 for a simple, 3-fold brochure isn’t uncommon, and a regular monthly e-news could easily be a $500-$1000-a-month steady project, depending on newsletter size.

Local news has never been more challenged to keep locals informed and governments accountable. Freelance help is welcome!

When Alastair Barnett decided to give freelance writing a try, he pitched an idea for a personal essay to a local newspaper. What happened next, changed everything for the young freelance writer.

“I was shocked when the features editor called and asked me to write 1,000 words for the Sunday paper with a 250-word sidebar. No lie, my hands shook while holding the phone. During our chat, the editor actually apologized for paying only $250.” Alastair Barnett

Of course, sometimes budgets are tight and staffs have been slashed, which means you might get some great pro bono samples here, if you’re willing to trudge out and cover that city council meeting or protest.

If they can’t pay or it’s small money, how is this better than writing for a content mill? Writing for newspapers conveys instant credibility.

Business clients know you have an editorial process you’ve successfully got through here. Print clips impress.

Pricing: $50-$100 will be typical, if they pay at all. This writing job is all about adding great portfolio samples and building your credibility as a writer.

Is there a regional or community magazine in your area? You know, the kind you see in a stand by the door at your local grocery or convenience store? That’s a great place to start.

“I tell newbies to start with what they already read,” says freelance writer Carol J. Alexander .

“If I had no experience, I’d start with local, small business, family, or friends. Just get some clips, build your portfolio, and work up from there.” Carol J. Alexander

Does your former employer have a blog, a website, marketing materials, or a presence on social media?

You may be the perfect person to handle those content market projects, and these can be great freelance writing jobs for beginners.

Why? You already know the business. Give it a shot and ask the marketing director or CEO at your old job if you can do some freelance work.

“When my day job announced plans to move, making my daily commute about 90 minutes each way, I knew I had to do something. So I pitched the idea of contract work to the CEO, and voila, it worked. If your former employer has a need for content, hiring you is a no-brainer because you already know the business, as long as you left on good terms.” Evan Jensen

Do a Google search like this: “[your niche] marketing agencies.”

That single search will produce a list of agencies that work with clients in your niche. Chances are pretty good some of them need to hire a writer…pronto. These can provide solid freelance writing gigs for beginners as you’ll get to gain valuable experience writing for the agency’s clients.

“I would recommend pitching marketing agencies,” says freelance writer Amy Hardison White .

“My first freelance client was a marketing agency. The work was not as high-paying as it could have been, but it gave me the opportunity to get used to a high volume of work and different types of work.” Amy Hardison White

We already talked about writing for your town’s newspaper or community magazine, but there’s another kind of local news publication you can write for that often gets overlooked—niche newspapers and newsletters.  At one point, I wrote short pieces on what was new in my regional library system, for instance. Our libraries put out a pretty nice quarterly newspaper, and it was a great way to get my name around. I know another writer who got started writing for her condo association newsletter.

Most alternative papers have regular restaurant columns and are constantly doing dining stories. Their staff reviewer can’t stay on top of every new eatery that opens their doors, so pitch them the one you want to visit.

Not a foodie? What about reviewing local plays or concerts? You could also pitch your local paper on book or movie reviews.

Now that you know where to find entry-level writing jobs, let’s talk a bit about how to actually land your first freelance writing jobs.

Here are some tips to start freelance writing with no experience:

• Google is your friend. Search for startups or fastest-growing businesses in your target industry or city. The list you want already exists!
• Businesses & nonprofits you know. Where do you shop and volunteer? Those are often your best starting point for getting first writing samples
• Chamber of Commerce directory. Every city has one, and big cities often have multiple chambers. Look through the directory for local business names—then, check their websites for what you want to pitch. You’ll be amazed how many companies operate in your town that you’ve never heard of
• Walk your local industrial park. These low-glamour businesses rarely get pitched, and their websites are often an atrocity. Write down the names of all the companies you see. Go home and look at their websites
• Connect with marketing pros in your niche. Maybe you’re new to freelance writing, but you’re no stranger to marketing, advertising, sales and public relations from your day-job experience. That’s another great network of people you can reach out to and ask a simple question: Know anyone who needs a freelance writer?
• Get new-business registrations. If your city has a business journal , they pull this data for you in a section of the paper each week. A Daily Journal of Commerce, if your town has one, would have these listings, too. If not, call your city, county, or other local-government’s business development department and ask how you access new-business registrations (they should be a public record you can view). Anybody starting a biz right now needs marketing help—and often, doesn’t have the budget to hire a seasoned pro. These are great entry-level writing job opportunities

That ought to get you started with plenty of leads to companies that could use a fresh writer. Hope this helps you get launched and rolling! And don’t forget to check out even more resources on how to find freelance writing jobs .

This is an updated version of a story that was previously published. We update our posts as often as possible to ensure they’re useful for our readers.

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40 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs For Beginners

Alana Chase

With over 10 years’ experience in editing and editorial team management, Alana serves as Eleven's Head of Editing, aiding editors in creating top-quality content and overseeing recruitment to ensure only the best of the best join Eleven’s ranks. A seasoned digital journalist and writer, Alana holds an MA in Creative Writing and is accomplished in spearheading content strategy at high-growth media startups.

Deciding to become a freelance writer is exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming and confusing at first.

You’ve explored your passion for writing, dabbled in creating content, and maybe even shared some pieces on a personal blog or self-publishing platform.

But what comes next? How do you bridge the gap between aspiring to work as a freelance writer and landing your first paid gig?

We’re here to answer exactly that question with our guide on where to find freelance writing jobs as a beginner. 

Below, you’ll find 40+ websites, job boards, communities, and newsletters to help you find plenty of new freelance writing gigs. You’ll also find platforms we’ve used to hire freelancers in the past.

Let’s jump in!

Traditional job boards: LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor

(🏅We’ve hired from here)

LinkedIn , Indeed , and Glassdoor are some of the most reliable places to find freelance writing jobs, even for beginners.

Simply sign up for an account (you can use your existing Google account to sign up on LinkedIn, Indeed, or Glassdoor or your Facebook account to sign up on Glassdoor), and then use their job search features to find writing jobs. 

Try search terms like “writing,” “writer,” “blog writer,” “freelance writer,” “entry-level freelance writer,” or “entry-level writer.”

On LinkedIn, you can narrow down your search by setting the “​​​​Experience level” filter to “Entry level” and “Job type” to “Contract” for beginner-friendly freelance gigs. On Indeed, filter by Job type > Contract for freelance work.

Pro tip: Make the most of LinkedIn by creating a compelling profile that showcases your writing skills. Highlight your relevant experience, include links to samples of your work, and add a professional headshot. 

Also, follow companies and individuals related to your niche (such as publishers or content marketing agencies) for networking opportunities. Engage with their posts and consider reaching out with personalized connection requests to build a strong professional network. 

Upwork is a freelancing platform that connects individuals with clients looking for various services, including writing. Writers of all levels can find gigs on Upwork, but it’s especially useful for those just starting out.

First, sign up for an Upwork account and create a profile detailing your skills and experience.

Next, use the search function to find jobs. Filter results by job category (e.g., Content Writing or Sales & Marketing Copywriting), type (hourly or fixed-price), client history (i.e., how many hires they’ve made), project length, and hours per week. 

When you find a job you’d like to apply to, submit a proposal and wait for it to be approved. 

Pro tip: Personalize your proposals by emphasizing your unique strengths — such as your knowledge of SEO, ability to meet tight deadlines, or expertise in a certain industry (e.g., technology or finance).

Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance Writing Jobs features job posts for freelance writers from all over the internet. Listings are updated regularly, and you can narrow your search by job location, category, and date posted. 

You don’t need an account to browse the site. However, since it collects job listings from across the web, you won’t actually apply through Freelance Writing Jobs itself. As a result, you may need to sign up for an account on a different platform to apply for the gigs that interest you.

Contently is a creative marketing platform that helps freelancers connect with brands seeking top-notch writing services. It regularly posts opportunities from a wide range of industries — from tech to biopharma to medicine and more.

All you need to get started is a Contently account. It’s free to sign up, and you can begin creating your portfolio immediately. Add your best samples, outline your experience and skills, and upload a profile picture. 

Make sure to turn on the “Available to work” setting and set “View as” to “Everyone.” You’ll then be ready to start landing clients. 

​​Guru is a freelancing platform where you can find various writing jobs. 

To get started, register for a free Guru account and create a comprehensive profile outlining your rates, experience, and skills. 

You can then search for jobs, filtering by payment terms (hourly or fixed rate), employer spend (i.e., how much the client has budgeted for the project), location, category, and number of quotes received.

Once you find an opportunity that interests you, tap the “Send Quote” button to bid on the project with your custom rate.

Behance , owned by Adobe, is a platform where creative professionals can showcase their portfolios and find new work. While it’s most popular with graphic designers, illustrators, and other artists, Behance is also great for freelance writers.

The platform shares many job opportunities, including ones in writing that you can find using keywords like “writer” and “content creator.” Behance lets you filter jobs by “Freelance” or “Full-Time” — but we’ve found that some gigs listed as full-time accept applications from freelancers, too.

Simply sign up for a free account and start browsing gigs.

A job board specializing in remote and flexible opportunities, FlexJobs is fantastic for freelance writers of all experience levels.

The site requires a subscription ($9.95/week, $24.95/month, $39.95/three months, or $59.95/year). With it, you can access tens of thousands of job opportunities and search for the ones that fit your exact preferences. 

Filter by job category, work schedule, experience level, location, job type, and more. You can even view opportunities from companies with accolades, such as Great Place to Work Award recipients and those who’ve made the Fortune 500 list.

FlexJobs can also automatically notify you when it posts new listings that meet your criteria.

JournalismJobs.com

JournalismJobs.com is a site that posts jobs in journalism and media — including freelance writing opportunities at digital publications, newspapers, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations. 

It’s free to create an account, and you can sign up to receive daily freelance job alerts in your preferred industry and location. 

Robert Half

Robert Half is a recruitment agency that helps professionals find their next opportunity. 

It posts new jobs to its board daily, and we’ve found that the best search terms to find freelance writing gigs are “freelance content writer” and “freelance copywriter.” Robert Half advertises both remote and in-person (within the United States) opportunities, which you can filter by state. 

You won’t need an account to browse jobs, but it’s a good idea to sign up for one (it’s free) before applying. You can also upload your resume, and a Robert Half team member will contact you if you’re a good match for open positions.

ProBlogger is a platform dedicated to blogging and freelance writing. It has a job board featuring writing opportunities from various niches, with new listings added regularly. 

With the Advanced Job Search function , you can filter listings by keyword, location, type (e.g., freelance), category (such as blog writing or ghostwriting), company type (from studios to large organizations), and date posted. 

You can search for gigs without an account, but you’ll need to sign up for a free Candidate account to start applying.

Creative Circle

Creative Circle provides staffing and consulting services to those in creative industries. It also has a job board and various resources for job-seekers, including freelance writers. 

Search for jobs by title, skill, or keyword, and filter by type (e.g., freelance), location (remote or a physical location in the US or Canada), and date posted. 

Creative Circle refreshes its job board daily, and the recruitment process is straightforward:

• Apply for an open role, and Creative Circle will set up an interview if your experience is a match.
• Creative Circle shares your resume and writing work with the client to see if you’re a good fit.
• You await the client’s decision, and if you land the gig, Creative Circle will handle all the necessary paperwork.

Hubstaff Talent

Hubstaff Talent connects freelancers with clients looking for remote talent around the world. The platform has a client network in the thousands, and new opportunities are added to its job board nearly every day.

Start by setting up your Hubstaff Talent freelancer profile — adding your personal details, experience, skills, writing samples, hourly rate, and how many hours per week you can dedicate to freelance work. You can also add your social media links, resume, and profile picture. 

Then, browse the job board for freelance writing opportunities. There are various filters to narrow your search, including experience level, location, and project budget.

Mediabistro

Mediabistro posts career opportunities for professionals in the creative and media industries — e.g., graphic designers, digital marketing managers, reporters, photographers, editors, writers, and others.

Its job board boasts hundreds of listings — including ones from major organizations like Dotdash Meredith and Hearst Communications, two of the largest digital and print publishers in the US. You can sort jobs by type, experience level, duration (e.g., freelance, part-time, full-time, etc.), and location. 

To find freelance writing jobs, you needn’t enter any keywords. Simply click “Writing & Editing” in the “Job Type” dropdown and set “Duration” to “Freelance.” 

Pro tip: Once you’ve set these filters, tap the navy-blue “Create Job Alerts” button to receive an email when Mediabistro adds new jobs that fit the criteria.

You might be familiar with Medium as a publishing platform writers use to share their work. But did you know it’s also a place to earn money for your writing?

You can do this by applying for Medium’s Partner Program , which requires some investment upfront. 

To be eligible, you’ll need to be a Medium member. Membership costs $5-15/month or $50-150/year, depending on your tier preference. You’ll also need to have posted to Medium within the last six months, be at least 18 years old, and be located and file taxes in an eligible country.

Medium will pay you for your articles based on “​​​​member read and listen time” and engagement signals such as “claps, highlights, replies, and new follows.”

You might not earn thousands of dollars per month (though some writers do ), but this is a decent way to make money while building up your writing portfolio as a beginner.

Check out the complete guide to Medium’s Partner Program here .

ClearVoice is a content creation and marketing platform that connects freelancers with clients. Sign up to freelance with ClearVoice, and the company will match you with the perfect job opportunity. 

Getting started is easy and relatively quick. Follow these steps:

• Enter your name and email address and create a password.
• Add basic personal details and a professional bio. 
• Set your per-word rate. 
• Select the content types (e.g., newsletters, blog articles, website copy, etc.) and categories (e.g., Advertising & Marketing, Family & Parenting, and others) you’d like to focus on.
• Add up to six samples of your work. 
• Wait for ClearVoice to approve your profile.

Companies can then contact you for work. A ClearVoice team member might also reach out to you directly about completing writing assignments.

Freelance Writers Den

Freelance Writers Den is a membership-based site designed exclusively for freelance writers.

Membership is a bit pricey, at $40/month, but it gives you access to a supportive community, resources to help you navigate your freelance writing career, and, of course, various job listings.

We Work Remotely

Catering to those seeking work-from-anywhere opportunities, We Work Remotely shares hundreds of jobs in various fields, with new gigs posted daily. 

Searching the job board is easy. Enter a job title, such as “content writer” or “technical writer,” and use filters to narrow the results. Advanced filters include job category, time zone, company size, industry, and more. 

You can also sign up for daily email updates on new job listings in your preferred category, such as Sales and Marketing.

Where to Pitch

Where to Pitch provides freelance writers with a curated list of publications accepting article pitches. 

Just type in a vertical — such as personal finance, beauty, or politics — or use the Categories dropdown to search for places to submit your writing. Click on opportunities that interest you to read the publication’s unique content requirements and pitching guidelines.

Who Pays Writers?

Who Pays Writers? is a crowdsourced list of publications that pay freelance writers. It includes publications’ rates, how quickly they pay, and reports on writing projects from specific outlets.

You can search reports by publication or date posted. New reports are posted regularly, and publications get added to the Who Pays Writers? list as soon as they have a report. 

Newsletters

Subscribing to newsletters is an excellent way to discover freelance writing opportunities. Many share curated lists of writing gigs — sent straight to your email inbox. 

Here are some free ones you can sign up for:

• Best Writing’s Newsletter
• The Write Life Newsletter
• Coffee & Go Newsletter
• The Writer’s Job Newsletter
• Kat Boogaard’s Newsletter
• Freedom with Writing Newsletter
• Peak Freelance Newsletter

Eleven has its own newsletter, too: the Freelance Writing Roundup. Every two weeks, we share tips to improve your writing, the latest job openings at our agency, and more. Sign up here .

Online communities

Joining online communities related to freelance writing can help you discover potential job leads. Many digital forums and social media groups have community job boards and regularly share announcements for freelance opportunities. 

Here’s a list of some you can join:

• r/freelancewriters on Reddit
• Upwork’s Community forums
• The Writing & Blogging topic on Quora
• The Freelance Writers’ Connection LinkedIn group
• #FreelanceWriting , # FreelanceWritingJobs , and # WritingCommunity on X
• Freelance Copywriter Collective
• Writers Helping Writers
• The Write Life Community
• ProBlogger Community
• Digital Copywriters
• No-Fluff Freelance Writing Group
• Absolute Write Water Cooler
• The Copywriter Club

Beginning your freelance writing journey can be thrilling, but you’ll need to know where to look for jobs to get your career off the ground. 

We’ve shared 40+ great places to find freelance writing jobs as a beginner — from established platforms like Upwork to writer-specific sites like Freelance Writers Den and plenty more.

You now have a range of options at your fingertips. All that’s left to do is start applying!

‍ Hungry for insights on improving as a writer? Dive into Eleven’s writing and editing guides , and consider signing up for our upcoming Freelance Writing Mastery course .

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