Writers write, right? They spend their days drafting, rewriting, and finalizing and their nights dreaming about perfectly crafted sentences and what’s next. But what writers may not realize is if they go too long without a break, they’ll show signs of their dedication with a writer’s callus.
If you prefer writing outlines and drafts by hand, you may have experienced a writer’s callus before. Also known as nerd bump or writer’s bump, these calluses are caused by repeated use of a writing utensil.
Disclaimer: This is a writing blog and we do not offer professional medical advice. If you’re dealing with writer’s callus or some other condition please consult your doctor for the best course of treatment.
What is a writer’s callus?
According to Healthline, “writer’s callus is an area of accumulated dead skin cells that form as a result of repeated friction against your finger.” If you primarily type rather than use a pen or pencil, this type of callus may not be a problem. However, if you do find yourself writing longform for stretches of time, then this is something to watch for!
Think of a writer’s callus as similar to a blister forming on your foot after wearing new shoes for a while. Your skin isn’t used to the friction and as a protection measure, your body forms a blister. A writer’s callus forms on your hand for the same reason—your body is protecting that part of your hand from damage by forming a bump.
Where can writer’s calluses occur?
Musicians who play stringed instruments often experience calluses on their hands. Guitarists and violinists frequently build calluses where their fingers press against the strings.
If you engage in strength training, you can probably feel the calluses on the soft skin on the underside of your knuckles where you regularly grip your weights.
A writer’s callus can occur on your hand wherever your writing utensil rubs repeatedly. Where the callus appears depends on how you hold your writing utensil. Some people hold their pen or pencil between their index and middle finger while others rest it against their ring finger.
How to prevent a writer’s callus
There are many ways you can work to prevent a writer’s callus before it starts. Here are a few common suggestions to try.
Wear gloves while writing
Lightweight cotton gloves add a layer between your pen and your hand, reducing the friction created from writing. People often wear gloves while raking leaves or lifting weights for this reason, so why not try it for writing as well?
Take short breaks
Short breaks are helpful for many reasons, and one reason is it gives your hands a break. While it’s easy to get into the zone and not want to break the spell, it’s a good idea to take regular breaks to move around, stretch, refill your drink, and then get back to work.
Treat writing like a job
If you don’t yet write full time, try to treat it as if you do. Think about how a day job works—you have regular breaks scheduled throughout the shift, a lunch break, and a quitting time. There’s space between working and not working. There are two full days off each week. Having a schedule for writing (with planned breaks and time off) can also help in preventing calluses from forming.
Set aside your favorite pen
Drastic, I know. Most of us have a favorite writing utensil. Whether it’s a pen we think makes our handwriting look better, or a type of ink that doesn’t smear (I’m talking to you, lefties!), writers are notorious for keeping favorites close. However, switching up the type of pen you’re using to write throughout the day can actually help slow or prevent the form of calluses. Just something to consider.
Mix it up
If you’re on deadline or have high daily word count goals, then it may be prudent to plan for many writing methods. For example, plan to write freehand for your first block of writing, use speak-to-text software for your second block, typing into a computer for your third block, etc.
Keep in mind that your callus has formed because your body is trying to protect the skin underneath it from the pressure of your pen. If you are going to continue writing by hand then you may want to keep the callus until you’re ready to take a longer break.
I say, if you have a writer’s callus then wear it as a badge of honor! It shows that you’re dedicated to your craft.
Commitment to a dream is often the difference between seeing that dream come to fruition, or watching that dream remain dormant. If it takes a few calluses to push your dream into reality, it’s well worth it.
Happy writing, and don’t forget to change up your routine every now and then!
Important announcement: You don’t have to go into journalism or spend hours looking for freelance work to find creative writing jobs. If you enjoy spinning tales more than marketing campaigns, it IS possible for you to make some money from your creative endeavors. We’re not going to sugar coat it, it’s difficult, but not impossible.
Here are three creative writing jobs that will let you flex your artistic writing muscles
We hope you’ll use the resources below to find some ways to earn money writing stories, creative prose or even poetry.
Literary Journals and Magazines
Literary journals and magazines are a great place to submit your creative writing, especially if you’re trying to build a portfolio of published work. It may be harder to be accepted in some publications than others, but think of rejection letters as a way to work toward improvement.
If you want to start publishing your work, here are some journals and magazines where you can submit your stories or essays.
OneStory
“ONE STORY publishes one great short story at a time. We bring people together through reading, writing, and learning about short fiction.”
While ONE STORY accepts fiction, they do state that they accept literary fiction. As you start to write and submit, make sure you know the difference between literary and genre fiction and you understand what individual publications are looking for.
Submissions for ONE STORY should be between 3,000 and 8,000 words and they pay $500 and 25 contributors copies for First Serial North American rights. All rights will revert to the author following publication.
Strange Horizons accepts speculative fiction and also publishes fiction, poetry, essays, and interviews. Even better? They are open for submissions soon! For fiction, they accept stories up to 10,000 words and pay $0.10 per word.
Check out their guidelines and get ready to submit. If you have speculative fiction polished and ready to go, this might be a great place for it!
The Sun Magazine
We’re looking for narrative writing and evocative photography from all over the world. Send us work that maps the human landscape, where the light catches on the faintest joy, where darkness sometimes threatens to overwhelm, and where ✗ never marks the spot because the truth is never so simple.
The Sun Magazine pays $200 and up, depending on length for fiction and essays. Review their guidelines for their writing and think about submitting!
Podcasts
If you haven’t noticed, even the literary world is making the move to digital and a lot of people prefer to listen to their stories than read them. It’s time to get your piece of that pie and look at podcasting for viable creative writing jobs. Here are a few podcasts that will pay you for your stories and feature them on their podcast.
PseudoPod
“PseudoPod is always looking for quality fiction to feed our listeners. If you’re a writer with a short horror story that you’d like to hear narrated by one of our talented performers, we’d like to see it. Probably.”
PseudoPod seeks dark or weird fiction and pays $0.08 per word for original fiction, $100 flat rate for short story reprints, and $20 flat rate for flash fiction reprints (stories below 1,500 words).
You can learn more about when they are open to submissions and their guidelines on their website.
PodCastle is a fantasy fiction podcast from PseudoPod. If you write speculative fiction, this is the portal for you. Learn more here.
Cast of Wonders
Write young adult speculative fiction? Cast of Wonders is a young adult short fiction market, open to stories up to 6,000 words in length. Dig deep into the submission guidelines here, as they make it clear they are looking for a specific type of story.
Clarkesworld Podcast
“Clarkesworld Magazine is a Hugo, World Fantasy, and British Fantasy Award-winning science fiction and fantasy magazine that publishes short stories, interviews, articles and audio fiction.”
Clarkesworld pays $0.12 per word but claims first world electronic rights (text and audio), first print rights, and non-exclusive anthology rights for their annual Clarkesworld anthology.
If you’re new to submitting your work, you’ll want to learn more about first rights and what that means for your work. They offer a resource here. Check out their submission guidelines to see if they are a fit for your writing.
Thirteen Podcast
“Thirteen is a monthly audio fiction anthology podcast featuring atmospheric, slow burn, spooky stories.
Thirteen Podcast is looking for, “stories that will make you smile, break your heart, and have you wishing for a night light.”
They have new episodes on the 13th of each month and feature one longer story each episode rather than several shorter ones. They are looking for stories of 5,000 words or more and a first-person narrator works best for their format.
Authors of stories over 5,000 words in length will be paid $75 if accepted. Authors of stories under 5,000 words in length will be paid $50 if accepted.
Review their guidelines and reach out, especially if you like your short, creepy stories on the longer side.
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine Podcast
“Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine welcomes submissions from both new and established writers. We publish every kind of mystery short story: the psychological suspense tale, the deductive puzzle, the private eye case—the gamut of crime and detection from the realistic (including the policeman’s lot and stories of police procedure) to the more imaginative (including “locked rooms” and “impossible crimes”). We need hard-boiled stories as well as “cozies,” but we are not interested in explicit sex or violence. We do not want true detective or crime stories. We are especially happy to review first stories by authors who have never before published fiction professionally.”
Do you have a flair for one-liners? Do you always get asked to write notes for friends or loved ones when they have a special occasion or loss? Can you make someone sniffle in just a few words? Then writing greeting cards might be one of the best creative writing jobs for you. Some companies pay $100 for an accepted verse, so it’s a great way to add to your writing income.
Check out these companies to get started.
Blue Mountain Arts
Blue Mountain Arts is looking for rhymed poetry, religious verse, or one-liners. That said, they want, “contemporary prose or poetry written from personal experience that reflects the thoughts and feelings people today want to communicate to one another, but don’t always know how to put into words.”
Oatmeal studios favors funny over feelings. They want “humorous greeting card ideas that appeal to a range of ages and interests. Review their guidelines page and see if their style meets yours!
While there are options when it comes to submitting your work for creative writing jobs, we should make it clear that making money from in these non-traditional ways isn’t easy. It takes constant improvement, research, and patience. The landscape is always changing so continue to learn and, most importantly, continue to write!
If you’re trying to break into the industry, entry level writing jobs can be a good way to get your foot in the door. And yes, contrary to popular belief, you can actually make money from entry-level positions (cue gasps of shock).
We’re in our digital era—where content is king and screen time is on an Olympic sprint. And despite the low-key threat of artificial intelligence and other tech innovations, the demand for skilled writers is needed now more than ever. Businesses need captivating content (whether it’s binge-worthy blog posts or compelling product descriptions) and are always looking for fresh voices.
And that’s where you, the budding freelancer, come into play.
But of course, knowing there’s a need isn’t much help unless you know where to show up so you can fill the gap. And how do you stand out with all of the other aspiring wordsmith’s out there? That’s what we come in.
Buckle up and prepare to embark on a whirlwind tour of all things entry level writing jobs—where to find them, how to snag them, and what opportunities they could unlock for your career.
Do I Need Formal Qualifications to Secure Entry Level Writing Jobs?
Short answer? Not at all.
Certifications and degrees are helpful, and certain markets will require advanced education (such as medical writing, which requires expertise in that niche) but they don’t guarantee entry in writing world. In general, having strong writing skills is much more important than academic education.
There are many different kinds of writing (e.g. business writing, personal essays, travel writing, food writing, etc.), so as long as you understand the assignment then you’re in good shape. Your writing skills are the essential ingredients but in order to secure the ongoing paycheck, you’ll want to know how to make successful pitches too!
Freelance writers who publish in newspapers or magazine often are paid by the word. If this is the case for you, then your income is a balance between how fast you work and how long your commissioned pieces are.
If you write for businesses or online sites, then you may find yourself negotiating project rates. In this case, you’re looking for a win-win between their budget and your desired income.
In either case, the outlet or organization may set the rate, but that doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate. Have a good idea of what you want/need to bring in so you only take on work that aligns with your business plan and values.
When you’re just getting started as a freelance writer you may not know how long a piece will take you or what it should be valued at, so it will be difficult to set rates. It will take some trial and error to figure out what type of writing best suits you, what you most enjoy, and what price point will help you reach your income goals.
Don’t worry too much if you end up taking a job where you realize later you’ve undercharged. Take it as a learning experience and raise your rates the next time this type of job comes up.
It’s one thing to have the desire to break into freelance writing. It’s a whole other thing to actually find quality writing jobs as a beginner! The good news is there are many ways to find and secure well-paid writing jobs, even if you’re just getting started. Here are a few suggestions to try out.
1. Look for Websites In Need of Updating
Have you ever strolled around your local digital neighborhood and noticed the small businesses whose websites seem stuck in the 90s? Or perhaps, you’ve stumbled upon those big businesses with blog sections that look about as lively as a tumbleweed town.
It’s like spotting a cute fixer-upper house and you’re inspired to breathe life into the outdated landing pages or blog posts.
You’d be amazed at how many companies have unoptimized About Pages or are missing testimonials or company stories. It’s probably on their to-do list, but it can be difficult to get to these details!
So here’s a thought: Why not inquire about it? Ask if they could use a freelance writer to update their website a bit. Include a few of your writing pieces that are similar to their industry if you can, it will give them confidence that you’re up to the task. If you don’t have relevant samples then you could mock up some examples to showcase your skills and how you can help.
You never know, they might be waiting for someone like you to revitalize their website.
2. Utilize Freelance Writing Sites
There is a lot of debate about platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr. It’s not for everyone. However, it can be a good starting point to get experience and build your writing portfolio.
Here are the pros: You can establish your profile and highlight your specialties. You can offer an array of services at different rates. Sites like these allow clients to reach out and for freelancers to bid on jobs. You won’t get everything you go for, but since sites like these are largely a numbers game, if you pitch enough eventually you’re bound to get something.
However, these platforms charge a service fee on each project, and they prefer if you keep communication within the platform rather than taking it private. Working with clients from these platforms may require time and perseverance to secure those big projects that offer a generous paycheck.
We recommend considering these types of platforms as stepping stones.
3. Work with Marketing Agencies
Agencies can be lucrative for writers, and they work especially well if you’d rather not deal directly with clients or find jobs yourself. Marketing agencies handle the administration and account management (for the most part) and pass the writing work to you as it comes in.
By searching online for marketing agencies within your niche, you may be surprised at how many work with freelancers and are looking for help in the near future. Agency work can be inconsistent but you’ll also likely gain a lot of experience on many different types of writing projects in a short amount of time.
4. Network with Other Freelance Writers
It’s not about what you know but who you know, right? Established freelance writers will tell you most of their high-paying work is generated from referrals and networking.
Whether it’s in person or on social media, be as proactive as possible in reaching out to freelance writers to gain fresh, new opportunities.
5. Use Reliable Job Boards
While pitching can often secure you higher-paying jobs, it can be intimidating and overwhelming. You may choose to apply to postings on job boards instead, which is a bit more passive.
The advantage with job boards is it puts you in control when it comes to filtering the type of writing job you want and the kind of company you’d love to work for. Some businesses will offer full-time positions while others will be seeking out freelancers so you can search, sort, and filter down to exactly what you want.
Tips to Kickstart Your Writing Career as a Beginner
So now that we know where to find your first writing jobs and you have a bit of an idea for how much you can expect to be paid, here are some additional tips to help you land that job.
Create a Writing Portfolio
Most clients will want to see some writing samples ahead of time. You’re probably thinking, “I’m new! I have nothing published!”
Fear not, there are other ways to showcase your skills, even if you’re just showing samples or mock-ups that haven’t actually been published.
Putting together a writing or social media portfolio shows the prospective client what you’re capable of and demonstrates your competence to do the job well.
We recommend creating your portfolio online and sending a link to specific relevant pieces rather than to the entire package. This will help them see you as a professional.
Dedicate Yourself to Continual Improvement
Just because you’ve secured a writing job doesn’t mean the learning comes to an end. There are always things to learn, ways to improve, and techniques to try.
You may begin in blogging and realize you could earn more if you also add in search engine optimization (SEO) to your offer. And once you learn SEO, then you see how copywriting can make you even more valuable to clients. As you grow and gain experience with one type of writing, you’ll see even more stepping stones to keep improving.
Personalize your Pitches
If you’re reaching out to clients via email or LinkedIn, then it will benefit you to find ways to stand out in a busy inbox.
We’d recommend keeping your opening paragraph as concise as possible (you have something like seven to keep someone reading).
Also, do your homework so you can mention things in your pitch that resonate with the recipient. Who doesn’t love an email where the sender actually has some idea of who they’re messaging? It will make a much bigger impact than sending a copy-paste generic cold pitch, trust us. Of course you don’t want to cross the line and come off as creepy—keep it professional, yet personable.
We won’t leave you hanging, of course. Fill in the form below and we’ll send you our pitch checklist, free!
Summary
It’s an incredible feeling when you get that first paying writing job but here’s something even more exciting: Entry level writing jobs aren’t the end of the road for writers, they’re only the beginning.
This is your springboards for getting into the industry and opening up doors to MORE—more opportunities, more connections, more experiences, and more money.
So, here’s to finding jobs that fit your skills, learning how to value your writing, how to negotiate, and how to grow your portfolio one sample at a time.
Keep writing, keep learning, and remember—every master was once a beginner.
Looking for the ultimate freelance writing for beginners guide? You’ve come to the right place. Keep reading.
The writing industry is vast and many people will have, at some point, wondered if they should bother to pursue a career within it.
With writing being an essential part of everyday life, the opportunity to translate that experience and knowledge into an income has greater potential than many other industries, but it also means it is more competitive.
But what does it actually take to become a freelance writer? And how exactly does one go about it? Is there a freelance writing for beginners guide?
In this article we’ll answer these questions and more. We’ll break down the ins and outs of freelance writing as a career path, examining the skill set required, the steps to take and the knowledge you need.
By the end, you’ll be in a position to ascertain whether or not a freelance writing career is for you as well as how to break into the industry.
As independent contractors, freelance writers cater to diverse clients, producing content across various genres and platforms. This flexible career allows writers to choose their projects, set their schedules, and work from virtually anywhere.
From creating engaging articles and blog posts to crafting marketing copy and technical documents, freelance writers navigate a vast landscape of opportunities.
Success in freelance writing often hinges on a blend of writing proficiency, business acumen, and adaptability, empowering writers to pursue their passion while meeting the unique needs of clients in a constantly evolving digital landscape.
What skills do you need to become a freelance writer?
Becoming a successful freelance writer requires a diverse skill set to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of digital content creation.
Here’s a guide to key skills essential for freelance writers:
Writing proficiency—Strong writing skills are the foundation. A freelance writer must convey ideas clearly, concisely, and creatively
Research skills—The ability to gather accurate information efficiently is crucial for creating well-informed, credible content
Adaptability—Freelance writers often work on varied topics and formats, demanding adaptability to different styles, tones, and industries
Time management—Meeting deadlines is paramount. Effective time management ensures timely delivery of quality work
SEO knowledge—Understanding search engine optimization helps writers create content that performs well in online searches
Communication—Clear communication with clients is vital. Freelancers must interpret client needs and convey progress and challenges effectively
Editing and proofreading—A keen eye for detail ensures the delivery of polished, error-free content
Creativity—Creativity adds flair to writing, making content engaging and memorable
Self-motivation—Freelancers must stay motivated to meet goals and navigate the uncertainties of freelancing
Attention to detail—Precision in details, from grammar to formatting, contributes to professional, high-quality work
Develop a professional website or blog showcasing a portfolio of your best work. This serves as a centralized platform for potential clients to assess your writing style and expertise.
Join freelance platforms
If you are brand new and have no idea where to start, register on freelance job platforms like Upwork, Freelancer or Fiverr to find a variety of writing opportunities. Complete your profile with relevant details and samples.
Many websites, especially in the writing niche, post job opportunities. Regularly check job boards like ProBlogger, Freelance Writing Jobs and BloggingPro for new listings.
Actively participate in writing communities on platforms like Threads, Facebook and Reddit. Share your expertise, engage in discussions and make connections that may lead to job opportunities.
Cold pitching
Identify potential clients or publications and send personalized pitches. Clearly articulate how your skills align with their needs.
Attend local or virtual events related to writing, publishing or freelancing. Networking with professionals in these spaces can open doors to opportunities.
Offer free workshops or webinars
Showcase your expertise by hosting free workshops or webinars. This not only positions you as an authority but may attract clients seeking your services.
Remember, persistence and consistency are key when establishing a freelance writing career. Building a strong online presence and actively seeking opportunities will contribute to a steady flow of work.
Entry routes for new freelance writers
Freelance writers just starting out can explore various creative ways to pitch and acquire work, especially in the initial stages of their career.
Here are some entry-level examples:
Social media management proposal
Pitch small businesses or startups on improving their social media presence
Offer to create engaging content, manage posting schedules, and respond to audience engagement
Website content rewrite
Approach local businesses with outdated or poorly written websites
Propose a website content overhaul to enhance clarity, SEO, and overall user experience
Blog post packages
Create a package of blog post writing services
Offer businesses a set number of monthly blog posts to improve their online visibility and showcase their expertise
Newsletter creation
Target businesses without an active newsletter
Propose a newsletter creation service to help them connect with their audience through regular updates and promotions
Email marketing campaigns
Pitch e-commerce businesses on crafting compelling email campaigns
Highlight the potential for increased customer engagement and sales through effective email marketing
Resume and LinkedIn profile writing
Offer resume and LinkedIn profile writing services
Target individuals looking to enhance their professional profiles for job applications
Product descriptions for small e-commerce stores
Reach out to small online shops without optimized product descriptions
Offer to revamp their product descriptions to boost sales and customer understanding
Local event coverage
Propose event coverage for local businesses or community events
Offer to write event summaries or promotional content
Guest blogging for startups
Approach startups in your niche and offer guest blogging services
Provide them with valuable content to showcase their expertise and attract a wider audience
Editing and proofreading services
Advertise editing and proofreading services on platforms like Craigslist or local community boards
Offer assistance with resumes, essays, or any written content
Remember to tailor your pitches to the specific needs of your target clients and showcase the value you can bring to their business or personal brand. As you gain experience, you can expand your services and reach a broader clientele.
Freelance writing for beginners
Breaking into the freelance writing industry then can open up a world of opportunities for creative expression and financial independence. As you navigate the marketplace of freelance writing, remember that persistence, continuous learning and adaptability are your greatest allies.
The diverse entry points discussed, from social media proposals to blog post packages, showcase the varied paths to success. Every pitch, rejection and acceptance contributes to your growth.
Building a freelance writing career requires patience and resilience, but the satisfaction of seeing your words make an impact is unparalleled.
Take the lessons learned, refine your skills, and embrace the journey of becoming a freelance writer.
You’ve finally gotten over the hump of telling people you’re a writer—and suddenly you’re re-thinking how awesome it is to talk to people about this lifestyle. But there are some things only writers understand about the writing life.
Think about it. Any time you bring up your writing, you’re met with predictable, annoying responses, showing the ignorance of everyone you know to the intricacies of the writing life.
Here are some of the things I’d love to shout from the rooftops to non-writers. And some advice for educating your own loved ones in a less-dramatic fashion.
1. Everyone has an idea for a novel or screenplay
As soon as you tell someone you’re a writer, they’re excited to tell you about the novel or screenplay they’ve “been working on.” Dig a little deeper, and you realize they’ve had this idea since high school. I always feel a little disrespected when someone brings up their story like we have something in common. Do they think my job is just me wistfully going about my day with big ideas?
If you find yourself cornered by someone else’s half-baked dreams, try to steer the conversation toward the reality of your career and lifestyle to help them understand that you’re more than fantastical ideas. Explain what your day really looks like, and the deadlines and commitments that drive your work toward the finish line.
2. I’m a professional writer, not a hobbyist
It drives me crazy when someone replies to my declaration of my profession with, “Oh, yeah, I love writing, too.” Writing is writing. But writing for fun in your free time is not writing for a living, and it’s offensive that they don’t see what I do differently.
Tactfully pointing this out in polite conversation isn’t easy; it can pretty quickly paint you as condescending. But you can slide the distinction in there while still accepting their perceived common ground. Try saying something like, “I’ve always loved it, too. It was a lot of work to make the jump to freelancing, where it feels a lot more like a job than fun sometimes.”
3. Blogging is real writing and a real job
When you say, honestly, that you make your living blogging, they make that face. Maybe it’s just for a second, but it’s unmistakable: They’ve pinned you for a fraud, not a real writer. Or, worse, they say it out loud, “Oh! I didn’t know you could be paid for THAT.”
Thankfully, this misconception is fairly simple to clear up. Just provide a description of the work you do—the types of companies you blog for, the kind of knowledge you have to possess, etc.—and you can effectively re-frame blogging as a legitimate career option in their once-ignorant minds.
4. My work is worth paying for, just like yours
Obviously, the old, “Would you ask a doctor to work for free?” argument isn’t getting through to some of your friends, because they’re constantly asking you to “take a look” at something they’ve written, offer feedback, edit, toss around ideas. It’s uncomfortable. They think your professional-level consultation is just a conversation between friends.
When a friend approaches you with a writing-related request, say, “Sure, I’d love to help you out. No charge this time!” Mentioning money casually reminds them you’re a professional, and helps you avoid the slippery slope that turns innocent conversations into dozens of unbilled work hours.
5. I’m working right now—so, no, I can’t do the laundry, chat, or run errands
You’re in the middle of a quiet, productive writing sesh, and your spouse/roommate/neighbor/etc. appears in the doorway and just starts chatting. Or, worse, they hit you with a honey-do list as they whisk off to the office, out the door before your cry of, “But I’m working!” can even leave your mouth.
Even if writing isn’t a money-maker for you, you deserve the freedom to take it seriously. (Click to tweet this idea!) When the people in your life don’t value your writing time, you have to take control of it. Claim your space—whether you get a whole office, or a corner of the living room — and explain to everyone that when you’re there, you’re working. Stick to it, and don’t be afraid to ask someone to leave you alone.
6. I’m not responsible for my significant other’s writing needs—unless they hire me to help them
This seems to be a gendered issue, but maybe only because I’m a cis female. If you’re the writer in a relationship, people will assume you take care of the writing needs of your husband’s “real” job. What’s that about?
If someone hits you with that question: “So, do you edit all his memos?” *condescending wink* kindly explain that he has colleagues and employees responsible for such things. You’re too busy with your own work, and your partner probably couldn’t afford your services. *payback wink*
Writing is an amazing pastime, but for many, getting paid for doing it can feel farfetched and unrealistic. Of course, finding good freelance writing jobs can be challenging even for experienced writers, and breaking into the business can be opaque if not difficult.
One of the biggest obstacles for writers attempting to get paid for their work is finding legitimate, paid, online writing jobs. It’s all too easy to stumble across freelance writing “gigs” that offer little more than exposure—which doesn’t put money in the bank.
A great resource for freelancers, this membership site is $40/month and you get access to more than 300 hours of “bootcamps” that teach you how to make money as a freelance writer and hundreds of forums where you can get any question answered. Whether you want to listen to expert guests on their podcast, access the 24/7 community of writers, or check out video and audio training materials, the Den has everything a freelancer needs to grow their career — all in one place.
If you’re serious about freelancing, this is worth considering. You can join at the links above, or read our full Freelance Writers Den review for more details.
So where should you look online for freelance writing jobs?
One of the top job boards for not just freelance writing jobs but remote work in general, FlexJobs enables you to create a custom job search profile to meet your specific needs. Select your categories (there are several under “Writing”), your preferred work schedule, your experience level and more to hone down your search results to those that best fit the freelance writer job you’re looking for. You can also set alerts so you’re notified when new jobs matching your search criteria are posted.
A subscription is $9.95/week, $24.95/month, $39.95 for three months or $59.95/year. Here’s a search for “writer” jobs if you want to try it.
SolidGigs is part job board, part productivity tool. Why? Because their team literally saves you hours of scouring job boards. They hand-pick the best gigs from around the web and compile them into a weekly email, including remote opportunities.
It’s $21/month to subscribe, and they offer a free 14-day trial. Along with curated job opportunities, you’ll also get access to business training courses and hundreds of lessons on freelancing and interviews with successful freelancers.
Freelance writer Kaitlyn Arford curates this handpicked, exclusive freelance opportunities list, which is hosted on Beehiiv and sent twice weekly to subscribers. With both a free tier and a paid tier, Kaitlyn covers a wide variety of writing jobs, including journalism, copywriting, content writing, fact checking, content design, content strategy, search engine optimization, public relations, marketing, social media, and more.
Working In Content aims to connect organizations with passionate content professionals. As a bonus, it values diversity, equity and inclusion, and it encourages the employers it works with to do the same.
Whether you’re a UX writer or a content strategist, this site is a great option to find work in content design, marketing, management and more. It offers full-time and contract roles that are either remote or in cities like Seattle, New York City and San Francisco.Be sure to subscribe to its free newsletter that shares expert interviews, resources and job opportunities once a week.
Created by Darren Rowse of ProBlogger, an authority site on blogging, the ProBlogger job board features part- and full-time, contract and freelance writer jobs across a wide variety of locations, industries and writing specialties.
Plus, given ProBlogger’s high profile in the blogosphere, it’s likely you can often find jobs posted by some big-time blogs and employers who have an idea what good writing is really worth. Besides content writing, it also lists a healthy dose of copywriting jobs.
This site is a content writing job board that includes remote, freelance, contract and full-time jobs. To peruse these hand-picked writing opportunities, visit the site online, sign up for daily job alerts or subscribe to its paid newsletter that shares brand new openings once per week for $19.50/month and up.
Another good resource: This site offers a content writing blog that features long-form interviews with prolific content writers, authors and founders who share tips of the trade.
Powered by Adobe, Behance is an online platform for creative professionals to showcase their work, find inspiration and connect with companies looking to hire.
Behance allows you to upload your past projects to quickly create a visually-pleasing online portfolio, making it a great resource for writers without a website. It has its own job board which you can browse to find your next career move or freelance writing job!
MediaBistro is a great resource for media freelancers of all stripes, offering online courses, tools and information that can help you navigate your career.
Be sure to check out the freelance job board section of the site, as well, for a wide range of jobs for all experience levels from industries like TV, PR/marketing, magazine and book publishing and social media—a little something for everyone.
FreelanceWriting provides a nice compendium of freelance writing and editing jobs with competitive pay rates.
With exclusive job opportunities as well as posts pulled from sites like Indeed and Craigslist, the job board consolidates a variety of gigs for everyone from newbie to seasoned freelancers. Save yourself the time of scouring numerous sites and let this newsletter bring the decent jobs right to your inbox.
Who Pays Writers? is a crowd-sourced list of publications that pay freelance writers—and it’s a gold mine. The list has hundreds of publications to explore; it not only shows you which publications are accepting submissions, it also tells you how much they pay per word.
The site primarily offers writers a good research opportunity to learn how much different publications pay, but there are some online blogging opportunities as well (depending on the publication). Maintained by an anonymous volunteer collective, the list is updated monthly.
Freelancer Sophie Lizard compiled a free ebook listing 75 blogs that pay $50 to $2,000 per post, broken down into sections like Writing Blogs, Food Blogs, etc. She also includes some good tips on how to approach these blogs, how to promote yourself once you’ve landed a post, and more.
To get the ebook, add your email address to her newsletter list—you’ll also get free access to her money-making toolkit and more.
If you’ve already got a LinkedIn profile (and you really should to attract new clients), don’t let it just sit there. Networking goes a long way in the freelance world, and LinkedIn is a great resource to do some networking through common connections.
While you’re doing that networking, check out the Jobs section and sign up for email alerts when jobs are posted that match your interests. Many will be location-based, but who’s to say you can’t approach these employers with a proposal for freelance writing services? Maybe they need someone to fill the gap in the hiring interim, or maybe the job could just as easily be done remotely but they hadn’t considered that. Talk about a different kind of pitch!
This invaluable resource updates daily with online writing jobs scooped from around the ‘net. It’s also got a rich archive filled with posts offering all kinds of tips and insight for beginning and experienced freelancers alike.
Along with the daily blog posts, you can also check out the Freelance Writing Gigs Board, where those in need of copy services of all sorts post jobs on the regular.
This one takes a little bit of forethought and footwork. Instead of simply listing online writing jobs, Where to Pitch offers a list of potential venues when you type in a topic you’re interested in working on. If you’re willing to put in that effort, you’re bound to find some new publications to pitch.
You can also sign up for the Where to Pitch newsletter, which gets you access to five real pitches that snagged the writer bylines in the New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, and other large publications.
Although Upwork has a bit of a reputation for offering low-rate jobs, it’s definitely possible to find postings offering livable wages for writing jobs online. When this article was published, a job to write a finance/trading article for $500 and a ghostwriter gig for $600 were both listed.
Plus, you get the added benefit of rate transparency: You know exactly what you’re going to get before you even put in the effort to read the full job description! If you’re curious about this platform, here’s a longer post on why one writer says Upwork is legit.
Offering full-time, freelance and remote jobs opportunities, JournalismJobs.com can help you find writing, editing, reporting or copy editor gigs. You can also find jobs across a wide range on industries like non-profit, technology and TV, so you’ll never get bored with this website’s selections.
Plus, while you’re here, be sure to set job alerts to know right away about new freelance writer jobs, check out its section of career advice or even peruse the fellowship listings.
Freelance Writing Jobs for Beginners
If this list is helpful, you’ll get even more out of The Write Life’sebook: 71 Ways to Earn as a Freelance Writer. We suggest dozens of different ways to earn income online as a writer, including information on how much each gig pays and tips for how to land those freelance writing jobs. The bulk of the jobs we suggest are ones you can do from home.
Smart Blogger launched in 2012 and has since grown to become one of the world’s largest sites dedicated to writing and blogging. As well as a jobs page that lists hundreds of opportunities for freelance writers, they also have a resources and tools section which provides a number of valuable insights to help freelance writers in all areas of their work.
There’s good reason that Smart Blogger has over 300 thousand subscribers to date and any aspiring freelance writers would be well placed to become one themselves.
Contena markets itself as an online program and suite of tools designed to help users get started with freelance writing and remote work. They operate through a membership scheme with prospective users invited to fill out a simple form on their website, however anyone is able to view the list of jobs available, which is impressively extensive.
Independent reviews suggest Contena is indeed a great resource, so you should definitely check it out when seeking new opportunities.
Curated by content writer and marketer Chris Bibey, Freelance Framework is a daily newsletter delivering freelance writing gigs by email. Like most of these services, there’s a free tier and a paid tier, and the website features archives in case you want to search for something specific. Expect a variety of gigs spanning the globe.
Curated by James Durston, this Substack curates calls for pitches from other sites around the Internet including X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and even other newsletters mentioned on this list. There’s a lot to go through, with many of the articles citing 75+ calls for journalism and/or writing pitches. There are three tiers for this newsletter: free, monthly, and annual.
Founded by Sonia Weiser, this bi-weekly newsletter became a must-have for freelance writers. Before being acquired by Study Hall, Sonia would gather dozens of calls for pitches and email them to her community. The service was previously offered through Ghost, where members were asked to contribute up to $10 per month.In addition to freelance writing jobs, she included career advice, resources on how much different outlets pay, and other helpful links.
Alright, but how do you run a freelance writing business, anyway?
Even with tons of resources for finding online writing jobs, it can be hard to know exactly what it takes to get your foot in the door with those editors. After all, you don’t just fall into a job (usually); you’ve got to prove to someone that you’re the right fit.
All of that to say nothing of the fact that running a freelance writing business is its own job, once you get started. You’ll have to negotiate pay raises, deal with editorial disagreements, and even—perish the thought—figure out self-employment taxes.
If you’re eager to learn about any of those topics, check out some of these helpful posts, created to help freelancers tackle every part of the writing-for-a-living experience.
We never said it was easy, but the writing life certainly is a rewarding one.
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.
This post contains affiliate links. That means if you purchase through our links, you’re supporting The Write Life—and we thank you for that!
When you dream about your writing career, do you picture yourself scribbling in notebooks about your world travels, hoping to combine your wanderlust with your creative flair to earn money for your adventures?
If you have travel stories to tell, it’s time to stop dreaming and start finding travel writing jobs!
Lots of markets are willing to pay for your stories about destinations, tips and your experiences on the road.
Get paid to write about travel
Don’t think travel writing is limited to travel-specific magazines or travel websites. Plenty of local and regional publications are actively looking for travel stories, even for destinations right in your own backyard.
Some writers envision travel writing jobs as sharing tales of globetrotting and exploring the ancient artifacts of Greece, or wandering Machu Picchu. But that’s only a small part of travel writing.
Publications are often even more eager to snap up stories about the mountain trails an hour away that make for easy weekend adventures or the nearby metropolitan city that has a new art exhibit and great restaurant scene.
Publications that offer freelance travel writing jobs
While full-time travel writer jobs can be hard to come by, it’s more common for freelancers to sell travel writing to magazines and other outlets. To get you started, we compiled 36 paying international and domestic travel markets. Click on each title to access submission guidelines or editorial contacts.
So let’s get to it! Here are dozens of publications that provide opportunities for travel writing jobs:
1. Matador Network
Matador Travel seeks original writing, photo and video contributions “that speak to the adventures, cultures, and identities of people around the world.” It encourages creators to join their Matador Creators Community to find the latest journalist opportunities.
While the website does not list a specific payment, Who Pays Writers reports payments ranging from $0.03 to $0.20 per word.
2. ROVA
Want to share your thrilling stories of life on the open road? The site often looks for stories featuring road trips, RVs and adventure. Most of their readers travel the roads of North America and want insightful stories about the continent.
Submit an article or photo essay and earn $200 upon acceptance at the ROVA Magazine website.
3. Outpost Magazine
Outpost Magazine looks for submissions about travel, adventure and culture. It is looking for longform travel stories, travel guides, and stunning photography from writers anywhere in the world. The publication is Canadian and it has a “Canadian slant.”
Online stories typically range from 800 to 1,500 words, 2,000 to 4,000 for print and features can be up to about 5,000 words; pay varies.
4. Wanderlust
Wanderlust, a British travel magazine, publishes destination features up to 2,200 words, along with shorter dispatches, travel guides, round-up features and more. Pay is typically £220 (about $275) per 1,000 words, but rates vary.
5. Travel + Leisure Magazine
While Travel + Leisure Magazine doesn’t have specific submission guidelines online, Freedom with Writing says this magazine is written 95 percent by freelancers on assignment and pays up to $1 a word. Submit your pitches to submissions@travelandleisure.com.
6. Arizona Highways Magazine
Arizona travelers rely on this magazine for destination-based ideas, and the publication also encourages travelers to come to Arizona.Check its guidelines to see when queries (typically on specific locations) are accepted. This period is often in March. Pay varies.
7. Canadian Geographic Magazine
Write about Canada’s people, frontiers, places and issues in Canadian Geographic Magazine, which comes out six times a year. There are no formal guidelines to follow, but you might want to familiarize yourself with their content and tone to get an idea of what they’re looking for.
It buys about 30 features a year and pay varies.
8. Escapees Magazine
RV travelers with stories to tell and wisdom to share might consider submitting to Escapees Magazine, which specializes in RV lifestyle. The publication only accepts fully written articles on spec.
They pay $100 to $200 for feature submissions and $50 to $100 for short fillers.
9. KANSAS! Magazine
Celebrate the wonders of Kansas with KANSAS! Magazine offered by Kansas Tourism and partner organizations. Pitch a 400- to 800-word nonfiction story that has the potential for interesting photography and reflects the state positively.
Most readers are locals over the age of 50. Payment varies.
10. Los Angeles Times Travel
The travel section of the Los Angeles Times looks for pieces with a strong visual component. Trips must be taken in the previous two years and writers must follow specific ethical guidelines, including not receiving comped travel.
Print stories vary from $200 to $750; online-only stories generally pay $500; Weekend Escapes pay $200, plus additional money for original photos.
11. Wildsam Magazine
Wildsam Magazine is for RV enthusiasts wants travel stories covering all aspects of the RV lifestyle, including travel destinations, activities and events and more.
It can pay up to $900 for technical manuscripts with photos, and less for shorter pieces.
12. Oregon Coast Magazine
Write about Oregon’s stunning coastal region and tell stories about everything from day-long driving tours to restaurant features and historical sites in Oregon Coast Magazine.
Payment ranges from $100 to $650 depending on story type and word count.
13. Pathfinders Travel
A travel magazine for people for color, Pathfinders Travel looks for fresh ideas and stories about travel and the travel industry.
Stories typically pay $150.
14. Road and Travel
Road and Travel specializes in automotive, travel and personal safety articles, including articles that appeal to female business travelers. Travel articles should relate to hotels and resorts, spas, airlines and airline rules, bed & breakfasts, destination reviews, places to go and things to do and much more.
The magazine pays up to $100 per article.
15. Sunset Magazine
Sunset Magazine focuses on 13 Western states and wants “take action” travel ideas as well as destinations that offer a variety of experiences and “soft adventures.”
Pay varies.
16. World Nomads
World Nomads looks for travel articles that fall under these categories: love, fear, discovery, connection and transformation. Pitch a personal, authentic story about a life-changing journey or experience.
They pay 50 cents per word for stories between 600 to 800 words. Payment is made after publication.
17. Airways Magazine
Airways Magazineseeks business, travel, technology and personality articles, among other topics.
Rates range from $150 to $700 depending on the topic, length and treatment of an article.
Backpacker Magazine covers North American destinations. Pitches must cover foot-based travel, wilderness or backcountry experiences and advice.
A feature story’s word count varies from 1,500 to 5,000 words, although there are shorter assignments available from 100 to 1,200 words. They accept pitches via email and require a signed contract which specifies the payment amount and payment terms.
Pay varies, but Who Pays Writers reports rates up to 50 cents per word.
21. New Mexico Magazine
Showcase New Mexico’s rich environment and culture through New Mexico Magazine, a publication of the New Mexico Tourism Department. One-third of readers live in the state and the out-of-state readers typically visit twice a year or so. The magazine looks for a lively editorial mix, with articles that show readers things they can do in New Mexico.
Pay is typically 35 to 40 cents per word.
22. Texas Highways
Texas’ official travel magazine reaches 500,000 readers in 54 countries each month. It is looking for pieces featuring “scenery, history, small towns, and out-of-the-way places.”
Pays 50 cents per word.
23. International Living Magazine
International Living Magazine and website is a comprehensive resource that helps readers find their dream retirement overseas. It wants stories from expats and anyone who can inform their readers about ways to stretch their dollars and simplify their lives.
Pay is up to $150 for website stories; print stories pay $225 for 900 words and $350 for 1,600 words, plus $50 per photo; 600-word daily postcards pay $100.
24. New Worlder
New Worlder Magazine isn’t interested in a taco that has the most buzz—but it definitely wants to know why it has the most buzz. Pitch stories with strong angles about travel, food, culture and people for an American and Latin American audience.
While pay is confirmed, no specific rates are provided in the guidelines.
25. Odyssa Magazine
Freelance submissions are accepted each quarterly issue of Odyssa Magazine, though editors are particularly looking for travel pieces in the form of a guide, personal travel experience or reflection of how travel affects our thoughts and who we are.
Pay is $30 per article up to 1,500 words.
26. HitTheRoad
To get the green light, write and pitch a story to HitTheRoad about the adventures, cultures and amazing experiences of road trips in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada. Emphasis is put on experiences in rented campervans and motorhomes, but a journey on the open road is what matters most.
Standard payment is a link to your site and $50 depending on article type and length.
27. Cruising World
Cruising World welcomes author inquiries and unsolicited manuscripts at all times, but make sure to include photos with your submission. Feature-length articles shouldn’t exceed 2,000 words, and non-features (technical articles and general interest) are capped at 1,200 words.
Payment varies depending on the type of article: $25 to $200 for short, newsworthy items and $300 to $1,000 for technical and feature articles.
28. Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet is an award-winning website that gives travelers the tools they need to plan their next trip such as in-depth information on destinations, things to do and travel advice. They are looking for freelance contributors who want to write digital content, travel news and guidebooks.
Rates vary, but Who Pays Writers reports a rate of 30 cents per word.
29. Transitions Abroad Magazine
Transitions Abroad Magazine is for people who live abroad is looking for a variety of pieces about working, living and studying abroad, as well as cultural and culinary travel. Heads up: They’re currently primarily seeking stories about online learning to teach English as a Foreign Language (TEFL).
Pay is typically $75 to $150 for a 1,250-word article for the web.
30. GoNOMAD
Write travel articles about destinations, activities and experiences for GoNOMAD, but take note that this website seeks pieces that meet its style and focus.
If you want to write for GoNOMAD, note, “No glossy magazine fluff, no standard guidebook descriptions, no promotional hype.” Articles are typically 1,200 to 2,000 words, and a detailed list of locations and topics the publication is seeking is available in its guidelines.
Pay is $25 per article.
31. DesertUSA Magazine
Desert lovers can write all about the North American desert in DesertUSA Magazine, which targets those who love the natural and cultural history of the region. Wildlife, adventure, history, desert lore, and travel stories are in demand.
Articles with photos receive payment of $50.
Write your own travel book
An alternative to finding travel writing jobs is to simply go ahead and publish your own travel book. If you have written over 10,000 words for a certain travel journey or advice, you could easily turn that into a whole book to sell.
The original version of this story was written by Kristen Pope. We updated the post so it’s more useful for our readers.
As a writer, you are likely already using social media to promote your published work—or you should be! And since you’re already a wordsmith, cobbling together clever and engaging tweets, Facebook posts, and descriptions for Pinterest and Instagram comes fairly easily to you.
Knowing this, have you considered putting your writing skills to work by offering social media services?
Businesses everywhere are jumping into the world of social media, but tons of them just don’t have the time or know-how. While they may not always advertise their need for a social media manager or content creator on LinkedIn or Craigslist, you can easily identify five businesses in your city that are doing a poor job with social media. (Of course, you’re not limited to local clients when it comes to social media, but they’re a great first option.)
How to find social media clients
Start with your existing clients, the ones who already know your work as a writer. Simply shoot them a message letting them know that you are now offering social media services and ask whether they know anyone who needs this kind of support—or if they need it themselves. If your clients are willing to contact their networks, craft an email to make it easy for them. Add an incentive by offering a free hour of work in exchange for each referral.
To land new clients, reach out to some of your favorite local restaurants, retailers or bars. Just like you might pitch an editor by leading with a compliment on their recent work, you can do the same when you contact a business you already enjoy.
I’ve been able to land a few new clients by gently pointing out an easy way to improve their social media, like claiming their Facebook vanity URL, beefing up their Facebook About page, or adding milestones to their history. Including tips like these in your pitch shows that you know your stuff and adds value for the business—you’re helping them out before they’ve even hired you.
Finding ongoing work with your new clients
Signing a new social media client opens the door to the possibility of taking over additional writing-based tasks. Maybe you could launch or contribute to their blog, or write and distribute their monthly newsletter. Perhaps they need some canned response emails, press releases or updated website copy.
When you begin new relationships with businesses that constantly need content marketing, you set yourself up for steady gigs that don’t require pitching an editor or scouring a job board. And that’s a nice place to be.
How to price your social media services
Approach pricing for this work in the same way you do your writing services. You may want to offer an hourly rate to start out, but eventually I’d recommend moving to a monthly retainer package. This is basically your hourly rate multiplied by the number of hours you anticipate spending on work for the client.
Webpage FX has a detailed rate sheet for their social media services to give you an idea of what you might want to charge. Of course, you might want to start out with a lower rate to land that first social media client, but you’ll be able to raise it as you gain experience and client testimonials. The Write Life founder Alexis Grant also offers resources to help you build your social media business.
Keep in mind that you will average at least one hour per day (sometimes three to four hours), every day, creating content and responding to customer messages, so be sure to add some cushion to your rate. Social media never sleeps, and extra tasks occasionally creep in, so reevaluate the project scope periodically.
If you’re a pro at spotting spelling or grammar errors, proofreading could be a great way for you to make some extra money. Here’s Edee’s story for inspiration on how you can find proofreading jobs.
“Are you any good at proofreading?”
I was a second grade teacher at the time and the man asking me was the grandfather of one of my students. He was also, as it turned out, a science fiction author with a huge fan following.
“Yes, actually, I am,” I replied. I was born for it.
The next week, Grampa showed up at school with a cardboard box containing a 300-something page manuscript, a pad of tiny sticky notes and a blue ballpoint pen.
I left the teaching profession in 2010 and started writing in 2011. I had been proofreading for Grampa since 2006. In 2018 I decided I wanted to make a real go at freelance proofreading. I had the spelling, grammar and punctuation skills, but after Grampa’s sticky-note system, I knew I needed practice doing it electronically.
I did some research and found Caitlin Pyle’s Proofread Anywhere. Through the course, I gained some new skills, picked up resources I needed and became a thousand times more confident that I could actually do this.
Two years later I’m working steadily at a pace perfect for me. I’ve found my niche market, regularly bring on new clients and I’m watching my income increase steadily. (And yes, I still proofread for Grampa, but now he’s a paying client.)
How to find proofreading jobs
Looking for online proofreading jobs?
Before we tell you where to find proofreading jobs, there are some steps you can take to ensure you’re set up for success.
Get training
Look. I get it. For years, I was a school spelling bee champ. I cringe when I see apostrophes used for a plural. I’m that person people hate in online comment sections because I refuse to take a post seriously when there are a ton of spelling mistakes.
But I also knew I needed some fine tuning (When to use a semicolon, anyone?). You may have been a champion at sentence diagramming, but there are way too many grammar rules. No one can know them all.
A course like Proofread Anywhere can give you the practice, skills and resources you need to be a top-quality proofreader.
Build a portfolio
You can’t get a job without experience, but you can’t get experience without a job. Gah!
If you’re willing to do a little free work to build your proofreading portfolio, head over toProject Gutenberg.Project Gutenberg takes print books with expired copyrights and puts them into ebook form, and they need a lot of volunteers to help proofread them all.
If you know someone who owns a website, ask if you can proofread it for them. It all adds up!
Know your worth
I cannot stress this enough! Twenty years ago Stacy Brice ofAssistU said to me, “People will pay you whatever you think you are worth.” Truer words were never spoken.
Does this mean you should start out at the highest end of the scale? No. But don’t sell yourself short, either.
The EFA has acomprehensive rate chart for editors and proofreaders. It’s a great place to start.
Decide what you want to be paid, and stick with it. It may mean taking a pass on projects from time to time, but you’ll have a fatter bank account in the long run.
6 places to look for proofreading jobs
You’ve gone through training. You’ve set your rates. You’ve built your website. You’re ready.
Where are the clients? When you start looking for proofreading jobs online, you will encounter a lot of companies that are services for writers. All of them require applying and setting up an account.
Some are free, some take flat fees and some take a percentage of your sales.
Below are seven online companies that help you help writers put their best work into the world. I have listed them in order of cost to you, which tends to be proportional to the experience required and the fees you’ll collect from your clients.
If you’re new to proofreading and looking to build your portfolio, Fiverr is a great place to get started.
Fiverr is an online freelance platform that connects talented professionals with writers in need of editing and/or proofreading.
You create a free account, where you become a “seller” and create “gigs” for yourself. It’s a hip way of saying you create a profile for yourself and get added to their directory, where clients can seek you out. You will compete against other proofreaders for work. The more projects you complete with high satisfaction ratings, the more projects you’ll snag.
You may not get paid the big bucks here, and you may have to navigate authentic jobs vs. shady job, but most places for finding proofreading work either have a big fee or have lots of hoops to jump through and require a lot of experience.
Fiverr is free to join and can be a really good way to get your feet wet and start building a portfolio. They will also act as a go-between and ensure you get paid. You will set your own rate, but Fiverr keeps 20 percent of what you bill.
Experience level: Ideal for those just starting out
As with Fiverr, it is an online freelance platform where you will compete against other proofreaders for work. You set your own rate, and Upwork acts as a buffer between you and your client to make sure you are paid.
On Upwork, you are invited to bid on jobs, and they have a slightly more complex billing system than Fiverr.
Upwork keeps 20 percent for the first $500 you bill a specific client, 10 percent if you earn between $500.01 and $10,000 with that client, and 5 percent if the amount exceeds $10,000.
Note that this does not include all of your billings, rather it is for amounts paid to an individual client. The better your ratings, the more projects you’ll be able to bid on.
Again here, you may not make the big bucks, but a lot of people who go through the Proofread Anywhere course use Upwork and Fiverr to start building a portfolio and earn money. Eventually you may find you’ve got a nicely padded bank account. A fellow graduate recently announced she’d hit the $10k mark!
Another advantage to Upwork is the how-to videos that help you learn how to search for the right work, how to bid, how to write contracts, and more. What you learn there translates to the rest of the freelancer world, so why not take advantage?
Experience level: Ideal for those just starting out
Cost to join: Free
The company’s take: Upwork keeps 20 percent for the first $500 you bill a specific client, 10 percent if you earn between $500.01 and $10,000 with that client, and 5 percent if the amount exceeds $10,000
Scribendi considers all freelance editors to be independent contractors. If you meet their requirements, you’ll need to fill out a rigorous application, which includes employment history, references and a skills test.
You will pick and choose which projects you want to take on. Scribendi covers a broad range of writing projects, including manuscripts, ESL, academic, business, student,and personal (think resumés and personal documents). Reviewers say they average $15 to $20 per hour.
Experience level: Ideal for proofreaders with a minimum of three years experience
Are you in graduate school? Do you have a graduate degree and at least five years of proofreading experience?
ProofreadingPal offers proofreading for a wide variety of writing, including business, academic, and books and manuscripts.
Apply to work for ProofreadingPal via the online application the way you would for any other job. It is somewhat rigorous, but doesn’t require you to have a minimum of published titles under your belt.
Should ProofreadingPal invite you to continue the application process, you will take a timed test. Do well, and you’re in. You will be an independent contractor, which means they take no fees from you. According to their website, you have the potential to earn between $500 and $3,000 per month.
Experience level: Minimum of five years of experience with graduate degree
The Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) is a membership-driven site requiring annual dues. The dues are a bit steep, but can be worth the investment.
Where other freelance companies either add you to a directory or let you bid on job postings, EFA does both.
When you set up your profile you will be able to choose a number of keywords that will help you show up in a potential client’s search. Clients are also able to browse the directory. There is a members-only area where you can look through job postings, and you can opt to receive daily job postings via email.
You can set your own rates, as the EFA recognizes you as an independent business. Aside from helping freelancers and writers connect, the EFA also offers online classes, many of which are free to EFA members.
(P.S. This is my favorite place for finding proofreading jobs.)
Experience level: Ranges from just starting out to highly experienced
Cost to join: $145 for one year or $260 for two years
Company’s take: None
6. The Internet + networking
I know. It seems broad and oversimplified at the same time. But networking can get you so far!
Join a group for proofreaders on LinkedIn or follow some proofreading related hashtags on Twitter. Join in discussions. Quote the Chicago Manual of Style. Link to Merriam-Webster. Sometimes a proofreader will have a client or potential client who needs work outside the scope of what the proofreader does or has time to do.
If you’ve contributed quality information in discussions about proofreading, you’ll find another proofreader will trust her client with you. My name was mentioned in an article about writing stages and I received a flood of inquiries, most of which led to proofreading jobs, and several of those jobs led to referrals to new clients.
Is there a blog you love, but it’s filled with mistakes? Reach out and ask if they’d be interested in having your proofread before they post. A quick, high quality job could lead to more work with them. They may refer you to other bloggers to proofread for their sites, as well.
Seriously. Do a good job for the right client and they will tell everybody they know.
No application, no fees, just you, your professionalism, and your knowledge.
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Becoming a freelance blogger and finding paying jobs can be tough.
Where should you look for gigs that pay more than a couple measly bucks for a 500-word post? Are content mills the only way to get paid to write?
The truth is, if you know where to look, you can definitely find better-paying blogger jobs.
With the rise of content marketing, an increasing number of companies are hiring freelance writers to produce articles for their blogs. Sometimes they offer one-off assignments, which can pay $75 or more per post. Other online publications may look for bloggers who are willing to write several posts a week, the kind of steady gig that can really add to your bottom line.
Here’s how to become a freelance blogger
Here are 18 resources to check out if you want to become a freelance blogger
Wondering how to make money as a freelance blogger? From lists of websites that want your work to job boards, there are so many places online to find freelance blogging jobs.
When you first start out as a freelance blogger, you might not know which websites pay for posts. Lucky for you, several experienced freelance writers and bloggers have put together lists of websites and blogs that want your work.
No matter your niche, there’s likely a way to get paid for a blog post about it.
Writer Hope Clark curates this list of writing opportunities, which generally pay around 10 cents a word and up. Not all of the listed markets are blogs, but many of these publications look for both magazine articles and blog posts, so check their guidelines for more information.
Author Avery Breyer put together this comprehensive list of websites that pay in 2023 specifically for newbie freelance writers. If you’re just dipping your toes in the freelance waters, bookmark this list.
Writing job boards
What about job boards? While you could spend hours digging through general job boards like Indeed.com, a better bet is to scour boards that focus on writing jobs.
Be sure to read postings thoroughly and do your due diligence before applying—and if the company wants you to write a 1,000-word “sample article” for free, you should probably pass.
The site offers plenty of blogging jobs in addition to copywriting and print opportunities. Most gigs pay on a per-post basis, though not all of them list their rates. Some listings come directly from the client, like businesses looking for contributors to their blogs, while others are from content mills.
This job board has tons of postings for freelance writing-related jobs, from email marketing and copywriting positions to public relations and editing gigs. Tip: Broaden your search to “freelance writer” or “content curator” to help pull up more results.Many of the positions are based in New York City, but you’ll also see quite a few offers for remote work.
FlexJobs curates remote and freelance positions into a paid job board. You can set the filter to only see blogging-specific jobs by selecting “Remote Writing Jobs” then “Telecommuting Blogging Jobs” under the “More Categories” arrow. The curators post at least one or two each day.
This Freelance Writing Job Board claims to be the #1 source for freelance writing jobs, and it has been up-and-running since 1997. They pull in jobs from popular sites like Indeed, Craigslist, and BloggingPro.
The best part? It’s totally free. Users can filter out blogging jobs as well. However, many of the current listings disappear when using the filter, so we suggest scanning the posts without the filter.
Writers Work is a paid job board that scours all types of writing jobs across the Internet and vets them for you. You can also use the platform to create an online portfolio, and they have lots of tools and advice for writers.
The SmartBlogger JobsBoard allows you to search by job type, remote options, benefits, and skills, so you can find the perfect fit for your needs.
11. Online content marketing agencies
Content marketing agencies have a bad reputation, but some of them can be worth your time. ClearVoice, Contently, and Skyword are three examples. These differ from content mills because they can pay up to $1 per word. Plus, they’re free to use and they do the hustling work for you.
All it takes is setting up a portfolio on their site with relevant samples, which can take a while and you can also be denied membership if your work isn’t up-to-snuff. Start with one of them and read tips on setting up an effective portfolio, since each site has a unique proven strategy. After simply creating a profile, you could end up with a steady stream of paying jobs in a few weeks or months. Plus, it never hurts to have a portfolio in more than one place.
Other great places to find blogging jobs
Wading through job boards can be exhausting, and often the gigs don’t pay much. As soon as you’ve built up a portfolio website, it’s best to move on to other options.
Why not stick with the job boards?
For one, you’ll make more money pitching clients on your own, advises freelance writer and blogger Linda Formichelli. You’ll also likely have less competition than you would when applying to a blogging job posted on a free job board.
Curious? Here are a few other places to look for blogging work:
Created by writer and editor Manjula Martin, Who Pays Writers collects anonymous reports of rates paid by all sorts of publications, from tiny niche blogs to massive print magazines. No, these aren’t job listings, but you can use them strategically to land a blogging gig.
Search the directory for the word “blog” to see submitted rates for blogs, plus information on the type of contract, lead time and how to pitch. You can also simply scan recent submissions for blogs or websites you’d love to write for to get an idea of their rates before you pitch them.
Once you have your hit list of blogs you want to write for, check out their contributor guidelines and get pitching!
While it also includes pay for photography and design, most of the database is devoted to writing jobs. Many are print publications, but you’ll see some blog markets listed along with flat or per-word rates. You can use it the same way you’d use Who Pays Writers: as information and inspiration for your pitch list.
If you’ve got an idea for an article you want to write, but you’re not sure where to pitch it, check out Susan Shain’s Where to Pitch. Simply type in a vertical (e.g. “health” or “money”)—and Where to Pitch will tell you which publications might be a good fit.
15. Search Engines
No, not blogging for Google. Searching using the right queries can help you find all sorts of interesting blogging gigs.
Try searching for “[your topic] + write for us” and see what pops up—you might find paying opportunities you hadn’t considered. Play with the wording and search for your niche plus keywords like “contributor guidelines,” “submission guidelines” or “how to contribute” to find paid blogging opportunities that are listed on the company’s website. They’re likely less overwhelmed with pitches and applications than companies that list their needs on job boards.
16. X, formerly Twitter
Yes, all that time you spend on social media could actually help you land jobs. Beyond letting you showcase your writing for other clients, X (Twitter) can help you find blogging opportunities in a few different ways:
Search for blogging jobs: Simply type “blogging job” or “write for us” into the search box
Check hashtags: Clicking on hashtags like #blogging, #bloggingjobs and #writinggigs can help you find newly posted jobs. Many of these opportunities come from Craigslist, though, so do your due diligence before applying and look for gigs where you work directly with the client, rather than applying to an anonymous “content company”
Follow your favorite bloggers and editors: Congratulations, you probably already do this! Following bloggers in your niche means you’re perfectly positioned to pounce on any opportunity, like when a solopreneur decides to bring on a blog assistant or a popular blog starts paying for guest posts. To keep these important tweets separate from the rest of your Twitter stream, use a Twitter List. Pro tip: Writer Sonia Weiser often retweets writing opportunities she collects for her weekly email “Opportunities of the Week“
Follow other freelance writers and bloggers: Everyone wants to share their work, right? When you see another blogging or writer tweet a link to their work on a blog or publication you’d love to write for, check it out. Feel free to favorite or retweet it, and check out the site’s contribution guidelines for more info
17. Your current client roster
Your clients already know you do an awesome job, right? See whether they need your help with blogging as well.
If you’re handling a client’ssocial media strategy, ask whether they need support with their blog. After copywriting a fantastic sales page, mention your ability to use those same ghostwriting skills to write a blog post or two in the company’s voice.
Or maybe a client needs help spreading the word about her services—could you help her contribute guest posts to popular blogs in her niche?
You’ve already proven your skills and reliability to your client, so make the most of the relationship.
18. Your own blog
No, blogging isn’t a path to riches. But wouldn’thaving clients come to you be easier than chasing them down on job boards?
Showcase your talents on your blog and share examples of your work for past clients. Ensure you have aclear and compelling call-to-action to make it easy for clients to get in touch. Where will you find your next blogging job?
Finding paid blogging jobs isn’t the easiest thing to do on the Internet, but it’s not impossible, either. Hone your writing skills, learn how to write a killer headline, craft a brilliant pitch email and start finding opportunities using the resources on this list.
And on behalf of editors everywhere: Read the submission guidelines. If you don’t, your blogging brilliance might never make it past the editor’s inbox.
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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