Whether you’re a seasoned author or someone just starting out in the freelance writing world, landing paid online writing jobs is perhaps the fastest, easiest way to start earning money as a freelancer.
The problem that most writers tend to face, however, is figuring out how to find online writing gigs that are lucrative and consistent. Knowing where to look is the first step to finding and landing a paid online writing opportunity.
Here, we’ll cover seven places to find paid online writing jobs and then we’ll discuss ways to increase your chances of landing those gigs.
AI Is Here, Fam. Why Are We Still Talking About Freelance Writing?
AI is definitely impacting content creation, but probably not in the way you think. It can be tough to stay motivated in an industry where AI seems to be taking over. But it only seems like it's taking over because people are talking about it. Kind of like Dogecoin in 2021 and the Metaverse in 2022 and AI in 2023.
There's always a thing that everybody's talking about. This year, that thing is AI. AI isn't new. Many established writers used AI tools long before ChatGPT launched and made everyone lose their minds.
For example, using AI writing tools such as Grammarly and Hemingway can help us catch grammatical errors, improve readability, and even suggest better word choices. By embracing these tools, we can streamline our workflow and produce higher-quality content in less time.
Another great tool that I began using in 2021 is SurferSEO. It's a fantastic tool that helps you research, outline, and write keyword-optimized content. And just to reiterate, I used that tool at the the recommendation of an SEO expert back in 2021!
My point is: many successful freelance writers are already using AI to their advantage, and it's clear that the future of content creation will rely on both AI and human writers. By embracing AI as a tool rather than a threat, we can stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market and increase our chances of landing those paid online writing gigs.
AI may be able to produce content at lightning-fast speeds, but it simply cannot replicate the creativity and personal touch that comes with human writing. Not yet. So, the opportunity we have as writers is to learn how to incorporate AI into our writing process and use it to our advantage to produce better content at a faster rate.
7 Places to Find Paid Online Writing Jobs
#1 Traditional Online Job Boards and Classifieds
Job boards are, hands down, the best places to find high-paying writing gigs. It wasn’t too long ago that employers would only put writing jobs and design jobs on gig platforms like Upwork and Guru. As the need for content and online visibility has grown, so has the need for employers to bring in long-term contractors and employees whose sole job is to create and distribute branded content like articles and books and infographics.
If you’re a writer who’s interested in creating content for the web, you can check out job posts from all kinds of companies that have posted open positions to boards like Indeed.com, Monster, Career Builder, and Zip Recruiter.
I want to make sure to also mention classified-style job listings that may live on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.
For instance…
While not dedicated solely to writing jobs alone, LinkedIn is another way to find writing gigs. In fact, I’ve hired two writers who contacted me through LinkedIn. Your chances of finding writing opportunities on LinkedIn are higher when your profile is up-to-date and it showcases your expertise.
Indeed.com
LinkedIn Jobs
FlexJobs
ZipRecruiter
Job.com
GetWork
Beyond
Simply Hired
CareerBuilder
Monster
Craigslist.org
Locanto.com
Classifieds of local newspapers
Google does a great job of aggregating job posts by category, industry and location.
#2 Industry Job Boards
Websites such as Create & Cultivate and Pro Blogger can be gold mines when it comes to paid writing gigs. Regardless to what anyone tells you about how hard it is to find writing gigs, there’s rarely a shortage. I currently oversee content plans for four web properties. And do you know what I’m always hiring for? Writers. And especially writers who have expertise in specific areas.
And don’t be fooled – most publications are looking for long-term writers who can consistently deliver content on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Heck, for two of the online properties I oversee, I’m looking for long-term contributors.
When I first started freelancing, I wrote about EVERYTHING! But over the years, I’ve gotten really good at understanding how to articulate marketing concepts, so I tend to look for writing opportunities that focus on topics related to business and marketing.
So, if you’re looking for more niche writing opportunities that will allow you to showcase and fine-tune your area of expertise, industry boards are the way to go.
BloggingPro
Job Pro
ProBlogger
Create and Cultivate
Behance
Dribbble
Art Jobs
Creative Hot List
Jobspresso
Workng Nomads
We Work Remotely
#3 Seek Out Companies Directly
If you’re more of a “go-getter,” approaching companies directly might be more appealing to you. Go for it!
Now, before you decide to reach out, research the company and/or publication that you wish to pitch. That way, when you pitch your services, you can do it in a way that answers a problem or challenge the company may be facing. It’s always best to use a personalized pitch for each company that you approach to show that you’re already familiar with the brand or business and you can showcase how you can help them solve specific problems.
Assume that most company websites and blogs are in the market for contributors as well. These days, there’s a constant demand for all types of content and it takes A LOT of work for in-house marketing teams to meet those demands.
So, tiny blogs like this one and more established ones like The Shelf blog are always on the hunt for good writers who will contribute quality content on a consistent basis.
And it doesn’t have to be a weekly thing. You can contribute one article every month and keep a client for years. But you’ll have to seek them out since many times, these blogs or websites refrain from posting ads on job boards. Instead, they may publicize open positions on their websites. Or they may even just have editors on staff who keep their eyes open for good writers and invite them to contribute. A quick Google search for “writers wanted” or “bloggers wanted” is an easy way to find websites looking for seasoned contributors.
#4 Check Your Social Media Channels
Social media is a powerful tool for building your personal brand as a writer and building credibility. But social media is a conversation not a monologue. So, as much as you’re building your brand and putting out authority content, if you’re building your client roster, you should also spend a bit of time combing through recruitment-related hashtags like:
It’s also smart to pay attention to what’s going on in any niche-specific or business-related groups you follow. I’ve picked up mutiple jobs and sold articles just by posting about my services and keeping an eye on anyone in my network who wanted a recommendation for service providers.
You’ll often see posts like, “Anyone know a ghostwriter?”
Well, when those questions come up, you can be there to respond. OR if you’ve been consistent with marketing yourself, someone else will probably be there to recommend you, or at least tag you in the comments.
#5 Place an Online Ad
If you're a freelancer who depends on local clients or individuals to keep your business going, online ads are a great way to get in front of them. You can place ads on classified websites, Google, social media, and job boards to make sure people see you.
The best part is that you can target your ads to specific groups or locations. So if you specialize in a certain niche or service, you can show your ad to people who are already interested in that area. Plus, if you're new to the game, you can sometimes score free Google Ad credits to get started.
When creating your ad, focus on the main result you can offer your clients. For example, if you can turn a simple chat into a killer ebook, make sure that's the centerpiece of your ad. When I tried this, I got tons of clients who wanted help with their books.
#6 Join Gig Platforms and Bid ONLY On Jobs That Are a Perfect Match for Your Skill Set
For employers, the easiest way to look for new hires are to post to job boards like Indeed. But the easiest way to find contractors for one-off jobs or jobs with low contract value is to post jobs, projects and tasks on gig platforms like Upwork, PeoplePerHour, Guru, Freelancer, and Fiverr.
I would spend hours on Upwork and Guru looking through job postings to the ones that were the right match with my skill set and monetary needs. But when PeoplePerHour released Offers (formerly Hourlies), I was able to offer a single bundle of services for one price, and once I posted those offers, I could get consistent work without bidding on jobs all the time.
The same thing is available on Upwork as a Project.
Here’s a list of gig platforms that are great for finding and landing online writing work:
Upwork
Freelancer
PeoplePerHour
Guru
Fiverr
Freelance Writing Jobs
#7 Staffing Agencies That Specialize in Freelance Writing Positions
Staffing agencies that specialize in freelance writing positions can be a great resource for writers looking for paid freelance work. These agencies work as intermediaries between clients and freelancers, and they often have a wide range of job opportunities available.
To approach staffing agencies, a writer should first research and identify agencies that specialize in freelance writing positions. Once identified, the writer can visit the agency's website and create a profile or submit their resume and portfolio. Some agencies may require writers to take a skills test or complete a writing assignment before being considered for assignments.
It's important to note that staffing agencies may take a percentage of the writer's earnings, typically around 20-30%. However, working with a staffing agency can provide stability and consistency in work assignments.
Here is a short list of staffing agencies that recruit freelance writers for paid opportunities:
ClearVoice
The Creative Group
Paladin
Creative Circle
24 Seven
Aquent
Artisan Talent
WritersAccess
Vitamin T
Robert Half International
Before You Start Looking for Freelance Writing Gigs…
Create a competitive resume and portfolio.
If you have little to no experience freelancing, your best bet is to start gaining experience to build your portfolio. When applying for writing gigs, clients want applicants to be able to prove their expertise and skills. You’ll want to be able to provide potential clients with samples of your work. You can do this by creating a blog or website that showcases your work.
Create a freelancer resume that includes all prior experience that is relevant to writing. If you worked as a grill cook for three years, you should omit it, as it has nothing to do with writing in general (unless you’re writing about culinary-related topics or the restaurant industry).
Get educated.
While a degree is not usually required for most online writing gigs, it’s always a good idea to have a track record for updating your skills in the form of completed courses and certifications. And you won’t have to wander the halls of your local university to do this. You can actually do most of your upskilling online, and many of these courses will be absolutely free.
Courses that teach SEO, copywriting, or journalism are great places to start. Many of these free courses offer free certification that you can add to your resume to boost your market value.
Be professional.
When approaching a business or applying for a gig, always remain professional in your dealings. If you’re not familiar with business emails, then read up on them to learn how to correspond in a way that’s professional and effective.
If possible, have a separate email account and phone line dedicated to your freelance work. Answer emails promptly, always submit your work in a timely manner, and never make excuses.
When it comes to freelance writing, you may not be an overnight success, but you can at least begin earning a steady stream of income. With time, patience, and dedication, you can consistently find online writing gigs. You can increase your chances of landing long-term clients that not only help you pay your bills, but also to establish your as a seasoned freelance writing professional.
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