Writing online and getting paid for it is a great thing, a really great thing especially when it is something you love doing.
However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s easy.
It comes with its fair share of struggles, and the major one has to be the hustle of finding legitimate freelance websites.
Am sure as a writer you have been wondering what specific sites out there will see your content paid, right? Well, am here to tell you to look no further, because I will be hooking you up with some of the best freelance websites that will see you earn well for your work.
I will be tackling key aspects of those websites including how they work with freelance writers, how much they pay, and when they pay, and also user reviews on them.
So, shall we?
Table of Contents
An Overview of Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is a great way to make money online because it allows you to be in charge of your schedule. You can write from anywhere that you deem right, and, you are also in control of your time.
Because of how it has gained popularity in recent times, so many businesses as well as websites are looking for great content writers online and so you have higher chances of landing a good writing project than you would think.
In fact, according to statistics carried out by Website Builder, 25% of freelancers can find work within a day when in need. This goes to show that opportunities will always be there.
However, it’s important that you also have it in mind that there are sites that will not reward your work well and some will not deliver what they have promised to you. What I am trying to say is, it’s very possible for you to be scammed.
On the other hand, there are high-paying sites that value your work and I am glad you put in the time to find out exactly which ones they are because in the next section we look deeply into that.
To better understand freelance writing I encourage you to read this beginner’s guide to freelance writing.
A List of 14 Best Freelance Websites That Pay Writers
Below are some of the best online freelance writing websites that you can use to create an income source with writing.
1. iWriter
This is one of the most legitimate and accessible platforms to find freelance work.
The website works in very easy steps, that is, you sign up for a free account, take a brief test then from there, once you pass the test, you can pick articles and start writing.
There are various levels in writing depending on the skills of the writers which include, standard, premium, elite, and elite plus. Usually, you start at the standard level then progress with time depending on how you get rated after you write a given number of articles.
Regarding how much you get paid, the site states that you get paid 65% of the price of each article. However, payment across the writer levels differs.
For example, at the standard level, a writer may earn $2.15 for a 500 words article but earn $25.35 on the Elite Plus Level on the same.
If, say, you receive a “special request” from a client you get an additional 5% totaling to 70% from the initial 65%.
All payments are made through PayPal on Tuesdays but you must first earn a minimum of $20 each week.
I personally got into writing online through iWriter and I can confirm that they do take their writers seriously and pay them without any delays.
2. Upwork
It was originally known as Odesk and is one of the most popular sites for freelancers.
The website features job postings for freelancers, web designers, developers, information security, and researchers, among other industries. In other words, it’s a one-stop marketplace for all kinds of writing jobs as well as other jobs.
Here is how it works
First, you have to create your profile with the website, which is free. This will help you be in a position to see opportunities that run on the website.
The same applies to clients, they must have a profile to be in a position to post work.
After that, you will see when the client posts a description of the job they want to be done as well as the money that they are willing to pay for it.
Having seen the opportunity, you can now apply and the client starts reviewing your profile. They could interview through Upwork messages just to find out a few details about you and how qualified you are for the job.
Once you are chosen, you are hired and the client sends you a contract with a pay rate, set hours, and a deadline for when you should be done with the work.
For hourly projects, you get paid 10 days after you and the client review the work that you did. If, say, the project is dropped for one reason or the other, that’s when the website’s Hourly Protection applies and this ensures you are paid for work anyway as long as you can prove that you finished it.
For fixed-price projects, you will be paid once you start hitting the target agreed upon. If the client refuses to pay you can bring out your complaints. The website protects you from such clients through a process that ensures you air out your problems also in the case that you feel you weren’t compensated well for a job.
Also, please note that You can expect Upwork to take:
20% for the first $500
10% between $500.01 and $10,000.
5% for my amount exceeding $10,000.
Upwork pays through PayPal, M-Pesa (if from Kenya), and Payoneer. Payment methods differ from country to country.
3. FlexJobs
This is a website created in 2007 to make it easy to find flexible and professional jobs. It was founded by Sara Sutton who got really frustrated looking for a flexible job when she started a family and therefore decided to meet that need for many others.
This website is a great option for freelancers because all the job listings are carefully screened to ensure that you don’t get scammed.
On how it works, Flexjobs works with a variety of companies who post flexible jobs directly to their site.
Next, they look for a job listing that looks promising for you and evaluates it critically. If it’s indeed good they now look for a more direct way in which you can apply for the job.
This is usually done by adding the job to their website with key information about the job like the company’s description, it’s headquarters among other useful information on who is hiring you. To join the site, you have to subscribe to the website and actually have an active subscription to see job posts.
The subscription plans are as follows:
– Weekly subscription for $6.95
– Monthly subscription for $14.95
– 3 months subscription for $29.95
– Yearly subscription for $49.95
The payment for each of the projects you do varies.
4. Link-Able
This is another website that provides a platform for freelancers to get paid for their work.
To get started with them, you apply for your account and choose the area you want to write on.
Once your account is approved, you can now look for writing jobs on the site.
Read the specifications of the job well then get started writing.
When you are done and the client is pleased with your work, they release their payment to you.
5. Freelance Writers Den
It’s an online resource for writers looking to start and grow their careers.
Work gets posted on their board twice a week and you pay $25 per month to access their training materials.
The charge is from month to month and you can end your membership any time as there are no obligations.
6. Freelancer.com
This is one of the largest freelancing marketplaces in the world because they connect a great number of freelancers to employers globally in areas such as data entry, writing, engineering, sales and marketing, software development, and legal services.
In terms of how it works, a client posts a project free of charge through the website or check on talented freelancers on the website and make an offer directly to him or her.
Next, after choosing their preferred freelancer they award them a project, and the work begins!
Once you are satisfied with the work done the client pays the freelancer through the website’s Milestone Payment System.
7. Constant Content
This is a service that connects freelancers with businesses that need content. They help writers connect with clients, find new writing opportunities, and grow their freelance writing skills.
What you need to do is create an account, update your profile by providing a profile photo, and providing bio information e.g name.
After that, you fill out the request settings to help clients know about your writing strengths, submit your first-time content, and then get to start applying for projects.
On the payment, you must earn at least $5 to get paid on the next payday, and payments are made through PayPal in the first week of each month.
8. The Writer Finder
This freelance website pays writers to work on the many projects posted by clients on their site.
They search for writers who are willing and able to write on any niche, so you are not limited at all.
Some of the niches include sleep, meditation, travel, sales, weddings, cryptocurrency, and many others.
Information on how much you earn or how the site works specifically is not publicly available but they do highlight good pay as one of the benefits of working with them.
9. Guru
Using this site, all you do is create a profile and detail in there what freelance services you offer. This will help potential employers find you if they need freelancers to hire that are right up your alley.
The good thing about the website is that you are not limited at all and so you can search and apply for those jobs that interest you, from any category.
When it comes to payments, they are not precise about the exact amount you are paid but they do have a secure payment system called Safe Pay and offer four payment options namely, PayPal, Wire transfer, credit/debit card, and for the US people, e-check is also available.
10. Textbroker
This is also another well-known freelance writing website.
The authors provide a variety of written content such as news stories, social media posts, high-quality product descriptions, blog posts, articles, and press releases among many others.
Clients can choose to have their content written in many languages by freelance writers. They are not restricted to English alone.
11. Writer Access
A site that outsources content creation services to skilled freelancers.
Regarding how it works, you start by creating a profile and then take a writing test.
From there, the website experts will verify your skills and then connect you with available writing gigs.
12. Toptal
This is a network that hires freelancers for their projects. It is a network that works with freelance product managers, designers, writers, software developers, and finance experts.
They vet their freelancers keenly and so clients can be assured that their work is being handled by professionals. Clients are also able to hire within a short period of 48hours and are assured of finding the right fit for them.
So, as a freelancer, you don’t get to wait for long to be hired.
13. ProBlogger
This is another good website especially for bloggers because it helps them learn more about blogging and share their experiences on the same.
Their job listing includes television, radio, academia, public relations, technology, digital media, trade publications, non-profit and financial.
All you need to do is create an account, come up with a good resume, and then subscribe to the different categories.
They accept PayPal, bank wires, all major credit cards, and ACH.
14. Solid Gigs
This is a website that handpicks good freelance jobs and compiles them for you.
All you have to do is subscribe to their site at a fee of $2 for 3 months for trial and then from there a fee of $19 per month.
With that, you can access unlimited job opportunities and also lots of training information.
And that’s pretty much it.
Now that I have provided you with the best freelance sites to get started with, feel free to choose one or two that you feel best suits you, and get started with them.
I wish you all the best as you use those freelance sites and hope that you love the experience.
