When I first started out in freelance writing, it was hard to know where to go to find work. Freelance bidding sites like UpWork or Freelancer were once great options for freelancers to find work and connect with clients. But these platforms are now heavily saturated, which means freelancers can only compete on price.
Pricing yourself too low may make it easy for you to find clients but working for pennies is not the way to thrive as a business. Even if you’re taking on freelance writing as a side hustle, who wants to burn out before getting off the ground?
Related: How to Make Money as a Freelance Writer
If you’re looking for websites that are specifically for freelance writers to find high quality work, then read on. These are the top websites for not only finding freelance writing work, but securing long-term clients as well.
1. Who Pays Writers
This website has been around for a while, I came across it before I even became a freelance writer. It contains a whole database of websites and publications that pay writers, what their rate is and how they work with writers. This information is crowdsourced by other writers, so it’s regularly updated. I definitely recommend bookmarking this site and referring to it whenever you come across a publisher and are wondering what to expect in terms of payment.
Pros
- Massive Database for Writing Categories
- Prices are Set in Advance
- Search 1,000 Publications for Publisher's Price
- Reach Out to Higher Paid Publishers Directly
Cons
- Easy to Underbid the Project
2. All Freelance Writing
This is a regularly updated job board that lists writing jobs exclusively with pay rate clearly visible. The site is owned by professional blogger, freelance business writer and author, Jenn Mattern. You’ll also find other resources, advice and tips on how to become a professional freelance writer.
Pros
- Post Your Resume for Editors to Contact You Directly
- Updating Weekly with New Gigs
- Longer-Term Gigs
Cons
- Very Small Database of Jobs
3. Contena – Find the Best Writing Gigs
Contena is a great freelance platform for higher quality, higher paid writing gigs. Just scrolling through the first page of listings, there are many $3,000 and $5,000 monthly gigs. (see screenshot)
Pros
- Massive Database for Writing Categories
- Prices are Set in Advance
- Includes Full-Time Work from Home Jobs
- 30-Day Money Back Guarantee
Cons
- Membership Fee to Join
3. BloggingPro – Job Board for Writers
This is a great job board for writing jobs plus a whole lot of resources to help you get started. Listings are always fresh, so keep an eye out for new jobs posted daily. Some jobs are remote while others require someone on location so be sure to check the requirements before you apply.
Pros
- Updated Daily
- Part-Time & Full-Time Work Included
Cons
- Smaller Number of Postings
4. Freelance Writing Job Board
The Freelance Writing Job Board is updated daily with remote writing and blogging jobs. It’s free to apply for jobs, but job posters must pay a $30 fee for 30 days, which helps to weed out scams and low-paying gigs. You can find almost all types of work here, from remote to on-site, to part-time jobs and internships.
Pros
- Part-Time and Full-Time Gigs
- New Job Postings Every Week
- Prices are Set in Advance
Cons
- Lower Number of Listings
5. ProBlogger
ProBlogger is a well-known resource among the freelance writing community and there’s tonnes of information available on the website itself. Just taking a quick look at their job board, you can see the variety of writing jobs available. From moms needed for parenting websites to sports writers for football equipment brands and many more. There’s virtually no topic unexplored in the online writing world!
Pros
- Writing Jobs Updated Daily
- Long Term Contracts
- Variety of Freelance and Work from Home
Cons
- Easy to Underbid the Project
6. Flexjobs – Job Listings
Flexjobs has been around awhile, and I just found their writing jobs board. They have remote positions for writers in high-level positions. While Flexjob did not approve us for their affiliate program, we still recommend them due to their high reviews, their money-back guarantee and they screen each company for scams.
Pros
- Massive Database for Writing Categories
- Higher Level Work from Home Positions
- Full-Time and Part-Time Jobs
- Money-back Guarantee.
Cons
- Flexjobs charges a fee.
7. Freelance Writing – Job Board for Writing Jobs
Freelance Writing was founded in 1997 and has a fairly large number of new job postings daily. You can search their database by your own strengths: Writing, Blogging, Proofreading, Journalism, Copywriting, Social Media, Technical Writing.
Pros
- Massive Database for Writing Categories
- Prices are Set in Advance
- Search 1,000 Publications for Publisher's Price
- Reach Out to Higher Paid Publishers Directly
Cons
- Easy to Underbid the Project
8. Freedom with Writing
Freedom with Writing is an advocate for freelance writers, and I wanted to include them because they provide two benefits. They send writers a list of publishers that pay by using stories from you. And, yes they pay you for that story.
They pay $30 to $100 for list articles depending on length. They pay $30 to $150 for how-to and essay articles that include real-world examples.
Pros
- Provides a List of Real World Case Studies
- Will Pay You for Your Success Story
- Pays $30 to $100 for List Articles
- $30 to $150 for How To Articles
- Pays $500 for eBooks
Cons
- Easy to Underbid the Project
- 10,000 Words for eBook
9. All Freelance Writing
This is yet another freelance writing job listings board. You can usually find a higher-paid listing every week. They also have a variety of job skills postings like math writers, technical writers, bloggers and commerce writers.
Pros
- Low to High Priced Gigs
- Updated Weekly with New Jobs
Cons
- Easy to Underbid the Project
- Lower Priced Gigs (Very Low Pay)
10. Journalism Jobs
JournalismJobs.com was founded in August 1998 by Dan Rohn, a former copy editor and business writer with The Washington Post, editor with America Online, and stringer for Money Magazine. JournalismJobs.com is the largest and most-visited resource for journalism jobs, and receives between 2.5 to 3 million page views a month.
Pros
- Massive Database for Journalism Jobs
- Major News Outlets List Here
- Can Search for Freelance, Full-Time or Part-Time
- Can Reach Out Directly to Apply for Jobs
Cons
- Must Have Professional Resume, Linked In Updated
11. Contently
Contently's platform allows freelance writers can pitch ideas, submit work & receive payment all in one place. Contently gives freelance writers the opportunity to work with top brands on high-quality projects that pay well. To become eligible, you have to join the network and create a portfolio that showcases your work.
Pros
- Docalytics Shows You Who Has Looked At Your Portfolio
- Great for Publishers Too
- Easy to Use & Great Customer Support
- Intuitive Platform
- Lots of Great Reviews
Cons
- There's a lot of data here. (overwhelming)
- Need More Search Features
12. Publoft
Publoft works like a publishing middle man where they manage the client, hire the writers & pay the writers through Paypal. It's a new startup freelance writing platform. The first step in getting approved is to go through their vetting process to showcase your writing talent. Then, once you're approved, they send you notifications for writing opportunities. You accept or reject that “paid gig” and turn in the work. Then, you get paid every other Friday.
Pros
- Guaranteed Paid Gigs
- Get Paid Every Other Friday
- Additional Bonuses & Longevity Pay Raises
- Get Paid through Paypal
- Tons of Great Feedback from Writers
Cons
- Not Many Cons
- Lack of Consistent Opportunities (one has reported)
13. Codeless
Codeless works with well-known clients in the industry like Robinhood, Ad Expresso, Hosting Facts, Word Stream, Podia, Chargify. They provide a 100% remote opportunity for writers and virtually unlimited assignments. Here's why they made our list. They provide you the process, support and training to help you write more in less time. That helps you write more articles in less time helping you make more money.
Pros
- 100% Remote Work
- Great Clout working with the Biggest Industry Names
- Best Training to Help You Improve.
- Unlimited Vacation, Work Your Own Hours.
- Better Resources & Process Checklists to Increase Consistency.
- No Babysitting (yay)
Cons
- Disciplined Checklists (not for creative types)
Finding Work vs Finding Clients
Many of these freelance writing platforms offer a great start for beginners looking to get their foot in the door and build a solid network of clients. If you have always worked for somebody else, it’s easy to have the mentality that you need to find “writing jobs” as opposed to finding clients and growing your business.
As a freelance writer, you are also a business owner which means you’ll have the most success if you treat your work like a business, not a job.
This means, when you are finished with a project aim to stay in touch with your client, understand their pain points, offer them exclusive packages, help with other projects or offer bulk order/loyalty or referral discounts to keep them coming back (within reason of course, don’t sell yourself short).
Maintaining relationships is one of the best ways to succeed long-term as a freelance writer.
