If you’re looking for online writing jobs, read on. This extensive list of paid writing jobs has you covered, whatever your writing field or specialty.
Freelance writing is one of the best ways to make money from home and is great for beginners. No experience or degree is required. Opportunities are plentiful and you don’t even need a website to get started. As long as you can provide well-written, engaging content and meet deadlines, you can make a decent income as a writer.
Not convinced?
New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts only has a high school diploma. She started writing her first novel after a blizzard trapped her at home in 1979. To date, Nora has written over 200 romance novels. That’s incredible!
Still don’t believe it?
A few years ago, Danny Margulies decided to quit his full-time job and pursue a career as an online copywriter using the freelance platform Upwork. Without any special education or training, he quickly honed his skills and was earning a six-figure income within his second year as a copywriter.
If you want to work from home as a freelance writer, here is a huge list of paid writing jobs, where to find them, and in some cases, the pay rate.
freelance blog writing jobs
Writing blog posts is a quick way to make money and showcase your expertise. Many sites allow you to submit a signature with a link to your website. Many of these sites have guidelines, so be sure to read the details carefully and follow all of the guidelines. A thoughtful pitch will greatly increase your chances of being accepted.
Full-time writing and editing work
If freelancing isn’t your style, there are plenty of options for working on writing projects full-time. These positions tend to be with marketing and advertising agencies, online content creators and publishers. To find these full-time remote work opportunities, check out the hiring companies below.
Paid Freelance Writing Platform
No matter what type of freelance writing job you’re looking for (article writing, copywriting, creative writing, grant writing, eBooks, technical, case studies, press releases, content writing, white papers, etc.), you can find it on these freelance marketplaces. Each job site works in its own way: on some you search for projects and submit bids, on others you apply to be a freelance writer, and on others you set up your own profile and list your services.
How to write a greeting card
Do you have a knack for writing short, sweet messages? Turn your ideas into cash by submitting your words to greeting card companies. According to Carol Eannarino, pay for greeting card ideas can range from $10 to $50 or more, depending on the studio.
Of course, you can also create your own cards and sell them on platforms like Etsy. Melanie from Simple Made Pretty explains how she found success selling greeting cards on Etsy.
Write a helpful tip, short story, or magazine article
Print and online magazines are always looking for new content, which is why many publications are happy to pay for short stories, helpful tips, poems, and even jokes.
Here are some publications that will pay you for your posts: You will only be paid if your tip or story is published.
Interested in writing for magazines? Check out this post from Linda Formichelli that explains how to break into this lucrative writing industry.
Job board for writers
Small, niche job board websites are great for finding freelance, part-time, or full-time writing work. Search them using key phrases that fit your criteria.
Mixed Lighting Jobs
One of my favorite places to find writing jobs, both full-time and freelance roles, is through staffing agencies. At staffing agencies, you can find contract, full-time, temporary, and remote positions. There are positions for technical writers, content strategists, copywriters, public relations writers, SEO content writers, and more. Working with a staffing agency is a great way to try out different writing careers, as well as get a foothold in the corporate world.
Here are some recruitment agencies to help you find paid writing jobs.
Medical Writer
If you have a degree in nursing, pharmacology, social work, or another medical specialty and enjoy writing, there are plenty of remote writing jobs for healthcare writers. Some of these writing jobs involve writing curriculum and exam prep questions, while others involve writing policies, continuing education materials, grants, and articles.
Please refer to each website for submission guidelines and assignments.
Write poetry and get paid
Are you a creative writer who enjoys evoking emotions in people? Then you might be able to make some extra money selling poetry. Here are some places you can sell poetry.
Also, check out our list of ways to make money with poetry here.
Recipe Writers and Developers
If you’re a good cook and can come up with your own recipes, some food bloggers will even pay you to write your own recipes. Most bloggers will also ask you to include photos and videos.
If you want to find out more recipe writing jobs, check out our post on how to make money selling recipes.
make money as a resume writer
Are you good at proofreading, interviewing, and writing persuasive texts? Then becoming a professional resume writer might be the perfect freelance writing job for you. As a resume writer, you write cover letters, resumes, and sometimes LinkedIn profiles. You can also help job seekers practice answering common interview questions.
Paid Revenue Sharing Sites
Revenue share sites allow you to submit content to their sites, and in return you receive a percentage of the advertising revenue that your content generates. Every site does it a little differently; some offer a base salary, while others are based strictly on the amount of traffic or clicks your content gets. I’ve never tried to make money this way, but here are some tips from Carol Tice for success:
Write a romance novel
Want to write the next Fifty Shades of Grey? Then submit your manuscript to one of the many romance publishers.
Of course, you don’t have to go through a traditional publisher to get your book published. You can self-publish your book on Amazon on a shoestring budget. The great thing about this method is that you retain ownership of your book, which a traditional publisher doesn’t. If you’re interested in self-publishing, check out Rachel Blaufeld’s story of how she successfully self-published a romance novel.
Social Media and Content Marketing
Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram have created a high demand for writers who are familiar with the ins and outs of these online marketing platforms. These roles are sometimes called social media managers or virtual assistants, but sometimes they are called digital content specialists. In addition to writing social media updates, you can also create blogs, advertisements, newsletter campaigns, video scripts, and other forms of content.
These roles typically require general knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO). Some companies may require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in marketing, advertising, or a related field. However, some companies may require a degree in lieu of experience, depending on your experience level.
Travelogue
Everyone has dreamed of traveling the world and getting paid to write about their adventures. While most travel jobs offer free transportation, meals, accommodation, and activities, there are also a few services that will pay you a small amount for your writing.
Perhaps one of the best ways to make money as a travel writer is to start your own blog. With a travel blog, you write and publish your own content and earn money through activities like affiliate marketing, ad networks, product sales, paid sponsorships, etc. If starting a travel blog sounds appealing to you, be sure to sign up for our free 10-Day Blog Starter Course.
A final word on paid writing jobs
As you can see, there are plenty of paid writing jobs available for writers.
However, if you can’t find the type of writing assignment or topic you want to tackle, you can always pitch your freelance writing services to potential clients. If you don’t have a website with writing samples, you can create an online portfolio on LinkedIn or Contently to showcase your work.
Most of these jobs are freelance work, so you need to record your income and expenses, set money aside for quarterly self-employment taxes, and have a system for tracking your clients and deadlines. Our Ultimate Online Business Planning Toolkit is perfect for running your freelance writing business like a pro.
As your career as a freelance writer grows, you’ll need to invest in your writing skills by taking courses, joining professional organizations, and taking advantage of any other tools and resources you need to succeed.
What type of paid writing jobs are you looking for? Do you know of any other sites that pay writers? Let us know in the comments section below.
Originally published on February 25, 2015. Content updated May 2024.
