50 Best Places to Find Paid Freelance Writing Jobs (Even if You’re a Newbie)

The ultimate goal of every freelancer, whether new or experienced, is to make money. 

When I was starting my freelance writing career, this was the one question that kept ringing in my mind with every piece of writing I created. Yes, I had the desire, I wrote a few samples to showcase my writing skills, and I did some networking here and there. But still, no client, no job, and no penny in my pocket.

Finding paid freelance writing jobs is a common challenge that freelance writers, especially newbies, face. You have your well-written samples ready to prove your ability to potential clients. You have probably published some on your blog or medium. You have done your networking and even posted about your skills on your social media profiles. 

Despite all these, you are still having trouble finding your first paid writing gig.

One thing for sure is that as a newbie, you cannot sit there and wait for referrals or for clients to find you, that’s what any good freelance writing trainer will show you. Only established writers who already have their names out there have the luxury of being approached by clients. 

However, if you feel stuck in the circle of trying to find clients to pay you for your writing, worry not. I have compiled a comprehensive list of 50 places you can find paid freelance writing jobs even without many years of writing experience.

Here we go:

Visit Popular Freelance Writing Job Boards

Job boards are among the fastest and most reliable places to find your first paid writing job. The best thing about them is that they cut across diverse niches and industries. 

You, therefore, have the freedom to choose which job suits you best. 

Some of the most common job boards for freelancers include:

1. ProBlogger 

ProBlogger is the most famous freelance writing job board. I do not know any freelancer who is not familiar with this site. 

Here, you can filter the search to find jobs in your niche and then send applications according to the instructions on the job.

2. BloggingPro 

BloggingPro is another famous freelancing job board for bloggers. If you are a blogger, this is among the best places to find your first (and concurrent) client for your blogging services. 

All you do is search, find, and send a killer application.

3. Freelance Writing Jobs 

This site contains the latest and well-paying jobs related to copywriting, blogging, content creation, and even journalism. 

It is also less competitive compared to other freelancing job boards. You can refine your search based on job type, location, and niche.

4. ContentFly 

ContentFly continuously accepts new writers if you meet their acceptance criteria and are ready to prove your competence. 

Click here to apply for a chance to be one of their writers.

5. CopySmiths 

Just like ContentFly, CopySmiths is always looking for writers to add to their growing writing team. If you can write high-quality, SEO-optimized blog posts, you can easily apply and land a job here.

6. Freelance Writers Den 

Freelance Writers Den is an online community for freelance writers. They provide support to freelancers and help them grow their income while improving their writing skills. 

To start earning, you need to subscribe, be a member and gain access to their job board section.

7. FlexJobs 

FlexJobs is a good online marketplace where freelance writers can find remote paid full-time employment opportunities. Their customized job search criteria can help you find the perfect match jobs for you.

8. Listiller

Listiller provides a list of new writing gigs for freelancers, both new and established. Click here to get started finding paid writing jobs on the site.

9. Indeed 

Indeed is another job board that lists a variety of job opportunities for various professions. And writers are not excluded. 

All you need to do is create an indeed account, search for ‘freelance writing’ jobs, and send your application.

Mine the Gold from Famous Freelancing Sites

Aside from job boards, freelancing websites are also reliable places for writers to find paid writing jobs. Some of the most popular freelancing websites include:

10. Upwork 

I bet you have already heard about Upwork by now. Over 12 million freelancers are currently on Upwork looking for jobs (I know, the competition, right?). 

However, there are also plenty of jobs posted there every single minute. So, you can never miss what suits you. 

You can also take Walter’s Upwork Mastery Course to sharpen your skills and gain massive success on this platform.

11. Fiverr 

Fiverr may be the second most preferred freelancing site after Upwork. Several freelancers have made a fortune out of creating gigs and selling them to clients on Fiverr. 

You could also be one of them, whether new or experienced.

12. Contena 

Contena is a premium members-only freelance site that collects a variety of paid freelance writing jobs from the net and makes them readily available for its members. 

Their writing jobs are well-paying, and they offer additional benefits such as courses, coaching, and publishing opportunities for members. 

13. FreeUp

FreeUp is more like Upwork, where you identify a job you are interested in, bid, win the job, and get paid through the platform.

This platform is less competitive and more convenient for writers who want to earn while gaining experience.

14. PeoplePerHour 

PeoplePerHour is a platform that enables writers to showcase their work and market themselves. 

You only need to complete the online application process, and if your application is approved, you gain access to a range of writing projects.

15. All Freelance Writing

Here, you can find paid freelance writing gigs based on pay range and dates. There is always a variety to choose from.

16. Guru 

Guru is another big freelancing website that works the same way as Upwork and FreeUp.. Freelance writers land good writing deals through this site.  

One good thing about it is that the commission charged on freelancers per job is relatively lower (9%) compared to other sites. 

Upwork charges 20% for starters but has a plan where once you hit $500 with a client, the fee goes down to 10%. And once you hit $10,000 with a client, it goes further down to 5%. Guru is 9% for all, thus cheaper for beginners and those with smaller contracts.

17. Truelancer 

Truelancer is another freelancing site for freelancers where there is less competition than the likes of Upwork.

18. goLance

This is a bidding site as well (such as Upwork and FreeUp). Like other freelance marketplaces, client post jobs and freelancers are free to apply. Another unique thing here is that once a client posts a job, goLance recommends a list of recommended freelancers. 

19. Contently 

This freelance site is majorly for experienced writers. It connects freelance writers to big brands, which supply a consistent flow of jobs and pay well.

However, you need to have a strong portfolio and proof of your work to be considered here.

20. MediaBistro 

MediaBistro is a freelancing job board that connects freelance writers with media companies. This site is best for writers in the fields of journalism and public relations.

Leverage the Power of Social Media

Social media is the perfect place for freelancers to attract and find clients to pay for their writing.

And you do not need 10K followers to get started. If you already have a social media profile and a few connections, you are good to go.

21. Facebook

Facebook is among the fastest places for freelance writers to find paid writing jobs through warm pitching. 

Start identifying potential clients among your established connections and send warm pitches. They could be your friends, business partners, companies, and organizations you follow. 

You can also join Facebook groups where clients frequently post job openings for writers. Some great groups to start with include:

• Remarkable Freelance Writers in Africa
• Creative Freelancers’ Unite
• Content Writers Needed
• The Write Life Community
• The Copy Jobs Board

PS: Facebook groups are more effective for finding jobs than Facebook pages.

22. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the gold-mine social platform for freelance writers. All your potential clients are already hanging out here. 

Also, the platform already has a category for jobs that makes the search easier. Just type in the job title or the keyword of the writing job you are looking for and find a variety. Then, as usual, send that killer pitch, ok?

You can also search and join LinkedIn freelancing groups such as Content Writing Jobs and Freelance Writing Jobs, where clients frequently post job openings. 

23. Twitter 

Twitter also has several job boards on which clients post freelance writing jobs to help writers find paid writing gigs. 

Some job boards you can follow on Twitter include @Writing_Gigs and @WhoPaysWriters.

24. Reddit 

If you already use Reddit, you can join freelancing subreddits, where you can post relevant content that can land you well-paying freelance writing clients. You can also join subreddits like Hire a Writer where you can apply for writing jobs.

25. Quora 

Quora is a social site where you can ask and answer questions according to your expertise. You can also join freelancing ‘spaces’ where you can connect with other freelancers and even land clients for paid work.

26. Telegram

Telegram Messenger has many groups for freelance writers, article writers, copywriters, bloggers, and many others through which you can find referrals for paid work. Once you download and log in to the app, search for relevant groups and channels.

27. Google 

Though I have placed it in this category, Google is a search engine and not a social site. 

If you hate the hustle of going through every job board to find work, let google be your best friend. 

With a well-customized search, Google can help you find the latest and well-paying online writing jobs in your niche faster. Try searching for ‘paid online writing jobs in (your niche)’ or ‘Write for us + (your niche)’.

Narrow Down to Niche-Based Websites and Publications     

Sometimes, the job search becomes much easier when you narrow down to a specific niche/industry. Below are sites where you can find niche-related writing jobs that pay quite well.

28. Health and fitness: Vibrant Life 

Vibrant Life is an online lifestyle publication that accepts articles related to physical health, mental health, nutrition, and spiritual balance.

Find out more about Vibrant Life article submissions.

29. Finance: Money Crashers 

This finance site continuously hires writers to write detailed articles about topics like cryptocurrency, money management, mortgages, credit, and debit. Apply here to be one of their writers.

30. Travel: Go World Travel Magazine

Go World is an online travel magazine that accepts articles submissions on travel, adventure, and exploration.

If travel is your fetish, check out the Go World submission guidelines, then send in your application.

31. Business and Investment: SmartBusinessTrends 

SmartBusinessTrends accepts submissions on the latest trends in business and investment. Apply to become one of their writers.

32. Food and Cooking: Eating Well

Eating Well is a website about healthy eating, healthy recipes, healthy cooking, and everything ‘foodie’. Apply to become an Eating Well contributor.

33. Online Business: IncomeDiary

Income diary is a publication that posts articles about online business or making money online. 

Submit your articles to IncomeDiary for publishing and get paid.

34. Digital marketing: A List Apart

A List Apart is a platform for digital marketing content. It accepts articles on topics such as web design, content marketing, coding, among others. Apply here to be their contributor.

35. Parenting: A Fine Parent

A Fine Parent is a website about anything related to parenting. Visit their ‘Write for Us’ page to know how you can share your parenting wisdom and get paid.

36. WordPress: Elegant Themes

Elegant Themes is one of the most popular WordPress theme shops. It’s the home of Divi. And it pays writers well to write content on WordPress and Divi. Apply to write for Elegant Themes.

37. Pets: Petful

Petful is a website that is all about pets. If you love pets, and more so, love to write about them, submit your articles to Petful to be published and earn some dollars.

And the List Continues!

“More, please!”

“Alright, here you go…”

The list seems quite endless, huh!

Other bonus freelance platforms where you can find paid freelance writing jobs include:

38. SolidGigs
39. Bustle
40. PaidOnlineWritingJobs
41. Craft Your Content
42. The Freelance Dance
43. Make a Living Writing – This site contains a lot about how and where you can find more writing jobs.
44. RankPay Blogger Program – Find more blogging jobs here.
45. Copyhackers – Find more copywriting jobs here.
46. Get Copywriting Jobs – Find more copywriting jobs here, too.
47. The Sun – A magazine that accepts essays, fiction, and poetry writing (Apply to be a contributor).
48. Pathfinders – A travel magazine (Apply to be a contributor).
49. Barefoot Writer: A magazine for freelancers (Apply to join the team).
50. Discover Magazine. A magazine for science and technology (Apply to be a contributor).

It’s a Wrap Guys!

And yes, we got the money!

As you can see, the opportunities for freelance writers out here are endless. Just like I initially said, do not let your mind get trapped into believing that the only places you can get paid to write are on Upwork and Fiverr. 

While these may be the most famous freelancing sites, they are flooded with millions of writers, and the competition is crazy! 

Upwork, specifically, requires a set of skills to succeed. Like I mentioned earlier, you can consider taking Walter’s Upwork Mastery Course if you want to make this site your freelancing goldmine.

Let me wrap this all up by saying that, in freelancing, the surest road to success is to cast your nets far and wide. Master your writing art, learn how to craft kickass pitches, then go ahead and apply for those jobs. 

After all, who are all those jobs for if not for you? C’mon, get up and get going! 

All the best as you find your first (or 51^st) paid freelance writing job from my recommendations.