24 top freelance writing sites to find jobs in 2022

Content platforms

Content platforms are built for freelance writers. Every content platform operates slightly differently, but the main goal is to connect talented freelancers with clients who want to hire them, either for one-off assignments or ongoing projects. Everything—including communication, editing, and payment—is done through the platform.

The downside is that most content platforms don’t let you actively search for work. You usually have to wait for a client or site administrator to reach out to you about a potential work opportunity.

However, there are a few powerful benefits of using content platforms:

1. You get access to high-profile clients you may have never worked with otherwise.
2. You can get work in a variety of different industries, from healthcare and tech to media and e-commerce.
3. You have the chance to develop long-term relationships with clients and get steady assignments.

Here are some of the best content platforms for freelance writers:

8. ClearVoice

ClearVoice is a content platform that has clients in a handful of different industries, including retail, advertising, finance, healthcare, and tech. ClearVoice uses freelance writers to do blog posts, ebooks, web copy, case studies, and social media writing.

As a freelance writer, it’s free to sign up and create a portfolio. When you’re building out your profile, try to be as specific and detailed as possible. In addition to writing a bio that describes your expertise and experience, you should also add clips to your portfolio, attach a photo of yourself, and set your desired rates. ClearVoice will then add you to their talent network and let you know if you match with any clients based on your rates and skills.

Occasionally, you’ll hear from a site administrator about a specific job, but more often than not you’ll get an email about a potential work opportunity. Once you review the assignment, client, pay, and timeline, you’ll have the option to apply to the job within a certain window of time. If the client chooses you, you’ll get started on the project and receive payment once you submit it. ClearVoice does take a 25% service fee for each job, but the amount you see for every assignment is your take-home pay.

The downside of ClearVoice is that creating a profile doesn’t guarantee you any writing work. You could be waiting a long time to get an email about a relevant work opportunity within your pay range.

Pros

• You get access to high-quality writing jobs.
• The pay is good and immediate.
• You can conduct all your client interactions on the platform.

Cons

• You may not get work if your skills and expertise don’t align with the needs of ClearVoice clients.
• You can’t search for writing jobs or contact clients first.
  
  

9. Contently

Frequently touted as one of the best places to find well-paying freelance writing work, Contently is the gold star of freelance writing content platforms. Contently has a roster of clients in a variety of industries, but they’re best known for working with high-profile (and high-paying) clients in tech, healthcare, and finance.

Here’s how Contently works: You create a free profile, build a portfolio, then wait for someone to contact you about a work opportunity. Compiling your portfolio can take some time on Contently, since the site requires you to categorize your clips by type of writing and skills used to complete the project. Adding writing samples can be tedious, but it’s worth it. The more detail you include in your portfolio, the more the site’s algorithm works in your favor.

Like ClearVoice, Contently matches you with the clients who need your expertise, but this process can take a while. You can’t search for writing jobs or see which clients use the platform, so it’s a bit of a waiting game.

The primary way you get work is by getting invited to join a particular client’s team. When you receive an invite, you can learn about the company’s brand values, editorial goals, assignments, and pay rates.

Once you join a team, you can message the managing editor directly on the platform and respond to the company’s pitch calls. If you score an assignment, you’ll either get paid in full immediately upon submission, or receive half your pay when you turn in the piece and the other half when you complete the necessary revisions.

Pros

• You have the chance to work with impressive clients.
• You can earn anywhere from $200 to $700 for a blog post.
• You get paid immediately through PayPal.
• You can get ongoing work.

Cons

• Contently’s talent network is enormous, so you might be waiting months (or even years) before you get contacted for a job.
• The assigning process can be vague and inconsistent. Just because you’re added to a client’s team doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get any work.
  

41%of freelancers find work through their past clients.
- First Site Guide

10. Skyword

Skyword is a marketing content platform that helps companies find skilled, reliable freelancers to do everything from short-form articles and blog posts to white papers and web copy. Skyword’s clients are in industries like retail, healthcare, finance, and tech.

As a freelance writer, it’s free and easy to create a portfolio. However, like other content platforms, creating a portfolio doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get any assignments. To increase your chances of matching up with a potential client, Skyword recommends writers specialize in one or two niches, rather than list a handful of different areas of expertise. It’s also important to have a portfolio that highlights your skills and experience.

If Skyword matches you with a client, you’ll typically get an email inviting you to join a client’s channel. Once you’re part of a channel, a client will likely ask you to pitch ideas before assigning you something.

Pros

• You can work with high-profile clients.
• You have the opportunity to get long-term work.
• The pay is decent; depending on the client, you could earn anywhere from $10-$250 for a blog post.

Cons

• You can’t search for work.
• You have to specialize in something to get noticed by Skyword’s talent managers.
  
  

11. Constant Content

Constant Content is a content platform that pairs freelance writers with companies or individuals who need writing help. The assignments range from articles and ebooks to product descriptions and press releases.

To sign up as a writer, you have to create a profile, take a quiz, and submit a short writing sample. If you’re approved, you have three options for getting work: You can sell your own pre-written content directly to clients, become part of a pool of writers, or respond directly to requests for writing. You have to be asked to join a pool of writers, but if you get the invite, you’ll usually have access to more consistent writing opportunities and better pay.

The upside of Constant Content is that you can set your own rates and establish yourself as an authority on certain topics. Plus, if you’ve already written a lot of (unpublished) articles on a certain topic, you have the opportunity to repurpose those by selling them. Keep in mind, though: Constant Content takes a 35% cut of whatever you earn, so if you sell a pre-written article from your catalogue for $100, you’ll only receive $65 for it.

Pros

• You can sell work you’ve already written.
• You can respond directly to writing requests.

Cons

• You have to take a writing test and submit a sample to sign up.
• The pay may be lower than other content platforms.
  

"A word after a word after a word is power."
- Margaret Atwood

12. The Writer Finder

Started by SEO agency The Growth Machine, The Writer Finder is a content platform that connects clients with writers who can create articles and blog posts. The Writer Finder says it’s looking for writers in any niche. They write content on subjects that range from weddings, meditation, and wellness to AI, travel, and sales.

As a freelance writer, all you have to do is sign up and create a profile, then the site will reach out with potential writing opportunities if your skills are a fit for their clients. When you get an email about a job opportunity, you fill out a Google form if you’re interested.

If you’re lucky, The Writer Finder could help you get a steady stream of assignments. However, as with most other content platforms, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get writing work, let alone work that pays well.

Pros

• It’s free and easy to sign up.
• You can specialize in any subject area.

Cons

• The pay varies.
• Emails that share job opportunities don’t list the pay outright.
  
  

13. Online Writing Jobs

Online Writing Jobs is a lesser known content service that pairs freelancers with B2C and B2B clients for blog posts, copywriting, and SEO content. They specialize in a handful of niches—automotive, medical/health, travel, science, tech, and education/academia—so writers who have expertise in those areas may be more likely to win work.

To apply to be part of Online Writing Jobs, you have to complete an online form, submit a writing sample, fill out a W-9 form, and share a copy of your ID card (you have to be a US resident). If you’re accepted, the site will reach out with weekly job opportunities and assignments.

Though you get paid easily through PayPal, the pay tends to cap out at $50 per assignment, with $15 per assignment being common compensation.

Pros

• If you’re accepted as part of the network, you get access to writer resources.
• You can become a regular writer for the site and its clients.

Cons

• The pay is on the lower end for content platforms.
• You need to have expertise in one of the niches they represent.
  
  

Free job boards for freelance writing

Job boards are the first place most freelance writers turn to when searching for freelance writing work. Not only do they collect hundreds of writing jobs from every imaginable industry and type of client, they show jobs geared specifically toward freelancers and contract workers. Every freelance writing job board has different perks and quirks, but these are the best ones you can find for free.

14. ProBlogger

The ProBlogger job board, created by master blogger Darren Rowse, is a popular resource for blog writing jobs. The board is organized and constantly updated. In addition to listing blogging gigs from countless industries, it also displays job posts for copywriters, editors, and proofreaders.

It’s free to search for and apply to jobs. You can filter jobs by keyword, location, and type of work. If you opt to do an advanced search, you can also select the job category and the type of company. ProBlogger also lets you sign up as a job candidate and upload your resume, so potential clients can come to you.

What sets ProBlogger apart from other job boards is that every job pays at least $75. Of course, depending on the work the job poster asks for, that $75 can feel reasonable or low, but it’s a nice baseline to work with.

Pros

• It’s a reputable site, so you get access to better blogging gigs than many other places.
• You can take advantage of the candidate dashboard, so employers can reach out to you.

Cons

• Because ProBlogger is such a well-known name, there’s a lot of competition for the jobs posted.
• ProBlogger shares every job post with its Twitter followers, increasing the amount of people who apply to a single gig.
  
  

15. BloggingPro

Not to be confused with ProBlogger, BloggingPro is another free job board that shares a handful of different types of writing gigs.

You can filter your job search by blog writing, copywriting, content writing, journalism jobs, proofreading and editing, and technical writing jobs. You can also search by keyword and location. However, there’s no direct or standard method of applying to jobs. Some job posts might ask you to send a resume or do a writing test, while others will request a portfolio link via email.

The drawback of BloggingPro is that a majority of the job postings don’t share rates, so you have no way of weeding out low-paying work. There’s also no screening for job posts, so you may run into the occasional scammer or penny-pinching client.

Pros

• The site is free and easy to use.
• You can search for jobs based on the specific writing work you do.

Cons

• There’s no screening for jobs.
• It’s a popular site, so there’s a lot of competition.
  

"I write to discover what I know."
- Flannery O'Connor

16. FreelanceWriting.com

The job board on FreelanceWriting.com rounds up writing jobs from all over the internet, including gigs posted on BloggingPro, Indeed.com, and Craigslist. That means you’ll occasionally see repeat job postings from other sites.

However, if you want a one-stop shop to search for writing gigs, FreelanceWriting.com’s job board makes it easy to filter jobs by location and skills. There’s also a free resource section where you can read articles and guides to getting started as a freelance writer or improving your freelance writing career.

Pros

• It’s easy to use.
• It’s a great place for an all-in-one search if you don’t want to check multiple freelance writing job boards.

Cons

• Most jobs posted will be highly competitive because they have a lot of exposure.
• There’s not one streamlined way to apply; you follow the link and it takes you to the original site where the job was posted.
  
  

17. Freelance Writing Jobs

A popular freelance writing resource site and community, Freelance Writing Jobs (FWJ) posts all types of writing gigs—from copywriting work and journalism assignments to blog posts and technical writing pieces. The site is a bit outdated and not as intuitive to navigate as other job boards, but you can filter jobs by keyword, category, and location.

Unlike other job boards, the FWJ job board isn’t updated as frequently, but it’s still a good place to check every few days.

Pros

• It features jobs in a variety of categories.
• You can get freelance writing tips and resources from the site.

Cons

• There aren’t as many new jobs posted.
  
  

18. Guru

Guru is a freelance job marketplace where you can search for and bid on different writing jobs. Here’s how it works: you create a profile as a freelance writer, then search for writing gigs by location, payment terms, verified employers, and quotes received. Keep in mind that most of the writing work tends to be large manuscript projects, rather than copywriting or article writing.

Once you find a gig you’re interested in, you bid on the project by stating your price. You get 10 free bids per month; if you want to bid on more projects than that, you have to pay a monthly fee.

Unfortunately, bidding models by nature are a race to the bottom; they tend to encourage clients to accept the lowest bid instead of choosing the person most qualified for the work. However, if you’re new to freelance writing and don’t have much experience, getting work through Guru could help you build up your portfolio.

Pros

• It’s a good place for beginners to get work.
• The price ranges are listed.

Cons

• You have to bid on freelance writing jobs and the site takes a percentage of your fee.

19. Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is another freelance job marketplace site. You create a profile, apply to projects, then quote your price. It’s easy to search for writing jobs in different categories and fields, and the job postings display the price range and the number of current bids the project has.

If a client accepts your project quote, you’ll work and communicate with them through the platform, then pay the site a 10% fee when you get your money. You have eight free bids per month before you have to pay for a monthly subscription.

Like Guru, Freelancer.com isn’t the best resource for more established writers, but if you don’t have any writing clips or experience, it might be a good place to get started.

Pros

• You can find jobs that help build out your portfolio.
• You can see job rates and bids upfront.

Cons

• You only get eight free bids per month.
• The nature of the bidding system means you’re likely to get low-paying work.
  
  

Paid job boards for freelance writing

Paid job boards are a step up from free freelance writing job boards. Paying a monthly subscription to access an exclusive job board means you’ll have less competition for work. Plus, the quality of jobs is usually higher, since most paid job boards require the job posters to fork over a fee to find writers.

20. Freelance Writers Den

The Freelance Writers Den is a community and job board started by veteran freelance writer Carol Tice. There are over 1,500 members in the den—journalists, copywriters, and content writers included—at various stages in their career. Some are beginner freelance writers, while others are more established.

For $25 a month (and no ongoing obligation), you get access to an exclusive job board that Carol updates twice a week. You can see freelance, contract, part-time, full-time, and remote writing jobs, all of which are pre-screened to pay at least $50.

You can also take advantage of community resources like question and answer forums, writing bootcamps, and complimentary feedback on your LinkedIn bio and profile.

Pros

• You can find quality writing gigs.
• There’s less competition for jobs.
• The job board updates twice a week, so you don’t have to check it every single day.
• You have access to a freelance writing community and other resources to help you in your career.

Cons

• It costs $25 a month.
  
  

21. Contena

Contena is a job board and professional writing community designed to help both beginners and advanced writers find quality remote writing gigs.

You have to apply to join, but if you’re accepted, you can use Contena’s writing job finder, which collects copywriting, ghostwriting, content writing, and blog writing jobs. You can also sign up for job alerts about writing gigs that align with your experience level, niche, and desired pay.

Rates start at $40 a month if you pay for an entire year in advance. In addition to a job finder, your monthly payment also gets you access to writing coaching, courses, and an online portfolio tool.

Pros

• You get exclusive access to a variety of different writing opportunities.
• It has great resources to help advance your career, no matter where you’re starting from.

Cons

• The monthly fee is sizable.

The average job search in the U.S. takes 5 months.
-TopResume

22. Writers Work

Writers Work is an all-in-one writing platform where you can take advantage of jobs, freelance writing training courses, and advice. You pay $15 per month (or a one-time fee of $47) then create a profile and portfolio. From there, you can either search the list of exclusive job opportunities using advanced filters or sign up for emails that suggest jobs based on your niche, experience, and pay.

A perk of Writers Work is that you have access to a comprehensive database of sites that pay writers, so you can spend less time hunting for paid gigs and more time polishing your pitches. The site also has a built-in grammar checker, a distraction-free writing tool, and a project organization feature that lets you track your work time, link documents to projects, and find out when you have upcoming deadlines.

Pros

• Job matches are delivered to your inbox.
• You can take advantage of tools that help you become a better freelance writer.

Cons

• It costs money.
  
  

Creative agencies

Creative agencies can help you land ongoing writing gigs. National and local staffing agencies alike need talented freelance writers for their clients’ projects, which range from copywriting and article writing to SEO writing and social media writing.

To become part of an agency’s database, you usually have to submit a resume, fill out a job application, and do an interview. If you’re accepted, the agency will reach out when they have a job opportunity you’re a fit for.

23. Robert Half

Robert Half is a well-known talent agency that places creatives in a variety of fields. It’s free to sign up—all you have to do to apply is upload your resume.

Once you’re part of the system, the company’s staffing experts will promote you to employers and send personalized job recommendations. If you decide to apply for a job, the team at Robert Half will handle your payment negotiations with clients and help advocate for you.

You can also sign up for email job alerts and use the site to search for remote or freelance writing opportunities by keyword or title.

Pros

• You get free access to high-quality jobs and employers looking for creatives.

Cons

• You have to go through the agency to secure a job, which can be frustrating if you prefer to communicate directly with clients.
  
  

24. Creative Circle

Creative Circle is a recruiting site that has a ton of writing jobs, including freelance, part-time, and contract work. The best way to find a job is to apply to be part of Creative Circle’s network. After submitting your resume, they might ask you to do a quick interview.

From there, the site will email you with potential job opportunities that align with your desired pay, niche, and expertise. In the interest of client privacy, Creative Circle doesn’t usually provide company names or identifying details, so most of the job ads are fairly vague. For example, you might see job posts like “technical writer needed for software company” or “social media writer needed for e-commerce site.”

If you decide to apply for a job, you’ll go through Creative Circle to send in your resume and a cover letter.

Pros

• You can find long-term writing gigs.
• Most of the writing jobs pay well, with the starting rate hovering around $20 an hour.

Cons

• The job ads don’t provide a lot of concrete information.
• Most of Creative Circle’s clients pay by hour instead of per project.
  

79% of job seekers say they have used social media in their job search.
-Career Marketing Search

8 tips to land better writing jobs

Scoring quality freelance writing jobs takes time and patience, but there are certain strategies you can use to get ahead of the competition. Here are eight tactics to try:

1. Polish your bio and portfolio

Your writer bio and portfolio are the first glimpses a potential client has into your skills and experience level, so it’s crucial to make them count.

A strong portfolio should be both comprehensive and relevant. Make sure you include samples that show off your range as a writer, but that also demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in a specific niche. If you’re a technical writer, include articles and blog posts as well as case studies and annual reports. If you’re a social media writer, try to incorporate samples that showcase your ability to write in different brand voices.

When it comes to writing a compelling bio, use your words carefully. In addition to describing the type of writing you do and the subjects you specialize in, dedicate a sentence or two to explaining why a potential client should hire you. Do you pride yourself on beating deadlines, for example? Are you great at following brand style guidelines? Do you routinely take on projects with quick turnarounds?

2. Apply early

If you want to win jobs from writing sites and job boards, it’s critical to apply as early as possible. If you apply to writing jobs one or two days after they’re posted, your application will probably go straight into the digital void. The sooner you get in front of a hiring manager or editor, the better chance you’ll have at scoring the job.

Instead of searching for jobs when you’re finished with your writing work for the day, carve out time first thing each morning to check the job boards and sift through your emails. If possible, search for jobs according to the time and date they’re posted, so you can see the most recent opportunities and scan them for relevance.

From there, you can expedite the application process by using a cover letter or cold pitch template. Simply change the key details, attach the appropriate writing samples, and you’re set.

3. Learn how to write a convincing cover letter

Every writing job you apply to will ask for something slightly different. While some clients simply want to see your portfolio, others will ask for a resume or cover letter explaining why you’d be a great fit for the gig.

Even if the job poster doesn’t request a formal cover letter, there will usually be a section on the application that asks what your specialties are or why you want the job—and that’s your chance to sell yourself.

Once you write one stellar cover letter or email, you can tailor it for future clients and job opportunities. Here’s what the letter should include:

• A personalized greeting: If possible, address the hiring person by name.
• An introductory sentence that shows your familiarity with the company or client: You can say something like, “I’ve been a fan of your company’s products for years, and was thrilled to discover you’re looking for a writer to help create social media ads.”
• An explanation of your credentials and expertise: List the other outlets or companies you've written for, the type of writing you do, and the subjects or niches you specialize in.
• A selling point: This is your chance to explain why you’d do an excellent job. You can mention similar writing projects you’ve done, talk about your background, or share stats around your writing, like how many website visitors your SEO blog posts typically attract.
• Examples of your writing: Make sure you follow the job poster’s instructions. Some might ask for a portfolio link, while others will ask for links to two or three specific writing samples.
  
  

4. Apply often

Applying to writing jobs is a numbers game. The more opportunities you apply to, the greater your chance of receiving a positive response. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should apply to every single job posting you’re even remotely qualified for.

It’s a better use of your time to apply to five to fifteen jobs every day that match up with your skill set and expertise. To assess jobs, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it a type of writing I do?
• Is the subject within or related to my niche?
• Do I have the time to take this on?
• Is the pay worth my energy? If not, is there another reason the job might be worth it?
• Will this job give me an impressive byline or sample to add to my portfolio?
• Does the client seem reasonable or demanding?
• Do I have writing samples that relate to this job?

Over time, you’ll get better at evaluating job opportunities and determining which ones are worth your time and energy to apply to.

Social media marketing skills will be the most in-demand HR skill in the future.
- Career Arc

5. Follow up on your applications

A lot of freelance writers lose out on jobs because they don’t follow up. Following up on a job application or pitch doesn’t just show a client you care about the opportunity at hand, it also puts you back on their radar.

Following up can be straightforward or complicated depending on the job. If the job post listed an email address, you’re good to go. However, if you applied through a job site or an online form, you may have to hunt down a direct contact.

Fortunately, you can use LinkedIn to search the company’s name plus the words “hiring manager” or “HR director.” From there, you can either look for an email address or send the person a direct message or connection request with a note.

Here’s a sample follow-up email you can use for inspiration:

Hello [Name],

I applied for [job title] last Tuesday, and wanted to follow up with you. Do you need any more information from me?

I really love [company name] and think I check all the boxes in terms of what you’re looking for in a writer. If there’s anything else I can share to help make your decision, please let me know.

Thank you,

[Your name]

6. Go the extra mile to get referrals

When you land a freelance writing gig, your number one goal should be to do an amazing job. With every opportunity, you have a chance to demonstrate your value as a writer, secure repeat work, and get a referral.

That’s why it’s important to go above and beyond to make your client’s life easier. In addition to producing high-quality work, you may want to do some or all of the following:

• Offer to create an outline for the assignment.
• Turn in your work early.
• Ensure your writing is grammatically correct and has no typos.
• Offer to do extra revisions.
• Suggest options for images to include.
• Pitch an idea for another assignment when you submit your first piece.
• Respond quickly to questions and requests for changes.
  
  

7. Look for work outside writing sites

Writing sites are incredible resources for writers at every stage of their career, but they shouldn’t be the only place you look for work. If you’re not having any luck with job sites, consider reaching out to potential clients directly. Try the following strategies:

• Connect with prospects on LinkedIn by following their work or sending them a note.
• Send tailored cold emails to potential clients.
• Pitch blog and article ideas to editors and content managers.
• Advertise your writing services on LinkedIn.
• Write a guest blog post or Medium article to gain exposure.
  
  

8. Free up your time

Finding writing jobs takes time—and it’s easy to get distracted doing other tasks, especially admin work. If you find yourself spending too much time creating client invoices, responding to emails, chasing down payments, or updating your portfolio, you may need to get organized.

The following strategies can save you time and stress:

• Instead of replying to emails throughout the day, set two designated times to go through your inbox for 30 minutes, like 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Create an invoice template you can use for different clients.
• Use invoicing software to manage and track overdue invoices from clients
• Block off time in your calendar to update your portfolio once or twice a month.
• Use a hassle-free invoicing, accounting, and business banking platform. Wave makes it easy to invoice clients, accept online payments from your invoices, and automate your bookkeeping.
  
  

Start the job search today

Whether you need to build up your portfolio or find long-term writing gigs, taking advantage of writing websites can help. To find out which websites work for you, start experimenting and tracking your results. Over time, you’ll see which platforms and resources have the biggest payoff for you.