Since I’ve started teaching others how to start freelance writing, I’m often asked which are the best freelance writing sites online for beginners through experienced writers. The good news is that there are a lot of great platforms for writers, but how do you choose the right one?
The truth is that as a freelance writer, it’s a good idea to be comfortable using multiple job platforms so you have a steady stream of new clients and gigs.
The freelance writing sites on this list include freelance marketplaces, ones with educational content, some that help build your business, and more. This article is designed to help you find the sites that fit where you’re at in your freelance writing career, and I’ll explain who they’re best for and how to get started with each.
Let’s jump in!
11 Best Freelance Writing Sites of 2023
This list was put together using personal experience and online reviews of the most popular writing sites right now. Really, there are over twice as many as we’ve listed, but the ones below have strong online reviews, easy-to-use job search features, and most are beginner friendly.
1. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a job board that hand screens every job before it’s posted and gives you personalized job search results, which is why this is one of the best freelance writing sites — you don’t have to worry about scams! All of the writing jobs posted on FlexJobs are flexible, remote work positions, and they range from part to full-time work. Another thing we love about FlexJobs is the wide variety of writing work, from SEO content writers to copywriting.
Read more in our full FlexJobs Review.
Getting Started
To find writing jobs on FlexJobs, you’ll need to create an account and pay for a subscription, with weekly through annual subscriptions. Once you have your account set up, you can start applying for writing jobs. While not necessary for all job, FlexJobs has tests that freelancers can take to demonstrate their proficiency in certain areas, and potential employers will see your results in their search. You can also set up job alerts or sort on your own, and we recommend both.
Try FlexJobs
As one of the best freelance writing sites, FlexJobs provides personalized job searches in over 60 different categories.
2. ProBlogger
While this sounds like website for bloggers only, ProBlogger is actually one of the best freelance writing job sites, and it’s been around for years. Most of the writing jobs on ProBlogger are specifically for writing blog posts, but there are occasionally ones for scripts, social media, email, and more. The writing jobs you’ll find have detailed descriptions and often include pay.
It’s worth mentioning that there are far fewer writing jobs listed on ProBlogger compared to larger platforms, and most are with smaller companies, but the quality of jobs is generally higher than other sites and geared toward freelance writers with some experience.
Getting Started
To start applying for jobs on ProBlogger, you will need to create an account and register as a candidate. To have the best experience, we recommend creating a detailed profile, which can include a photo, personal writing website, niche, experience, and education. ProBlogger is free to sign up for and use.
3. Freelancer
As the name suggests, Freelancer is a freelance job platform, and it claims to be the world’s largest freelance marketplace, and it’s even used by large companies, like Facebook, Deloitte, Amazon, NASA, and more. You can expect to pay a 10% fee on any hours or projects you bill for on this site. There’s a wide range of writing work available, from copywriting, ghostwriting, and blog posts.
Getting Started
Freelancer is a big site, and you’ll need to start by creating a detailed profile. Once you’ve done that, you can apply for jobs and place a bid on them. You will be bidding on jobs against other freelancers, which is why your profile is so important.
4. Upwork
Upwork is one of the best freelance writing sites for new writers who are looking for entry-level work. It’s a huge site, and you’ll be competing with jobs with a lot of other freelancers, but it’s still a good place to break into the market and start gaining testimonials and experience. Potential clients and employers can find you by searching for freelancers, but the best way to find jobs is by actively searching and applying for them
Learn more in our full Upwork Review.
Getting Started
Before you can start finding work, you’ll need to create a detailed profile that includes the types of freelance writing jobs you’re interested in, your experience, and skillset. If you have a niche or niches you’re interested in writing for, definitely include those because they’ll help make your profile more searchable.
Upwork offers a free and paid account, and the paid one is $14.99/month and you receive tokens to apply for jobs — we highly recommend actively searching and applying for jobs on Upwork! With the free option, you will have to pay $0.15 for each token.
5. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is for more than building your professional network; it’s an excellent option for writers who are looking for jobs in the B2B (business-to-business) niche as companies advertise part-time and full-time positions for writers who can produce content for their sites on LinkedIn.
You are less likely to see jobs listed with “freelance writer” in the title or description — look for ones with “content writer,” “content manager,” “content marketer,” or “content strategist.” The majority of the writing jobs on LinkedIn will be for regular work, not one-off gigs.
Getting Started
If you don’t have a LinkedIn account yet, you’ll need to start there. Like many of the other freelance writing sites listed, the key to finding jobs is a stand-out and detailed profile. You can begin searching for jobs, set up job alerts, and let recruiters know you’re open to opportunities. LinkedIn is free, but you’ll have more job search features with a Premium subscription, which starts at $5 a day.
6. Textbroker
Textbroker is a content writing service provider that companies use to outsource their written content, including blog posts, product descriptions, and ad copy. This freelance writing site handles payments and includes project management features that make it easy to work with clients. There are even on-site writing tools you can use to improve your skills.
Getting Started
It’s free to sign up as a writer, and you’ll need to submit a writing sample to have it rated before you can start applying for jobs. You’ll then need to complete your writer’s profile. From there, you can browse from thousands of flexible, one-off jobs or regular client work.
7. Fiverr
Fiverr, like Upwork, is one of the best freelance writing sites for new writers who are willing to take lower-paying jobs. There is a lot of volume on this site, and it’s a popular place to outsource one-time writing gigs. As with Upwork, it’s a good place to start and gain experience and testimonials, but you’ll want to eventually move on to land higher-paying jobs.
Getting Started
Fiverr is free to join, and once you’ve created your account, you’ll need to create packaged services, which can include writing and proofreading, for example. Fiverr takes a commission for every project you bill for, starting at 20% for the first $500 paid by a client.
8. Mediabistro
Mediabistro is a recruiting site for hiring freelance writers, social media managers, proofreaders, graphic designers, and more, and it’s used by well-known digital media brands, like NBC Universal, Bloomberg, HBO, CNN, and more. There is a monthly subscription fee to use Mediabistro, but it gives you access to resources that make it easier to pitch editors, find industry events, and more. As you might imagine, this freelance writing site is best for more experienced writers.
Getting Started
You’ll need to first create an account, which includes a free trial and costs $9.99. Then you’ll need to create your profile, including experience, speciality, industry, and work samples.
9. Contena
Contena is a membership-based freelance writing site that provides education and job-finding resources. It’s an expensive site to use: $497 for a 1-year membership or $997 for a 2-year membership, and both include a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’re paying for job listings pulled from free job sites and access to the Contena Academy that helps you build a freelance writing business, so it’s better suited for newbie writers.
Read more in our full Contena Review.
Getting Started
You’ll first need to fill out a short questionnaire that asks about your writing experience and preferred niches. Then there’s a series of onboarding emails before you activate your membership.
10. Writers Work
Writers Work is a job board for freelance writers who also want resources and tools to help them grow their writing careers. The jobs found on the site are aggregated from across the web, and you can find writing gigs in copywriting, ghostwriting, content writing, journalism, and more.
Getting Started
This is a membership-based site that you can pay for monthly or with a one-time payment. Once you’ve set up your account, you can start searching for jobs and digging into the resources. Because the jobs posted are freely available across the web, you’ll want to use the writer’s resources to get the most out of your membership.
11. Contently
Contently is a content marketing platform that specializes in content marketing, which very much includes freelance writing. The site’s used by big brands like Dell, American Express, and Marriott. Because of the high quality of jobs, this freelance writing site is best for more experienced writers, and Contently vets and rates the writers on their site. You can also expect higher paying gigs, like articles ranging from 500 to 700 words paying at $300/article.
Getting Started
You will have to apply and be cleared to start looking for gigs on Contently, but once you are, you do not have to bid on jobs. Contently manages their freelancers and personally connects them with brands they feel would be a good match.
The Final Word on Freelance Writing Sites
We want you to use this list as a resource as you look for writing gigs. Not every freelance writing site on this list will be for you, and maybe that’s because of experience level or cost. But take your time and further research the options you’re interested in. In my experience, you’ll find one or two platforms you’re comfortable with and enjoy using.
About Ariel Gardner
Ariel Gardner is the editor-in-chief of M$M, an elder millennial, and really wants to keep her lattes. She’s seen both ends of the financial spectrum, from trust funds to a paycheck to paycheck lifestyle, and uses that experience to empathize and connect with a wide range of readers. She has been editing and writing professionally for personal finance websites since 2015.
