Storefront Notes

Start your online business · Copywriting & blogging · 2 min read

23 Best Sites for Freelance Writers to Find Paid Work

By the Storefront Notes Editorial Team · Updated

Short answer

Freelance writers find work on general marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, PeoplePerHour, Contra), writing job boards (ProBlogger, BloggingPro, Mediabistro, Journalism Jobs), remote job boards (We Work Remotely, Remote OK, FlexJobs), LinkedIn, content agencies and by pitching publications and brands directly.

Freelance writing is competitive, and AI has squeezed the bottom of the market. Writers who specialise, show strong samples and pitch directly still find good work. Here is where to look.

General freelance marketplaces

  1. Upwork. Most job volume; proposals cost Connects.
  2. Fiverr. List fixed-price writing packages.
  3. Freelancer.com. Bidding-based, many small projects.
  4. PeoplePerHour. Popular in the UK.
  5. Contra. Portfolio-led, commission-free for independents.
  6. Guru. Long-running marketplace with writing categories.

Writing job boards

  1. ProBlogger Job Board. Paid blogging and content roles.
  2. BloggingPro. Freelance and remote writing listings.
  3. Mediabistro. Media, journalism and content jobs.
  4. Journalism Jobs. Reporting and editorial roles.
  5. Freelance Writing Jobs newsletters. Several curated newsletters collect listings weekly.

Remote job boards

  1. We Work Remotely.
  2. Remote OK.
  3. FlexJobs (paid membership, vetted listings).
  4. Working Nomads.

Professional networks

  1. LinkedIn. Optimise your headline for the niche you write about.
  2. Industry Slack and Discord communities. Many post freelance gigs.

Content platforms and agencies

  1. Contently. Connects vetted freelancers with brand content projects.
  2. Content agencies. Many agencies keep freelance writer rosters; apply directly.
  3. Medium Partner Program. Earnings depend on member reading time; treat it as a bonus, not a salary.

Direct channels

  1. Pitching publications. Many magazines and sites publish contributor guidelines and pay per article.
  2. Cold emailing brands. Ecommerce brands need product descriptions, emails and blog content.
  3. Your own blog or newsletter. A public body of work attracts inbound clients. See how to start a blog from scratch.

Writing a pitch that gets replies

A short, specific pitch beats a long biography. A simple structure:

Subject: Idea for your blog: "How to choose a 3PL when you ship under 500 orders a month"

Hi Priya, I enjoyed your recent piece on returns. I write about ecommerce operations for small brands and noticed you haven't covered choosing a fulfilment partner. I'd suggest a practical guide with a comparison table and questions to ask. Samples: [link], [link]. Happy to adapt the angle.

Personalise the first line, propose one clear idea, show relevant samples and keep it under 150 words.

Rates and how to set them

Rates vary hugely by niche, client and experience. Rather than chasing a number, price by:

  • Per project for defined pieces.
  • Per word where clients expect it, while watching that long research is paid.
  • Retainer for regular monthly work.

Specialist topics such as finance, healthcare, software and B2B usually pay more than general lifestyle content.

Avoiding bad clients

Red flags include unpaid "test articles" of full length, vague briefs, endless revisions, payment only after publication with no date, and clients who ask you to write fake reviews. Use a short contract or written agreement covering scope, deadlines, revisions, payment terms and rights.

How to stand out

  • Specialise. "Email copy for Shopify beauty brands" is easier to hire than "writer".
  • Show results-oriented samples. Product pages, emails and articles in your niche.
  • Pitch with an idea. Editors and marketers respond to specific story or content ideas.
  • Learn adjacent skills. SEO basics, email platforms and editing make you more useful.

For pricing, read how much to charge for website copywriting, and to sharpen your craft, try these quick exercises for copywriters.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best site for beginner freelance writers?

Marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr have the most entry-level jobs. Job boards such as ProBlogger tend to list better-paid roles but expect samples.

Do content mills pay well?

Usually not. They can help you practise and build samples, but most writers move on to direct clients as soon as possible.

Do I need a website as a freelance writer?

It helps. A simple portfolio site with three to five samples, a short bio and contact details makes you easier to hire.

Platform features, prices and policies change. Check the official help pages linked above before you act on a detail that matters to your store.

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