Freelance writing jobs of the week mega list: December 2, 2020
There are a lot of remote freelance writing jobs this week. Let’s get to them.
Hi No-Fluffer! I hope your week is going well. There are a lot of remote freelance writing jobs this week. Let’s get to them.
Content Writer for National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America
Technical Writer - Life Sciences
Marketing Copywriter
Marketing & SaaS Writers
Podcast Researcher/Writer
Technical Writer Needed for The National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America
Development and Grant Writer
Entry Level Technical Writer
@citezw is making a call to journalists in Byo, Mat North, Mat South and Midlands to submit investigative story pitches on Covid-19 related issues.
— Sizalokuhle Lovejoy (@khanyejoy) November 30, 2020
Submit your pitch to zenzele@cite.org.zw and lesley@cite.org.zw#Asakhe @Internews https://t.co/YoNzVmPTQY
🚨 Writers 🚨
— Crystal Mills (@CKMwrites) November 30, 2020
I'm looking to bring on a few freelance writers to help provide some content at @Ritual_Motion.
If...
🤑 You want to make some extra $
🎮 You love gaming & esports
🧠 Health & wellness in esports is a focus for you
Apply here: https://t.co/SuhzCH0s9i
The official #StarTrek website is looking for pitches from freelance writers! Info & more👉 https://t.co/drYkJn9HGY pic.twitter.com/8oNuxLV6qP
— Star Trek (@StarTrek) November 29, 2020
Long Term Writers For Premium Tire Resource Website
Freelance Personal Finance Writer
Content Writer for B2B eCommerce Tool
Contract E-commerce Copywriter
WebstaurantStore is looking for candidates who possess strong writing, editing, and research skills
On-Demand Content Writer for Human Resource Software
Science Content Writer/Editor - Marketing
🌟 Freelance writers! Hello!
— Sarah Kessler (@SarahFKessler) November 30, 2020
I would love to read your pitches for ambitious, reported tech stories. We at @ozm are especially interested right now in features related to surveillance, digital platforms (including the communities on them), and tech/labor.
A day in the life of [your name]
— The Legal Technologist (@LTechnologist) November 30, 2020
We're looking to publish more content about what it means to work in a legal technology-related role. We're looking to publish at least one 'day in life of' article per issue. If you'd like to share yours please email marc@legaltechnologist.co.uk
Call for pitches (TX politics, culture, books, etc.) | pay: 30 to 50 cents per word #freelance #writer https://t.co/CLMwfH2IfU
— Write Jobs (@write_jobs) November 30, 2020
25+ Sites that Offer Quick Freelance Writing Gigs
There are some good writing gig sites out there and, if you write fast, you could easily make a high per-hour rate. Plus, there's no need to search for clients, so it's quick money. Here are more than 25 writing job sites to check out.
There are websites out there that work as brokers between writers and clients. The client tells the site what they need, the site puts the offer in a queue and writers can snatch the gig up if they need some quick work. The site gets a cut of the profits.
Many people call these sites content mills, notorious for offering low pay to desperate writers. I don't advocate these sites as your one-stop-shop for gigs. Just use these sites to fill in holes in your income.
There are some good gig sites out there and, if you write fast, you could easily make a high per-hour rate. Plus, there's no need to search for clients, so it's quick money.
Here are more than 25 to check out.
Scripted: This is one of the best paying sites. Short posts are often go for around $50 after the site takes a cut. Some clients offer much more. They also work with big brands like eBay and StubHub.
Contently: This site gives writers free, awesome portfolios and often assigns high-paying gigs. One of my gigs there paid $360 per article.
DotWriter: You can get gigs on this site and also sell articles that you haven't placed elsewhere.
Textbroker: I'm not going to say this site pays really well, but there's lots of work.
Study.com: If you have a degree, you can teach classes and make some good money.
Tempesta Media: I've heard good things about this site.
Verblio: You can learn more about this site in my review of Verblio, formerly BlogMutt.
Upwork: This is a site where you bid for gigs. Some writers love it, some hate it. To help you get started, this article about Upwork vs Fiverr will present an overview of how both platforms work, including their features and benefits. At the end of reading this article, you’ll be more familiar with both platforms and ready to start hiring a team of remote workers.
Crowd Content: This site works with big companies like Best Buy.
BKA Content: You must be able to write 2,000 words a week to be a member of this site.
Internet Marketing Ninjas: No experience necessary to join this team. They will train you.
Zen Content: This company was bought by IZEA, a company I have worked with before.
Ebyline: Here is another IZEA property.
Appen: You complete simple tasks and get paid. It's a crowdsourcing site.
Express Writers: Great site for writers who know what content marketing means.
Content Writers: 50% of every project payment goes to the writer. Not great…
Writology: You can do client work and sell your own articles on this site.
ClearVoice: "Our ClearVoice platform matches clients’ assignments with freelancers based on industry, pay rates and experience."
Zerys: This site tends to have a lot of quick freelance gigs.
WriterAccess: Super easy place to make a few bucks.
Mediashower: They have, "Opportunities to advance to senior-level editorial positions".
CopyPress: Pay rates are $.04-$.06/word. Not great, but if the work is quick, you may make some cash.
Constant Content: "We currently work with brands like Sport Chek, zulily, The Brick, CVS, Walgreens and more."
Pitchwhiz: A database full of the latest content calls from some of the biggest publications with the ability to send direct messages to the editors.
Listverse: Pays $100 per listicle (list-based article).
WordApp: Haven't tried this one, so if you have, tell us about it in the comments.
WittyPen: "On an average, the writers in Starter level are paid Rs 1/word. We pay flat pricing for each content piece you write with an average word limit."
Skyword: This is one of my favorite sites. My clients that hired me through the site pay $150 to $200 for short articles.
Need more help finding clients and gigs. There's a huge section with step-by-step help in my book:
The Fluff-Free Freelance Writing Master Course
Here's How to Find out How Much Publications Pay Their Writers Before You Pitch
Have you ever wondered what your favorite magazine or website pays their writers? I bet you have, especially if your ever thought about pitching them an article idea. There are several ways you can investigate their rates. Here’s how.
There have been times when I have sent a pitch to a magazine, have my pitch accepted, and then be crushed to find out that the publication doesn’t pay. Since then, I never pitch unless I know a magazine’s rates.
There are several ways you can investigate their rates. Here’s how.
How much do magazines pay writers? It depends!
Writer’s Market
Writer’s Market has been around for decades and gives writers a detailed inside scoop on rates, submission guidelines and editor contact information. I got my very first copy when I was just 16 years old. You can get the Writer’s Market (it hasn’t been updated for 2021 yet) in book form, or you can join their online site for a fee.
From Amazon:
Writer's Market Deluxe Edition 2019 includes everything you expect in a regular copy of Writer's Market, PLUS a one-year subscription to WritersMarket.com. With it, you'll gain instant access to more than 7,500 listings for book publishers, magazines, contests, literary agents, and more--with daily updates.
Beyond the listings, you'll find all-new material devoted to the business and promotion of writing. Discover the secrets to ten-minute marketing, how to make money covering live events, and seven steps to doubling your writing income. Plus, you'll learn how to do video effectively, create a business plan for success, and so much more. This edition includes the ever-popular pay-rate chart and book publisher subject index!
You also gain access to:
Lists of professional writing organizations
Sample query letters
A free digital download of Writer's Yearbook, featuring the 100 Best Markets: WritersDigest.com/WritersDigest-Yearbook-18
Contently’s Rates Database
Contently has a database where writers can add how much a publication paid them, along with any notes on the editors. This database is free to anyone who’s curious. It’s updated often and you can add information anonymously, too. Here’s some of the latest updates:
One of the best things about this database is you can find out which publications are deadbeats and don’t pay on time… or at all. You can view the Contently Rates Database here.
Who Pays Writers
I have a list of 20+ High Paying Magazines Looking For Pitches, but I want more. There’s never enough information when it comes to rates, in my option. So, another great resource I love is Who Pays Writers.
Basically, you find a publication in the alphabetically list on the left, and then the rates will pop up on the screen. You can also submit information about websites and magazines you’ve written for to help keep the database up-to-date.
Journalism Freelance Rates
Another good database is the JR Database. It is updated fairly often, so they have recent information about publication rates. I also like how easy the site is to use.
Find a publication that you like and that pays well? Read this next article on how to pitch magazine articles to editors.
My No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack teaches you how I make a good living at home as a freelance writer.
Use my 20+ years of experience to build an at-home career that you’ll love without all the pitfalls.
The Pack includes my mega course, contract templates, invoice templates and more.
Learn how to:
Get clients
Create and organize clips
Pick a niche
Write awesome content that readers and clients will love
Use SEO and social media marketing in your business
Create contracts
And more!
15 Places Where You Can Find Freelance Writing Jobs
Looking for a freelance writing job? Try these free freelance writing job boards.
Looking for a freelance writing job? Try these free freelance writing job boards. Some of the links are custom-made searches I set up on popular sites so you’ll only be presented with remote writing jobs you can do from home.
Also, don’t forget to check back at nofluffwriter.com every Wednesday for writing gigs that are 100% remote.
Freelance writing jobs of the week mega list: November 25, 2020
Your weekly mega list of freelance writing gigs.
It’s Thankful Week! What are you thankful for? Have you gotten any gigs lately that you want to talk about? Let me know in the comments! Here’s something else to be thankful about…a mega list of freelance writing jobs! Let’s go!
Seeking writers for evidence- and harm reduction-based guides to different drugs (esp. stims +opiates) and pitches along spectrum of substance use, moderation, sobriety, and recovery. ~$200-$350, depending on the scope. More deets👇
— Kelly Morrell🥴 (@KellyRMorrell) November 18, 2020
⚡️📡⚡️ WE ARE NOW ACCEPTING PITCHES for themes/topics—2020 in review (best of, award season nods) AND indie cinemas/festivals/filmmaking in age of COVID AND democracy x moving image—PAY: $150 flat (no word count min; 2 wk turnaround)⚡️SEND US YOUR PITCHES⚡️: info@cineSPEAK.org pic.twitter.com/NHXKBUgBQK
— cinéspeak (@cineSPEAK) November 18, 2020
Call for freelance pitches 🗣 I'm looking for articles for Inverse's entertainment section through the end of the year:
— Jake (@jacobkleinman) November 11, 2020
- Essays on timely old sci-fi movies ($100-200)
- Smart or unique analysis/reporting on Mandalorian and WandaVision ($150-300)
- High profile interviews ($300+)
South American initiative are looking for a candidate with writing experience either in a local newspaper or college newspaper
Brand Copywriter Needed
Savvy Technical Writer
Need An Experienced Writer/Online Life Insurance Blog
Tech Writer and Proofreader Needed
Dedicated Content Writer to create content for blogs, articles, product descriptions, social media, and the company website
"We are seeking a crackerjack freelance writer to handle newsletters, e-blasts, blogs and social media as we launch an exciting new anti-trafficking initiative." ArtWorks for Freedom seeks PT Writer - $18 to $25/hour https://t.co/MFL9y5bsy7
— Nikki Peele (@TheAdvoc8te) November 19, 2020
Hi freelance writers! I'm always looking for pitches on Hawaii, ideally with a Bay Area hook (though not required). $150-$200 per story. Email in bio.
— Fiona is social distancing like a MF (@moderntime) November 17, 2020
Here are a few stories that I've commissioned and loved.
cc @studyhallxyz @WritersofColor @WestMediaJobs @mandyhofmockel
Beat Writer - Arizona Coyotes
Financial Content Writer
Cybersecurity Writer - Freelance
Content Writer Needed for Cleaner's Supply
Technical Writer Needed for Hire Dynamics
Beat Writer - Columbus Blue Jackets
Freelance writers with medical or medical writing experience to write online health articles for leading US retail pharmacy
Hello! @hellogiggles is looking to connect with writers who are choosing not to empathize with Trump supporters right now for an essay. If you’d like to contribute, please send your pitch to raven.ishak@Meredith.com #journorequest #writersofcolor
— Raven Ishak (@Raven_Ishak) November 9, 2020
Friends/mutuals! I’m looking for freelance writers with experience in tech writing or SEO copy. Hourly rates start at $25/hr. DM me for details! ✨
— Deanna Nguyen (@deannawhen) November 18, 2020
Writers: Here’s The Best Time to Talk About Your Rate
Don’t know when to mention your rates to a potential client. Here’s the best time.
Ah, the dreaded potential client call or email. I'm not sure that any writer likes to negotiate with clients. When's the best time to talk about your rate without scaring customers off? “First of all, if the first time price comes up is at the end of conversation, it’s far too late,” says Weldon Long MBA, CEO of a multimillion-dollar business that landed on the Inc 5000 list of America’s Fastest Growing Companies.
“What’s worse, addressing price only after your prospect brings it up themselves will diminish trust and kill your chances at a successful sales interaction,” adds Weldon. Weldon Long is a top sales expert consulting for some of the world’s biggest companies – but he has a very unique personal history.
A high school dropout, Weldon spent 13 years in prison for robbery, money laundering, and mail fraud. While in jail, Weldon started studying; earning his GED, BS in Law, and MBA in Management. Then, at 39 years old, Weldon was released. While living in a homeless shelter, Weldon landed a commission-only sales position and quickly became the company's top sales leader. In 2004 he opened his own heating and cooling business and grew it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.
When to Talk About Your Rates
Address price first: “If you talk about your product or service’s price at the very beginning of your conversation, when your prospect is naturally feeling less trepidation than they’ll feel at the closing, you benefit from having time to build rapport by empathizing with them about cost, as well as have more time to combat inevitable objections while building trust."
“So if you want to be more successful in sales, discuss price at the beginning of your meeting, not the end. Here’s how to do it with without feeling awkward.”
So Does This Work for Writers?
Yes! After 20+ years as a writer, I have found this technique to be very useful. Typically when someone contacts me for potential work, I mention my rates up-front. This weeds out people who don’t have the budget for my services, saving me time, but it also puts me in the position of power. I control the conversation as a professional and the client takes me more seriously.
Freelance writing jobs of the week mega list: November 18, 2020
This week’s mega freelance writing jobs list.
I hope your week is going great!! Have you been pitching? I hope so! One thing I know for sure, something that is universal for every writer, is that you need to be consistent to become successful. Let’s do this!
Wanna work with us!? 🦄 .@simplysecureorg is looking for a Design Researcher (part-time), Project Manager (part-time) & Writer (short-term contract) -- all remote --https://t.co/b3Pcb6qZL0 pic.twitter.com/XhWjUQalRq
— Simply Secure (@simplysecureorg) November 18, 2020
Dear Twitter - we are looking for new writers at @raconteur! Would love to hear from some fresh, dynamic voices on all things business - people from diverse backgrounds/experiences particularly welcome. Upcoming themes include: HR, AI, IoT, Retirement and Fintech.
— FranCassidy (@FranCassidy4) November 11, 2020
We have a Star Wars section of our site called @WhatsNewOnJakku. Feel free to reach out to us via DMs to discuss writing for us.
— FanaticMedia (@FanaticMedia1) November 18, 2020
We aren’t currently looking for page management but we’d always love to showcase new writers and bring more voices to the team!
*New job announcement* Thrilled to share I'm now the Head of Content and Social at @sweatybetty. That means no more travel commissions, but I'm currently looking for brilliant lifestyle writers with a knack for telling inspirational, human interest stories. Send portfolios! (RT)
— Matilda Egere-Cooper (@megerecooper) November 16, 2020
We are looking for freelance writers for some upcoming large writing projects ranging from fleas to politics.
— Brent D. Payne (@BrentDPayne) November 18, 2020
You can literally set your own price and hours.
Apply here:https://t.co/LeuHvQB9cT#journalismjobs #journojobs #freelancework
Seeking strong persuasive content writer with journalistic flair for killer finance/tech copy
Writers Needed for High Volume, Long Term Work on Multiple Niches
Writer for the Illustrated Annual Report
We are looking for talented screen writers
Tax Industry Writer / Copywriter
GERMAN Creative Writers Wanted – Long-term Work
SEO/COPYWRITER
Multimedia Journalist
Freelance Mortgage Writer
Enterprise & Investigative Writer - Everyday Health
[PLUS+] Looking for reflection pieces from veterans, service/family members | pay: $300 per piece #freelance #writer https://t.co/baow2QlxXR
— Writer Jobs (@writerjobsnow) November 10, 2020
Friends/mutuals! I’m looking for freelance writers with experience in tech writing or SEO copy. Hourly rates start at $25/hr. DM me for details! ✨
— Deanna Nguyen (@deannawhen) November 18, 2020
loanDepot is looking for a remote Technical Writer #workathome #remotework #digitalnomad #remotejobs #remoteworking #techjobs #remote #nomad #jobs #job https://t.co/ve8n3kVGpW
— BestRemoteJobs (@BestRemoteJobs1) November 18, 2020
We're looking for a #contentmarketing writer at Ripley PR! If you have top-notch #writing skills and the flexibility to create across platforms, we want to hear from you. https://t.co/Y8N1y0Zkb5
— Ripley PR (@RipleyPR) November 18, 2020
The Ultimate Guide to Finding Jobs as a Freelance Writer
Professional freelance writers are always blogging about these sweet gigs they're working on that pays $100 to $2,000 per article. Where the heck do you find these fantastic jobs everyone's talking about?
Professional freelance writers are always blogging about these sweet gigs they're working on that pays $100 to $2,000 per article. Where the heck do you find these fantastic jobs everyone's talking about?
After years, I have honed a way to find great paying gigs quickly. Here are my secrets.
Hit Up Social Media
One of the easiest ways to find gig gems is to search social media. Often, businesses will post their need for a blogger, copywriter or ghostwriter on their pages. All you have to do is search for relevant hashtags.
Put these hashtags into a Facebook or Twitter search bar to find awesome gigs:
#bloggerswanted
#writerswanted
#copywriterwanted
#bloggerjob
#bloggingjobs
#writtingjobs
#publishingjobs
#journalismjobs
#freelancewriterwanted
#remotewriterwanted
#fbloggerswanted (Fashion bloggers wanted)
#healthbloggerswanted
Search Google the Smart Way
Searching for writing jobs on Google can bring up job posts from 2005 or jobs that are five states away and require on-site work. You can avoid all of the crappy job posts by searching smart.
If you want to search a certain site, put site: in front of the site name, then add keywords in quotation marks. For example, I've had a lot of luck with this search:
site:craigslist.org "remote writer "
Some other sites other than craigslist you can try are:
site:problogger
site:freelancewritinggigs.com
Some other terms you can try are:
"content writing companies"
"freelance writing companies"
To get newer job posts, add the date:
site:craigslist.org "remote writer " November 15th 2020
Now the secret to finding high paying jobs: add the type of payment you're looking for.
site:craigslist.org "remote writer " December 15th 2020 pays $220
site:craigslist.org "remote writer " November 15th 2018 $50 per hour
site:craigslist.org "remote writer " November 15th 2018 .50 per word
Successful writer Jennifer Mattern recommends this combination:
writer and "compensation: * per article" site:craigslist.org (Replace the * with the monetary amount you want to be paid.)
If you want to search everywhere, just leave off the site and type in the rest of the search. This will bring up high-paying gigs from company job boards that most people never look at.
Use LinkedIn
Another great way to find jobs is by searching LinkedIn. No, I’m not talking about the job section. Here are the details to a special way to search:
Go to the Home page
In the search bar type “looking for writer” or “looking for freelance writer”
When it takes you to the page, click on the All Filters option on the left side
Choose Past Week
Click Apply
Posts by companies and individuals looking for writers will pop up.
Get jobs delivered to your inbox
Now that you know the search criteria, set up Google alerts so you can get these great jobs delivered right to your inbox every day.
To set up a Google Alert follow these directions:
Go to https://www.google.com/alerts
Figure out what term you want alerts for (“writer wanted,” “food writer wanted,” “tech writer needed”)
Type your search term into the box at the top of the screen
Click on the "Show Options" dropdown menu
Set it up to send you an email every day and to send you "all results"
Click "Create Alert"
Sign Up to Get Daily Job News Letters
There are some great sites out there that scour the web for freelance writing jobs, then bundles them up into daily emails. I’ve rounded up a selection that provides links to gigs that pay well. Here are my favorite daily and weekly newsletters you need to sign up for:
Never stop searching
The key to finding gigs is volume. Apply for 20 solid gigs per week until you start bringing in the clients you need to pay the bills. Once you’ve got your clients, don’t stop. You’re never done searching when you’re a freelance writer. Simply trim your search down to 12 gigs a week. Remember, a dozen in play keeps the bills paid.
Start searching for clients that pay more to replace your current clients when the gigs end. Eventually, your name will get around and clients will search you out. That’s how you know you’ve made it to the big time. Even then, don’t stop searching. Just be super picky about who you take on as a client.
If you would like more great tips like these, order your copy of No-Fluff Freelance Writer Starter Pack today!
Can You Make $500 a Week by Publishing Articles on Vocal?
It’s like Medium, but with a twist. Here’s what you need to know about this publishing website.
I’ve been running across a lot of ads from a website called Vocal that are targeted at freelance writers. You know I was curious and had to check it out! Vocal says that you can make up to $500 publishing your articles on their site. Another Medium wannabe, maybe? Here’s what I found out and my Vocal review.
One of Vocal’s Facebook ads.
What is Vocal?
Vocal is a site where you can post your articles and get paid. That sounds pretty good until you realize that you may put up 100 articles and never earn a cent. Unlike many sites, Vocal doesn’t pay a flat rate for articles. Your article, instead, earns money over time depending on different factors. We’ll get into that in a minute.
There are a few quality requirements that Vocal wants in an article. First, it shouldn’t have spelling and grammar errors (duh) and there are word limits. An article can’t be less than 600 words and poems can’t be less than 100 words. They also don’t like erotica, nudity, and some other topics. Here’s Vocal’s full guidelines.
Another one of Vocal’s ads.
How much does Vocal pay writers?
Your article can earn money from how many times your article is read, weekly contests, and tips given to you from readers. Let’s start by looking at the pay-per-read setup.
According to Vocal, writers earn $3.80 per 1,000 reads. If you subscribe to Vocal + (which is $10 per month with a 30-free trial), you’ll earn $6 per 1,000 reads. So, say you subscribe to Vocal+ and your article goes viral, snagging 1 million reads. That’s an earnings of $6,000. Not too shabby. I wonder if that’s ever happened on their platform, though.
Also, what constitutes a read? Do people have to scroll through the whole article before you get a “read” or do they have to stay on the page for a certain amount of time? I dug around their site until I found their FAQ. Here’s what they say about reads on their FAQ:
How are my reads calculated?
Reads are calculated by Vocal’s read algorithm, which takes into account things like time spent on the page, as well as how far down the page is scrolled. This is to make sure that your readers are actually reading your story, so that you’re earning on real engagement from your fans.
Screenshot from Vocal’s payment information page.
Vocal also has weekly contests. Some pay in cash, while others have different types of prizes. I had to laugh when I saw that some contests pay in “experience.” Freelancers just love that word! You also can’t enter the contests if you’re not a Vocal+ member.
Like I mentioned before, your readers can also give you tips if they like your article. This reminds me of the flash websites of the 90s and early 2000s with their gyrating tip jars. Fond memories. Tips are a great idea until you see that Vocal takes a 7% processing fee, unless you have Vocal+, and then it only takes a 2.9% processing fee. This site grabs money every way it can think of it seems.
For some insight, I took a look at the comments on one of their Facebook ads. Here’s what one writer had to say:
Leticia S. Diamond
You don't have to pay to publish. I've been a subscribing member for 3 months. The first month I only did the free part. I'm positive this company makes their money from the memberships, and the bonus of the membership for the members is the extra writing contests. Winning a contest can get you from $75-5000 depending on the award amount and if you place in the top 3. Beyond that, you get, like, a cent per read. So, if you've got a supportive family or fan base, you could make some cash on the clicks. If you do it, just write a LOT to increase how much you may be seen and clicked on.
Oh, people can tip you too, but I haven't had that happen for me yet. Good luck and blessings to you, whatever you do.
Here’s another interesting conversation:
And another…
Where the money comes from
There’s no ads on Vocal, so how do they make their money and how do they pay you? Here’s the answer from their website:
How does Vocal make money and pay creators if there are no ads?
We believe that creators like you are our partners, and that the stories you share should be free of distractions like annoying ads and popups. In order to create a sustainable ecosystem for everyone on Vocal, we earn money in the following ways:
1. We earn money when creators upgrade to Vocal+
2. We receive a small platform processing fee on Tips (7% for Vocal / 2.9% for Vocal+)
3. Our in-house content studio, Vocal for Brands, partners brands that share our values of quality and creativity with Vocal creators to produce branded content.
The catch
Besides charging membership fees and skimming tips, Vocal also has a payout threshold. You can only cash out if you make $35 or more or $20 or more with Vocal+. So, if your articles don’t make many tips or get many reads, you may not be able to cash out your earnings for a long time.
Does Vocal take your rights?
One good thing about Vocal is that they don’t get you to sign away your copyright when you post an article. They just use a limited license, which means you’re free to post your articles wherever you like since you still own them.
Vocal review: My thoughts
Okay, so Vocal seems like an interesting idea, but I’m not sure if most writers would ever make enough money to hit the payout. Since you get to keep your rights, I would say give it a try if you’re curious. If you get the Vocal+ 30-day free subscription, just make sure to cancel if you don’t make enough to cover the subscription plan in that first month. Here’s is their full intake process and how the site works, in detail.
ContentFly Review: Fly place to write for or not so much?
Here’s all about ContentFly and some considerations before you apply.
I recently came across an ad for ContentFly. This is a site that pays writers for content and then sells the content to businesses and online magazines. Some of their clients include Medium, Inc., and the Wall Street Journal. I hadn’t head of them, so I looked them up.
The basics
In a nut shell, ContentFly works like most “content mills.” They get content requests from businesses, and then they put the request on their dashboard for writers to claim. First come, first served, but we’ll get more into that later. ContentFly does send out email notifications when there is new work on the dashboard, so there’s that.
Applying
Here is the application form. To get accepted, you have to write a 750 word blog post. They don’t pay you for the sample, but they also say they won’t use it and you retain the rights to the article. If you get accepted, they give you an assignment. If they don’t like your work they terminate your contract and you don’t get paid for the article, according to their guidelines posted here.
Here is a copy of their contractor’s agreement.
Ratings
Once you complete your work and submit it, you are given a rating. There are three writer’s ratings.
Tier 1- A writer with a 9 or 10 rating.
Tier 2- A writer with a 7 or 8 rating.
Tier 3- A writer with a 5 or 6 rating.
Here’s how ContentFly says they come up with their rating system:
Content Rating = Customer Rating - Deadline Rating - Spelling/Grammar Rating.
Customer Rating: The customer provides a rating from 1 to 10 for your finished piece. 10 means they love it, 1 means they were very disappointed.
Deadline Rating: If you miss the specified deadline for a job you’ve claimed, you’re docked 4 points from the rating assigned by the customer (Customer Rating).
Spelling/Grammar Rating: When the internal ContentFly team does a check on your submission, if we notice blatant spelling/grammatical errors or wrong use of language (e.g. US vs. UK as directed by the original brief), you’re docked 2 points from the Customer Rating.
Your rating determines how much work you are able to get. Tier 1 allows you to have first pick of any available job. After an hour, if none of the Tier 1 writers pick up the assignment, Tier 2 gets to take jobs Tier 1 writers didn’t want. After another hour, Tier 3 has access to the crumbs the Tier 1 and Tier 2 writers didn’t want, basically. You can learn more about their rating system here.
The pay
Apparently, they already have more than 100 writers in their systems. Their top writers write around 15 to 20 pieces of content per week and make around $700 (their ad says $1,000, but they contradict themselves elsewhere). ContentFly says that compensation averages around $0.05 per word.
Each ContentFly client pays $250 per month for 4,000 words of content. That’s their base package. So, the writers get paid around $200 for the 4,000 words and ContentFly takes a $50 cut. Clients can get bigger packages where they can get more content. The biggest package is 32,000 words for $2,000 per month. So, if my math is right, ContentFly is taking a $400 profit from the biggest package.
The pay system isn’t automated, though. You’ll need to submit an invoice at the end of the week to get your payment. They only pay through PayPal.
Here’s the full ad they posted on ProBlogger:
Hey there! We're ContentFly, a start-up that matches small businesses looking for content help with writers.
We're looking for an eager freelance Content Writer to join our team. Your role, in a nutshell, will be helping us write articles, blogs, social copy, etc. for our growing customer base.
How does it work? If you're accepted into our writer base, whenever a new content request (job) comes from one of our customers it's automatically pushed to you and available on a dashboard.
The job will include a brief, required length, compensation details, and the deadline for submission.
If everything sounds great, you can claim the job and have it completed by the deadline. You invoice us weekly and get paid via PayPal.
Some FAQs:
1) Generally, most of our content is Website articles, Blogs, and Social Media posts.
2) Average project duration is usually around five days (~1000 words). You can take on as many projects at once as you want.
3) Compensation averages at $0.05/word. Note! Most of our writers earn an average of $1000 per month!
4) This is a contractor position and is freelance, you're compensated based on the number of words you write.
5) You only deal with us, never the actual client. So it's hassle-free and a seamless way to make some extra money!
What's the catch? There is none.
You get the listed compensation details; no hidden fees or payment required from you. But we do have very high standards, and one or two poor rankings or missed deadlines will get you moved out of the roster.
Next steps in the application process are submitting your application details and including a portfolio of your best work at http://writers.contentfly.com
Important: If you need an idea of the style of writing and quality we are looking for, you can check out our blog here before submitting your application: https://contentfly.com/blog
My No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack teaches you how I make a living at home as a freelance writer. It includes my two books, a social media marketing guide for writers, invoice template, contract template and more. Just $29.97!
Can You Make Money Writing for the Medium Partner Program?
Here’s what you need to know about the Medium Partner Program, no matter if you are a new freelance writer or a seasoned one.
When you’re first starting out as a freelance writer, you don’t have clips to show clients. I always tell new writers that if they want a good place to publish their work where it will look professional, Medium is a choice. Post your best stuff there and you’ll have instant clips you can show off to potential clients. (BTW, LinkedIn is another good option.)
You can even get paid for posting on Medium, if you join the Medium Partner Program. All you have to do is sign up, then tick on the distribution and earnings setting before you publish the piece. Here’s what you need to know, no matter if you are a new freelance writer or a seasoned one.
Will you really make anything?
How realistic is it that you’ll earn money from a site you’re primarily using as a portfolio for your work until you get published by paying clients? Well, every month Medium releases stats about who’s earning what.
According to Medium, in October 2018:
59.1% of authors or publications who wrote at least one story for members earned money.
9.1% of active authors earned over $100.
$8,745.25 was the most earned by an author, and $2,203.91 was the most earned for a single story.
Fast forward to March 2019:
55% of writers or publications who wrote at least one story for members earned money.
7.5% of active writers earned over $100.
$9,707.36 was the most earned by a writer, and $3,702.39 was the most earned for a single story.
And in September 2020:
68.7% of writers or publications who wrote at least one story for members earned money.
6.4% of active writers earned over $100.
$49,705.40 was the most earned by a writer, and $16,685.5 was the most earned for a single story.
That’s better than a lot of pay-per-view or -click sites, at least in my experience.
Testimonials on Medium from the site.
How to use the Medium Partner Program if you are an established writer
For seasoned writers, you probably have plenty of clips to show clients. For you, Medium is a good place to post articles that were rejected by clients or that you just can’t seem to find a home for. Having the chance of earning is better than them rotting away in a folder on your hard drive., after all. This is what I use the site for and I really like having a fall-back for on-spec articles.
Get published by Medium magazines
There are also magazines owned by Medium that pays writers very high flat rates for articles. Here’s a list of the top 19 high-paying Medium magazines.
Need help getting your freelance writing career off the ground? Grab my No-Fluff Freelance Writing Starter Pack. It teaches you how I make $100 to $200 an hour at home as a freelance writer. The pack includes gig finding secrets, my two books, a social media marketing guide for writers, invoice template, contract template and more.
High Paying Magazines Looking For Pitches: 19 Magazines on Medium that Pay
You may know that you can publish articles and blog posts on Medium and use them for clips to grab the attention of potential clients, but did you know there are magazines that are owned by Medium that will pay for your work? Yup.
Medium magazines that accept freelance submissions in 2020.
You may know that you can publish articles and blog posts on Medium and use them for clips to grab the attention of potential clients while making a few coins, but did you know there are magazines owned by Medium that will pay for your work? Yup. It’s just like submitting to other online magazines, but through the Medium platform. Medium-owned publications also have the bonus of paying very well. Many pay $1 to $2 per word!
Tim Denning has some more great tips on how to get Medium editor’s attention and get published. For this article, though, I’m going to list some Medium publications, their guidelines, and how to get in contact with the editor.
Also, don’t forget to check out 50+ High Paying Magazines Looking For Pitches.
FFWD
“Think of it like The Economist for online video (meaning at the minute YouTube, Twitch and TikTok), looking at the bigger trends and putting them into all-important context, explaining to readers what their wider impact is for society and how this shifts the way we work, earn money, and spend our time.”
Marker
“Marker is a new Medium publication making you smarter about business. We deliver intelligence by entrepreneurs, CEOs and thinkers, and rigorously reported journalism that changes how you think about the future. If you’re interested in writing for Marker or reaching an editor, you can email us at marker@medium.com.”
Slackjaw
“As the #1 destination on Medium for all-things humor, and think-pieces on cats, Slackjaw wouldn’t be what it is without you, High Warlock of Funny Ideas. That said, we do accept submissions from humor writers of all backgrounds and extraterrestrial lifeforms.”
The Startup
“We’re reimagining the startup. Medium's largest active publication, followed by +708K people.”
Momentum
“This is a blog that captures and reflects the moment we find ourselves in, one where rampant anti-Black racism is leading to violence, trauma, protest, reflection, sorrow, and more. Momentum doesn’t look away when the news cycle shifts. Momentum doesn’t chase the news or report it out dispassionately. Momentum reflects the lived experiences of people right now, and ongoing, in America.”
Guidelines: Submit stories at momentumeditors@medium.com.
Level
“We aim to fundamentally change what you think of when you hear the phrase “men’s publication,” and to do so through and for the worldview of Black and Brown men.”
Elemental
“Elemental is a new Medium publication for science-backed health and wellness coverage. Every day, you will find new ambitious and trustworthy reporting on the many ways to live a healthy life. You can email us at elemental@medium.com.”
OneZero
“OneZero is a Medium publication about the impact of technology on people and the future.”
Guidelines: Submit stories at onezero@medium.com.
Heated
“Our goal is to showcase the links between food and just about everything else: agriculture, politics, history, and labor; culture and cooking; identity, family, and love. It’s a new, ongoing, and exciting project, one in which we intend to involve lots of different voices and views — including, we hope, yours.”
ZORA
“At ZORA, we unabashedly amplify the voices of women of color. We are a digital home for incisive ideas, contemplative thinking, and enterprise storytelling that explores the interiority and intersections of women of color. ZORA gives women of color a place where they are seen and heard, and the intricacies of their lives are honored and reflected daily.”
Guidelines: Submit stories to platform editor, Jolie A. Doggett, at jdoggett@medium.com.
Human Parts
https://humanparts.medium.com/
“Human Parts is Medium’s home for personal stories and perspectives. From the mundane to the extraordinary to the downright weird, we’re here to explore what it means to be human.”
Tenderly
https://medium.com/tenderlymag
“We believe in living deliciously and joyfully, while trying to help more than we hurt, and we’re here for anyone who believes the same. We publish original vegan recipes that center and celebrate plants; the stories of animals who have been liberated from exploitation and the people who helped them; interviews with the most interesting and influential vegans and plant-based chefs in the world; happiness breaks; deep dives into the complex ethics of progressive veganism and anti-speciesism; pop culture through an animal rights lens; vintage vegetarian book reviews; personal essays on dogs, beans, nature, and more; advice for beginner vegans; heartfelt recommendations and passionate odes to our favorite ingredients and products; beautiful photographs from the wild world; cakes; comics, and cats.”
GEN
“GEN is a new Medium publication focused on politics, power, and culture. Every day, you will find stories that will help you understand the powerful forces reshaping our world. You can email us at gen@medium.com.”
Forge
“Forge is here to examine and illuminate our constant struggle to get more done, invest in creativity and focus, and be happy doing it. We bring journalistic rigor and credible, peer-reviewed science to bear. We don’t use vague inspiration-speak or glibly suggest quick fixes to major personal problems. Medium is ad-free, and Forge will not peddle product recommendations or embed affiliate links. We provide a toolbox of research- and expert-backed strategies to be more productive, inspired, and whole, and mind-expanding ideas about how we humans are navigating this big, complicated world. You can email us at forge@medium.com.”
The Bold Italic
“The Bold Italic is an online magazine that celebrates the character and free-wheeling spirit of San Francisco and the Bay Area. For pitches, feedback, or questions, send a message to info@thebolditalic.com.”
Serious Eats @ Medium
https://medium.com/@seriouseats
“Anything related to food, cooking, eating. We prefer to develop recipes in-house, so including recipes in SE@M submissions is probably not advisable. Same with specific or generalized technique advice that would require our staff to test and verify; we’re trying to keep this platform more personal and less prescriptive, for now. Otherwise, the relation to food can be specific or tangential as long as the focus is sharp.”
The Establishment
https://medium.com/@ESTBLSHMNT
“The Establishment is looking to unearth overlooked stories, produce original reporting, and provide a platform for voices that have been marginalized by the mainstream media. And yes, we want your humor, wit, and good old-fashioned satire, too. We publish originally reported features, interviews, long-form journalism, personal essays, and multimedia of all shapes, sizes, and creeds.We pay $125 for feature stories, op-eds, and personal essays (800–1,500 words), and $500 for a select few long-form investigative pieces that involve original reporting and at least five interviews (3,000 words).”
The Ascent
“We believe in authentic, personal storytelling. The stories that perform best for us are rooted in firsthand experience and packed with tons of value, in the form of personal lessons and profound takeaways for the end reader.”
Modus
“Modus is a place designers can rely on to level up their skills and knowledge, stay current on the state of the design and tech fields, and dig deeper into the areas that interest them.”
Guidelines: Pitch the editor at modus@medium.com.
50+ High Paying Magazines Looking For Pitches
I am revealing 20 online and print magazines that are looking for article pitches. Here they are.
High Paying Magazines, Online and Offline, That Want Your Pitches
Like most freelance writers, you have a ton of article ideas and very few places to place them. When you do find a publication to submit to, they pay peanuts. All of your work is worth more! To help you out, I am revealing 50+ online and print magazines that accept freelance submissions in 2020. Here they are.
Need help pitching these magazines? Here’s what you need to know.
Plus, here's what an editor wants you to say in your pitches.
Also, don’t forget to check out High Paying Magazines Looking For Pitches: 19 Magazines on Medium that Pay.
Zift
“At Zift we believe being a parent is the most important job in the world. As parents ourselves we understand that smartphones, social media, apps, and other digital media and devices are here to stay, and that in many ways, it’s a good thing. But our relationship with technology is complicated. We struggle with how to understand and navigate our children’s technology use. And our own. So we created the Parent Portal and Parenting Insights blog where we focus on topics that can help us become better parents in a technology-driven world.”
Website: https://wezift.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $100 per article
ZEKE
“Each issue of ZEKE features photography stories about important global issues. We are seeking writers to craft articles about these issues. Past articles in ZEKE have been on climate change, violence against women, maternal health in Africa, nationalism in Russia, migration, Syria, and other global topics.”
Website: https://www.zekemagazine.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $275-$500 per article
Backpacker Magazine
“Our readers are knowledgeable and experienced backpackers, therefore we accept only authentic, well-researched, well-crafted stories.”
Website: https://www.backpacker.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: Online rates range from $150-$250, with average being $175-$200
Travel + Leisure Us
Like the name implies the magazine is filled with content on travel and lifestyle.
Website: www.travelandleisure.com
Contact: submissions@travelandleisure.com
Expected Pay: $1-$2 per word.
Vocal
Vocal accepts submissions to each of their 34 different topic-specific communities, including music, food, fashion, travel and more.
Website: http://www.vocal.media
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $3.80 per 1000 reads
PTO Today
“PTOtoday.com and PTO Today magazine are essential resources for leaders of parent groups (often called parent-teacher organizations) at the 80,000 elementary and middle schools across the United States. Content focuses on helping the volunteer leaders of these groups run their organizations more efficiently and support their schools more effectively.”
Website: https://www.ptotoday.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $125 to $500 per article
cosmo writers
Cosmopolitan (U.S)
Here, articles written on women lifestyle are in high demand.
Website: www.cosmopolitan.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $2 per word.
Discover
This is a renowned science magazine that is on the look out for new research stories.
Website: www.discovermagazine.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $2 per word.
Writer’s Weekly
“Each year, all year long, we purchase articles for WritersWeekly.com. WritersWeekly is distributed to thousands of freelance writers and authors across the globe every week (of course). “
Website: https://writersweekly.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $60 per article
Dwell
If you know architectural design and home design, this is where you should most likely make your pitch because they are definitely on the look out for people like you.
Website: www.dwell.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1 per word.
Lisa Tanner Writing
“I love featuring work from other mompreneurs, and am currently accepting some guest posts.”
Website: https://lisatannerwriting.com/blog
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $50 per article
Eating Well
This magazine is interested in articles that are geared towards promoting healthy eating habit and also disseminating information on eating traditions and cultures.
Website: http://www.eatingwell.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1 per word.
Funds for Writers
“FundsforWriters is an online resource for writers. You can be a thirty-year veteran or a part-time wannabe, but here at FundsforWriters (FFW), we consider you a writer none-the-less. We emphasize finding money to make writing a realistic career. Of course, you’d write anyway. That’s the way of a writer.”
Website: https://fundsforwriters.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $50 per article
Early American Life
This magazine is concerned about disseminating information regarding American lifestyle and culture.
Website: http://www.ealonline.com/
Contact: queries@firelandsmedia.com
Expected Pay: $500 minimum per piece.
Successful Freelance Mom
“FreelanceMom is a community for moms who believe that women can still be who they are after becoming a mom. We believe the landscape has completely changed and that there is no better time for parents to be a freelancer or solopreneur. If you agree with us, then we want to hear from you! We love hearing case-studies and other moms’ stories – and we’ll even pay you for them!”
Website: https://successfulfreelancemom.com/blog/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: Between $75 to $100 per article
Fortune
fortune magazine pitches
This magazine is on the lookout for business stories and pieces generally tacking management and leadership issues.
Website: www.fortune.com
Contact: Emails
Expected Pay: $1 per word.
MoneyPantry
“MoneyPantry is a personal finance blog with a focus on helping you earn & save more money. We scour the world to bring you extraordinary, unusual, yet practical ways of making and saving more of that all-important dough!”
Website: https://moneypantry.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $30-$150 per article
Glamour
This is a women’s magazine that features articles on beauty, fashion, current affairs etc.
Website: www.glamour.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $2 per word.
Good Housekeeping
This magazine focuses on enlightening the masses on lifestyle.
Website: www.goodhousekeeping.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1.5 per word.
Brides
This magazine covers everything ranging from wedding planning and innovative ideas as regards wedding.
Website: www.brides.com
Contact: “We’re always looking for experienced, qualified writers with a bridal background who share in our mission to provide practical, inspirational and useful content that truly helps people plan this important occasion. If that’s you, send a few examples of your work to this email: write@brides.com” From their About Us Page
Expected Pay: Between $2-$3 per word
Catholic Digest
Here, essays that supports Catholicism are highly appreciated and favored.
Website: http://www.catholicdigest.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: From $500 upwards.
Consumers Digest
This magazine is interested in articles that reviews new products from the customers' point of view.
Website: : www.consumersdigest.com
Contact: editorial@consumersdigest.com
Expected Pay: $1 per word
Longreads
If you are a creative writer that can produce quality fictional and nonfictional essays, this is where you should pitch your work. The standard word limit is from 1,500 words and above.
Website: www.longreads.com
Contact: hello@longreads.com
Expected Pay: $500 per essay.
Maxim (U.S)
This is a men’s magazine that covers the regular topics men are concerned about: women, sports, relationships, sex, careers.
Website: www.maxim.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $2 per word
Psychology Today
This magazine is interested in articles that talks about the current in the field of social psychology.
Website: https://www.psychologytoday.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1 per word.
Vibrant Life
“Vibrant Life is a bimonthly lifestyle magazine that promotes physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual balance from a practical, Christian perspective.”
Website: http://www.vibrantlife.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $100 to $300 per article
The Sun Magazine
“The Sun is a reader-supported ad-free magazine. We’ve been described in many ways: celebratory, fierce, unflinching, thoughtful, truthful, dark, darkly funny, tender. “
Website: http://www.thesunmagazine.org/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1 per word – so you could be earning as much as $1000 for a 1000-word article.
Radish Magazine
“Radish is a monthly magazine dedicated to improving our readers' health through the natural foods, products and services of western Illinois and eastern Iowa.”
Website: https://qconline.com/radish/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $50 to $150 per article
Parenting
“Today’s Family Fun covers fun entertainment for families.”
Website: https://www.parents.com/familyfun-magazine/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1.25 per word
CopyHackers
Website: https://copyhackers.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $300 to $1000 per article
Vox
This is a news site that covers everything ranging from politics to business. So, make sure you tailor your pitch to their needs.
Website: www.vox.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $500 per piece.
Upworthy
This publication focuses on shinning a light on important topics.
Website: http://www.vibrantlife.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $200 per article
The American Scholar
This magazine is interested in articles on history, public affairs and culture.
Website: https://theamericanscholar.org
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: Up to $500 per featured piece.
DivvyHQ
“Provide content managers and producers with insights, inspiration, and practical guidance in an effort to help them simplify and be more efficient and effective in their day-to-day battle within the trenches of corporate marketing/communications departments.”
Website: https://divvyhq.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $250 to $400 per article
Outside
“To inspire active participation in the world outside through award-winning coverage of the sports, people, places, adventure, discoveries, health and fitness, gear and apparel, trends and events that make up an active lifestyle.”
Website: https://www.outsideonline.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $0.50/word and up
Vogue
Website: www.vogue.com
Contact: contact@vogue.com
Submission Address: Condé Nast 4 Times Square 12th Floor New York NY 10036-6518
Expected Pay: $100 to $300 per article
Vibrant Life
“Vibrant Life is a bimonthly lifestyle magazine that promotes physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual balance from a practical, Christian perspective.”
Website: http://www.vibrantlife.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $100 to $300 per article
Outside/In
“Outside/In is a show about the natural world and how we use it. When time and budgets allow, we are delighted to work with freelance producers and reporters.“
Website: http://outsideinradio.org/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $800 to $2,000 per article
Prism
“Prism is a BIPOC-led nonprofit news outlet that centers the people, places, and issues currently underreported by national media. Through our original reporting, analysis, and commentary, we challenge dominant, toxic narratives perpetuated by the mainstream press and work to build a full and accurate record of what’s happening in our democracy.”
Website: https://www.prismreports.org/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $.40/word
Smarter Living!
Website: https://www.nytimes.com/section/smarter-living
Contact: tim@nytimes.com
Expected Pay: $1 per word
Supermajority Education Fund
“Supermajority News, a project of Supermajority Education Fund, reports on the news stories that impact women’s lives.”
Website: https://supermajority.com/news/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: Prices range from $175 (for social-first content) to $400 (for longer features)
Global Voices
“We are a global network of bloggers and online activists dedicated to protecting freedom of expression and free access to information online. “
Website: https://advox.globalvoices.org/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $150 per article
Mental Floss
“We’re always looking for new voices to write about the diverse verticals we cover, whether that's history, science, entertainment, language, pop culture, art, or beyond.”
Website: https://www.mentalfloss.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $125 and up per article
CNTraveler.com
“Condé Nast Traveler aims to inspire travel and inform readers about the world around us. We cover travel in a way that helps people travel better, smarter, and more safely. We are committed to telling reported and personal stories about traveling, with inclusive coverage that includes BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled communities.”
Website: CNTraveler.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $300 and up for articles
UX Writers Collective Blog
Contact: Pitch your ideas to blog@uxwriterscollective.com
Expected Pay: $100 for articles
BBC Worklife
“BBC Worklife is a BBC.com features site about work, life and everything in between. As part of BBC Global News, we are interested in the big economic, social and technological trends changing our lives, and try to find the most fascinating stories from all over the world which make these trends relevant and accessible for a younger audience.”
Website: BBC.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $600 per article
Lacuna Voices
“Lacuna Voices was formed to bridge a gap in the mainstream media for topics that matter to so many people but are rarely given the column inches they deserve. Here, we’ll give our interviewees and writers a space to speak their truth without a need for us as the publisher to set an agenda, use salacious headlines or produce a feature more outrageous than the last.“
Website: https://www.lacunavoices.com
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: £100 for 1000 words
Broccoli Magazine
“Broccoli is a magazine for cannabis lovers, but only some of what we publish directly references weed. We love fresh, informed, personal takes on film, music, fashion, and design—either of the moment or treasures from the past—as well as pieces about history and unexpected themes, especially when they include little-known people and things that might be of interest to Broccoli readers, who are funny, informed, curious, and smart.”
Website: https://broccolimag.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $.40-$.50/word, with flat rates for shorter pieces in the $75-$100 range
Teaching Tolerance
“Please keep in mind that ours is a national audience of K–12 educators interested in social justice and anti-bias topics. We suggest that prospective writers become familiar with Teaching Tolerance’s style of writing and content before contacting us.”
Website: https://www.tolerance.org/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $1 per published word
National Geographic
“The National Geographic Society uses the power of science, exploration, education, and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.”
Website: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $0.5 per word
Pathfinders Travel Magazine
Website: https://pathfinderstravel.com/
Contact: Guidelines
Expected Pay: $150 for articles
WriterAccess is Making Big Changes
It seems that WriterAccess is making big changes, which is good news for the writers that use them for income.
It seems that WriterAccess is making big changes, which is good news for the writers that use them for income. The site was getting stale it seems. According to the latest email sent out to writers, the whole site and the way they pay their writers is getting overhauled.
Here’s everything that was announced by Byron White in the email:
Announcing Launch of DesignerAccess
———————————————————————
We’re pleased to announce the launch of DesignerAccess, our sister business and marketplace that greatly expands our services. We’re currently recruiting an elite group of about 500 professionals including designers, illustrators, animators, photographers, and videographers (about 100 freelancers in each category that will cover the full spectrum of pricing).
Please apply in your talent portal if you have the expertise and proven track record. And do help us spread the word to your friends and associates that may be looking for some part-time work to weather the storm and join our liberated workforce.
———————————————————————
New Order Delivery Protocol
———————————————————————
With all the changes to the platform, we’ve seen a spike in orders NOT delivered on time, creating stress for clients and our support team. One reason for the problem is the fact we took away the "Flexible Delivery" option for customers with the new order form. Another reason is that we removed all penalties and performance scoring, along with the point system for star ratings and reviews.
To help us all return to delivery greatness and professional service, we’re rolling out a new plan to pinpoint the problems, resolve the issues, penalize failure, and reward success in creative ways.
Here’s the new plan in a nutshell that relates to Solo Orders, Crowd Orders, Match Me Up Orders, and ALL ORDERS at WriterAccess:
Flexible Delivery DatesWhen customers place orders, they’ll be presented with an option for Flexible Delivery Date on orders. Even better, they’ll have options to pre-approve 24-, 48-, and 72-hour requests for extensions, should the need arise. Failure to select this option will assume there is NOT flexibility, and your ability to request an extension will not be available moving forward.
Initial Review of OrderIt’s your obligation and right to review orders requirements before pickup and confirm you can meet or exceed the expectations, and that includes DELIVERY DATE. If you cannot deliver a project on that date and time, do not pick up the order.
Available orders may or may not have a Request Extension button, depending on the client’s stated flexibility threshold. If the Request Extension button is turned on, you will have the option to view the pre-approved extension time or submit a request for a longer extension.
New Order PickupOnce you pick up an order, you’re committing to delivering that order by the due date or pre-approved flexible delivery date set forth by the client. There is no need to reach out to the client if they have already pre-approved and defined the amount of time the order can be delinquent. Failure to deliver any order you pick up on the delivery date or flex date will result in a penalty assessment by our team.
Extension RequestsIf for any reason you cannot deliver an order after you pick the order up, you may request an extension directly to the client using the Request Extension button on the order details starting next week. You’ll simply select the pre-approved amount of time you need to complete the order, which will then re-set the order delivery date. We’ve built in a 3-hour flex time for all orders, even if the order does not have any flex time approval, to help you juggle small roadblocks for delivery goals without any penalty.
If you submit an extension request beyond the scope of pre-approval, the customer will be sent an email for approval or rejection within the email or by logging on to adjust the delivery date of the order. If they do not grant the extension, you must deliver according to their pre-approved extension or be subject to penalty.
Auto Replace TalentWe also added a new feature on the order form for clients to check-off called Auto Replace Talent that will grant our team the ability to instantly find a replacement for you if the order is dropped, expired, or not picked up, and this applies to all orders including Crowd, Match Me Up, Love List, or Solo Orders. If the client does not select the Auto Replace Talent feature, the orders will be returned to the client and you will be penalized according to the terms below.
Help Desk TicketsIf you are unable to deliver an order or project on the requested date or release an order/project without completing it, you should first Request Extension with the client. If you cannot come to terms with the client and need to drop the order, you should open a Help Desk Ticket to explain your situation, and document your case for the penalty assessment.
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New Penalty Program
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All your activity in the platform will be archived, including help desk tickets, delivery performance, customer ratings, testimonials, and more. Each delivery infringement will be reviewed manually to assess any penalty according to the rules set forth in this documentation.
We understand that there are circumstances outside of your control, especially in light of the recent pandemic. After careful review, we’ll assess any penalty and let you know of our decision with an email and inbox message.
Below is our current plan for penalty assessment for late delivery of orders or other penalties with your performance that are unacceptable, such as offering personal contact information to clients.Level 1: Documentation and Warning
Level 2: Remove from Search Results for 2 Weeks
Level 3: Remove from Crowd Order Access for 2 Weeks
Level 4: Remove from Crowd Orders and Match Me Up 30 Days
Level 5: Suspension from WriterAccess for 30 days
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New Rewards Program
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We’re launching a new Rewards Program starting in July with a new approach to erase penalties often out of your control and reward great performance backed with timely delivery, quality ratings, and customer reviews.
We’ll be closing out our former Rewards Program as we pivot to this new program, so stay tuned with some options to get the original rewards mailed to you or transfer your past rewards to the new program.
We’d like to think of the Reward Program as recognition for your greatness in a public-facing way, and membership with an elite group of top-talent that unite to advance our business model and rid the world of all this bad, boring content that pollutes the web.
Performance will earn you a spot on the roster and badge for your profile. Best of all, you’ll be able to wipe out any past penalties that were often out of your control, and start fresh with the rewards program at any time.
Bronze Member Qualifications
— Flawless Delivery on 500 Orders
— 10 Exceed Expectation Reviews on Orders
— 1 Written Recommendation Reviews
Bronze Member Rewards
— Bronze Badge for Profile
— Boost in Search Result Position
— Set Penalty Assessment to Zero
Silver Member Qualifications— Flawless Delivery on 1,000 Orders
— 50 Exceed Expectation Reviews
— 5 Written Recommendation Reviews
Silver Member Rewards— Star Rating Assessment* with Manual Review of Work
— Set Penalty Assessment to Zero
— Additional Boost in Search Results
Gold Member Qualifications
— Flawless Delivery on 5,000 Orders
— 100 Exceed Expectation Reviews
— 8 Written Recommendation Reviews
Gold Member Rewards— Star Rating Assessment with Manual Review of Work
— Set Penalty Assessment* to Zero
— Priority Listing in Search Results
— Top 100 Industry Listing Up to 2 Industries
Platinum Member Qualifications
— Flawless Delivery 10,000 Orders
— 200 Exceed Expectation Reviews
— 10 Written Recommendation Reviews
Platinum Member Rewards— Star Rating Assessment* with Manual Review of Work
— Set Penalty Assessment to Zero
— Priority Listing in Search Results
— Top 100 Industry Listing Up to 4 Industries
*Star Rating Reviews will be triggered when you reach the following goals. Our team members will manually review your performance stats, quality of work, Pay Verification (Optional), profile and sample details, and more to consider for star rating adjustments.
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Zoom Call July 8, 2020 at 1 PM EST
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Join us on a Zoom Call for a Q&A session with the team including Aaron Robinson, Heather Welborn (President), and Byron White. Bring your questions and feedback regarding these changes above and platform ideas for betterment. Below is a link for the call.
https://zoom.us/j/95436313054
5 Tips for Finding Remote Writing Gigs
Here’s how to find remote writing gigs that are perfect for you and your freelance lifestyle.
Guest Post by Desiree Villena
Of course, in order to flourish as a freelance writer, you need jobs. And to find jobs, you need to know how to optimize your presentation and communications with clients on sites like Indeed, Mediabistro, Upwork, and more. I’m here to give you five actionable tips on how to do just that, so you can find remote writing gigs that are perfect for you and your freelance lifestyle! Let’s get to work.
Tip #1: Construct a detailed, eloquent profile
The two main elements of any professional profile are a) the work you’ve done and skills you possess, and b) the manner in which you present this information. A strong freelance writing profile must excel in both areas. Sloppily listing off your achievements is a self-defeating exercise; likewise, a flowery mission statement is worth nothing if it lacks concrete details.
You’d be shocked how many online freelancer profiles fail at either detail or eloquence, and sometimes both. Fortunately, this means it’s easy to stand out from the crowd with just a bit of effort! If you’ve never constructed a thorough résumé, or haven’t revised your existing one in some time, now’s the time to see where you can improve.
Start with basic information. Have you mentioned your education and degree, if relevant? An English, journalism, or communications degree shows that you’ve invested in a writing career. Next, move onto work experience. Emphasize roles where you’ve done lots of writing, or even worked “writing-adjacent” (as a copyeditor, for example). Finally, if you can think of any other special skills or outstanding achievements, list those as well.
Once you’ve compiled all that, it’s time to make it look nice. Though you don’t want to go overboard, include a couple of descriptive bullet points per job title, and employ professional yet creative language to demonstrate that you are, in fact, a talented writer. And before you upload your profile anywhere, have someone else check it for errors. Nothing’s more embarrassing than having the wrong form of “they’re”/”their”/”there” on your writing-based résumé.
Tip #2: List your profile under multiple categories
Speaking of uploading your profile to job sites, not only should you take advantage of every freelance platform at your disposal, but you should also list yourself under as many categories within those platforms as possible. For example, on Upwork you can select multiple writing categories such as article and blog writing, copywriting, and technical writing. You can even create specialized profiles to appeal to different types of clients!
But besides that, consider listing your profile under semi-related categories (admin, marketing, SEO, etc.) in order to gain more prospects. It might seem counterproductive to target clients who aren’t necessarily looking for writers — yet in today’s hyper-competitive job market, it never hurts to cast a wider net. And in my experience, posting your profile outside of writing-related categories is one of the best ways to find hidden gems with minimal competition.
This is because just about every company needs writers for something, and competent writers are surprisingly hard to find. So if they happen upon your profile while looking to fill an admin role, they might be a bit confused, but mainly impressed by what you have to offer — and will likely contact you either for the job at hand (which may involve a small amount of writing), or for a higher-paying gig that involves more writing. Either way, you’ve made a valuable connection, not least because it provides an opportunity for the following…
Tip #3: Build a diverse portfolio of writing samples
Even the most silver-tongued profile can only do so much to convey your true writing prowess. To show clients you’ve got the skills to pay the bills, you’ll also need a strong collection of writing samples — ideally from several different projects. For example, in my portfolio I have listicles, how-to guides, a few “topical” articles, and even one technical piece that breaks down a complex process into manageable steps.
Needless to say, these writing samples should be as polished as possible, ready to submit at a moment’s notice. So if you wrote your most interesting pieces years ago, make sure they’re updated to your current standard of quality. And if you don’t have any quality writing samples, there’s no time like the present to create some; don’t wait until someone asks! Depending on the platform, you may be able to upload them as part of your profile.
Not only is it more professional to have samples ready right away, it’s also way less stressful than being forced to pull something out of thin air. And if a client does ask you to create a new sample based on a specific prompt, at least you’ll have some similar work to reference. Of course, not every client will do this, or even ask for writing samples at all — but writers hoping to secure long-term writing gigs (such as company content writing or ghostwriting jobs for authors) should always be prepared to offer them up.
Tip #4: Seek out clients yourself
Though there’s certainly something to be said for letting writing jobs come to you, this article is about how to find them yourself. This means that even after perfecting your profile, settings, and samples, you still need to proactively apply for gigs — especially if you’re just starting out.
The obvious way to do this is to search for them on your job site(s) of choice. Though each writer will have their own preferences, my recommendation is to stick to gig-based sites like Upwork and Textbroker if you’re still relatively new to the freelance writing game, and only consult job boards like LinkedIn and Indeed once you’ve got a few years of experience and you’re searching for a long-term, in-house writing or editing position.
In terms of the “newbie” sites, it’s easy to experiment with different keywords to discover gigs that suit you. Once you find one you’re interested in, submit a brief message or cover letter; this should be tailored to the gig, within reason. Consider creating a few cover letter templates, say for copywriting vs. technical writing vs. blogging, so you can quickly pick the most effective one, personalize the greeting, and shoot it off.
Again, today’s freelance job market is a numbers game, and on most platforms you have to send loads of messages just to get a single response. That said, once you’ve built up your portfolio and the job requests start rolling in, make sure to remember this next tip.
Tip #5: Don’t bite off more than you can chew
Perhaps it’s a bit premature to give this tip to readers who are just dipping their toes into the pool of freelance writing. But honestly, it’s never too early to learn the most crucial lesson of freelancing: don’t take on so much that you burn yourself out.
Almost every freelancer remembers a time when they had to work 50, 60, 70 hours a week or more to make ends meet. So even when they’re financially comfortable and can afford to take fewer jobs, there’s still that internal pressure to say yes to everything just in case.
From the bottom of my heart, I urge you not to do this. Not only is it mentally and physically taxing, but juggling too many jobs will almost inevitably result in one of them being dropped — either shoddily completed, or not completed at all. Clients will notice, they’ll give you negative feedback, and your job success rate/star rating/whatever metric will drop. The ironic result of taking on too many jobs is that you end up exactly where you feared: not being able to get any.
So know your limits and politely turn down work that pushes you beyond them, especially if it’s not part of your skill set — for example, marketing a book that you helped ghostwrite. And though most freelancers have to hustle when they’re just starting out, just keep in mind that there will come a time when you’ll be overwhelmed with job requests, and that it’s in both your personal and professional best interests to only take those you need.
Indeed, all these tips should help you balance those interests as you search for freelance writing jobs. It might take some perseverance, but if you work hard to stand out and follow through with high-quality writing, you’ll have your pick of the freelance litter in no time.
Pitching and More: How to Get More Work as a Freelance Writer
Here are some strategies to get more work as a freelance writer.
Working freelance is tough. Not only do you have to keep yourself organised and motivated, but you also have to make sure that you promote and market yourself. If you’ve decided to give up your 9 to 5 job and take up a more flexible freelance life, here are a few tips on how to promote yourself and get good work.
Consider the publications you’re pitching
First of all, chances are you’re sending off all sorts of pitches to different editors and publications. Don't do that. It’s important to make sure that you’re sending the right ideas to the right places to maximize your efforts.
Form pitches is the kiss of death. To an editor worth their salt, it’ll be obvious from a mile off if you’ve been sending the same idea around to lots of different publications. Make sure that you’ve researched the publication that you’re sending your pitch. Then, give specific reasons for choosing their publication and tell them why you think your idea would work for them. Editors love writers that do their research.
Be full of ideas, but don't stress
Let’s face it: no matter how great you think all your ideas are, they won’t all get accepted and published, even if you’d love them to be. Facing rejection is part and parcel of being a freelance writer - and you can’t let it deter you from continuing on and thinking of even more great ideas.
It’s important for you to be inspired by the world around yourself - make sure that you take experiences that happen to you, whether they’re good or bad, and consider how you could make them into a pitch. After all, everything is material.
When you have ideas, send them out as queries to publications. Keep at least 12 queries out at one time. This will help you keep a steady flow of article jobs coming in. Remember, 12 pitches in play keeps the bills at bay.
Pitching beyond
Pitching doesn’t mean just sending your ideas to publications and hoping they hire you to write an article. You can also pitch your writing services to business blogs and websites. Don’t forget to look for writing gigs on jobs sites, too.
Maintain your online presence
Being a freelance writer is not just about being a good writer - it’s also about knowing how to present yourself online.
First, make sure that you maintain a certain voice on your social media accounts. Strike that balance of fun and professionalism that will make people want to contact you to get some freelance work done.
Make sure you have a website, too, with your contact information clearly visible, including your phone number, email address and postal address, along with Facebook, Instagram and Twitter social media accounts.
Once you have your site up and going, remember, SEO is your friend. Essentially SEO means rearranging the Google search results so that your name comes to the top when someone searches for "freelance writer." Useful, right?
Communicate for referrals
Finally, you make sure that you communicate effectively with your clients. Remember, word of mouth is one of your best marketing strategies. If your clients like you, they will recommend you. Make sure that you’re clear about how long work will take you to complete and keep them updated at all times. Then, when work is done, ask your clients to refer you to their friends or colleges.
Want to start making $100 to $200 an hour with your freelance writing business? My book offers in-depth, actionable secrets that will get you there in just a few months. Learn more here.
More articles you may like
Pitchwiz is the Best (Free) Place to Find High-Paying Writing Gigs
How To Pitch Magazines: A Writer's Guide for Getting Published
Here's How to Find Out How Much Publications Pay Their Writers
5 Examples of Awful and Awesome Email Subject Lines...and Maybe a Few Shades of Grey
Warning writers! Write Right may Be a Scam
Yah, this looks like a writing gig site you should stay clear of.
So I had a super strange interaction with a person on LinkedIn. He claimed to be Bhavik Sarkhedi, an author of three books and the owner of the website Write Right. At first, he said he was a new writer and asked me to help him check his Google results. Okay, I guess. No problem.
Then, a long time later, he sent me this message:
If he’s a new writer, then why is he looking to hire writers? Curious, I took a look at the application.
Oop. Red flag. Usually when a person wants you to write a sample article they keep it and don’t pay you.
Whoa! Hold up! They want you to find spelling mistakes on their website? First, there shouldn’t be any mistakes. Second, it sounds like they’re trying to get free proofreading. Yikes!
Oh, so it gets even better! They want you to help them with their SEO, too. So, essentially, they are asking for a lot of free stuff. Okay. I decided to ask this guy about Right Write and see what he had to say. His replies are just as baffling as the application.
Yah, uhh, no
I ended up blocking him and reporting him to LinkedIn. If you run across this guy or a freelance writing ad for Write Right, run. By the way, I tried finding Write Right, but I didn’t come up with a site other than a essay writing service site. As you probably know, essay writing doesn’t have anything to do with SEO writing. Ironically, it’s basically writing an essay for a student so they don’t have to. It looks like Mr. Sarkhedi may have wanted writers to do his site’s content and SEO for him, but he just didn’t want to pay.
Other Articles You May Like
Here's the Legal Stuff You Need Before Becoming a Freelance Writer
How To Pitch Magazines: A Writer's Guide for Getting Published
A Freelance Writer's Guide to Dealing with Digital Contracts
Write for Ebyline? They're Making Changes
If you write for Ebyline, heads-up. They are changing platforms and you’ll need to do some stuff if you want to get paid.
If you write for Ebyline, heads-up. They are changing platforms and you’ll need to do some stuff if you want to get paid. Here’s what their email blast from this morning had to say:
Hello,
We’re emailing to notify you that Ebyline will be migrating to a new platform, and the legacy Ebyline platform will be shutting down effective 10/31/19.
The new Ebyline platform is available for you to start using immediately, but for any existing projects, please continue to submit work to your editor via the legacy platform until your editor advises you they are ready to receive submissions on the new platform or starting on 11/1/19, whichever is first.
To create your account on the new Ebyline platform, please register here.
Once you’ve created your account and verified your email address, you can access the platform here, by selecting “I’m a Creator”.
You can find guides on best practices for using the new Ebyline platform here. Please review the information on payment timing and withdrawing funds to PayPal, as those are different from the legacy platform.
Of note, historical data from legacy Ebyline will not be transferred into the new platform. If there is any information in the legacy Ebyline platform that you would like to retain, please ensure you have downloaded it by 10/31/19.
Any pending work that is not completed/approved in legacy Ebyline by 10/31/19 will need to be recreated in the new Ebyline platform in order for you to receive payment. Payment for work that has been completed/approved by 10/31/19 will be processed via the legacy platform as usual.
If you have any questions or need any help, please email us at support@ebyline.com.
Thanks!
Ebyline Support
If you want to know more about Ebyline, I wrote about it here.