If you’re looking for freelancing writing jobs, there are quite a few people out there thinking about the very same thing. The fact is, you can build a writing career from home, and you don’t have to become the next bestselling author to achieve that.
You can get simple (or more complex) freelance writing jobs, and there are plenty of them if you know where to look. There is, however, significant competition, and it will take much more than simply creating an account to get consistent jobs that pay decent money.
Why Freelance Writing is a Legit Career in 2025
While freelancing is not exactly safe and you’re always juggling some risk, like losing clients suddenly or working with insolvent clients, it may be worth your time if you can manage your time right and sell yourself efficiently. There are many niches to choose from, and you can do that based on your experience or interests.
Businesses are hiring freelance writers every day to deliver high-quality blog posts, website content, newsletters, product descriptions, and other content. On the flip side, there are even more freelance writers seeking clients, so you’ll have to consider that.
These freelance writing jobs can be done from anywhere, as it doesn’t require you to be present at the office. If you have a laptop and access to the internet, you’re good to go. But there’s a downside, too. If you’re having a difficult time managing yourself and your time, not being able to work with a team could be challenging.
All in all, it has the potential to be a real and rewarding career, but you’ve got to have discipline. Freedom is only as good as your ability to manage it.
How Much Can You Make as a Freelance Writer?
Earnings vary a lot. Some clients pay per word count, some per content unit, and others may propose a monthly fixed fee to have you at their disposal. If you’re brand new, you most likely won’t be able to make a lot, since your portfolio and experience speak volumes, which you don’t yet have.
According to Indeed, freelance writers are making around $23/hour on average in the US. PayScale reports a similar average hourly rate of around $29.45/hour.
It all comes down to what clients you can land. You may have less experience and a weaker portfolio, but if you have great networking skills and you can sell your skills effortlessly, you can get more opportunities and make a lot more money than your peers with way more experience.
To turn the odds in your favor on the timeline, attend networking events and look for clients in person. After all, people are more likely to hire someone they know and have met than a complete stranger.
To begin with, you can start writing on Medium, do free samples, or partake in guest posting, which may give you the experience and the credibility you need.
If you don’t have that opportunity, you can try your luck with writing platforms, which we’ll cover next.
What to Look For in a Writing Platform
Writing platforms, though they cater to the same goal, are not all the same. Some take more fees, others have slower payments. Here’s a brief overview of what you want to be looking for:
- Low platform fees.
- High-quality remote writing jobs with serious clients.
- Easy-to-use dashboards.
- Fast and flexible payment options.
- A mix of freelance writing jobs (blog posts, web content, sales copy, and more)
Also, avoid platforms that feel like a race to the bottom. You’re not trying to win $3 freelance writing jobs; you’re looking to build a long-term, sustainable freelance writing career.
Top 5 Writing Platforms to Try
Upwork
Upwork is arguably the world’s largest freelance marketplace, where clients publish many posts, including freelance writing jobs, for everything from long-form copywriting and short-form copywriting to technical manuals and ghostwriting.
How it Works
Upwork is straightforward: writers create a profile and then bid on writing jobs posted by clients using “Connects”, which is a virtual currency used on Upwork. You submit your proposal and set your rate.
Businesses can also find your profile and invite you to apply. The payment is held in escrow and is released when you submit the work and the client approves it.
Pros
- A massive volume of writing jobs is posted daily across many niches.
- Secure payment protection for hourly and fixed-price projects.
- You can build a long-term reputation and client relationships.
Cons
- Extremely high competition.
- Fees range from 0% to 15%.
- Can be detrimental due to low-paying bids.
Who it’s Best For
It’s best for new freelancers who need to build a portfolio and established freelancers who can command high rates and filter for quality clients.
Helpful Tip
Niche down and don’t just be a “freelance writer”. Be a “B2B SaaS Content Writer” or a “Retention Email Copywriter”. A specialized profile headline and summary are more likely to attract high-quality leads looking for an expert.
Fiverr
Fiverr is a “service-as-a-product” marketplace. Instead of bidding on writing jobs, you create pre-packaged services called “Gigs” (like “I will write a 1,000-word blog post for $100”), and clients come to you.
How it Works
You design your gigs, set your price tiers (Basic, Standard, Premium), and publish them. People browse the marketplace, purchase your gig, and provide the requirements. You deliver the work, and once approved, the money (minus fees) is added to your account.
Pros
- You set your own prices and service terms.
- Great for turning services into your product and selling them.
- The platform handles all the marketing and payment processing.
Cons
- Fiverr takes a flat 20% fee, which is one of the highest in the industry.
- It can be difficult to get your first few sales and build reviews.
- Still has a lingering reputation for cheap, $5 writing jobs.
Who it’s Best For
It’s best for freelance writers who offer a specific, repeatable service (like blog posts, product descriptions, or social media captions) and want clients to come to them.
Helpful Tip
Optimize your Gig title and description like you’re writing for Google. Use the exact keywords a client would search for (like “SEO Blog Post”) and create a professional, eye-catching Gig image or video to stand out.
ProBlogger
ProBlogger is a high-quality, curated job board specifically for bloggers, content writers, and editors. It is not a platform in itself, but a classic job listing site.
How it Works
Companies pay a fee to post a job, which filters out most low-quality spam gigs. You browse the listings for free and apply directly to the client, usually via email, following their specific application instructions.
Pros
- Listings are generally of much higher quality than on large marketplaces.
- No fees or middlemen taking a cut of your pay.
- Directly connects you with companies looking to hire freelance writers, often for long-term roles.
Cons
- Far fewer freelance writing jobs are available compared to Upwork and Fiverr.
- No payment protection or platform-managed contracts.
- Freelance writing jobs can be competitive, and you may not hear back after applying.
Who it’s Best For
It’s best for experienced bloggers and content writers who are confident in their portfolios and want to find long-term, high-quality clients.
Helpful Tip
Check the board daily. Good freelance writing jobs can get hundreds of applications within the first 24-48 hours. Being one of the first to submit a professional, tailored application gives you a significant advantage.
Contently
Contently is an elite, high-end content marketing platform that connects enterprise-level clients (like Google, Marriott, and Dell) with vetted, professional freelance creatives.
How it Works
You don’t bid on freelance writing jobs. You create a free portfolio on the Contently platform. Their internal team and clients’ editors then search these portfolios to find freelance writers with the right expertise. If you’re a match, a talent manager will reach out to you with an assignment.
Pros
- Pays some of the highest rates in the industry.
- You get to work with prestigious, world-class brands.
- The platform is free for freelancers and includes a great portfolio tool.
Cons
- Extremely difficult to get into and land your first gig.
- You cannot actively apply for freelance writing jobs and must wait to be discovered.
- Work can be inconsistent.
Who it’s Best For
It’s best for experienced, top-tier freelance writers and journalists with a strong portfolio of work in a specific, high-demand niche.
Helpful Tip
Treat your Contently portfolio as your specialist resume. Don’t add every piece you’ve ever written. Curate a single, powerful portfolio focused on one niche and tag every piece with detailed topics and skills to make it easy for their talent scouts to find you.
ClearVoice
ClearVoice is a content marketing platform owned by Fiverr that, like Contently, matches brands with vetted freelance writers.
How it Works
You sign up and build a detailed CV Portfolio. ClearVoice’s talent managers and clients then search the database to find freelance writers who match their needs. You get matched with assignments based on your profile, pay rate, and expertise.
Pros
- Clients are high-quality, and the platform’s team helps manage the relationship.
- Generally pays fair, professional rates.
- You set your desired pay rate, and the platform tries to match you with businesses that can meet it.
Cons
- Like Contently, you have to wait to be matched, which can take months.
- Work can be slow and inconsistent, especially at first.
- The platform’s interface can be less intuitive than others.
Who it’s Best For
It’s best for mid-level and experienced freelance writers with a strong portfolio of articles who want to add another high-quality passive lead-generation source to their business.
Helpful Tip
Your CV Portfolio is everything. Upload as many high-quality samples as you can and tag each one with the correct content type, topic, and industry. The more data points the algorithm has, the more likely you are to show up in a client’s search.
Alternatives to Freelance Writing
If freelance writing isn’t your thing, or if you just want more ways to earn, there are some other options, too. You can:
- Play and earn with paid games.
- Share your internet bandwidth to earn passively.
- Take quick paid surveys.
These won’t make you rich, but they’re nice side hustles to supplement your income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make $5,000/month as a writer?
Yes, but it won’t happen right away. Top freelance writers who build up clients and specialize can hit that mark, but it takes time and effort.
What’s the best platform for beginners?
Fiverr and Upwork are good starting points. They have tons of remote writing jobs and a place to build reviews.
Do I need a degree?
No, clients care more about your writing samples and experience than your diploma.
What types of writing pay best?
Long-form content, email copy, technical writing, and case studies usually pay more.
How do I avoid scams?
Avoid freelance writing jobs that ask for free work, promise crazy money, or send unusual links. Use trusted platforms and read reviews.
