If you are passionate about writing, you might consider making this your full-time or part-time profession. It offers various benefits, including writing whenever and wherever you like.
But do you need help knowing how to get paid as a writer?
You’re not alone, as many writers struggle to make a living out of writing, and some even quit because they don’t feel they’re making enough money.
Luckily, in this article, we’ll tell you about the best ways to get financially compensated for writing, the best platforms to pay for your writing, and how much money you can make.
Can You Get Paid for Being a Writer?
You can make money from freelance writing, but your amount depends on how often and where you work.
Most freelance writers start by writing for blogs, journals, and even magazines. The more knowledge you have regarding a specific topic, the more money you can make.
Guest blogging is what most writers try when they start writing. It can grant you exposure but might only pay you a little money. Unfortunately, most writers don’t get paid for guest posting, as they do this in exchange for internal links.
Yet, if you’re writing for a blogger, you’ll receive money for your ghostwriting efforts. The nature and type of the blog will determine the amount.
Can You Make 100k as a Writer?
An established writer can make 100k or even more by working for an established magazine or publication.
Freelance writers can also make this amount of money or even more by following these tips.
- Choose your clients carefully.
- Negotiate a fair rate for your projects.
- Stick to the most successful clients.
- Ask for a raise at the right time.
- Keep on building your network.
- Improve the quality of your work.
- Manage your time well.
- Develop a financial plan to grow your investments.
What Websites Pay You for Writing?
Many people consider blogging or writing as freelancers but later quit due to an ineffective strategy. The internet offers plenty of opportunities, but some are better and can help you build your writing career.
1. Contena
Contena is a reliable website offering multiple writing opportunities if you want to know how to become a freelance writer.
It’s a popular choice for beginners, especially if you haven’t decided on your favorite type of writing yet, as you can explore multiple options.
The platform offers part-time and full-time job opportunities, but you must pay a membership fee to view job listings.
Some niches like technical, medical, and financial writing will pay more, so you can make between $80k and $100k if this is your specialty.
Features
- Job search tool and email alerts.
- Training programs.
- Information regarding pay rates for more than 1600 companies.
Pros
- Suitable for beginners.
- A learning module is available to get you started.
- Multiple niches and topics are available.
Cons
- Some jobs might need to be updated.
- You’ll spend some time before making a decent amount of money.
2. Listverse
Listverse specializes in publishing top-10 listicles, primarily on lifestyle, entertainment, science, and bizarre topics.
Yet, to get your listicle published, you should ensure you’re providing unique content.
Compared to other platforms, this one can be picky. However, you might get paid as much as $100 per article.
Features
- Author’s guide to get you started.
- Various topics.
Pros
- You can get $100 for every 10-item listicle.
- Payments are sent via PayPal with no minimum required.
Cons
- You have to be creative to get your writing accepted.
- It might take days or weeks to have your article approved.
- There are no FAQs or support pages.
- There’s no guarantee that your article will be published.
3. HubPages
Getting paid to write and publish your articles on HubPages is an exciting chance for novice bloggers.
By adding ads to your blog, you’ll get paid when people visit your blog and click on ads.
This community is active with engaging user-generated content and informational forums where people share their questions and answers. You don’t have to pay a fee to join this platform, and you can pick your blog from more than 20 categories.
Features
- Free membership.
- Social media sharing option.
- Customer support.
- Simple setup.
Pros
- Suitable for amateurs and beginners.
- Due to the site’s strong reputation, articles on HubPages will rank better.
- Forums provide beginners with tips to help them make money through the website.
Cons
- It might not work for more professional bloggers.
- Too many third-party ads might be distracting.
- Admins will decide if you can publish your blog posts.
4. Upwork
Upwork is a popular platform that connects employers with job seekers. It offers multiple writing services, making it suitable for beginner and professional writers.
It’s free to join, and you receive connects that allow you to apply for jobs. The app renews your connects every month, but you’ll probably buy more to apply for more jobs.
Features
- Job search tab.
- Review of employers’ previous work on the platform.
- Convenient payment options.
- An hourly-projects monitoring app.
- A messaging app with audio and video options.
Pros
- Plenty of potential jobs and clients available.
- The platform handles contracts, invoicing, and disputes.
- Customer support and discussion rooms to answer all your questions.
Cons
- You’ll have to pay to get job offers.
- The platform deducts a commission fee for all contracts.
- Your account might be suspended if you attempt to work with clients outside the platform.
What Apps Pay Writers?
The main difference between apps and websites is that apps offer more than just information.
Apps are more interactive, so you can access them on various devices, and their content can be better customized to the users. The following apps can represent a lucrative opportunity for freelance writers.
1. Medium
Medium is a social publishing platform containing various stories, ideas, and views. It’s straightforward, focusing on creating a space for your publication.
Although you can subscribe for free, you’ll have to pay for a premium subscription to gain full access to the app. The website has a set of rules that inform novice writers about the best way to have their writings published on Medium.
Features
- Ability to follow people and tags for customized content.
- Recommended, bookmarked, and shared content.
- Responses to blog posts.
Pros
- Easy to set up and use.
- Huge readership.
- Mobile-friendly app.
- Ability to measure your reach.
Cons
- Limited formatting options.
- A lot of competition.
- Most writers need time before making enough money on the app.
2. News Break
News Break is a news aggregation and publication platform. It allows writers to make money through affiliate marketing and ads, in addition to active income from views when your blog or article goes viral.
Writers can make an average of $75/1000 words, and the app will pay writers a minimum of $1000 per month if they meet specific requirements.
Features
- The app is available for desktop and mobile.
- Offers courses and e-books for educational purposes.
- Various design and marketing tools to launch your blog.
Pros
- You can repurpose your content from Medium on News Break and vice versa.
- A minimum payout is guaranteed once you meet specific criteria.
- The app has a vast reach.
Cons
- Unless a huge audience views your content, you’ll barely make any money.
- Some topics aren’t that popular.
3. Constant Content
Constant Content is a writers’ app and platform where they get to publish their articles and get paid for them.
It’s a popular platform for those who are looking for writers and those who are looking for writing opportunities, as there are several niches available.
Freelance writers can set their prices to offer tailor-made articles. However, pre-written articles are also available.
Features
- Strict quality control through the application and editorial processes.
- Marketplace for employers and writers to meet.
- Various topics are available.
Pros
- Training is available to help writers embark on their freelancing journey.
- As a writer, you can upload ready-made articles for purchase.
- Writers can set deadlines for their work.
Cons
- Vigorous competition with a large pool of writers on the platform.
- Meeting the editorial requirements might be challenging for beginner writers.
How Much Money Can You Make as a Writer?
This depends on your experience level, niche, the type of writing you do, how often you write, and the platforms or apps you choose to write for.
Freelance writers can make between $11 and $75 per hour, depending on these factors.
How Much Do Beginner Writers Make a Year?
An entry-level writer can make around $52k per year. When a writer has 1 to 4 years of experience, they’ll make around $53k.
This is true for bloggers and grant writers. But technical writers can make more money, usually over $75k.
How Much Do Beginner Scriptwriters Get Paid?
Scriptwriters’ salaries depend on the production budget they’re working on. Most scriptwriters will receive 2% to 3% of the play’s or movie’s budget.
So, if they choose to write for a successful project that might appeal to a large audience, they’ll probably make more money.
How Can You Earn Money by Writing?
You can make money by guest posting on popular and high-paying magazines, writing for content writing apps and websites, becoming ghostwriters for stories or blogs, self-publishing your work on Amazon Kindle, or publishing blogs and making money through affiliate marketing.
With too many options, you can explore what works best for you as a freelance writer. However, you’ll first find a suitable writing opportunity and study how to improve your writing and gain more writing opportunities.
How Do Beginner Writers Make Money?
Beginner writers have an excellent opportunity to find writing jobs on writing platforms and apps. These tools provide them with a chance to build their networks. They can also work on improving their skills to become conversion-focused copywriters.
Writers might build a niche blog and promote products and services, gaining money from affiliate marketing. Writing for Kindle is another option.
How to Earn Money by Writing Stories?
The following tips will help you earn more money by writing stories.
- Study other authors’ work and see how to improve your style.
- Practice and write a lot.
- Choose suitable themes to relate to your target audience.
- Use genre tropes as they’re more appealing.
- Work with an editor.
- If you’re not going to self-publish, negotiate your royalties.
- Consider translating your books to reach a larger audience.
- Promote your new and old titles.
Wrapping Up
Learning how to get paid as a writer can be challenging if you’re still a beginner. Yet, several writing platforms and apps offer writers lucrative opportunities to begin earning money.
Comment if you have any questions, and we’ll gladly answer them. As long as you take time to improve your style, expand your network, and work with reputable clients, you can easily earn a 6-figure income, but it will take some time.
