How To Make Money As A Freelance Writer

What would your income look like if every assignment paid $100 and up? Sites that pay writers that much or more are out there. Seriously.

But you're not going to find them on Craiglist or low-rate content mills that pay pennies per word, or worse. And even a large number of writing job boards that promise well-paying gigs turn out to only have gigs that pay enough per assignment to fill your gas tank.

Skip those gigs, and move on to sites that pay better rates so you can truly get paid to write.

Sites that pay freelance writers $100 and up (Updated for 2021!)

In this list of 27 sites that pay freelance writers, we've identified new markets we haven't featured before. And even though these sites represent a variety of different niches (e.g. finance, parenting, health, technology, travel, etc.) they all have one thing in common.

These are sites where you can get paid to write $100 or more for blog posts, articles, essays, tutorials, and other types of writing assignments.

The way you're going to land a gig with one of these sites that pay $100-plus, is by writing a solid query letter, pitching a well-thought out blog post, or sending a customized LOI (letter of introduction).

Have you been looking at how to become a freelance writer by looking for sites that pay better rates? Check out this list. Learn how to make money writing by squeeze your marketing muscles, and start pitching to earn $100 or more per assignment.

And remember, if you're really ready to get paid to write online, the Freelance Writers Den has 300+ hours of powerful courses and trainings you can access 24/7, a thriving community of 1,500+ members offering actionable tips and info, and so much more. There's also a members-only job board where you can find even more opportunities to get paid for writing. Get on the waiting list now and take your writing career to new heights.

Below is our curated list that will help you find freelance writing jobs.

1. B. Michelle Pippin

Business expert Michelle Pippin publishes guest posts on topics like time management, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Pays up to $150.

2. Chicago Health

This site provides the latest health and medical news, and it's a great place to pitch your medical writing. They pay $150 for online stories and $0.50 a word for print stories. Pitch editor [REDACTED].

EDITOR'S NOTE: This publication requested we remove them because they received too high a volume of queries that don't match their topic or audience. Please read guidelines carefully before submitting to any website or magazine.

3. The A.V. Club

Are you a TV and movie junkie? The A.V. Club is always looking for great entertainment content, paying an average of $0.21 a word.

4. Bustle

This popular site is looking for stories in a range of niches, including entertainment, lifestyle, and style. They pay $0.25 a word so it's a great way to get paid to write. There are multiple editors to pitch to depending on topic.

5. BestPickist

This is a cooking food blog, but it's not just for recipes. The site publishes articles, how-tos, expert interviews, nutrition tips, and even fitness guides. Some assignments pay $75. Ultimate Guides on food/recipe topics pay $120 to $160. Read the guidelines on the site, but send your pitch via email to marieanoor@gmail.com.

6. Dollar Stretcher

This is a frugal living website that's been around for nearly 20 years. Founder and editor Gary Foreman says they're always looking for fresh ideas on how to save time and money. Pay is $0.10 a word. Study the site (more than 10,000 articles), before submitting a query.

7. Sport Fishing Magazine

This site is dedicated to the sport of saltwater fishing and pays up to $300 for online features and $750 for print stories in their magazine. They're one of the best sports writing jobs out there for freelancers. Email editor@sportfishingmag.com with your pitch.

8. The Escapist

This site is dedicated to covering the gaming industry and pays up to $250 for articles. Pitch topics about video games, movies, board games, science, and technology.

9. Freelance Mom

This site pays $100 for 1,500-word blog posts (from moms or dads) about entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and the systems, tools, and processes to be a successful freelancer. Email your query/pitch to founder and editor Lisa Stein.

10. Healthy Living

This site pays $150 for 1,500-word articles on health, anti-aging, beauty, lifestyle, parenting, recipes. You can use the general submission form and expect a response within six days. But it wouldn't hurt to pitch directly to editor @AidaPoulsen.

11. Worthpoint

If you're into antiques and collectibles, Worthpoint will pay you up to $100 per article to share your insights and expertise. Email wayne.jordan@worthpoint.com with your pitch.

12. Slate

Slate is a popular online magazine covering news, politics, culture, business, technology, and more. They pay $300 for a 1,000 to 2,000-word op-ed, according to The Web Writer Spotlight

13. The Layout

Want to write about WordPress? The Layout pays up to $150 for blog posts about design-related topics and tutorials.

14. Copyhackers

This site pays $325 for articles about copywriting, marketing, branding, building a business, and other related topics.

15. Make a Living Writing

Yes, this blog pays $75 up to $150 for posts on freelance writing topics aimed at helping writers move up and earn more. Be sure to read the guidelines, study the style, and take a look at the types of blog posts we're looking for. Rate depends on complexity of topic and research needed. Send your pitch toeditor@makealivingwriting.com.

16. Mom.me

Here's a site that pays $125 and up for blog posts and feature articles about pregnancy, motherhood, parenting, family life, and other topics. Editor Madeline Holler says she's looking for voice-y, opinionated writers with a sense of humor (don't forget to check out our guide to more humor writing jobs) who can write for moms.

17. MoneyPantry

Founder and editor Saeed Darabi created this site to help people with earning and saving money. Pays up to $150 for 1,000 to 2,000-word blog posts.

18. Pentimento

This site pays $250 for posts about people living with disabilities.

19. DailyWorth

Get paid $150 to write about women and money. Reach out to managing editor Koa Beck.

20. Semaphore

This site publishes articles about software development and pays $100 to $300. Semaphore is looking for articles about development tools and practices, build automation, application deployment and how to configure, integrate and develop software.

21. FreshBooks

Yes, the freelancer invoicing site we recommend also pays writes $200 a post and up!

22. Thriving Family

This Christian-focused site pays $300 to $375 for articles (1,200 to 1,500 words) about marriage and family life, ways to help children develop faith, and interviews with personalities.

23. Transitions Abroad

This travel site pays up to $150 for articles (800 to 2,000 words) about travel advice, experiences, and adventures to help and inspire others to see the world. Have a travel-related story idea? Transitions Abroad is looking for articles on working, living, volunteering, and studying abroad.

24. The Travel Writer's Life

Here's another travel site that pays $100 to $150 for interviews and personal stories about people who are making a living as a travel writer, photographer, or tour operator. How-to articles about getting paid to travel pay up to $200.

25. Vibrant Life

This site pays $100 to $300 for articles (up to 1,000 words) about physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual balance from a practical, Christian perspective. Send queries to editor Heather Quintana.

26. IncomeDiary

This blog is looking for articles related to "creating awesome websites, driving traffic, social media or making money online." They can pay up to $500 for articles in some cases.

27. Babble

Get paid $100-$150 for articles on parenting, pregnancy, style, beauty, travel, food & drink, and other topics.

Move up and earn more

If you've been writing for sites that pay less than $100 per assignment, it's time for a change. This list is a good place to start. Once you find a site you want to write for, here's what to do next:

Study the submission guidelines
Read past blog posts or back issues
Develop an outline for a blog post or write a query letter
Find the contact information for the editor and send your pitch via email
Repeat, and you'll be headed in the right direction to move up and earn more

What sites have you written for that pay $100 or more? Add to the liston Facebook or LinkedIn.

Evan Jensen is the guest blog editor at Make a Living Writing. He writes for clients in the health and fitness niche, and runs 100-mile ultramarathons.

Looking for more resources on how to get paid to write? Find more on how to become a freelance writer.