When I decided to start freelance writing shortly after college, I found myself endlessly scrolling through Upwork and Facebook groups competing with other freelancers for jobs. As a new writer, I landed a few gigs only because I was willing to do them for embarrassingly low rates. I figured I was paying my dues. If you’re a new writer, don’t do what I did.

Even at my low rates, I struggled to find consistent work. Some months I’d be set. Then, the next month the well would dry up, and I’d have to start fighting for gigs again. Finally, I decided to wise up and search for other platforms. That’s how I found these four sites for freelance writers. For the most part, these sites won’t make you rich. However, they are great places to find consistent and interesting writing work. I recommend them if you’re trying to build your portfolio or get some extra side money from home.

ProBlogger

ProBlogger saved my life when I was between gigs and looking for options. From the site's homepage, all you have to do is click “jobs,” and you’ll find a list of openings for remote bloggers. You’ll also see some other job postings for editors, ghostwriters, and SEO experts. The search bar lets you filter results by job type and keyword.

I love ProBlogger because the topics are diverse, which means you’re likely to find something in your niche. However, not all of the jobs will be worth your time. To weed out the time-wasters, I recommend you:

• Google the company before you apply. Make sure they’re legitimate.

• Check the rate. As a personal rule, I’ll never write for less than $0.05 per word, but even that is a low rate.

• Never do a free test. Companies that require “writing tests” are already iffy, but if you want to complete one, make sure you’re getting paid for it.

The site also has tons of blogging resources if you want to learn to grow your blog.

WeWorkRemotely

This site is also a job board site. However, it has more variety in job types than ProBlogger, and you’re more likely to find full-time positions. From their homepage, you’ll hit “job seekers” and then “advanced job search” to find the list. Companies have to pay to post jobs here, so they’re usually high-quality and don’t require too much vetting.

I’ve received some invitations for interviews from using WeWorkRemotely. I recommend familiarizing yourself with copywriting terminology and practices, as many companies who post here seek copywriters. If you need a little training, they have pages of helpful resources for job-seekers.

ContentFly

This site and the next one are content mills, meaning you’d be working for a big company that connects businesses to content writers and takes a cut of the profit. The con is that you won’t ever have your own clients, but having consistent work without having to send proposals is a major pro. Some people claim to make decent money on these, so it can’t hurt to try it out.

ContentFly advertises a two-minute application form for new writers. Once you’re accepted, you get access to a dashboard where you can pick from available writing gigs. You have the freedom to choose how many articles you can handle per week. However, you do have to meet their deadlines. Their website claims pay rates of $0.05 to $0.10 per word.

The Hoth

I worked for The Hoth for a couple of months once and made about $600-$800 a month doing the bare minimum. The structure is the same as ContentFly, but the pay range is a little lower. You do get paid more for longer articles and articles that have a fast turnaround time. Additionally, your payout is calculated automatically and comes every Monday. With ContentFly, you have to keep track of your earnings yourself and invoice them regularly.

With The Hoth, you can interact with their community of writers and editors, so it seems more like a workplace than an impersonal mill. It’s also beginner-friendly. If you can follow their guidelines and run an article through Grammarly, you should be good to go. The Hoth does require a writing test, but they pay you for your time.

Making the most of freelance writing gigs

These sites can help you build your portfolio and get extra cash. If you plan on freelancing full-time, think of them as ways to get your foot in the door. They probably won’t be your final destination. With that in mind, here are a few tips for making these types of gigs worth it:

Take your time

When you get paid by the word and not the hour, it’s tempting to try to rush through a task to maximize your earnings. However, clients and content mills will send back poorly-written content or, worse, fire you. Taking your time and doing a good job upfront will save you time on revisions in the long run.

Don’t shy away from specific requests

Some companies know what they want, and they may ask you to follow a certain formula. Sometimes following long directions can feel overwhelming. But in my experience, a client who knows exactly what they want is often easier to deliver for than one who wants you to figure something out for them.

Don’t accept pennies for pay

No matter your experience level, you deserve fair compensation for your time.

Some of these sites saved me when I was in a bind, and they helped me gain valuable skills. Just make sure you always vet any offer you get to see if it’s worth it to you.

Originally published in The Writing Cooperative on April 13, 2021.