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40 Places To Find Freelance Writing Jobs For Beginners

Last updated
8
Mar
2024
min read

Deciding to become a freelance writer is exciting, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming and confusing at first.

You’ve explored your passion for writing, dabbled in creating content, and maybe even shared some pieces on a personal blog or self-publishing platform.

But what comes next? How do you bridge the gap between aspiring to work as a freelance writer and landing your first paid gig?

We’re here to answer exactly that question with our guide on where to find freelance writing jobs as a beginner. 

Below, you’ll find 40+ websites, job boards, communities, and newsletters to help you find plenty of new freelance writing gigs. You’ll also find platforms we’ve used to hire freelancers in the past.

Let’s jump in!

Traditional job boards: LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor

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LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor are some of the most reliable places to find freelance writing jobs, even for beginners.

Simply sign up for an account (you can use your existing Google account to sign up on LinkedIn, Indeed, or Glassdoor or your Facebook account to sign up on Glassdoor), and then use their job search features to find writing jobs. 

Try search terms like “writing,” “writer,” “blog writer,” “freelance writer,” “entry-level freelance writer,” or “entry-level writer.”

On LinkedIn, you can narrow down your search by setting the “​​​​Experience level” filter to “Entry level” and “Job type” to “Contract” for beginner-friendly freelance gigs. On Indeed, filter by Job type > Contract for freelance work.

Pro tip: Make the most of LinkedIn by creating a compelling profile that showcases your writing skills. Highlight your relevant experience, include links to samples of your work, and add a professional headshot. 

Also, follow companies and individuals related to your niche (such as publishers or content marketing agencies) for networking opportunities. Engage with their posts and consider reaching out with personalized connection requests to build a strong professional network. 

Upwork

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Upwork is a freelancing platform that connects individuals with clients looking for various services, including writing. Writers of all levels can find gigs on Upwork, but it’s especially useful for those just starting out.

First, sign up for an Upwork account and create a profile detailing your skills and experience.

Next, use the search function to find jobs. Filter results by job category (e.g., Content Writing or Sales & Marketing Copywriting), type (hourly or fixed-price), client history (i.e., how many hires they’ve made), project length, and hours per week. 

When you find a job you’d like to apply to, submit a proposal and wait for it to be approved. 

Pro tip: Personalize your proposals by emphasizing your unique strengths — such as your knowledge of SEO, ability to meet tight deadlines, or expertise in a certain industry (e.g., technology or finance).

Freelance Writing Jobs

Freelance Writing Jobs features job posts for freelance writers from all over the internet. Listings are updated regularly, and you can narrow your search by job location, category, and date posted. 

You don’t need an account to browse the site. However, since it collects job listings from across the web, you won’t actually apply through Freelance Writing Jobs itself. As a result, you may need to sign up for an account on a different platform to apply for the gigs that interest you.

Contently

Contently is a creative marketing platform that helps freelancers connect with brands seeking top-notch writing services. It regularly posts opportunities from a wide range of industries — from tech to biopharma to medicine and more.

All you need to get started is a Contently account. It’s free to sign up, and you can begin creating your portfolio immediately. Add your best samples, outline your experience and skills, and upload a profile picture. 

Make sure to turn on the “Available to work” setting and set “View as” to “Everyone.” You’ll then be ready to start landing clients. 

Guru

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​​Guru is a freelancing platform where you can find various writing jobs. 

To get started, register for a free Guru account and create a comprehensive profile outlining your rates, experience, and skills. 

You can then search for jobs, filtering by payment terms (hourly or fixed rate), employer spend (i.e., how much the client has budgeted for the project), location, category, and number of quotes received.

Once you find an opportunity that interests you, tap the “Send Quote” button to bid on the project with your custom rate.

Behance

Behance, owned by Adobe, is a platform where creative professionals can showcase their portfolios and find new work. While it’s most popular with graphic designers, illustrators, and other artists, Behance is also great for freelance writers.

The platform shares many job opportunities, including ones in writing that you can find using keywords like “writer” and “content creator.” Behance lets you filter jobs by “Freelance” or “Full-Time” — but we’ve found that some gigs listed as full-time accept applications from freelancers, too.

Simply sign up for a free account and start browsing gigs.

FlexJobs

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A job board specializing in remote and flexible opportunities, FlexJobs is fantastic for freelance writers of all experience levels.

The site requires a subscription ($9.95/week, $24.95/month, $39.95/three months, or $59.95/year). With it, you can access tens of thousands of job opportunities and search for the ones that fit your exact preferences. 

Filter by job category, work schedule, experience level, location, job type, and more. You can even view opportunities from companies with accolades, such as Great Place to Work Award recipients and those who’ve made the Fortune 500 list.

FlexJobs can also automatically notify you when it posts new listings that meet your criteria.

JournalismJobs.com

JournalismJobs.com is a site that posts jobs in journalism and media — including freelance writing opportunities at digital publications, newspapers, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations. 

It’s free to create an account, and you can sign up to receive daily freelance job alerts in your preferred industry and location. 

Robert Half

Robert Half is a recruitment agency that helps professionals find their next opportunity. 

It posts new jobs to its board daily, and we’ve found that the best search terms to find freelance writing gigs are “freelance content writer” and “freelance copywriter.” Robert Half advertises both remote and in-person (within the United States) opportunities, which you can filter by state. 

You won’t need an account to browse jobs, but it’s a good idea to sign up for one (it’s free) before applying. You can also upload your resume, and a Robert Half team member will contact you if you’re a good match for open positions.

ProBlogger

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ProBlogger is a platform dedicated to blogging and freelance writing. It has a job board featuring writing opportunities from various niches, with new listings added regularly. 

With the Advanced Job Search function, you can filter listings by keyword, location, type (e.g., freelance), category (such as blog writing or ghostwriting), company type (from studios to large organizations), and date posted. 

You can search for gigs without an account, but you’ll need to sign up for a free Candidate account to start applying.

Creative Circle

Creative Circle provides staffing and consulting services to those in creative industries. It also has a job board and various resources for job-seekers, including freelance writers. 

Search for jobs by title, skill, or keyword, and filter by type (e.g., freelance), location (remote or a physical location in the US or Canada), and date posted. 

Creative Circle refreshes its job board daily, and the recruitment process is straightforward:

  1. Apply for an open role, and Creative Circle will set up an interview if your experience is a match.
  2. Creative Circle shares your resume and writing work with the client to see if you’re a good fit.
  3. You await the client’s decision, and if you land the gig, Creative Circle will handle all the necessary paperwork.

Hubstaff Talent

Hubstaff Talent connects freelancers with clients looking for remote talent around the world. The platform has a client network in the thousands, and new opportunities are added to its job board nearly every day.

Start by setting up your Hubstaff Talent freelancer profile — adding your personal details, experience, skills, writing samples, hourly rate, and how many hours per week you can dedicate to freelance work. You can also add your social media links, resume, and profile picture. 

Then, browse the job board for freelance writing opportunities. There are various filters to narrow your search, including experience level, location, and project budget.

Mediabistro

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Mediabistro posts career opportunities for professionals in the creative and media industries — e.g., graphic designers, digital marketing managers, reporters, photographers, editors, writers, and others.

Its job board boasts hundreds of listings — including ones from major organizations like Dotdash Meredith and Hearst Communications, two of the largest digital and print publishers in the US. You can sort jobs by type, experience level, duration (e.g., freelance, part-time, full-time, etc.), and location. 

To find freelance writing jobs, you needn’t enter any keywords. Simply click “Writing & Editing” in the “Job Type” dropdown and set “Duration” to “Freelance.” 

Pro tip: Once you’ve set these filters, tap the navy-blue “Create Job Alerts” button to receive an email when Mediabistro adds new jobs that fit the criteria.

Medium

You might be familiar with Medium as a publishing platform writers use to share their work. But did you know it’s also a place to earn money for your writing?

You can do this by applying for Medium’s Partner Program, which requires some investment upfront. 

To be eligible, you’ll need to be a Medium member. Membership costs $5-15/month or $50-150/year, depending on your tier preference. You’ll also need to have posted to Medium within the last six months, be at least 18 years old, and be located and file taxes in an eligible country.

Medium will pay you for your articles based on “​​​​member read and listen time” and engagement signals such as “claps, highlights, replies, and new follows.”

You might not earn thousands of dollars per month (though some writers do), but this is a decent way to make money while building up your writing portfolio as a beginner.

Check out the complete guide to Medium’s Partner Program here.

ClearVoice

ClearVoice is a content creation and marketing platform that connects freelancers with clients. Sign up to freelance with ClearVoice, and the company will match you with the perfect job opportunity. 

Getting started is easy and relatively quick. Follow these steps:

  1. Enter your name and email address and create a password.
  2. Add basic personal details and a professional bio. 
  3. Set your per-word rate. 
  4. Select the content types (e.g., newsletters, blog articles, website copy, etc.) and categories (e.g., Advertising & Marketing, Family & Parenting, and others) you’d like to focus on.
  5. Add up to six samples of your work. 
  6. Wait for ClearVoice to approve your profile.

Companies can then contact you for work. A ClearVoice team member might also reach out to you directly about completing writing assignments.

Freelance Writers Den

Freelance Writers Den is a membership-based site designed exclusively for freelance writers.

Membership is a bit pricey, at $40/month, but it gives you access to a supportive community, resources to help you navigate your freelance writing career, and, of course, various job listings.

We Work Remotely

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Catering to those seeking work-from-anywhere opportunities, We Work Remotely shares hundreds of jobs in various fields, with new gigs posted daily. 

Searching the job board is easy. Enter a job title, such as “content writer” or “technical writer,” and use filters to narrow the results. Advanced filters include job category, time zone, company size, industry, and more. 

You can also sign up for daily email updates on new job listings in your preferred category, such as Sales and Marketing.

Where to Pitch

Where to Pitch provides freelance writers with a curated list of publications accepting article pitches. 

Just type in a vertical — such as personal finance, beauty, or politics — or use the Categories dropdown to search for places to submit your writing. Click on opportunities that interest you to read the publication’s unique content requirements and pitching guidelines.

Who Pays Writers?

Who Pays Writers? is a crowdsourced list of publications that pay freelance writers. It includes publications’ rates, how quickly they pay, and reports on writing projects from specific outlets.

You can search reports by publication or date posted. New reports are posted regularly, and publications get added to the Who Pays Writers? list as soon as they have a report. 

Newsletters

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Subscribing to newsletters is an excellent way to discover freelance writing opportunities. Many share curated lists of writing gigs — sent straight to your email inbox. 

Here are some free ones you can sign up for:

Eleven has its own newsletter, too: the Freelance Writing Roundup. Every two weeks, we share tips to improve your writing, the latest job openings at our agency, and more. Sign up here.

Online communities

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Joining online communities related to freelance writing can help you discover potential job leads. Many digital forums and social media groups have community job boards and regularly share announcements for freelance opportunities. 

Here’s a list of some you can join:

Summary

Beginning your freelance writing journey can be thrilling, but you’ll need to know where to look for jobs to get your career off the ground. 

We’ve shared 40+ great places to find freelance writing jobs as a beginner — from established platforms like Upwork to writer-specific sites like Freelance Writers Den and plenty more.

You now have a range of options at your fingertips. All that’s left to do is start applying!

Hungry for insights on improving as a writer? Dive into Eleven’s writing and editing guides, and consider signing up for our upcoming Freelance Writing Mastery course.

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