March 17, 2025
When you’re looking for some of the best freelancing websites for beginners, online freelance writing jobs, and platforms that have opportunities to help you build out your portfolio, this list of writing websites will help you get started.
The right freelancing websites can help you learn about available writing jobs, educate you about the industry, and even help you develop skills to set yourself apart from the competition. These platforms should make it easy to find opportunities and potentially serve as a space to market your skills so clients can find you.
If you’re wondering about the types of freelance writing you can create for these sites, I’ve got you covered.
Whether the following platforms are a good fit for your business or not, you should know about these freelancing websites as part of your career know-how. In fact, they are some of the top sites for beginners looking to learn more about the industry. If you’re looking for a place to find your first writing freelance jobs, we’ve got you covered.
Check these freelancing websites when you’re in a slow season, when you need to find fresh freelance writing gigs to fill holes in your schedule, or when you’re exploring a new freelance niche. Here’s where I recommend freelancers look for online freelance writing jobs to find more steady work.
Upwork is one of the most popular platforms for freelancers, particularly if you’re searching for online freelance writing jobs. There are tons of opportunities for freelancers, which is why it’s often recommended as one of the top freelancing websites for beginners.
However, it can be time-consuming to apply for jobs, pitch yourself, and find work that excites you. Here are some pros and cons based on freelancer experiences.
I was first introduced to this site when it was separate companies, Elance and oDesk, which merged into Upwork in 2015. You’ll see many questions on message boards about whether Upwork is legitimate and worth your time.
While Upwork offers payment protection to help prevent scams, you are competing with a lot of people. As of 2021, there were around 12 million registered freelancers on Upwork.
Some rates can be quite low (like one job I found that pays $3 an hour for blog writing), but you can specify your hourly rate on your profile. Approach this freelancing website cautiously when looking for work.
Though this site doesn’t feature writing jobs for beginners, Freelancers Union is a vital resource for all freelancers. Founded in 1995, it offers a free community for information, discounts, access to insurance plans, and much more.
You can get insurance through them, receive help with taxes for freelancers, explore events and webinars, and engage with the community. They also have a blog where writers can contribute articles and gain exposure.
Here’s my article for them on how to be more productive in 15 minutes or less.
Fiverr is another well-known platform for finding online freelance writing jobs. It’s frequently mentioned on message boards when people seek writing opportunities. You can find various services, including speechwriting, SEO writing, social media copy, and more.
Fiverr profiles allow you to showcase your skills and ranking for your services—your ranking improves as you complete more work on the platform. This makes Fiverr a great starting point as you explore various freelancing websites. But is Fiverr worth it?
According to Fiverr, one gig is bought every four seconds, with over 50 million transactions since its launch in 2010. While some freelancers consider this a low-paying content mill, many find success in offering their skills and building a client base.
Fiverr can help you land writing samples that you can use in your portfolio, which is beneficial as you seek higher-paying clients. This content marketing exercise can help you find more clients.
Although I haven’t secured any writing projects from this freelancing website, it remains one of the best online freelance writing job sites due to its diverse offerings. I’ve discovered some fantastic graphic designers for social media on this platform. Additionally, I had a freelancer write a blog post on how to make money on Fiverr, which provided valuable insights.
When freelance coaching clients ask about launching a website to showcase their portfolio, I suggest starting with a platform like Contently or ClearVoice. Contently pairs brands with freelancers and offers a free way to host your portfolio.
Rates on this platform tend to be competitive, although there’s considerable competition. One of the advantages of Contently is that you can get paid promptly once you submit an article. However, payment timelines can vary based on the project.
Launched in 2011, Contently is a brand storytelling platform designed to connect brands with freelancers and other creatives. I’ve been working on Contently as a freelancer for over seven years, primarily collaborating with clients in health, pet care, fitness, and healthcare.
One reason Contently is on my list of best freelancing websites is that you can receive payment quickly after submitting an article (hooray!). However, there are times when payment for your work isn’t processed until the final portion of the article is completed—which can take months. Some freelancers aren’t aware of how to optimize their profiles, so you may have a better chance of being selected when the Contently team is gathering names for upcoming freelance writing gigs.
I recommend updating your profile frequently with relevant links and keywords. Contently also offers a freelance rates database (though I’m unsure how often it’s updated), and the platform occasionally shares insights about writers in profitable niches—typically in finance, tech, and e-commerce—on their blog.
Clients I’ve secured writing freelance jobs from this platform include Chewy, CareCredit, Thumbtack, Sleep Number, MattressFirm, Philips, and Beachbody.
ClearVoice is one of the freelancing websites you can use to host a free portfolio of your articles and freelance projects. Founded in 2014 and recently acquired by Fiverr, ClearVoice claims this acquisition allows them to offer more world-class freelance teams to clients. I suggest creating a freelancer profile on multiple platforms to increase your opportunities for work. I believe ClearVoice can be one of the best freelancing websites for beginners.
I have worked with ClearVoice as a freelance editor on a technology client project and have written several articles for various clients. Generally, I find that their clients pay less than those on Contently or Skyword, particularly in the health and beauty industries. However, they named me a top beauty writer on their freelancing website, which has helped me secure additional writing freelance jobs.
I consider ClearVoice to be one of the top freelancing websites for beginners to showcase their writing portfolios. Their Resources Center contains valuable content that freelancers should read to stay updated on industry trends.
Clients I’ve secured freelance writing jobs from this platform include LeanFit, 24HourFitness, Cengage, and 8×8.
Skyword is another one of those freelancing websites that typically offers decent pay for freelance writing gigs. It’s a platform where I’ve landed numerous freelance writing opportunities. Founded in 2010, Skyword is a content marketing services company that pairs high-end clients with freelance writers, content marketing writers, and editors.
The platform hosts over 2,000 freelance profiles, which is why I included it on my list of best freelancing websites. Its back-end interface is user-friendly, making it easy to upload articles, and payment is usually processed within 45 days via direct deposit.
Whether you’re seeking freelance writing jobs as a beginner or are an experienced freelancer looking to enter the field, posting your profile and portfolio on Skyword can be a great option, particularly with well-known brands.
This is why I recommend it to freelance coaching clients and students who are searching for the best freelance writing sites for beginners.
Clients I’ve secured writing freelance jobs from this platform include Aveeno, Neutrogena, Massachusetts General Hospital, AllRecipes, Reader’s Digest, and Cynosure.
Putting “freelance writer” in your bio is essential for being found in the right searches. You can also search for “freelance writing jobs” under the jobs section when using LinkedIn to look for better-paying freelance writing gigs.
Psst! If you want to learn how to connect with potential clients, check out this LinkedIn templates guide.
LinkedIn offers a wealth of courses to enhance your freelance skills, making you more marketable to clients. I often use LinkedIn as one of my go-to freelancing websites when I need to find an editor’s name to pitch to. Check out these successful freelance article pitch examples for guidance on what to include in your emails.
When searching for freelance writing opportunities, LinkedIn posts from employees at companies are a perfect place to start your hunt for new projects.
Clients I’ve secured freelance writing jobs from this platform include a skincare client, a nutrition client, various freelance coaching clients, and editorial clients like SoFi and Tom’s Guide.
Type “freelance writer” in the job search field on this freelancing website that features over 29,000 hand-screened work-from-home jobs or flexible schedule positions to find freelance writing gigs. FlexJobs was founded in 2007, and as you can imagine, remote work has changed and expanded significantly since then!
This freelance writing website tends to feature a lot of remote jobs (a great option if you’re looking for a full-time position that allows for more flexibility while you freelance as a side hustle). Additionally, FlexJobs offers helpful articles, events, webinars, and resources for anyone wanting to work from home, which is why it’s one of my top picks as a best freelancing website.
While many of the positions listed on this freelancing website are full-time roles, I like to browse the listings for ideas on magazines, freelance clients, and businesses to pitch to when business is slow. There’s a tab at the top of the site specifically for “freelance writing jobs”—a testament to how far our career path has come!
JournalismJobs was founded in 1998 and they have strong connections and relationships with big companies. Save job listings and follow up with potential freelance clients with letters of introduction emails in the future, even if they no longer have a freelance job listed.
I’ve been using Mediabistro since the early 2000s when I was searching for full-time magazine editorial jobs in New York City. I also utilized the platform to take courses that helped me refine my editing, writing, and freelance pitching skills. That’s why it’s one of the best freelance writing websites in my opinion.
This is one of the original freelancing websites that many magazine freelancers and editors know for finding freelance writing jobs. Founded in 1999, Mediabistro features a robust job board whether you’re looking for freelance writing jobs for beginners or remote work-from-home positions in the writing and media fields.
You can even create a freelance profile on their website, making it one of the best freelance writing sites to browse regularly and learn from.
Clients I’ve secured freelance writing jobs from this platform include WeightWatchers.com (I got my first editorial job after applying through the site!).
This freelancing website was founded by my editor/media friend Amanda Pressner Kreuser and her business partner, Julie Hochheiser Ilkovich. It’s a full-service media company where freelancers can apply for opportunities to work with some of their top-tier clients.
A “masthead” is the group of editors and writers listed on an inside page of the magazine–the editorial and advertising/marketing staff that worked on that magazine’s issue.
Pay at this content marketing agency is competitive, comparable to some of my freelance writing jobs through Contently, and they are often looking for writers with specialized skills for B2B clients in areas like retirement planning, life & health insurance, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals.
Types of freelance writing they often need include blogs, articles, eBooks, white papers, and technical manuals at times.
Clients I’ve secured freelance writing jobs from on this platform include Reebok, OXO, Excedrin, GlaxoSmithKline, Dropbox, and Alex and Ani.
Where do you look for freelance writing jobs, and what are some of your top picks among the best freelance writing sites for beginners?
What are some of your favorite freelancing websites that I should check out? Share in the comments below!
Tags: freelance, freelance writer, freelance writing, freelance writing advice, freelance writing tips, freelancer, freelancing, writing tips
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