Many professional and hopeful writers are turning to the Internet to find additional ways of making money. Writing online is fun, challenging and can be quite lucrative. How much a writer makes depends on numerous factors; quality and quantity of work, popularity of the subject and knowledge of SEO. Online writers are usually paid a set fee for approved articles, by revenue sharing, affiliates, bonuses, incentives or a combination of the above.
Although many freelance writing opportunities exist online, finding a legitimate and reputable company can often be difficult. The following websites provide legitimate writing gigs for aspiring or seasoned writers.
Freelance Writing Sites
Suite101 – Suite101 is a well-respected online writing community that been in business for 12 years and currently has more than 2000 professional writers. Each month, more than 12 million readers stop by Suite101.
- Aspiring writers are required to submit two writing samples.
- Once approved, writers begin as contributing writers.
- Advancement to a Feature Writer position is possible which requires more work but provides more incentives.
- Contributing writers may write about any subject available on Suite101.
- Feature writers must write about their topic but can also write about other topics.
- Writers are paid on a monthly basis through PayPal.
- Suite101 writers retain copyrights of their work.
About – Owned by the New York Times, About is a respected and reputable company comprised of more than 790 writers, or Guides.
- Hopeful Guides apply for a topic that is available.
- Applicants apply online and include a writing sample on the specific topic.
- Selected writers go through an intensive two-week prep period where the applicant creates and builds the site.
- Those in prep may be competing against other hopeful Guides.
- Once the prep process is over, a Guide may or may not be selected. If a writer is not hired, no payment is made and all content remains with the writer. If a writer is selected, the Guide is paid a small stipend and continues expanding the site.
- After passing prep, each Guide must pass a three-month probationary period.
- There are minimum writing requirements each Guide must follow.
- There is extensive support and training available for Guides.
- For the first two years, Guides are paid a monthly stipend of $675 plus incentives.
Examiner - The Examiner is a highly recommended up-and-coming website that currently has over 3000 writers, or Examiners. The atmosphere at the Examiner is a very positive one. There are both regional writers and national writers that are assigned to a particular topic. The application process is straight-forward and prospective writers usually hear quite quickly if they are hired.
- Prospective writers submit a simple online application.
- Please use referral code #2871 when applying.
- All writers are required to have a background check, which is paid for by the company.
- Once approved, users can start writing immediately.
- At least three articles per week are required.
- Writers are paid based on revenue sharing.
- Once a certain balance is reached, writers are paid each month through PayPal.
Bright Hub – Bright Hub offers paying opportunities for writers and contributing editors. The site is divided into channels comprised of writers, contributing editors and one managing editor.
- Writers are currently paid $10 for each article plus revenues.
- Each writer is responsible for writing in a particular category.
- Articles are required to be 300 to 750 words in length.
- Contributing editors are paid in two different ways - revenue sharing and exchange payments.
Demand Studios – Demand Studios offers several types of paying opportunities for freelancers; writers, transcribers, filmmakers, copy editors or title proofers.
- Writers create content based on pre-submitted titles or writers can suggest articles.
- Writers are paid between $5 and $15 for approved articles.
- Payment is made through PayPal.
- Writers must be United States citizens or residents.
- Demand Studios retains the rights for all accepted work .
Squidoo – Squidoo users create free pages called lenses. Lenses are used to promote products, businesses, charities, blogs or just to share common interests with others. The company donates 5% of earnings to charity.
- Squidoo users, or lensmasters, make money based on affiliate marketing and revenue sharing.
- Earnings are paid through PayPal and can be kept by the lensmaster or given to charity.
Bukisa – The company with the unusual name, pays writers based on page views and referrals.
- To begin, fill out the simple online application.
- Once approved, writers can begin writing immediately, on any topic.
- Videos, PowerPoint slides, photographs and podcasts can also be submitted.
- Once total earnings reach $50, payment is made monthly through PayPal.
Writing online can be a lucrative and rewarding experience. For more information on how to make money writing online, visit Make Money Online Blogging and So You Want to be a Writer?
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