To get paid to submit articles, you’ll need to strategically identify platforms and clients willing to pay for your written content. This isn’t just about writing. it’s about finding the right market for your skills. Many avenues exist, from direct client work to contributing to established publications. For example, some content mills like Textbroker or iWriter offer a straightforward path to earning per word, though rates can be lower. More established platforms like Contently or Upwork though the latter requires active bidding connect you with higher-paying clients. If you’re targeting specific niches, consider specialized sites. for instance, Longreads pays for in-depth, reported pieces, and The Penny Hoarder looks for articles on personal finance. Scientists often get paid to publish articles in journals, but this typically comes through academic grants or institutional funding rather than direct payment per article. Publishing articles online and getting paid often involves pitching to digital magazines, blogs, or news outlets that pay freelance contributors. The key is to refine your pitching skills, build a strong portfolio, and understand how much you get paid to write an article can vary wildly based on your experience, the niche, and the platform.
Understanding the Landscape: Where Can I Publish My Article and Get Paid?
Freelance Platforms and Content Mills
These are often the entry points for many aspiring writers.
They offer a steady stream of work, though the pay might start on the lower side.
- Textbroker: This platform assigns writers a quality level, and payment is based on that level per word. For a 4-star writer, you might earn around 1.4 cents per word, meaning a 1000-word article could net you $14. It’s a good place to hone your skills and get consistent work.
- iWriter: Similar to Textbroker, iWriter offers quick payouts but often at lower rates, especially for new writers. Expect payments in the range of $5-$15 for a standard article, depending on length and rating.
- Contently: This is a premium platform connecting experienced freelance writers with big brands. The pay is significantly higher here, often hundreds of dollars per article, but competition is fierce, and you need a stellar portfolio. Data from Contently projects that top-tier content creators can earn upwards of $500-$1000 per piece.
- Upwork/Fiverr: These are broader freelance marketplaces. While you can find clients willing to pay for articles, you’ll need to actively bid on projects Upwork or set up attractive gigs Fiverr. Rates vary wildly, from $0.01/word to $0.20/word or more, depending on your niche and client. A 2023 survey by Upwork found that 75% of freelancers reported an increase in demand for their services.
Direct Pitching to Publications and Blogs
This is where you often find higher per-article rates and build a stronger professional portfolio.
It requires more proactive effort in identifying suitable publications and crafting compelling pitches.
0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)
There are no reviews yet. Be the first one to write one. |
Amazon.com:
Check Amazon for Get paid to Latest Discussions & Reviews: |
- Digital Magazines: Many online magazines pay for well-researched, engaging articles. Examples include AARP The Magazine which reportedly pays $1-$2 per word for reported features, Smithsonian Magazine pays hundreds for features, and BuzzFeed News varies, but can be competitive.
- Niche Blogs: Hundreds of blogs in various niches finance, health, tech, lifestyle, travel, etc. pay for contributions. For instance, The Penny Hoarder pays for personal finance articles typically $75-$800 per piece, Listverse pays $100 for top 10 lists, and HealthyWay pays competitive rates for health and wellness content.
- News Outlets: Local and national news websites often hire freelance journalists for breaking news, features, and opinion pieces. Rates depend on the outlet’s budget and the article’s scope.
- Academic Journals: While scientists do get paid to publish articles in journals, this isn’t typically direct payment for the article itself. Instead, the funding for their research and publication often comes from grants, universities, or research institutions. According to a 2022 survey, over 60% of academic researchers rely on grant funding for their publication activities.
Crafting Your Niche: How Much Do You Get Paid to Write an Article?
The question of “how much do you get paid to write an article” is complex. It’s not a fixed number.
Rather, it’s a spectrum influenced by several factors.
Understanding these factors can help you position yourself for better pay.
Factors Influencing Article Pay Rates
- Experience Level: New writers typically start at lower rates e.g., $0.01-$0.05 per word to build their portfolio. Experienced writers with a strong track record can command significantly higher rates e.g., $0.10-$1.00+ per word.
- Niche Specialization: High-demand niches like finance, healthcare, SaaS Software as a Service, and legal writing often pay more due to the specialized knowledge required. A medical writer, for instance, might earn $0.30-$0.50 per word, while a general lifestyle writer might be closer to $0.05-$0.10.
- Article Length and Depth: Longer, more thoroughly researched articles e.g., 2000-word evergreen guides generally pay more than short blog posts e.g., 500 words. Feature articles for magazines can pay hundreds or thousands of dollars.
- Client/Publication Budget: Established publications and larger companies typically have bigger content budgets and can afford to pay higher rates. Smaller blogs or startups might offer less.
- Type of Content: Blog posts, web content, and evergreen articles are common. However, whitepapers, case studies, e-books, and technical documentation often command premium rates because of their complexity and value to businesses. A typical whitepaper might fetch $1,000-$5,000.
- Location: While much online writing is location-independent, some clients might have rate expectations based on regional cost of living, though this is less common for remote work.
- Rush Fees: If a client needs an article turned around very quickly, you can often charge an additional rush fee e.g., 25-50% extra.
Setting Your Rates
It’s crucial to know your worth.
Don’t be afraid to charge what you believe your skills and time are worth.
- Per Word: Common for articles and blog posts. Rates typically range from $0.05 to $0.50+ per word.
- Per Hour: Useful for research-heavy projects, editing, or consulting. Rates can range from $25 to $100+ per hour.
- Per Project: Ideal for clearly defined projects like a series of articles, a website revamp, or a whitepaper. This gives the client a clear upfront cost. A 1000-word blog post might be $150-$500 depending on complexity.
Building Your Foundation: Essential Steps Before You Submit
Before you even think about where can I publish my article and get paid, you need to lay the groundwork.
This involves honing your craft and building a professional presence.
Develop Strong Writing Skills
- Grammar and Punctuation: Non-negotiable. Use tools like Grammarly, but also learn the rules.
- Clarity and Conciseness: Get to the point. Readers appreciate clear, direct language.
- Engaging Voice: Develop a style that connects with your audience.
- Research Abilities: Learn to find credible sources and synthesize information effectively.
- SEO Knowledge: Understanding basic SEO principles keyword research, on-page optimization is crucial for online content, making your articles more valuable to clients. A recent study indicated that over 70% of businesses prioritize SEO-friendly content.
Build a Professional Portfolio
Your portfolio is your resume as a writer.
It showcases your best work and demonstrates your capabilities.
- Create a Personal Website/Blog: This serves as your central hub. Use it to showcase your writing samples, services, and testimonials. Platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, or even a simple Google Site can work.
- Curate Writing Samples: Include diverse samples that demonstrate your range—blog posts, articles, web copy, case studies, etc. If you don’t have paid samples yet, write speculative pieces on topics you’re interested in or create samples for imaginary clients.
- Guest Posting: Offer to write free guest posts for reputable blogs in your niche. This provides published clips and backlinks to your portfolio.
- LinkedIn Profile: Optimize your LinkedIn profile to highlight your writing skills, experience, and link to your portfolio.
Understand Your Niche
Don’t try to be a generalist from day one.
Find a niche or a few related ones where you have expertise or a genuine interest.
- Passion Meets Market Need: What topics do you genuinely enjoy writing about? Is there a demand for content in those areas? For example, if you love personal finance, research blogs and publications in that space.
- Become an Authority: The more specialized you are, the more you can charge. Clients seek experts, not just writers.
The Pitching Process: How to Publish Articles Online and Get Paid
Once you’ve built your foundation, the next step is mastering the art of the pitch.
This is how you convince editors and clients that your ideas and writing are worth paying for.
Researching Potential Outlets
- Identify Target Publications: Make a list of blogs, magazines, and websites that publish content relevant to your niche and that pay freelancers. Use resources like “Who Pays Writers” or “Freelance Writing Jobs” boards.
- Read Their Content: Thoroughly read articles published by your target outlets. Understand their tone, style, audience, and the types of topics they cover. This is critical.
- Find Submission Guidelines: Look for a “Write for Us,” “Submissions,” or “Contributors” page. These guidelines will outline what they’re looking for, how to submit, and often, their pay rates. Adhering to guidelines is non-negotiable. Publications often reject pitches immediately if they don’t follow instructions.
Crafting a Compelling Pitch
Your pitch is your first impression.
It needs to be professional, concise, and persuasive.
- Strong Subject Line: Make it clear and enticing. “Pitch: ” or “Freelance Submission: “
- Personalized Greeting: Address the editor by name if possible.
- The Hook: Start with a strong opening that grabs attention and states your article idea clearly. What problem does it solve? What unique angle does it offer?
- Brief Synopsis: Outline the main points of your proposed article. What will you cover? What sources will you use?
- Why You? Briefly explain why you’re the right person to write this article. Highlight relevant experience or expertise.
- Call to Action: End by suggesting a next step, such as offering to provide more details or sending writing samples.
- Professional Closing: Your name and contact information.
- Keep it Concise: Editors are busy. Aim for a pitch that’s no more than 2-3 paragraphs.
Following Up Professionally
- Be Patient: Editors often receive hundreds of pitches. Give them a reasonable amount of time e.g., 2-4 weeks before following up.
- One Gentle Follow-Up: Send a polite email reminding them of your pitch. If you don’t hear back after that, move on. Don’t pester.
Beyond the Article: Maximizing Your Earning Potential
Getting paid to submit articles is just one facet of a successful writing career.
To truly thrive, you need to think strategically about expanding your services and building long-term client relationships.
Diversify Your Income Streams
- Content Marketing: Offer services beyond just articles, such as email newsletters, social media content, website copy, and lead magnets e.g., short e-books or checklists.
- Editing and Proofreading: If you have an eye for detail, offer these services to other writers or businesses.
- Content Strategy Consulting: For experienced writers, this involves helping clients plan their content calendars and strategies.
- Ghostwriting: Writing content for someone else under their name. This often pays well as you relinquish byline credit.
- Affiliate Marketing/Sponsored Content on your own blog: If you build your own successful blog, you can earn through affiliate links or sponsored posts, but be transparent about these.
Building Long-Term Relationships
- Deliver High-Quality Work Always: This is the foundation of repeat business and referrals.
- Meet Deadlines Without Exception: Reliability is paramount.
- Communicate Clearly: Be responsive and proactively communicate any challenges or delays.
- Be Professional: Maintain a positive attitude, even when faced with revisions or constructive criticism.
- Ask for Testimonials: Positive feedback from clients is invaluable for attracting new work.
Financial Management for Freelance Writers: A Realistic Outlook
Understanding how much you get paid to write an article is one thing. managing those earnings is another.
As a freelance writer, you’re essentially running your own business, and that comes with financial responsibilities.
Income Volatility
- Feast or Famine: Freelance income can be unpredictable. Some months you might be swamped with work, others might be slow.
- Cash Flow Management: It’s crucial to save during prosperous times to tide you over during leaner periods. Aim for at least 3-6 months of living expenses in savings.
Taxes and Expenses
- Self-Employment Tax: In many countries like the US, freelancers are considered self-employed and are responsible for both the employer and employee portions of social security and Medicare taxes. Set aside a percentage of every payment for taxes e.g., 25-35%.
- Business Expenses: Track deductible expenses like software subscriptions Grammarly, SEO tools, website hosting, office supplies, professional development courses, and potentially home office deductions.
- Retirement Planning: Don’t forget to contribute to a retirement account e.g., a SEP IRA or Solo 401k in the US to secure your future.
Invoicing and Payment Terms
- Clear Invoices: Send professional invoices that clearly state the services rendered, rates, payment due date, and payment methods.
- Payment Terms: Clearly agree on payment terms upfront e.g., net 15, net 30. Don’t be afraid to ask for a percentage upfront for large projects.
- Payment Methods: Offer various payment methods, such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Stripe, to make it easy for clients to pay you.
Ethical Considerations and Avoiding Pitfalls
Plagiarism and Content Spinning
- Originality is Key: Never, ever plagiarize. Not only is it unethical, but it can destroy your reputation and lead to legal repercussions. Always write original content.
- Avoid Content Spinning: Don’t use software to rephrase existing articles. This often results in low-quality, nonsensical content that provides no value.
- Proper Attribution: If you use external sources, cite them correctly.
Content Mills with Exploitative Rates
- Know Your Worth: While content mills can be a starting point, be cautious of platforms that consistently offer extremely low rates e.g., less than $0.01 per word for significant work. This can lead to burnout and undervalue your skills.
- Opportunity Cost: Consider whether the time spent on very low-paying work could be better invested in skill development, pitching higher-paying clients, or building your portfolio.
Scams and Unreliable Clients
- Red Flags: Be wary of clients who demand upfront payments from you, offer exceptionally high pay for minimal work, communicate unprofessionally, or ask for sensitive personal information outside of standard payment processing.
- Contracts: For larger projects, always have a written contract or agreement outlining the scope of work, deliverables, deadlines, and payment terms.
- Payment Proof: Before starting significant work for a new client, especially if they are unknown, consider asking for a small upfront payment or verifying their legitimacy.
Intellectual Property
- Rights: Understand whether you’re selling all rights to your article work-for-hire or if you retain certain rights e.g., to republish after a certain period. This should be clear in your agreement.
- Byline: Confirm if you’ll receive a byline your name credited or if it’s ghostwritten. Ghostwriting typically pays more because you’re giving up public credit.
By understanding these dynamics and continuously refining your approach, you can successfully navigate the world of freelance writing and build a fulfilling career getting paid to submit articles.
FAQ
How can I get paid to submit articles online?
You can get paid to submit articles online by finding freelance writing platforms like Contently, Upwork, or specialized content mills, pitching directly to digital magazines and blogs, or through academic grants if you’re a scientist publishing in journals.
Do scientists get paid to publish articles in journals?
Yes, scientists generally get paid to publish articles in journals, but this typically comes indirectly through academic grants, institutional funding, or research budgets that cover their time and publication costs, rather than direct payment per article from the journal itself.
Where can I publish my article and get paid?
You can publish your article and get paid on freelance marketplaces Upwork, Fiverr, direct content platforms Contently, Textbroker, niche-specific blogs e.g., The Penny Hoarder for finance, Listverse for lists, established digital magazines e.g., AARP The Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, or through direct client work if you’re hired for content marketing.
How much do you get paid to write an article?
How much you get paid to write an article varies widely, typically ranging from $0.01 per word for basic content mills to $0.50-$1.00+ per word for expert writers in high-demand niches, or hundreds to thousands of dollars per project for features, whitepapers, or technical documentation.
How to publish articles online and get paid?
To publish articles online and get paid, you need to build a strong portfolio, identify publications or platforms that pay for submissions research their guidelines, craft a compelling pitch tailored to their content and audience, and deliver high-quality, original content. Rewrite your paragraph
What are the best platforms for freelance writers to get paid?
The best platforms often depend on your experience.
Contently is great for experienced writers, Upwork and Fiverr offer flexibility but require self-promotion, while specific niche sites like Smashing Magazine tech/design or The Penny Hoarder finance can offer good rates for specialized content.
Can I really make a living by getting paid to submit articles?
Yes, you can absolutely make a living by getting paid to submit articles, especially if you specialize in high-paying niches, consistently deliver high-quality work, build long-term client relationships, and diversify your income streams beyond just article writing.
What types of articles are in high demand for paid submissions?
Articles in high demand for paid submissions often include long-form guides, SEO-optimized blog posts, technical articles, financial content, healthcare-related pieces, software-as-a-service SaaS content, and deeply researched features.
How do I pitch an article to a publication that pays?
To pitch an article to a paying publication, research their guidelines meticulously, identify a unique angle relevant to their audience, craft a concise and compelling subject line, provide a brief synopsis of your idea, explain why you’re the right writer, and include relevant writing samples. Content writing freelance websites
Do I need a degree to get paid to submit articles?
No, you typically do not need a degree to get paid to submit articles.
While a background in journalism or a relevant field can be helpful, most clients and publications prioritize a strong portfolio, proven writing skills, and expertise in your chosen niche over formal education.
How do I set my rates for writing articles?
To set your rates for writing articles, consider your experience level, the complexity of the content, the research required, the client’s budget, and your desired hourly income.
You can charge per word, per hour, or a flat project fee, and it’s wise to start with a minimum rate and gradually increase as your portfolio grows.
What are some red flags to watch out for when looking for paid article submission opportunities?
Red flags include clients demanding upfront payments from you, offering unusually high pay for minimal work, vague communication, lack of a clear contract, requests for personal financial information beyond standard payment processing, and pressure to plagiarize or spin content. Seo writing agency
Is it common for journals to charge authors a fee to publish scientific articles?
Yes, it is common for many academic journals to charge authors an Article Processing Charge APC to publish scientific articles, especially for open-access journals.
This fee covers peer review, editing, and hosting, and is usually paid from research grants or institutional funds, not out of the author’s personal pocket directly as payment for writing.
How important is SEO knowledge for getting paid to write articles online?
SEO knowledge is highly important for getting paid to write articles online, especially for clients seeking web content.
Understanding keywords, on-page optimization, and how to structure content for search engines makes your articles more valuable and can lead to higher-paying opportunities.
Should I create my own blog to get paid for writing articles?
Creating your own blog can be a valuable asset for getting paid for writing articles. White paper to write on
It serves as an excellent portfolio to showcase your skills, can help you establish authority in a niche, and over time, can even become a direct income stream through advertising, affiliate marketing, or sponsored content.
What is the difference between content mills and direct client work?
Content mills like Textbroker offer a steady stream of low-to-mid paying, often templated work with quick turnaround, while direct client work through pitching or platforms like Contently typically offers higher pay, more complex projects, and opportunities to build long-term relationships with specific businesses.
How can I find niche publications that pay for articles?
To find niche publications that pay for articles, use specific search terms e.g., “write for us ” or ” freelance writers”, consult resources like “Who Pays Writers” databases, join professional writing groups, and network with other writers in your desired niche.
What should be included in a writing portfolio?
A writing portfolio should include your best writing samples diverse types if possible, like blog posts, articles, web copy, case studies, a brief bio, your contact information, a list of your services, and ideally, testimonials from satisfied clients.
How long does it typically take to start earning significant income from submitting articles?
The time it takes to start earning significant income from submitting articles varies greatly, from a few months to a year or more. Top 10 freelance writing websites
It depends on your dedication, marketing efforts, writing quality, niche choice, and ability to secure higher-paying clients or consistent work.
Are there any upfront costs involved in getting paid to submit articles?
Minimal upfront costs are typically involved in getting paid to submit articles, primarily for tools like grammar checkers e.g., Grammarly premium, website hosting for your portfolio, or online courses to hone skills.
However, legitimate opportunities should never require you to pay them to submit your work.
Leave a Reply