Freelance Writing Platforms
Becoming a Freelance Writer: Where to Start
More people are considering freelancing as a career path. Out of all the opportunities available in 2025, freelance writing is becoming more enticing. With some claiming that, in the United States, over half of the workforce will consist of freelancers, it is important to ask ourselves about freelance writing jobs and freelance writing rates.
While remote writing jobs exist everywhere on the internet, not many beginner freelance writers know where to begin their careers. Remote creative writing jobs are everywhere, but they often aren’t available to beginners. Some companies ask for a decent portfolio, while others require referrals to get started.
Where Do Freelance Writers Look for Clients?
Many experienced freelance writers recommend cold-pitching to find freelance writing jobs. What does this mean? It means actively searching for clients and contacting them directly.
After researching the freelance writing market and identifying companies or publications that interest you, it’s time to craft a winning pitch to make the client want to hire you. You can do this by emailing them or messaging them on LinkedIn.
Important! You can find clients simply by using a search engine like Google. Just type “writing jobs” plus your topic of interest. For example, if you want to write in the medical field, search for “writing jobs healthcare” or “writing jobs medical field.” You will surely find websites interested in hiring freelance writers like you.
When contacting them, craft a pitch that includes:
a) Who you are
b) Your expertise on the subject
c) What you know about the website or company
d) How you will develop the article
If your pitch is approved, then the next step is to start writing.
Another way to approach clients directly is through social media. How can you take full advantage of freelance writing opportunities? The answer is simple:
Use popular social media platforms to follow the companies and publications you want to write for. Send them direct messages (DMs) stating your intentions. Your DMs work as pitches—you’re trying to sell yourself and convince someone to let you do a job.
Which social media platform should you use? That depends on where the company is most active. While more casual companies might respond on Facebook, a professional approach works best on LinkedIn.
Still, some freelance writers are skeptical that direct outreach can work. If you’re a beginner, opportunities do exist—they just aren’t always accessible immediately.
In this regard, freelance writing platforms are a great way to get started.
Online Writing Platforms: Are They Worth It?
There are many online platforms where freelance writers can find clients. Some are general freelancing platforms, while others are specialized in writing. Remote work doesn’t mean just writing, but if writing is your focus, it’s worth asking: are these platforms worth your time?
While specialized platforms may sound ideal, they can come with downsides. Some freelance writers have reported finding jobs on these sites that paid just $0.01 per word. That’s $10 for a 1,000-word article. Making a living from that is nearly impossible—you’d have to write multiple articles every day.
These platforms are often referred to as content mills. Fortunately, not all writing platforms fall into this category.
There are reputable websites that freelance writers can trust. One such site is Contently, which connects writers with top-tier brands. You build a portfolio, and the platform matches you with projects that suit your expertise.
Earnings on Contently are reported to range from $300 to $1,200 per project, making it a solid option for serious freelancers.
Contently is just one example. Another excellent resource for beginners is the classic job board. The best known is ProBlogger, which has offered freelance writing opportunities since 2004.
The takeaway: while some freelance writing platforms are low-paying traps, many welcome and fairly compensate writers.
The Big Freelancing Platforms
There’s also a lot of debate around major freelancing platforms like Upwork, Guru, Freelancer.com, and Fiverr. These sites are hubs for freelancers of all kinds, including writers, graphic designers, and translators.
Some experienced writers criticize these platforms, claiming they resemble content mills. For instance, Fiverr’s name comes from the original $5 price tag—and since Fiverr takes a 20% cut, that means $4 for a gig. You can’t live off $4 for a 500-word article.
But experience tells a different story. At Thumos Writing, we’ve tested several freelancing platforms to see if they’re worthwhile—and we’re not the only ones who have.
Our conclusion? It depends on what you offer and who you target. These platforms can feel like content mills if you don’t know how to use them. But for those who build a personal brand and reputation, they can be goldmines.
Quick searches will turn up stories of freelancers earning above-average incomes by writing for clients on these platforms. What made them succeed? Key factors include:
- Creating a convincing personal brand: Give a clear description of who you are and how you can help.
- Promoting your profiles and bidding regularly: Consistency is crucial.
- Having a niche (or a few): Target a specific audience. If you try to sell to everyone, you’ll end up selling to no one.
Are Freelance Writing Platforms Worth It?
The short answer: yes. Freelance writing platforms can be valuable, especially for beginners. While content mills exist, you can avoid them with careful research.
The key point to remember is this: always have something of value to offer to those seeking your help.
Always ask yourself: “How can I help this person?” Answering this will help you define yourself better as a freelance writer.
