Writing articles is a great way to make money online, but it’s not always easy. Some opportunities are ripe for the taking and others can take years before they turn into income. You may need to adjust your thinking and open yourself up to a variety of writing jobs in order to get the kind of income that you’re after.
Articles and Blogs
One of the easiest ways to make money writing articles is by submitting your work to popular blogs. This is often referred to as “guest blogging,” and many of these outlets pay well for your content. The key to success here is to focus on blogs that are in the niche you enjoy writing about. These are also a good place to build a portfolio of content that you can point to when pitching clients.
Publishers are looking for writers who can produce informative, entertaining and compelling content. This can include everything from product reviews to feature articles on topics related to your expertise.
Writers who have written on a specific topic are well-suited for this type of work, as are writers with experience in research and interviews. White papers are another great way to generate revenue as an article writer. These are a form of info-marketing, and they typically run 3-10 pages.
Freelance Marketplaces
Upwork is a popular freelance marketplace for professionals who want to find a variety of projects. This digital marketplace connects freelancers with a range of businesses, including small and large corporations. You can also use Upwork to market yourself as a writer and submit samples of your work.
Writing for Magazines
Despite the recent downturn in traditional publishing, there are still plenty of magazines that pay a decent rate for a good article. While you won’t land a big contract with a top-tier publication right away, it’s worth trying to diversify your portfolio in this way.
Some of these publications are trade publications, such as Ad Age or Builder magazine. These publications have a niche audience that draws advertisers and are typically more likely to assign you work regularly.
The other option is to approach custom publishing, which involves a company commissioning you to write a series of articles on a specific theme. These tend to be more challenging than feature articles, but they can be a great way to build your reputation and credibility as a writer.
Websites and Social Media
Lastly, if you have a strong background in web design and development, there are a number of websites that hire article writers to create content for their site. These sites are looking for technical, instructive and educational content that is innovative and unique. They typically pay above industry standards for these articles and can be a great way to start making money writing articles.
