freelance jobs

6 Places to Find Freelance Writing Jobs

Ashley Eneriz — Mon, 13 Jun 2016 09:30:22 +0000

If you have ever read about work-at-home opportunities, freelance writing was probably listed as a top choice. While freelance writing offers a lot of flexibility for those who enjoy stringing words together, it is not always easy to find writing jobs.

We've already linked you to 22 websites that pay individuals to write articles for money. That is a great list to start with. I strongly recommend pitching directly to websites that are open to submissions, since they will pay for your work and can help build up your portfolio.

Here are six other sources will connect you to a mass of writing jobs and individuals looking for regular writers.

1. ProBlogger's Job Board

ProBlogger is one of the top authorities on blogging. The ProBlogger Job Board is updated daily with unique writing positions. Companies pay ProBlogger directly to advertise their open positions, which I have found to mean two things. First, many of the positions pay pretty well. Secondly, since ProBlogger is the creator of this job board, you aren't going to see the same ad over and over again, like you might on Craigslist.

2. Craigslist

Finding a writing position on Craigslist should be approached with caution. There are many new websites that seek writing services, yet they do not offer compensation, or offer the bare minimum. Look for legitimate websites and make sure compensation is clear before starting. A sign of a good company is one that asks you to fill out a W-9 form.

With that being said, I have written for some great companies through my search on Craigslist. I recommend searching under Craigslist's writing/editing section. Also, try searching for writing jobs in large cities across America. (See also:11 Freelance Jobs That Pay Surprisingly Well)

3. FreelanceWriting.com Job Board

Another great site to check often is the job listings at FreelanceWriting.com. The site has been around since 1997 and pulls jobs listings from all across the Internet. You will find a wide variety of listings, but the listings do not seem to be updated daily. The site's Morning Coffee Newsletter sends new job listings to your email each weekday morning.

4. LinkedIn

If you don't already have a LinkedIn profile that details your experience as a freelancer, then I strongly suggest you get one. LinkedIn has allowed me to search for remote freelance writing jobs with success. Even better, I have been contacted by recruiters for writing work.

I think it is also a good idea to follow other freelance writers to get an idea of who they are writing for.

5. MediaBistro

What I like about MediaBistro is that their listings are geared towards more professional writers. They have listings for all types of writers, including remote listings for freelancers and contractors.

6. Journalism Jobs

Journalism Jobs lists hundreds of writing positions across the U.S. While most jobs are for in-house positions, there is an option to search freelance positions. It's a good idea to add this to your weekly search routine. (See also: 10 Great Side Jobs for Introverts)

What to Avoid

There will be many job listings that make their way on Craigslist or other freelance writing boards that only pay $3–$4 per article. They write their ads to say individuals can earn $15–$30 an hour, and that it just depends on how fast you write. I recommend staying away from these types of jobs, too, since you basically become an article mill for others who will profit off of your hard work.

In the end, finding the best writing jobs for your experience level that fit your desired rate will take some time. Keep looking and keep building up your portfolio and experience. Almost a decade ago, I started writing online, and I can assure you that I did not make very much money at first. It took a lot of time, practice, and years of pitching to get paid a decent rate and to get regular freelance work.

Where do you find freelance writing gigs? Share with us!

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

25 Awesome Websites to Help You Get a Job

Meg Favreau — Mon, 16 May 2011 10:24:13 +0000

Searching for a job can be frustrating and overwhelming, but the resources below can help you ace your job search. Collectively, these 25 websites provide thousands of job postings, great networking opportunities, advice for resumes and interviews, and much more. (See also: How to Answer 23 of the Most Common Interview Questions)

Local and National Job Listings

Whether you're looking to cast your net wide or you're searching for a niche position, these major job-search websites can help you out. Plus, most of them allow you to set up a profile and add your resume, meaning that potential employers can search for you.

1. Indeed — A comprehensive job-listings aggregator and search engine, Indeed grabs listings from all over the internet and puts them in one place. You can search by job title and location, as well as upload your resume.

2. Monster — One of the most popular job websites, Monster allows you to search by job title, skills or keywords, and location. You can also upload your resume for employers to peruse, get career advice, and sign up to receive emails from Monster with potential new job matches.

3. CareerBuilder — Another major site, CareerBuilder aggregates jobs from "more than 9,000 Web sites, including 140 newspapers and broadband portals such as MSN and AOL." Job searchers can also post resumes, receive job recommendations, and peruse advice.

4. Craigslist — Good ol' Craigslist is still one of the best resources out there for local jobs. The site includes sections for both full-time work and freelance gigs. Craigslist can also be a good resource for finding paid volunteer positions, like medical studies.

5. Simply Hired — This site promises a simple-but-effective job search, plus information on salaries and job trends in your area.

6. LinkUp — Where many of the above search tools only feature positions that employers have posted to those outside sites, LinkUp aggregates "often unadvertised" jobs posted on company websites.

7. Idealist — If you're trying to be the change you want to see in the world, Idealist is the job search engine for you. It only features job postings at non-profit organizations.

8. USAJOBS — The U.S. Government's official site for Federal job listings nationwide.

9. HigherEdJobs — This site allows you to search faculty, staff, and executive positions at a variety of colleges and universities.

10. The Green Job Bank — Find eco-friendly jobs.

Freelance Job Marketplaces

These resources are great for both full-time freelancers and those looking to make some side income.

11. Upwork — A large marketplace of freelancers and freelance employers, Upwork lists gigs in areas including programming, design, writing, virtual assistants, internet research, and more. Upwork's success as a marketplace is due to its escrow service, provider rating system, and global reach.

12. CrossLoop — CrossLoop is a remote desktop application and marketplace for finding PC help and/or getting paid to fix a PC problem. If you're a PC whiz, you can make money at the marketplace, where you can set your own rates and determine your own specific services. Helpers are rated by clients at the end of a job, so if you continually provide excellent help, your sales will snowball as the community comes to trust you.

13. FreelanceSwitch — The best blog around for freelancers. The FreelanceSwitch site also has a job board for freelancers and a lively forum. Gigs tend to be on web work like design, development, and writing.

14. Freelance Writing Jobs — This site makes daily posts with both local and location-independent writing, editing, and proofreading gigs. The links are curated by real people, which means no scam posts here.

15. Online Writing Jobs — An aggregator of Craigslist and other sites, Online Writing Jobs collects blogging, copywriting, and other related gigs in daily posts.

16. ProBlogger Job Board — A great job board for professional blogging gigs run by uber-problogger Darren Rowse. If you want to find a blogging job, this is one of the best places to stop.

17. About.com Weblogs — Susan Gunelius, About.com Guide to Weblogs, regularly posts new blogging jobs to her forum.

Work-at-Home Resources

Working at home can be rewarding, alienating, joyful, and frustrating all at the same time. Use these resources to learn more about the work-at-home lifestyle and interact with other WAH folks.

18. Sparkplugging — This site provides resources for its community of entrepreneurs, freelancers, consultants, authors, work-at-home moms and dads, and other independent workers. Founder Wendy Piersall's passion for helping work-at-home folks and solo business owners really shines through on the site.

19. Work at Home Success — A comprehensive site for people looking to work at home. WAHS has get-started guides, information on where to find work-at-home job listings, and a community of other work-at-home folks sharing tips and tricks. WAHS gives you the tools and know-how to earn a side income from home or to start your new work-at-home career.

20. WAHM — Standing for Work-at-Home Moms, WAHM has job listings, articles, and even recipes.

Networking Sites

Several great job opportunities come through personal connections and recommendations. Leverage yours with these networking sites.

21. LinkedIn — A social networking site created specifically for professional networking, LinkedIn allows you to use both personal and professional connections in your job search, receive recommendations from colleagues, and much more.

22. Facebook — Yeah, it's the place where you post pictures of your summer vacation and share kitten videos with your friends. But it's also increasingly a place where employers can check up on you, and you can make valuable employment connections. Only put things on Facebook that you're comfortable with an employer seeing, or else create different privacy settings for friends and the general public.

Resumes, Interviews, Potential Careers, and More Information

It doesn't do you much good to find the perfect job if your resume and interview skills aren't ready to impress. Make yourself look great with these resources, plus research what career paths might be right for you.

23. About.com Job Searching — About.com's job search site features everything from sample resumes to job-search advice to scores of potential interview questions.

24. CareerOneStop — Run by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop includes information about all aspects of looking for and having a job, including education and training, applying for jobs, and to how to file for unemployment.

25. Occupational Outlook Handbook — From the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this annual publication provides information on training needed, expected salaries, and more for "hundreds of different types of jobs."

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This article is from Meg Favreau of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Build Wealth in a Depressed Economy

Mark — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 13:00:12 +0000

The current economic environment has led many investors to become pessimistic about the United States' economy. Consumer confidence is low and unemployment is running high. But as Warren Buffett has often noted, economic recessions are when investors can find some of the absolute best opportunities.

Let’s take a look at a few ways to build wealth during the current downturn. (See also: 5 Money Lessons From Millionaires)

Invest in areas where no one else is

One of the easiest ways to lose your hard-earned dollars is by following the crowd. Fear is causing many investors to rush to the safety of Treasury bonds and gold. These assets do have some value, but they are not the best opportunities right now. The time to rush into gold was when no one was buying it at $300 or $400 per ounce. Gold now trades at nearly $1,400 an ounce. You never want to chase an investment when it is trading close to its all-time high valuation.

Investors looking for a nice return should turn their attention to the assets that investors are avoiding. Stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in the financial sector have been underwater for years now. Many technology stocks are still trading at prices below their true value. The steel and industrial production sector contains some great values as well. These investments are long-term holds that could reap serious rewards for risk-taking investors.

Build another income stream

Unemployment may be running high, but that shouldn’t deter you from starting your own company. A bad economy is the perfect impetus for starting an online business. There are needs for temporary agencies, consultants, and webpreneurs. All of these businesses require very little overhead and can be started from the comfort of your own home. Most just require paying a few bucks for a domain name to get started.

A part-time job can also add a little income. You can do freelance writing or design work for other companies and bring in an extra couple hundred dollars a month. You can start you own catering business or run errands for people in your neighborhood. If you love pets, then start a pet-sitting business. Your entrepreneurial venture could end up turning into a full-time job.

Buy residential real estate

The real estate market looks like an absolute mess right now. Foreclosures are peaking and home prices continue to be depressed. Every market pundit is predicting more pain for the real estate sector. But while the market may be tough now, but there are signs that the sector may finally be reaching bottom.

Mortgage rates are the lowest that they have been in decades. This could help entice some homebuyers and real estate investors back into the market. Remember back in 2009 when everyone was so pessimistic about the stock market? The market reached its low early in 2009 and has bounced back nicely. Many investors missed the rebound waiting for another market drop.

The same thing could be setting up right now in the real estate market. Everyone is waiting for commercial and residential real estate to hit bottom. The truth is that no one can tell when a market is at its lowest point. Investors with the capital should consider getting in these markets now, as they are much cheaper than they were just a few years ago.

Remember that during a bad economy can be the best time to implement your wealth-building strategy. Just because the economy is in a downswing doesn’t mean that you cannot emerge from these difficult times in better financial shape than you entered them.

Guest Post Blurb:

This is a guest post by Mark. Mark publishes his own financial blog at Buy Like Buffett. He is a registered investment advisor and has written financial columns for Baltimore and Washington D.C. area newspapers. Read more by Mark:

This article is from Mark of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

3 Sources for Freelance Work at Home Jobs

Staff — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:00:14 +0000

Freelance work at home jobs are easier dreamed about than found, it sometimes seems. Between scouring countless classified ads, fishing out the scams from the legitimate opportunities, sending query letters and follow ups, there’s hardly any time left over to actually find the work. So it’s no surprise that web sites are popping up all over the place listing freelance work at home jobs in one convenient location. Here are three free ones I like to check on a regular basis. (See also: 10 Outdated Job-Search Techniques to Avoid)

Job Prosper

Job Prosper lists job opportunities geared towards stay at home parents, freelancers and retirees, and also coordinates work at home expos with networking opportunities and child care provided. This site is easy to use and the pages load quickly, making this a site you can easily check while having your coffee.

Facebook 4 Freelancers

Facebook4freelancers provides freelance news and writing opportunities posted to Facebook multiple times per day. I like the fact that once you sign up for the group, these gigs post automatically on my wall, allowing me to catch up with friends, colleagues and gig getting all at the same time.

Freelance Job Openings

Freelancejobopenings.com lists paying jobs available to freelancers categorized by type. Search for blogging, copyrighting, graphic design and other jobs according to your interest and ability level.

There are many other resources for searching out freelance work at home jobs online. What are your favorites?

Related Reading

This article is from Staff of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Resources for Freelancers

Philip Brewer — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:41:21 +0000

Changes in the economy have pushed more and more people into part-time, temporary, and freelance work, as more and more companies cut back on traditional, long-term, full-time employees. Recently the Newshour on PBS had a report by Paul Solman on the problems faced by freelancers in a tough economy — and pointers to some useful resources.

The key resource that Paul pointed to in the segment was the Freelancers Union, an organization that exists to help freelancers buy for themselves the sort of benefits that an employer might offer, such as group health, dental, disability, and life insurance, and a 401(k) plan. I haven't looked over their plans and don't know if they're good deals, but they're certainly worth comparing to your other options.

The group also acts as an advocate, pushing the government to expand the support that employees get to cover freelancers as well. Among their issues:

Estimated taxes It's not so tough to file your estimated taxes if your income is spread evenly over the course of the year. If your income is variable, though, the estimated tax paperwork is a nightmare — and the penalties for getting it wrong are pretty high. (I wrote a post on this last year: Taxes on irregular income.)
Self-employment taxes If you're self-employed, you have to pay both halves of the Social Security tax. The Freelancers Union isn't sure that double the tax is a fair burden — and is pushing to get Congress to see it their way.
Unpaid wages Pretty much every state has a department of labor that will come down hard on an employer who doesn't make payroll — but the state does nothing for freelancers who don't get paid.
Unemployment insurance Employees who lose their jobs can collect unemployment insurance, while freelancers get nothing.

They've also got some cool posters.

This article is from Philip Brewer of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

How to Find Freelance Clients - Part One

Debbie Dragon — Tue, 12 May 2009 11:31:58 +0000

With the number of people getting laid off increasing daily, it's no wonder why more people are looking at freelancing or self employment options to make ends meet. Once you hang your “open for business” sign, the hard part begins! Finding clients to pay you for your products or services can be the most challenging aspect of starting and running a business. After all, without clients buying what you have to offer, you certainly can't remain in business for long.

Getting your first client will accomplish a few things for you, business-wise. First, you'll of course have a client who is paying you, which is necessary for earning a profit and is the life blood of all businesses. Second, that first client can very well open the door to many other clients, through referrals and word of mouth; and can even turn into long term, consistent work – even if you thought it was a one-time project. Once you're ready to start your freelance business, what steps do you need to take to find your first client – and then every client after that?

Regardless of the type of freelancing you do, the process of getting your first client is similar across all industries, and will require focus and discipline on your part to make it happen!

Prepare to Prove Yourself: As a new freelancer, hanging your “open for business” sign isn't enough to prove you are capable of providing high quality work. Prospective clients are weary of new business owners, and many will prefer to work with experienced freelancers in your industry. How do you prove your abilities if you've just started out?

Previous Work Experience: Before you decided to go-it-alone, chances are you were employed by another business at some point in time. Perhaps you are still employed, and are looking to freelance on a moonlighting basis until your business takes off and profits. Either way, think back to any work you have done for your employer which is an example of your abilities. If you are looking for freelance writing clients, you can probably dig up a letter or manual that you worked on for your employer. As long as it isn't confidential information, you can probably use this type of writing as initial samples for prospective clients. If you are a freelance graphic design or web developer, anything related to your line of work that was completed for an employer may very well be sufficient to prove your abilities in the field.

Do Some Volunteer Work: If you don't have anything suitable to use as samples to show your ability to do the work, consider volunteering to help a nonprofit organization. Create a website, develop logos or graphics, or write marketing materials at no charge; in exchange for using the item(s) you create as samples of your work.

Build a Portfolio: Many new freelancers, particularly those in the creative industries, feel trapped in a catch 22 when it comes to building a portfolio! How can you have a portfolio if you haven't had any clients, yet? On the other hand, who is going to hire a writer, artist, or web designer without seeing a portfolio of your best work? The solution is to get to work creating a portfolio that shows off what you can do – and keep adding to your portfolio as you develop more samples. For individuals who haven't had any clients yet, it's an opportunity to come up with your own creative pieces to include. For example, you will need business cards, a web site, and other items for your business – you may as well start your portfolio out with the creative pieces you'll need to start and run your own business. Whatever your area of expertise is, do the work and include in the portfolio. Proving your ability is essential for clients to trust in your services and have confidence to hire you. As a new freelancer, you won't have testimonials of happy clients to back up your own claims of expertise, so your best option is to have samples of work you've completed ready to show off whenever you have the opportunity to communicate with a prospective client.

Once you have samples and/or a portfolio ready to go – where do you start finding prospective clients? We'll discuss this in "How to Find Freelance Clients: Part Two".

This article is from Debbie Dragon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: