20 Blogging Sites That Will Pay for Your Content

Finding blogging sites that pay freelancers for content can be a great way to make money from your writing skills, whether you do so to start a side hustle or to kick-start your new business. But how do you find blog sites that will pay for your content? And what do you need to look for?

To help you on your way, we’ve put together a list of 20 sites that currently pay for content from freelance writers. We haven’t ranked them; the numbering is simply to keep count. We have, however, sorted the list by niche so that, once you’ve decided on yours, you can skip down to that section.

Each entry includes a brief bio, the criteria the site looks for from freelance contributors, and the amount it’ll pay (correct at the time of writing). We’ve also included a link so you can follow up on any outlets that interest you.

Now, find your niche and dive in!

Web Design and Development

1. Smashing Magazine

Smashing Magazine, founded in Germany in 2006, provides practical and reliable content for web designers and developers. The organization publishes tutorials, opinion pieces, guides, and case studies written for professionals by professionals.

• What Smashing looks for: Experience of the web industry is paramount. If you’re a reader of the magazine, then you could be a good fit as a writer.
• How much it’ll pay: Although the site confirms that it will pay you for your articles, it doesn’t currently state how much.
• Tips for pitching: Send a 200- to 300-word outline rather than a completed article and use the contact form. Show whom the article is aimed at, what they’ll learn, and why you’re the best person to provide that information.
• Link: Smashing Magazine

Freelancing and Writing

2. FreelanceMom

FreelanceMom is an online community where moms who run their own businesses share their insights and experiences. It focuses on balancing freelancing with family life.

• What the site looks for: FreelanceMom asks for articles of 900 to 1,500 words offering personal, practical, and actionable advice to self-employed parents – men are welcome too.
• How much it’ll pay: The pay is $75 to $100 per post. There’s a bonus of $150 if your article is the site’s most shared of the month.
• Tips for pitching: Send the first paragraph and an outline of the rest of your article. Explain how it will help the reader. Include any personal experiences or insights.
• Link: FreelanceMom

3. Make a Living Writing

Make a Living Writing is an acclaimed blog by Carol Tice that offers firsthand practical advice for freelance writers on how to earn more and improve their writing skills.

• What the blog looks for: Make a Living Writing seeks articles of 1,200 words answering key questions its readership may have in certain areas, such as editor Q&As, marketing, writing craft, overcoming fear, and success stories.
• How much it’ll pay: Each article earns $150 to $230.
• Tips for pitching: Make a Living Writing usually accepts guest posts only from current and former members, but it posts opportunities for open pitches on its Facebook page.
• Link: Make a Living Writing

4. Writer’s Digest

Writer’s Digest, founded in print form all the way back in 1920, is a leading resource for writers, providing information on industry trends. The likes of Truman Capote, H.G. Wells, and Maya Angelou have shared with the magazine their thoughts on different aspects of the life of a writer and the ways they achieved success.

• What Writer’s Digest looks for: The magazine prefers articles of 1,200 to 2,500 words to inspire readers with how-to guides and relevant information to fulfill writing goals.
• How much they’ll pay: Each guest post earns $50 to $100.
• Tips for pitching: Although Writer’s Digest welcomes the work of new writers, you may stand a better chance as an established writer, so provide your publishing credentials related to your content.
• Link: Writer’s Digest 

5. WOW! Women on Writing

WOW! Women on Writing is a digital magazine that promotes communication among women writers, their readers, and the publishing industry.

• What WOW looks for: The magazine is currently seeking only submissions for their Markets Newsletter and Author Marketing Newsletter on topics such as writing for a specific market, editor interviews, and how-to advice. Articles range from 1,500 to 3,500 words.
• How much it’ll pay: Typically, an article pays $50 to $75.
• Tips for pitching: Provide a query letter with a fully fleshed-out article idea. Show that you understand the magazine’s audience and include your bio to emphasize your expertise.
• Link: WOW! Women on Writing

Travel and Living Abroad

6. International Living

Focusing on the best places to live a high-quality and affordable life abroad, International Living provides comprehensive advice on retiring, living, and investing overseas.

• What International Living looks for: Stories of 600 to 1,600 words are welcome from expats with practical advice and personal experience of travel, living, and retiring overseas. The content includes listicles, itineraries, travel hacks, advice, and step-by-step guides.
• How much it’ll pay: If International Living publishes your article, you’ll receive a one-time rate based on word count.
• Tips for pitching: Be specific with your idea and include details to show that it’s based on your own experience.
• Link: International Living

7. Go World Travel

Go World Travel publishes articles from around the globe. It focuses on providing travel stories, guides, tips, and cultural insights to inspire and inform readers about their next adventure.

• What the magazine looks for: Articles of 850 to 1,600 words are welcome. Go World Travel seeks engaging, well-written, and informative content that offers practical advice and unique insights into various destinations.
• How much it’ll pay: You’ll receive $30 to $40 per article.
• Tips for pitching: Submit a completed article. Ensure that your story is original and shows a sense of curiosity and interest in the destination.
• Link: Go World Travel

Personal Finance and Money-Saving Tips

8. ElitePersonalFinance

ElitePersonalFinance is a resource for personal finance tips, credit advice, and money management strategies. It aims to help readers improve their financial health through actionable advice and in-depth guides.

• What Elite looks for: The site asks for articles of 1,000 to 3,000 words that offer unique, interesting, and helpful content for readers. Topics include identity theft, credit reports, saving money, and loans.
• How much it’ll pay: You’ll receive $300 per guest post.
• Tips for pitching: Send a completed article as a DOC attachment. Include original artwork if possible. Avoid any promotional links.
• Link: Elite Personal Finance

Online Business and Blogging

9. IncomeDiary

IncomeDiary, launched in 2009, focuses on providing insights and strategies for bloggers, online entrepreneurs, and marketers to build successful online businesses.

• What it looks for: IncomeDiary seeks original material about content creation, websites creation, SEO, traffic driving, and online money making. Articles must be a minimum of 1,500 words.
• How much it’ll pay: IncomeDiary pays up to $200 per post.
• Tips for pitching: Don’t be shy! IncomeDiary encourages you to brag about your success and achievements.
• Link: Income Diary

Humor and Pop Culture

10. BuzzFeed

BuzzFeed is a popular digital media company known for its viral content, including quizzes, news articles, and humorous listicles. It covers a wide range of topics, such as entertainment, lifestyle, food, and more, appealing to a broad audience.

• What BuzzFeed looks for: Entertaining and well-researched pieces are welcome. There is no specific word count requirement, but lists should include a minimum of 15 items. 
• How much it’ll pay: Rates depend on turnaround time, topic expertise, and the amount of reporting or research.
• Tips for pitching: Don’t send completed drafts. Include the title and a brief outline or example points to show what the article would look like. Include samples of your previous work and explain why it would be a good fit for BuzzFeed. Highlight any unique angles or perspectives you bring to the topic.
• Link: How To Pitch BuzzFeed

General Knowledge and Lists

11. Listverse

Jamie Frater founded Listverse in 2009 to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. Its aim is to intrigue and educate through a wide variety of topics, including history, science, food, politics, and entertainment.

• What Listverse looks for: You can send lists that are offbeat and novel with at least 10 items and one or two paragraphs per item.
• How much it’ll pay: You’ll receive $100 per list.
• Tips for pitching: Submit a completed list with well-researched and intriguing entries. Ensure that your list is unique and that a similar one hasn’t already appeared on the site. Link to reputable sources so that Listverse can verify the facts.
• Link: Listverse

Feminism and Culture

12. DAME Magazine

DAME Magazine is an independent, women-led media company that provides sharp, insightful commentary on a variety of topics, including politics, culture, and current events. The magazine aims to amplify diverse voices and perspectives, offering thoughtful analysis and compelling storytelling.

• What DAME looks for: You can submit stories that are unexpected, emotional, straightforward, illuminating, and human-centric.
• How much it’ll pay: You’d receive $350 to $750 for reported stories, depending on the length and level of reporting.
• Tips for pitching: Pitch an original story, not a topic. Explain why it’s important right now and demonstrate why it’s a good fit for DAME.
• Link: DAME

13. Vox

Vox is a general interest publication that aims to help its audience members understand the world around them. It covers a wide variety of subjects, including politics, culture, tech, science, and health.

• What Vox looks for: Eventual articles are generally 1,000 to 2,500 words, but Vox rarely accepts already written pieces; the site prefers to work with you on shaping your story.
• How much Vox will pay: Rates range from $0.50 to $1.00 per word, depending on the type of piece, level of reporting, length, and turnaround time.
• Tips for pitching: Submit a concise description of the piece you’d like to write, including a proposed headline. Explain your angle and show why the piece is important and why you should be the one to write it.
• Link: How to pitch Vox

Environmental Issues

14. Earth Island Journal

Earth Island Journal combines investigative journalism and inspiring stories to highlight environmental issues and solutions.

• What the journal looks for: You may submit well-researched articles of up to 4,000 words, but 2,800 words is the most common length. Earth Island publishes features, essays, analyses, interviews, reviews, and news.
• How much it’ll pay: You’ll get $200 for stories published online.
• Tips for pitching: Earth Island prefers that writers query before submitting a completed story. Describe why you believe your story is newsworthy and relevant to the journal’s readership. Include two or three samples of your published writing relevant to your topic.
• Link: Earth Island Journal

Health and Wellness

15. Anxiety Foundation

Anxiety Foundation is a site that aims to provide reliable information and support for individuals dealing with anxiety. The site features a range of content, including personal stories, expert advice, and practical tips to help manage anxiety-related issues and improve mental health.

• What the site looks for: Anxiety Foundation welcomes posts about real life experience and knowledge. Each article must be at least 550 words, and it must be well researched.
• How much it’ll pay: You’d receive $50 for a published article.
• Tips for pitching: Use the online form, but get in touch about your idea first rather than sending a completed post. Say whether the piece describes an experience, provides a tip, or gives information and send some details about yourself and the reasons you want to write for the site.
• Link: Anxiety Foundation

Parenting and Family Life

16. Metro Parent

Metro Parent is a regional parenting magazine offering practical advice, tips, and resources for parents in southeast Michigan. Its website provides parenting content for that area and beyond.

• What the organization looks for: For the website, typical posts are 600 to 800 words and should include one or two sources and a local angle.
• How much it’ll pay: You’ll receive $35 and up per website post.
• Tips for pitching: The site publishes a list of the main focus topics for each month. If you’re pitching content for the web, you should aim to submit two weeks before publication. 
• Link: Metro Parent

17. Her View From Home

Her View From Home is a lifestyle magazine that shares heartfelt stories, tips, and advice on parenting, family life, relationships, faith, and grief.

• What the magazine looks for: You may submit 600- to 800-word articles and pieces in response to current events.
• How much it’ll pay: You’ll receive $10 to $100 per post for original content, based on the number of views.
• Tips for pitching: Submit a full draft together with a brief bio. Make the piece genuine, personal, and relatable.
• Link: Her View From Home

Science Fiction

18. Clarkesworld

Clarkesworld is a monthly science fiction and fantasy magazine that publishes original short stories, interviews, articles, and audio fiction.

• What the organization looks for: The acceptable word count is 1,000 to 22,000 words, with no exceptions.
• How much it’ll pay: You’d receive $0.12 per word.
• Tips for pitching: Submit a story that is convenient for on-screen reading (avoid overly long paragraphs).
• Link: Clarkesworld

Freelance Opportunities

19. FundsforWriters

FundsforWriters provides tips, resources, and advice for writers to find funding through grants, contests, and freelance opportunities.

• What the organization looks for: You may submit articles of 550 to 650 words. FundsforWriters will reject articles about anything other than making a career of writing.
• How much it’ll pay: You’ll receive $100 per original article and £25 for reprints over 90 days old.
• Tips for pitching: You can make a query or submit a completed manuscript (in Microsoft Word). The manuscript should be applicable to others, unique, and specific. Show that you have walked the walk.
• Link: FundsforWriters

Long-Form Journalism and Essays

20. Longreads

Longreads publishes high-quality, long-form journalism and essays, offering in-depth storytelling across a variety of topics.

• What Longreads looks for: You can send in well-researched essays and columns and curated reading lists. Essays and columns are typically 2,000 to 6,000 words. The organization looks for smart, unexpected angles.
• How much it’ll pay: The compensation is $350 per reading list and $500 per essay.
• Tips for pitching: Submit either a pitch or a completed submission. Have a look at the editor bios and address a specific editor if your piece aligns with their interests.
• Link: Longreads

Becoming A Freelance Writer

Our list represents just a selection of the sites that pay for content from freelance writers; there are plenty more organizations. The key is for you to find your niche first. Think of the sites you rely on for information in your specialist area because those will be a good place to start. What you’re looking for as a freelance writer is the site’s policy on guest posts and submissions or an invitation along the lines of “Write for Us.”

To stand the best chance of getting your content accepted and paid for, make sure to brush up on your writing skills. Take our Becoming A Freelance Writer course and pass with distinction, and you can start earning money for your writing by publishing three pieces of content for the Knowadays blog. Still not sure? Try two lessons for free!

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