5 Best Platforms to Get Paid for Writing Online

If you love to write like me, you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can I actually make money doing this?” The good news is yes, you can. The internet has opened up plenty of ways to get paid for your words. That could mean quick freelance gigs, publishing your own stories, or landing long term projects. Writing online can turn into a real income stream.

In this post, I’m breaking down my top 5 platforms that actually pay and give writers a fair shot.

Platform	Membership Required	Earnings Model	Notes
Fiverr	Free (optional Seller Plus)	You set prices, Fiverr takes 20% cut	Best for quick gigs, competitive for beginners
Upwork	Free (optional Freelancer Plus)	Service fee 0% to 15% depending on contract	Great for bigger projects, but costs Connects to apply
Medium Partner Program	Paid membership ($5/month)	Engagement from Medium subscribers	Must publish regularly, $10 minimum payout
Vocal Media	Free (Vocal+ $9.99/month optional)	$3.80/1k reads (free), $6.00/1k (Vocal+)	Readers can tip, contests with cash prizes
ProBlogger Job Board	Free	Direct client agreements	Still active but less busy, no payment protection

Fiverr: Quick Gigs to Get Started

Fiverr is one of the easiest places to start making money writing. You create a profile, set up gigs with your services, and choose your prices. Clients can order directly, and if you deliver good work, positive reviews will help you grow.

Pros of Fiverr

Easy to get started with no complicated setup
You control your prices and packages
Direct access to clients who need writing quickly
Can scale up once you build strong reviews

Cons of Fiverr

Very competitive, hard to stand out in crowded categories
New gigs often take time to show up in search results
Fiverr keeps a 20% cut of your earnings
Success depends heavily on reviews and staying active

Overall, Fiverr works well for quick writing gigs and building experience, but it takes patience before it becomes a consistent source of income.

Upwork: Bigger Projects and Reliable Clients

Upwork is one of the biggest freelance marketplaces, and it’s a go-to place for writers who want more than quick gigs. Clients post jobs, you send proposals to apply, and the range of work is huge. You can find everything from short blog posts to technical writing, copywriting, and even full book projects.

Pros of Upwork

Access to a wide variety of writing jobs across different industries
Potential for long term clients and recurring work
Safe payment system with escrow protection
Better earning potential compared to smaller platforms

Cons of Upwork

Very competitive, especially when you are just starting out
You need Connects to apply for most jobs, which adds to the cost
Service fees now vary by contract, generally between 0% to 15%
Payment release can be slow because of escrow and waiting periods
Some job posts are vague or offer low pay for lots of work
Building reputation takes time, and low ratings early on can hurt visibility

Overall, Upwork is a solid choice if you want larger projects and reliable clients. It takes persistence and a polished profile, but once you get traction it can lead to steady, well paying work.

Medium: Get Paid for Your Stories

Medium is a platform where anyone can publish stories, essays, or articles. To earn money, you need to join the Medium Partner Program. The requirements are: you must be a Medium member, be at least 18 years old, have published at least one story in the past six months, live in a supported country, and have your payout/bank/tax details set up. Once you meet those, you earn money when Medium members read and engage with your stories.

Pros of Medium Partner Program

Easy to start writing and publishing without needing client approval
Earnings come from actual reader engagement rather than ads
Great for writers who enjoy essays, storytelling, and niche topics
Built-in audience with readers already on the platform

Cons of Medium Partner Program

Eligibility requirements mean not everyone can earn right away
Income can be unpredictable and usually low at the start
You need to publish somewhat regularly to stay eligible (at least once every six months)
Success depends on how much Medium members engage with your work
Must wait until earnings reach at least $10 USD before you can withdraw

Overall, Medium works best for writers who like sharing their ideas and building gradually. It’s not instant income, but if you stay consistent, it becomes a meaningful side income.

Vocal Media: Views and Contests

Vocal Media is a platform where anyone can publish stories, articles, or personal pieces. It is free to join. Standard members earn $3.80 per 1,000 reads. Vocal+ members (about $9.99/month) earn around $6.00 per 1,000 reads. Writers can also get tips from readers, and there are regular Challenges (contests) with cash prizes.

Pros of Vocal Media

Free to join and start publishing
Earnings from reads, tips, and contests
Vocal+ pays more per 1,000 reads and gives access to more challenges
Good platform for creative writing and personal stories

Cons of Vocal Media

Standard plan payouts are low unless you get many reads
Minimum payout is $35 for standard members, which can take time to reach
Some features, like certain challenges, are exclusive to Vocal+ members
A few user reports mention issues with subscription management or support services

Overall, Vocal Media is worth trying if you enjoy creative writing and want to test contests for extra income. It will not replace a full income in most cases, but it can bring in some money while giving you space to share your work and build readership.

ProBlogger Job Board: Trusted but with Caution

The ProBlogger Job Board has been around for years, though these days it isn’t as active as it used to be. Companies, startups, and bloggers still post listings for blog writers, copywriters, and content creators. Unlike gig marketplaces, here you apply directly to jobs already posted by clients.

Pros of ProBlogger Job Board

Well known name among writers looking for blogging gigs
Clients pay to post listings, which helps filter out spam
Good mix of niches from lifestyle, business, and tech to more specialized topics
No platform fees since you deal directly with the client

Cons of ProBlogger Job Board

Very competitive, especially for higher paying jobs
No built in protection for payments or contracts, so you handle terms yourself
Some jobs don’t pay much for the amount of work, and a few might ask you to do a free test article before hiring
Job quality and pay can vary a lot depending on the client

Overall, ProBlogger is still worth checking if you want direct clients, but it is less active than it once was. If you do use it, be ready to pitch yourself well and double check each listing before applying.

Bottom Line

The right platform can make all the difference in turning your writing into income. Fiverr and Upwork are good options if you want direct clients and bigger projects, though competition and fees can take time to navigate. Medium and Vocal are better if you enjoy publishing your own stories and building income from readers, but earnings start small and consistency is key. The ProBlogger Job Board can connect you with serious clients, but you need to be cautious and vet listings carefully.

No single platform is perfect, but each one offers a path to earn from your words. Choose the one that fits your style, put in the effort, and you’ll see results grow over time. You can find more useful articles just like this one in my Side Hustle category.