freelance assignment editor

Edit for Scribbr

Join the top 2% of academic editors worldwide. Apply to become a Scribbr editor now:

• Pass the Scribbr Academy
• Double your editing speed and learn new skills
• Exchange knowledge with a community of editors
• Help students become stronger writers
• Make extra money

• Our editors
• Become an editor

About Scribbr

We believe that all students deserve guidance as they learn how to communicate effectively and put their ideas on paper. With every edit, we provide personalized feedback to help students learn from their mistakes and become better writers.

Did you know that we have a Trustpilot score of 4.7 out of 5 ? We take pride in the quality of our service and our highly skilled editors .

What makes Scribbr unique?

• Passionate team of experts
• New orders every day, all year round
• 24/7 support by phone, email, and chat
• Courses, mentorship, and skills development
• Open community and community events

Flexible work on your terms

As a Scribbr editor, you’ll help students all over the world from your home office. All you need is a laptop and a wifi connection.

How does it work?

• Set your availability calendar.
• Accept or decline assignments.
• Edit with track changes.
• Share constructive feedback.
• Work whenever, wherever.

We have transparent per-word fees and pay you every two weeks. You can earn an average of €145 for reviewing a 10,000-word thesis .

Our support team and community of editors are available every day to help you. You’ll have the best of both worlds: the flexibility you’ve always dreamed of and an awesome team that has your back.

Develop and grow

We value growth, and it’s at the heart of everything we do. As part of your application process, you will join the Scribbr Academy, where you’ll learn how to perform our services and receive personalized coaching. If you’re successful it doesn’t stop there. A lot more is waiting for you!

Learning culture at Scribbr

• Skills roadmap for editors
• Courses and mentorship opportunities
• Bi-weekly newsletters with valuable tips
• 24/7 help with editing questions

Freelancing simplified

As a Scribbr editor, you’ll receive work directly to your inbox. Our HQ team works behind the scenes to keep the work flowing.

Here’s what we do for you:

• Our support team handles customer communication and logistics
• Our marketing team drives new customers to our platform
• Our finance team does the invoicing to pay you every two weeks
• Our operations team collects and implements your feedback

Let us handle the business, so you can focus on editing.

Make a real impact

See how you help students every day!

After students review your feedback, they can send you a digital thank you note. We receive words of gratitude from students all the time.

As a qualified editor, you’ll be able to see the positive difference you make in students’ lives on your thank you wall. Until then, check out these Trustpilot review from happy customers.

Join the community!

Welcome to the Scribbr community!

As part of this community, you’ll be in the top 2% of academic editors worldwide.

Tap into this network:

• Ask questions and get advice
• Meet fellow editors all over the world
• Participate in workshops and events
• Help other editors realize their untapped potential

We are on a mission to make Scribbr a place where freelance editors love to work. When you join our team, you join a supportive and thriving community of like-minded editors from all over the world!

Qualifications

Do you want to join our editor team? We’d love to invite you to start the application process !

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or higher
• Interest in a wide range of subjects
• Microsoft Word skills and tech skills
• Availability to edit 10,000 words per week
• Prior academic editing experience
• Freelance and remote work experience
• Interest in a long-term collaboration

Why the top 2%?

We promise students that we work with highly skilled editors—and to keep this promise, we’ve developed a unique (and admittedly demanding) application process for our editors.

Out of every 100 applicants, we only qualify 2 new editors. We use our challenging language quiz to identify the applicants who are the best fit for our team. As you advance through the process, you’ll receive more support and feedback from our Academy Coaches. With every step, you’ll get closer to becoming a qualified editor.

Do you have what it takes? We look forward to welcoming you to our team!

Language quiz

Only 2% of applicants pass our challenging grammar and style quiz. If you’re up for the challenge and make the grade, we’ll invite you to apply.

Test Document

You’ve proven that you know your grammar — now, we want to see how you apply that knowledge through three short sample edits.

Scribbr Academy

This is the final stage of your application process. During the Scribbr Academy you will learn how to edit according to Scribbr guidelines, and get tested via simulation orders (the quantity depends on your performance). Throughout this stage you’ll receive support from our Academy Coaches every step of the way.

Thank you for your interest in working as an editor! Unfortunately, we are not recruiting at the moment, but we will make sure to update this page whenever we start our recruitment process again.

Ask our team

Want to contact us directly? No problem.  We  are always here for you.

• Email [email protected]
• Start live chat
• Call +1 (510) 822-8066
• WhatsApp +31 20 261 6040

Frequently asked questions

All Scribbr editors are native speakers, which means that they have spoken English since early childhood. We only work with native speakers because these editors understand the cadence of the language and have mastered its idiomatic forms.

It is difficult for non-native speakers to acquire these traits, even if they are fluent and have spoken the language throughout their adult lives. Since our customers wish to work only with native speakers, we have no flexibility in this requirement.

We don’t rely solely on nativeness. Our editors are vetted through a rigorous application process, through which they are asked to demonstrate technical grammar knowledge, familiarity with academic writing, and an understanding of editing principles. All successful applicants also complete our Scribbr Academy training program, where they learn how to edit for students.

Editor application process

Editing for students is different from other kinds of editing. The Scribbr Academy is the last step of your application process, but it comes with some benefits. During your time in the Academy, we will train you on how to perform Scribbr’s services and edit in the Scribbr style . The training also features practical elements, such as one-on-one coaching, that are beneficial to you . In this way, we will prepare you to face real-life student orders and jump start your editing career at Scribbr.

In order to become a qualified editor at Scribbr, you will need to apply the learnings from the Academy and pass 2 – 5 simulation orders (the exact number depends on performance).

You must apply through our website and complete all the steps in the Scribbr editor application process.

It is not possible to see the answers to our quiz . If you’re looking for more insights on related issues, check out Scribbr’s language articles and websites that address grammar and writing issues.

If you’re accepted as an editor in the Scribbr Academy , the information package you gain access to includes an article with the correct answers to a previous version of our language quiz.

On average, you can expect to earn approximately €20 to €30 per hour as a Scribbr editor .

The earnings are calculated based on fixed per-word rates that we have set for different kinds of assignments. We will communicate these rates to you as soon as you are in your Scribbr Academy .

The per-word rate for each order is determined by:

• The editing deadline (the shorter the deadline, the higher the rate); and
• The services purchased (whether a Structure or Clarity Check is booked on top of standard proofreading and editing ).

In our Scribbr Academy , we train you to edit as efficiently as possible—which will help you to increase the speed at which you work. For example, we include a Scribbr Word macro that you can use to easily utilize standardized in-text comments.

Incoming editors should be highly knowledgeable regarding grammar, academic style, and the conventions of both US English and UK English.

You’ll need this knowledge to not only edit student papers but also provide individualized feedback for students.

We also expect new editors to have read widely in a variety of fields and to feel comfortable editing academic texts in a range of subjects, including the hard sciences and the social sciences. New editors likewise need to be familiar with the structure of different types of academic texts, including dissertations, theses, reports, and essays.

Finally, you’ll need to be comfortable working with Microsoft Word, including its Track Changes feature.

Since Scribbr specializes in academic editing for students , we require our editors to be thesis and academic writing experts. Every Scribbr editor has a thorough understanding of academic writing conventions and research concepts used in higher education.

Most of the papers we receive are theses and dissertations. We prefer to work with editors who know first-hand how difficult it is to write a thesis, as they can offer constructive and relevant advice to our students.

Therefore, we only accept applications from editors with a university degree.

However, a university degree alone is not enough. All applicants must also demonstrate technical grammar knowledge and fundamental editing skills during the application process.  Applicants must also complete our rigorous Scribbr Academy training program before they can join the editor team.

Incoming editors must be familiar with the conventions of both US English and UK English and able to consistently follow the related rules. However, if you’re only familiar with one of these dialects, don’t despair! Getting up to speed on the major differences between the two systems is definitely doable. Our Knowledge Base is a good place to start.

If you are familiar with the conventions of US and UK English and can edit according to them, you are more than welcome to apply. At this time, however, we cannot accept applicants who are only familiar with other English dialects. The reason is that the vast majority of our clients require their papers to be written in US or UK English.

The application process consists of three steps that you must successfully complete to become an active editor within our system:

• Scribbr language quiz : 30 minutes
• Scribbr application assignment : 2.5 hours
• Scribbr Academy : 2 – 3 weeks (the Academy has to be completed within 4 weeks to be able to pass)

The speed at which you are able to complete the application process depends on your availability and the level of your work you submit. For us, it is important not only that you edit according to our guidelines, but also that you feel you have enough experience with us to make the leap to being an active Scribbr editor.

Throughout the process, you will receive feedback from experienced editors – so no matter what happens, you won’t be wasting your time!

When we receive a new order, we choose the most suitable Scribbr editor based on the following factors:

• Availability . If you would like to receive a lot of orders, you can indicate that you are available immediately. We will then try to send more assignments your way.
• Interest in the subject . We will not be as fast to send you orders that are from fields you have not marked as preferred.
• Returning client . We will automatically send you orders from a returning student whose work you have already edited, unless he or she specifically requests otherwise.

The moment we have a new order for you, we will send you an email, an SMS and a notification via your Scribbr account on our website. You may then choose to accept or decline that assignment. You make this decision for every order we send you.

All orders are classified into 1 of 9 categories:

• Business and Management : Business Administration, Hotel Management, Accounting, Marketing
• Economics : Commercial Economics, Econometrics, Finance
• IT and Engineering: ICT, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Industrial Design, Electrical Engineering
• Natural and Life Sciences : Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Chemistry
• Geography, Agriculture and Environment : Ecology, Earth Sciences, Environmental Studies, Urban Planning
• Health and Medical Sciences : Medicine, Obstetrics, Pharmacy, Nutrition, Dentistry
• Arts and Humanities : Philosophy, History, Literature, Cultural Studies, Theology
• Law and Policy : Law, Political Science, Public Policy, Human Rights
• Social and Behavioral Sciences : Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Communication Science, Education

You can specify the fields that you are interested in. When we send you an order , we always take your preferences into account.

More information about the categories

No, you don’t.

As an editor, you are affiliated with us on a freelance basis. You can work for us from anywhere in the world and from any time zone.

It is important that you are frequently online and have a phone with Internet access, as we will send you both an e-mail and an SMS as soon as we have a new assignment for you .

The Editor’s Manual

Free learning resource on English grammar, punctuation, usage, and style.

• Editor’s Den |

Curated List of Freelance Jobs for Editors and Proofreaders

Here is our curated list of freelance job opportunities for proofreaders and editors. All these jobs allow you to work from home either part-time or full-time. There is something here for everyone, regardless of experience level and field of expertise (within editing and proofreading).

• At Scribendi , a company founded in 1997, the pay varies by project, though most editors earn USD 10–25 per hour. Scribendi requires at least three years of relevant experience and a university degree, and prefers candidates with expert knowledge of one or more style manuals (such as the Chicago Manual of Style , the Publication Manual of the APA , the MLA Handbook , and the AP Stylebook ).
• Scribbr , which provides academic editing services to students around the globe, has an open, friendly, but professional work environment. Assignments are sent to you instead of your having to pick them off a job board (though you can always return an order that is too poor to edit). You can also choose to edit orders with a 1-day, 3-day, or 7-day turnaround, and set preferences related to word count. Editors earn about EUR 10–25 an hour, depending on editing speed and turnaround time. One of the main advantages with editing for Scribbr is that you don’t have to do any “non-language stuff,” such as checking references or layout or following a specific journal’s guidelines. Scribbr requires candidates to have a bachelor’s degree and experience in editing, preferably academic.
• ProofreadingPal follows an interesting model in which every document is proofread and edited by two editors. The company seeks graduates with at least five years of proofreading experience. It prefers candidates who are familiar with the popular writing styles (such as Chicago , APA , MLA , AP , and CSE ). Freelancers usually start as Level 1 proofreaders and can apply to become Level 2 proofreaders (who earn a higher rate per hour) after editing a specific number of documents and words. Turnaround times on documents range from 30 minutes to 7 days, and pay varies likewise. Most Level 1 proofreaders can earn USD 7–13 per hour depending on editing speed and turnaround time.
• Cactus is a useful place for novice freelancers to begin a career in editing, since it does not require applicants to have prior experience. You receive feedback from experienced reviewers on each assignment and also gain access to useful resources. Pay ranges from INR 0.45 to 0.90 per word depending on the type of document, field of editing, and your internal rating. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Polished Paper provides editing services across the spectrum: corporate, academic, personal, author, and ESL. To be considered for an editing opportunity, you must register on the website, upload your résumé, and complete a 35-question editor test, with free access to outside resources (such as the major style guides), some of which are available on Polished Paper’s own website. Although pay varies based on turnaround time, which ranges from 3 hours to 5 days, the work here is known to be relatively well-paying, with editors earning 1.6 to 3.2 cents (USD) per word.
• Enago is well known in the world of academic editing. Candidates with experience—specifically, in academic editing—may be preferred. Pay is known to be reasonable: USD 15 or more per hour.
• Gramlee editors check for structure, grammar, spelling, punctuation, brevity, and overall readability. To work as a contractor, submit an application through the website. Be prepared to answer questions such as why you are an outstanding candidate and if you could teach the world one thing, what it would be. Pay varies, but is generally about USD 0.02 per word, which means you can earn about USD 20–28 by editing 1,000–1,400 words per hour—a good gig by most standards.
• Kibin may be an interesting option for you if you have experience in academic editing. Freelance positions open periodically; keep an eye on the website. Earnings range from USD 10 to 25 per hour.
• ProofreadNow , a company that provides business editing services, does not always have positions open; however, you can bookmark the page and sign up for the employment letter. To edit for ProofreadNow, you must have at least five years of professional proofreading experience and perform well on some difficult editing tests, though you can expect to earn professional rates if you do get through.
• ProofreadingServices.com offers competitive pay starting from USD 19 per hour. To apply, complete a 20-minute proofreading test, after which, if interested, the company will contact you to proceed further with your application.
• English Trackers is another company that provides academic editing services and is looking for freelance editors. It requires candidates to have at least two years of professional academic-editing experience and prefers editors with experience editing documents written by non-native English speakers. Applicants should also be familiar with style manuals such as Chicago, APA, and MLA.
• Wordfirm , or Managed Editing, works with skilled editors who work from home as freelancers. Editors should have a college degree and at least five years of practical editing experience. Candidates familiar with the major style manuals are preferred. You can apply by filling a form online. It can take several months for this agency to contact you, depending on its requirements and your suitability.
• Wordvice provides academic and business editing services. It is looking for editors with at least two years of editing experience and knowledge of various formatting styles (such as Chicago, MLA, APA, and AMA ). Reviews and feedback from freelancers suggest that the pay is reasonable.
• EditorLive needs editors to edit academic and business writing. Editors have deadlines ranging from 3 to 72 hours, and must be proficient in Chicago, APA, AP, MLA, CSE, and other style manuals. Work is available in 4-hour shifts. On average, editors earn USD 750 to 1,800 every two weeks, depending on time of year and other factors. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of professional editing experience.
• WordsRU , which provides services to students, businesses, and writers, is seeking editors with at least two years of relevant experience and a master’s degree. Editors must also be familiar with at least two of the following: academic documentation and citation styles (such as Chicago, APA, Harvard, MLA, and Turabian ); business documents; manuscripts of novels, screenplays, short stories, etc.; and website editing. On its website, WordsRU states that payment rates will be discussed personally with successful candidates.
• Edit 911 hires only PhDs in English or another writing-intensive discipline who have relevant experience, to provide book editing, business editing, and academic editing services to clients. To apply, submit your résumé and a sample of your writing. Expect to earn professional rates.
• Wordy provides proofreading, editing, and rewriting services to clients around the globe. Positions are not always open, but you can check the company website periodically. Pay varies based on turnaround time and whether the client is a business or an individual.
• EditFast sends work to editors based on their profile and relevant skills, keeping 40% of the total project price as its platform fee. Candidates are required to have a university degree and past experience.
• Scribe Media , formerly called Book in a Box, provides services to writers, and requires “scribes” who can work as editor and ghostwriter combined. You must have at least a decade of writing and editing experience and good interviewing skills. The pay is about USD 60–70 per hour.
• Supaproofread prefers editors with a postgraduate degree but accepts people with relevant editing experience. Pay is based on document length and turnaround time. Editing experience is not a must; thus, this may be a good place for novice editors with excellent proofreading skills. Applications are not always open; keep an eye on the website.
• Kirkus Media periodically lists opportunities for freelance editors who have experience in book editing.
• American Journal Experts hires freelance editors for editing manuscripts in various fields, such as business, earth sciences, and engineering. It requires candidates to have a graduate degree and some form of affiliation with a US school. Editing experience is preferred though not required. Editors tend to typically earn USD 10–15 per hour.
• Book Editing Associates requires US-based proofreaders with traditional and self-publishing experience. Clients select editors based on profiles displayed on the website.
• Editor World provides proofreading services for academic, business, personal, and other writing. To register as an editor, you must have a bachelor’s degree and editing experience. Although you don’t have to bid on jobs or pitch to clients, clients themselves select editors for projects, based on the editors’ profiles. While it is not clear how much the company pays its freelancers, the prices it charges its clients are displayed on the website, which may provide some indication.
• Edit 24/7 offers academic, business, and book editing services. If you would like to join their proofreading and editing team, send them an email with your résumé. Pay varies based on document length and turnaround time, but the prices charged to clients are displayed on the website. (Keep in mind that most agencies keep 40% of the payment.)
• Reedsy provides a platform for freelancers to bid on book editing jobs. You set your own rates, but this post on the company’s website indicates how much you can expect to earn for proofreading, copy editing, and developmental editing.
• OneSpace , which provides business solutions to its clients, often has freelancing opportunities for editors.
• Babbletype has jobs for proofreaders who can work from home. The pay is supposedly low, but this may be a place to gain some experience if you are just starting out.
• EditMyEnglish needs freelance editors who can work 10 to 40 hours a week. Editors must be US citizens and have a degree from a US-based university. The company offers business, academic, and book editing services to clients. Rates charged to clients are displayed on the website , and you keep 60% of the earnings.

Freelancing platforms

In addition to the companies listed above, freelancing platforms such as Freelancer , Upwork , and Flexjobs list editing jobs, though the competition can be fierce, resulting in a low hourly rate for most editors. Moreover, you will have to spend time searching for projects, preparing proposals, and bidding on jobs. Nevertheless, such sites are useful places to gain freelancing experience and earn additional income.

Job boards vs. assignments

Some companies allow you the freedom to pick a project yourself from a list of available jobs, while others send you an assignment that you can accept or reject. I have learned to prefer the latter, as long as the agency allows me to set preferences related to order size and deadline. Being sent work instead of looking for it helps save valuable time that can be spent editing and earning money. With job boards, you often spend hours trawling through documents trying to find one that suits, only to discover it has been picked up by another proofreader.

Beware Hiring Scams

Be wary of companies that ask you to invest money or “buy” a membership—in other words, to spend money to earn any. Even if the setup is not a complete scam, there are plenty of perfectly legit jobs out there that don’t charge a fee. Furthermore, although companies have every right to ask you to complete a test assignment before they add you to their list of approved freelancers, the longest a test should take is a few hours. You should not be doing days’ worth of work for free.

I hope this list helps you get started working as a freelance editor and earning on a schedule that best suits your lifestyle. Happy editing!

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Last updated on Mar 13, 2024

How to become a freelance editor in 6 simple steps

This article was written in collaboration with professional freelance editors Perrin Davis , Clem Flanagan , and Christina Roth .

In the publishing industry, a freelance editor is a professional contracted to improve or correct texts or manuscripts on a project-by-project basis. This is opposed to in-house editors who are employed by publishing houses or magazines on a full-time basis. As free agents, there are two parts to every freelance editor's job: the craft of editing itself — from developmental editing to copy editing and proofreading — and running a one-person business.

To help you on your path towards freelance editing, we’ve consulted some of the top freelance editors here at Reedsy and put together 6 steps to follow to start your own editing business.

Psst… this article assumes no prior editing experience. If you’ve been editing for some time but specifically want to know how to go freelance, you can skip ahead with the table of contents.

1. Understand what freelance editors do

Editing isn’t a uniform kind of work. As an in-house editor, your normal day might involve a combination of editing, author care, and acquisition work. You might work closely with the authors themselves or simply report to senior colleagues. You also operate within the framework of the publishing house’s overall budget, and creative direction, and your work schedule will be shaped by the demands of your employer's publishing calendar

Freelance editors, on the other hand, work independently and can thus shape their work as they please. This typically means that you work more directly with clients (often indie authors and occasionally publishing houses) and typically focus purely on editing. 

Editors may perform all types of editing , or specialize in one or two of the following: 

• Developmental editing : addressing a manuscript in terms of overall style, structure, plot, and characterization. 
• Copy editing : detecting and addressing inconsistencies in language, voice, and errors in spelling and grammar.
• Proofreading : performing the final check for typos and manuscript formatting errors. 

Skills and qualifications

Regardless of your specialization, there are a few core skills all editors need. Firstly, you need to be comfortable handling large amounts of text. This means having a strong grasp of storytelling techniques, language, and style, as well as being up to date with market and genre trends. On a technical level, you also need to be literate in word processing programs such as MS Word. Besides this, you’ll need strong interpersonal and communication skills to ensure that your feedback is delivered to clients in the best way possible. Lastly, you’ll need to be well organized and good at working towards deadlines. 

Freelance editors, in addition, also need to be strong networkers, self-promoters, and business-minded. You’ll need a great deal of self-discipline and organizational skills to maintain the administrative aspects of your business while leaving enough room for creative tasks and downtime.

You don’t need any particular university degree to become a successful editor, though a vast majority of editors have a background in the humanities, majoring in subjects such as English, Journalism, or History. A publishing degree can be helpful if you want to transition from another field, and some knowledge of business administration can be helpful for freelancers. However, neither is strictly necessary. Rather, most employers and clients will be looking to see if you have relevant experience.

2. Hone your craft and gain relevant experience

When we ask our Reedsy freelancers what their best tips are for how to hone their editing skills , they unanimously advocate for simply putting in the time. Though you can study and learn the theory of what makes good writing good, there’s no replacement for lots and lots of practice. But if you’re coming into the field of editing as a complete beginner, it can be hard to find opportunities to practice and gain the experience employers are looking for. So here are a few things you can do to take matters into your own hands:

It’s been said many times that you need to read a lot if you want to become an editor, but it’s absolutely true; you not only need to know how storytelling works on a fundamental level and have an innate sense of what’s good and bad writing, but you also need to love reading enough to sustain you on your career path when other parts of the job get tough. That said, there’s a difference between reading for enjoyment and reading actively.

Practice editing published books

Although the books on your shelf have already been edited by a professional, they can be a great way to practice editing if you can’t get your hands on rough manuscripts. As you read, always do so with the intent of breaking down the different components of the book. Write in-depth reviews that focus on e.g. characterization, plot, or language, and analyze what worked, what didn’t, and how you would have edited it. 

You can also practice writing reader’s reports, which are usually 1-2 pages long summaries used by literary agents and acquiring editors when presenting a manuscript to publishers or other people who haven’t read it yet and are involved in deciding whether to take it on. These usually involve both factual descriptions of the piece — the title, word count, author credentials, and plot summary — and some unique selling points, but should ultimately also contain an analysis of the piece’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as your recommendation for or against publication.

Try beta reading

Beta readers provide feedback on unpublished manuscripts, often for free. Though they’re not professional editors or critics, beta readers give insight into how the intended audience will receive the book and can be invaluable in detecting errors, plot holes, and inconsistencies — which is great practice for any editor. If this is something you’d be interested in, there are various Facebook groups and Reddit threads you can join. You can also offer to edit your friends’ writing and practice how to give constructive feedback in a more familiar setting.

Take courses

If you want to try something more concrete, you can sign up for courses to boost your skill set. There are several free editing courses that you can audit on websites such as Coursera and Udemy, but you can also look into paid alternatives that offer certificates . You can also take courses in business administration or self-employment finances to prepare yourself to go freelance.

Another option is to sign up for creative writing courses . This can be particularly useful not just because you’ll be taught the building blocks of storytelling, but because creative writing programs tend to include a lot of editing and feedback sessions between classmates. 

Get a relevant degree

Though not strictly necessary, as mentioned, many editors come from a background in the humanities, and a university degree is often required for entry-level positions in publishing. In addition, you can make the most of your time at university by joining the university newspaper or creative writing societies where you can practice editing but also get some bylines to boost your portfolio.

3. Look for entry-level editing jobs

Once you’re confident that you have the foundational skills and passion to become an editor, it’s time to test your wings by looking for paid opportunities.

It should be said that many freelance editors start their careers in-house before going freelance — though it’s not impossible to start at the other end — as it helps you gain industry insight as well as a network of clients and contacts that can be helpful when you start your own business.

Internships and part-time positions

Ideally, you’d land an entry-level position in a publishing house fresh out of university, but the reality is that, despite being labeled as entry-level, the competition for these positions is fierce, and employers are likely to expect concrete and verifiable evidence of editing experience. That’s where internship programs and part-time positions can come in, helping you get your foot through the door. 

You can search for internships and part-time opportunities on sites like LinkedIn and Indeed or your university’s job board, but you can also go directly to your favorite publisher’s website or social media, where they often announce new opportunities.

Paid freelancing gigs

For newer editors with less experience who want to try their hand at freelancing right away, general sites like Upwork or Freelancing.com are accessible alternatives to curated sites. They give access to a variety of book publishing jobs , though they are prone to bidding wars where editors keep lowering their rates in the hopes of landing a gig.

Considering that your portfolio may not be extensive yet, you may have to start on the lower end of the scale in terms of rates and the types of projects you take on and slowly work your way up. But remember that keeping your prices low is not sustainable in the long run, and you should still charge a reasonable rate (more on this later).

Join publishing-specific marketplaces

One way to rise in the freelancing world is to join more curated marketplaces. If your portfolio contains highly praised published books or if you have a background with reputable publishers, consider signing up to publishing-specific marketplaces such as Reedsy .

By listing your services with us, you can showcase your profile to tens of thousands clients in need of editorial services. We aim to make it as easy as possible for authors and professionals to meet and collaborate via our marketplace. 

JOIN OUR NETWORK

Supercharge your freelance career

Find projects, set your own rates, and get free resources for growing your business.

Joining curated marketplaces also boosts your reputation. Their vetting processes help to assure clients that all professionals on-site are who they say they are and experts at what they do. A targeted marketplace also offers an easy way to be discovered by serious clients with high quality work and can help cut down on admin tasks like billing and chasing invoices, as this is taken care of on-site.

4. Network and build a client base

At all stages of your career as a freelance editor, but perhaps particularly in the beginning, networking is vital to building your client base. Here are some tips on how to get your name out there:

Be patient, but proactive

Small businesses don’t grow overnight. If you have some relevant work experience, you might have prior leads that you can start working with. But if you’re coming into freelance editing as a beginner, it’ll take some time to get any number of clients, so don’t let the wait discourage you.

What you can do to quicken the process is to be proactive; you have to put yourself out there if you want to gather new clients ! That means networking with other professionals, asking for referrals, and even outright advertising yourself. Freelance editors are always happy to share resources and their experience, and boost fellow editors, so don’t be shy. 

Check out our webinar on how to build your freelance client base for more advice.

But even with this proactivity, it might take time. For editor Clem Flanagan , it took over a year of networking via workshops and conferences (both on- and offline) to jumpstart her full-time freelance editing business. 

Frequent Twitter and other online forums

When it comes to the world of publishing, there’s no better social media platform for you to be on than Twitter (X) or Reddit. There you can find an active community of freelance editors to network with and a vast pool of writers to market to. 

If you’re interested in talking to other editors about how they manage their freelance business, follow the accounts of editing societies like the EFA to get updates about their conferences and monthly chats. You can also follow well-known publishing experts like Sam Missingham and Louise Harnby — the latter of whom has an amazing editing podcast that you should definitely check out. 

If you want to meet new clients, follow hashtags and threads like #Writing and #WritingCommunity to see what authors are talking about. You’ll find that many of them will ask questions that you can answer as an editor — these are as good a chance as any to demonstrate your expertise to potential clients. 

Attend on- and offline conferences

Though social media is a great way to connect, few things can beat in-person networking at events and conferences. These can result in some of the most personal, valuable connections you make in the publishing industry, which means they’re a great opportunity to generate positive word-of-mouth around your editing business. Keep an eye out for the latest book festivals around you and cut out some time to attend them! And if you can’t make it in person, there are plenty of online events you can sign up for as well.

Join vocational societies

We’ve already mentioned following societies like the EFA or CIEP on social media for the latest industry news, but you may also want to consider joining them. Membership will often give you access to job boards and upskilling opportunities, not to mention that you’ll be able to chat with fellow editors who can help you keep your ear to the ground when new projects come up. 

Be communicative

A huge part of networking is simply having casual conversations with colleagues and industry people, but don’t discount the benefits of going the extra mile for your clients too. As a freelance editor, you’ll often work with new and self-publishing authors who are likely to need support navigating the publishing process. To be clear, we’re not saying that advice and consultancy are part of your job description, but you can support your client on this journey by being communicative. 

For instance, you can explain industry jargon, reply to authors’ messages as soon as possible, or recommend other freelancers you know who could provide further assistance. If suitable, this is also an opportunity to suggest a follow-up collaboration that can turn into a long-term work relationship. And if your client has a positive experience working with you, they’re more likely to recommend you to their other writer friends.

Now, let’s discuss how to price your work.

5. Set your rates according to industry standards

Pricing is crucial for freelancers: it can determine whether or not your business stays afloat. You want to set freelance editing rates that accurately reflect the skills and experience you bring to the table.

Novice editors working on a freelance job typically charge about $25/hour, while more advanced or established editors may charge upwards of $0.04 per word, depending on the type of editing and genre (roughly $50/hour). Note that as you gain experience charging per hour might be detrimental, and you may want to consider charging per word instead.

But even if you’re a beginner, don’t underestimate your abilities! “If you're good at what you do, you should charge a fair price, not what you think the author expects,” editor Christina Roth explains. “If you charge far less than other freelancers, you could risk looking cheap and inexperienced.” 

You can learn more about how to set your editing rates in this article .

Charge in installments

At Reedsy, we encourage freelancers to get some percentage of their total fee paid upfront. The rest will automatically be divided into equal installments, depending on how many of them you want to have. This way, you can establish a committed relationship between you and the client, as both are held responsible for their end of the deal.

On Reedsy, you choose the number of installments and the fee is automatically divided into a schedule and paid out via Stripe.

As for other methods of payment, consider an electronic wire transfer or a virtual payment service such as Venmo for convenience and flexibility. Remember to keep a record of your invoices — you can download our free invoice template and use it to save time. 

FREE RESOURCE

Invoice Template

Provide billing and payment details with this professional template.

Raise your prices frequently

Pricing is one of the trickiest parts of being a freelancer as it can be hard to know whether what you’re charging is appropriate or not. Many freelancers struggle with asking what they’re worth. Having a network of other freelancers to discuss with can help, but it’s also important to experiment and raise your prices frequently until you feel like you’ve hit a ceiling and the types of clients that you want to work with are starting to get priced out. 

It’s all about fine-tuning, adapting, and staying flexible in your business.

Stay organized

Organization is important to running any business, but especially one that operates virtually. For every freelance editing job you take, you'll need to keep track of your schedule, forms, and correspondences. All these help you keep your record straight with the client in case any disagreement crops up; they’re also important for official purposes. 

Organization can also prevent missed deadlines. Turning in edits even a day late can harm your reputation, so a meticulously kept schedule is necessary. This will become all the more helpful once you have multiple projects on your plate at once. Consider using a time tracker to better gauge the time each task requires for future planning.

A detailed record also helps you manage the administrative side of your freelance editing business in a headache-free and timely manner. Invoices are needed when you file your taxes — you don’t want to be scrambling for paperwork when the deadline approaches.

6. Finetune your freelance business

At this point, you should have a solid foundation to stand on as a freelancer, but the beauty of freelancing is that the rest is entirely customizable to your needs and wants. You may have enough work and clients to pay the bills, but now it’s time to narrow it down so that you can consistently get projects that inspire you .

Determine your niche

Every book genre has its conventions. Some, like cookbooks, are highly specific in style and content. Others might be less demanding, but they’d still have some particular conventions and tropes. Authors like to work with editors who are aware of relevant conventions, so having in-depth knowledge of one or two niches can be very beneficial for your editing business. 

As such, analyze books in your target genres, see what readers do and don’t enjoy, and maybe even go beyond the world of books where appropriate. Take editor Perrin Davis , for example. When her publishing company acquired a cookbook imprint , she dove into the culinary world so she’d be able to give her authors the benefit of insider knowledge.

“I learned as much as I could about food, mostly in the interest of making myself a better cookbook editor,” says Perrin, who found it a humbling but worthwhile experience. “My lesson is this: embrace each challenge, because something that seems insurmountable at the time might end up being your specialty.”

Curate your portfolio

If you know what type of projects you want to work on, make sure that your portfolio reflects that. You may have an impressive list of romance titles in there, but that may not help you if what you really want to work on is biographies and memoirs. So, make sure to highlight the titles that you’ve worked on that are similar to what you hope to work on in the future, and be clear in your communication with clients. You may lose out on a couple of potential clients by narrowing down your scope, but you will find more projects that are particularly suited to your skills and passion.

Similarly, as you build your experience and expertise in one area, you can and should be more selective with the types of jobs you accept. Life is too short to work on projects that you tolerate when there is a market out there for you to flourish in. If a project comes along that doesn’t quite intrigue you, utilize your network and suggest another freelancer who you know will enjoy the work more. Chances are, what goes around comes around. 

Perfect your online presence and brand

Part of being more selective with the jobs is to clearly communicate what you’re looking for through your online presence before clients even reach out to you. 

A professional website or freelancer profile is a must for any freelance editing business. Your website needs to reflect your best professional work and your personality in order to appeal to clients. Compatibility in tone and work style can sometimes be as important as your testimonials — authors like to know they’ll be working with someone with whom they are comfortable communicating. 

On Reedsy, we encourage freelancers to be as specific as possible in their profiles as this helps authors find the right match when they’re browsing our marketplace. It also helps you weed out the people who are not the right fit. But rather than simply deterring clients you don’t want to work with from reaching out, think about clearly and enthusiastically communicating what type of projects you do love working on. 

Next to a solid work portfolio, you should also have a professional but friendly freelancer profile that introduces you as a person, rather than just an editing machine. Here, you can talk about your life, where you live, and even your pets. But, as freelance designer Colleen Sheehan states, your online presence is not actually about you: 

“This is about your clients. What can you do for them? What have you done for other people like them in the past? What can they expect to receive if they hire you? Once you turn the focus away from yourself in this way, it gets a bit easier to write.”

Reedsy editor Randall Klein ’s profile photo also demonstrates a good balance between friendly and professional — and for the eagle-eyed visitor, you can see that he’s a dog person based on the background photo; a nice, personal touch.

I'm a professional editor with ten years in the publishing industry under my belt (Random House, then Diversion Books). I have edited authors across genres, with a focus in mystery / suspense / thriller and romance. I am also a published author, with my book, Little Disasters, published by Viking in May of 2018. After thirteen years in New York, I now live in Charlottesville with my wife and our very photogenic dog.

Segment clients

As you begin to pick up projects, you’ll get a variety of clients, all of whom have different needs. It can be helpful to segment these writers into groups so you can address them appropriately.

For instance, you can categorize them by their level of experience — a new author will need more guidance through the publishing process than someone who's done it before. You might want to share resources on story structure or character development with the former, but probably not with the latter. 

Other criteria for segmenting your clients include:

• Subgenre (e.g., psychological thriller, police procedural…); 
• Whether the author is self-publishing or querying an agent ; 
• Whether they’re writing a series or a standalone.

These segments will make your process more effective and might also help you recognize and nurture long-term partnerships. 

You can find out about these details as early as during the negotiation process, perhaps through a questionnaire when you send them your proposal .

Never stop learning

Last but not least, you can avoid stagnation by always looking for new opportunities to learn and improve your craft. An extra certificate or two not only significantly boosts your credentials, it also helps you become a more professional editor. 

And even if you’re qualified and experienced, you still can expand your skill set. Organizations like the CIEP and EFA are always putting together conferences and workshops where freelance editors share their insights to current topics like inclusive language or new popular tropes. These events are great chances to learn from fellow editors and stay up to date with the latest publishing trends. 

The more you learn and are in touch with the current market, the better the service you can offer your clients. You can talk about your participation and reflections on social media, or you can simply let the new skills shine through while you work. Either way, your service will only improve throughout your career if you keep learning. 

And we'll end on that positive note. No matter how you go about it, all of this freelance management business will eventually come naturally as you get more practice. If you feel like you need more tips and support, follow us on LinkedIn or check out our article on Freelancers Union .

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Best ways to find online, remote, and freelance editing jobs right now

There is no better time than now to explore online and remote work in fields like editing, proofreading, writing, and researching. The demand for great writing has exploded recently, and so has the demand for great editing!

As budding writers of all stripes work on their first books or articles, they need a good editor to get their writing into shape. Companies looking to sharpen up blog posts, website content, reports, or video scripts will also need the expertise of an editor. If you love the written word and are a stickler for grammar, the only thing left to wonder is: Where can I find good online and remote editing jobs?

Where to find remote and freelance editing jobs

As an editor, you can find freelance, remote, and online editing jobs on most online platforms, but your three best places to start are freelancing sites and job boards. There are pros and cons to each approach, so you need to find the right balance that gives you the best results.

Freelancing sites 

Freelancing sites, like Fiverr and Upwork , give you a quick way to get editing experience and earn some money, but might be more competitive. 

Regular job boards 

There are some gems on job boards (like LinkedIn , Monster , Indeed ), but you'll probably have to sift through full-time editing jobs first. 

Remote-focused job boards 

Remote-focused job boards, like WeWorkRemotely , will make it easier to find an online editor job, but there might not be a huge amount to choose from.

Smartblogger also has a great list of opportunities for editors.

Using freelance sites to build your freelance editing career

Freelancing sites like Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com , and Guru can be good places to pick up a lot of online editing jobs quickly. You see the job, vouch for your editing services, and wait to see if you get accepted.

Editors who are successful on these sites do earn good money. The average freelance editor makes $57,000, according to Glassdoor, but your income will depend on your experience. A freelance editor needs to have their “I won’t do it for less than…” number . And they need to stick to it. Every freelancer has rates that slide up and down depending on the work and client, but you need to make sure your "lowest" rate is still fair compensation and allows you to grow your business as an editor. You’re becoming an editor to have a more flexible life and still earn a good living, after all.

The second risk is the clients . On these freelancing sites, you’re competing with other freelance editors for a client you haven’t met or spoken with, and can encounter language barriers. All the sites have client ratings, but you still have to make sure you get paid and the client is good to work with.

Gig work sites give you a chance to practice, build a portfolio, and earn money too. Editors do make a lot of money by first building their reputations and finding great long-term clients there.

Using job boards to find editing jobs

Job boards like Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn, and Glassdoor , are a staple of all job hunts. Using them to find freelance or contract content editing work is a matter of knowing what to look for. Starting off with terms like "freelance editor," "copy editor," "proofreading," or "video editing jobs" will get a lot of results, but to narrow your search you'll need to use filters.

Adding filters for region, industry, and making sure you weed out full-time permanent work (if you’re not interested in it) is the first step. These filters save you the time of looking through editorial jobs you’re not interested in. 

If you’re open to full-time or part-time editing work, apply to those editing or proofreading jobs as well. Sometimes you might not be right for the role, but you can offer to do freelance, part-time, or contract editing for them while they find a permanent person.

Just be careful how you do it. Don’t apply for full-time or part-time editing jobs if you’re only using them to fish for freelance editor work. That wastes people’s time and would sour any company on hiring you for any future editing services.

Remote-focused boards are a go-to in niche online editing jobs

In the past five years, remote-focused job boards—like WeWorkRemotely—have sprung up to serve remote-first companies. These boards are only for remote jobs. Permanent, full-time, part-time, contract, and high quality freelance jobs are all there.

And that’s the catch. Because this is a niche job board, you might not find content editing, proofreading, or video editing jobs very often. You have to be patient and play the long game to see what editing jobs pop up over time.

Tip: Subscribe to email updates for the latest editing job postings

Make sure you sign up for email updates when new editing jobs are posted based on your search criteria. All the sites give you this option and it will save you from needing to visit the sites all the time to see if there is something new.

How to apply and get editing jobs

Finding freelance work and online editor work is step one. To get editing jobs, you often have to pitch or apply for them, which can be the hardest part of trying to find remote editing jobs.

Here are some tips to help you land more freelance or online editing work.

Build your professional online freelance editor presence

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need tons of editing experience or a bachelor's degree to become a freelance editor. All a successful freelance editor needs is an online presence to back up their resume and a cover letter with more detail.

Social media for editors

As an editor, having your own website is great, but you don’t need to start out with one. In the past year, LinkedIn has exploded with remote job opportunities and is a good substitute for your own editor website. On LinkedIn, you can create a free profile to connect with other freelance editors and look for editor jobs.

On LinkedIn, you can also build your online presence and reputation by posting and commenting on things you’re passionate about and writing longer articles about how you approach editing, writing, or freelancing. Then, you can connect with people you know and start commenting on their posts. When you leave a comment, make sure you add value to someone’s day. Advice, tips, support—anything that helps another person out. If a writer asks about needing freelance editors, absolutely put your hand up. When you’re connecting with people, don’t throw out a sales pitch right after they accept the connection request. Start a conversation, then see if there is a good time to offer your services.

Facebook groups and Twitter communities are also great opportunities to boost your online presence, connect with other freelance editors, and find editing opportunities and calls for editors.

Personal websites for editors

When you’re ready to create your own website, there are lots of inexpensive ways to do it that don’t require a ton of tech skills. Squarespace , Wix , and WordPress.com are three of the best places to start for editors.

On your own website, make sure you include:

• What you do
• Your background and experience (both as an editor and otherwise)
• What kinds of clients you take on
• What you’ve done in the past
• How to contact you

Build an editing portfolio and client list

As you build up a client list and portfolio of work, gather testimonials and examples of your editing work. You’re not going to be able to do this right away when you start out as a freelance editor. Don't worry: all editors started from zero at one point.

As you build relationships, try to get testimonials from clients, so you can use them to win more clients. Freelance writers have it easier. They write something and they have work to show for it. Editing is a different game. Editors can’t show a client a writing piece before or after they’ve worked on it (that will not win you friends among writers). However, you can talk about the kinds of projects you’ve worked on and your specialties, like copy editing, proofreading, video editing, or writing.

Be sure to highlight your unique editing skills, or your niche. If you’re really good at editing white papers, reports, or blogs, talk about it. If your superpower is punching books or eBooks up—bring it up. Expertise in video editing? Include it. Freelance portfolios are examples of the things you’re most proud of—even if you can’t show the actual writing.

Apply for all the editing jobs you can

Even though the fear of rejection can be scary, if you don’t apply, you won’t get that first client or the editing job in the first place. An editor needs to cast a wide net to land more freelance work.

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” - Wayne Gretzky.

You’re going to have more pitches go nowhere than land. This is the life of all freelancers, whether it be writers, editors, or otherwise. To be successful as a freelance editor (or writer or designer) you need to make sure you have enough clients to ensure you can make a living. 

There are always delays and setbacks on a project. The income you were counting on might not come when you expect it. So you need to have enough content in the pipeline to keep your life running. Until you have so many clients and referrals you’re turning away work (which you should then share with other freelancers to pay it forward), you need to apply for editing jobs and network with people.

What to ask before taking on freelance editing work

If you’re taking a freelance editing job, here are five things you need to make sure are discussed and understood before you start the work.

1. Is there an editorial or creative brief?

Writers need a brief to create a piece. The brief covers the audience, the tone, the main points to cover, and deadlines. A really good brief has examples from similar pieces the writer can refer to when writing this piece.

But you’re the editor, why do you need a writing brief?

Because: Your job as an editor is making sure the writer followed the brief. If there isn't a brief, simply ask more about the piece so you know what to edit for. Even if you can get the writing brief, asking questions is still a big help.

2. Confirm the editing budget

If you’ve pitched and won the business from a gig site or gave the client an estimate and they accepted, you should confirm their editor budget. It also doesn’t hurt to ask if the project takes longer than planned, is there a budget for additional work? This is an important detail to cover if you’re working on an hourly editing contract. If the content needs a lot of editing, far more than you anticipated, you need to flag this with your client right away.

3. What’s the deadline?

Is this a rush job (in which case you can charge more money) or do you have time to work it in with your other freelance projects? If you don’t have a date, get one. Answers like “get to it when you can” or “we’re not in a rush” are sure-fire ways to get into trouble. Don’t assume dates!

4. What’s the editing process?

Every client has a process for approvals and calling content “done.” When you kick off the project, you need to understand the process and what your client expects. For example:

• Will you be emailed a Word document to edit the writing?
• Should you use track changes (you should, but the client might say no)?
• Are you working in a Google Doc?
• How closely are you working with a writer?
• Will you have to upload the writing document to a content management system like WordPress when you’re done?
• What does “done” mean to your client?
• Are you doing one edit and that’s it or will there be another round of edits?

Get this out of the way when you start so there’s no confusion later. Process is important, but communication is essential.

5. Invoices and payments

Here’s the most important part: how and when you will be paid . Part of this is on you. Things to think about when billing freelance clients:

• Do you bill at the end of the project?
• Do you bill a little up front and the rest when it’s done?
• When is the invoice due? Immediately or after thirty days?
• How will the client pay? Check? Bank transfer? Credit card?

Get these details worked out at the beginning of the editing project. This is also a good time to re-confirm (see above) what happens if you go overtime. If you’re billing hourly, the last thing you want is to send an invoice that the client refuses to pay because it’s more than they budgeted.

What if this is a full-time or part-time, remote editing job?

Do these still apply if you’re working as an editor for a single company (even on a contract basis)?

The short answer is: yes!

With the exception of budgets and invoicing, all of these things to watch out for are essential to being productive as an editor. Creative work like editing needs to have a brief, process, and deadline. Without these, the work is going to be chaotic, and your work as an editor will suffer. If you can bring one extra thing to a job (besides your editing skills), it might be asking these questions and helping a company work more efficiently.

Set yourself up for freelance editing success

This post might be about how and where to find online editing jobs, but finding the job is only half the battle. To keep getting work and make a successful career as a freelance editor, you need to build systems and processes to support your success. Here are three tips for starting out right and creating a foundation to build a successful business on.

1. Track your time on jobs

Even if you aren’t billing hourly, you should track your time. Tracking your time gives you real data on how long it takes to complete editing jobs. When you give an estimate to a client and figure it will take you two hours to review the content, but it takes four, it’s unlikely you can double your price.

Knowing how to estimate your time is how you figure out how much to charge. But if you don’t know how long editing jobs really take, you’re only giving your best guess.

Track time with a tool like Toggl and you will see exactly how long jobs take. You can also track your time for marketing, invoicing, accounting, and researching so you can know how much time those things take.

2. Don’t overcommit to editing work

There’s a fine line between having more than enough jobs coming in to manage unexpected delays and having so much work on your plate you need 40-hour days to get it all done.

Not overcommitting to editing work ties right into tracking your time. When you know how much time work takes and how much time life takes, you get a good sense of when you’re at the limits of your time. We all get 24 hours in a day. In that time you need to work, eat, take breaks, recharge, and sleep.

If you overcommit to work, you might wind up letting people down, but you’ll certainly start burning out. Commit to enough work so you can get it all done and earn the money you need. ‍

3. Communicate with your clients

Finally, communicate to the point you’re almost over communicating . You might misjudge how long editing jobs will take and overcommit yourself to work. If it does happen, don’t be hard on yourself. All freelance editors go through it. The secret to getting out of it is communication.

If you're running over your time budget or took on more work than you can handle, talking it out and asking for a deadline extension might get you out of a jam. You’ll be surprised how often a quick email, phone call, or Zoom meeting solves problems you thought were looming monsters.

Now, some people aren’t going to be able to budge. There are some deadlines that just can’t move. However, if you’ve built a good rapport with your clients and know from the project brief what’s going on, you’ll know who you can ask to move things around and who you can’t.

Go from invoice to income with Wave

The fourth tip for being successful at freelance editing is making sure you get paid. It can be a hassle to generate invoices and remind clients when something is due, even if you use invoice templates to save time. On top of that, it’s not easy to set up online payments for any client in the U.S. or Canada.

Well, unless you use Wave.

Wave lets you send free invoices and accept online payments with no surprises or hidden fees. With Wave you can take invoicing, accounting, and getting paid off your things-to-stress-about list and focus your time and energy building your freelance editing business.

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Side Hustles

Side Hustles For All

Home Writing & Editing Gigs Freelance Writing Websites

29 Best Freelance Writing Websites to Find Work and Hone Your Skills

January 1, 2024

Written by:

Alba U. Román

Alba is a writer for SideHustles.com. In addition to writing, she has done work as an independent graphic designer and has...

Remote-Friendly

College Required

If you’re interested in becoming a freelance writer, you’re probably looking for ways to land gigs. Work is easy to come by when you’re an established name in the field, but it can be tough to find when you’re just starting out.

We’ve compiled a list of some of the best platforms that you can use to find writing jobs, as well as several informational resources that you can use to hone your craft and get your freelancing career off on the right foot. Read on to learn more.

01. 17 freelance writing job boards and marketplaces

You can find freelance writing work on all of the sites below. We’ve listed what kinds of jobs they feature, what the average pay for those jobs is, and whether the website is suitable for beginners, experienced writers, or both.

1. BloggingPro

About the company : BloggingPro publishes blogging tutorials and hosts a job board for writers.

Jobs available : The website features ads for jobs of all types, including:

• Full-time jobs
• Part-time jobs
• Remote work
• Freelance gigs
• Temporary contracts
• Internships

You can find clients who need content in virtually every niche, including travel, parenting, finance, health, and dozens of others.

Earnings : Earnings vary from project to project.

Fees and commissions : Free for writers, although companies have to pay to post jobs on BloggingPro.

Experience level : Suitable for beginners and experienced writers.

Signup requirements : No registration is required; writers are directed to their potential clients’ websites and must apply directly.

Where to find work

Find Jobs on BloggingPro

2. ClearVoice

About the company : ClearVoice connects writers and content creators with companies seeking talent. ClearVoice also features jobs in other industries besides writing, including graphic design.

Jobs available : ClearVoice offers a variety of content creation projects. In your profile, you can specify your preferred industry and your “content role” (i.e., what type of freelancer you are).

Available industries include:

• Advertising and marketing
• Lifestyle and consumer
• Software and technology
• Travel and adventure
• Real estate

Content roles include:

• Content strategist
• SEO specialist
• Copy editor
• Ghostwriter
• Graphic designer
• Technical writer
• Video editor

Earnings : Writers are paid per word. Rates vary by assignment, and you can set the minimum you’re willing to work for. On average, assignments pay between $0.10 and $0.30 per word , which is a reasonably high range.

Fees and commissions : You’ll have to pay a 25% service fee on each project.

Experience level : Given the somewhat involved application process, this site is best suited for writers with some professional experience.

Signup requirements : Freelance writers need to apply to ClearVoice by creating a profile and a portfolio, which must include at least 6 work samples and an example of previously published work.

If you’re accepted into the “ClearVoice Talent Network,” you’ll get matched with assignments by the ClearVoice team based on your rates and experience.

Where to sign up

Sign Up with ClearVoice

3. Compose.ly

About the company : Compose.ly is a curated content marketplace. Writers can’t directly browse or apply for jobs; instead, Compose.ly’s editors send offers to the writers they think would be a good fit for each project.

Jobs available : Varies, but most of the work consists of writing SEO blog posts. You can select the types of jobs you’re interested in.

Earnings : Compose.ly generally pays between $0.10 and $0.14 per word. Its editors manually set the rate for each project.

Fees and commissions : No fees for writers. Companies pay a monthly fee to find writers.

Experience level : Suitable for beginners and experienced writers (although the amount of work you land depends on whether or not Compose.ly’s editors and clients like your writing).

Signup requirements : You’ll need to complete a writing test. If you pass, you’ll be invited to join the platform.

Sign Up with Compose.ly

4. Constant Content

About the company : Constant Content allows writers to independently brainstorm and submit articles on topics they’re knowledgeable and passionate about, then sells these articles to companies they think will be interested. Companies can also request specific content they need.

Jobs available : Jobs vary widely on this platform. They include:

• Blog posts (on various topics)
• Product descriptions
• Marketing copy
• Press releases
• White papers

You can select the types of jobs you’re interested in.

Earnings : You set your own price for each piece you write and get paid if and when it sells. Constant Content claims that 85% of the articles submitted get sold. You can submit as many as you want.

Fees and commissions : None (free for writers).

Signup requirements : You’ll need to complete a profile and take a short grammar quiz.

Sign Up with Constant Content

5. Contently

About the company : Contently recruits content creators, including writers, and matches them with suitable brands.

Jobs available : Contently has a variety of jobs available for writers (as well as creators with other skills, such as graphic design and video editing). For writers, these projects include:

• Articles for print magazines

Earnings : Rates vary from project to project and depend on your level of experience, but on average, Contently pays between $0.05 to $0.10 per word.

Fees and commissions : Unclear, but anecdotal reports claim that they charge a 4.75% commission fee.

Experience level : Suitable for relative beginners, but you’ll need at least some paid experience. Contently requires you to set up a portfolio with at least 7 projects before they’ll consider matching you with clients.

Signup requirements : As mentioned, you must have completed at least 7 projects for paying clients.

Sign Up with Contently

6. Crowd Content

About the company : Crowd Content connects writers with businesses seeking content.

Jobs available : Crowd Content offers two ways for writers to earn:

• Freelance Writing Marketplace : This section of the site will connect you with clients. You’ll contact them directly and follow their instructions to complete projects.
• Managed Content Projects : On these projects, you’ll work with a project manager (an employee of Crowd Content), who will act as a liaison between you and the client.

Regardless of which you choose, you can work on projects in a wide variety of industries, including:

• Health and fitness
• Outdoor activities and sports
• Travel and leisure

The types of content you might be asked to produce are similarly diverse, ranging from white papers to blog posts to social media content (e.g., Tweets).

Earnings : Pay varies based on the project. You’ll be paid twice per week.

Fees and commissions : Appears to be free for writers.

Experience level : Suitable for beginners.

Signup requirements : You must be a native English speaker from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. You will also have to complete a writing task and will be given a rating based on your performance. This will determine which jobs you’ll have access to in the marketplace. You can increase your rating over time.

Sign Up with Crowd Content

7. Freelancer.com

About the company : Freelancer.com is a marketplace where freelancers can bid on various job postings.

Jobs available : You can find all sorts of gigs on this site. These obviously include writing projects, but also include projects for freelancers with other skills.

Earnings : Your earnings will vary depending on the projects you take on.

Fees and commissions : It’s free to sign up, although you’ll only be allowed to bid for projects 6 times per month. If you’d like more bids, you’ll need to pay.

Freelancer.com also takes a commission from both businesses and freelancers. For fixed-fee projects and contests, they charge freelancers 10% or $5.00, whichever is higher, and for hourly projects, they charge 10%.

Experience level : Suitable for beginners and experienced writers, although experienced writers may find it easier to land projects.

Signup requirements : No special requirements; anyone can create an account.

Sign Up with Freelancer.com

About the company : When you sign up for iWriter , you’ll get access to a list of projects posted by different companies.

You’ll select your preferred types of projects and be given the chance to submit pieces to these companies for review. Each requesting client will decide whether or not to accept your work. If they do, you’ll get paid. If not, the project will go into your “rejected” pile and you won’t receive payment.

Businesses can also send you requests directly.

Jobs available : You can find a wide variety of work available on iWriter.

Earnings : Varies; dependent on the project and your assigned writer level.

Fees and commissions : iWriter will take a commission ranging from 30%–35%. You’ll get paid 65% of the price of each article that you pitch to a client and 70% of the price if you receive a direct request.

Experience level : Suitable for beginner and experienced writers, although their rates are on the low side for experienced writers.

Signup requirements : You’ll need to complete a grammar test.

Sign Up with iWriter

About the company : nDash provides content creation software and services for businesses and agencies.

Jobs available : nDash offers a variety of job types. You can select the kind of content you’re interested in writing from a list, which includes:

• Case studies
• Sales and marketing materials
• Email newsletters
• Social media
• Website copy

Earnings : You can set your own rates on nDash, but on average, assignments pay between $150 and $450.

Fees and commissions : Apparently free for writers.

Experience level : Given nDash’s requirements (described below), this site may be more suitable for established freelancers.

Signup requirements : Anyone can create a profile, but you’ll need to wait to be approved by nDash’s editorial staff, which they claim is reserved for professional freelance writers.

Sign Up with nDash

10. ProBlogger

About the company : ProBlogger provides blogging resources, including a job board with many listings.

Jobs available : You can find traditional, full-time writing jobs on ProBlogger, as well as freelance work.

Earnings : Varies from listing to listing.

Fees and commissions : Writers can apply for free. Businesses have to pay to list jobs.

Find Jobs on ProBlogger

11. Scripted

About the company : Scripted is an online marketplace that connects writers and businesses.

Jobs available : You can get paid to write blog posts, articles, and social media posts on Scripted.

Earnings : Varies from tier to tier and project to project

Fees and commissions : Writers are divided into 4 “tiers” and can move up or down based on performance. Your tier affects how much you’ll get paid.

Writers in lower tiers will also be charged a per-project processing fee (20% for the Bronze tier and 10% for the Silver tier). Higher tiers don’t have to pay this fee.

Experience level : Suitable for beginners and experienced writers, although if you’re new to the freelancing game, it may take you longer to advance to one of the higher tiers.

Signup requirements : You’ll need to provide your LinkedIn profile when you create an account and submit at least one professional writing sample. If you’re approved, Scripted’s staff will contact you on LinkedIn.

Sign Up with Scripted

12. Textbroker

About the company : Textbroker acts as a bridge between writers and companies looking to buy content.

Jobs available : You can find all sorts of writing jobs on Textbroker.

Earnings : The platform features three types of orders: “DirectOrders,” “TeamOrders,” and “OpenOrders.” Here’s how they work:

• DirectOrder : These are orders that clients submit directly to you. You can set your own rate for these (at a minimum of 2.2 cents per word).
• TeamOrder : On Textbroker, you can (optionally) join “teams” of writers. Teams are dedicated to producing a specific type of content, or content for a particular set of clients. TeamOrders are available to any writer on a given team on a first-come, first-served basis. Rates are set by the client at a minimum of 2.15 cents per word.
• OpenOrder : These are orders that are available to all writers on the platform. You can choose an assignment from the projects available to you based on an externally assigned rating system, which in turn is based on what Textbroker’s editors think about the quality of your writing. You can see the pay scale in the table below.

Payouts are processed twice per week. You must have earned a minimum of $10 to cash out.

Fees and commissions : Free for writers.

Experience level : Suitable for beginners. The earnings listed above are relatively low and you generally shouldn’t take jobs at those rates once you’re an experienced freelancer.

Signup requirements : When you create an account, you’ll be prompted to submit a writing sample. This sample will be evaluated and will determine your initial Order Quality Rating.

Sign Up with Textbroker

About the company : Upwork is one of the largest freelance marketplaces in the world. It connects freelancers in all fields with businesses and individuals seeking talent.

Jobs available : You can find virtually every kind of freelance writing job on Upwork (as well as gigs of other types).

Earnings : Earnings vary from project to project and are set by the clients who use the platform. You’re free to accept or reject jobs based on how much they pay.

Fees and commissions : Freelancers are charged a 10% fee on all their earnings through the platform.

About the company : Valnet is a little different from the rest of the companies on this list. It’s not a freelance writing site and it doesn’t connect you with third-party companies or clients. Instead, it’s a media company that owns several well-known sites, including Screen Rant , TheGamer , and CBR .

Jobs available : When you sign up to write for Valnet, you’ll create content for their own network of sites. Many of the jobs involve writing about pop culture, such as movies, TV, and video games.

Earnings : While none of the jobs that Velnet lists specify their rates, anecdotal sources report that the pay is quite low, at around $0.02 per word.

Valnet sites often pay writers a bonus if their articles reach a certain number of views. This bonus is reportedly between $0.50 to $0.60 per 1000 views, which is also on the low end relative to other pay-per-view sites, such as Medium .

Fees and commissions : As Valnet is essentially a client and not a marketplace or job board, they don’t charge fees or take a commission. However, as mentioned, their rates are fairly low.

Experience level : The level of experience required varies from one position to another, with some ostensibly requiring at least 1 or 2 years of writing experience. That said, given Valnet’s low pay, this might not be a very strict requirement.

For most roles, you’ll need in-depth knowledge of the topic you’re applying to write about, as well as strong time management skills (to meet Valnet’s tight deadlines).

Signup requirements : You’ll need to submit an application that includes your CV or resume, a cover letter, and several writing samples and/or pitches.

View Jobs with Valnet

15. Verblio

About the company : Verblio provides clients with content writing services for marketing and SEO purposes.

Jobs available : You can pick from a wide range of projects, although most involve producing web content of some type.

Earnings : Dependent on the project.

Signup requirements : To work as a freelancer on Verblio, you must be a US citizen with a valid Social Security number (and you must be over the age of 18).

Sign Up with Verblio

16. WriterAccess

About the company : WriterAccess is another marketplace that connects companies with content creators.

Jobs available : WriterAccess has a variety of freelance projects available. They recruit freelancers in all the following roles:

• Proofreaders
• Content strategists
• Translators
• Illustrators
• Photographers
• Videographers

The platform features all sorts of writing jobs, although many of them involve writing web content (SEO blog posts, etc.).

Earnings : Pay per word ranges from $0.02 to $2 before writers are charged WriterAccess’s fee.

Fees and commissions : The platform is free to join for writers, but WriterAccess charges a hefty 30% commission on each project.

Experience level : The application process is fairly extensive, so this platform is arguably better suited for experienced writers.

Signup requirements : To work for WriterAccess, you’ll have to submit an application, which will involve a number of stages and include several different writing tests. Acceptance isn’t automatic; WriterAccess will contact you if their editors decide that you meet their criteria.

You must be a resident of the US, the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Brazil, or the Republic of Ireland.

Sign Up with WriterAccess

17. Writers Work

About the company : Writers Work markets itself as an all-in-one membership platform for freelance writers. They offer writing tools and resources, as well as access to job postings. They’ll also match you with opportunities they think will be relevant for you.

Jobs available : You can find all sorts of freelance writing gigs on Writers Work.

Earnings : Earnings vary from project to project. Writers Work doesn’t disclose the average per-project rate on their site.

Fees and commissions : You have to pay to find jobs on Writers Work. It costs $49 for a lifetime membership or $15 per month for a monthly subscription.

Experience level : Suitable for all levels.

Signup requirements : No special requirements; anyone can sign up.

Sign Up with Writers Work

02. 12 websites with freelance writing resources

If you want to be a freelance writer, landing work isn’t your only concern. You also need to find ways to improve your craft constantly—and you need to become comfortable with the ins and outs of being an independent worker, which requires a lot of practical skills that aren’t strictly writing-related but are no less necessary.

We’ve compiled a list of resources to help you acquire these skills. These sites aren’t job boards, but you should still carve out some time to explore them. They’ll help you become a better writer, as well as a better freelancer.

Websites to help you improve your writing

Check out these sites, which feature articles, free e-books, and even quizzes that will help you expand your writing skill set. In particular, many of these sites will help you get comfortable with writing website copy and SEO blog content—two of the biggest niches in the freelance writing space.

• Become a Writer Today : This site is packed with writing resources of all kinds, including blog posts and courses on writing fiction and nonfiction. These include a course on freelance writing .
• Copyblogger : This contains a free guide on content writing, as well as a “Copywriting 101” section with blog posts to get you started on your journey.
• Enchanting Marketing : Similarly, this site is full of blog posts on copywriting, blogging, and finding your writing voice. It also contains a free general-purpose writing course (delivered via email).
• Express Writers : This site features both work opportunities and writing resources. The latter includes multiple free e-books and blog posts on SEO, copywriting, and email marketing.
• Make a Living Writing : Here you’ll find an e-book that offers a 12-point plan on how to become a freelance writer, as well as pitch templates that you can use to land work.
• Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO : As you’ve probably gathered, many clients will expect you to have at least a basic understanding of SEO. This guide is a great resource to learn the fundamentals.
• Writing Blueprints : If you’re interested in writing for magazines, this site offers a course to get you started . They also offer many other writing-related workshops and articles.
• Writing Revolt : This site offers free and paid classes and resources on becoming a freelance writer. Notably, they offer a freelance writing quiz to figure out what writing niche might be a good fit for you.

On our own website, you can also find articles on how to become a freelance writer and how much freelance writers make . You can find further articles (which provide guidance on how to develop your writing skills and branch out into different niches) in our Writing & Editing section .

Websites that will teach you how to be an effective freelancer

As mentioned, you need two separate sets of skills to succeed as a freelance writer: pure writing skills, and business skills.

The websites below all feature courses that’ll teach you the skills necessary to support a career as a freelancer of any type. (This means they also have plenty of applicability if you decide you want to dip into another type of independent work besides writing, such as graphic design or proofreading.)

Coursera is full of courses (both free and paid) that are taught by professors from top universities around the world.

Some of these courses are specifically meant to teach you how to launch a freelance writing career, including Building Your Freelancing Career by CalArts.

You can also find more courses to help you develop your writing skills, such as Good with Words by the University of Michigan.

Domestika is a multilingual learning platform that features marketing, business, and freelancing courses . These will teach you how to find a niche as a freelancer, how to stay organized and find clients, and how to manage your finances (a big help given that as a freelancer, you’ll be responsible for your own bookkeeping and taxes).

Start by looking into these courses and seeing if any appeal to you:

• Creative Career Growth: Find Your Artistic Path
• Creative Freelance Fundamentals: Building Your Business
• Money Management for Creative Freelance and Small Business

Domestika also offers courses on writing to help you develop your craft, such as Copywriting for Social Media and Blogging 101: Tone, Branding, and Strategy .

FutureLearn

FutureLearn is another educational platform that includes free and paid writing and business courses, such as:

• Digital Copywriting Fundamentals
• The Freelance Bible: How to Be a Freelancer in Any Industry .

Lastly, Skillshare is a subscription-based learning platform. You can explore their writing section , as well as their freelance and entrepreneurship section .

Start by looking into one particularly relevant course, Freelance Writing 101: Build A Successful Writing Career .

Be aware that on Skillshare, most courses are independently created, which means the quality can vary considerably. That said, Skillshare offers a Learning Paths section where they recommend various courses that meet their quality standards and go together (by building and reinforcing the same skills).

In this section, you’ll also find general-purpose writing courses, such as Copywriting Essentials: Write Messaging That Drives Action .

Robert Jellison

Managing Editor

Robert is a writer and editor for SideHustles.com. He has 7+ years of experience in freelance writing and previously worked as the in-house editor for Compose.ly, a platform for remote and part-time writers.

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• 10 Smart Tips to Get Assignments from Magazine Editors

Evan Jensen

Meet two freelancers who know what magazine editors want

Zachary petit, elizabeth pagel-hogan, 1. how do you come up with story ideas and find magazines to pitch, 2. how do you figure out which editor you should pitch your story idea to, 3. should you pitch magazine editors at smaller publications before you pitch your dream markets, 4. is it ok to pitch magazine editors on social media, 5. should you pitch small front-of-book assignments or full-on features first, 6. how can you make your email subject line stand out to magazine editors, 7. do magazine editors want to see multi-pitch query letters, 8. how should you pitch an editor you’ve worked with before, 9. should you pre-interview a source before you pitch a story idea, 10. how do you handle the waiting game of hearing back from magazine editors, pitch magazines editors to make a living writing.

You know they sift through a ton of query letters and pitches. And many of those end up in the slush pile.

They’re always on a deadline. Probably a little stressed. And they count on freelance writers to help produce great content for their publication and readers.

But what is it that magazine editors look for in a pitch or query letter? And how do you get past the delete button when an editor sees your email?

If you want to write for magazines, even pro freelancers will tell you rejection is part of the gig.

But if you can learn to think the way magazine editors do, you’ll significantly increase your chances of making a connection and landing assignments to make a living writing.

We recently caught up with two smart freelancers to learn more about what it’s like for magazine editors, what they’re looking for, and how to stand out when you pitch a story idea. Here’s what you need to know:

Want to know what magazine editors want? We recently caught up with two freelancers on a Freelance Writers Den podcast to learn more about what editors want. Meet Zachary Petit and Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan.

Zachary Petit is a long-time freelance writer and author of the book,  The Essential Guide to Freelance Writing: How to Write, Work and Thrive On Your Own Terms .

He’s the former magazine editor for publications like PRINT and Writer’s Digest magazine.

He’s also written thousands of stories for newspapers and magazines, including National Geographic, and Mental Floss, and co-wrote several books.

Elizabeth Pagel-Hogan is a freelance writer for children’s magazines like Highlights for Children ,  Muse , and  Cricket .

When she decided to step away from teaching at Carnegie Science Center, Pagel-Hogan carved out a successful freelance career writing for children’s magazines.

Elizabeth : Be curious. Be nosy. Look at every magazine in doctor’s offices, restaurants, the local bakery, kids daycare, or standing in line at the grocery store. You never know what you’re going to happen upon. It’s a great way to develop story ideas and learn about new magazines you could write for.

Zachary: The easiest way. Hop on the website and look for contact information or check the masthead for staff names and titles. If you don’t know which of the magazine editors to pitch, my strategy is to always go with the managing editor. The managing editor serves as kind of the cog in the wheel of the publication who can send your pitch to the right person.

Elizabeth : I dive right in. I see no reason to hold back. I have an optimistic viewpoint. I believe that if you have written something perfect for the publication, the magazine editor doesn’t care what your credentials are. If your piece is perfect for their magazine and readers, they’re going to take it.

Here’s an example. My first big glossy assignment that paid really well was for  Family Fun magazine. I had very little writing experience. I didn’t even have any clips I could send. But I had an idea that matched exactly what the editor was looking for. I spent a lot of time developing a well-written pitch with interesting anecdotes. And they bought it. It really showed me I could do this if I worked hard on what the editor wanted and what their style was.

Zachary: That’s an interesting question. In the magazine world, it’s kind of funny how editors feel about this. Some editors kind of feel like it’s an invasion of privacy to hit them up on social media. I’m not that way as an editor.

If someone hits me up on social, “Can I query you?” I’m actually kind of flattered. But it really depends on how the editor you’re reaching out to feels about social media. If you don’t know, which you probably won’t, just go with the traditional route for sending a pitch via email to avoid offending an editor’s particular senses.

Elizabeth: I’m an optimist. Go big and just hit send. If you’re pitching an article idea that’s exactly what the magazine editor wants, there’s no reason to limit yourself to some little piece first. Study the magazine. Get to kow what readers like. Develop your story idea. Then write a query that lists your sources, outlines your article, how it’s going to flow, and suggest sidebars. Then hit send.

Don’t hesitate. Move on to the next pitch. You cant do one thing and wait for it to pan out before you try the next thing, if you really want this to be your functional source of income.

Zachary: I recently started teaching magazine writing at the University of Cincinnati. I’ve been hammering this point because it’s essential for querying editors. The easiest way to get your query overlooked or deleted by an editor is a bad subject line. You clearly want to avoid anything that might remotely look like a pitch from a PR person.

Here’s a format I use when I pitch magazine editors:

First/Last Name of the editor Story Idea: or Query Letter . Something that signals the editor this is a pitch Slug idea : A working headline or title to entice the editor and give them some idea of what your story is going to be about. Here’s an example: Zachary Petit: Story Idea: More Bubbles and Cash Flow for Founders of Dog Shampoo Business

When you query an editor with their name in the subject line it does a few things.

• It shows that you’ve done some research to find the right person to pitch.
• It stands out from all the bad stuff that end up in the slush pile. A
• It lets the editor know you’re a contender for getting an assignment.
• And just on a psychological level, when an editor sees their name in the subject line of an email is hard to ignore.

One more thing: Never begin your query letter with “Dear Editor,” “To whom it may concern,” or “Dear Sirs,” which amazingly people still use.

Elizabeth : If you have a whole bunch of story ideas suitable for a publication why hold back and hoard them? It’s not going to make you any money just sitting on good story ideas. I mainly write for children’s magazines, and I’ve pitched four story ideas at once before with a bunch of different angles.

Sending in multiple ideas won’t always turn into a direct assignment. Even if an editor doesn’t pick any of your ideas, it does something important. It gives editors a sense that you’re a person who is productive, that you have a creative mindset, and that you are someone they can go to for material.  

Zachary: Let me say this. Relationships are at the heart of freelancing. If you’ve made a connection and worked with an editor before, go with a casual tone: How are you? You want to be the writer the editor is coming to with assignments.

The more you can appeal to editors on a personal level, the more likely that’s going to happen for you. The more you and an editor can work together as humans, without this clear delineation and sense of formality, the  better. You’ll make their job a lot easier and enjoyable.

After you’ve got an assignment, communication is key. As an editor, I’d much rather have a writer come to me with a problem like not being able to reach a source, or the story structure we discussed isn’t working, than turn in a story at the very end with issues that could have been resolved with a quick email or phone call.

Elizabeth : Getting an interview with a source or confirming a source will agree to be interviewed for your story really solidifies your query to an editor. It shows the editor you know what you’re doing.

Sometimes you have to explain the process to sources. You know, you’re pitching this story idea, doing a round of interviews, you’ll follow up if you get the assignment, or it may not lead to anything further.

I just did this for an article I pitched about a team of scientists teaching a computer how to play a specific kind of poker to compete in a tournament. I contacted their university PR person to set up interviews with the scientists if I got the assignment. He hooked me up, lined up interviews, sent free press photos, and the editor really liked my pitch.

Elizabeth: Be yourself. Be hopeful. I remember the very first pitch I sent to PTO Today magazine, which is one of my regular clients now. I didn’t hear back from the editor for six months. All three of my pitches were rejected. But the editor told me something I’ll never forget:

I’m really sorry it’s taken so long to get back to you. We read your pitches. And even though they’re not what we want, we can see you’re a good enough writer to do these other assignments.

When you take this approach, put yourself out there, and keep going, good things are going to happen. Believe there’s an opportunity for you at any publication you want to pitch.

If you want to write for magazines, make it a habit to crank out good query letters or pitch letters. Set a daily, weekly, or monthly goal. Study the publication, back issues, and readership. Develop a solid story idea. Find out who the right editor to contact is, send your pitch, and keep going. You got this!

Need help pitching magazine editors? Leave a comment and let’s discuss.

Evan Jensen  is the blog editor for Make a Living Writing. When he’s not on a writing deadline or catching up on emails, he’s training to run another 100-mile ultra-marathon.

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