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How to earn money writing articles online

Updated October 21, 2025 • 7 min read • 1,430 words
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Earn money now by writing articles online.

You can make extra money, and even set up a steady stream of income (possible passive income) by writing articles online. This can be a quick way to bring in money when you need it, but also a longer-term way to keep earning as your work is read over time which is also considered passive/residual income. How it works is that businesses, websites, and nonprofits are always looking for fresh content. That means if you can write, even at a basic level, there’s someone out there willing to pay. You don’t need to be a professional journalist- many platforms will accept everyday people who can share useful information, tips, reviews, or stories. This is why residual income from writing articles is a great way to earn extra money. It can not only address short term needs but also it sets up ongoing income and another why it is a great way to make money. In addition, these sites and services are pretty flexible, and you can decide where you want to work and whenever you want as part of the freelancer concept. Why writing articles can be a good side hustle: You choose your hours - work during the day, before or after another job or after your kids are asleep. The hours are flexible. You can work from anywhere with internet. And you may not even need internet as you can always save a document locally on your computer/laptop and upload it to a site later. Some platforms pay a flat fee, others pay based on how many people read your work. You can build experience for bigger, better-paying writing or freelance jobs later, not to mention read how to create a passive income which writing can do.

Where to write articles online to get paid

Many of the old sites that paid for articles years ago are gone, mostly due to Generative AI systems such as ChatGTP and others. But here are options that still work today: constant-content.com is still running in 2025. This platform lets writers upload pre-written articles to their marketplace (you set your own price), or respond to custom client requests. Sales usually come over time - it’s not instant cash, but many writers earn slow but steady extra income as their catalog grows. You will also want to make sure that what you write is what people are looking for and what business will pay you for. You will get paid when the article is sold.

Medium Partner Program

– Write about almost any topic. You earn money based on how much paying Medium members read your work. Earnings are based on member reading time and bonus signs-ups, which can help create a passive income. Most writers earn under $100 / month Vocal.media – Offers a free tier and a paid “Vocal+” membership for higher rates. Great for personal stories, how-to guides, and creative writing. The amount of payment is based on read counts, tips and contests. While the range varies, it is generally $3.50–$6 per 1,000 reads and people get paid by Stripe Fiverr – Create a profile offering writing services. You set your price and description, and buyers order directly from you. Upwork – Bid on jobs from businesses that need writers. You can work on hourly or fixed-price projects. Native platforms include per-project pricing like blog posts ($50 - $175 for a 1,000 - word article) and technical content (whitepapers often $500 - $5,000 depending on depth Textbroker.com is still active . You can get started on textbroker by registering and verifying U.S citizenship and submitting writing samples. Upon approval, you can start writing for cash. As a freelance writer on Textbroker, you can set your rate per word, which starts at 0.7 to 50 cents/word. Typically 1.1¢/word for 3‑star writers, 1.6¢/word for 4‑star, and up to 5.5¢/word for rare 5‑star, invite-only authors. Team orders pay around 2.1¢/word, and clients may offer $0.022–$0.04/word for Direct Orders. Payments are made once per week if your balance is over $10. Textbroker.com also offers free writing resources and helpful feedback from editors, along with tutorials, downloads, and free support to help expand your knowledge. OnlineWritingjobs.com: This website hires freelance writers with strong writing skills to create website content for local as well as national brands and companies. You can choose to write from a variety of fields that include science, travel, education, and health. It is a U.S.- only platform that connects writers with content opportunities for recognizable brands and websites. Writers are onboarded through a formal application process. Become a freelance writer by completing their online application, submitting writing samples, a completed W9 tax form and a copy of valid government ID as U.S proof and residency. This website pays weekly and is currently accepting writers to write for a variety of industries across the globe. Articles typically pay between $15 and $50 each, depending on length, deadline, and subject matter. You're shown the exact pay rate before accepting any assignment ClearVoice – Matches writers with brands for ongoing assignments, often with higher pay than entry-level sites. Freelancer.com – Similar to Upwork; you bid on projects from around the world. Freelancers place bids on fixed-price and hourly jobs in a contest-like format. Writing and content jobs constitute 10 to 15% of listings. There is high variability as to how much you can make using this site, but many writing jobs pay anywhere from $0.01 to $0.05 per word or project-based bids between $10–$100 for shorter content. Top-tier writing proposals and contests can pay more depending on client budgets. Our organization, needhelppayingbills , is trying to find contributors for our site. It is a great opportunity to make some money, and at the same time an opportunity to also provide information to individuals who need help. Please email us at . We will need to see a sample article up front. Or try an E-Book publisher to make money . However, if you have some skills and are dedicated to pursuing this path, the freelance online writing business is growing rapidly. These are global companies in which tens of thousands of employers are looking for writers and other skilled individuals.

Using AI Tools

Today, many writers use tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, or Copy.ai to brainstorm ideas, outline articles, or check grammar. It is important to note that AI can speed up your work, but it’s best to write in your own voice and fact-check everything - especially if you want repeat business as the AI models are still making lots of mistakes. Not only that, companies want authentic, helpful content.

Tips to earn more when you write

Pick topics that people search for often (like money tips, home repairs, or health). Learn basic SEO (search engine optimization) so your articles are found online. Build a portfolio — even if you start with low-paying work, having samples will help you get higher-paying clients. Watch for scams. Legitimate platforms will never ask you to pay to apply. This is why residual income from writing articles is a great way to earn extra money. It can not only address short term needs but also it sets up ongoing income, and why it is a great money making idea. In addition, these sites and services are pretty flexible, and you can decide where you want to work and whenever you want as part of the freelancer concept. Find an additional list of tips for making money as a freelance writer .

Note about outdated sites

If you came here looking for Examiner, Helium, Associated Content, Triond, or eHow - those sites are no longer active or no longer pay contributors the way they once did. The online writing world changes quickly, so always check the current payment terms before you start. The list above includes platforms that are active and paying writers in 2025.