Photo by Joshua Mayo on Unsplash If you’ve ever tried freelance writing online, you know the frustration. You spend hours researching, writing, and editing, only to get paid $15 for a 1,000-word article. That’s less than what most people make flipping burgers. It’s no wonder many writers give up. But here’s the good news: not every platform pays poorly. There are a handful of websites where writers are quietly earning $100, $500, or even $1,000 per article . The problem is — most beginners don’t know these platforms exist. This guide will walk you through four proven platforms where writers are still paid fairly in 2025, what they expect, and how you can stand out. Why Most Writers Struggle to Get Paid Well Before diving into the platforms, let’s talk about why so many writers are stuck earning scraps. Content mills dominate the market. Sites like Textbroker and iWriter often pay $0.01 to $0.03 per word . That means a 1,000-word piece might only fetch you $10–$30. To...
If you’ve ever tried freelance writing online, you know the frustration. You spend hours researching, writing, and editing, only to get paid $15 for a 1,000-word article. That’s less than what most people make flipping burgers.
It’s no wonder many writers give up. But here’s the good news: not every platform pays poorly. There are a handful of websites where writers are quietly earning $100, $500, or even $1,000 per article. The problem is — most beginners don’t know these platforms exist.
This guide will walk you through four proven platforms where writers are still paid fairly in 2025, what they expect, and how you can stand out.
Why Most Writers Struggle to Get Paid Well
Before diving into the platforms, let’s talk about why so many writers are stuck earning scraps.
- Content mills dominate the market. Sites like Textbroker and iWriter often pay $0.01 to $0.03 per word. That means a 1,000-word piece might only fetch you $10–$30.
- Too many writers, not enough editors. Because anyone can sign up, competition is brutal. Clients pick the cheapest option, driving rates down.
- Writers undervalue themselves. Many beginners accept low-paying gigs just to “get experience,” but this traps them in a cycle of bad clients.
The truth? If you want to make real money, you need to skip the race to the bottom and go where quality is valued over quantity.
1. Contently — Premium Clients, Premium Rates
Contenly is often called the holy grail of freelance writing platforms. Unlike content mills, it connects top companies with vetted writers. Think brands like American Express, Marriott, and Google.
What makes it different? You don’t chase clients — they come to you. Once you create a free portfolio, editors and brands can view your samples and reach out.
How Much Can You Earn?
- Blog posts (500–700 words): $300–$400
- Short-form content (300–700 words): $380–$630
- Reported stories with interviews: $570–$890
- Multi-source features: $1,140–$1,400
- In-depth reports/whitepapers: Up to $1,250
Yes, those numbers are real. Some writers even report earning $1 per word in niche industries like finance and healthcare.
Tips to Succeed on Contently
- Build a strong portfolio with your best 3–5 pieces.
- Specialize. Clients pay more for writers in finance, health, tech, and marketing.
- Be patient — sometimes it takes weeks or months before editors reach out.
2. Listverse — Get Paid $100 for a Listicle
Listverse has been around for years, and it’s still one of the easiest ways for new writers to make quick money.
How It Works
- Write a unique, interesting list (usually “Top 10” style).
- Keep it fun, unusual, and well-researched.
- Submit it directly to their site.
If approved, they’ll publish it and send you $100 via PayPal.
What Kind of Lists Do Well?
- Weird facts (“10 Strange Ancient Medical Practices”)
- Niche topics (“10 Bizarre Historical Conspiracies”)
- Light but informative reads
This isn’t going to replace your full-time income, but it’s a great way to earn while sharpening your skills.
3. Cracked — Funny, Engaging, and Paid
Cracked started as a humor magazine but became famous for its smart, sarcastic online articles. And yes — they still pay freelancers.
What You Can Earn
- Short articles: $100
- Longer features: $150–$250
The key is comedy. If you’re good at witty observations, satire, or pop-culture breakdowns, this is your playground.
Examples That Sell
- “The Dumbest Movie Plot Holes Nobody Noticed”
- “7 Bizarre Products People Actually Buy on Amazon”
If you’ve got a sense of humor and love writing conversationally, Cracked is one of the few places that pays for fun writing.
4. The Reality Check — What Freelancers Actually Earn
Now for the truth bomb. Not every writer makes $1,000 an article. Here’s what most freelancers actually see, according to Reddit and industry surveys:
- Entry level: $25–$100 per article
- Mid-level: $100–$500 per article
- Experienced pros: $500–$2,500+ per article
Compare that to Medium, where studies show 94% of writers earn less than $100 per month. Clearly, if you’re relying only on Medium’s Partner Program, you’ll struggle to scale.
That’s why platforms like Contently stand out. They’re one of the few places where serious brands pay serious money.
Why These Platforms Pay More
You might be wondering: why would someone pay $500 for an article when others pay $15? The answer is simple — business value.
- Big brands see content as marketing. A well-written article could generate thousands in sales. Paying a writer $500 is nothing compared to the ROI.
- Quality matters. Companies want writers who can research, tell stories, and engage readers — not just churn out keywords.
- Trust is key. These platforms vet their writers, so clients know they’re hiring professionals.
In short: you’re not just selling words — you’re selling expertise, authority, and results.
How to Break Into High-Paying Writing
If you want to start earning real money from writing, here’s a roadmap:
- Pick a niche. Choose something like finance, health, SaaS, or marketing. These fields pay the most.
- Build a portfolio. Even two or three solid samples are enough to land clients. Publish on Medium or your own blog.
- Apply smart. Instead of wasting time on low-paying gigs, focus on platforms like Contently, Listverse, and Cracked.
- Learn to pitch. A good pitch highlights what makes your idea unique, why readers will care, and why you’re the one to write it.
- Invest in skills. The sharper your research and storytelling, the higher your rates.
Final Thoughts
Writing online doesn’t have to mean hustling for pennies. While most content mills and platforms underpay, there are still places that value good writing.
- Contently is the top choice if you want to work with premium brands and earn $500+ per article.
- Listverse offers quick $100 payouts for fun listicles.
- Cracked is perfect for comedy writers who want to earn while having fun.
- And beyond these, remember that skilled freelancers can charge $1 per word once they establish themselves.
If you’re serious about writing, stop chasing pennies. Put your energy into platforms that actually reward your skills. With the right strategy, one article could pay more than a whole week of content mill grind.
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