13 Online Jobs for Writers and Where to Apply for Them

Most people who journal, publish a blog, or write as a hobby don’t consider themselves writers. Yet, there are lots of jobs for writers where you can do what you love and work from home!

When it comes to earning money as a writer, having an understanding of your target audience, being flexible, understanding SEO (search engine optimization), and delivering on-time and well-thought-out work (in my opinion) is more important than your education.

As someone who hires freelance writers, I don’t care about a resume, cover letter, or a college degree. What I want to know is that my writers can come up with great ideas! They have an informative yet friendly writing tone, they can thoroughly research and edit their own work, and deliver it on time.

In most cases, you don’t need a college degree to be a freelance writer. If you want to work from home and enjoy writing, here are some writing jobs you may want to consider! 

1. Content Writer

If you’re a blogger or simply enjoy writing, there are many websites that will pay you to write thoughtful, well-researched blog posts in a variety of industries. Many of these opportunities allow you to include a byline and a link to your website (so it’s a wonderful way to build your writing portfolio and reputation). 

Websites often have guidelines to follow for writing paid posts. Payment varies depending on the publication; therefore, read through the instructions carefully before submitting your pitch. It’s also helpful to read a few articles before submitting your pitch, so that you can get a feel for the target audience, writing tone, and length. You can also find full-time positions for content writers, which generally pay an average annual salary of $62,617. 

Check out this list for a massive list of content writing jobs. 

2. Copywriter

Copywriting and copyrighting are two very different topics. Copywriting is a form of persuasive writing used in advertising, commercials, and promotional materials (nothing to do with the legalities of copyrights). Copywriting positions may involve assisting businesses with social media and website copy, printed advertising, press releases, video scripts, and other marketing materials. If you choose to work for a copywriting agency, they will most likely want you to work in-house and have a background in writing, advertising, marketing, or communications.

However, if you choose to work as a freelancer, you can apply for gigs and prove your worth. Of course, you’ll want to learn as much as you can about copywriting by reading books, taking courses, and attending industry events. 

Prerna Malik started as a freelance writer and blogger, but now she runs a highly successful six-figure copywriting agency from home. Be sure to read her story, it’s super inspiring!

In this article, you can also learn more about copywriting and where to find freelance gigs. 

3. Creative Writing

There are many forms of creative writing, including writing poems, short stories, scripts for television, movies, and plays, as well as writing fictional novels. However, for this section, I want to focus on fictional book writing.

Becoming a published author can be tough, but many people will admit it’s their ultimate dream. To get started on your book, create an outline and then begin writing, setting a daily word count goal for yourself. After it’s complete, get feedback from readers. Ask them to critique your work and be as brutally honest as possible. Once you’ve drafted your novel with feedback, you’ll submit excerpts to agents or publishing companies. If an agent or publishing agency is intrigued by your work, they may request your entire novel and agree to represent you. 

Alternatively, you can self-publish, especially in e-book format, through sites like Amazon. Self-publishing means you’re responsible for promotion, advertising, and networking. This may be a good option if you’ve built up a fan base and followers through a blog or other publications. The key idea is to keep writing, become comfortable with rejection and feedback, and remain persistent.

According to Indeed, the average annual salary for an author in the United States is $53,643. Be sure to check out this article if you’re interested in self-publishing a book. 

4. Ghostwriter

Ghostwriters capture the voice of their client and craft blog posts, articles, and even books while remaining anonymous. Ghostwriting requires writers to enter the mind of someone else while maintaining absolute confidence. Ghostwriters often develop close relationships with their clients. The work is generally scalable and ranges from part-time to full-time. 

Ghostwriters in the United States earn an average of $80,000 annually. Most ghostwriters earn a set rate per article or project. If you’re curious about becoming a ghostwriter, check out this informative interview with CaroleAnne Hardy, who has ghostwritten articles for dozens of major publications. 

5. Grant Writer

Grant writers work for nonprofits, schools, colleges, and organizations to help them secure funding for their projects. Grant writing requires technical writing skills, as well as close knowledge of the project and the organization requesting the funds. They should also understand nonprofit terminology, logic models, and project presentations.

Some grant writers work on a success-only payment basis; however, because the world of grants and fundraising is highly competitive, this fee structure can be particularly challenging for writers new to the field. Grant writers are crucial to nonprofits and vital to their success. 

In the United States, grant writers earn an average annual salary of $63,651. You can find ghostwriting jobs on sites like Upwork, Freelancer, Relay Publishing, and FlexJobs. 

6. Journalist

Journalists capture current events and document stories of everyday life. They may work for newspapers, magazines, news outlets, or online publications. They often work alongside photographers and producers to create and capture the angles of important stories. Freelance journalists are usually highly involved in a certain niche (such as politics, education, or healthcare) and become experts on a topic. They are aware of the latest developments and report the news as it unfolds. 

While some journalists do not hold a college degree, most major publications require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field such as political science. Freelance journalists are often paid by the word for their publications, and according to ZipRecruiter, they earn an average annual salary of $60,979. You can apply for freelance journalism jobs on FlexJobs and JournalismJobs.com. 

7. Magazine Writer

Imagine seeing your byline in a popular print magazine. Pretty amazing, right? Many publishing companies use freelance writers to contribute articles and ideas. Often, you’ll need to pitch your story idea in a query letter to a magazine publisher. Magazine writing is highly competitive, so you’ll need a great idea and high-quality writing skills. To gain experience, you’ll likely want to build up your portfolio with content writing, and then you’ll have samples to show magazine publishers. 

The great thing about these gigs is that they tend to pay well, often paying per word. According to Glassdoor.com, the average annual salary of a magazine writer is $66,000, and on Who Pays Writers, you can explore rates for various publications. Here are some sites that hire magazine writers. 

8. Poetry Writer

Like becoming an author, becoming a poet isn’t necessarily an easy job to break into, but for some writers, poetry is what speaks to their hearts. There are publications, such as Poets & Writers, that showcase submissions in their literary magazine database. Some poets also choose to promote their work online through their website or self-published book. Some companies may seek writers to craft jingles, greeting cards, and other bits of copy that are poetic in nature. According to Talent.com, the average annual salary for a poet is $38,942. 

If you want to become a freelance poet, it’s important to practice daily, network with other writers as often as possible, and share your work online. Once you’ve built up a significant body of poetry, shop for an agent to help you get your poetry published, just as you would as a novel writer. You can explore this list for freelance poetry gigs. 

9. Resume Writer

If you enjoy the thought of helping others better their lives and find their dream job, then resume writing is a great remote job for you. Potential job seekers hire resume writers to help them refine their message and convey a clear and concise picture of their skill set. Many resumes are overlooked due to poor layouts and simple mistakes that could be easily caught with an expert eye. 

Becoming a resume writer doesn’t require formal training, but it is best to understand the ins and outs of the employment space. This knowledge can be gained by working in HR, recruiting, staffing, or career coaching, or by completing a relevant course or certification. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a resume writer is $48,412.

Check out this article for more info on resume writing and places to find remote positions. 

10. Romance Writer

Romance has always been a popular genre, and following the success of Fifty Shades of Grey, many budding romance authors saw their opportunity open up. The Fifty Shades of Grey novel originated as a self-published fan fiction work based on the popular Twilight series of books. While this may sound like a pipe dream, it’s possible to self-publish your romance writing successfully.

Rachel Blaufeld became a bestselling romantic suspense author after years of working as a social worker and blogger. If you have a knack for romantic storytelling, consider sharing your short stories online, building your readership, and exploring self-publishing or writing an e-book as a starting point. 

You can also explore this massive list of romance publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts.

11. Scriptwriter

Scriptwriting is an art form. While most of us think of a script or screenplay writer as someone who works in movies and theatre, scriptwriters are also used for television, video games, advertising, and even comic books. Some screenwriters start out crafting their own stories while others adapt another author’s story for the screen or stage. 

To get started, network with other writers and those in the entertainment industry. If you have the time and money, go to school to earn a degree in fine arts in screenwriting or dramatic writing (which will help you get your foot in the door). Otherwise, start sharing your work as much as possible. Reach out to local theaters and filmmakers to see if they’re interested in producing your piece, and connect with those who are successful to ask for their help in expanding your network.

For more info on screenwriting without a degree, check out this 10-step guide to getting started from SoCreate. 

12. Technical Writer

Technical writers take detailed information and break it down so it’s understood as clearly as possible. Technical writing opportunities span nearly every industry, including technology, the medical field, government, law, and manufacturing. Technical writing is direct and clear. It’s easy to understand and professional. Technical writers must not only understand the process they’re explaining, but they must also be able to put themselves in the minds of their readers and audience. If you have experience or knowledge in a specific industry, along with a writing talent, you may be a perfect fit for technical writing opportunities. You can find technical writing jobs on sites like Working Nomads, Upwork, and FlexJobs. 

13. Travel Writer

If you love to travel and share your experiences with others, travel writing is a fun work from anywhere job to satisfy your wanderlust. Many writers share their journeys on their blogs or via social media, but many travel publications accept submissions for travel writing. Learn how these two travel writers built up readership in the travel industry and how you can follow their example. One of the best parts of travel writing (especially if you own your own website or blog) is that you can often write off your travel as a business expense! For more places to explore for travel writing jobs, check out Problogger, Dotdash Meredith, Lonely Planet, or The Write Life. 

Jobs for Writers: Start Your Writing Career Today

If you have a passion for writing, there are plenty of freelance jobs for writers. Finding online writing jobs isn’t difficult, especially if you’re flexible about the subject matter you’re willing to tackle. If you love to express yourself through the written word and want to be your own boss, working as a freelance writer may be your dream work from home career path. 

Not sure where to begin? Here are some simple steps for breaking into freelance writing.

Originally published on June 25, 2018. Content updated June 2025.