I often mention various websites that pay you to write. These have mostly been content sites and mills that have regular assignments available that you can grab and work on at your leisure.
Most of those sites don't pay all that well, although they are good to have access to for when you need money in a pinch.
Today, I thought it might be fun to make a list of blogs that pay you for guest posts! As you know, most sites do not pay you for guest posting.
Your reward is usually considered the byline at the end where you can promote your own site or services.
But there are some sites that not only pay for guest posts, they pay pretty well for guest posts.
Even though guest posts are usually either one-time or very occasional writing opportunities, they are great for getting your name out there and boosting the rank of your blog or website if you have one.
Also, there's no guarantee that the following sites will accept your submissions. If they don't, try not to get discouraged — you can always submit your work somewhere else. Some of the sites below will allow you to have a byline and some won't.
One more thing worth knowing before you dive in: some of these sites are very selective and work best for experienced writers with a portfolio, while others are much more accessible to beginners. I've tried to note which is which so you can set the right expectations going in.
5 Reputable Sites That Pay You For Guest Posting
Elite Personal Finance — Pays $300 per guest post for personal finance articles covering topics like loans, credit cards, identity theft, making money online, and saving money. Posts should be 1,000 to 3,000 words. They are open to recurring work with reliable writers, making this a great option if personal finance is your niche. Maybe a good choice for intermediate to experienced writers.
Listverse — Pays $100 for great lists of at least 10 items. You don't need to be an expert writer, you just need a love for unusual or interesting topics and strong English skills. This is one of the more beginner-friendly options on this list. I have reviewed them in more detail here.
Read. Learn. Write — Pays $50 per post for personal essays about your experiences with reading, learning, and writing. Posts should be 500 to 1,200 words. This is a good starting point for newer writers who have something genuine to say about books, literacy, or the writing life.
Longreads — Pays $500 for personal essays, $350 for curated reading lists, and 50 cents per word for reported features. This is one of the more prestigious options on the list and is best suited for experienced writers with published clips. Read their submission guidelines carefully before pitching as they have specific preferences per editor.
Make a Living Writing — Pays $150 to $230 per guest post, with higher rates for longer pieces assigned by the editor. Run by veteran freelance writing coach Carol Tice, this site focuses entirely on helping writers build sustainable careers. Guest posts must offer firsthand, practical advice for freelance writers. A great fit if writing is your area of expertise and you have real experience to share.
Tips For Getting Your Submissions Accepted
It goes without saying, but these websites are trying to pay writers a fair rate, so they are looking for high-quality and unique content.
Here are some things you should do for the best chance at getting your content accepted so you get paid!
Read the Instructions Carefully
Each of the sites above have their own unique submission requirements. Some of them may be OK with you submitting an article without pitching first. Others may require that you pitch them an idea before they will even look at your content.
You will save yourself time and frustration if you carefully read their submission requirements prior to sending any of your work over.
Research the Website and Try to Send Something New & Fresh
Look at the topics covered on the website you are considering writing for and try to come up with something unique that hasn't been written about previously, yet still in line with their niche.
Your submission or pitch will be given more consideration if it covers a new topic, or a new angle on an existing topic. These webmasters want to share content their readers will be excited about.
If you are newer to writing and want to build up your skills and clips before pitching some of the higher-paying sites, proofreading is a great complementary skill to develop alongside writing. It sharpens your eye for detail and can itself become a source of income from home.
Know of Other Sites That Accept Guest Posts?
I'd love to keep adding sites to this list! If you know of any other blogs or websites that are currently paying for guest posts, please let me know and I'll try to get those added.
If you want to stay in the loop on new remote jobs and work-at-home opportunities, including new writing leads when I find them, my free email newsletter is the easiest way to do that. I send new information several times a week and it's completely free to sign up.
Want Even More Freelance Writing Opportunities?
If guest posting sounds appealing but you also want access to more consistent freelance writing work, FlexJobs is worth checking out. Unlike the one-off submissions above, FlexJobs is a job board specifically built for remote and flexible work.
They regularly list freelance writing, editing, and content creation jobs from real companies that pay well and hire on an ongoing basis.
If you are also interested in other types of non-phone work from home, FlexJobs covers those categories too.
Here is what makes FlexJobs stand out for writers:
- Every single listing is researched and vetted by a human before it goes live, no scams, no content mills paying pennies
- The jobs are from known, reputable companies, not anonymous postings
- Listings include freelance, part-time, and full-time writing and editing roles so you can find something that fits your schedule
- No ads on the site, just clean, distraction-free job searching
- Updated five days a week with hundreds of new remote jobs across all categories including writing
- You can try it for just $2.95 for 14 full days and cancel anytime if it's not a good fit
Go here to check out FlexJobs.
Good luck to you!
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.