Thoughtful Thursday: Put Money in the Bank this Week!

Lots going on in my life now– besides writing this blog, I am also completing my book “How to Write and Get Paid” which will be a comprehensive manual for writers— how to get started, where to find work, building your client base, and even getting published. Check out my Write and Get Paid Kickstarter project to hear more about that, or to pre-order the book with a nominal pledge. Besides that, I am also ghostwriting a novel. Both of these are long-term projects, and getting the word out about the upcoming book is also a full-time job in itself. In the meantime, our utility companies appreciate when I tackle some extra work to make sure the checks clear.

There are many places to find work online, from freelance job matching sites like oDesk and VWorker to sites that pay you to write for clients, like Suite101, SEED, Writer Access, BreakStudios, and Textbroker. More on those sites in the next few days, but suffice it to say that signing  up with a few will keep you busy, even if you are between writing clients or involved in a lengthy project.

While I have written about guest blogging in the past, it has generally been about writing for sites to gain exposure, build your brand and reputation; you should definitely do that. However, guest blogging is also another way to quickly pick up some extra cash. There are many sites that pay for guest blog posts, so I will share with you a few of them today. Just remember, sites that pay for blog posts expect quality articles– which means relevant to the niche of the blog, and  with a kick-butt headline to draw traffic. Some will ask that you respond to comments on your posts as well, and they will spell that out in their terms. 

When guest blogging, review the site well first; you want to submit a post that will compel the blog members to read it. Read over their terms and conditions thoroughly, and be sure that you are not writing an article already covered already on the site. When a blog or site pays you for an article, it most often becomes their property. A bit of great news about paid guest blogs– they typically pay upon publication!

I will be sharing more sites in my upcoming book, but for now, here are a few places that pay for good quality writing work:

Seattle Dining: This site pays $50 to $60 for awesome restaurant reviews, $60 for reviews with pictures.

Pro Blog Design: Expert on web design? Write for Pro Blog and they will pay you $125.

Freelance Switch: Freelance Switch pays $50 for posts about writing, blogging, website design, etc.

American Ceramic Society: Site pays from $25 for a blog post up to $950 for a lengthy article.

Greater Good: This magazine at UC Berkeley offers $75 for book reviews and research briefs, and $.25 per word for essays and feature articles.

TutToaster: This site pays from $50 to $200 for tutorials and articles. Lots of design and tech stuff on site.

Art of Backpacking: Solo travel site pays from $20 to $50 per article.

World Start: This site pays from $25 to $50 for computer tips, payment amount depends on length.

Family Fun: This Disney site pays $1.25 per word for articles, and they even pay $100- $200 for ideas if the site opts to use a staff writer.

I have put together a list of over 200 places to get paid to blog, and that list will definitely be included in my upcoming book. Making a pledge today for the funding project on “How to Write and Get Paid” will help me get it published, and will get you one of the first copies! Please share this with all the aspiring writers you know, and on social media sites you visit; I will be forever grateful for your help!

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