The good thing about most of the sites listed below is that they also allow you to include a bio with a link back to your website. You can easily use this opportunity to link back to a hire me page on your blog, and as a result get a lot of clients willing to pay you for your work. In other words, by writing for most of the blogs on this list you are being paid to market yourself.
Note: A few years after publishing this list, I have compiled and published a more recent one that features 46 additional websites that will pay you to write.
You can make money writing articles for these sites:
Niche: Web Design
Payment Method: Paypal
Developer Tutorials is a programming/web design blog. You can submit articles to Developer Tutorials on anything from programming to web design, and you will be able to get $30-$50 for list articles, and $50-$100 for tutorials.
Developer Tutorials also allows you a bio with a link back to your blog. So, you can easily build your portfolio, and as a result expose your work to thousands of people.
Niche: Audio
Payment Method: Paypal/Moneybookers
Audio Tuts+ is one of the blogs in the Envato blog network, and they also provide people with writing opportunities.
You can easily make $50 by contributing a “Quick Tip” to Audio Tuts+. According to Audio Tuts+ a quick tip should be around 500 words, so you should be able to make some quick bucks for your short articles.
Niche: Photoshop
Payment Method: Paypal/Moneybookers
If you’re an expert at Photoshop, or if you have some cool tricks you think a lot of photoshop users will love to read about, you can create a tutorial and submit it to PSD Tuts+. For this kind of tutorial you will be paid anything from $50 to $150.
Niche: Health
Payment Method: Unspecified
The American College of Healthcare Sciences is looking for articles related to holistic health and wellness. They want articles to be in the 600 – 1,000 words range and they pay $50 per article accepted.
Niche: Computer Tips
Payment Method: Paypal/Check (for those in the US)
WorldStart is another great website providing freelance writers with several options to make money from their writing. There are various payment options you can get with them. They have the $25 option for 250 words article, the $40 option for 400 words articles, the $45 option for 600 words articles and the $50 option for 800 words articles.
With over 300,000 monthly visitors, if you’re in the tech/computing niche you can a lot of exposure and some more writing opportunities come your way by writing for this blog.
Niche: Writing
Payment Method: Paypal/Check
FundsForWriters.com is looking for practical articles aimed at helping writers get paid for their writing; they have a preference for success stories.
They pay $45 – $50 per article depending on whether you want to be paid via Check or Paypal, and articles are usually accepted within a week of submission.
Niche: Making Money Writing
Payment Method: Unknown
Writers Weekly isn’t a blog. Instead, it is an online publication that is distributed to paying subscribers. With Writers Weekly you will be paid anything from $40 to $60 for articles you submit.
Niche: Career
Payment Method: Unspecified
Brazeen Careerist is looking for list posts about networking events in various cities. They pay $50 per article, and you need to arrange payment first with the editor before you start working on your article.
Niche: Make Money Writing
Payment Method: Paypal
Even though Carol has already gotten more offers than needed for the whole of 2011, I think her blog is still worth being listed. You can easily pitch her an idea for consideration towards next year on the subject of freelance writing/making money writing. You will be paid $50 for any of your articles that is accepted.
Niche: General
Payment Method: Paypal
Listverse is looking for interesting and unique list articles from writers. Your lists can be about anything, as long as the topic is unique, unusual or interesting.
Listverse pays $100 per approved list, and they’d like articles to be around 1,500 words and to feature at least 10 items.
Niche: Education
Payment Method: Paypal/Check
Back to College is looking for articles about education for older students. They pay $75 – $135 per article, and payment is made via Paypal or check 30 days after an accept article has been published.
Niche: eCommerce
Payment Method: Unspecified
eCommerce Insiders is looking for articles about online commerce and retail, and they pay $75 – $125 per article.
Articles can be 400 – 600+ words, and you’ll also have a bio below your article.
Niche: Adobe
Payment Method: Paypal
If you’re an expert at using Adobe products and you want to share your experience through your writing, you can make anything from $50-$75 by contributing your tutorials to TheTechLabs.
Niche: Vector
Payment Method: Paypal/Moneybookers
You can easily make money by contributing articles about Vector arts to Vector Tuts+. You will be paid up to $150 per article for your writing, depending on the quality of your articles and you can receive your payment via Paypal or Moneybookers.
Niche: Adult Education
Payment Method: Unknown
The Change Agent is an Adult Education Publication that pays $50 per article contributed. Your article can be anything from 250 words to 1,000 words, and you will still be paid the same amount no matter how long your content is, as long as it is accepted.
Niche: Ceramics
Payment Method: Unknown
If you believe you can write articles on all things ceramics you should give Ceramics.org a try. You will be paid $25 for any short article accepted, $350 for a 1,000 words bulletin, and up to $900 for a 5,000 words bulletin accepted.
Niche: Variety of Topics
Payment Method: Check
By writing for The Dollar Stretcher you will be paid $0.10 per word for any article accepted. That means you will get $100 for a 1000 words article, and $500 for a 5,000 words article. The payment will be sent via check in US dollars.
Niche: Skydiving
Payment Method: Paypal
Dropzone is a Skydiving blog visited by millions of people monthly, and by writing for Dropzone, aside from gaining a lot of exposure, you will paid $50 for any article that is accepted and up to $100 for an article that is featured.
Niche: Parenting
Payment Method: Check
Metro Parent is a parenting magazine that pays you anything from $35-50 for a short article, and up to $350 for a detailed article accepted. The payment for your article will be made upon publication.
Niche: Web Development
Payment Method: Unknown
Sitepoint is currently one of the leading websites online when it comes to web development, and they are interested in paying quality freelance writers to contribute to their growing network. Your article must be over 1,500 words, and upon acceptance, you will be paid a $100 flat rate. If your article does really well and is able to generate up to 100,000 page views you will be paid $250 more.
Niche: Web Design/Web Development
Payment Method: Paypal/Moneybookers
Themeforest is currently one of the leading authorities in the web design space. You can make up to $100 by contributing an article to Theme Forest, and you can easily use the opportunity to get more exposure for yourself.
Niche: Parenting
Payment Method: Paypal
They are looking for practical articles with parenting tips, and they pay $100 per accepted article. You will also be able to link back to your site in your article bio.
Niche: Web Design
Payment Method: Paypal
Spyre Studios is an authority blog when it comes to web design, and they pay freelance writers $50 for articles accepted, and up to $160 for tutorials.
Niche: Design/Programming
Payment Method: Unknown
Smashing magazine is the number one web design blog online, and you can easily gain a lot of exposure while at the same time getting paid for every article you submit that is accepted. There is no fixed price for your articles, but you can be rest assured that you will be paid well if your article is of great quality and if it is accepted.
Niche: Photoshop
Payment Method: Paypal
They are looking for articles about Photoshop; your article can either be a quick tip or a full tutorial, and you can earn $50 – $300 per article accepted.
Niche: Coding
Payment Method: Paypal/Moneybookers
If you’re really good at coding and you want to share your experience with others through your writing, you will be paid up to $150, depending on the quality, for every tutorial that is accepted.
Niche: Design/Usability
Payment Method: Paypal
UX Booth is another design blog on this list that pays freelance writers $100 for articles accepted. The article you write should be on the topic of design/usability.
Niche: Web design/Freelancing
Payment Method: Unspecified
They are looking for articles about web design, freelancing, productivity and other related topics. They pay $100 – $200 per accepted article.
Niche: Travel
Payment Method: Unspecified
They are looking for original travel articles in the 1,000 – 2,000 words range. They prefer you to pitch them first before proceeding with your article, and they pay $100 – $150 per article.
Niche: Design
Payment Method: Paypal
By contributing an article to Crazy Leaf, aside from being able to show your skills to thousands of people, you will also be paid depending on how good your article is.
Bonus Sites
Yes, I know I promised only 30 sites in the title of this article, but in other to over deliver I will be providing you with 3 more sites. You can explore these sites to gain more exposure while at the same time increase your income.
Niche: Design/Programming
Payment Method: Unknown
InstantShift is a popular design and programming blog that pay you for articles based on the quality of the article submitted. The site is well-respected and has a good reputation, so you should be able to make a great income for quality articles you submit.
Niche: Design/Coding
Payment Method: Paypal
This is another great design website that offers payment based on the quality and volume of the article submitted.
Niche: Design/Coding
Payment Method: Unknown
A part of the Smashing Network, Noupe is another great web design blog that is well-respected. You can easily contribute great content and get exposure for your work while at the same time getting paid. The payment is unspecified, but Noupe is a well-respected blog online so you should expect to be paid something great for your quality submissions.
More websites that pay you to contribute an article, instantly
Niche: Online business/making money online
Amount per post: $50 – $200
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
They accept articles about anything related to building an online business; your articles can be about making money online, getting traffic, social media, web design, conversion optimization and anything in between. If it’s about building a business online, it will most likely be a good fit for them!
Niche: Freelance blogging
Amount per post: $50
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
Your guest posts can be published on Be a Freelance Blogger as long as they’re focused on the subject of freelance blogging or something relevant. The minimum length accepted is 500 words but longer guest posts tend to do well.
You’ll be paid $50 per post and you’ll also be allowed to have a link to your website in your bio. You can find more info
here.
Niche: eCommerce
Amount per post: $75 – $125
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
eCommerce Insiders is looking to pay for exclusive, original content targeted at online retailers and the eCommerce industry.
Your articles can be educational, coming in form of tips or “how to” articles, or it can be a commentary on industry news or trends.
They pay $75 per article for articles in the 400 – 600 words range and $125 per article for articles above 600 words; payment is made a month after your article is published.
Niche: General
Amount per post: $0.50 – $0.60 per word
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
You can submit your articles to Smithsonian via the web form provided on the article submission page. The article submission page can be found
here.
Niche: Travel
Amount per post: up to $1,000 an article
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
Travel and Leisure accepts articles and features from freelance writers. Payment will be agreed on once you’ve been assigned an article. You can find more info on writing for Travel and Leisure
here.
Niche: Travel
Amount per post: Up to $50 an article
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
BootsnAll will pay you up to $50 to contribute a travel article. There are different types of articles you can contribute and the maximum is $50 for a feature article. You’ll be paid via Paypal if your article is accepted.
You can find more info on the articles accepted as well as how to pitch your articles
here.
Niche: Travel
Amount per post: $50 – $150
Payment Method: Paypal or Check
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
Transition Abroad is a top travel website that’ll pay you anything from $50 – $150 for your travel articles. You’ll be paid for your article upon its acceptance.
You can find more information on contributing to Transition Abroad
here.
Niche: Travel
Amount per post: $0.50 to $1 a word
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
Budget Travel is a top travel website that pays writers to contribute travel articles. You can find out more about contributing to Budget Travel
here.
Niche: Travel
Amount per post: Unspecified
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
World Hum is a travel website looking for quality articles from travel writers; articles are preferred to be over 1,500 words and to be submitted in the body of the email, not as an attachment.
You’ll be contacted with payment information once your article has been accepted. You can read more about contributing to World Hum
here.
Niche: Education
Amount per post: $75 – $135
Payment Method: Paypal/Check
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
Back2College.com is looking for articles about education for older students.
They pay $75 – $135 per article and payment is made via Paypal or Check 30 days after publication of your article. They’d love you to send them a completed draft instead of pitching them your idea first.
Niche: Career
Amount per post: $50
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Partially
Brazen Careerist is a leading career website looking for articles for professionals; articles can be tailored to young professionals, mid-level professionals or recruiters.
Payment needs to be prearranged with the editor before you start writing the article.
Niche: Travel
Amount per post: $50 – $200
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
Articles should be about travel and approximately 300 – 600 words.
They pay $50 – $75 for articles they request, $100 – $150 for personal stories and interviews, and $150 – $200 for articles with specific income advice for their readers.
Payment will be made upon publication of your article.
Niche: Finance
Amount per post: $50 per post
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You will paid $50 per post for a 200 – 800 words article accepted by
Krazy Coupon Lady. Payment will be made via Paypal upon acceptance and you can find more details on how to contribute
here.
Niche: Business
Amount per post: $100
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You’ll be paid $100 to contribute your business-related articles to YourOnline.biz. Payment will be made the month following the month your article was accepted. You can find the contribution guidelines
here.
Niche: General
Amount per post: up to $60
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You’ll be paid up to $60 an article to contribute to blogs on the Matador Network. You can write about almost anything that can be found on the Matador topics page. You can find more info on contributing to the Matador Network
here.
Niche: Rust Belt
Amount per post: $50 – $500
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Partially
They are looking for articles about anything related to the Rust Belt region, and you’ll be paid $50 – $500 depending on the nature of your article; your article can be an essay, a commentary or long-form reporting.
Niche: Parenting
Amount per post: $100 – $300
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
They are looking for articles about parenting, and they pay $100 per article; if your article ends up being their most popular article at the end of the year, you’ll get a $200 bonus.
They also allow a bio with a link back to your site.
Niche: Web Design/Freelancing/Productivity
Amount per post: $100 – $200
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
They are looking for articles on a variety of topics, including freelancing, web design and productivity. They pay $100 – $200 for every article they accept.
Niche: WordPress
Amount per post: $30 – $100
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Partially
They are looking for articles about the WordPress CMS, and they prefer articles to be at least 1,200 words.
You’re invited to name your price, but they usually pay in the $30 – $100 per article range.
Niche: Vector Design
Amount per post: $150
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
They are looking for tutorials related to vector design, and they pay $150 for accepted tutorials.
You’ll also be allowed a bio and link to your website in your article.
Niche: Writing
Amount per post: $50 – $200
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
They have a preference for interviews, publishing trends, freelance writing success stories and self-publishing tips.
They pay $50 – $200 per accepted article, and they expect articles to be in the 450 – 650 words range.
Niche: General
Amount per post: $50 – $200+ per article
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You’ll get paid to contribute articles on almost any topic to Cracked.com – you can take a look at popular topics discussed on the website for ideas.
You’ll be paid up to $200 per post and you’ll also be able to mention your website below the post in the bio section.
You can read more about contributing to Cracked
here.
Niche: Linux
Amount per post: $50 – $200
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
They are looking for articles related to Linux; your articles can be about Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, Fedora or any of the other Linux ecosystem.
They pay $50 – $200 via Paypal or Digital Ocean credit for accepted articles.
Niche: Healthcare
Amount per post: $50
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You can make $50 per post for contributing 600 – 1,000 word articles on various healthcare topics to the American College of Healthcare Sciences blog. You’ll also receive full credit for your posts.
You can find out more about contributing to ACHS
here.
Niche: Design
Amount per post: $100
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You’ll be paid $100 per post to contribute typically 1,500 – 2,000 words articles. You’ll also be allowed to have a link to your website in your post bio and payment will be made on publication of your article.
You can find out more about contributing to A List Apart
here.
Niche: Cell Phone Reviews
Amount per post: up to $350
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
You can make money by contributing relevant articles to Consumer Search. You can begin the writing process by downloading the writer application form
on this page.
Niche: General
Amount per post: $50 per post
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
You will be paid to contribute articles on any subject to Global Comment. You can find out more about contributing to Global Comment
here.
Niche: Writing
Amount per post: $40
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
Ontext is a website for authors and ghostwriters that’ll pay you $40 per article. Payment will be made upon publication of your article and you can find out more about contributing to Ontext
here.
Niche: Design
Amount per post: Unspecified
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
You’ll be paid to write design articles for Go Media Zine and you can find more information on contributing your articles
here.
Niche: Productivity
Amount per post: $150
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
You can find out more about contributing to GOOD
here.
Niche: Science
Amount per post: up to $350
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You can get paid up to $350 per article to contribute your articles to Greater Good. Greater Good prefers science articles with a mix of storytelling.
You can find out more about writing for Greater Good
here.
Niche: International
Amount per post: up to $400
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes/No
International Living will pay you up to $400 per article to contribute articles on living/saving when retiring in a country other than the US.
You’ll be paid upon publication and you can find out more about contributing to International Living
here.
Niche: General
Amount per post: up to $200
Payment Method:Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You can get paid up to $200 to contribute an article on any subject as a subject matter expert to iWorkwell.
You can find out more about contributing to iWorkwell
here.
Niche: Web Development
Amount per post: $150 – $300
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
They are looking for articles about HTML, CSS, SASS or other topics related to web development.
They pay $150 for articles and $200 for tutorials; they pay $300 for articles they feel will do really well traffic-wise.
Niche: General
Amount per post: $100
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You’ll be paid $100 per list post you submit to Listverse that is published. You can submit lists on anything and list posts published on Listverse are usually of a top 10 nature.
You can find out more about contributing to Listverse
here.
Niche: General
Amount per post: Undisclosed
Payment Method: Undisclosed
Payment info confirmed on website: No
You will be paid to contribute articles designed to help people improve their knowledge and brain capability at Mental Floss; articles are usually made of quizzes or facts.
You can find out more about contributing to Mental Floss
here.
Niche: Politics
Amount per post: up to $1300
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
The Progressive is a politics magazine that accepts submissions from freelance writers. You’ll be paid up to $50 – $1,300 per post if your article is accepted by Progressive.
You can find out more about contributing
here.
Niche: General
Amount per post: $150
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
You can submit an article to Salon.com that relates to any of the categories featured on the website. You can read more about writing for Salon.com
here.
Niche: Tech
Amount per post: $1 per word
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
You can find out more about contributing to MIT Technology Review
here. You’ll find a link to a page where you can submit your pitch.
Niche: Humor/General
Amount per post: $60
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You can submit articles about any topic as long as it pokes fun at any major subject. It could be on politics, business, religion or anything. As long as it’s humor.
You can read more about contributing to Funny Times
here.
Niche: Animals/Pets
Amount per post: $100 – $400
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
Bird Channel is a top website for bird lovers and it accepts submissions from freelance writers. You’ll be paid $100 – $400 for articles you contribute
You can read more about contributing to BirdChannel.com
here.
Niche: Design
Amount per post: Unspecified
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: No
Graphic Mania is a top design website that pays you to submit design articles and tutorials. Payment will be discussed when you pitch your article and you can find out more about contributing to Graphic Mania
here.
Niche: Design
Amount per post: $50
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: No
Hongkiat is a top web design website that will pay you for your design articles and tutorials. Hongkiat prefers articles to be around 800 – 1,000 words and you can read more about contributing to Hongkiat
here.
Niche: Blogging
Amount per post: Up to $50
Payment Method: Paypal
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
IntenseBlog will pay you up to $50 to contribute blogging articles and tutorials. You can find out more about contributing to IntenseBlog
here.
Niche: Tech
Amount per post: $60 – $100
Payment Method:Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
You can find out more about contributing to Labmice
here.
Niche: Adventure/Wildlife
Amount per post: $50
Payment Method: Unspecified
Payment info confirmed on website: Yes
They are looking for articles about travel, wildlife, geology, desert lore and cultural/natural history of the North American Desert regions.
They want articles to be in the 1,000 – 1,700 words range and they pay $50 per article accepted.
