5 Websites for Independent Writers to Start Earning Money

Do you have a passion for writing? Check out these websites where you can earn profit for your work!

Book Culture Business Lifestyle On Writing
Girl in front of laptop, holding dollar bills. Top left corner shows the texts Patreon, Substack, and Fiverr.

The beautiful use of words and language when writing can be a powerful tool for creating stories, self-expression, and communicating shared ideas. However, earning money from writing can seem an overwhelming and daunting task for freelance pursuers. On the bright side, there are plenty of helpful websites for writers to begin their journey in making a profit for their outstanding work! Whether you only desire a side-hustle or are looking into making writing your full-time career, there are platforms dedicated to helping you get started. If you’re not sure where to start looking first, try out this curated list of websites we’ve gathered for you to begin writing!

Substack

A newsletter that I personally love to read in the morning, Substack is an online platform that allows writers to create and monetize their own page for readers to subscribe to. It enables independent writers and creators to publish written content directly to their audience, offering both paid and unpaid subscriptions. Substack is an incredible website for beginners, as its easy-to-use system and helpful tools encourage writers to build connections with their readers and write to their heart’s desire.

Substack's logo, a shape representing an orange bookmark with two lines cutting across the top.
IMAGE VIA SUBSTACK

Learn more about their platform on their website here.

Medium

Similar to Substack, Medium is another excellent choice if you like the aspect of journaling entries and newsletters! Through their Partner Program, writers can monetize their platform and earn based on member engagement with their stories. You also have the freedom to write whatever is on your mind: whether it’s thought-provoking analyses, personal essays, or guides, Medium is a great space for you to build a connection with your readers and for your work to be recognized and valued.

Medium's logo, a text simply stating "Medium" with three warped circles to the left.
IMAGE VIA MEDIUM

Learn more about their website here.

Fiverr

Fiverr is an online marketplace perfect for writers who want to work closely with other businesses that need their help with ghostwriting, editing, content writing, and other services. Fiverr allows you to create your own platform for clients to see and set your rates based on your expertise. With its vast number of users worldwide, this website is a great opportunity for writers to make themselves more well-known and build a portfolio. Its structure is also ideal for beginners and experienced writers looking to improve their skills!

Fiverr's logo, a dark text displaying fiverr with a light green period afterwards.
IMAGE VIA FIVERR

Check out their website for writing here.

Patreon

If storytelling is more your style, Patreon is the perfect place for you. Unlike the hassle of freelance or other self-produced writing careers where income can be inconsistent, Patreon offers stable revenue for your work through monthly subscriptions from your readers! As a writer on this platform, you can specialize in original fiction stories, short stories, or even interactive content where your readers can vote to influence the direction of a story. This is also the most well-known platform for storytellers to earn a profit.

Patreon's logo, a black filled-in letter P with soft edges.
IMAGE VIA PATREON

Read more on their help center to get started here.

Vocal Media

Another great choice for creative writers, Vocal Media is dedicated to writers publishing their work and earning money based on reader engagement. Even with their free membership option for readers, you can still earn income through the number of viewers you accumulate. Writers can submit articles, poetry, short stories, or essays varying across any genre. Additionally, this platform allows you to focus only on your creativity without worrying about pitching to clients! Their paid membership program, Vocal+, will also help you gain even higher rates per read, making it an excellent option for those who want to get paid for their content creation.

Vocal Media's logo, a circle with lines inside and a text to the right that says "Vocal."
IMAGE VIA VOCAL MEDIA

View their resources to get started as a creator here.

Finding the right website for you to dedicate your time to depends on your personal goals. Whether you enjoy writing fictional stories and creating an audience for it or are more into building a professional portfolio for clients and businesses, we hope these websites helped you find the perfect one to get started.


Interested in other careers centered around writing or bookish-related? Read our article here.

Check out our Writer Inspiration – Tips, Tricks, and Book Recs on Becoming a Better Writer list on bookshop.org!

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