Freelance writing can be a lucrative, flexible way to make a living for those with a knack for written communication.
But there’s often a big downside to being a freelance writer: the extra cash it generates doesn’t always hit your account when you need it. In fact, some freelance gigs can take a month or more to pay.
Whether you’re looking to make money writing part-time or full-time, timely payment is a reasonable expectation — and the ability to withdraw your funds on demand can be a valuable perk.
For this post, we combed through dozens of writing sites to find the few that pay daily.
It’s important to note that two of the biggest sites on this list (Upwork and Fiverr) have a “pending” period for your earnings. So while you can withdraw your funds daily, there will be either a seven-day or 14-day lag between when you complete the work and when you can access your money.
That may not work if you need money today, but it can be a great option for those who don’t want to wait around for a bi-weekly or monthly paycheck.
5 Writing Sites That Pay Daily
When it comes to writing jobs online, there are tens of thousands available. But when it comes to writing sites that pay daily, your choices are rather limited.
The following sites are well-reviewed by countless writers and offer some of the most flexible payment terms in the industry.
#1. The Barefoot Writer
Submission requirements: 400 to 900 words, must be original content.
Pay: $100 to $300, depending on the category.
The Barefoot Writer is a publication and writing community that helps people jumpstart their writing career. They offer advice from seasoned writers on how to find your first freelance writing job, tips on improving your writing, and tips on marketing your services.
The Barefoot Writer also pays writers for submissions to their blog. The article must fit one of their approved categories and be accepted by their editors. They typically publish content that covers motivation, productivity, writing tools, how to start freelancing, writing improvement and feel-good stories.
If you’re interested in submitting a piece, follow the steps on their submissions page. If approved, you’ll be notified and asked how you’d like to receive payment. This entire submission process can take upwards of two weeks, but payment can be instant once your work is accepted.
#2. Listverse
Submission requirements: Original content of at least 1 to 2 paragraphs, and you must have a PayPal account.
Pay: $100.
Listverse is a site filled with viral lists covering topics like entertainment, web design, politics, and everything in between.
Unlike many writing sites, Listverse only asks that submissions be roughly one to two paragraphs. Humor is allowed in Listverse articles, and all pieces must be original and written in native-sounding English.
If you have some fun ideas for lists that you feel have the potential to go viral, pitch them using the Listverse submission form. If your list is accepted, you’ll be paid $100 via your PayPal account. The approval process isn’t always instantaneous, but they do claim to be rather quick.
#3. Upwork
Submission requirements: Varies from project to project.
Pay: Varies depending on the rates set.
Upwork is a freelancing marketplace. This means you can search for clients who have posted jobs matching your skills, and then bid on those projects. This allows you to find work that’s suitable for you, whether the job is posted for entry-level writers, writers with SEO experience, writers with a blogging background, or those with social media experience.
Upwork can be competitive, as you’re going up against thousands of other freelancers trying to make a living. But, if you’re looking for a legit way to network with clients and build your online writing portfolio, it can be a great place to go.
There are a couple of different ways to get paid on Upwork, including hourly and fixed-rate. You cannot get paid daily if you charge by the hour, as your weekly timesheet is finalized on Sunday night and billed to the client in one lump sum. After that, you have to wait an additional five days for the funds to clear.
If you charge fixed rates, your earnings will enter that clearance period as soon as the work is accepted by the client. So if you submit a project on Monday and it’s accepted on Tuesday, you can withdraw your funds on Sunday.
To get started, create an account, fill out your skills profile, and start your search.
Further reading: Check out our guides to getting your first job on Upwork and applying for Upwork writing jobs.
#4. Postloop
Submission requirements: Must write like a native English speaker.
Pay: $5 per 100 points.
Postloop is a unique site that gives writers with little experience the chance to earn money for commenting on sites or starting discussion threads in forums. All Postloop asks is that writers have a solid understanding of English and adhere to the guidelines listed on whichever site they’re posting on.
While Postloop is a solid way to get some experience writing, the experience isn’t easily transferable to full-scale freelance writing, as you’re writing comments and not full articles. The pay can also be rather low, coming in at roughly eight cents for each post.
But Postloop does pay regularly, stating they review all requests to cash-in points within 24 hours. Once the requested cash-in is approved, the money will be available in your PayPal account.
If you want to start earning with Postloop, create an account on their site, subscribe to sites that interest you, and start commenting.
#5. Fiverr
Submission requirements: None — you create your own projects.
Pay: Varies depending on the rates you set.
Unlike Upwork, Fiverr is a freelance marketplace centered around the freelancers rather than the clients. At Fiverr, you create your own service listings, set your prices, and then wait until you get a bite. Once a client has put in an order, you fulfill the order by completing the requested service.
After the client has accepted your work, the funds go into a 14-day clearance period. (It’s only seven days for top-rated freelancers, but you need $20,000 in lifetime revenue to earn that designation.) Once the funds have cleared, you can withdraw them once per day, on demand.
Like Upwork, Fiverr can be competitive. But you get to control the pay rates and services offered. While you may not find work right away, the site can be a potentially powerful way to start your freelance career, build a portfolio, and meet clients.
To get started with Fiverr, create a seller’s profile and start writing out your services offered. From there, you can promote your services on social media and see if you know anyone that has connections with interested parties, or simply wait until clients find you organically via the site’s search engine.
Tips on How to Make a Living Writing
Writing can be both a great way to make some quick cash and to develop a long-lasting, lucrative career. Getting started can take time, but there are some things you can do to increase your chances of successfully selling your writing services.
- Focus on quality: Every writing site and potential client is interested in quality content. Whether or not your name will appear in the byline, make sure you’re always putting quality above all else — even if you’re only writing paid comments. Few writing success stories start with a writer who was sloppy or phoning it in.
- Network on LinkedIn: If you’re not on LinkedIn, get set up on the site ASAP. It’s a great place to network with other writers, build a support group, find potential clients, and promote your own skills and services. LinkedIn even offers their own job board, which can be an excellent place to find full-time writing positions.
- Consider blogging: Blogging can be a paying career, but it’s also a cheap way to get some writing experience. Find something you’re interested in, start a WordPress blog about it, and write. Even if it doesn’t turn into a lucrative site, it can help you refine your writing and serve as experience on your resume.
- Look for copywriting work: Even if you’re hoping to make it big with your own content or services, copywriting is an accessible way to break into the field. As a copywriter, your name won’t be on the work, but you’ll still be writing for various brands and clients, building your portfolio and accruing experience. Plus, copywriters can make solid money. Here’s a guide on how to become a copywriter.
- Don’t be afraid to find a niche: There’s nothing wrong with being a strong generalist writer who covers numerous topics and industries. But, there’s a lot less competition when you niche down and find a specific area you’re knowledgeable in and comfortable writing about. Nearly every industry has a need for writers, so dig online and see if you can find writing positions within a certain niche you’re passionate about.
- Learn how to optimize your earnings: Read our guide to setting your freelance writing rates to make sure you’re bringing in the maximum possible revenue for your time.
Getting Paid Daily as a Writer
Writing is a great way to make money from home. The above tips can help you get started and further define your writing career as you amass experience and find your niche.
That said, these are among the best of the limited options when it comes to writing sites that pay daily.
Just getting started? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to become a freelance writer.
