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 (or even instantly).
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. However, because of the opportunity, it’s worthwhile to consider these in your search.
Overall, we’ve found that the most effective way to write and get paid daily is through a prearranged agreement with a business. This involves setting clear expectations about the work to be delivered and the payment terms.
Here are our favorite sites for finding both types of opportunities.
Five Writing Sites That Pay Daily
We’ve put together expert-written resources including a list of the best online writing job boards and a comprehensive step-by-step guide to kickstarting your freelance writing career.
These resources will be tremendously helpful in your journey. However, if your goal is to write and get paid instantly, the landscape looks a bit different.
While the job boards we recommend are excellent for finding freelance work, they don’t typically offer quick payment terms. If you’re specifically seeking writing sites that provide daily payments, your options may be more limited.
The following sites are well-reviewed by countless writers and offer some of the most flexible payment terms in the industry.
#1. Upwork
Submission requirements: Varies from project to project.
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.
One of The Ways To Wealth’s writers, Jenni Sisson, is a testament to this. Starting from scratch, she has found significant success as a freelance writer on Upwork, and has built a sustainable career in a short time period, with clients like Business Insider. Her journey serves as an inspiration for those willing to put in the effort and navigate the competitive landscape of freelance writing.
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.
#2. Listverse
Submission requirements: A listicle with at least 10 concepts, with at least a one to two paragraph summary for each item (and you must have a PayPal account).
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 10 items with one or 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 pay quickly, with same-day payment being the norm.
#3. ProBlogger Job Board
Submission requirements: Submit a proposal and cover letter to win a job.
ProBlogger is a highly reputable job board frequented by blogs and freelance writers alike.
Blogs pay to post their job listings, and freelancers can bid on these jobs at no cost. This platform is especially popular among sites that specialize in SEO content writing, making it an excellent fit for writers with specific subject matter expertise.
Unlike Upwork, ProBlogger doesn’t process payments directly, which allows for flexibility in payment arrangements between you and your client. For example, if you agree to be paid via PayPal within 24 hours of submitting your piece, there’s no delay in receiving your funds.
To position yourself for a “write and get paid instantly” opportunity, consider proposing a unique arrangement to potential clients: in exchange for immediate payment, commit to delivering the article within a very short turnaround time.
You might want to say something in your proposal like,
“Given the quick turnaround time I can provide, I propose a payment arrangement where I would deliver the completed article within 24 hours of assignment, and in return, I would appreciate if the payment could be processed immediately upon submission via PayPal. This arrangement ensures you receive your content promptly, and I can maintain a steady workflow. Please let me know if this arrangement works for you, or if you have any other suggestions. I’m open to discussion to find a mutually beneficial agreement.”
For newcomers to the platform without a portfolio, it might be necessary to start with lower bids. However, as you build your reputation and portfolio, you’ll be able to gradually increase your rates.
#4. Fiverr
Submission requirements: None — you create your own projects.
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.
Learn more: See our complete guide about how to make money on Fiverr.
#5. Craigslist
Submission requirements: Submit a proposal and cover letter to win a job.
While not traditionally viewed as a job board for freelance writers, Craigslist can serve as one.
Businesses pay to post their jobs on Craigslist, which provides some quality control, although it may be more relaxed than on platforms like ProBlogger, where posting a job is more expensive.
That being said, a search for writing gigs on Craigslist can yield some solid opportunities.
If you aim to get paid instantly, propose an arrangement similar to that suggested for ProBlogger: deliver the article within 24 hours in exchange for immediate payment upon successfully submitting the draft.
However, remember that some clients may require revisions and withhold payment until they are satisfied with the final product.
While there are some benefits to searching for local jobs (such as the mystery dining article opportunity above) you can expand your search nationwide on Craigslist by utilizing third-party tools like SearchTempest, which aggregates Craigslist listings from across the country.
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 its 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. Check out our list of the best freelance writing niches for beginners for some inspiration.
- 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.
- Consider a freelance writing course. Embarking on a freelance writing career involves more than just talent; it also requires honing your skills and understanding the business side of freelancing. While talent can get you started, taking a course can elevate your skills to a professional level and help you turn your writing into a viable business and career. We recommend checking out our guide to the best freelance writing courses. By investing in your skills and knowledge, you can gradually increase your earning potential and make more money from your writing.
Getting Paid Daily as a Freelance Writer
Writing is a great way to make money from home. The tips above can help you get started and further define your writing career as you amass experience and find your freelancing 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.
