How to Make Real Money Writing Articles Online
How to Make Real Money Writing Articles Online: 5 Best Websites That Actually Pay Writers
Do you love writing and dream of making real money from your words? In today’s digital world, it’s not only possible—it’s easier than ever. Many legitimate websites are now paying freelance writers for high-quality content, ranging from informative guides to entertaining stories. Whether you’re a new writer or a professional looking to diversify your income, here are five trusted platforms that actually pay you to write.
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| How to Make Real Money Writing Articles Online |
1. Listverse – Get Paid $100 for Every Published List
Listverse is one of the most famous platforms that pays writers for creative and engaging list-based articles. Think “10 Mind-Blowing Facts About Space” or “10 Bizarre Historical Events You Won’t Believe Happened.” Each accepted article earns you $100 via PayPal.
Requirements: Each list must contain at least 10 items with a minimum of 1,500 words in total. You should provide sources for each fact to ensure accuracy.
💡 Pro tip: Read a few popular lists on the site before submitting to understand the tone and format. Visit their submission guidelines.
2. Cracked.com – Humor and Smart Entertainment
Cracked.com is a long-standing humor and pop culture site that pays writers for witty, insightful, and entertaining articles. If you enjoy writing about movies, history, science, or internet culture—with a funny twist—Cracked is for you.
Pay: Around $100–$200 per article depending on the topic and complexity.
Before pitching, you’ll need to join their writers’ workshop, where editors help new contributors refine their ideas. You can check their submission process here.
3. Freelance Mom – Empowering Women Writers
Freelance Mom is a website focused on motherhood, freelancing, and entrepreneurship. It encourages women to share their stories and tips about balancing work and family life. The platform pays $75–$100 per accepted article.
Topics they love: Productivity hacks, remote work advice, business success stories, and personal experiences that inspire other moms.
If you have a blog about parenting or freelancing, linking back to it can help drive extra traffic. It’s also a great place to build credibility as a female voice in online entrepreneurship.
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| How to Make Real Money Writing Articles Online |
4. Vocal Media – Earn Based on Views and Engagement
Vocal Media is a growing platform that rewards creators for their stories, poems, and articles based on reader engagement. Unlike fixed-pay sites, you earn per 1,000 reads—making it perfect for writers who can attract loyal audiences.
Pay model: Free members earn about $3.80 per 1,000 reads, while Vocal+ members earn up to $6 per 1,000 reads. Bonuses are available for top-performing stories.
Visit the Vocal Resources Center to learn how to optimize your titles, tags, and storytelling for higher earnings.
5. Envato Tuts+ – Get Paid to Teach What You Know
Are you a developer, designer, or digital marketer? Then Envato Tuts+ is your ideal platform. It pays for well-structured tutorials that teach technical or creative skills to global learners.
Average payment: Around $100+ per tutorial, depending on length and depth.
Popular topics include coding (HTML, JavaScript, Python), graphic design, UX/UI, and productivity tools. Visit the Teach with Tuts+ page to get started.
🌟 Bonus Tip: Combine Platforms to Maximize Your Income
Don’t limit yourself to one website. Many successful freelance writers submit unique content to multiple platforms. For instance, you can write humor pieces for Cracked, how-to guides for Tuts+, and personal stories for Vocal Media. Diversifying your work not only increases income but also helps you grow as a professional writer.
📈 SEO and Long-Term Strategy
Each of these platforms can serve as a stepping stone toward building your online writing brand. By linking your author bio to your personal blog or LinkedIn profile, you can attract clients, boost your credibility, and even land long-term writing contracts.
Want to learn more ways to make money online? Check out our related guides:
💬 Final Thoughts
Making money from writing online isn’t a dream—it’s a career path. Whether you’re crafting funny stories, helpful tutorials, or heartfelt essays, the internet rewards quality and consistency. Start today with one of these five platforms, stay persistent, and watch your words turn into income.
