17 Websites That Pay You to Write Articles in 2025

• Lucrative Opportunities: Websites pay $50–$2,500 per article, offering viable income for US writers.
• Diverse Niches: From tech to travel, there’s a platform for every writer’s expertise.
• Accessible for Beginners: Many sites accept new writers with strong pitches, no prior publications needed.
• Competitive Landscape: High-quality, tailored pitches are essential to stand out.
• Potential Risks: Rates and policies may change; always verify current guidelines.

Why Write for Pay in 2025?

Writing articles for online platforms is a flexible way to earn money from home, build a portfolio, and gain exposure. In 2024, freelance writing demand grew 15% in the US, with 70% of businesses seeking content creators (Upwork). These 17 websites offer reliable opportunities to monetize your skills, catering to various niches and experience levels.

How to Succeed

• Craft Strong Pitches: Highlight unique angles, relevance, and your expertise.
• Follow Guidelines: Adhere to each site’s submission rules to avoid rejection.
• Start Small: Target beginner-friendly platforms like Listverse or uastend.com.
• Track Income: Save 25–30% for self-employment taxes; use tools like Wave (free).

Getting Started

Choose 2–3 platforms matching your niche, review their guidelines, and submit tailored pitches. Expect 5–15 hours weekly to land initial gigs, with earnings starting in 1–4 weeks.

17 Websites That Pay for Articles

1. Longreads
   Publishes long-form journalism, reported essays, critical essays, columns, and reading lists. Pays $350 for reading lists, $500+ for essays and features (50¢/word minimum). Ideal for in-depth storytellers. Pitch with a detailed outline and pre-reporting.
   Submission: Longreads Submissions.
2. The Drift Mag
   Seeks essays, short fiction, and poetry. Pays $2,000 for full essays, $500–$1,000 for short fiction, $150 for poetry, $25 for mentions. Suits creative writers with unique perspectives. Submit polished drafts.
   Submission: The Drift About.
3. Listverse
   Accepts engaging, well-researched lists on diverse topics. Pays $100 per published list. Beginner-friendly, requiring no prior experience. Submit complete lists with sources.
   Submission: Listverse Write.
4. OpenNews / Source
   Focuses on journalism technology, seeking case studies and primers. Pays $500 for case studies/primers, $200 for shorter pieces. Great for tech-savvy writers. Pitch with specific tech angles.
   Submission: OpenNews Contribute.
5. Sport Fishing Magazine
   Publishes print and digital features on sport fishing. Pays $750+ for print, $200+ for digital (1,000 words). Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Follow editorial guidelines closely.
   Submission: Sport Fishing Guidelines.
6. Tutorial Board
   Pays up to $150 for tutorials on various topics. Ideal for writers who can teach practical skills. Submit clear, actionable tutorials.
   Submission: Tutorial Board Write.
7. Narratively
   Seeks personal, human-driven stories. Pays $300 for personals; other sections’ rates vary. Suits writers with compelling narratives. Pitch with a full draft or outline.
   Submission: Narratively Pitch.
8. PTO Today
   Covers parent-teacher organization topics. Pays $125–$500 based on complexity/experience. Good for education-focused writers. Submit detailed pitches.
   Submission: PTO Today Guidelines.
9. Business Insider
   Publishes business, finance, and news features. Paid $0.40/word for a 1,000-word essay in 2023, typically within 30 days. Competitive but prestigious. Pitch with data-driven angles.
   Submission: Business Insider Write.
10. Elite Personal Finance
    Focuses on personal finance advice. Pays $300 per selected article. Ideal for financial experts. Submit well-researched pitches.
    Submission: Elite Personal Finance.
11. SmartBusinessTrends
    Seeks business-related content. Pays $200–$500 for articles; guest posts offer backlinks but no pay. Suits business writers. Pitch with industry insights.
    Submission: SmartBusinessTrends Write.
12. WIRED
    Covers tech, science, and culture. Pays $2,500+ based on length/reporting. Highly competitive, ideal for experienced writers. Pitch with innovative angles.
    Submission: WIRED Pitch.
13. Vox
    Publishes news, policy, and culture stories. Paid $0.90/word for a 1,000-word story in 2024. Pitch to section-specific emails (e.g., Future Perfect, Climate). Include pre-reporting and unique angles.
    Submission: Vox Pitch.
14. Cosmopolitan UK
    Focuses on lifestyle, relationships, and women’s issues. Pays $0.90/word for 1,000-word posts. Great for lifestyle writers. Submit polished pitches.
    Submission: Cosmopolitan UK Write.
15. B. Michelle Pippin
    Seeks content for women entrepreneurs. Pays $50–$150 per piece, based on format. Ideal for business-focused writers. Pitch with entrepreneurial insights.
    Submission: B. Michelle Pippin.
16. World Nomads
    Publishes travel-related articles. Pays AUD $0.70/word (~$0.48 USD, May 2025), typically $560–$840 for 800–1,200 words. Perfect for travel writers. Submit detailed pitches.
    Submission: World Nomads Contribute.
17. Mold Busters
    Seeks mold-related guides and articles. Pays $300–$400 for ultimate guides (3,000–4,000 words), $200 for informational articles (>2,000 words). N Ascendancy niche for environmental writers.
    Submission: Mold Busters Write.

17 Websites That Pay You to Write Articles in 2025

If you’re asking, “What websites pay for writing articles?”—these 17 platforms offer lucrative opportunities for US writers in 2025. From long-form journalism to niche tutorials, they cater to diverse skills and interests. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you start earning through your writing.

Why Write for These Websites?

The freelance writing market is booming, with 36% of US workers engaging in gig work in 2024 (Forbes). These websites provide a platform to monetize your skills, build a professional portfolio, and gain exposure to editors and readers. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned writer, these sites offer flexible, remote work with payments ranging from $50 to $2,500+ per article.

Benefits of Writing for Pay

• Income Potential: Earn $100–$3,000/month with 1–2 articles weekly, depending on rates and volume.
• Portfolio Building: Published work enhances credibility, attracting higher-paying clients.
• Flexibility: Work from anywhere, choosing topics that align with your expertise.
• Exposure: Reach millions of readers, boosting your personal brand.

How to Get Started

1. Choose Your Niche: Select 2–3 platforms matching your skills (e.g., tech for WIRED, travel for World Nomads).
2. Craft a Pitch: Include a clear story idea, why it’s timely, and your qualifications. Use tools like Grammarly (free) for polished submissions.
3. Submit Strategically: Follow each site’s guidelines precisely. Tailor pitches to their audience (e.g., data-driven for Vox, personal for Narratively).
4. Build a Portfolio: Start with beginner-friendly sites like Listverse or uastend.com to gain experience.
5. Track Earnings: Use free tools like Wave for bookkeeping; save 25–30% for taxes.

Detailed List of Websites

1. Longreads
   Focuses on in-depth journalism and storytelling. Accepts reported essays, critical essays, columns, and reading lists. Pays $350 for reading lists, $500+ for essays/features (50¢/word minimum). Pitch with a detailed outline and pre-reporting. Ideal for writers who excel at research-heavy narratives.
   Submission: Longreads Submissions.
2. The Drift Mag
   Publishes essays, short fiction, and poetry. Pays $2,000 for full essays, $500–$1,000 for short fiction, $150 for poetry, $25 for mentions. Submit polished drafts with a unique perspective. Suits creative writers with literary flair.
   Submission: The Drift About.
3. Listverse
   Seeks engaging, well-researched lists on any topic. Pays $100 per published list. No prior experience needed, making it beginner-friendly. Submit complete lists with credible sources.
   Submission: Listverse Write.
4. OpenNews / Source
   Focuses on journalism technology, accepting case studies and primers. Pays $500 for case studies/primers, $200 for shorter pieces. Pitch specific tech-related angles. Great for writers with journalism or tech expertise.
   Submission: OpenNews Contribute.
5. Sport Fishing Magazine
   Publishes print and digital features on sport fishing. Pays $750+ for print, $200+ for digital (1,000 words). Follow editorial guidelines strictly. Ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
   Submission: Sport Fishing Guidelines.
6. Tutorial Board
   Pays up to $150 for tutorials on various topics. Submit clear, actionable guides. Perfect for writers who can teach practical skills.
   Submission: Tutorial Board Write.
7. Narratively
   Seeks personal, human-driven stories. Pays $300 for personals; other sections’ rates vary. Pitch with a full draft or detailed outline. Suits writers with unique, emotional narratives.
   Submission: Narratively Pitch.
8. PTO Today
   Covers parent-teacher organization topics. Pays $125–$500 based on complexity/experience. Submit detailed pitches. Good for education or community-focused writers.
   Submission: PTO Today Guidelines.
9. Business Insider
   Publishes business, finance, and news features. Paid $0.40/word for a 1,000-word essay in 2023, typically within 30 days. Pitch data-driven stories. Prestigious but competitive.
   Submission: Business Insider Write.
10. Elite Personal Finance
    Focuses on personal finance advice. Pays $300 per selected article. Submit well-researched pitches. Ideal for financial experts.
    Submission: Elite Personal Finance.
11. SmartBusinessTrends
    Seeks business-related content. Pays $200–$500 for articles; guest posts offer backlinks but no pay. Pitch with industry insights. Suits business writers.
    Submission: SmartBusinessTrends Write.
12. WIRED
    Covers tech, science, and culture. Pays $2,500+ based on length/reporting. Pitch innovative, well-researched ideas. Highly competitive, ideal for experienced writers.
    Submission: WIRED Pitch.
13. Vox
    Publishes news, policy, and culture stories. Paid $0.90/word for a 1,000-word story in 2024. Pitch to section-specific emails (e.g., Future Perfect, Climate). Include pre-reporting and unique angles.
    Submission: Vox Pitch.
14. Cosmopolitan UK
    Focuses on lifestyle, relationships, and women’s issues. Pays $0.90/word for 1,000-word posts. Submit polished pitches. Great for lifestyle writers.
    Submission: Cosmopolitan UK Write.
15. B. Michelle Pippin
    Seeks content for women entrepreneurs. Pays $50–$150 per piece, based on format. Pitch with entrepreneurial insights. Ideal for business-focused writers.
    Submission: B. Michelle Pippin.
16. World Nomads
    Publishes travel-related articles. Pays AUD $0.70/word (~$0.48 USD, May 2025), typically $560–$840 for 800–1,200 words. Submit detailed pitches. Perfect for travel writers.
    Submission: World Nomads Contribute.
17. Mold Busters
    Seeks mold-related guides and articles. Pays $300–$400 for ultimate guides (3,000–4,000 words), $200 for informational articles (>2,000 words). Niche but lucrative for environmental writers.
    Submission: Mold Busters Write.

Additional Platforms

• uastend.com: Publish articles and earn UASTCoin ($30–$200/month, 2024 rate: $0.0009–$0.0011). No pitching required; ideal for beginners. Spend 5–10 hours/week writing.
  Submission: uastend.com.
• Greatist: Pays $125+ for mental health, relationships, and wellness articles. Pitch personal stories with expert backing.
  Submission: Greatist Pitch.
• Copyhackers: Pays $325 for copywriting, startups, and marketing content. Submit detailed pitches with actionable insights.
  Submission: Copyhackers Write.

Tips for Success

• Tailor Pitches: Match your pitch to the site’s audience (e.g., tech for WIRED, personal for Narratively). Include sources and a proposed headline.
• Quality Over Quantity: Deliver well-researched, error-free content. Use Grammarly (free) for editing.
• Start with Easy Platforms: Listverse and uastend.com require minimal experience, ideal for beginners.
• Build a Portfolio: Publish 3–5 articles on lower-barrier sites to showcase your work.
• Track Rejections: Expect 50–70% rejection rates initially (Ahrefs, 2024). Refine pitches based on feedback.

Challenges and Solutions

• Competition: Stand out with unique angles and pre-reporting. Research via Google Scholar (free).
• Payment Delays: Some sites (e.g., Business Insider) pay within 30 days; others may take longer. Clarify terms upfront.
• Rejections: High-traffic sites like WIRED reject 80% of pitches. Target mid-tier platforms first.
• Taxes: Save 25–30% of earnings for taxes. Use Wave (free) for bookkeeping.

Real-World Example

A US writer earned $1,200 in 2024 by publishing two $600 articles for Longreads and one $300 article for Elite Personal Finance in one month, spending 15 hours on research and pitching (Who Pays Writers).

Maximizing Earnings

• Diversify: Write for 2–3 platforms to balance quick payouts (Listverse) with high-paying sites (WIRED).
• Upskill: Free courses on Coursera or YouTube teach pitching and SEO.
• Network: Engage on X (Longreads) for editor connections.

These 17 websites, plus bonus platforms like uastend.com, offer reliable ways to get paid for writing articles in 2025. Start with beginner-friendly sites, refine your pitching skills, and scale to higher-paying platforms. With 10–20 hours weekly, you can earn $500–$3,000/month within 3–6 months. Always verify current rates and guidelines before submitting.

Key Citations

• Longreads Submission Guidelines for Writers
• The Drift Magazine About and Submission Details
• Listverse Write and Get Paid Guidelines
• OpenNews Source Contribution Guidelines
• Sport Fishing Magazine Editorial Guidelines
• Tutorial Board Get Paid to Write Tutorials
• Narratively Pitch Submission Guidelines
• PTO Today Submission Guidelines for Writers
• Business Insider How to Write for Us
• Elite Personal Finance Write for Us
• SmartBusinessTrends Write for Us Guidelines
• WIRED How to Pitch Stories
• Vox Pitching Guidelines for Freelancers
• Cosmopolitan UK Write for Us
• B. Michelle Pippin Get Paid to Share Expertise
• World Nomads Contributor Guidelines
• Mold Busters Write for Us Blog
• Greatist How to Pitch Personal Stories
• Copyhackers Write a Guest Post