How To Use Google, Twitter and LinkedIn To Find Writing Jobs (Pop Sugar, Introvert Dear + More)
I recently compiled a list of websites that will hire writers with no experience. I have more lists planned for the future, but there’s nothing like being equipped with the knowledge to find your own opportunities.
It’s like that saying. If you teach a writer to fish, they’ll eat for life. Or something like that.
So without further ado, here are four apps/websites I’ve used to find writing work that have served me (and will hopefully serve you) well.
Google “Write For Us”
Google’s search engine is a great tool for finding writing jobs.
There are several phrases that you can input, but Write For Us is the best place to start. Unlike publications that only publish work from their in-office staff, websites with a dedicated Write For Us page want and encourage outside submissions. Starting with these websites will limit the amount of time you waste.
Of the first ten results, I found four (though their might be more) legit opportunities
- Pop Sugar, for example, is one of the most popular websites in North America. But did you know that they have an open-door policy for freelance contributors? Like Cracked anyone can sign up for their Voices Program. Submit great work? You’ll be published!
- Introvert Dear pays $40 per well-researched article on issues related to introversion.
- Today I Found Out also pays an undisclosed amount for published articles about obscure information.
- As for Travelista, they advertise $40 per travel article (but they aren’t accepting applications at this time.).
There are more, and you should scroll through until you find something that suits you. Each website will have unique guidelines for you to adhere to.
To further narrow your search, combine Write For Us+ Pay. You can also try Write For Us + News or Travel (or whatever vertical you’re looking for). You’ll end up with less, more find-tuned, results.
Note: Not every publication that turns up in the search will offer paid opportunities, and you should skip over those. But just because a website doesn’t lay out its compensation model doesn’t mean that it doesn’t pay. It just means they may be secretive about their rates.
Like Google, Twitter’s search function can also be used to find writing jobs, by inputting “Write For Us.” Just make sure that you add the parentheses (because otherwise, you will get results that include those words, rather than just the phrase). Other queries that have turned up favorable results for me are #writerswanted and #joinourteam. Yes, the hashtags matter.
My favorite way to use Twitter is by following the editors of my favorite publications. Many of them post their pitch requests directly to their feeds, so it’s an easy way to keep up with who’s currently accepting pitches and what they’re looking for.
NOTE: You should put yourself on their radar, by liking and commenting on their work, before you pitch them.
LinkedIn is a great platform for you to advertise your educational and professional qualifications, but also hosts a robust job board. Take advantage of it! In addition, you can also publish articles directly to you profile, which can serve as easily-accessible writing samples.
Lastly, like Twitter, LinkedIn puts writers in proximity to editors and hiring managers. Writers and editors alike can contact each other through the platform. There’s also a feature that allows users to know who viewed your profile, which you can use as a bridge to introducing yourself. So, make sure you’re putting your best foot forward.
Bonus: Job Board
Writing jobs that you find on job boards usually have more legitimacy. Companies that are willing to pay for ads are also likely to have a budget — which, is like, the goal. Plus, most job boards vet the companies that post to their websites, to keep their credibility intact.
My favorite job board is run by Pro Blogger (pictured above). I also use Ed2010, FreelanceWriting.Com, WriteJobs.Info and Indeed— all of which are free for writers to access. There’s also Flex Jobs and Media Bistro, which aren’t free, but may be worth the membership fee!
