Where Do You Find Quality Writing Gigs & Contracts?

Job boards and bidding and networks, oh my! Check out these places to find work – and what you're better off not wasting time on.

Hey, writers! Ever found yourself staring at your computer screen, wondering where all the quality writing gigs have gone?

You're not alone. I recently dipped my toes back into the world of Upwork, and let me tell you, it’s a jungle out there. No, I don’t want to write your ebook for $100. No, I’m not available for $0.00015 per word. And there’s no way you’re getting a 75-page edit for your budget of $15 (not from me, anyway).

This week in The Writers’ Den Community, we’re talking about where to find quality writing gigs, which I personally define as decent-paying work for clients you enjoy.

A few weeks ago, I decided to revisit Upwork. Nostalgia? Maybe. One of their “talent managers” reached out to me and said they have a program now called Vetted Experts, and asked if I’d apply. There are enterprise-level contracts with large companies, they said, and they’re looking for experienced writers to take them on.

I’ll admit, I’m curious to see if it can be a viable source for quality writing gigs. My writing career began on Elance, Upwork’s predecessor, many moons ago. I left there around 2008/09 when their algorithm made it almost impossible for small providers like me to get found amidst the sea of offshore agencies cranking content out en masse.

Surely things have improved… no?

Spoiler alert: it hasn’t produced results yet.

Why? Upwork clients are hesitant to hire contractors without recent work history. Despite my extensive portfolio in the real world and on sites like LinkedIn, the lack of recent Upwork stars and reviews makes it difficult to get noticed.

I might have to bite the bullet and take on a few low-paying gigs to build up my rating again. Trust me, it’s the last thing I want to do at this stage in my career.

But let’s not dwell on the negatives. Let’s talk about something that worked: LinkedIn. Not just any LinkedIn strategy, though – I hired a lead generation company from the Philippines to do targeted cold outreach. Best decision ever. They helped me secure a $ 2500-a-month contract that lasted for over a year.

Lead generation costs money, though, and not all writers have a marketing budget to invest. Especially those just starting out.

So here are a few more places where you can find quality writing gigs: