It’s possible to make money writing even if you have little to no experience.

Medium is a great place to get started, of course. But, if you’re looking to make a little more money or expand your options here’s some great websites to look into if you love writing and want to make a little more money.

Vocal

https://vocal.media/

Vocal is built a little bit like Medium, there are several different communities that you can submit to and earn money from. It’s free to get started on, and if you eventually want the extra perks of Vocal+ you can upgrade for $10 a month. For me, it has been a bit harder to make money on Vocal than Medium, but it’s still been a great site to make extra income.

Cracked

https://www.cracked.com/write-for-cracked/

Cracked is a comedy website that publishes lists of obscure facts, infographics, and first-person essays.

Cracked is one of the most popular comedy sites on planet Earth. If they feature your content, it will be seen by A LOT of people. If you’re a creative person and you can create content that other people will like to read or watch, Cracked is an All-You-Can-Eat buffet.

All you have to do to write for them is sign up for an account, join their writer’s workshop and start pitching lists. Anyone can do this, regardless of their prior experience. You just have to have good ideas and be willing to try.

It may take some time to come up with something that will make it to the front page because there is a lot of material on the site, but don’t let that deter you! There are always editors on hand to give writers feedback on their pitches.

Writers are paid $150 for their first five lists. After that, it will go up to $250 per list. For that kind of money, definitely worth a sign-up!

Bustle

https://www.bustle.com/p/how-to-submit-freelance-pitches-to-bustle-11914601

Bustle is a media company that publishes original interviews, episode recaps, book lists, personal essays + more.

Head to their submissions page, where they’ve laid out the content they’re currently looking for. Next, locate the appropriate editor for the section you want to write for, then pitch them your idea.

If the editor likes it, they will usually respond within two weeks. If not, you can probably assume they have passed on your idea. If they do move forward, they may work with you to polish it further, then guide you through the drafting process.

From what I’ve found online, Bustle pays about $50/800 word essay.

Valnet

https://www.valnetinc.com/

Valnet is a Canada-based media company that operates a family of twelve websites, known for their viral lists and news pieces. From my understanding, Screen Rant, CBR (Comic Book Resources), and The Richest, which all focus on different aspects of the TV/film world, are their most popular properties.

There are other websites that post about things like pregnancy and motherhood tips, travel roundups, video game news + more.

There’s a “Write For Us” button at the bottom of each website. It will take you to their application page. Once there, fill in your name, location, and phone number. Then submit three article ideas and a writing sample.

Book Riot

Book Riot

Book Riot is the “largest independent editorial book site” in North America. They publish book reviews, recommendations, and thought pieces. While they do have a full staff, their pool of contributors is made up of pros and non-pros. You could be among the non-pros.

Book Riot has a contributor form, which you can access here, right on its website. It asks for your personal information, three books you recently read, two (unpublished) writing samples, and two pitches.

Book Riot accepts/rejects and responds to new contributor applications on a quarterly basis (January, April, July, and October). So don’t worry if you don’t get an immediate response.

Hello Giggles

https://hellogiggles.com/contact/

Hello Giggles hails itself as a positive, online community for millennial women. Think Bustle, but with a bubblier voice.

Per their Masthead, they welcome reader contributions.

Hello Giggles lists the kind of content that they accept on their contributor page. They’re “especially interested in personal essays and cultural criticism with unique and diverse points of view, LGBTQ perspectives, smart articles with original reporting, and illustrations.”

To pitch them, email your idea, along with a paragraph about who you are, to pitches@hellogigglescom. If you have writing samples, you should include them. But they’re not mandatory. Writers without samples are encouraged to send over a full draft of their proposed article.

Hello Giggles’ rates aren’t clearly laid out on their website. However, Contently’s freelance rate database lists the pay as $75/reported piece.