How to Get Paid for Writing Guest Posts

· August 14th, 2025 ·

Hey friend 👋

Hope you’re doing well!

I’ve had several people ask me about guest posting opportunities. This might not be the path you first think of when imagining how you can get paid as a freelance writer.

After all, there’s no client involved.

Even so, guest posting can be a rewarding way to build your writing brand and earn credibility.

You can turn around and use that to your advantage when pitching for future jobs.

This week, I’ll share a few of my secrets for landing those guest posting gigs.

Hope you enjoy!

Best,

🐦‍⬛ Cody – Founder @ Ravenwood Writing Academy

🧛 Freelance Bites:

News and Resources in 2 Minutes

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• Clients ALWAYS want their content to rank higher. Here are 15 SEO copywriting tricks that actually work in 2025 (WordStream).

📬 Letters From My Desk

How to Get Paid for Guest Posting as a Freelance Writer

Guest posting has a bad rap in the freelance writing world. It’s typically associated with “writing for exposure” or trading your time for a backlink and a byline. Yes, many opportunities fall into that category.

But getting paid for guest posting isn’t unheard of.

Although most guest contributions are unpaid, there’s demand for niche-specific, high-quality content. Many agencies and online publications pay for strong guest posts. If you’re a freelance writer with lived experiences or expertise in a specific area, you’re a prime candidate.

I find guest posting is also one of the most satisfying ways to get paid to write. You’re not just writing an SEO article or some web copy. You often get to write about something you actually care about or know well. Most times, that means less stress and less research.

Lots of writers overlook guest posting. Don’t let that stop you.

Let’s break down how to make paid contributions happen.

Why Guest Posting is Worth It

Even when it’s unpaid, guest posting can be a valuable move for your freelance writing career. On the right platforms, a byline can help you:

• Gain visibility in your niche or industry
• Build relationships with editors, content leads, and potential clients
• Establish authority that makes future pitches and projects easier to land

You know I’m a huge advocate for building your authority as a niche expert. Doing so lets you charge higher rates and stand out from a horde of generalist writers.

Clients appreciate working with experts in their field. Guest posting in respected publications or on trusted industry websites is a chance to add an extra bit of authority to your portfolio.

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Paid

Although writing for exposure can be worth your time, getting paid with money is even better. Here are three ways to increase your chances of landing a paid guest posting gig:

1. Write in Niches That Pay

Not all niches are the same. Some are far more likely to pay guest contributors, especially ones where content directly supports business goals. Think B2B SaaS, marketing, health and wellness, personal finance, and tech. Brands in these areas need expert content and have budgets to acquire it.

2. Lead with Experience

This one is a double-edged sword, I know. Editors are more likely to pay for posts that bring something tangible to the table. Maybe it’s a lesson learned from firsthand experience or a strategy you’ve tested. It could be a nuanced take on something you’ve lived, studied, or worked on. If you have that experience, say so. It helps your pitch stand out and justifies your request for compensation.

3. Ask For It

Many writers miss this part. Don’t be afraid of being rejected or coming off as transactional. It’s okay to ask for payment when negotiating a guest posting opportunity.

Something simple like “Do you offer a contributor fee for this type of post?” goes a long way. That one sentence is often the difference between getting paid and writing for free.

Where to Find Paid Guest Posting Opportunities

Since guest posting opportunities are often buried deep within niches and sub-niches, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all list. But here are a few places I recommend looking:

• Job Boards: ProBlogger, Who Pays Writers, All Things Freelance Writing
• Industry Sites: Some niche blogs openly advertise contributor guidelines and pay rates. (Tip: Google “[your niche] + write for us + paid.”)
• LinkedIn: Follow content managers and editors in your niche. Many post calls for contributors.
• Agencies & Content Studios: These teams often manage blogs for multiple brands and pay freelancers for guest-style contributions.

Final Thoughts

Guest posting probably won’t replace your income earned by writing for clients. However, it can become a rewarding stream of both credibility and cash if you’re interested in it.

It’s especially valuable if you:

• Love writing about a particular topic
• Want to build authority in a niche
• Are looking to land better clients with stronger samples

Start with what you know, and don’t be afraid to ask for what your writing is worth. Cheers!
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Cody’s Top Picks

This is the part where I share some of the content I’ve been enjoying lately. Hope you enjoy!

(This section may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I’ll earn a small percentage, which helps support this free newsletter at no extra cost to you.)

📖 I’m Reading… “The Buffalo Hunter Hunter” by Stephen Graham Jones. What do you get when you combine frontier western America with a vampire horror story? This book.

I’ve had this on my list to read ever since I saw the announcement, and it’s living up to all my expectations so far. It’s also on many “Best Books of 2025 So Far” lists. Check it out!

🌍 I’m Doing… Hiking at Mount Rainier National Park. Our time in Seattle is getting short, but we finally made it to this bucket list park. The Skyline Trail was stunning, from glaciers and meadows to waterfalls and a friendly marmot. I even got to rep Ravenwood atop the peaks.

📺 I’m Watching… “Hard Knocks” on HBO Max. I said it last week— I’m a huge NFL fan. This season of Hard Knocks is behind the scenes with the Buffalo Bills and has some great storylines to follow so far.

🎧 I’m Listening to… “Specter” by Bad Omens. They’re back! Bad Omens’ newest single is a hit and I’m a big fan.

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