Contently Review: Is It Worth It For Freelance Writers?

Contently is a content marketing platform that connects freelance writers and content creators with brands. As a writer on Contently, you can get paid for:

• Content writing (i.e., creating blog posts)
• Copywriting
• Technical writing
• Editing

As noted, Contently also accepts other kinds of content creators, such as video editors, photographers, and graphic designers.

Do you need experience to work with Contently?

Contently is quite selective when it comes to freelancers. You’ll need to demonstrate that you have solid writing experience, with Contently specifying that you’ll need a portfolio showcasing at least 10 projects from 3 different clients. 1

That means this isn’t a good platform if you’re a total newcomer to the freelance writing space. If you’ve never gotten paid to write before, complete a few jobs on another site (such as Upwork) before signing up for Contently.

How much you can make as a freelance writer on Contently varies. On average, the platform pays between $0.05 and $0.10 per word. Depending on the kind of content you produce, you may be able to attain higher pay rates.

Here are a few of the rates that Contently lists, broken down by content type: 2

These rates are fairly high for freelance content, and it’s possible that they may be optimistic—in other words, that not all projects will be this lucrative. Contently notes that rates “take into account subject matter expertise, number of sources, and original research” as well as word count.

Will Contently take a cut from your earnings?

Unfortunately, Contently will deduct a commission from what you earn on the platform. While they don’t explicitly state how much that commission will be, anecdotal reports claim that it’s 4.75%.

How will Contently pay you?

Contently pays exclusively via PayPal. US-based freelancers don’t incur any fees when cashing out their earnings. 3

You can expect payment within 30 days of submitting your work at the most, though most freelancers claim that Contently usually pays more quickly.

While Contently still seems to be an actively maintained platform in 2026, there’s been very little online discussion regarding the platform lately, which hints that—like most freelance writing sites—it probably has significantly fewer clients than in years past. Again, the market for virtually all writers took a major hit after the release of ChatGPT and other AI models capable of producing content quickly and cheaply.

With that said, the few reports from current freelancers are positive. Here’s what Contently’s freelancers have been saying about the platform lately:

Still one of the better options for writers

Many users on Reddit see Contently as a higher-tier alternative to the more generalized (and saturated) freelancer marketplaces like Fiverr and Upwork. The platform frequently shows up on Redditors’ lists of legit writing platforms, though they do note that you’ll need a lot of experience to qualify.

Pay rates vary widely

Although many users praise Contently as a decent place to pick up writing gigs, there are conflicting reports regarding how much you can realistically make as a freelancer on the platform.

Some users claim that the starting pay is quite low. However, established writers say that it’s possible to earn up to $2.00 per word, which is quite high (and better than what you’ll find on most other sites).

Whether setting up an account and freelancing on Contently will be worth your time depends chiefly on how experienced you are. Here are the pros and cons of the platform:

To reiterate, Contently is a legit platform for picking up writing gigs. However, considering its stringent requirements, it’s only worth it for freelancers who have a decent amount of experience.

If you’re just starting out as a freelancer, your best bet is to establish yourself on one of the more generalized platforms first.

If you’re ready to give Contently a go, you’ll need to visit the platform’s registration page and create an account. Enter your full name and email address, create a password, and verify your email.

Creating your Contently portfolio

As mentioned, all freelancers on Contently need to create a portfolio that showcases examples of their work. Remember that you’ll need to include at least 10 projects from 3 separate clients in your portfolio. You’re also required to provide 3 clips, tagging each one with relevant topics and skills.

Finally, mark yourself as “Available for Work.” The Contently team will review your portfolio. If you’re successful, Contently will send you a short tutorial about using the platform via email.

Contently doesn’t specify how long it’ll be before you’ll hear back from them; you may have to wait a few days or even a few weeks to find out if you’ll be approved. However, the registration process itself only takes about 15 minutes.

How can you pick up writing gigs on Contently?

If you’re approved and a client is interested in working with you, you’ll receive an email notification. The client will provide you with information and instructions for the project. You just need to click “Get Started” to begin working with them.

Contently will match you with clients based on the information you include in your portfolio, so make sure you fill it out thoroughly and highlight any specialties (e.g., B2B copywriting).

Contently is just one of many platforms you can use to find freelance writing gigs. Generally, you can find work on:

Other dedicated freelance writing platforms

There are other freelancing platforms that are geared toward writers and content creators. The majority of these require freelancers to have at least some professional writing experience, so like Contently, they aren’t the most beginner-friendly options.

A few popular apps include:

• WriterAccess
• ClearVoice
• Compose.ly

General freelancing marketplaces

More generalized freelancing marketplaces are another solid choice for freelancers looking to make money writing. Just be aware that most of these platforms are heavily saturated in 2026. You’ll also have to compete with writers based outside of the US, who are often happy to work for much lower rates.

Still, you can check out platforms like:

• Upwork
• Freelancer
• Fiverr

All-purpose job boards

Many popular online job boards also advertise freelancing gigs. Some of them are even geared towards remote jobs.

Check out job boards like:

• SideHustles.com
• Remote.co
• WeWorkRemotely