If you’re sitting on some articles that aren’t seeing daylight, we might have the answer for you.
For one reason or another, many writers have unused articles in their files. This is common among writers who use a freelancing platform like Fiverr or UpWork. The client will either refuse the work or cancel the order after the writing is finished. The result is an article that’s only lost money.
If you can’t find another market for them, you can try article buying and selling sites. For most of these sites, the process is simple: You upload your article and put it up for sale. Someone comes along and purchases it. The site will take a portion of the profit, but you get to keep most of it.
The positive of such sites is their wide customer base. They can take your writing to different corners of the world and get it sold to people you’d otherwise never reach. The negative, of course, is the uncertainty. There’s no guarantee you’ll ever sell the article.
A warning: Some article-selling sites can be shady and unreliable. If you’re looking at using a site that’s not on this list, we recommend you to research any such site before you sell there. Read user reviews and see how transparent the site is. When in doubt, it’s best to stay away.
If you want to explore selling articles, here’s a list of 6 reputable sites to get you started.
Constant Content follows the simple buy-and-sell model outlined above. You post your article for sale, and an interesting buyer will purchase rights to it. Writers go through an editor-approved application process that requires a sample article to be written.
There are two main methods to sell content. You can either add it to the site’s catalog or respond to custom content requests from buyers. You receive 65% of the article’s selling price.
To learn more, read their writer guidelines and extended writer guidelines.
Hubpages is another well-known site. You sign up and post your original content in a format similar to a blog. You (and the site) make money by ad revenue, and you’re required to have a Google AdSense account.
You’ll need a minimum of $100 to cash out. Since the site relies on ad clicks, it may take some time to reach the threshold. However, Hubpages does give you a way to get your content out quickly. It has the potential to draw attention even if it’s not making you instant money.
To learn more, read their FAQs.
swarmcontent is a newly established addition to the article-buying scene. They allow you to submit unpublished blog articles to their marketplace. They boast their unheard-of policy where writers receive 100% of the profit. They don’t take any commission, though PayPal may take some fees.
swarmcontent accepts a variety of article types, from white papers to how-to guides. They work with a hierarchy wherein writers receive titles based on how many articles they’ve sold. They also offer several resources for writers, including actionable blog posts. They’re definitely worth a look if you want to sell unique, unpublished articles.
To learn more, read their writer guidelines.
Dot Writer is quite similar to Constant Content but offers some features you may like. Writers receive 80% of the sale and only need $10 to cash out via PayPal. Like swarmcontent, they use a hierarchical system that gives you advanced titles as you sell more articles.
However, they choose how much you get paid. Standard level writers earn 2 cents a word; Premium writers earn 4 cents a word; and Gold writers earn 6 cents a word. They do have an affiliate program opportunity that they say can generate up to $500 a year. This is a good option to explore if you’re selling articles on the side of your regular job.
To learn more, read their FAQs.
- Ghostbloggers Update: We are no longer recommending GhostBloggers, based on feedback from our readers.
Ghostbloggers provides many of the perks that other sites provide. They take 30% of the selling price, and writers who choose the standard pricing model earn $3.50 per 100 words ($19.25 for 550 words). You only need $25 to cash out via PayPal.
However, they add some restrictions: They forbid contact between writers and clients, and all copyright passes permanently from the writer to the client upon purchase. If you’re okay with complete anonymity, then this option is for you.
To learn more, read their writers’ page.
Articlesale takes a straightforward approach to article selling. It’s free for both buyers and sellers, so the site doesn’t take any commission. It’s a breeze to browse available articles and submit your own.
While the site doesn’t provide any details about what writers can charge, current articles are selling in the $2 to $5 range. Like Ghostbloggers, you have to permanently sell exclusive rights to the piece. To learn more, read their writers’ page.
