For those among you who shudder at the idea of going to work every day, and sitting, 9 to 5, in a cubicle, freelancing may just be the perfect fit. However, the Internet is a huge place, so it can be a bit overwhelming for new freelancers to get themselves out there, not just because of the growing competition, as more and more people turn to freelancing and working from home, but also because there are thousands of websites that aim to connect freelancers with their clients.

It’s a jungle. Thus, you need to start looking for your first gig in the right places to prevent your freelancing career from crashing before it even took off. To make this task a bit easier, we selected 15 of the best sites and divided them into several categories. These sites are guaranteed to help you earn money and grow your reputation as a freelancer. Keep on reading to find out more details.

Blogging

Bloggers are always in demand, and there are plenty of blogs that pay a good amount of money for a well-written guest post. Here are some of them:

1. Be a Freelance Blogger

Sophie Lizard is one of the most successful bloggers out there, and her blog, Be a Freelance Writer, is a great resource for all freelancers. In addition to providing a useful advice, Sophie has an awesome, free e-book, which lists all the best-paying blogs and websites, and an active job board. Also, there is the famous Pitchfest, which awards $100 to the blogger that comes up with the best pitch.

2. Problogger

Problogger is another essential stop for freelance bloggers. Apart from the numerous tips and guides on how to write, improve, and promote your content, its job board is one the best sources of high-paying freelance gigs on the web.

3. All Indie Writers

If there ever is a website that can teach you everything there is to know about freelancing, publishing and blogging, it’s this one. Each post on this website is written to help you hone your skills and earn top dollar as a blogger or a writer. If you feel like you’re already there, check out their regularly updated job board and find something for yourself.

Writing

Although blogging and writing may seem similar, differences exist between them. If you are looking to make money from writing without having to worry about content marketing or SEO, check out the following websites:

4. Essaywriters.net

If you are particularly skilled at writing essays, you can earn a good income by signing up with Essaywriters today. They offer competitive rates, and there are plenty of opportunities for you to find a regular work there, which is a huge bonus. All you have to do is sign up and pass a grammar test, and you are on your way.

5. Writers.ph

If you are looking for some serious writing and get paid for it adequately, then Writers.ph is definitely a place you should visit. They always look for writers who can research and write academic reports, literature reviews, business writing, case studies, legal consulting, and more.

6. Freelancercareers.com

Freelancercareers is constantly hiring capable academic writers and editors that can handle the most complex writing tasks, such as writing dissertations, grants, or résumés. It also provides opportunities for copywriters. Their rates per page are some of the best you will find online. If you want to make money from writing, this is a great place to start.

7. Asiawriters.com

Asiawriters allows freelance writers to take part in various  writing projects, such as technical writing, copywriting, essays, grant résumés, research papers, content writing, and so on. All of these are waiting for you there. Create a freelancer account and let your career take off.

Related: 8 Ways on How You Can Land a Freelance Writing Job Even Without Experience

Miscellaneous

These websites are aimed at helping all freelancers, including writers, designers, engineers, architects, or translators:

8. UpWork

UpWork (formerly oDesk) has become the largest workplace online, ever since their merger with Elance. Although bidding sites often get a bad rep, UpWork is actually a great source of long-term, high-paying jobs every freelancer look for.

9. Freelancer

Much like its main rival UpWork, Freelancer offers access to thousands of jobs and over 1.5 million clients every day, whether you’re a writer, a software engineer, or a voice actor. Rest assured that once you register there, you will find a great gig in no time.

10. Guru

Guru is very similar to UpWork and Freelancer, but you should always work on increasing your chances of getting that great freelance gig by looking for it in several different places. IT, administration, writing, design, management, and finance are just some areas where Guru members can find regular work with reputable clients.

11. Craigslist

Yes, that Craigslist. You will be surprised to find out that Craigslist is one of the best resources for online freelancers. It is not just a place for people selling random stuff or creepy personal ads. It takes a bit of time to navigate through it, but there are some great job offers there, that’s for sure.

12. Demand Media

This website is primarily aimed at creative professions, such as writing, photography, and anything regarding the process of filmmaking. They are very rigorous when it comes to hiring new people, but once you get in, you can count on inspiring projects, regular work, and steady pay.

Entertainment

If you are confident that you can produce an interesting visual, video, or written content, visit the following pages:

13. Cracked

Cracked.com is one of the leaders as far as humor, pop culture, and entertainment are concerned, and they pay anywhere between $50 and $200 per post. Plus, you will be in touch with one of their editors to guide you through the process, which is always a valuable learning experience.

14. Listverse

“Listicles” is extremely popular nowadays. If you are great at expressing your ideas this way, we advise you to check out Listverse. Anything goes here, from science and media to conspiracy theories and history, as long as it is interesting and exciting.

Guides

Consider yourself an expert on a certain subject? Write about it and visit the following:

15. About.com

About.com is where experts gather to create guides and share information involving their field of interest. You can join their growing community and earn a fixed income each month.

Related: 20 Power Tips and Ways on How to Become a Better Writer

We hope these websites can help you jumpstart your freelancing career. It can be difficult to take off, but it gets easier as you go along. With all the useful tips and tricks, as well as job offers on these webpages, you are all set.