Freelance Writing Platforms Compared: Upwork vs. Fiverr vs. Contena
For freelance writers, choosing the right platform is crucial for finding consistent work and building a successful career. Several platforms cater to this market, each with its own unique features, fee structures, and target audience. This article compares three popular options: Upwork, Fiverr, and Contena, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision. Before diving in, you might want to learn more about Wri and our services to see how we can support your content needs.
Upwork: Features and Fees
Upwork is one of the largest and most well-known freelance platforms, connecting businesses with freelance talent across various disciplines, including writing. It operates on a bidding system, where freelancers submit proposals for projects posted by clients.
Key Features:
Wide Range of Projects: Upwork offers a diverse range of writing projects, from blog posts and articles to technical documentation and website content.
Bidding System: Freelancers bid on projects, allowing them to set their own rates. Clients can review proposals and choose the freelancer who best fits their needs and budget.
Client Reviews and Ratings: Upwork features a robust review system, allowing clients to rate and review freelancers based on their performance. This helps build trust and credibility within the platform.
Payment Protection: Upwork offers payment protection through its escrow system, ensuring that freelancers are paid for their work once it's completed to the client's satisfaction.
Upwork Skills Certification: Upwork offers skills certifications to help freelancers showcase their expertise and stand out from the competition.
Fees:
Upwork uses a sliding scale fee structure. As of 2023, the fee structure is as follows:
Service Fee: Upwork charges freelancers a service fee based on their lifetime billings with each client. The fee is 20% for the first $500 billed, 10% for billings between $500.01 and $10,000, and 5% for billings over $10,000.
Payment Processing Fee: Upwork also charges a small payment processing fee for each transaction.
Client Fees: Clients also pay a fee, typically around 3%.
Fiverr: Gig-Based Opportunities
Fiverr operates on a gig-based model, where freelancers create pre-defined service packages (gigs) with fixed prices. Clients can browse these gigs and purchase the ones that meet their needs. This model is particularly popular for smaller, well-defined tasks.
Key Features:
Gig-Based System: Freelancers create gigs outlining the services they offer and their prices. This allows for a clear and transparent pricing structure.
Diverse Range of Services: Fiverr offers a wide range of writing services, from short articles and blog posts to copywriting and editing.
Levels System: Fiverr uses a levels system to reward experienced and high-performing freelancers. Higher-level freelancers receive increased visibility and access to more opportunities.
Fiverr Pro: Fiverr Pro is a premium service that connects businesses with top-rated, vetted freelancers. This option provides access to higher-quality talent and more complex projects.
Easy to Use Interface: Fiverr's interface is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it simple for both freelancers and clients to find what they're looking for.
Fees:
Fiverr's fee structure is relatively straightforward:
Service Fee: Fiverr charges freelancers a 20% service fee on each transaction.
Client Fees: Clients also pay a fee, which varies depending on the gig price.
Contena: Premium Job Board
Contena is a premium job board specifically designed for freelance writers. Unlike Upwork and Fiverr, Contena doesn't operate as a marketplace. Instead, it aggregates high-quality writing jobs from various sources, saving writers time and effort in their job search.
Key Features:
Curated Job Listings: Contena focuses on curating high-quality writing jobs from reputable sources, reducing the risk of encountering low-paying or scam opportunities.
Advanced Search Filters: Contena offers advanced search filters that allow writers to narrow down their job search based on niche, pay rate, and other criteria.
Personalised Job Alerts: Contena sends personalised job alerts to writers based on their preferences, ensuring they don't miss out on relevant opportunities.
Contena Academy: Contena offers a comprehensive training program (Contena Academy) designed to help freelance writers improve their skills and build a successful career. This is a paid add-on.
High-Paying Opportunities: Contena tends to feature higher-paying writing opportunities compared to general freelance platforms. It's a good place to find clients willing to pay for quality content.
Fees:
Contena operates on a subscription-based model:
Subscription Fee: Writers pay a monthly or annual subscription fee to access Contena's job board and features. The cost varies depending on the subscription plan.
Pros and Cons of Each Platform
To summarise, here's a breakdown of the pros and cons of each platform:
Upwork
Pros:
Large pool of potential clients.
Diverse range of projects.
Payment protection.
Established reputation.
Cons:
High competition.
Relatively high service fees.
Can be time-consuming to bid on projects.
Fiverr
Pros:
Easy to create and manage gigs.
Clear pricing structure.
User-friendly interface.
Good for smaller, well-defined tasks.
Cons:
High competition.
Can be difficult to stand out from the crowd.
20% service fee.
Contena
Pros:
Curated job listings.
High-quality opportunities.
Advanced search filters.
Personalised job alerts.
Cons:
Subscription fee.
Smaller job pool compared to Upwork and Fiverr.
Less suitable for beginner writers without a strong portfolio.
Choosing the Right Platform for Your Needs
Selecting the right freelance writing platform depends on your individual needs, experience level, and career goals. Consider the following factors:
Experience Level: Beginner writers may find it easier to gain initial experience on Upwork or Fiverr, where they can build a portfolio and gain client reviews. More experienced writers may prefer Contena, where they can find higher-paying opportunities.
Niche: If you specialise in a specific niche, consider platforms that cater to that niche. For example, if you're a technical writer, you might find more relevant opportunities on Upwork or Contena.
Budget: Factor in the fees associated with each platform. Upwork and Fiverr charge service fees, while Contena requires a subscription fee. Choose the platform that aligns with your budget and earning goals.
Time Commitment: Consider the time commitment required for each platform. Upwork requires time to bid on projects, while Fiverr requires time to create and manage gigs. Contena requires time to browse job listings and apply for opportunities.
- Desired Pay Rate: If you're looking for high-paying opportunities, Contena may be a better option than Upwork or Fiverr. However, you'll need to have a strong portfolio and proven track record to succeed on Contena. Remember to check frequently asked questions if you have any concerns about payment or platform policies.
Ultimately, the best way to determine which platform is right for you is to experiment and see what works best. You may even find that using a combination of platforms is the most effective approach. Consider what Wri offers as well, as we may be able to assist with your content creation needs directly.