nDash

What is nDash?

nDash is a rapdily-growing writing platform that serves as a middle man between freelance writers and brands or businesses that need content creation.

nDash review:

Writers can pitch a wide array of content projects, from blog posts to advertising copy. And they’re able to set their own rates and communicate directly with clients.

Better yet, since our first review of this platform in 2019, the average project price has more than doubled. As of early 2023, writers were earning between $150 and $450 per assignment.

How it works

The site has writers set up a profile which highlights their past experience and writing samples, as well as their topic and category specialties. The site is aimed at professional writers, so only those with experience and/or writing credentials will get full access to jobs on the platform.

Writers are able to set their own rates and can vary these rates based on the type of writing that is required. Most assignments are sent privately to writers, according to the platform. Only about 2% of projects are publicly posted.

Getting work

Writers get jobs in three ways: Responding to company assignments; by pitching directly to companies on the site; and by finding clients, who hire them directly. Both nDash and users stress that building a relationship with a brand and getting repeat business is the best way to use the site.

nDash has a number of reputable clients, including Putnam Investments, Walmart, HarperCollins and Epsilon. These clients pay a fee to nDash, so nDash does not take a cut from the freelance writer’s rate. The rate you set is the rate you get — if a client accepts it, that is. Clients and writers can negotiate rates.

Pay

Clients have five to 10-days to accept assignments. Payment is made to writers via Stripe within 10 days of client acceptance. All payments must be made through nDash. Writers must have a Stripe account to get paid here.

Recommendations

If you have the requisite writing experience, this is a great place to find occasional gigs. You can sign up with NDash here.

Also consider Contently, Skyword and ServiceScape.

What Users Say: From Glassdoor:

Since I’ve become a member of nDash, I’ve never seen a shortage of assignments or ideas to pitch. Companies are also listed according to what best matches up with your profile so, even if there isn’t an assignment or idea listing, freelance writers can still take the initiative to send out pitches. But there’s no way of tracking whether or not potential clients are reading pitches or turning them down. If they like them, they’ll respond. Otherwise, nothing happens.

Great platform

nDash is a great place to work! The culture is dynamic and everyone involved is invested in your success. Client range is wide and varied, with something for writers & marketers at all levels of expertise and experience. nDash is one of the good ones out there.#

nDash was started by a great bunch of people and has only expanded since then. The platform is a true passion project and it is reflected in the high-caliber brands and writers it attracts. For writers, benefits include:

– Not worrying about payments
– Having a large pool of quality clients
– Open communication with brands
– Easy usability
– Feeling valued
– Timely support

But it can be frustrating to pitch and never hear back. Each pitch takes time to craft and it would be nice to know if it was the pricing or the content that missed the mark. In general, it would be helpful to know if the client was in my price range before submitting a pitch. And there is also no way to be “out of office.”#

Better than Upwork

nDash stands out above other freelance platforms such as Upwork because on nDash, I’m actually able to find real opportunities that pay well. nDash works with real companies/clients (mostly U.S.-based) who understand that quality writing/marketing is something that deserves to be compensated. I’ve worked with everyone from Coldwell Banker to Marketo, ThriveHive, Bristol Strategy, Thermal Intelligence, and more. But as the platform has gained in popularity, the competition has grown fierce. It can be challenging to stand out as a freelancer, particularly if you are competing against newer writers who can afford to charge less for their work. 

nDash.co is easy to use, there are lots of brands available (with more being added all the time), support is responsive and excellent. Residual income is possible through brands that sign up using your affiliate link. Payments are connected to Stripe, so they get directly-deposited into my bank account. nDash is awesome!

Updated 1/2023