Building a writing and blogging business is no easy task. In fact, at times it’s utterly overwhelming. However, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Find out what works for other writers, bloggers, and entrepreneurs. Then personalize your strategy for your needs.
Scroll down to see the exact tools I’m using for my freelance writing business and find what works for you! If you want to jump into freelancing, then check out my list of 25 free job boards.
This page is an ongoing project. As a new freelancer, I wasn’t sure where to start. I forged my own path and held onto every resource that helped me. You don’t have to do it alone! Drop me a line or connect with me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Let’s support each other and make those dreams happen.
Several links are affiliate (referral) links. I appreciate your clicks.
Editing Tools
- Grammarly. Bloggers and writers benefit from the free version of Grammarly. Find out how I use Grammarly as an extra set of eyes for all my blogging and writing work.
Hemingway app . Free and simple to use. It helps simplify their writing and reduce the use of passive voice.
Social Media Tools
- Buffer. Many fantastic options exist for social media scheduling. I began with the free version of Buffer and continue to use it for scheduling content across multiple platforms.
- Tweetsmap. One email a week that gives your follow/unfollow stats for Twitter. Very easy to understand and use.
- Feedly. Stay up to date with your industry. Feedly pulls new content from your sources, so you can catch up or curate content on social feeds with ease.
Website
- Namecheap. I purchased my domain here. Easy and cheap to renew every year.
- Blue Host. My website host. No issues in a few years now.
- WordPress. Read about the upcoming Gutenberg update that helps
non-techie’s build amazing web pages.
- Ashe Theme. The first theme I went with that still holds a special place in my heart. I’ll be using this on an upcoming site!
- Spacious Theme. The free version provides business owners with plenty of customization and a clean style. This site uses the Spacious theme.
- XeraSupport. Every woman needs a little bit of help every now and then. Sarah, with XeraSupport, helps you create (and maintain!) your website. Affordable packages, so you can turn your site into your dream.
Image Creation Tools
- Canva. This free program works on all devices. Create perfectly-sized social media images and templates with Canva.
- Pic Monkey. A classic for image creation that I use to create blog post images and more.
- Unsplash. A fantastic source of free, professional images for use on your blog.
- Pixabay. Another incredible resource for free images.
Business Apps
- Airtable. Check out my post on why I switched from Google sheets to Airtable. This app makes boring tasks a little more enjoyable!
- QuickBooks. Integrates with PayPal for easy invoicing.
Automation and Productivity
- Trello. The easiest way to manage writing projects or collaborate with a team. It’s a digital bulletin board. The free version rocks. And running a writing business would be much harder without it.
Best Apps for Organizing Research
- Pocket. When faced with hundreds of open tabs, research for clients and my blog, I turned to Pocket. This app allows me to save a web page right from my browser and tag it with helpful reminders. The free version is lovely, and someday I hope to upgrade to the paid version, which is only $5 a month.
- OneTab. A Chrome extension that’s a game-changer. Click it and all of your open tabs end up on one web page. It organizes them by date, so you can go back anytime to pull up your research.
More Essentials From my Writer Toolbox
- Google Docs. While some editors and agencies prefer Microsoft Word, I’ve found that Google Docs is excellent for writing and sharing documents. The G-suite includes Google Sheets for tracking your pitches, blog content, and lead gen information and Google Drive makes organization simple.
- Dropbox. If you’re a freelance writer, then set up your Dropbox account now. It makes sharing documents easy.
Communication
- Zoom. Perfect for screen shares.
- Slack. Used by many businesses to keep in touch with remote employees and freelancers.
- Skype. While it’s not an app I frequently use, I’ve found that several potential clients request this option for interviews.
Freelance Writing Help
- Freelance Writer’s Den. The ultimate for new and established writers. Hundreds of courses, group coaching, and articles.
Get Paid
- PayPal. Signing up for an account is free. Whether you’re selling a product or needing client payment, PayPal is a frequently used method that people trust.
Books
Coming soon. I have at least three that I purchased, so I’ll be back with links shortly.