Here’s a list of resources, books and other tools I used to get my freelance writing and blogging career off the ground.
Amazon: Setting up a home office requires more work that you might think. Amazon is great for buying business books, office equipment and writing utensils. Whether you’re buying a printer (because you no longer have access to one at your day job) or an ergonomic office chair, Amazon is your best bet for selection and low prices.
iMark Interactive: It would be impossible to run a blog without having a tech wizard on call. Grayson Bell has been able to fix my site whenever I manage to screw it up. He’s so responsive and helpful and never makes me feel stupid. Specializing in WordPress blogs.
Gina Horkey’s 30 Days to Freelance Writing Success: As a writer, learning how to pitch and grow your business is key. Using what I learned in Gina’s class has helped me land new clients easily. She walks you through how to create a pitch template that will let you contact people easily and efficiently.
Moo: Having professional-looking business cards is one of the few marketing expenses I’ve had. Even though we live in a digital age, business cards are something I use all the time when I meet with potential clients. Splurge a little and people will take you more seriously.
FinCon: I always say that if I hadn’t gone to FinCon, I probably wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now. FinCon is a financial media conference for bloggers, writers and others. The annual event rotates, but it always provides me with month’s worth of ideas and tons of contacts. Finding a conference that fits your passion will help you grow your network, meet more people and develop new skills.
Squarespace: For my professional site, SquareSpace has been amazing. I know everyone says that Squarespace is so easy to use, but it really is. It only took me a couple days to set up my site and get it looking snazzy. Again, having a professional website will make your business look more legitimate to prospective clients.
WordPress.org: Having this blog on WordPress.org has been a life changer. Since I switched from Tumblr, I’ve gained more followers, had more reader interaction and been able to do so much more with my blog. Using WordPress.org allows you to customize your site in so many ways.
Freshbooks: At first I tried to keep track of my invoices and expenses in an Excel spreadsheet. However, when you’re writing 30+ articles a month, doing your bookkeeping becomes more of a time suck. Freshbooks allows me to send invoices easily, save clients’ information and keep track of all my expenses. It’s saved me hours per month – now invoicing only takes 20 minutes!
Donna Freeman’s Course: Legendary journalist Donna Freeman has helped me take my writing from blah to wow. When you’re building a freelance business, it can be easy to forget that you’re a writer first and foremost. When you need to get a tune-up on your writing, Donna’s your gal. She can identify your weak points and provide solutions to fix them.
Freelance Writer’s Den: When you’re a freelance writer, especially if you’re working from home, it can feel like a lonely enterprise. Unless you have friends and loved ones who are also freelance writers, it can be hard to get advice about your business. The Freelance Writer’s Den is full of information, training and advice for freelance writers. Whether you’re starting out or have been in business for years, you’ll be able to find training sessions, classes and editor calls to get you motivated.
HelloSign: If you’re working virtually, you’ll have a lot of contracts, W-9s and other documents to sign. Skip the hassle of printing and scanning by using HelloSign.
Note: These are affiliate links, which means if you buy something the funds will go toward supporting this site.