The Internet is a wonderful place, full of fabulous content, education, and business apps and tools. Just as Batman relied on his trusty Bat-belt, since I started my freelance copywriting business, I have relied on some great apps, blogs, books, and other tools to help me keep my freelance writing business up and running.
Here is a list of the essential tools, services, and resources that I use to run my freelancing business. Some offer a price level that is absolutely free., while others offer free trial periods, which give you the opportunity to try out the service.
Go ahead and bookmark this page. I will keep it updated with cool new tools and resources to help you grow your freelance business.
*Some items may have affiliate links.
Website Design: How I Built This
WordPress.org is a free, open-source CMS (content management system). Basically, WordPress allows you to build a professional-looking website without knowing a single line of code or HTML. It takes care of the techy part of getting your business website up and running.
WordPress Hosting & Premium Themes
Yes, there are tons of free WordPress themes, but when it comes to WordPress themes, you get what you pay for. It will be well worth the money if you invest in a premium theme. For less than $100 you get a professionally designed, mobile-friendly theme. This website uses Genesis Framework and Magazine Theme.
WP Engine Website Hosting specializes in WordPress-managed hosting. Plans start at $27 per month for website hosting with effortless site management, performance, security & support. WP Engine – Premium StudioPress Themes
Email Marketing
ConvertKit is the best way to start email marketing. With a free ConvertKit account, you can build unlimited landing pages to grow an audience for your business. There are 30 different templates for you to add your content, personalize the design, and off you go.
The signup forms are responsive and have completely customizable designs. You can add custom fields, deliver lead magnets and other digital products.
Watch this video to learn How to grow your email list for free – ConvertKit Creator Education
Pricing: ConvertKit Free plan, Creator Plan: $29 per month: Unlimited landing pages & forms, sell digital products & subscription, Creator Pro $59 per month: Unlimited landing pages & forms, Send email broadcasts, Sell digital products & subscriptions, Automated funnels & sequences.
Client Management System (CMS)
HoneyBook is a cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) tool. It is an all-in-one solution to handling many of the admin and business activities that most freelancers hate to do. Everything from lead generation, and booking clients, invoicing, and collecting payments, to project management. HoneyBook is the business management tool/CRM that makes me super efficient!
HoneyBook is the business management tool/CRM that I use for my copywriting services business. It has everything in one place, so I’m able to manage my leads, send contracts, and get paid fast. I have all my templates set up so I can send messages and files within minutes and automation tools ensure my clients get the info they need at the right time.
Read my blog post: Why I started using Honeybook
Pricing and Plans: Unlimited Monthly Pricing: $39 per month. Unlimited Annual Pricing: is $390. Use my special referral link and get a sweet 50% Discount on any plan.
Invoicing /Money Management
Freshbooks is an easy-to-use, cloud-based billing software. So your invoices are available anytime and anywhere, from your desktop, laptop, smartphone, and your tablet. There are also IOS and Android apps for your mobile devices.
One of the best things about using FreshBooks is that you can see when a client logins in and views their invoice. Clients receive an email with a link to their invoice and payment history. They are given payment options. FreshBooks for several payment options, including PayPal, Stripe and other payment gateways
We are not living in 1967, so why should you have to wait for your clients to send you a check in the mail? You can get paid faster and have access to your money when you are paid via credit card with an app like Stripe.
Stripe is a payment gateway that allows you to accept credit card payments. There are no monthly fees and you only pay 2.9% + 30¢ per successful charge. The money is transferred into your bank account within 2-5 business days.
Writing and Content Creation
Grammarly
Grammarly is my number 1, I absolutely can’t live (or write) without it writing tool. Grammarly finds typos (grammar, spelling, punctuation, word choice, and style errors) in your writing. You can use Grammarly’s browser extension for Chrome, Safari, and Firefox to check your writing on email, and social media.
Price: The FREE plan has Basic writing suggestions, with spelling, grammar, and punctuation checkers. | Premium plan $11.66 per month: checks for style, tone, and clarity improvements for writing. The Business plan is $12.50 per month.
Other Helpful Writing Tools
Paper Planners, Notebooks & Pens
Amplify Planner
The Amplify Planner is a quarterly system that combines a daily, weekly, and monthly calendar all in one planner. The Amplify Planner Bundle includes four (4) quarterly planners. You can select either a Sunday start monthly layout, or a Monday start weekly layout. Available in dated and undated versions.
I use the Amplify Yearly Planner, which doesn’t include the daily planning pages. But I wasn’t using the daily layout anyway. But that is what I like about this planner, you can choose the layout that works best with your life and planning style.
Passion Planner
Passion Planner comes in 3 sizes and five colors: Hardcover Elegant Marble, Red Year of the Tiger, Pacific Blue, Hardcover Space of Infinite Possibilities, and Elegant Black.
They also offer several sticker sets and digital versions of the planner
Read my review of The Best Paper Planners for Freelancers & Soloprenuers
The Writer’s Room aka My Home Office
MACBOOK AIR & APPLE STUFF
My computer is the MacBook Air M1. I also use a ViewSonic 24 Inch monitor as a second screen. And an Apple wireless mouse, and an Apple Magic wireless keyboard.
I also rely on my iPad 10 and iPhone 14 when I am on the go. Ok. Yes… I’m all Apple all the time, but besides the sleek design, they are easy to use and they all ‘talk‘ to each other, so syncing and working on multiple devices is seamless. And I have a Brother Compact Monochrome Laser Printer.
Check out my Amazon Store to see my favorite desk accessories and home office essentials.
MY WRITING DESK
I found this nice little writing desk at Target. It’s just the right size for me.
MY OFFICE CHAIR
You spend too much time sitting hours in your office to sit on a cheap uncomfortable chair. I wanted a comfortable chair that matched the decor in my home. I bought this Serta Office Chair in blue from Wayfair and it fits perfectly in my home office.
This Chair is also available on Amazon: Serta Ashland Ergonomic with Memory Foam Cushioning Chrome-Finished Stainless Steel Base.
READ: : How to Set Up a Functional Office in Your Home
Graphic Design & Stock Photos
CANVA
Canva: Create custom graphics for your blog and social media posts with more than 420,000+ free templates, 75+ million premium stock photos.
You can also create videos, audio files, and over 100 design types, like logos, social media posts, presentations, letters, and more). Learn more about Canva’s features.
Price: $12.95 monthly / $120 annually for up to 5 people
Unless you use your own photos or images, play it safe and use copyright-free images. Unsplash is an excellent resource for professional, copyright-free & stock photography. There are more than 2 million free high-resolution images that you can use in your content. Unsplash photos are made to be used freely for commercial and non-commercial purposes. Attribution isn’t required, but it’s a nice thing to do for other creators.
Remind me to tell you about the nightmare I went through with copyrighted photos (provided by a client, BTW) in a blog post. Word to the wise… You DON’T want to tangle with Getty Images!
Affiliate Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. This means if you purchase these products or services via these links I will receive a small commission. I only recommend or suggest products and/or services that I use or think will benefit you and your freelance business. This does not affect or influence my views and opinions on the topics I write about.