The 15 Best Newsletters to Learn about the Business of Freelancing

These newsletters are filled with need-to-know information for freelancers.

Make no mistake: freelancing is a business. There’s no set path to learning how to freelance or understanding how to grow your business. Newsletters from experienced journalists and freelancers go a long way toward understanding how to navigate this opaque field.

I’ve subscribed (and unsubscribed) from many newsletters written by freelancers over the years. These are my favorites. Many of these newsletters are free, but the few that charge a fee truly are worth the money.

Whether you’re already an independent or just starting to consider freelancing, you’ll find something here worth subscribing to.

1. Freelancing With Tim

Tim Hererra (the former Smarter Living editor at The New York Times) started Freelancing With Tim at the beginning of the pandemic by hosting weekly Zooms panels with seasoned journalists.

Now as a freelancer himself, Tim continues to host invaluable sessions and shares insider advice, resources, and guides on everything from pitching writing longform stories to setting rates. His newsletter is the best in the biz: it’s a succinct guide to freelancing and the champion of illuminating transparency in an otherwise obfuscated industry.

Frequency: Once or twice a week

Cost: Free for one newsletter per week or $60 a year for all newsletters (I can confirm that the yearly fee is worth paying for!)

2. Freelance Bold

Freelance writer Marijana Kay’s Freelance Bold newsletter always tackles important topics like raising rates or building a sustainable writing business. What I love most about Freelance Bold is how Marijana always ends her newsletters with an actionable step. And as an avid reader, I’m always adding her book recommendations to my reading list.

Frequency: Weekly

Cost: Free

3. Jasmine Williams Media’s Content Ketchup

Jasmine Williams is an award-winning writer who helps freelancers build their businesses. Her Content Ketchup newsletter speaks honestly about what it means to be a six-figure freelancer. The conversational newsletters just take a few minutes of your time and you will take away a valuable lesson every time.

Frequency: Weekly

Cost: Free

4. Peak Freelance

Created by freelancers Elise Dopson and Michael Keenan, Peak Freelance is a community for freelancers complete with a Slack channel, a podcast, and a newsletter. I always walk away knowing something new from their freelance advice and writing lessons. And if you don’t feel like reading, you can always skip to the section that features about ten freelance jobs sourced from social media calls for pitches and their job board.

Frequency: Weekly

Cost: Free

5. The Writers’ Co-op

What sets The Writers’ Co-op’s newsletter apart from everyone else is the no-bullshit advice from two industry professionals, Jenni Gritters and Wudan Yan. Together they run a podcast and Slack group, but their newsletter is especially valuable as it includes a mix of exclusive Q&As with freelancers and resources that tie in with their podcast episodes. Come for the freelance knowledge, stay for the take-no-shit “pay me well and on time” attitude.

Frequency: Weekly

Cost: Patreon levels range from $3 a month to $100 (I recommend the $9 level that unlocks special newsletter editions and an exclusive Slack channel)

Come for the freelance knowledge, stay for the take-no-shit “pay me well and on time” attitude.
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6. Winning Solo’s Soloist Sundays

Matthew Fenton’s 20 years of freelancing experience benefits the rest of us as he shares his valuable advice for every expert and beginner “soloist.” It only comes twice a month, and the Sunday timing makes it easy to take time to read. If you’re not ready to see yet another newsletter in your inbox, follow Winning Solo on Twitter — and bring a notebook, you’ll be taking notes.

Frequency: Twice a month

Cost: Free

7. One More Question

The best part of Britany Robinson’s newsletter is her interviews with freelancers (and I’m not just saying that because I was featured). It’s a great way to get a glimpse into how other freelancers run their businesses and pick up a trick or two. Plus, Britany regularly includes grant and fellowship opportunities, pitch calls, and other resources.

Frequency: Weekly

Cost: Free / $55 a year

8. Notes from a Hired Pen

Jen A. Miller shares lessons learned from 15+ years freelancing in her newsletter Notes from a Hired Pen. She provides valuable insight into creative ways to find new clients, talks transparency about making an income as a freelancer, and overall freelance writer best practices. Her newsletters are suited for brand new freelancers and experienced freelancers alike. I also recommend checking out her ebooks ($10 each, but she’ll occasionally run sales).

Frequency: Weekly

Cost: Free

9. The Freelancer by Contently

The Freelancer by Contently is a valuable resource for staying on top of trends and learning tips from fellow freelancers. Its blog is full of useful articles for any freelancer. If you want to learn about freelancing for the first time, I suggest you start here.

Frequency: Every so often

Cost: Free

10. Stefan Palios’ The Freelance Growth Bite

Described as a “snack-sized newsletter,” freelancer Stefan Palios’ newsletter is just as advertised. His digestible issues are concise and consistently include advice on when to say no to clients, setting boundaries, finding good clients, and so much more. The Freelance Growth Bite is ideal for experienced freelancers looking for simple tips to help grow their business, but there’s no reason newbies wouldn’t benefit as well.

Frequency: Weeklyish

Cost: Free

These newsletters from experienced journalists and freelancers go a long way toward understanding how to navigate this opaque field.
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11. Chief Executive Auntie

Jennifer Duann Fultz’s newsletter focuses on the most important part of building a freelance business: money. She’s covered how to price projects, overcome a scarcity mindset, deal with poor clients, and so much more. Her commitment to transparency and dedication to encouraging healthy money mindsets is commendable.

Frequency: Weekly

Cost: Free

12. Lance from Anna Codrea-Rado

Self-described as a “newsletter about building a creative career without burning out,” Lance should be an automatic subscribe for any freelancer. Written by freelancer Anna Codrea-Rado, Lance is full of insights on pitching editors, confronting productivity culture, and the occasional ode to hating Rory Gilmore.

Frequency: Weekly

Cost: Free

13. The Dunker by Freelancer Magazine

I’m including this newsletter after only five issues because it packs so much value in so little space. The UK-based magazine’s newsletter is worth subscribing to because it always has a quick read of 15 resources for freelancers that are actually valuable.

Frequency: Once a month

Cost: Free

14. Bizzy in Your Box

Bizzy in Your Box gets the award for the funniest newsletter about the absurdity that is freelancing. Bizzy’s newsletter often features a roundup of her most hilarious tweets. Her humorous takes will make you laugh and remind you that other freelancers experience similar headaches.

Frequency: Every so often

Cost: Free

15. Fresh Look Editing

Freelance editor Alicia Chantal shares valuable advice in her blog posts (that you can subscribe to via email) about ways to network and take time off as a freelancer. The rate that her posts hit your inbox varies, but they’re always worth reading. New freelancers will especially benefit from her work.

Frequency: Every so often

Cost: Free

Do you have a newsletter you’d like to recommend? Comment below, or tweet at me.