Resources

Grammarly
Helpful Google Chrome extension that corrects grammar and spelling mistakes in Google docs or emails.
Free and premium

Hemingway Editor
Inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s short prose, this app will judge how concise your language is and help you eliminate unnecessary words.
Free

Trello
Basically an online bulletin board. I use Trello to log freelance ideas, publishers to pitch to, etc.
Free and premium

Otter*
Upload up to 600 minutes per month for free. Otter does make mistakes, but it’s an easy platform to edit transcription on.
Free and premium

Descript
Three hours of transcription free and a fairly easy platform to listen to transcription on.
Free and premium

Who Pays Writers
Make that money! Find rates publications paid writers for different types of work.
Free

ProWritingAid*
ProWritingAid corrects grammar and spelling and has a helpful plagiarism checker
Free and premium

Dashword
Dashword is the most affordable SEO article-optimizing tool I’ve found.
Free and premium

Content Harmony
A very powerful tool that uses AI to generate article outlines and can optimize for SEO.
Free

beehiiv*
The only newsletter platform I trust with my work. You can earn money through its ad network and boosts. Use my link and I’ll give you a free consultation on your newsletter!
Free and premium

Passionfroot
Passionfroot makes managing sponsorships with multiple partners as easy as pie. It’s what you need if you want to monetize your newsletter with sponsors.
Free

Newsletter Circle
Actionable tips about how to grow your newsletter with Q&As with newsletter owners.
Free

Creator Spotlight
It’s interesting to see how different people have used tools and knowledge to grow their creator businesses. I read every edition.
Free

Newsletter Operator
This is the newsletter to consult if you’re new to the newsletter game.
Free

The Newsletter Newsletter
The newsletter about newsletters with weekly insights and resources.
Free

Creator Wizard
Smart advice about working with sponsors to monetize your content.
Free

Growth in Reverse
Top-notch interviews with reporters, writers, and editors.
Free

Inbox Collective
Inbox Collective reports on newsletter tools and trends.
Free

The Writers’ Co-op
Experienced freelancer Wudan Yan talk about how to handle running a freelance business.
Free and premium

Freelancing with Tim
Super helpful Sunday panel sessions and a great newsletter from the former NYT Smarter Living editor. Honestly, it’s 🔥.
Free and premium

Freelancing Females
Great Facebook group community and newsletter, but most importantly offers a rate sheet helpful for deciding what to charge clients.
Free

Freelance Opportunities!
I send out a newsletter every week with tips and freelance roles.
Free

Journalism Jobs and a Photo of My Dog
A compilation of job postings, articles, and the cutest Labrador.
Free

Where to Pitch
Both a searchable website and a newsletter, Where to Pitch has amazing resources.
Free

The Freelance Beat
A weekly newsletter that features calls for pitches and general advice.
Free

The Longform Podcast
Top-notch interviews with reporters, writers, and editors.
Free

Notes from a Hired Pen
Jen A. Miller’s insights and experiences as a freelancer for more than 15 years are so worthwhile.
Free

Your Library Card
I read for free with Libby and upskill with LinkedIn Learning.
Free

Hunter.io
The best resource I know for finding — or at least guessing at — email addresses for anyone.
Free

Sorry Not Sorry
Stop apologizing! This Gmail extension will warn you when you write something undermining your message.
Free

Answer the Public
Need help finding story ideas? This will help.
Free

Thread Reader App
This is a Twitter app that organizes long Twitter threads.
Free

How to Say No
If you struggle with saying no, these templates will help.
Free

Your Rate
Another way to calculate your freelance rate.
Free

Digital Women Leaders
I haven’t used this one yet, but it’s an excellent avenue for mentorship.
Free

Full Page Screen Capture
If you need to save a PDF or JPG of a webpage, this is the easiest way. I use this to backup articles.
Free

Creative Market
I’ve found (and used) free resume templates, stock photos, and illustrations.
Free and premium

UnSplash
Artsy and good quality photos. The tagging system is a mess, so I recommend finding creators you enjoy.
Free

Canva
If you don’t already know Canva, now you do.
Free and premium

Shots.so
I think this is the easiest tool I’ve used for mockups and frames.
Free

Veed
Veed makes it really easy to record your screen and share your video anywhere.
Free

Make WordArt
Want to promote your products like it’s the 90s? Use this WordArt maker.
Free

TinEye
This reverse image search is so handy if you’re fact-checking or trying to find where to buy that cute sweater you saw on Instagram.
Free

Pixabay
Like UnSplash, but easier to search.
Free

Storyline JS from KnightLab
This open-source line chart makes it easy to create interactive timelines.
Free

Your Library Card
Can you tell I love libraries? Lots of libraries have resources, workshops, and access to databases or Lynda.com.
Free

SkillShare
Lots of freelance-specific courses. I recommend Roxane Gay’s essay writing course.
Free trial and premium

You Need a Budget (YNAB)
Helpful webinars about paying off debt and budgeting better.
Free and premium

Ellevest
While Ellevest offers helpful webinars on investing, I’ve appreciated its Instagram office hours.
Free

Pollen*
Level up your freelance business with detailed playbooks from successful freelancers (including me).
Free and premium

Ladies Get Paid
Financial and career advice geared toward women by women.
Premium (but were offering free for ladies who got laid off)

Solutions Journalism Network
SJN’s Learning Lab is a helpful tool for retraining your brain to report on solutions rather than problems.
Free

Google Digital Garage
Some courses even come with free certificates.
Free

Moz Beginner Guide to SEO
This is a fairly simple guide that’s helpful for anyone new to SEO.
Free

Jane Friedman
I’ve listened to Jane speak at two different conferences and have turned to her website to better understand publishing.
Free

Good Old Fashioned Books!*
My recommendations on books to read for writing, finances, and fun! If you purchase books through this link, I will make a small commission.
Free (library!) and premium

Human Beings
If you find a writer or someone you admire, follow their work.
Free