Favorite freelance writer resources

Posted in behind the scenes, business, editing, freelance, journalism, ModernJournalistToolkit, reporting, writing

Updated in 2022. I’m happy to share these resources with you: my affiliate-free (read: no kickback, just links to things I use and like) list of favorite tools, apps, and programs; a few downloadable guides; and the most popular blog posts.

Listen in to this audio companion for this blog post, where I expand on why and how I use some of my favorites.

WCP199 Archives XIX: Favorite freelance writer resources

We all need a few reliable go-to tools, apps, programs, books, and other stuff. In today’s episode, I talk through a few of my own favorites, and why and how I use them.  Be sure to check out one of my oldest blog posts that I keep updating, with all the links mentioned plus several more for you to explore.  These are all affiliate-free.

STUFF I USE, LIKE, AND RECOMMEND FOR FREELANCE WRITERS

The tools, programs, apps, services, subscriptions, and other stuff you might like too.

Acuity Scheduling

for auto-outsourcing scheduling. Such a relief to ask people to simply choose a time available on my calendar rather than sending back-and-forth-and-forth-again emails.

CamScanner

for when you need a flat-bed scanner on the go.

Canva

for DIY graphics.

Freelance Success

for discussing freelance writing. I recommend it primarily for the support the group offers, but a pretty amazing side benefit is the number of lucrative, long-term gigs I’ve received via market tips and referrals from FLXers.

Google Docs

for drafting and syncing between computer and phone, and easy sharing with others. Be sure to enable to work offline.

Grammar.ly and Hemingway

for editing and proofreading drafts.

Lastpass

for password security.

Libsyn

for podcast hosting.

Loom

for recording short videos of myself and my screen. Really helpful for when you want to show the thing you’re talking through without hopping on a video call.

Mug with a lid

for keeping the cuppa hot when your writing is hot too. (Or when you’re just a bit forgetful.)

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Otter

for real time transcription. I prefer a real person rather than AI for interview transcripts that need to be close to 100% accurate, but the free version of Otto is great for your own voice memos on the go.

Paper and pens

for drafts, notes, and freewriting. A little longhand goes a long way.

Handwriting. Photo courtesy Morgan Trimble.

Writing longhand. Photo courtesy Morgan Trimble.

Pocket Casts

for organizing your podcasts your way in one tidy app.

QuickTime

for recording audio, movies, and screens. This is an old, free program that comes pre-installed for Macs, but I’m surprised how many Mac users think it’s just for consuming multimedia rather than creating. I’ve used QuickTime for recording interviews, for recording my podcast, for recording videos, etc. It has limited options, which makes it super simple to use.

Screenflow

for filming your screen and editing videos.

Skype and Zoom

for video calls and phone calls.

Timescroller

for seeing what time it is wherever your clients, sources, family, friends, or interests are.

Toggl

for time tracking.

Trello

for organizing big projects.

Video Speed Controller

to control video speeds on any HTML5 video when using Chrome. Listening to informational videos at 1.5X or 2.0X speed has changed my life.

Voice Recorder

for recording interviews on Android. It comes pre-installed on Androids.

Yoga with Adriene

for when you’re already wearing yoga pants, don’t want to leave the house, and want an excellent yoga teacher to come to you.

FREE GUIDES FOR FREELANCE WRITERS

Click to download these free guides for freelance writers:

5 Proven Steps to Writing Queries that Sell

Follow the proven steps I use to sell article ideas to CNN, the New York Times, Dwell, and Ebony.com.

Pay Me! A freelancer’s guide to timely payments

Effective steps to protect yourself against late-paying clients.

Create your ultimate editorial contact list

Where and how to find markets and editors in general, followed by a list of rates databases and online writer groups. The original version of this guide became too outdated and has been retired. An updated/current version is available within Freelance Writer Bootcamp.