Over 50 Top Resources For Freelancers And Bloggers
Are you looking for the tools and tech of the trade? Well, you’re in luck! If you are running an online biz this page has your resources. The resources on this page are the ones I personally use and/or those that have been recommended to me by fellow freelancers and bloggers. Make sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see all the categories.
I also have a password-protected resource library that you can join for free here with a lead magnet course, guides, worksheets, and more.
In the resource library, I am creating my own video tutorials, templates, etc. to help you.
Be sure to bookmark this page for later reference!
*Some links are my affiliate and referral links meaning I may receive a commission or benefits when you purchase. This is at no extra cost to you and you are helping to support the site. Thank you. You can find our disclaimer and policy pages here. These resources are to help you grow and manage your business.
Web Hosting
If you are looking for a hosting company for your website here are two choices with competitive prices that make it easy to get started with your blog or business…
WPEngine– Your Digital Experience Platform for WordPress.
BlueHost – Powering over 2 million websites worldwide
WordPress and Themes and Blogging
I use WordPress.org for my website. But I can also recommend WordPress.com if you are just getting started.
Genesis Framework – Many of my favorite themes use the Genesis Framework. It makes it easy to customize your site without having to dive into coding.
Genesis Pro – new superpowers for creating beautiful websites quickly.
Studio Press – They have so many wonderful themes! I currently use the Studio Press theme called Brunch Pro. Previously I was using Foodie Pro. Both are great even if you don’t have a food-related blog.
Theme Forest – Another great place to find lots of WordPress Themes
Elegant Themes – Beautiful Premium WordPress Themes
Creative Market – Not only can you find fun WordPress themes here, but also other design elements like fonts, templates, and photos for your biz!
Etsy – You can also find blog themes and other resources here
Legal Bundles – I used Amira’s amazing templates for the legal pages of this site. These came highly recommended to me and now I know why. I feel so much better knowing I have a privacy policy, disclaimer, and Terms and Conditions from a real lawyer rather than a free plugin!
Graphic Design Resources
These resources will help you rock it when creating your own graphics!
Canva Pro – Empowering the world to design
PicMonkey – This is your photo on awesome juice
BeFunky – Photo Editor, Designer, and Collage Maker
99 Designs – If you are not into designing yourself, hire it out
Fiverr – Hire out design work starting at just $5
Skitch – For Screen Captures
Ivory Mix – Monthly captions and beautiful stock images to make your social media marketing fast and easy. Plus the Ivory Mix Marketing Planner that I use and adore.
Social Media Scheduling & Management
Tailwind– My favorite for managing Pinterest. Join some tribes and get your Pinterest Marketing on point.
Hootsuite – Powerful social media management tools to grow your business
Buffer – Help keep those social media feeds topped off
IFTTT – Connects apps and devices to help you automate
Chrome extensions to search people for social media profiles:
Discover.ly – Put Social to work
Social Media Image Size Cheat Sheet
Whether you want to start a newsletter for your biz or just clean up your inbox, here are some great options:
ConvertKit – Email Marketing for Professional Bloggers
MailChimp – Send better email. Sell more stuff.
Unroll.me – Free service that makes it easy to unsubscribe and clean up your inbox
TypeForm – Create lovely contact forms for your site
Hunter.io – Find professional emails in seconds
Business Management Resources
Contract templates by a lawyer and blogger:
Sponsored Post Contract Template
Independent Contractor Contract Template
GUEST BLOGGER AGREEMENT TEMPLATE
HelloSign – eSigning for documents and contracts
Wave – Free accounting and more
Google Apps For Work (docs, forms, hangouts, etc)
Lastpass – Organize and protect your passwords
Crash Plan – Protect your digital life. Computer backup
Evernote – organize your notes and clips
Skype – Have calls and meetings online
DropBox – File Storage online
Focus@Will – An app with music scientifically designed to help you focus while you work
Mind Movies – Create your own “movie vision board” to help you focus and meet your goals
ZenBusiness – This is one that I personally have no experience with but it comes with high ratings from Trust Pilot and I thought it may be a great resource for you. It is one I wish I had when I started running an online business. Dedicated support to help you file paperwork for different states to get your business started.
Project Management Resources
Idenati – A digital command center to eliminate the digital clutter so you can focus your day around what matters to you. I think Marie Kondo would approve. See the full post I did with Idenati and Learn More Here
Trello – From the big picture to the minute details! Trello is a free project management tool and I cannot say how wonderful it is! But, I had no idea how to make good use of it until I took this course from Think Creative Collective: Trello For Business Boards already set up for you? Why, yes, I’ll take it!
Asana – allows teams to track their work and get results
Redbooth – Manage projects and collaborate
17 Hats – Say Goodbye to Chaos and Hello to Organization!
Finances & Accounting
Quickbooks Self-Employed – Organize your finances and prep for tax season. It’s what I use.
FreshBooks– I’m currently using Quickbooks but FreshBooks is also a great option that many bloggers and online biz owners recommend.
Monefy – Budgeting app to keep up with your finances on the go
PayPal – Send and receive payments online
Save Online:
Ebates/Rakuten – get cash back while shopping online for your biz and life.
Tech + Equipment
Apple iMac 21.5in Desktop – because life is better with iMac. I have an older iMac for my home office desk and it still works great. Love it.
Apple Macbook Air – for when you’re on the go or working from the cafe
Apple iPad (Wi-Fi, 32GB)– this is the one I have in gold and I use it for digitally planning and all kinds of projects. I have a strong case with a stand and can easily fit it inside my handbag for on the go. I have a keyboard for it too. I took a long time to get on the iPad train but I love it. Use it now instead of a laptop. I use this stand for my iPad on my desk at home.
MacPaw – Clean My Mac and more tools
Samsung Galaxy A70 – my smartphone is where I stray away from Apple to Samsung. The A70 has an amazing camera. I have so enjoyed using it when I’m out and about to create social media posts.
smcFanCOntrol– If your laptop tends to overheat when you are cranking out content
Resources To Collect Content to Share
Bloglovin – Find and share blog posts by category
Feedly – Organize and share what matters to you
Blogs To Follow For Freelance & Online Business Tips
- ClearVoice – my favorite work up for freelancing and resource for great content. You can find my work for ClearVoice here
- Smart Passive Income – build passive income streams
- Freelance To Freedom Project – get clients and organize your freelance life
- Freelance Lift – Conquer the business side of freelancing
- Copyblogger – Content Marketing Mastery
- Problogger – Create and grow your blog
- Entrepreneur – How To be an entrepreneur
Blogs To Follow For Marketing & Social Media
- Sprout Social Insights – Social media tips and expert advice
- Social Media Examiner – Your guide to the social media jungle
- Peg Fitzpatrick Blog – Advice from a social media marketing pro
- Mashable Social Media – Tips, tech, and news
Courses and Books
Bloggers’ Secrets – I just finished this course myself and it sure beats exploring the web trying to piece together everything you need to learn about blogging for income. Learn how to get traffic, create purposeful content, and successfully manage your online business.
Ultimate Bundles – awesome bundles for bloggers, homemakers, and entrepreneurs with a collection of courses and ebooks at highly discounted rates.
Skillshare – Click the link for two Free months of Premium. I teach here. I take classes here. It is one of my favorite online learning platforms.
CreativeLive– Free On-Air Classes Weekly
Udemy – Online Courses in business, social media, and more!
Coursera – Courses, often free, that you can take with you on the go through their app
How To Blog for Profit Without Selling Your Soul (Check out my review post on this book here)
Coach Glue – forms, planners, and workshops
PLR Content
Private Label Rights (PLR) content can help you jumpstart your content creation for newsletters, blog posts, and more! I’ve got a post about here: How To Utilize PLR Content To Grow Your Biz, Saving Time & Money
Here are some resources to find PLR content: