start & scale your freelancing career
tips, guides, and resources to grow
What you'll
learn in the academy
- Basic steps for laying a foundation for freelance writing
- How to land your first client and get paid for writing
- Tips for scaling your business and taking it full time
- Scripts for pitching prospective clients
Testimonials
You can become a better writer
Below are additional freelance writing resources that I personally recommend to help you grow and scale your freelance writing.
Grammarly
write better
One of my absolute favorite tools is Grammarly. I have it as a Chrome plugin, and it helps me stay on top of my writing. It's like having an editor available for me all the time. Grammarly works well with WordPress, as well as in Google Docs and other sites. It will catch common usage errors, spelling and grammar issues and even make smart suggestions to improve your writing.
Hemingway
pithy, active writing
Get rid of passive voice and overburdened sentences. If you want to write actively and get straight to the point in a powerful way, the Hemingway App is the way to go. It's available as an online tool, but you can also get the desktop app. I've thought seriously about just using it for my writing in general, mainly because of how awesome it is at forcing you to think about your sentences — and use every word to advantage
Asana
project management made easy
If you want to keep track of projects and deadlines, Asana is a great choice. I use it regularly. The fact that you can switch between list and calendar, and even track invoicing, is great. You can also use Asan to collaborate on projects and work with your virtual assistants (if you have them).
Are you a blogger looking to create the best content?
Two course recommendations for you
Enhance Your content
I love this course from my friend Ashley Barnett. This course takes you through the ins and outs of helping you create better content for your blog.
How to turn your blog into a business
My friend Larry Ludwig built a successful blog and sold it for seven figures. While you might not end up with a seven-figure blog, you can still make money with it.
The Freelance Blog
a collection of guest posts, guides, and helpful freelancing tips
Freelance Writing
Is It Time to Change My Freelance Business Model?
I make a solid living now, but if I don't change my freelance business model, the good times may not last. Several years ago, I had a rather disappointing moment of self-realization. I was rejected out of hand for an opportunity because I don't drive enough monthly pageviews to any given site. My first response was
How to Start Freelance Writing — And Make Money Doing It
If you're ready for the freedom and flexibility that comes with a freelance writing career, now is the time to get that ball rolling. Here's my guide on how to start freelance writing. I love my freelance lifestyle. There's a lot of freedom and flexibility here. As a result, people routinely ask me how to
How to Set Freelance Writing Rates — A Guide
As a freelance writer, you're probably trying to figure out the best way to set rates. Here's how to set freelance writing rates. Trying to figure out how to set freelance writing rates is one of the most difficult aspects of doing this thing. It's the wild west out there. Pretty much you get what
Pro Blogging
What's the Easiest Way to Raise Your Freelance Rates?
Hoping to raise your freelance rates? Look no further! I've got one easy tip! I'm asked all the time how to raise rates. It's probably the number one question I'm asked. Well, after what I'm doing during this whole COVID-19 thing. People ask this even more than they ask about my schedule or about how to start
5 Tips for Communicating with Freelance Clients
Reduce the number of revisions you are asked for, and improve your overall experience, by communicating effectively with your freelance clients. As a freelance writer, I work in the communications industry. I know first-hand the importance of communication when I work with freelance clients. True — communication is important no matter who you work with.
Do You Have a Blogging Personality?
When it comes to making money online, traffic is king. Can a blogging personality help you drive that traffic? Even though I provide a lot of content, I don't think much about traffic. Even on my own blogs, I don't focus as much on traffic as my business partner would like me to do. As I've
Writing Tips
How to Improve Your Writing Speed: My Favorite 6 Tips for Faster Writing
The best way to improve your writing is to practice. But it's not the only path to faster writing. Let's take a look at some of my favorite strategies. I'm constantly asked how I write so fast. While I'd like to say that there is a magic secret to writing quickly, the truth is that
Setting Freelance Rates: Hourly or Per-Project?
One of the most difficult aspects of freelancing is trying to put a dollar amount on what you're worth. Here are some thoughts on setting freelance rates. Note: This was one of my earliest posts on this site. I've had a few people recently ask questions, so I've decided to dust it off, update it,
The Writer's Guide to Success
Looking for a little help when it comes to finding a writer's guide to success? The folks over at OnBlastBlog.com put together this massive — useful — infographic to help you with your writing efforts. When it comes to writing, there are a few tips and tricks that can help you enjoy more success as
Productivity
Professional Freelancer Schedule — What I Do In a Day
So, what's a professional freelancer schedule like? I answer your questions about what I do in a day. Even when we're not in the middle of a global pandemic, I periodically get questions about what my schedule is like as a professional freelancer. However, since this whole COVID-19 thing has changed so many lives, I've
5 Tips for Communicating with Freelance Clients
Reduce the number of revisions you are asked for, and improve your overall experience, by communicating effectively with your freelance clients. As a freelance writer, I work in the communications industry. I know first-hand the importance of communication when I work with freelance clients. True — communication is important no matter who you work with.
How to Batch Your Writing — And Improve Your Productivity
I'm constantly asked about how I manage my productivity. By learning how to batch your writing, it's possible to take your freelance business to a new level. Over the years, I've tried just about every productivity trick in the book. I mean, I've been freelancing since 2005 — it's my 15th anniversary of working online