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
Freelance Income Goals — Why They're Not for Me
We hear a lot about setting freelance income goals and other income goals. They aren't my thing. Here's why. Working in the world of online financial content often comes with its own FOMO. After all, everyone has freelance income goals, and it's all about making more. More. MORE. There's nothing wrong with that. Having income
Journalism Ethics: Should You Accept a Free Trip?
More freelancers and bloggers want to be seen as trusted resources. For many writers, that means trying to adhere to journalism ethics. But what does that mean when you're offered a free trip? In the last few weeks, several fellow writers have approached me with some variation of the following: I've been offered a free
Using Dictation Software for Freelance Writing
When you're a writer, it can be difficult to deal with an injury that affects your hand, arm, or wrist. If you're in a tough spot you can use dictation software for freelance writing. A couple weeks ago, while fencing with my son, my ankle rolled as I moved back into on the guard position.
Pro Blogging
How to Get Periscope Videos onto YouTube
Several readers have asked about how to get Periscope videos onto YouTube. Here's the process I followed during my short-lived Persiscope experiment. For a few months earlier this year, I answered reader questions via video. I'd like to continue the series, but I'm still kind of putting my life back together. As part of my
Do You Know Why You Write? A Purpose for Every Post
Before you say yes to another writing gig, or agree to another pro bono post, stop and think about why you write. I've started thinking more about why I do things and prioritizing what matters to me. I have a chance at a new start in life, and I'm using this change to focus on things that I
My 4 Favorite Freelancer Personal Branding Tips
Personal branding is essential for a freelancer. If you want to succeed, these freelancer personal branding tips can help. Last month, I moderated a panel devoted to freelancer personal branding. The venue was the FinCon Expo, where I've presented before. The panel was aimed more at what editors are looking for in freelancers, and I
Writing Tips
[Video] Online Freelance Writing Tidbits: Does It Make Sense to Accept a Lower Writing Rate?
Setting your writing rate is one of the toughest parts of freelancing. Do you really want to accept a lower fee? Freelance professionals are regularly told to stick to their guns and get paid what they're worth. It's also common for freelance writers to look for high-paying gigs. Once you've worked so hard to charge
Writing Tool Review (and Giveaway!): Grammarly
Want to take your writing up a notch? Consider using the writing tool Grammarly. I recently connected with the folks at Grammarly, who offered me a free Premium account for two weeks. I've used it in that time, with the Chrome extension, and loved it. If you want to make sure your writing is grammatically correct,
How I Organize My Articles, Sources, and Due Dates
Need to keep track of sources, stories and due dates? Here's how I organize articles for clients. Over the course of the last two years, I've shifted into writing that bears a resemblance to traditional journalism. Many of my clients want an authoritative voice, and they expect me to incorporate expert sources into the content
Productivity
Life Getting Away from You? Choosing What to Let Slide
Is life getting away from you? If so, you might need to start figuring out what your true priorities are. It's been an interesting four months. My life has been getting away from me, and I finally feel as though things are settling down and becoming manageable. During these last four months, I've had to
How to Set Up Your Ideal Work Area
Does your work area encourage you to do your best work? As someone who works from home, it’s important for me to have a work area that helps me focus my attention so that my efforts are more effective. However, what is ideal for me might not be ideal for you. As you prepare to
Are You Trapped in Your Freelancing Job?
Even though I enjoy my freelancing job, sometimes I feel a little trapped. I love what I do. I like writing, and I’ve learned to like writing about financial topics. My job allows me to learn interesting things, and spend a good portion of my day doing something I like. However, there are times I