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
5 Realities of High Paying Freelance Gigs
If you're looking in the wrong places, you'll have a hard time finding high paying freelance gigs. One of the most common questions I receive has to do with finding high paying freelance gigs. When I presented on the subject of getting and keeping high paying freelance gigs at FinCon15, one of my slides dealt
Just What is a High Paying Freelance Gig, Anyway?
We all want to land a high paying freelance gig or two (or three). But how do you know if that gig is truly worth your time and effort? At FinCon15, I offered a short presentation on how to get paid more for freelance writing. Many writers are interested in this topic because many of
Want a Higher Freelance Rate? Ask For It
If you aren’t getting something you want, don’t assume you just can’t have it. You can ask for a higher freelance rate. Even though I’ve been freelancing for more than 10 years, it’s still difficult for me to ask for a higher freelance rate. Over time, I’ve become better at getting paid more, but I
Pro Blogging
That Time I Accepted Way Less for My Freelance Writing
Occasionally I accept less for my freelance writing services. But there's a method to my madness — and a reason I sometimes agree to write for less. Not too long ago, a fellow freelance writer asked me for some insight into what she should charge when writing for a client. It's a client I write
[Video] Should You Sign a Non-Compete?
A couple of years ago, a client of mine asked if I could stop writing about competitors of theirs. They didn't want me to mention them in lists (even if another client asked me to), and they were hoping that I wouldn't take jobs with clients that partnered with the competitor. In the end, I
Professional Bloggers: Endorsements, Sponsored Posts and the FTC
Sponsored posts offer a way for professional bloggers to make a little extra money. But you need to be prepared to disclose your relationships. Professional bloggers have enjoyed an increase in influence in recent years. Major brands — and even not-so-major brands — are anxious to reach new audiences with the help of bloggers. If
Writing Tips
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
How Do You Afford to Live as a Writer?
Can you really live as a writer? Is there really a way to make writing pay the bills? My good friend Luke Landes shared an interesting piece from Salon by Ann Bauer on his Facebook wall the other day. The piece takes a look at how many writers are “sponsored” in some way. The author of the
Productivity
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
How to Make Time for Your Personal Writing
Many freelance writers wish they had more time for personal writing. Here's how to make time to write for yourself. My writing goals for this year include making time to write for my rant blog and to write more fiction. Not only do I have these personal writing goals, but I also have websites of
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