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
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
Pro Blogging
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
4 Ways to Trigger My Professional Blogger BS Detector
As a professional blogger, I'm constantly contacted by people who want something from me — for free. Here's what triggers my BS detector. In the last six weeks, I've had 10 — 10! — conversations with people who want me to do something for them. These are people who haven't built relationships with me, and
[Video] When to Use Your Own Voice
Thanks to the Internet, nearly anyone can share thoughts and be heard. Even when I post something on my personal blog (that hardly anyone reads), I still see hundreds of visitors each month. My voice is heard by a small audience. As an online freelancer, though, you have the potential to reach a wider pool
Writing Tips
Moving Away From My Mercenary Mindset
It's hard for me to get beyond my mercenary mindset and accept that it's ok for me to write for something other than money. I've long had a mercenary mindset when it comes to writing. Because I started out desperately trying to pay the rent while my husband worked on his Ph.D. and I stayed
Five Famous Doses of Reality for the Aspiring Writer
Whether you plan to write fiction or non-fiction, as an aspiring writer you need a solid dose of reality. You really can make money as a writer. You can even do it as a professional blogger. My story is simple and straightforward. It's not glamorous, and following my tips probably won't lead to insane amounts
Freelance Professional: Build a Better Profile
Your online profile is key to better success as a freelance professional. When you work as an online freelance professional, it's important that you have a home on the web. A web site isn't enough, though. You also need to make sure that your entire online profile showcases your expertise. Build a better profile, and
Productivity
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
Why I Check My Email First Thing in the Morning
Productivity experts say you shouldn't check your email first thing in the morning. However, I do check my email first thing in the morning. Here's how I do it and remain productive. Not too long ago, I read that it's a waste to spend the first part of your day checking email. After all, email
On Knowing Your Limitations as a Freelancer
Do you know your limitations as a freelancer? Sometimes, you need to take a step back and get realistic about what you can do. Every year since 2011, I've attended FinCon. I attend two or three conferences over the course of most years, since it is a good way to network and get to know