Category Archives: Writers Resources

4 Tools for Freelance Writers (You Might Not Have Heard Of)

By on April 4th, 2013

By Jennifer Dunn Being a freelancer is tough enough without having to worry about every single detail in your life. You would think with all the apps available you could find something to handle all the nitpicky stuff you hate to do. Well, all your dreams have come true! With the following tools you should be able to increase the time you have to run your business. 1. OpenOffice (Mac or PC) You don’t have the money for Microsoft Office, and Google’s options just aren’t cutting the mustard. What are you supposed to do, especially now that your client list …

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Posted in Writers Resources |

10 Android Apps for Writers and Bloggers

By on January 30th, 2013

My hubby recently decided that we should upgrade our phones, and we both went the Android route. I’ve spent a good bit of time setting things up for both personal and business use, and in the process I’ve come across some great apps that should improve my productivity. Here are five of my favorite Android apps so far (all free) that might be of interest to freelance writers, authors, and bloggers. 1. WordPress Android App I now have more than 55 installations of WordPress to deal with (monitor spam, run updates, etc.). I’ve already talked about why I won’t use …

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Posted in Writers Resources |

Book Review: The Freelancer’s Bible

By on January 28th, 2013

You may have heard of Freelancers Union, a nonprofit organization for freelancers, contractors, and independent workers. Sara Horowitz, who founded Freelancers Union, has released a comprehensive guide to freelancing – The Freelance Bible – that’s everything the title suggests. Sara’s accolades includes being named a MacArthur Foundation “Genius” fellow and one of Forbes’s Top 30 Entrepreneurs. Packed With Information As you’d expect of any book with “Bible” in the title, The Freelancer’s Bible is packed with essentially everything you need to know to start, run, and grow a successful freelance business. Another plus: this Bible is a much simpler read …

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Posted in Finance, Writers Resources |

5 Time Management Tools for Freelance Writers

By on December 8th, 2012

As a freelance writer do you ever feel like you aren’t working to your full potential — that you could get more work done if you could just eliminate some distractions and improve your productivity a bit? Fortunately there are plenty of time management tools that can help you do that. Today I’d like to share some of my favorite types of time management tools and some examples you might want to try. Here are five simple time management tools for freelance writers. Enjoy! E.ggtimer.com – This is probably my all-time favorite time management tool. I use it to time working …

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Posted in Productivity & Organization, Writers Resources |

60 Resources for Freelance Writers

By on November 20th, 2012

Are you interested in starting a freelance writing career? Trying to figure out where to start can be one of the biggest challenges aspiring freelance writers face. To help point you in the right direction, I’ve put together a list of resources for aspiring freelance writers — tools to help you get started, build a network, learn from freelance writing colleagues, and find freelance writing jobs. Here are 55 resources for freelance writers just starting out (and for those of us looking to grow and find new freelance writing opportunities). While most of the writing resources listed below are free, I …

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Posted in Writers Resources |

Why Google Chrome is my Favorite Multi-Blog Management Tool

By on October 24th, 2012

It’s no secret that I manage multiple blogs. Currently I have 50 active WordPress installations — large blogs, small blogs, author sites, business sites, and several in various pre-launch phases. Every work day I have to manage these blogs, including the ones that haven’t launched yet. What does this include? Approving comments that are in moderation queues Deleting spam comments Upgrading any out of date plugins I’ve installed Updating themes when new versions are released or old code becomes outdated Upgrading WordPress installations when new versions are released This could be a royal headache every morning. But it’s not. That’s …

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Posted in Blogging, Writers Resources |

2 Free Word Count Trackers for NaNoWriMo Authors

By on October 19th, 2012

NaNoWriMo is just around the corner, and I wanted to share a couple of free resources All Freelance Writing offers for authors participating in November’s challenge. In a mad rush to reach 50,000 words in your next novel, it’s essential that you keep track of your word count. Better yet, why not publish your word count each day or week on your favorite writing forum, your blog, or social media profile where others in your network can help to keep you accountable? If that’s your plan, I hope you’ll check out our two word count trackers. Both were contracted and …

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Posted in Writers Resources |

Freelance Writers: How do You Hold Yourself Accountable?

By on October 18th, 2012

Working as freelance writers, we don’t have an employer or supervisor looking over our shoulder to hold us accountable for how we spend our time. Instead that responsibility falls on us. I’ve always been big on planning and organization to help me get more worked into my schedule. I keep daily and weekly to-do lists. I have four white boards and two bulletin boards in my office to keep track of specific types of projects. And I have a terribly guilty conscience when I don’t finish the things I set out to do in any given day. But that’s not …

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Posted in Writers Resources |

Five Fabulous Books for Freelance Writers

By on September 25th, 2012

Whether you’re a new freelance writer or you have decades of experience in freelancing, there is always more to learn. That’s why building a professional library is a smart idea. You can learn or refresh yourself on the basics of being in business for yourself. Good books for freelance writers can teach you about new marketing tactics you haven’t tried before. And if nothing else, they can inspire you to push through the tough times because they can serve as a reminder that you aren’t alone in your struggles. To help you build your professional library, here are five of my …

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Posted in Writers Resources |

Free Monthly Marketing Calendar for Freelance Writers

By on August 7th, 2012

I’ve decided to make some changes to my plans for the Web Writer’s Guide e-book. Rather than updating it and moving on with a series, it will remain as-is. Sometime in the next few months I’ll pull it off the market, and much of the information in that e-book will be worked into print books or e-books in the Query-Free Freelancer series. The problem with sticking with the Web Writer’s Guide branding is that it’s too limiting. Most of the information found there is relevant to all freelance writers — not solely Web writers. And I want the branding to reflect that. Because of that, the …

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Posted in Marketing, Writers Resources |