Recommended Reading

Bookmark this page for all the latest third-party articles I recommend for freelance writers. Learn about building and running a freelance writing business, improving your marketing skills so you can find more clients, and much more. New recommendations get added here regularly.

The Complete Guide to Content Repurposing: How to Get the Most Out of Every Piece of Content You Create

By: Rochi Zalani, At: Buffer
Added on: April 6, 2026

This guide looks at how to get more value from the content you already create by repurposing it across formats and channels. Buffer covers practical ways to turn one strong idea into multiple pieces of content without simply repeating yourself everywhere.

Read "The Complete Guide to Content Repurposing: How to Get the Most Out of Every Piece of Content You Create"


The non-salesy line you should drop in every freelance client call

By: Jake Poinier, At: Doctor Freelance
Added on: March 31, 2026

Welcome back to Jake Poinier and Doctor Freelance. In this piece, Jake shares a simple way to mention other client work during a call so you can emphasize your credibility and existing demand without sounding pushy. It's a smart positioning tactic that can open the door to new projects, upsells, and referrals while helping prospects see the broader range of services you offer.

Read "The non-salesy line you should drop in every freelance client call"


7 Sh*tty Things You Don’t Have to Take as a Freelancer

By: Lori Widmer, At: Words on the Page
Added on: March 31, 2026

This one is a good reminder that freelancing does not mean accepting every bad client behavior that comes your way. Lori Widmer covers issues like misplaced responsibilities, scope creep, contracts, invasive monitoring, abusive treatment, and low pay, with a clear message that professional boundaries are part of running a real business.

Read "7 Sh*tty Things You Don’t Have to Take as a Freelancer"


Unlocking Freelancing: Types, Taxes, Benefits, and Challenges

By: Lucas Downey, At: Investopedia
Added on: March 31, 2026

If you're newer to freelancing, or know someone who is, this is a solid primer from Investopedia. It walks through what freelancing is, how freelancers differ from employees, common ways freelancers get paid, and some of the tax and benefits tradeoffs that come with self-employment.

Read "Unlocking Freelancing: Types, Taxes, Benefits, and Challenges"


Is WordPress Too Complex for Most Sites?

By: Roger Montti, At: Search Engine Journal
Added on: March 25, 2026

Does your site really need a content management system (CMS) like WordPress? Or would a simple static website serve you better? Joost de Valk, of Yoast SEO, weighs in on when WordPress might, and might not, be the best option.

Read "Is WordPress Too Complex for Most Sites?"


Building a Sustainable Writing Career in a Changing Industry in 2026

By: Laura Williams, At: TheWritingBiz.com
Added on: March 23, 2026

As a longstanding proponent of focusing on stability in both indie publishing and freelance writing, I wanted to share this piece. While it's written more for indie authors, much of the advice can be equally applied to your freelance writing business. Learn what you should consider to build a more sustainable business that keeps you earning from your writing for years to come.

Read "Building a Sustainable Writing Career in a Changing Industry in 2026"


Building Accessible Websites with GeneratePress and GenerateBlocks

By: Kathy @ GeneratePress, At: GeneratePress Blog
Added on: March 19, 2026

Keeping your professional website or blog accessible to as many visitors as possible isn't just a nice feature to have. It's essential that we all work to improve web accessibility across any site we run. If you use GeneratePress and GenerateBlocks on the WordPress platform (which I highly recommend, and which I use on nearly all sites I own), this guide on the GeneratePress blog will help you navigate accessibility settings as you build or improve your site.

Read "Building Accessible Websites with GeneratePress and GenerateBlocks"


AI Art Is Here To Stay — How Blockchain Can Help Creators Gain Control Over Their Work

By: Anuradha Varanasi, At: Columbia University Data Science Institute
Added on: March 16, 2026

Forget about the notoriously inaccurate AI detectors or "human certification" programs for authors. If you want to protect your work from AI abuses as a creative professional, our best answer is blockchain technology. This piece serves as an intro for writers and other creative pros to understand the role blockchain solutions could play.

Read "AI Art Is Here To Stay — How Blockchain Can Help Creators Gain Control Over Their Work"


How a freelance health journalist landed her first story with National Geographic

By: Anna Medaris, At: Association of Health Care Journalists
Added on: February 11, 2026

This entry in AHCJ's "How I Pitched It" series features a pitch letter Christina Heiser sent to land a story with National Geographic. Read about her background, and check out her pitch for inspiration if you're seeking opportunities with new publications.

Read "How a freelance health journalist landed her first story with National Geographic"


12 Tax Strategies Every Self-Employed Worker Needs in 2026

By: Roxanne Bland, At: Kiplinger
Added on: February 11, 2026

Whether you're an experienced pro or new to freelancing, this article offers an excellent beginner's overview to key tax concepts and strategies that apply to freelancers. You'll also find some updated info for 2026 including updated form 1099 reporting requirements that apply to your clients or payment processors. Well worth a read as you prep your 2025 taxes, and even after to help stay on top of tax issues through 2026.

Read "12 Tax Strategies Every Self-Employed Worker Needs in 2026"


The AI Writing Debate -- Moving From False Dichotomies to Creative Synthesis

By: Ed Gandia, At: High-Income Business Writing Podcast
Added on: February 11, 2026

In this podcast episode and show notes, Ed Gandia gives freelance writers some things to think about when it comes to AI. There is no good vs bad distinction that covers all AI use equally. You might be using AI tools without even realizing it. And the biggest issue of all might just be transparency. Check out the notes and listen to the episode for a different approach to how you might think about AI as a freelance writer.

Read "The AI Writing Debate -- Moving From False Dichotomies to Creative Synthesis"


Editorial Rates - 2024

At: Editorial Freelancers Association
Added on: March 22, 2024

While setting your freelance writing rates is about much more than looking at what others charge, this survey-based rate data from the EFA gives you somewhere to start. These rates in some categories (like blog posts and articles) are very much on the low end of the professional spectrum, this is what survey respondents report accepting for their work. So while you can always aim higher (and I highly recommend you do), if you're getting lowball offers far below these rates, you'll know they're not the norm.

Read "Editorial Rates - 2024"


The 11 Best ChatGPT Alternatives

At: Backlinko
Added on: March 22, 2024

Interested in using AI tools for your freelance business, but not sure which tool is right for you? This post from Backlinko will help you explore alternatives to ChatGPT based on your needs. I'm personally a fan of ChatGPT and Claude 3 for everything from ideation and outlining to data analysis and visualization.

Read "The 11 Best ChatGPT Alternatives"


Content Ideation: 8 Ways to Generate Infinite Blog Post Ideas

By: Ryan Law, At: Ahrefs
Added on: March 14, 2024

Not sure what to write about on your professional site's blog? Need blog post ideas to pitch to freelance writing clients? Ryan Law offers some inspiring tips in this post on the Ahrefs blog, with 8 blog post types or themes you can use again and again.

Read "Content Ideation: 8 Ways to Generate Infinite Blog Post Ideas"


Your Freelance Career Speed Bumps

By: Lori Widmer, At: Words on the Page
Added on: March 14, 2024

Are you blaming the wrong people, or reasons, for missing on on freelance writing gigs? Lori Widmer shares an example and explains why we sometimes have to look inward to see the real speed bumps in our freelance careers. She then offers some tips on how we can move forward, minus the excuses.

Read "Your Freelance Career Speed Bumps"


Niche Your Way to Freelance Copywriting Success

By: Bob Bly, At: WritersDigest.com
Added on: March 14, 2024

While focusing on a niche isn't the only way to specialize as a freelance writer, it can open the door to some of the most lucrative opportunities. This post from renowned copywriter, Bob Bly, gives some great examples of how your background could be the key to higher-paying freelance copywriting work.

Read "Niche Your Way to Freelance Copywriting Success"


5 Things to Hate on a Website

By: Cathy Miller, At: Simply Stated Business
Added on: March 7, 2024

Long-time friend and colleague, Cathy Miller, shares some pet peeves about web site design, navigation, and more on her site, Simply Stated Business. Does your professional website break any of these "rules," potentially driving prospects away before they have a chance to hire you?

Read "5 Things to Hate on a Website"


Should Companies Prohibit Freelance Writers from Using ChatGPT for Non-Writing Tasks?

By: Jennifer Goforth Gregory, At: JenniferGregoryWriter.com
Added on: March 7, 2024

Do you refuse to use AI tools when writing client articles? Well hold on... if you use grammar checkers or even spellcheck, you're already using AI tools. But there's a difference between claiming authorship for AI-generated content and responsibly using AI tools in the course of your freelance writing business. Jennifer Goforth Gregory offers a nice intro to this difference, and where the line should be between clients insisting on human-written content and telling freelancers what tools they may, or may not, use in the course of their business.

Read "Should Companies Prohibit Freelance Writers from Using ChatGPT for Non-Writing Tasks?"


Unnatural Links: What They Are and How to Fix Your Link Profile

By: Sydney Go, At: Semrush
Added on: March 7, 2024

If you see your website tank in search results, unnatural links could be at least partly to blame. Maybe you engaged in black hat link-buying in the past, or spammed comments for links. Or maybe a bad SEO "pro" did so on your behalf. Or, maybe you're even the victim of a negative SEO campaign where someone else built those links to your site. Are you screwed? Fortunately, not. Get some tips from Sydney Go at Semrush on what you can do if unnatural links are hurting your professional website or blog.

Read "Unnatural Links: What They Are and How to Fix Your Link Profile"


Google Releasing Massive Search Quality Enhancements in March 2024 Core Update and Multiple Spam Updates

By: Barry Schwartz, At: Search Engine Land
Added on: March 7, 2024

Learn about some important Google algorithm updates any online writer should be aware of in this article from Barry Schwartz at Search Engine Land. If you're familiar with Google's "helpful content updates," you should know they're now being rolled into core updates. How helpful is your content?

Read "Google Releasing Massive Search Quality Enhancements in March 2024 Core Update and Multiple Spam Updates"