Essential Freelance Resources
As a freelancer the sky is the limit if you take advantage of the incredible tools, teachers and services available at your fingertips.
Here are some of my favourite freelancer resources – I’ve done my best to gather up some great discounts so you can make a saving while enjoying these.
Some of these are referral links, which means you can support Freelance Success by signing up through the links. I personally use, or have used, every single one of these resources.
Let us know if we’re missing anything and enjoy!
Categories:
Video Editing
All freelancers need to be creating video these days to market themselves and build multiple incomes. Fortunately, it's easier than ever thanks to amazing tools like Descript.

Descript
Video is simply the most engaging kind of content, so chances are, whatever you do, you should be creating video. Descript is a gamechanger for freelancers. Record your video and the software transcribes it. You can then edit it like a Word document. It also works for super quick podcast editing too!
Amazing for creating video quickly and for creating content that you can repurpose and use everywhere from a blog to social media.
Visit SiteTop Books for Freelancers

Getting Things Done - By David Allen
Getting Things Done is legendary in the productivity and business world, but few people really understand the system, and how it can benefit them. I recommend this book to anybody who wants to live up to their potential and stop feeling stressed all the time.
The ultimate productivity guide to help you get organised and effective.
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The Freelance Roadmap - By Alistair Webster
There's a chance I'm slightly biased here because this is my first freelance book, but I wrote The Freelance Roadmap to give you a clear path to success. It's packed full of practical information and techniques to help you succeed - and it summarises a lot of the best ideas from this list.
My book to help new freelancers find purpose and freedom through work - and get started with a plan for success.
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The Freelance Manifesto
If you’re even slightly into motion graphics or animation, then you have probably heard of Joey from School of Motion. He has created some fine courses in that field, but his book – The Freelance Manifesto – is great, no matter what field you want to work in.
Includes a fantastic strategy for reaching out and winning new clients, and loads of tips and insights.
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Hyperfocus
As freelancers, we have to multi-task to some extent, but this book makes a great argument to the power of shutting out distractions and focussing on one task at a time to create our best work.
It also talks about the need to rest too. When the mind is recharging it is able to create new connections and solve problems by itself.
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The 4 Hour Workweek
Perhaps the most famous book about taking control of your life and living the freelance dream. Some of the content is a little dated now, and a bit over the top, but if this book doesn’t inspire you to at least give freelancing a shot, nothing will.
The book that inspired countless freelancers and entrepreneurs to think differently and follow their dreams.
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Profit First
Handling your finances well can be one of the biggest challenges of being freelance. This book breaks down a simple but effective way to divide your income, ensuring you have enough money for everything you need – from taxes, to marketing spend.
Finances isn't the most fun topic, but it's one that all freelancers should spend some time thinking about.
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The Chimp Paradox
I talk a lot about the impact of mindset when it comes to freelancing. A lot of the time we are our own worst enemy, because doubt and fear creeps in. This book is all about controlling the crazy part of your brain, so you can think clearly and be your best .
Make decisions based on logic and reason, rather than emotion. Great for life in general, as well as business.
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Audible
I actually find that I’m taking in more and more books via Audible these day. Audio books are great for listening to non-fiction and business books on the go. You can tune in while doing some routine work, taking a walk, or travelling.
It can be hard to find the time to sit down and read a business book - Audible is the answer, and listening is often more engaging.
Get A Free AudiobookProductivity Boosters
When it comes to getting things done, willpower will only take you so far. Increase your productivity with these tools designed to get you in the zone.

RescueTime
This is my favourite tool for accountability. It runs in the background monitoring everything I do on my laptop throughout the day. There's nowhere to hide - if I've been wasting time, RescueTIme knows about it. It's recently been redesigned and to be honest I prefer the old version - still very useful though.
Understand what you're spending your time on - and take steps to focus your attention better.
Try It
Freedom
Working from home can be tough when it comes to staying focussed. Freedom is a simple tool to block time wasting websites, and catching yourself in the act when you flip over to Facebook or Twitter on a productivity-killing whim. Don't even think about it just buy it - it will save you hours of time (and therefore money).
Remove distractions from your work time so you can focus on what actually matters.
Try ItTools for Freelancers
There are loads of tools out there to save notes and keep your projects on track. I’ve tested plenty and these are my favourites for freelancers who tend to be working independently.

Notion
You might have heard a lot about Notion, because it has a lot of superfans. It can be a little confusing at first, but it's hard to argue with its power and flexibility. I used to use it as a glorified to-do list for all of my projects, while also storing everything from book notes to shopping lists. I've now mainly moved to Roam Research, but for a lot of people Notion is a great fit.
A popular and flexible note-taking solution that allows you to organise and display your information in many different ways.
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Roam Research
It's not as beautiful as Notion, but Roam is an unbelievably powerful tooltool - especially useful if you do a lot of writing. I literally use Roam as the engine of my freelance business. I use it to plan and track projects, plan out my day, and write content. It's definitely my most used tool.
Roam Research is a powerhouse that you can use to run your freelance business and be more creative.
Try ItFinances

PensionBee
No freelancers like to talk about pensions, because most of us don’t have one. I’ve finally taken the step to setting up mine, and I’m really happy with PensionBee. They make the process simple and really easy to understand. It may not be the cheapest, but the simplicity and control makes it worth that for me.
An easy and intuitive pension solution for freelancers and the self employed.
Take a LookRecommended Web Hosting for Freelancers

Stablepoint
Web hosting can be an absolute nightmare. You want to find a relatively small company, but one offering a high quality service and good customer support. As a freelancers we need our websites to be up and running, and to be able to get problems fixed quickly. I use Stablepoint, and it’s brilliant. Check out the reviews and enjoy stress-free hosting that you can rely on.
If you need good web hosting as a freelancer, Stablepoint is the best option I've found.
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Squarespace
If you just want to get online, and don’t want to worry too much about maintaining your website, then it is hard to beat Squarespace. A simple drag and drop builder will have you up and running in no time. Be aware that a more WordPress sites, and custom sites can offer you A LOT more flexibility and bang for your buck, however.
If you want to get a simple online presence up and running – and don’t enjoy the technical side of things, Squarespace can do the job nicely.
Take a lookEducation and Training
As a freelancer, you need to be keeping on top of your skills, and constantly working on them. Nobody else will push you to do this, so I think it’s worth dedicating some time – and budget to learning new skills and improving. Here are some of my favourite ways to top up my skills:

MasterClass
With swish production values and Hollywood A-listers in their ranks, Masterclass is a real big hitter in the online learning space. There is some great value to be found there, however, and you can learn from people who have been there and actually done it. It’s particularly great for writers, with countless top authors offering real insights into their processes.
Learn from experts in the creative arts and teachers who are at the top of their games.
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Domestika
Domestika is packed full of interesting mini-courses with a focus on creativity. They really go deep on course topics, so you're sure to find something that really interests you on here.
Loads of interesting and unique courses to explore.
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CreativeLive
I’m a big fan of Creative Live, and they have some great content for creatives, who often need a bit of a push with the business side of being freelance. You can learn everything from food photography to Adobe’s Photoshop CC.
Interesting and engaging classes to help you up your skills and freelancing game.
Take a LookOnline Security

NordVPN
As a freelancer, chances are you’ll be working in all kinds of places, from cafes to hotels, libraries and airports… Using public Wi-Fi makes your data vulnerable. That’s why using a VPN is really important. NordVPN is my favourite, and it’s super affordable and easy to use.
Secure and easy to use, make sure you're protected wherever you are (and watch Netflix fom other regions 😉)
Take a LookFree Design Tools

Canva
Just like Squarespace can help you build a website if you have limited website development knowledge, Canva is the tool to allow non-designers to create nice looking imagery and graphics.
A simple and free way to create desings for your freelnace work.
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Unsplash
One of the best sites on the internet! Stock imagery can be an expensive outlay, but Unsplash is one of the few places where you can access free imagery. Links to the author are always appreciated, but not essential. The images are really high quality too.
A website full of high quality free images.
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