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When I started my freelancing journey, it was a solo endeavor. I stumbled upon freelancing as an opportunity to boost my income. For me, freelancing represented a side hustle before it became a trendy buzzword.  As I dove deeper into the world of freelancing, however, I realized that it didn’t have to be a lonely and isolating experience. In fact, once I realized how to find your freelance community and joined a supportive freelance community, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career.

Not only does being part of a freelance community provide social support and camaraderie, but it also offers valuable resources and opportunities for collaboration. Building relationships with fellow freelancers can lead to referrals, partnerships, and even friendships. Plus, being surrounded by like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges and joys of freelancing can help you stay motivated and inspired.

As I began to pursue clients and writing projects, I found myself struggling to have an outlet to share the highs and lows of the freelancing journey. (It’s one of the challenges of being a freelance writer.) My friends and family knew I was writing in my spare time. However, they did not consider that I was starting a new career. Unfortunately, my family could not offer me any tips or strategies to land clients as a freelancer.”

I was alone in my efforts to become a freelancer. I realized I needed a freelance community.

I began searching online for more freelance writers in my area or on social media. I found community and friendship on Twitter/X and in Facebook groups. It helped boost my confidence, gain industry knowledge, and build long- term friendships for success. 

Do you have a freelance community? If not, in this article, I’ll share a few insider tips and suggestions on how to find your freelance community as freelancer and make it a part of your success story.

How community and the freelance industry are changing for the better

Freelancing has been a reputable profession for many decades. For some people,it’s the perfect opportunity to meet new people, earn money for a hobby, or travel the world. Today many freelancers are of various ages, backgrounds, and economic groups from around the globe. While the art of freelancing has not shifted much over the last few years, more people are exploring the option of becoming a freelancer full time.

Why?

The gig economy is booming and growing faster. Places like fiverr and upwork make it easy to get started.

More people are searching for freedom and flexibility to do what they love for a living without being confined to one source of income. Freelancing is an attractive lifestyle with a multitude of benefits such as remote work, flexible scheduling, multiple clients, and unlimited earning potential. When I began my freelancing journey I was looking to supplement my income, learn a new skill, and have freedom/flexibility within my schedule. I gained all three within one profession.

When I started freelancing as a mom, I was looking to earn a few extra bucks at the end of the month. With more experience under my belt, I now earn up to $2,500 for one writing project. For many people earning a large lump sum in a short period of time is nearly impossible. I strongly believe whenever you choose the path of freelancing you empower yourself to unblock limited beliefs about money. Your earning potential is limitless once you adopt a new mindset. 

As a freelancer, I can prioritize time with my family and manage projects around my availability. Freelancing can represent freedom and opportunity for advancement not offered in a traditional work environment.

The importance of community for freelancers 

Freelancing can be a very competitive market. The more freelancers applying for the same role, the less opportunity for you to snag that opportunity and advance your career or business. The lack of support and community is one of the main reasons people give up on freelancing quickly. As a freelancer, I can tell you, it’s every man or woman for themselves out there at times

Today, many freelancers are redefining community as a freelancer. Particularly those who are seasoned freelancers and high-earning freelance writers. They’ve discovered that sharing knowledge is a way to boost visibility, foster a healthy mindset, and give a leg up to the freelancer community as a whole.

Being a part of a community as a freelancer has  benefits that you may not be aware of right off hand.  Firstly, having a support system can make all the difference in staying motivated and inspired as a freelancer. Connecting with other freelancers who understand the struggles and successes of the freelance life can provide a sense of camaraderie and understanding that may be lacking when working alone.

When you chat with fellow freelancers, you might find chances to team up on projects or send clients each other’s way. It’s not just about growing your network, but also discovering types of freelance jobs for your freelance journey or business. Plus, being part of a community gives you cool insights and resources. Chatting, workshops, and swapping stories help you pick up new skills and stay in the loop!

Here are a few benefits of being within a freelancer community:

1. Support and networking opportunities:

Joining a freelancer community allows you to connect with others who understand the unique challenges and joys of freelancing. You can find mentors, collaborators, and even potential clients within these communities.

2. Knowledge sharing:

As mentioned earlier, some experienced freelancers see value in sharing their knowledge and expertise with others in the community. This not only helps other freelancers but also allows them to learn from each other and grow together.

3. Accountability and motivation:

Working as a freelancer can sometimes feel isolating and it’s easy to lose motivation or get distracted without anyone holding you accountable. Being a part of a community gives you that sense of accountability and can provide motivation when things get tough.

4. Opportunities for collaboration:

Freelancing often involves working on projects alone, but being a part of a community can open up opportunities for collaboration. You may find other freelancers who have complementary skills and together you can take on bigger and more challenging projects.

5. Support system:

Lastly, being a part of a freelancing community means having a support system that understands the unique challenges and joys of freelancing. You can turn to fellow members for advice, encouragement, or simply to vent about your struggles.

Challenges as You Try to Find Your Freelance Community

Knowing exactly where to go find a freelance community can be challenging for a beginner. There are many options available online, Slack groups, and local co-working spaces that charge a small fee for membership. As a freelancer, you may not be ready for such a commitment to join a community you’re not sure will be a good fit for your needs. While having options isare a good place to start, it’sstart it’sits important to know what you are seeking within a freelance community. As a freelancer, I like to make a pros and cons list to help me weigh my options to make an informed decision. It’s also helpful to ask a trusted friend or colleague for their recommendation for choosing a freelance community.

Isolation due to remote work   

Working remotely is not for everyone. For freelancers isolation can be a good thing when you’re working on a deadline or pitching a client. However, isolation can make your work day and workloadwork load feel more like a chore than something you enjoy doing for a living. 

It’s important to find a freelance community that offers opportunities for networking and socializing with other freelancers. This can help combat feelings of loneliness and allow you to connect with like-minded individuals who understand the unique challenges of being a freelancer. It can also provide a support system for when you need advice or help with a project. Without the physical presence of coworkers or a structured office environment, it may be easy to become distracted and lose focus on tasks. Joining a freelance community can provide accountability and encouragement from others who are also working remotely. 

As a freelancer, I try to mix upmixup my work environment to help me supercharge my writing mojo. Whether it’sits the humdrum of a buzzing coffee shop, my local library, or a friend’sfriends couch for a few hours. I do my best to engage with the world around me to maintain a good balance of work and life.

Lack of workplace camaraderie  

If you’re comfortable working a traditional 9-5 with water cooler banter, freelancing may be a culture shock for you. As a freelancer, you’ll learn to rely more so on your online community for general conversation, memes, or trending topics to help you get through the workday. While being in an office environment will feel comfortable for you in the beginning. You don’t have to totally abandon the workplace camaraderie. Consider joining virtual coworking spaces or online groups with fellow freelancers to connect and chat during breaks.

It’s important to actively seek out opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals in your field or with other freelancers. This can help alleviate feelings of loneliness and provide support and camaraderie in what can sometimes be a solitary profession.

Difficulty networking in traditional ways

I typically enjoy small intimate settings to get to know new people. In large and traditional networking settings it can be a little difficult for me to find my rhythm and flow. In those networking environments, most people are  focused on making connections and promoting themselves or their business. This can be overwhelming for introverted individuals like myself who may prefer more meaningful and personal conversations.

As a freelancer, you want to be strategic and effective in your networking strategy. A good way to make new connections is volunteering at your son/daughter’sdaughters school. Joining a local organization that supports a cause. Or offering free marketing advice for small businesses who may need some extra support. 

Networking does not have to be a chore. It’s important to put yourself out there to meet new people and challenge yourself to grow. Building strong relationships with clients can lead to word-of-mouth referrals and potential collaborations with other professionals in your network.

Online Platforms and Forums to Find Your Freelance Community 

One of my favorite things to do on Saturday morning besides eat breakfast is to network on LinkedIn. (Here’s my article on how to find clients on LinkedIn.) This social media channel is by far one of the best platforms for freelancers to meet potential clients or make new connections within their industry. Social Saturday is a great way to boost your visibility and make new connections.  It’s also a great opportunity to share your work and receive feedback from other freelancers. Aside from LinkedIn, there are also more ways you can engage in discussions, ask for advice, and network with other freelancers.

With over 500 million users, LinkedIn offers a wide range of networking opportunities and resources. Aside from LinkedIn, there are also online forums and groups specifically designed for freelancers to connect with each other and share tips and advice. 

LinkedIn has a creator platform for freelancers to highlight their services to potential clients. By following hashtags like #freelancers, #freelancewriters, or #contentwriters you can find writers in your niche or writing groove.

Another important aspect of networking is attending events and workshops relevant to your field. This not only allows you to learn new skills and stay updated on industry trends, but it also provides opportunities to meet potential clients or collaborate with other professionals.

Overview of popular freelance community platforms

When it comes to choosing the best platform as a freelancer there are plenty of options to choose from today. 

Quite a few freelancers enjoy the Reddit forum for relevant questions, topics, community, and writing gigs.  Other popular options include Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer. (BTW, how much can you make on fiverr per month?)

Upwork, is a global freelancing platform where businesses and independent professionals connect and collaborate remotely. It offers a variety of job categories and allows for direct communication between clients and freelancers. Discover Upwork Pros and Cons for Freelancers.

How to find and engage effectively in online communities  

As a new freelancer, make sure to stay curious about your work and connect with seasoned freelancers. Get involved by asking questions, giving feedback on articles, and think about joining online groups that match your interests.

When you check out paid groups, see if they fit your goals and give you useful connections and resources. Once you’re in a community, keep the convo going and share your expertise. Remember, it’s about real connections, not just pushing your services. This way, you’ll build trust and credibility in the community.

Should You Seek Out In-Person Opportunities to Find Your Freelance Community?

One of my best experiences as a freelancer occurred during a local meetup in my hometown. I attended an open call for freelancers from my area to pop out for a day of fun, sunshine, and of course networking. Besides having something fun to do for the day, it was an opportunity to meet a few familiar faces I’d only seen on my phone screen. I had the chance to put faces to names, exchange information and even get a few referrals.

These shared workspaces allow you to work alongside other professionals from different fields, giving you the opportunity to expand your network and collaborate on projects. Plus, it’s a great way to combat the isolation that often comes with working as a freelancer.

Local meetups are a great opportunity for you to learn more about your community, current events in your city, and getting your name out there for future work.

Benefits of co-working spaces for freelancer community

When thinking of co-working spaces, many imagine renting a desk for a few hours. These spaces offer privacy for meetings or work, fostering a community for learning about each other and skills.

How to find local meetups and industry events 

Dive into a quick online search for meetups or events in your city, and filter the results by specifying your industry. Don’t forget to explore social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter for exciting upcoming events or networking chances!

Making the most out of face-to-face networking opportunities

Meeting people face-to-face in a networking setting is always a game for me.Try to have fun by finding two or three things you enjoy talking about passionately or with confidence. When you choose three core things outside of your profession, people can begin to see the real you and build a genuine desire to connect with you more.

Creating Your Own Freelance Community   

In the words of Beyonce, “I am not a diva”. However, when it comes to freelancing I like to build my own tribe of freelancing girlfriends. My freelancing girlfriends understand the feast and famine cycle of freelancing more than my other girlfriends. Thus, within our group we offer pitching advice, share referrals, networking tips, or support each other in our endeavors. It’s been an invaluable resource for me in my journey. 

Here’s how you can copy what I did:

1. Starting a mastermind group or local meetup.

Or, it can be a low-lift standing Zoom meeting with freelancers every month.

To start your own mastermind group or meetup once a monthonce month, you need to find like-minded individuals who are also freelancers. This can be done through social media platforms, freelancing forums or local networking events. Reach out and invite them to join your group where you can share knowledge, support each other and hold each other accountable for reaching your goals.

If meeting in person is not possible due to geographical constraints or time limitations, consider starting a monthly online zoom meeting with fellow freelancers. This can be a low-lift standing commitment where you all gather for an hour every month to discuss challenges, successes and provide moral support to each other.

2. Utilize freelance communities and resources

One of my favorite underrated ways to find a community is through TikTok and YouTube. Both platforms offeroffers freelancers a way to connect with more freelancers from around the world. You can share stories, offer advice, and even learn more about your motivations to becoming a freelancer through the comments or DM.

In addition to creating your own community, there are many existing freelance communities that you can tap into for support and advice. Some popular ones include:

  • Freelancers Union: This organization offers resources, events and networking opportunities for freelancers of all industries.
  • Upwork Community: Upwork’s online community allows freelancers to connect with each other, share tips and advice, and even find potential work opportunities.
  • LinkedIn Groups: There are numerous LinkedIn groups specifically for freelancers to network and share knowledge with each other. Joining these groups can also help you expand your professional network.

3. Leverage social media to connect with a like-minded community of freelancers    

Facebook is one of my favorite platforms because I can share a personal story about my favorite cat Pearl or promote myself as a freelancer. By learning how to leverage social media as a freelancer, many people have referred me to their friends and colleagues, shared a post, or asked questions about my freelancing journey. 

The way to leverage social media to connect with like-minded freelancers is  by engaging with relevant hashtags, participating in online communities and groups, and being active on your own social media profiles. This not only helps you to expand your network but also allows you to showcase your skills and expertise to potential clients.

4. Collaborate on projects as a way to build relationships when you find your freelance community

Many freelancers seek trustworthy collaborators for writing projects. Opportunities often arise through open calls on platforms like Facebook, inviting contributions to newsletters or book editing. Embracing flexibility and openness to collaboration with freelancers can pave the way for future opportunities.

Get Tips on How to Maintain and Grow Your Freelance Community    

By implementing good communication habits online or in person within the community, your success as a freelancer will last for a lifetime.

Balancing competition and collaboration among peers  

The more you open up to others, the more opportunities will find you at the right time. Remain open minded about collaborations that can help you pivot to the next level.

Create value within your community through knowledge-sharing opportunties.

Sharing knowledge is about helping your online community learn more about your processes, gained experiences, and aspirations for the future. Try it in the form of LinkedIn posts and comment on other freelancers’ posts on LinkedIn, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

How to Turn Your Freelance Community into a Strong, Loyal Tribe

When it comes to your freelancing journey, finding and building a community will be a pivotal part of your success. By connecting with like-minded individuals, you can gain valuable insights, support, and opportunities that will help you grow and thrive in your field. 

Keep in mind that community building is not just about networking and gaining clients, it’s also about sharing knowledge and experiences with one another.

As a freelancer, you are constantly learning and adapting in order to stay ahead in your industry. By sharing this knowledge within your community, you not only add value to others but also strengthen your own skills and expertise. This can lead to collaborations, referrals, and potential partnerships that can further enhance your freelancing career.

It can be difficult to know what types of programs or the top apps for productivity will work best for you as you start a freelance business. Usually, it takes a little trial and error, and you add tools as you discover you need them and then evolve in your solopreneur journey. It’s been more than two decades since I started freelancing. There are some new programs and software for freelancers I’ve discovered since I expanded my business, and there are some programs I’ve been using from the beginning.

I’ll share my favorite tools that help me stay organized and productive and some of the reasons I like them over other popular products on the market. In some cases, I’ll tell you about apps that I think sound interesting but I haven’t started using them because I see no compelling reason to switch from what currently works for me. Sometimes I use several apps in the same category, mainly because I have to be able to use the apps that clients are using.

I am the only person in my business, so I don’t have to pay employees (although I have in the past paid contractors), but I do have four major types of work. I edit, teach, write books, and write in a freelance capacity in several subjects. So, these solutions work for many kinds of remote work.

I am able to manage all aspects of my business with mostly digital tools, and most of them work with all of my work “hats.” Here, I address important categories in the best apps for productivity that help my freelance business

The Tops Apps for Productivity for Freelancers

Get to know the tools for freelancers and best tech for freelance writers to set your freelance business up for success.

Calendar Apps for Productivity

Did you forget a deadline? Time to add a calendar or to-do list program—or maybe both to your freelance business. Honestly, I have both plus a physical whiteboard for things I need to keep in front of my face at all times. Okay, okay, I also have a chalkboard for story ideas. What can I say? I’m Gen X and stuck between two worlds.

You’ve probably used calendars for personal appointments and some professional meetings by now.  I don’t usually put deadlines on my calendar—that’s for my to-do list. As a freelancer with a family, my business life and my family life bleed into each other, and it’s often important that everybody in my household knows where I’ll be for business to prevent them scheduling things that conflict with when my clients need me.

Everybody in my family has, at some point, asked me to use Google, Outlook, or iCloud calendars, but I have not budged in my love for Cozi Family Organizer.  Eventually, they all came around.

Why is this calendar one of my top apps for productivity? Cozi allows everyone in your group (or family) to sign into the app and make appointments (color-coded by person) that everyone can see. There are also lists (shopping and other customizable), so nobody has an excuse for not knowing what the household needs when they’re at the store!

I love the ability to make either repeatable events or a range that covers days (so I can block out conferences or vacations). There are pop-up reminders as well. While there might be calendar apps for freelancers that are more sophisticated now, I’ve had Cozi since my now-grown kids were little, and I will probably never give it up.

Cozi has a free version that isn’t nearly as comprehensive, but it’s a good way to see if this calendar will work for you. The subscription price for the premium version (Cozi Gold) is $29.99 per year.

I have recently heard about a similar organizer that has even more options. FamilyWall’s free version has much the same capabilities as Cozi, but its premium version syncs with other calendars and has a messenger function built into it. The premium version is $44.99 per year. Depending on what you need, though, it might be worth checking out if you need a productivity app that can sync with family.

Task Management Top Apps for Productivity for Freelancers

You could put your assignments, deadlines, and notes on your calendar, but when the calendar gets full, it’s hard to figure out what’s personal and what’s business. That’s why I initially  looked into project management tools for freelancers to help me manage my business. Like many of the best productivity apps, what works for you is highly personal, so it’s good to find some with free plans or at least a trial period to see if it works for you.

I started with Week Plan, which I used for several years. It allows you to segment your tasks into customizable categories, and you can check off items as you do them. It also gives you space for long-term planning and the ability to split projects into smaller tasks.

These qualities are still what I look for in any project management product. At some point, though, it became a little unwieldy for me, although don’t remember why. Week Plan has a free trial period. It is normally $104/year, but they often have sales of 20% off. So, I still recommend checking it out.

Todoist is a list-making organization app for freelancers that I landed on a few years ago, and I’m still very happy with it. It offers all the same tools as Week Plan for a lower price, and it has a mobile app (which Week Plan doesn’t have). Todoist offers a free plan, as well as a Pro plan ($48/year) and a Business plan ($72/year).

The Business plan offers a shared team workspace, which could be helpful if you’re a freelancer who works with a team or uses a virtual assistant to help your business. I love the reminders you can set, and the Todoist team is always creating new functions and offering tips on how to use the program to its fullest capacity.

Some other popular tools in this category are Trello (there’s a free version plus plans up to $17.50/user/month) and Asana (free version plus plans up to $24.99/user/month), but both of those programs are very team-oriented, which I feel introduces a very different element to the product that makes it unnecessarily complex when only one person is using it.  You’ll find a lot of overlap between task management tools and project management tools for freelancers.

Financial Apps for Freelancers

When you get that first client who doesn’t have their own onboarding system, they’ll probably ask you to send an invoice and a way to pay you. And you could create an invoice in your word-processing program, but then how do you remember whether they paid? Enter payment and bookkeeping programs to help with freelance organization and help improve your freelance money mindset.

Invoicing Apps for Freelance Business Owners

I’m a little conflicted about the best invoicing tools for freelancer right now—so much so that my search for a better one prompted the idea for this article. I used InvoiceNinja for a very long time, and their free program has all you really need, including being able to accept credit card payments and integrate other payment programs.

The only reason I recently switched from this program is that they changed everything drastically in an update. It’s an open-source program, which means you can customize it, but it just took more knowledge than I could understand. To be fair, they tried very hard to help me. The team sent me customized videos of what to do and were very patient. In the end, though, I just didn’t want to work that hard to do my invoices, and I looked for another program. It took weeks to find one that worked as well as InvoiceNinja had worked for me before the change. But if you’re more technically savvy, I still highly recommend InvoiceNinja.

I discovered Kosmo after weeks of searching for a top invoicing app for freelancers. It’s relatively new, as it was founded in 2021, and it was designed specifically for freelancers. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of Invoice Ninja, but it’s simple to use, has the ability to create projects, proposals, contracts, and invoices, and it tracks payments. You can also set up credit card and ACH payments through it. Kosmo is free for the first two clients/projects, after which you must upgrade to Pro pricing, which is $9/month or $90/year.

Other freelancers like freelance invoicing software platforms like Wave App, Bonsai, Honeybook, or Square invoicing services as part of their top apps for productivity to run their freelance businesses efficiently.

Bookkeeping Productivity Apps for Freelancers

Quicken has been my bookkeeping tool for freelancers for several decades now, and I occasionally think I should switch it up, but I find comfort in having all my previous data. I might have to chalk this one up to age too, but I haven’t had any real problems in all these years of using it, and they do continually update the product in ways that make it even easier to use. It allows me to identify all the tax items for my business, add new credit card accounts, and update all my bank and credit accounts by connecting Quicken to them. It downloads all my transactions and reconciles them in seconds.

Quicken has two options, both of which are subscription pricing. There is no free option, but they do have a 30-day trial period. You can go with Quicken Classic for up to $7.99/month or Quicken Simplifi for $3.99/month. They often run sales that take a dollar or two off the price, so see if you can catch a sale or find a coupon code. Both support identifying categories of items, which is really all you need to keep track of your income and expenses for your freelance business.

Either will also handle multiple checking and savings accounts if you separate your business accounts from your personal accounts (I have 9 accounts altogether). If you want more reports and budgeting tools, Quicken Classic is for you. But if your needs are pretty simple, start with Quicken Simplifi (for which there is a mobile app).

I considered switching to Gnucash because it can import files from Quicken and it’s free. However, it’s an open-source program, which is not a bad thing, but that’s what led to so much frustration with Invoice Ninja, so I’m not really interested in trying to navigate a program that might frustrate me. But if you’re starting out fresh and feeling adventurous, I say give it a try to see if it’s one of the best productivity apps for freelancers.

Tax Form Solutions for Freelancers

If you’re using an accountant to do your taxes, then they can probably help with any tax forms you may need to produce for other people, but if you do it yourself with tax software, I have to call out efile1099NOW. Many of the programs that allow you to produce tax forms are focused on large numbers and are pretty expensive if you only need one or two. The most I’ve ever had to produce (for people I’ve paid more than $600 in one year) has been two. It was frustrating until I found this solution.

They can process all kinds of employee and non-employee forms, but 1099 is the only experience I’ve had. For one-person businesses, the account is free, and it’s only a few dollars to send the form to the contractor/employee, file the appropriate form with the government, and keep the records for your own tax files—either electronically or on paper. I can’t recommend them enough. Learn more about business write-offs and more in the best taxes for freelance writers tips.

Collaboration Apps for Freelancers

These tools for freelance business owners help you work with clients and other freelancers.

Filesharing/cloud storage apps for freelancers

For my own file storage and sharing, I am a firm believer in Dropbox. The Basic plan is free and gives you 2 GB of space. I have never run out of space at this level, and I put a lot in there. If you’re a freelance writer, pictures and text don’t take up a lot of space. And I tend to only put things in there that I might need to access from other places or share with other people.

Anything else I put on my regular hard drive. There are other plans for larger amounts of space, or if you need really fancy functions like watermarking or end-to-end encryption. But my guess is that your free account will last you a long time.

Filesharing can also be done with other programs, but the only times I use these apps are when the client sends documents through them. Of course, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t explore them for any of their other management tools.

Box also offers storage up to 10 GB for free and e-signing of up to 5 documents per month. The Personal Pro plan gives you 100 GB of storage and up to 15 e-signs per month.

Zoho doesn’t offer storage, but its Work Drive is easy to use, and if a client sends you a file through this service, you don’t have to initiate an account to use it. You can also send files to clients this way.

WeTransfer is very similar to Zoho in that you don’t need an account if your client is using this service, and they don’t seem to offer storage, but strangely enough, they allow you to create mood boards. So, if that’s something that interests you, check it out! It’s a good service to use if you have large files to send to a client—just let them know you sent them files via WeTransfer so they can be on the lookout for that email.

Some of your freelance clients will use Microsoft storage hubs or Google Drive to share files. No matter which filesharing software for freelancers you decide to use, make sure it’s consistent for each client.

Organization Apps for Freelancers

What about keeping track of submissions, applications, or anything else you might have to organize to make sure nothing falls through the cracks? Do you write some fiction on the side and want to dip your toes in those waters? Yep, there are apps for that.

Notion is an interesting space to explore. It is deeply customizable. Many templates are built into the program, and other helpful people have created templates that they make available (often for free), so you don’t have to start with a blank page.

You can start with an already-created template for just about any kind of organization you can think of. I have a marketing template on my Notion site so far. There are paid plans, but the free plan gives you unlimited pages as long as you’re the only one in the space (although you still get to invite 10 guests to see your customized space!). I’m not using this app to its fullest extent, but I hope to get more adventurous with it soon. Other freelancers, like fellow writer Diana Kelly Levey, agree that Notion is one of the best productivity apps for freelancers. (She uses it to track freelance article pitches, email marketing outreach, and as a freelance project management tool.)

Plaky is also a task and project management app for freelancers that works well with teams, but I use it to organize the artist residencies I have applied to. It’s also very customizable, but it didn’t intimidate me too much because it has a great drag-and-drop kind of setup. The free plan limits the size of your board, but you can have unlimited boards. The Pro plans start at $3.99/month/user, but I can’t imagine many freelancers would need more than the free plan.

The Submission Grinder is a free program that helps you look for markets where you can submit your fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. It keeps track of where you’ve submitted each piece already and lets you narrow down the type of market that best fits each of your manuscripts. So, dust off those stories and poems and see who you might want to send them to!

I always love to find free tools, but in creating this list, I realized that most of the tools for freelancers I’ve had the longest and are the most useful are ones I pay for—even if the product does have a free option. I still prefer tools that have at least a free option or a trial period so I can see if I like it before I decide to pay for it.

Honestly, a useful tool is priceless, but as freelancers (and especially new freelancers), every penny must be thoughtfully allocated. I hope my list will help you make some of those decisions. Don’t feel as though you have to change your current system, but if you are thinking about a change or reading this makes you realize that your system can be better, then I hope you will have found some helpful ideas here.

My freelance burnout used to manifest itself in a specific way.

Complete, overwhelming, panic that could last for hours.

This anxiety stemmed from too much work, intense deadlines, and ambiguity about how to complete an assignment successfully for a client. 

Freelance burnout is different for everyone but no freelancer is immune to it. The World Health Organization validated work-related burnout as a real condition, calling it a “state of mental and emotional exhaustion” because of prolonged stress related to your job.

Burnout for all workers is on the rise. Some reports say that nearly two-thirds of all workers believe that burnout has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Fortunately, I’ve learned to recognize the symptoms of freelancer burnout and manage them over the years. 

Here’s what this freelancer knows about the feeling of burnout and how it impacts business:

Stress related to my freelance business is a daily occurrence.

  • Some stress is healthy. It keeps you motivated. Too much stress eats up what could be productive energy.
  • Work-related anxiety is never as bad as it seems.
  • There is always an answer, whether that involves asking for an extended deadline, finding a way to streamline your work, or just taking an hour break to clear your head.

That’s why it’s important to figure out how to cope with stress which can pile up and lead to feelings of burnout.

5 Tried-and-True Tips to Help Avoid Freelance Burnout

Here are tips to help freelancers manage daily stress that can lead to digital burnout and freelance mental health challenges.

1. Managing Your Schedule Can Help with Freelance Burnout

For me, it’s about taking deep breaths and splitting my projects into bite-size little tasks. Some people like to do an outline for every story they write. I prefer to write down a list on paper of how to tackle complicated projects. Then I prioritize the important stuff. 

Apply this same formula to your work week. What’s going to take you longer to finish? What are your looming deadlines?

Create a manageable priority list. That could mean getting one or two big things done every day. Don’t expect to finish your whole work week in one day. 

Sometimes, low-priority items slip off the list and move into next week. It’s okay. Freelancing is not a game of perfection. My days are a constant swirl of juggling freelance assignments and adjusting to my client’s needs and my schedule. Learn How Freelancers Juggle Multiple Clients.

For invoicing, there are dozens of free to inexpensive options. I use FormSwift, which is super simple and easy. A yearly subscription is $99. You’ll want to use a dedicated banking account for your business. That makes it easier to track your earnings. I sock away 25% for taxes into a different account. 

2. Prioritizing Self-Care for Better Freelance Mental Health

Self-care in my freelance business means daily exercise time. I hit the gym or run every day during the week. Most of us work from home. We spend hours in front of a screen. It’s a lonely profession. You can Add These Morning Activities to Your To-Do-List for a Productive Day.

We can summon the worst-case scenarios and focus on all the terrible outcomes. It’s what I call the “living-in-my-head syndrome.”

To break that cycle of constantly thinking about bad outcomes, it’s important to have a clear head. Set a small goal and reward yourself. I like the New York Times’ Games application. I’ll set a word count goal to hit for a freelance client assignment and then reward myself by doing “Spelling Bee” or Wordle. 

Find a daily distraction to reward yourself with and do it consistently. If my stress level is extremely high for a specific reason–like a looming freelance deadline or I’m wrestling with a complicated decision, I take walks. Sometimes, two or three a day. They are usually brisk five-minute jaunts. The break reorients and focuses me.

The type of self-care you choose to help reduce stress and manage freelancer burnout may be different. Find hobbies and breaks that work for you and incorporate them into your day. Can you earn a living freelancing without massive stress? I think it’s possible.

3. Limit Your Workload

One cause of digital burnout is financial uncertainty. 

Even seasoned freelancers can struggle to build a freelance client list that results in regular work. Paychecks can be inconsistent and beginners often have to accept low-paying assignments. 

When I started my writing business, I took whatever work I could get because I needed the money. As I built my clientele, I became more selective about work. I turn down freelance writing stories that don’t pay enough. 

I also build in time during my day for unexpected problems. That cushion helps me keep my day balanced. 

It’s impossible to control all the outside variables but blocking out daily extra emergency time can mitigate 12 or 13-hour work days. I limit my work days to eight hours from Monday through Thursday and work half days on Friday. 

Of course, if there is a lucrative project that requires extra hours, I’ll do what it takes to meet my deadline. And not every day goes as planned.

If you’re an overworked freelancer, you might realize it’s because you’re taking on too much low-paying work. Moving on to higher-paying freelance assignments, exploring various types of freelance jobs, or work toward retainers from clients can help you manage your time better and work fewer hours. It’s important to establish a healthy freelance money mindset to limit stress and burnout.

4. Set Work-Life Boundaries to Avoid Freelance Burnout

When you work from home, it’s all too easy to let business and home life bleed into one another. Especially since many of us are on our phones for business and pleasure throughout the day.

In my freelance business, I finish working by 4 p.m. Some days, that doesn’t happen. I might have to pick up my son from track practice or go to a doctor’s appointment. In these situations, my day gets split up and extended. (How many hours do freelancers work?)

Your work environment is important.

My workspace is sacred and separate from the rest of my daily life. I use a spare bedroom that has a desk with a printer and a comfortable chair. It’s decorated with photos and meaningful knick-knacks. Creating a good vibe matters. You want to be focused but calm when you write.

The good part about being a freelancer is that you can control your hours. Sometimes, I’ll start early and finish early. When I’m done with work for the day, I don’t answer emails, texts, or polish up stories. 

Sometimes, I’ll work on tasks that don’t involve much mental energy, like sending out invoices or paying bills after I’m done for the day. I enjoy taking care of most of the outside tasks that are necessary to run a business so I find it relaxing. Budget time for running the business side of your business if it feels like a chore. Generally, though, it’s my time to decompress when my work day ends. I also prioritize emails. If it’s a non-urgent email, I’ll respond in 24 hours.

I limit phone conversations and online meetings unless I’m getting paid for that time.  Understanding how to manage your time is one of the biggest freelance challenges independent workers need to figure out.

My working hours need to focus on my business. For beginning freelancers, getting to a place where you can have near complete control over your day takes time. 

However, every writer, no matter how experienced, needs to figure out a way to forget about work for a while. Even if you’re under financial pressure, it doesn’t help to stress about it. It makes your situation worse.

5. Schedule Time Off

You probably considered becoming a freelancer because you wanted a more flexible schedule and not having to ask a boss for time off. So why don’t enough freelancers take time off?

It’s important to take off throughout the week–whether that’s weekends if it works for your schedule–a few hours midweek, or a few days for a mini brain break.

Take a short vacation (or a long one if you can afford it) and get out of your environment. I go on at least two short summer vacations and a third wildcard vacation. 

Let your clients know you are taking off a few weeks before you take off and then set up an automated email message. 

If you don’t want to leave or can’t afford to leave, plan a staycation. Plan fun activities that give you joy. I love history so I’m always looking for a new museum to go to. I play golf so I like to go to different courses. I live near Chicago and I can always find something interesting to do there. 

You have to consciously learn to disconnect from the grind of running your own business. It’s easy to fall into the rut of becoming a hermit and working all the time because you don’t have “defined hours” but it’s not healthy. It’s one way to set yourself up for freelance burnout.

By the way, here’s a peek into how many hours freelancers work.

Connect with Others to Reduce Freelance Stress

Figuring out what you need to do to avoid burnout is personal. To build a sustainable business model, you have to use fundamentals to stay fresh. Whether it’s finishing your day after eight hours, making sure you get out of your work environment daily or scheduling time off. It’s important to have strategies in place to deal with freelance burnout and protect freelance mental health. 

It’s an issue that every freelancer has to confront and it’s important to remember that you’re not working in a silo. Every freelancer feels isolated at times. How you cope with it is what matters. 

You might want to join freelancer topic forums on Reddit, Quora, Facebook groups or LinkedIn. Share your freelance challenges with others and help them work through theirs to bond with like-minded freelancers.

Get more tips on how to fix freelance burnout.

I was part of a wave of journalists who had to flee the failing newspaper business. In 2021, I took a voluntary buyout that didn’t seem that voluntary. Almost every year since 2008, the companies I worked for laid off employees or offered buyouts. It was going to be a matter of time before I was involuntarily shown the door and needed to think about freelancer goal-setting strategies.

It was a painful yet ultimately rewarding decision to transition into full-time freelance writing. I had to find out for myself the answer to, “Can you earn a living freelancing?”

I’d say it’s a resounding, “Yes.” I’ve more than tripled my income since I started freelancing.

There have been many stops and starts and wrong turns in my freelance journey but I’ve managed to achieve a degree of success that has allowed me to create a long-term blueprint for growth. It’s a multilayered plan that includes investing in my business, creating financial efficiencies, and setting financial goals. 

To grow your business, you need to set aside time to think about a long-term growth strategy. It’s hard to envision a prosperous future when you’re struggling to get clients in the early phase of freelancing but if you are committed, you’ll get to a point where you can plan for your financial success and establish a healthy freelance money mindset.

4 Things to Think about During Freelancer Goal-Setting

Keep these topics in mind when you set freelance goals and look toward building a sustainable freelance business.

1. Invest in Your Business

This is the first year I’ve been able to commit a sizable budget to investing in my business.

A year ago, I took the step of turning my freelance business into a Limited Liability Corporation. What is an LLC?  It’s essentially a business structure that shields owners from any personal liability they might incur.  

For me, there was a psychological component to creating an LLC. It created the formal structure I needed to move forward with advancing my business. I wanted to be a business owner instead of a freelance writer. Becoming a business owner helped me frame and strategize for the future. It’s given me an avenue to decide what services I can offer, what services I want to offer, and how I want to grow my business. 

As a freelancer, it felt like I was randomly chasing freelance writing jobs. Now, I’m changing my website and my business name so I can reposition from being a freelance writer to running a writing business. Small words that shape how we see ourselves can have big impacts. These are forms of investments. 

2. Establish Financial Goals as Part of Freelancer Goal-Setting Strategy

Everyone has bills to pay. Without a regular paycheck, it’s critical for freelancers to know exactly what they need to get through the month. For instance, by the end of my first year I was making around $3,000 per month freelancing. It wasn’t great but I had a ramp that allowed me extra time to build my business because I received a 10-month buyout from my previous job. 

Having a financial cushion to start your freelance business is important. Once you’ve established your business, you need to have financial goals that project growth. Pare it down to monthly goals. 

Initially, I wanted to make more each month than I did the month before. My goal was $5,000 per month. Financial progress isn’t linear for any business. You have to be prepared for downturns that could result from a lack of work or slow payments from clients. 

It’s also important to stash away at least 25% of your income for taxes. (Get more taxes for freelance writers tips.) I pay myself every two weeks and I save at least 20% of my income. At least half of my savings goes toward my retirement. 

If business is lean, you’ll have to consider cutting expenses. However, this is a short-term solution that should only be applied as a final resort. You don’t want to live with the stress of constantly having to be frugal.

3. Create Strategies to Achieve Those Freelance Money Goals

There are multiple ways to increase your income. My big break was landing an anchor client. My anchor client accounts for over 80 percent of my revenue. My financial goals are currently $12,000 per month. 

Do I hit it every month? No, but it’s not an unreasonable standard at this point in my business.  Some freelancers have two or three freelance anchor clients. 

These are priority clients. They account for the majority of your revenue and time. My anchor client was a game changer. It allowed me to raise rates for other projects and it created enough security for me to turn down assignments that didn’t seem like a good fit or didn’t pay enough. 

Nothing in freelancing lasts forever so I’m operating under the assumption that eventually I’ll lose my anchor client. I view it this way to stay motivated. I must constantly diversify my client list and be ready to pivot, offer new services, and be prepared for downturns. 

You should constantly look for different services that could work for you. Some of the highest-paying freelance skills of 2024 include mobile app development, AI Development, Website Development and others. 

4. Write Down Skill Goals as Part of Freelancer Goals

What are skill goals? It’s simply learning a new skill that you can translate into a service for your clients.  The five highest-paying freelance writing skills of 2024 involve ghostwriting, UX writing, and healthcare writing to name a few. Explore these to see if you have any interest in building upon your innate know-how.

I’m taking a class on premium ghostwriting that focuses on how to write an educational email class. It’s a service that I’ll likely add at some point. It might be adding SEO writing expertise to your portfolio of services. From free to paid classes, there are multiple ways to increase your SEO knowledge and add value to your services. It’s a great skill to incorporate into freelancer goal-setting sessions. 

A former journalist who understands story pitches and what makes a good story could add a public relations component to their services. There are clients who will pay you to get publicity for their stories. This can be very lucrative. As your business grows, you’ll have to figure out how to manage it and whether you want to scale it out by adding employees or whether you want to manage it as a solopreneur. 

Take Freelancer Goal-Setting Strategies Seriously

Establishing a road map for your financial growth is imperative to make it in freelancing. Devote a half day each week to journaling or writing out your future financial goals. Some key fundamentals for financial growth include setting a monthly goal, planning daily for future revenue goals, making sure you are diversifying your clientele through freelance marketing strategies, putting some money aside every month for taxes and your savings, and learning new skills. 

How you follow these freelancer goal-setting fundamentals is up to you but you have to do these tasks to have a chance for sustained success.

We all want to know what successful freelance writers do that keeps them in the game for the long haul. If you’ve ever wondered what the characteristics of successful freelance writers and successful freelancers were, check out some of the traits in this lift.

You might have some of these freelance money mindsets, possess most of these traits, or none of these characteristics.

That’s okay. The most important thing to do is take inventory of where you’re starting, where you want to be, and make small strides to get there every day.

The 13 Traits Succesful Freelance Writers Always Have

Work on these professional freelance skills, personal skills, and implement systems to help you achieve your goal.

  1. They’re skilled communicators: Beyond merely stringing words together, successful freelance writers master the art of communication. They can distill complex ideas into digestible content, captivating readers with their clarity and eloquence.
  2. They’re resilient: The path to freelance success is fraught with challenges, but resilient writers persevere in the face of adversity. They view setbacks as opportunities for growth, bouncing back stronger and more determined than ever before.
  3. They’re collaborative: While freelancing may seem like a solitary pursuit, successful writers understand the power of collaboration. They foster strong relationships with clients, editors, and fellow freelancers, recognizing that collaboration fuels creativity and innovation.
  4. They’re self-disciplined: With freedom comes responsibility, and successful freelance writers excel in managing their time and workload. They set boundaries, establish routines, and prioritize tasks effectively, ensuring maximum productivity and efficiency.
  5. They’re lifelong learners: Successful freelance writers are perpetual students of their craft. They eagerly seek out opportunities for growth and development, whether it’s through online courses, workshops, or simply devouring books and articles on writing.
  6. They’re innovative: In a crowded marketplace, innovation is key to standing out from the crowd. Successful writers embrace innovation, constantly seeking out fresh ideas and creative approaches to their work.
  7. They’re resourceful: When faced with the biggest freelance challenges, successful freelance writers don’t throw in the towel—they get resourceful. Whether it’s overcoming writer’s block or navigating a tricky client situation, resourceful writers find inventive solutions to every problem.
  8. They’re strategic: Behind every successful freelance writer lies a well-thought-out strategy. Whether it’s setting SMART (Specific. Measurable. Achieveable. Relevant. Time-bound) goals or devising a comprehensive freelance marketing plan, strategic thinkers approach their freelance career with purpose and intention. Learn how to become a freelance medical writer.
  9. They’re adaptable: In the ever-evolving landscape of freelance writing, adaptability reigns supreme. Successful writers embrace change, eagerly exploring new niches and adapting their skills to meet the demands of diverse clients and industries. The Best High-Paying Freelance Writing Niches of 2024.
  10. They’re proactive: Rather than waiting for opportunities to come knocking, successful freelance writers seize the initiative, actively seeking out new clients and projects. Their proactive approach sets them apart, propelling them towards greater professional success.
  11. They’re empathetic: Empathy lies at the heart of impactful writing, allowing writers to connect deeply with their audience. Successful freelancers possess a keen understanding of human emotions and experiences, infusing their work with empathy and authenticity.
  12. They’re confident: There will be days in every freelancer’s career where they doubt their freelance writing skills, their worth, and wonder if this industry is “worth it.” Successful freelance writers persevere through those days and remember that they have skills and gifts to offer the world. They’re confident in their abilities to get an assignment done and do it well, even when feelings of impostor syndrome creep in.
  13. They know their weaknesses: Long-lasting, lifelong freelancers who’ve made this their career know what their weaknesses are and how to work around them. Do they struggle with not being a faster writer? Procrastinating on assignments? Marketing themselves? 50 Affirmations for Writers. They work on the areas of their lives, personalities, and skills that could use some TLC and find ways to improve. That might be through therapy, meditation, reading books, taking freelance online courses, and taking an interest in self-development.

Do you have some of the traits of successful freelance writers?

It isn’t possible to adopt all of these success characteristics at once. But, if you try to incorporate them into your freelance business as building blocks, you’ll start building up these characteristics of freelance success and be on your way toward creating a thriving freelance career.

Ready to learn if you can earn $1,000 a month freelance writing? It can be done.

You know you have to promote your business and your freelance services, but is it part of your daily, weekly, or monthly checklist? If you don’t have a monthly freelance marketing checklist, now’s the time to get one. Without having a visual of the social media for writers posts you should be writing, blog posts you need to schedule, potential freelance writing jobs for beginners to apply to, and the LinkedIn tips for freelancers you aren’t doing, chances are that you’re making some serious freelance marketing mistakes even smart freelancers make.

Here, 12 freelance marketing mistakes to sidestep so you can reap the benefits of solid freelance marketing efforts that always “keep your pipeline full.”

12 Freelance Marketing Mistakes That Get in the Way of Finding Great Freelance Clients and Work.

Avoid these freelance marketing challenges and set yourself up for high-paying freelance clients, anchor clients, and a six-figure freelancer career.

1. You’re a Job Board Junkie

Guilty as charged! Here’s a secret: I do rely on job boards to find freelance work. And these were the primary way I secured freelance writing jobs when I was first starting out. But, they are only part of the equation. Ditch the safety net and reach out to clients directly through emails and a social strategy.

I’ll show you how I landed my biggest client by simply sending a cold email that hit the right note.

2. You’re Ghosting Past Clients

We’ve all forgotten to follow up. When you’re trying to find more freelance work, go back to previous clients and ask if they need help or if their coworkers do. Did that contact move on? Find them in their new role and remind them of your freelance services.

3. You’ve Fallen Into a Pitching Black Hole

Pitching is great, but without strategy, it’s like shouting into the void.

Understand each client deeply.

Tailor your freelance article pitches to meet the specific needs of their customers and watch your response rate soar.

Write freelance article pitches that will sell.

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4. You’ve Forgotten: Who’s Your Ideal Client Anyway?

Not sure? Neither was I until I sat down and mapped out exactly who benefits most from my services. This ‘lightbulb’ moment transformed my marketing overnight. It helps me stay focused when I’m wondering which clients to go after. I even wrote them down on a piece of paper that’s taped behind my monitor.

5. You Don’t Measure Your Marketing Efforts

So you can’t improve them! Once I started tracking freelance article pitches and LinkedIn cold outreach messages, I was able to see that I was having more success than I initially thought. Tracking pitches and what happened will show you where you can make tweaks. And if one client doesn’t like the pitch, approach their competition.

6. You’re a Social Media One-Trick Pony

Are you a one-platform wonder? It’s time to explore. Different platforms attract different audiences. Find where your potential clients hang out and start engaging. I found a whole new client base on LinkedIn after being more active on Twitter/X for years. (Even grew to nearly ~11,000 followers! Follow me there.)

That being said, I think it’s more important to focus on two social platforms and consistently posting over hitting all of them and only posting 1x/a month.

7. You’re Forgetting to Promote Yourself

Too busy delivering work to market yourself? That’s a trap. Continuous marketing efforts keep your pipeline full. Dedicate time each week to nurture future opportunities. I set aside about 25 to 30 percent of my week for this, no matter what. (This is covered extensively in last week’s newsletter.) Here’s How to Find Clients on LinkedIn.

8. You Don’t Harness the Power of Local Networking

Online is great, but local networking has magic of its own. Attend events, join local business groups, and connect face-to-face. You might be surprised at the variety of personal connections you make and the ideas you get out of in-person networking. (I’m up to two in-person events so far this year!)

9. You Haven’t Asked for Testimonials

Testimonials are like freelance currency. Heck, customer reviews are every brand’s bread and butter these days. I always thought bragging was a bit gauche until a client told me my testimonial page sealed the deal. I don’t shy away from showcasing them anymore and you shouldn’t either. Ask favorite clients if they’d write a review or referral.

10. You Refuse to Adapt

The market evolves, and so should your marketing strategies. What worked last year might not cut it today. Stay fresh, stay curious, and stay adaptable. This doesn’t mean you need to use or incorporate AI into your freelance business but you do need to know about the latest trends in marketing and media to stay relevant to your clients. Make sure you’re continuously working on these highest-paying freelance skills.

11. You Aren’t Showing Off a Variety of Skills

Start a blog or a newsletter to show your ideal client the different ways you can write.

Don’t have copywriting samples but want to get into that type of freelance writing? Create them and post them on your freelance writer portfolio.

Want to break into a new niche but don’t have clients in that field yet? Write articles or LinkedIn posts on the subject to build an audience.

12. You Don’t Do Anything.

Ever feel SO overwhelmed that there’s too much to do when it comes to freelance marketing for your brand that you do well, nothing? Samesies. That’s why having a visual of what you should be doing can help take some of the steam out of that fear and those feelings of overwhelm. I don’t know about you but I tend to feel better when I cross something off of my to-do list.

If you need more help working on freelance marketing, check out this course that will show you how to consistently earn $100 an hour freelancing.