Change The World With Words

There are plenty of freelance writing tools that cost a fortune, and some that are completely free (see the Freebie page for a few of those). But what if you’re ready to boost your ego and spoil yourself by investing in your writing career, but still relatively broke? What if you just sold your first $15 article and want to treat yourself, and preferably still have a few bucks left over?

Take a look at these great little freelance writing tools that cost $10 or less.

Freelance Writing: A Beginners Guide by Jason Little ($3.95)

A 53-page guide that covers everything from the attitude needed to be your own boss, through to different writing formats, the various techniques needed to market your writing services, and how to manage payments. All for less than $5, and a money back guarantee. If you’re a beginner freelance writer, you’d have to be trying quite hard to go wrong with this product.

Where To Search For Freelance Writing Jobs by Anne Wayman ($9.95)

Anne Wayman is known for her excellent online newsletters highlighting current job openings for freelance writers. Now she’s made it even easier for us freelance job hunters by handing over (for less than $10) this list of the same 59 current live links that she uses to compile her newsletters. Each link leads to real freelance writing jobs around the internet. A great (time saving) tool for freelancers who are regularly out there looking for online jobs.

Business cards from Vistaprint ($8.99 or free)

Vistaprint are currently offering packs of premium business cards starting at $8.99, and yes, you can also opt for free business cards. The only drawbacks to the freebies are that you are limited as to the designs you can choose and they come with advertising (for Vistaprint) on the back. Personally, I think I’ll spring for the premium ones next time I need them. They’re still under $10.

Webhosting (from $5.95 a month)

Yes. If you’re serious about freelance writing you will eventually need your own blog or website and your own domain name. It generally costs less than $10 a month. I use Bluehost, who are currently offering hosting for $5.95 a month and are perfect if you want to run a basic blog (like this one) or writers’ website. You can get bigger, better and more expensive hosting options, but it’s not hard to find deals with any major hosting company for under $10 a month.

WordPress ($0)

It’s free once you’ve paid for your hosting and is (in my opinion) the best and most versatile blogging platform. You can also use it to create a normal (static) website if you just want an online home for your writing resume, somewhere to post links to your clips and a way for clients to contact you easily.

Twitter 101 for Authors By Shelley Hitz ($10)

Once you’ve got your blog or site set up (or even before) you probably need to start dipping your toes into social media. There are a gazillion sites you can sign up for to create an online presence and connect with other writers, editors and clients.

I recommend Twitter (the only social media site where you’ll find me on a regular basis) and if you’re new to it (or not new to it but still confused by it) I recommend Twitter 101, a great resource for writers and authors who want to get the most out of the site.

Skype ($0 and up)

For communicating with clients all over the world, basic Skype services are free and they have paid packages for under $10 a month.

Notebook and pen (from $2)

A vital tool for any writer, even if you almost always write (and even jot notes and lists) straight onto an electronic device. There’s a theory that writing long hand uses a different area of the brain. I definitely find it’s a creativity stimulator and writers’ block buster. Notebooks (and pens) are, of course, available from any dollar store, but even if you want to splash out on something fancier like this beautiful Tree of Life notebook from Amazon, it will only cost you $8.99, or maybe less.

The Little Red Writing Book, by Brandon Royal ($9.99)

A great little writing book covering structure, style and grammar, for those of us who are full of great stories but need a little help pulling them together on the page. Available from Amazon.

A Paypal Account ($0)

I do get checks in for my freelance writing work, but they’re becoming rarer. Many freelance writing markets will now pay with Paypal. It’s free to set up an account and you can link it to your bank account to access funds. Once you get to the stage that you have a lot of transactions going through your account there is a fee, but it’s per transaction and is deducted from your funds as they go in.

Paypal is also a good secure way to pay any writers or other freelancers who work for you, once you get to the stage where you are outsourcing work.

What’s your favourite affordable writing tool? Feel free to let us know via the comments.

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