Freelancing Resources
A curated list of high-quality educational resources, business tools, podcasts, job sites and more for freelancers.
This page is curated and maintained by Designer Murat.
I've read and used many of the materials and resources recommended here and has cross-referenced other sites to see what consistently gets recommended. Feel free to recommend a resource if you think there’s one that should be in this directory.
Please enjoy and share!
Books
Freelancer's Bible
Sara Horowitz
We live in a gig economy today and there’s no better guide to making your way in that world than The Freelancer’s Bible. It will help you be savvier about building your brand and getting work.
The E-Myth Revisited
Michael E. Gerber
Michael Gerber's The E-Myth Revisited should be required listening for anyone thinking about starting a business or for those who have already taken that fateful step.
Design is a Job
Mike Monteiro
Great tips, hints, and suggestions. Easy and entertaining read.
Solid guidelines to handling clients, getting work, and understanding the worth of you service.
Everything I know
Paul Jarvis
The last thing the world needs is another "get-rich-like-me," self-proclaimed expert on what it takes to work for yourself. Anti-guru Paul Jarvis has written Everything I Know as a no-rules guide through uncharted territory with stories based on his two decades of freelancing.
Profit First
Mike Michalowicz
Quit being a slave to your own business and start making some serious money. Follow Mike’s counter-intuitive advice and put profits first.
You're My Favorite Client
Mike Monteiro
Whether you’re a designer or not, you make design decisions every day. Successful design projects require equal participation from both the client and the design team. et, for most people who buy design, the process remains a mystery.
Company of One
Paul Jarvis
What if the real key to a richer and more fulfilling career was not to create and scale a new start-up, but rather, to be able to work for yourself, determine your own hours, and become a (highly profitable) and sustainable company of one? Suppose the better—and smarter—solution is simply to remain small? This book explains how to do just that.
A Win Without Pitching
Blair Enns
A manifesto of business practices for those who sell ideas and advice, The Win Without Pitching Manifesto lays out twelve steps that owners of creative businesses can take to distance themselves from their competition, regain the high ground in their client relationships and learn to win business without first parting with their thinking or writing lengthy proposals.
Articles
15 secrets and tips to set you up for massive freelance success
Jess Eddy
If you’re considering a freelancing career, congratulations! Working for yourself can be highly rewarding and more importantly, a great way to grow. I’ve learned a lot working in full-time roles, but I learned a whole different set of skills working for myself. It gives you a unique perspective that you can’t find in full-time employment.
How to Scope Work
Dan Mall
I was working with one of my clients’ senior developers to map out exactly how we were going to get all of the work done that we needed, but a few frustrating hours of going in circles finally revealed the culprit. It’s a problem I’ve seen from very junior to some of the most senior employees I’ve worked with.
What to charge as a freelancer: does value-based pricing live up to the hype?
Benek Lisefski
Pricing is hard. Even after 17 years of freelance design, I can still second-guess my pricing strategy. Am I doing this right? Could I do something better to make more money for less work? Does my price reflect the value my clients are getting?
How to work with freelance clients: the best contracts are the ones you never have to enforce
Benek Lisefski
I’m frequently asked about how I handle freelance contracts with my design clients. How I outline payment terms, timeframes, deliverables, and what happens of it all goes sideways?
Podcasts
The Freelance Podcast
The target audience for this podcast is those who are looking for advice and motivation to finally quit their job and focus 100% on what they love to do and why they freelance in the first place. I have been in your shoes and know the inspiration that a good podcast can have.
Creative Class, a podcast for freelancers
Kaleigh Moore and Paul Jarvis talk about all things related to the business of freelancing. We’re talking clients. Pricing. Landing projects. Getting paid. Managing revisions (endless revisions). Finding clients and connecting with them in a way that feels right for you.
Double Your Freelancing
419,154 downloads and counting... The Double Your Freelancing Podcast is the podcast that helps you make more money, get better clients, and live a happier and healthier life freelancing.
Smart Passive Income
Insightful conversations with online business pros, industry experts, and more. Our podcasts take you inside the minds and behind the scenes of successful entrepreneurs and their businesses.
Freelance to Founder
The Win Without Pitching Manifesto lays out twelve steps that owners of creative businesses can take to distance themselves from their competition, regain the high ground in their client relationships and learn to win business without first parting with their thinking or writing lengthy proposals.
FreelanceLift
Podcast with former freelancers who have made the transition to the top level and want to tell you their story
The Solopreneur Hour
The Solopreneur Hour is an audio podcast hosted by Michael O’Neal that co-hosts with the best and brightest solopreneurs from all walks of life, including network marketing, internet marketing, music, fitness, actors, comedians, and more.
Business Management Tools
Bonsai
Bonsai’s all-in-one product suite with smart automation lets you focus on your passion, not your paperwork.
HolaBrief
Create briefs that let you work effectively and collaborate efficiently right from the start.
Bench
Bench Accounting, is a fintech company that uses proprietary software to automate bookkeeping and provide financials for small business owners.
Pancake
Pancake is Online Invoicing, Project management, Time Tracking and proposal software for your business that you pay for just once and install on your own server.
And.Co
From proposal to payment, AND.CO takes the headache out of freelancing, so you can get back to the work that drives you.
With Jack
We protect you and yours on the high seas of freelancing. So you're free to navigate uncharted territories and fish for amazing projects.
Wirize
Wirize is a ready-made checkout payment built on Stripe.Collect one-time payments and sell your digital servicesin minutes (no code or website required).
Toggl Track
Effortless time tracking for any workflow. Toggl Track data brings clarity around profitability and helps you get more done.
Cushion
Cushion will help you predict your unpredictable schedule and stabilize your unstable income.
Stripe Atlas
By removing lengthy paperwork, legal complexity, and numerous fees, Stripe Atlas helps you launch your startup from anywhere in the world.
Baremetrics
By removing lengthy paperwork, legal complexity, and numerous fees, Stripe Atlas helps you launch your startup from anywhere in the world.
Freelance Job Sites
Angel List
AngelList helps people find exciting job opportunities, from fast-growing startups to the Silicon Valley giants you know & love.
We Work Remotely
We Work Remotely is the largest remote work community in the world. With over 2.5M monthly visitors, WWR is the #1 destination to find and list incredible remote jobs.
Design Jobs Board
A great place to connect the finest creative talent with the most respected agencies across the UK.
Site Creation & Marketing Tools
One Page Love
One Page websites, templates and resources. Easy to browse for inspiration, find templates or get landing page tips.
Squarespace
Website building and hosting software. It allows users to use pre-built website templates and drag-and-drop elements to create and modify webpages.
Training & Self Development
Skillshare
Online learning community for people who want to learn from educational videos. The courses, which are not accredited, are available through subscription.
Domestica
Domestika is the largest community for creatives. Learn and share from anywhere with online courses taught by the best professionals in the world of design.
