Resources for Writers, Designers, and Other Freelancers
The following are links to an amazing wealth of resources for freelancers within any field for freelance jobs, freelance news, freelances podcasts, freelance forums, and more. Whether you are considering freelancing, just starting out, or have carved a successful path for yourself in freelancing, you should find something beneficial within the following lists.
Freelance Blogs
Freelance blogs contain a wealth of information for freelancers at every stage. Aside from learning useful information about the world of freelancing, you can get a little bit of traffic to your website by joining in the discussion and making valuable comments on posts.
If you want to subscribe to a collection of resources simultaneously, you can also import groups of feeds by using the OPML file. In Google Reader, you can do this by going to your Settings > Import/Export and upload the OPML file of your choice.
For blogs that cover multiple topics, I have pointed the links specifically to their freelance categories. The feed collection will subscribe you to all blog categories.
- Freelance Folder
- FreelanceSwitch
- Freelance Advisor
- Colorburned Freelance Articles
- Creativeoverflow Freelance Articles
- Design Informer Freelance Articles
- DesignM.ag Freelance Category
- Freelance Writing Jobs Network
- Guerrilla Freelancing
- Smashing Magazine Workflow
- Design Cubicle Freelancing and Marketing
- Webdesigner Depot Freelancing Articles
- Word Count
- Freelance on Alltop
Subscribe to all freelance blogs listed above with the Freelance Blogs OPML file.
Freelance Podcasts
Freelance Forums
Freelance forums are a great place to discuss anything to do with freelancing with other freelancers. Forums are another way to get traffic to your website if you become a valuable community member.
Be sure to fill out your forum profile and use a signature with a link to your website, LinkedIn, etc., which will be added to the end of each forum post. Having signature links on some sites will even help you build backlinks to your website - a major SEO plus!
Freelance Job Opportunities
Looking for freelance job opportunities? Try the following freelance job sources. Remember to subscribe to them via RSS to keep up to date to the current job opportunities in your area of expertise.
Freelance Switch
FreelanceSwitch allows you to view available job opportunities for free. However, to apply for them, you must subscribe to their site for $7 per month. This isn't too bad of a deal, especially if you get some repeat clients out of it.
oDesk
oDesk allows freelancers to sign up for free and create a provider profile with their qualifications, rate, and examples to their work.
Although you will be able to start bidding for jobs right away, you will be limited in the number of jobs you can do until you pass a oDesk Readiness Test that makes sure you are familiar with the oDesk policies, desktop software, etc. They also offer free skills tests so you can prove your expertise in a variety of skill sets.
There are the job listings by category as well as by by skills section where you can find jobs based on particular skills. The top skills sought after are as follows. SEO, PHP, WordPress, Data Entry, Joomla, CSS, Facebook, Drupal
Craigslist
Craigslist can be a good source for finding freelance work within your area. Simply find your region, and then check out the jobs section. You can then search for jobs related to your skill set. To keep up to date on the latest jobs, you can subscribe to these search results using the RSS icon at the bottom right of the page.
Freelance eBooks
The following are eBooks and books on Amazon for freelancers. They are great resources for learning more about having a freelance career.
How to Become a Freelance Writer - Written by expert freelance writer Laura Spencer, this guide is filled with simple step-by-step instructions and valuable information that could only be provided by an experienced freelancer. Instant PDF download for $12.95.
How to be a Rockstar Freelancer - Covering everything from getting started to expanding your business, How to Be a Rockstar Freelancer is the official FreelanceSwitch book. Instant PDF download for $29, or you can purchase a paperback version of the book for $35. You can see a 15 page preview of the book before purchase to decide if it is right for you.
Freelance Books
