5 Tools I Rely On To Run My Freelance Business

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I started working as a freelancer way back in 2012 and honestly, I had pretty much no idea what I was doing. Turns out wanting to work for myself and write for a living versus actually running an online freelance business were two very different things.

Fast forward to 2023 and I'm still at it, despite the challenges, and still learning every day. So today I felt like sharing 5 of the tools I've tried and tested over the years that help me keep things running smoothly, without breaking the bank.

This sole trader likes to keep her overheads low.

Squarespace

First up, I use Squarespace for my website. Years ago I was a Wordpress girl but honestly I'd rather not talk about it. Squarespace is SO much more user-friendly (in my opinion) and you don't need any coding or design experience at all. There's thousands of templates to choose from so creating a website that actually looks professional is a fairly straightforward and efficient process, plus there's multiple plans available to suit your needs and budget. If by chance you do run into trouble their customer support is some of the most quick and painless I've experienced.

Canva

Right up front I have to say I've been obsessed with Canva for years now and recommend it with great personal enthusiasm. I'm a writer, not a graphic designer, but I do enjoy playing around with design ideas to see what I can create for my business and improve my skills, and Canva makes me feel like I'm not totally terrible at developing a brand. I've used the platform to design logos, prints, brand kits, web graphics and social media posts; even my first poetry collection was laid out and designed using Canva. Fair to say it's a favourite.

The free version is awesome if you're just starting out, and you can always upgrade to Pro at any time to access extra features like the new AI text generator (!!!) This one is a game changer. But more on that in a later post...

Printify

Printify is a print-on-demand platform and something of a new discovery for me, as I only decided to start creating merchandise for my online store this year. Canva and Printify combined is, so far, a match made in heaven. Together they make it ridiculously easy to create designs and products to sell on my site without the hassle of managing inventory or shipping. I'm using the free account for now and the setup process couldn't have been easier.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a global platform for freelancers to offer services and apply for work with clients all over the world. But I don't use it to find writing gigs. Instead, I use Fiverr as a cost-effective way to hire freelancers with talents I don't have for small projects. Like that time I needed a beer Photoshopped out of my hand so I could use it professionally. Now that was five bucks well spent.

Tailwind

Tailwind is a magical tool that acts like an entire marketing team. Perfect for us solopreneurs. It allows you to create a personalised marketing plan that works for your business, not against it, by automating tasks that typically take up a lot of time. Things like generating content ideas, writing copy, scheduling posts, optimising for SEO—you know, the things that keep your business running! Tailwind genuinely takes the stress out of running a freelance business, and I’m so happy to have discovered it.

So there you have it: 5 online tools I rely on daily to keep my freelance business running smoothly. Do you use any of these? Which is your favourite?

~ prb x