Resources
I receive several emails each week requesting informational chats on starting or growing a freelance or small journalism business. Because I'm not able to accommodate all these requests, I've put together this page of resources to help. Here, you’ll find interviews on survival skills for freelancers; articles and podcasts with tips; essential books; and links to the tools I use everyday to run my freelance, consulting, and small news businesses.
Some of the links included on this page are affiliate links, which may earn me a commission at no additional cost to you, while others are standard referral links that might offer you a discount or complimentary upgrade. Most are tools that provide no incentives but that I find invaluable. All are things I use daily.
-
Chase Sapphire & Sapphire Reserve Great points program, travel discounts, and year-end purchase summary is super helpful for tax time.
Fidelity Investments Offers SEP, Roth and Traditional IRA and other investment products. Included as a reminder that self employed folks are responsible for their own retirement.
Marcus High-yield online savings Helpful to have a savings account not attached to primary/business checking to make it harder to dip into during leaner times.
TurboTax Save 20% off your annual state and federal filing with this link.
-
Coursera Online degrees, certificates and free courses. This link gives first month for $1.
How to Get the Gig Online public speaking course from Full & Frank.
LinkedIn Learning Can often be accessed for free through a public library, college/university or workplace.
Various MOOCs from top-ranked colleges and universities, offered at little or no cost.
TED Talks on just about any topic. Free.
The Writers’ Co-op Super helpful podcast, workshops and other resources for freelancers.
-
Google Workplace Business email and other tools.
Canva Easy graphic design.
Notion Great productivity tool.
UpHabit Essential for tracking editors, outreach, deadlines and more.
Dropbox Cloud-based storage, sharing and collaboration platform.
Mailchimp Marketing, email and automation.
Strikingly Simple web design with easy to use templates. Great for beginners and small business.
Gusto Easy HR all-in-one tool.
-
Founders’ Card Essential membership club offering discounts on small business tools and resources, deeply discounted travel and more. Link provides significant discount.
Freelancing is more than a pitch. It’s a business.
Becoming a full-time freelance journalist requires the mindset of a small business owner. Here are 5 things to consider before you start. Poynter
The Key to Making a Living as a Freelance Journalist
If you want to make a living as a freelance journalist, you can't simply research an article, write it and move on. IJNet
How freelance journalists adapted to make it through 2020
Professional pivots, new projects, less travel, fresh opportunities: Five freelancers share how they managed the ups and downs of a chaotic year. Poynter
4 Tips for Using Slack While Working Remotely
Three companies share how they are using the community messaging platform. US News & World Report
Member Profile: Molly McCluskey - Have Passport, Will Freelance
Molly McCluskey is based in Washington but spends half her year living in Europe covering foreign affairs, finance and travel. National Press Club blog
The Need for Digital Platforms in Journalism
Interview with Evan McMorris Santoro on everything digital for journalists. National Press Club podcast
What Your CPA Wishes You Knew About Taxes
Your tax preparer wants to hear from you before a doomsday scenario plays out in late March. US News & World Report
Newsletters for Journalists - a conversation between two creators
Do journalists need their own newsletters? A conversation between two creators. National Press Club podcast
As more people turn to videoconferencing, users offer tips and warnings about the popular platform. US News & World Report