Tools every freelancer needs

As a freelancer, keeping oneself organized is essential since the world of freelancing is always changing. And there are quite a number of tools for freelancers created to simplify processes that you can use to make your work easier.

There are a few free resources and tools available that will substantially help in your efforts to become a successful freelancer, even if you don’t want to become overly dependent on tools (signing up for every free tool there is).

As essential as these tools are for freelancers, finding the right tools to use for your specific tasks as a freelancer can be a hurdle because there are multiple options and choices out there.

These tools can be categorized into 4 categories that apply to the tasks required of a freelancer

  1. Productivity and time management tools
  2. Writing tools
  3. Communication and email marketing tools
  4. Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Invoicing Software

For the purpose of this article, we will only take 2 in each of these categories.

Productivity and time management tools

1. Toggl

Toggl is a time-tracking tool that tries to make it easier for you to transition between projects quickly and conveniently and produce reports so that you can get things done and make the most of your limited free time.
It is also accessible as a Chrome extension, which you can quickly install to start using as soon as you open the web.

2. Google Calendar

Because they are so simple to sync with one another, many consumers purchase many Apple gadgets. Similar to the previous point, Google Calendar is the industry standard and one of the finest tools for independent contractors to manage their calendars, especially now that they’ve added additional features designed with business use cases in mind.

Writing tools

1. Google Workspace

Google Workspace (previously G Suite) applications, an all-in-one platform that incorporates well-known freelancing programs like Gmail and Google Docs, garnered more votes than any other tool, and it was a write-in poll. The most often listed tools were Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar, Meet, and Keep.

2. Grammarly

Grammarly is very useful whether you’re just composing emails or you need to produce content. You can use Grammarly software to aid you with grammatical correction in-browser, on Windows or Mac, on your phone or in other ways. The level of accuracy of this app is second to none.

Communication and email marketing tools

1. Slack

Due to how much time it saves, the instant messaging service Slack has recently gained enormous popularity as a tool for business interactions. Slack allows you to thoroughly search conversations and categorize them into channels according to your preferences. And that simply seems so much more logical than sifting through many, pointless emails in your inbox.

2. Mailchimp

Creating an email list is a terrific strategy to both attract new customers and keep your current customers aware of your business. With Mailchimp ou can send a newsletter to your list that includes updates on the work you’re doing or relevant subjects that establish you as an authority in the field. Additionally, there are multiple tiers of plans available for the service, including one that is free for those with subscriber lists under 2,000.

Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Invoicing Software

1. AND.CO

One of the greatest resources for freelancers who want assistance with paperwork and other tasks is AND.CO. With AND.CO, you can quickly and simply build proposals that are fully customized (you can add graphics, presentations, and anything else that can help you sell your job). Also, AND.CO makes it incredibly simple to create, sign, and even customize contacts without the need for printing or scanning (attach notes, add or remove clauses). The tool will automatically let you know when a contract is opened, viewed, and signed by a customer.

2. Xero

One of the most well-liked accounting programs on the market, Xero, gives freelancers a superior way to manage their finances and pipeline. Xero is one of the most widely used accounting software available, along with QuickBooks. It is really easy to use, exquisitely made, and ideal for freelancers who want to grow their business in the next years. As a freelancer, Xero is laser-focused on saving you time by connecting directly to your bank, producing and tracking invoices quickly, and integrating with your preferred business software.