Freelancing can be hard. There are so many elements to it. Understanding your business. Maintaining relationships. Marketing. Networking. Managing your time. Balancing projects. Taking on too much work. Worrying when projects come to a close. Accounts and set up. Deciding if and what to outsource. That’s on top of your ‘day job’ writing cracking copy for clients.

It can feel overwhelming.

I’ve put together a list (that I will add to as I go) with some of the best resources I’ve found so far. If you have other suggestions please send me your recommendations - I’d love to hear them.

Books for freelance copywriters

Dan Nelken: A Self Help Guide For Copywriters

I cannot tell you how useful I found this book! Dan provides invaluable advice for writers and actionable techniques and tips. Advice includes how to start the ideas flowing and how to keep them flowing until something good hits, attacking writer’s block with bleach-like tenacity.

I read this on Kindle and immediately wished I had the hard copy so I could make notes. My advice - buy the book so you can flip back through it easily and soak in the examples!

Steve Slaunwhite, Pete Savage and Ed Gandia: The Wealthy Freelancer

This was recommended to me by a well-established freelancer and copywriter and it didn’t disappoint. It provides advice for any type of freelancer and helps you to build the freelance life that’s right for you. Not every freelancer is looking for the magic 6 figures or to work from home in their PJs.

The Wealthy Freelancer helps you define what you’re looking for from freelance life (complete with worksheets) and helps you build it. Advice includes their ‘IDEA Matrix for Mindset Mastery™’; how to simplify getting clients; pricing your services; nurturing prospects and creating alternative income streams.

Sarah Townsend: Survival Skills for Freelancers

Built on Sarah’s 20 year freelancing career, this book holds your hand through going solo. She busts common freelance myths backed by pearls of wisdom from other well-established freelancers. For information on how to freelance effectively, avoid pitfalls and stick to your guns on what you can achieve have a read!

Courses for freelance copywriters

Hubspot

Hubspot offers free online courses and certifications in a range of marketing topics. They’re perfect for building or refreshing your knowledge and doable in your own time.

From SEO to social media marketing they also provide additional resources and useful websites to continue your development. These courses are perfect for those on a budget looking for courses that can be done remotely.

Google Ga rage

Google Digital Garage offers free courses to build your skills. I took the Fundamentals in Digital Marketing course covering how search works, SEO optimization, the differences between email, social and mobile marketing and understanding analytics to track progress.

Recommended for anyone who wants to grasp the basics and a broad understanding of digital marketing. I did this alongside building my website which was helpful in keeping focussed and putting some of the knowledge and tools to use straight away.

The National Centre for Writing

This UK based writing centre offers a range of short and tutored courses for all your writing needs! I’ve done both paid courses (Start Writing Creative Non-Fiction) and free courses (Supercharge Your Writing). The paid courses are run in association with the reputable University of East Anglia (UEA) and are perfect for getting individualised feedback on your writing from reputable writers.

These are perfect if you’re looking to hone your writing skills and knowledge of different forms of writing. The tutored course stretched my creative muscles and made me think twice about the words I was using. If you think you over analyse your wording already - give this course a go!

Future Learn

Future Learn runs in association with a range of world-class universities including Kings College and The Open University. They run a free 4-week trial or annual membership for around £20 per month or individual courses for around £50.

They cover a range of topics from Business and Marketing to Writing and Editing courses. I’ve completed An Introduction to Screenwriting and Start Writing Fiction to satisfy my creative writing needs.

The flexible courses are great to do in your own time and include peer reviews and the opportunity to review others’ work.

Support groups for freelance copywriters

ProCopywriters

The ProCopywriters Alliance has numerous benefits for copywriters. As a member, there are multiple benefits including:

Access to informational video workshops and blogs on copywriting
Discounts on professional insurance, accountancy and CopyCon tickets
Ability to be featured in their directory and on their blog
An affiliation with a reputable membership organisation that promotes the professional standards of commercial writers

Female Copywriters Alliance (FCA)

Set up by Dee Primett through Discord the FCA is a lovely community specifically for female copywriters. It’s a place to get advice, bounce ideas, get support or vent! I’ve only recently joined but it’s been a welcoming and refrshing space to ask questions, share a win or know others are facing similar frustrations.

Thanks to Dee for bringing together such a wonderful group of women!

#ContentClubUK

Hosted every Tuesday at 11am (BST) on Twitter, a nominated host poses 3 questions to the content community. It can be topical, educational, creative and revelatory! I struggle to join every week but when I’ve managed to join I’ve always come away with feast for thought and a good dose of inspiration and motivation.

It’s a great way of feeling part of a community, finding other freelancers on Twitter and giving yourself a kick up the a** on a Tuesday morning!

Newsletters for freelance copywriters

Dave Harland - The Word

If you’re a copywriter that hangs out on Twitter or LinkedIn there’s a good chance you’ve already heard of Dave. I say Dave as if I know him - I don’t. But I feel like I do! That’s how good his writing is. It’s how good everything he does is! He’s been featured on numerous podcasts, posts of fellow freelancers and can often be found in the comment sections on Simon Sinek’s musings on LinkedIn, entertaining the masses with Uncle Tony’s exploits.

His Friday newsletter is laugh out loud funny and delves into the workings of his posts and how he uses storytelling to make them so successful. He breaks things down, entertains and shares his know-how.

Marijana Kay - The Freelance Bold Newsletter

Marijana’s weekly newsletter gives topical advice on freelance writing. Along with her weekly insights are a tip/tool of the week, favourite finds/resources from the week, a recommended ‘follow’ and what she’s reading. She also offers free email templates and a paid for database to help you in setting up your business.

Sian Meades-Williams - Freelance writing jobs

Freelance writer and author of The Pyjama Myth (on the read list!), Sian sends out weekly emails with new freelance writing opportunities. These may be copywriting jobs or more journalistic and it’s a great place to look for opportunities if you have a niche. Past newsletters have advertised posts for travel writers with Readers Digest, lifestyle writers for The Independent and writing competitions.

If you’re looking for warm leads or people to pitch to - this is the newsletter for you!

Podcasts for freelance copywriters

The Marketing meet-up

The positively lovely podcast hosted by Joe Glover is a weekly encyclopedia of all things marketing. My favourite episodes have been Dave Harland’s episode on how to write engaging stories for social media and Hannah Thorpe’s How to optimise landing pages.

You’ll want to tuck into the back catalogue whatever your niche!

15 Minute Freelancer

From naming your business to how to find clients. Louise Shanahan’s podcast is 15 minute takeaways and nuggets of wisdom from Louise and friends. It’s my go-to podcast for the morning dog walk or the perfect accompaniment to a coffee break.

Being Freelance

Set up by Steve Folland, this podcast provides tips, advice and musings on all things freelance. With nearly 300 episodes, he’s spoken to photographers, illustrators, copywriters, graphic designers and filmmakers each sharing their unique thoughts and experiences of freelance life.

My limitless list of resources for freelance copywriters