A Freelancer’s Toolkit: For When You’re Starting or Scaling
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As a freelancer, it can be hard to find helpful resources to sustain and scale your business. To help, I have put together some resources for project management, FREE stock photos, and more!
Invoicing and Accounting
Wave Accounting
Make, move and manage your money. I recommend them if freelancing is your side hustle. FREE templates for invoices where clients can make payments on (2.9% + 30¢ fee to process credit cards and and 1% for bank payments)
HONEYBOOK
More than just invoicing. I recommend them if freelancing is your side hustle and want everything in one platform. Easily onboard clients with proposals, contracts and more. (3% fee to credit cards and ACH bank transfer payments)
FRESHBOOKS
Perfect for business with employees and business with contractors. Get paid on time AND maximize your productivity with their time tracking feature. (2.9% + 30¢ to process credit cards and 1% ACH bank transfer payments)
Quickbooks
Owned by Intuit so you know they will consistently release improvements. Also offers seamless integration with other platforms like Square or Paypal. (2.9% + 25¢ to process credit card and 1% ACH bank transfer payments)
Non-boring FREE Stock Photos
UNSPLASH
Definitely my favourite out all the ones listed in terms of well captured photos. The most aesthetically pleasing photos that also tell a story.
PEXELS
Also has FREE stock videos! This is my go to when I don’t have the patience to scroll through tons of pages. Their search is one of the best in terms of narrowing down.
FREEPIK
This resource gives me a iStock vibe but free. They also have vectors and PSD mockups and templates. The con is you can only download 5 times a day.
PIXABAY
Searching for photos on here definitely takes the most patience. They are normally the last site I go to. They also have illustrations, vectors, videos and music.
Project Management
ASANA
Different templates to help organize any workflow from project, meeting agenda and more. Free plan available with up to 1000 tasks. Recommended for side hustle freelancers to plan to share project management with clients.
NOTION
One tool for your whole team (or individuals). I would describe this as Google Drive without the folders. You can keep everything in one platform and see each category in an organized list to the side. Free plan for freelancers with limitations.
TRELLO
Board based template to help organize any workflow. Unlimited cards and lists available with a free plan up to 10 boards. Perfect for side hustle freelancers who just want to manage their tasks to themselves.
DUBSADO
Not only can you management your projects on this platform but you can send invoices, create automations and more. This truly is your all in one platform. Perfect for full-time freelancers with a large client base. Free plan available with limitations.
Templates and Mockups
MOYO STUDIO
This studio offers beautiful bundles of mockups, photos, and both! Great resource to have an all in one folder of assets to ensure a consistent look and feel.
CREATIVE MARKET
Great place to get templates but also mockups, fonts, themes and more! Everything is paid BUT if you sign up for an account you get an email for weekly free resources.
MOCKUPWORLD
This is my FREE favourite and go-to for mockups. It’s like a directory of all the mockups on the internet in one place where they re-direct you to the source of the mockup.
FREEBIESBUG
FREE resource heaven for designers and developers. Not only do they have PSD files for mockups, UI kits but HTML website templates for developers.
MOO
Reliable printing services with template options for your business! From accessories like notebooks and envelopes to marketing materials like post cards and flyers plus so much more!
STICKERMULE
My go to for stickers! Personalize your packages with custom tape and mailers from Stickermule. They often run amazing weekly deals! I recommend following their Instagram to stay updated.
BLITZ PRINT HOUSE
I might be a little biased towards this print house because they are local in Toronto (which is where I was born!) Nonetheless, just like their tagline they print good stuff. After their rebranding in 2019, I have noticed a increase in quality.
BLURB
Photo books, wall art, trade books, magazines and more! Blurb is definitely a good resource to keep in mind when you have a client that would like high quality mass produced editorial design products.