Many writers ask me to recommend tools and products that will help them be better freelancers. Here are the ones I use.

The Freelance Writers Den

The Freelance Writers Den is the supportive place where freelance writers learn how to grow their income — fast. You’ll find helpful forums, free resources like e-classes and recordings, access to the weekly Den calls, and free admission to the helpful Boot Camps for Writers ($197 for non-members).

I’m the Other Den Mother on there along with Den Mother Carol Tice, so you’ll see both of us on the forums frequently answering writers’ questions, critiquing queries, and critiquing writer websites.

Carol opens the Den to new members only a few times each year, so if you’re interested, get on the waiting list today.

Max Buttons

See those cool buttons at the end of every Renegade Writer post? Those entice readers to sign up for my mailing list, and I got the WordPress plugin to make these and other cool buttons of different shapes, sizes, and colors for only $15 from MaxButtons.

MaxButtons also offers free icon packs to bring zing to your buttons. The plugin is easy to install and use, and you can create standout designs that will get readers to click.

AWeber

I use AWeber’s email marketing service, which helps you attract and manage subscribers, develop beautiful HTML mailings, schedule mailings, track opens and clicks, create website signup forms, and more. I’ve found their support staff to be fast and helpful, and they have a ton of resources on their website to help you learn the ropes of creating an effective email campaign.

AWeber offers a free test drive if you fill out the quick form below:

Dollars and Deadlines: Make Money Writing Articles for Print and Online Markets [Kindle Edition] by Kelly James-Enger

I’ve known Kelly for a long time, and she’s a real pro who’s cracked six figures yearly as a freelance writer. Dollars and Deadlines shows you how to launch a freelance article writing career from scratch. Whether you want to freelance fulltime or simply want to make extra money from home, you’ll learn how to:

• Come up with article ideas
• Identify potential markets for your work
• Pitch ideas to print and online markets
• Locate, contact, and interview expert and anecdotal sources
• Write different types of articles, including shorts, quizzes, profiles, and features
• Decipher and negotiate freelance contracts
• Operate as a business, not a hobby (and take legitimate tax deductions)
• Create your own writing templates
• Develop regular clients
• Take your writing career to the next level.

Dollars and Deadlines takes you through a dozen of the author’s published articles, describing how they were originated, researched, and written. You’ll find dozens of templates and examples along with real-world advice to take you from an unpublished newbie to a published—and paid—freelance writer.

Writer for Hire: 101 Secrets to Freelance Success [Kindle Edition] by Kelly James Enger

There’s no shortage of books on crafting book proposals, writing novels, overcoming writer’s block, and getting in touch with one’s muse. But what about a book for writers who simply want to earn a regular paycheck? Writer for Hire is just the wisdom full- and part-time freelancers need. Author Kelly James-Enger details:

• 101 secrets to success, organized into five overarching strategies. You’ll be able to implement what you learn immediately.
• Invaluable advice on managing deadlines, querying effectively, working with clients, handling taxes, invoices, and more.
• Strategies for getting more writing gigs, including networking (in-person and online), establishing yourself as an expert, working more efficiently under tight deadlines, and handling rejection with confidence

James-Enger looks at the “whole freelancer,” addressing both the craft and business of freelancing.