blogs for freelancers

25 Must-read Blogs for Freelancers, Startups, and Small Business Owners

Lauren Bonk

Most college degrees come with a class or program designed to help you make the transition into the workforce. If you choose not to get a college degree, the workforce transition is still available. Job interview training, safety regulation courses, and certification programs barely scratch the surface when it comes to the resources available for individuals who are ready to jump into the natural flow of getting hired.

What about us salmon, though? What about those of us who want to venture upstream, jumping the waves of limited sick days and avoiding the grizzly bear bosses of corporate life, swimming triumphantly to our futures? Our futures, I tell you!

Okay, so I might be taking a heavy-handed approach with the fish metaphor, but I don’t think it’s that far off base. Us freelance salmon need resources, too.

Since blogs can tend to be hit-or-miss when it comes to helpfulness and legitimacy, we thought we’d help out our fellow salmon by compiling a list of the best blogs for freelancers on the web.

(Now that I’ve typed the word “web,” I can’t help but wonder if I should have chosen a spider metaphor… Oh well. Let’s just swim upstream together, shall we?)

Design and Development:

1. Torque Magazine

Torque focuses on anything and everything WordPress. If you use WordPress for your business, this is one to bookmark. You can even check out their weekly feature, “Doc Pop’s News Drop” for a quick-and-snarky look at what’s new in the world of WP.

2. CreativeBloq

CreativeBloq is a designer-centric blog that mixes business with pleasure by offering relevant insight into design and marketing news, while also providing beautiful visual content that will keep any freelance designer inspired.

3. The Layout

This online publication, geared mostly toward designers but relevant to any freelancer, is brought to you by the folks at Flywheel. The writers at the Layout cover WordPress ins-and-outs, design resources, social media, and creativity, just to name a few topics. Give it a look!

4. Hacking UI

The guys behind this fun freelancing resource describe Hacking UI as a “community for designers, developers, and creative entrepreneurs with a passion.” Check out their blog and newsletter for timely industry-related insights, updates, and tips on running your freelance business.

Freelancing:

5. Freelancers Union

This one might seem a little obvious, I know. But, in my opinion and in my experience, the Freelancers Union blog is the “big fish” in the industry, and for good reason. Freelancers Union has been providing sound advice and real-world, tangible support to the freelance community for years. Here you’ll find timely freelance-related news, actionable tips, and even emotional support for this upstream life we’re living.

6. Millo

Millo is one of those fun blogs for freelancers, full of a variety of articles that tackle specific freelance-related questions by providing actionable answers and steps that will help you navigate the ins and outs of your field.

7. The Freelancer by Contently

Powered by Contently, The Freelancer is yet another gem in a vast world of helpful freelance resources. Covering topics like tech trends, content generation, and running your business, it’s a perfect addition to your small business blog arsenal.

Entrepreneurship/Startups:

8. Gary Vaynerchuk’s Blog

An exceptional figure in the entrepreneurship space, Gary V’s blog will have tips, recommendations, evidence pulled from how he’s done and approached things, as well as much more. From someone who creates micro-bite-sized content with such regularity as he does – anyone can be sure to grab an insight or two along the way!

9. OnStartups

Created by Dharmesh Shah (co-founder of the ever-influential HubSpot), this startup blog gets down and dirty with statistics, tools, and trends that directly affect entrepreneurs of any kind. His detailed posts and extensive experience make this blog an entrepreneurial powerhouse.

10. Women On Business

This blog is a solid publication ran by successful, savvy women that will appeal to many different forms of entrepreneur, with tips on digital marketing, productivity, and hiring.

11. Smart Passive Income

Smart Passive Income founder Pat Flynn refers to himself as the “crash test dummy of online business.” His blog lets you learn from his experiences and teaches you how to build some income without excessive upkeep.

12. Blogtrepreneur

Another mighty fine choice for freelancers, Blogtrepreneur caters to entrepreneurs who blog, entrepreneurs who use social media, entrepreneurs who build websites, entrepreneurs who… well, let’s just say this is definitely a blog for entrepreneurs.

Writing:

13. Copyblogger

A long-standing pillar in the blogging community, Copyblogger (founded by Brian Clark) has been helping bloggers create content since 2006. The tips covered on this site, however, are useful for any freelancer or startup trying to learn how to market themselves.

14. ProBlogger

Another veteran in the world of blogging and making money, Darren Rowse of ProBlogger has built an incredibly popular, useful, and legitimate website dedicated to content advice, tutorials, and trends.

15. CopyHackers

With topics like lead generation, landing clients, and quality content, CopyHackers is one of the best freelance blogs out there for copywriters trying to make it on their own. It also serves as a freelance marketplace and is a good resource for landing a gig.

16. Make a Living Writing

Make a Living Writing is another one of those blogs for freelancers that’s been around for awhile, and that’s a testament to the wisdom and success of its founder, Carol Tice. This blog provides real-life, hands-on to many of the burning questions a freelance copywriter might have.

17. The Middle Finger Project

Middle Finger Project founder Ash Ambirge flips the bird at traditional marketing and copywriting strategies, and I’ve got to say, I’m super glad she does. Her ultra-relatable and to-the-point blog posts (not to mention the freelancing resources she offers) will make you rethink your approach to being a business owner, and help you get off your butt.

Marketing:

18. Moz

A host of qualified writers and Rand Fishkin himself (of Moz fame) come together on the Moz blog to bring entrepreneurs and startup founders a veritable smorgasbord of tech tips, SEO wisdom, and profound pitching know-how.

19. Kissmetrics

The Kissmetrics blog ventures deep into the world of content marketing by sharing brilliant posts full of delicious data-centric content. If you’re into SEO, analytics, and upping your conversions, this is the blog for you.

20. Social Media Examiner

The Social Media Examiner blog is but one part of a marketing empire, complete with podcasts and events to boot. That being said, the blog itself is a fantastic resource for keeping up with the ever-changing and exhausting trends and algorithms of social media.

21. Seth Godin’s Blog

Seth Godin. What can I say about this guy other than the fact that he’s the man when it comes to making you think, making you think about how you think, and even making you change how you think… and all of that (no matter how fluffy it may sound when I say it) can turn you into a brilliant marketer.

22. Hubspot Blog

A leader in the world of inbound marketing, Hubspot has built a blog that covers all the bases. With your choice of blog posts centered on either marketing or sales, the Hubspot Blog provides topics that range from fun freelance brain-escapes to business-tanking mistakes.

23.Top Influencer Marketing Agency

The Top Influencer Marketing Agency has turned the world of social media into a world of opportunity for businesses. They have the top influencer marketing companies that can help brands reach their target audience with little effort.

24. 500 Hats

What do you get when you combine slashing wit, expertly-placed memes, and some serious marketing know how? 500 Hats, that’s what.

25. Duct Tape Marketing

Attention to trends coupled with a keen eye focused on the evolution of marketing, this no-nonsense entrepreneurial marketing blog is a fantastic resource for business owners who want to keep up with the changing digital tides.

[Last updated: 5/19/2020]

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