Learning Tools For Freelancers
Even after initial freelancing success, a major key to long term prosperity in business is the drive to never stop learning. It doesn't matter if you prefer watching Youtube videos, going through online courses, reading books, or attending a seminar, learning will keep you sharp. Each of the resources below exists to help keep you on the top for years to come.
99U is Adobe's career resource and event series. The purpose is to help freelancers supercharge their careers by helping them build a robust skillset.
Alison offers freelancers a chance to take 100% free courses that also offer certificates and diplomas. Not only do you get to learn how to improve your freelancing business, but you are rewarded with a boost in credbility as well.
Codecademy is an online interactive platform that offers free coding classes. They provide classes in 12 different programming languages including Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, SQL, C++, Swift, and Sass, as well as markup languages HTML and CSS. Their purpose is to help you learn the technical skill for the job you want.
Coursera offers free courses, online degrees, and resources from a wide variety of individual instructors and institutions. Freelancers can take advantage of the course material that applies most to them through their simple search feature.
Creative Boom is a UK-based online magazine and podcast. It tailors content to artists, designers, illustrators, photographers, and anyone working in visual arts and communication fields.
Double Your Freelancing is a series of podcasts and articles. Each publication is geared toward helping freelancers make more money, get better clients, and living a happier and healthier life.
Freelancelift takes you step-by-step through the business side of freelancing. The site offers video tutorials and blog articles to help you close more deals, price yourself accordingly, and manage your clients/business/time more efficiently.
Freelancers Union is a non-profit organization. Its purpose is to provide a voice for freelancers by providing policy advocacy, resources, health insurance, and community collaboration. Membership is free.
Independent Contractor Tax Advisors is a licensed CPA firm that provides accounting services and tax advice for contractors, consultants, and other self-employed clients across the U.S. The core goal of their service offerings is to lower taxes for freelancers
Kaleigh Moore is a freelance writer who specializes in SaaS, ecommerce, and writing advice. Kaleigh's blog has a wealth of information about great writing habits, how to improve the effectiveness of your content, and tips for freelancers.
Lifehacker is a weblog about life hacks and software. Their blog posts cover a wide range of topics from technology to general life tips and tricks.
Medium is an online publishing platform. Articles often offer uniquely compelling ideas and knowledge submitted by independent voices. The best part? No ads.
The Nu School is an online learning platform for web design professionals. Classes are geared toward teaching freelancers how to run a successful business.
Onextrapixel is a web design and development online magazine. They feature articles that share useful tips, news, tutorials, tools and resources, on design, development and other inspirational topics. For freelancers, this is a great resource for staying on top of the latest web design and development trends.
ProBlogger is a blog dedicated to teaching bloggers (and those wanting to start one) how to start and improve their blogs. The website provides access to well over 8000 articles, tips, tutorials, and case studies on blogging best practices.
Skillshare is an online learning platform that offers unlimited online classes for a fixed monthly (or one yearly) fee. Once you sign up you get access to classes in design, sales, writing, web development, and more. You can even filter by freelancing and entreprenuership class topics to focus on the courses that mean the most to you.
TechCrunch is an online publisher that focuses on the tech industry. Articles usually report on the business related to tech, technology news, analysis of emerging trends in tech, and profiling of new tech businesses and products.
The Blogsmith creates SEO content for WordPress brands and other technology companies. The site has an excellent blog that freelancers can use to learn about how to grow their business from personal stories and useful perspectives.
The U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS is a unit of the United States Department of Labor. It measures labor market activity, working conditions, and price changes in the economy. You can use this site to get insightful statistics to use for your content marketing.
Udemy is an American online learning platform aimed at freelance consultants and students. No other online course platform comes close to offering as many courses on as many subjects. Their prices are very reasonable.
Your Creative Junkie is a graphic design training program. The site offers tuturials and articles to help you learn the business side of being a successful graphic design freelancer.