As a best freelance writer I’m always on the hunt for tools that make my life easier. I noticed that by using convenience tools that help me save time and develop a writing routine, I get a lot more of my freelance writing work done during the day.
Nowhere is this more important than when we get busier.
The funny thing is that once we use certain things we start to take them for granted and before we know it we forgot there was life without them. I actually had to rack my brain to come up with some ideas to list here, because I’m already spoilt. Therefore it is so easy to forget how little I knew before I started my freelance writing journey.
My Favourite Freelance Writing Tools:
WordPress: yes, without WordPress I wouldn’t be were I am today. Falling in love with the platform has enabled me to open myself to the world and in return attracted many clients and great business relationships.
My LapTop
Broadband Internet: gone are the days of dial up headaches and really this should be number one as without a fast Internet connection I would loose touch.
Open Office: what can I say, convert documents into PDF with the click of a mouse, it can’t get easier than that. Plus, with Open Office I can also convert documents to be readable in Microsoft Office XP and earlier. And it’s free.
Time Tracking Tools: I have written a post about this on my Blogging Web 2.0 blog. To this day it is the most popular. Using a time tracker has not only allowed me to see where I’m wasting time, but also to determine my hourly pay rate.
Skype: convenient, free, good quality communication tool.
Email Software: I accidentally managed to delete my Microsoft Outlook sometime last year and lost all my contacts. Since then I had to login into webmail to check my messages which often left me frustrated since it is such a slow process.
Worse even as soon as you leave the site for like 5 minutes you come back to see yourself logged out. Ggrrrrr…. you can imagine my joy now that I am back using a similar application.
External HardDrive: I wouldn’t know what else to do with all the stuff I need to keep. Having enough storage enables me to keep my laptop clutter free.
Time Out: since I have the tendency to totally overdo it when I’m fired up I have learnt to take time out on regular occasions. This could be in the form of reading a great book, watching mindless TV, going for a walk on the beach, indulging in one of my many craft projects (and no, it’s definitely not needle work 
) or some quality time with John or my friends.
This is really important to me, since I need some balance in my life and cannot possibly function if I work myself into sickness.
My Network: without you and other entrepreneurs worldwide I wouldn’t have half the work I do as a freelance writer. Networking is essential for most business owners but more so for freelancers. Building my social network all the time will assure me to get an unlimited supply of freelance writing work for a long time to come. It is the foundation of my business.
Monika
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I don’t think that you can beat the new Macbook Air for sexyness
Jylan: Isn’t it just.
MacBook is going to be my next laptop in maybe 2 years time. I just love the Mac’s look but know that I’ll have to get used to it’s functionality since the operating system is different.
But I’ve heard it many times before “once you have a Mac you never go back”. I’m eager to find out for myself.
You may think twice about that Mac with WordPress. I think, I think, I think…..
Mhhh..never heard about this being and issue. But then Mac is simply a dream and I haven’t gone further than that.
Monika,
Part of the Local Group. This is a great list. I am going to add a link to this article from various places. Should be interesting what happens. I’m very excited about this local group. I am very dedicated to making it happen…..except for my problem of course! (see elliots list page). I am really impressed with the look of your site. Keep up the good work.
Pennsylvania: great to see you stopping by taking a break from your hectic schedule.
Your blog looks good, I just love this theme and am using it on some of my other blogs too. I see you customized a little.
I’ll check out your prob too in a minute. Looking forward to a great network experience.
As a writer I can say that Freelance Writing Tools are very efficient. Thanks.
Derric: you are welcome.
[...] Computer tools every writer should have [...]
[...] Computer tools every writer should have [...]
[...] Computer tools every writer should have [...]
Monika,
I agree with Pennsylvania, your local niche site looks great.
I just got Skype a few minutes ago. I’ll have to send you my username.
If you have looked at my local niche site I definitely need to figure out how to set it up.
I haven’t had a lot of luck using wordpress before but that is because I never knew how to use it to its fullest potential.
I too have heard people rave about a Mac. They say that it beats everything else hands down. I had never heard anything about wordpress being an issue. But then what do I know?
Denise: thank you, I will Skype you Sunday morning your time. Or around lunch time. I am working hard to make this niche site successful. I’m already thinking on using a different theme and have one in mind that fits the bill perfectly.
But it will take some time to get it all set up like I want.
Hey, Monika!
Anyway, my site is finally up now 
Still in the process of that template but just had to post up some great news so yeah.
Hope you can drop by
Jasa
Jasa: I tried to load your site but it came up with an error. I will have to try again later, maybe you are working at it right now.
A tool I have used since 1987 for almost all of my writing and proposal preparation is MaxThink (www.maxthink.com). MaxThink is an outliner that helps us think through what we are trying to say.
Business Writing: thank you for this hint. I’ll go and check it out, might like to use it myself.
I’m using an Apple eMac and am having no problems with Wordpress. I don’t see why you should, either?
Jylan: that is great to know. I was hearing about Mac and WordPress before being not compatible. But then I know nothing about it at all. Good to know it is after all compatible as my next laptop will be a Mac.