She Freelances Resources is a curated list of resources about freelancing and being a woman in business. Whether you’re just starting out or have been freelancing for a while these articles and resources have some gems in them that have helped us along the way.
Hubs of Information:
Freelancer’s Union: The Freelancer’s Union is a national membership organization that offers independent workers insurance, advocates for freelance issues, and provides a one-stop-shop for resources on “business, finances, and fun.”
Freshbooks Blog: FreshBooks is an accounting tool and a hub of valuable information that helps small businesses run and small business owners (that’s you!) thrive.
Self Made, a blog from National Association for the Self Employed,: NASE, a membership association for freelancers, runs this blog about how to run a successful freelance or micro business.
Freelance Resources from Skillcrush: Skillcrush provides classes to learn to code and has a blog filled with great resources to help freelancers get started and stay motivated.
And.Co Blog: And.Co is an accounting and business management tool that also has a blog filled with information on freelancing, the future of work, tax hacks, inspiration, and more.
The Freelancer by Contently: Contently provides robust, up-to-date information on the freelance industry and how freelancers can be successful — no matter what. (Editorial Note: We do not believe their rates calculator and rates database are representative of what you *should* be charging. so use it as a starting point)
Articles:
Every Resource a Full-Time Freelancer Could Ever Need (Plus Some) from The Muse
Starting a Freelance Business: A Step-by-Step Guide from Hubspot
Women in Freelancing from goLance
Work Isn’t Working: The Real Reason More Women Are Going Freelance from Refinery29
The Follow-Up Is the Most Important Email You’ll Ever Write from Forge
How to get started as a freelancer from Legal Zoom
Communities:
Collective Strength Events: Feminist leadership events for womxn and nonbinary folks. Philadelphia-based, some events online.
City-based Freelance Communities: Supportive communities of fellow freelancers near you that can help you work better, feel connected, and be successful at whatever you do. Freelance DC, Freelance Philly, Freelance Phoenix, Freelance Northern Virginia, Freelance Richmond
Freelancing Females: Freelancing Females is a global community of over 200,00 women in our network redefining 9-5. They also have a rate sheet! (Which, again, should only be a starting point.)
Ladies Get Paid: Ladies Get Paid provides the tools, resources, and community to help women negotiate for equal pay, and power in the workplace.
Administrative Resources:
Standard Contract Template from AIGA (the professional association for design)
Taxes for Artists – An Instagram that provides no-nonsense tax education for artists, freelancers, and small business owners.
Harvest Blog: Harvest, an accounting tool for small businesses, also has a resource center that provides time tracking and invoice resources including “guides and templates to help you work better.”
Podcasts & Videos:
Strong Feelings Podcast – Podcast for feminists at work. “No ‘leaning in’ or fake productivity hacks required.” (Now on hiatus.)
Call Your Girlfriend (episode): “Self employment real talk: How we went from office workers to freelance to boss ladies”
Deliberate Freelancer from @MelEdits
The Futur: “Our mission is to teach 1 billion people how to make a living doing what they love.” (Editorial Note: These are dudes who sometimes come off as… dudes. But there is a lesson in confidence and self worth here.)
Right on Time: “Yes, it’s time to start following the dream, the calling, the nudge you have to do something different, right now. In this podcast, Amber McCue explores the timing of success and growth.”
Books:
Brutally honest – “Brutally Honest is chock full of advice, insights, best business practices, and actionable strategies as well as 20 compelling, real-world case studies from other creative professionals.”
The Freelancer’s Bible – “The Freelancer’s Bible will help those new to freelancing learn the ropes, and will help those who’ve been freelancing for a while grow and expand.”
Events, Classes & Skillbuilding:
Freelance Courses from Linkedin Learning (Your library card may get you access for free!)
Successful Negotiation: Essential Strategies and Skills from Coursera (Check out the other relevant courses available from Coursera, too!)
Freelancing Courses from Udemy
Creative Mornings – CreativeMornings is the world’s largest face-to-face creative community