Who here hates free stuff?
No one? Then this post is for you. 😉 (The way I know it’s for you is because you asked for it. :P) I’m sharing the top 12 free resources for writers that I use on almost a daily basis. (Tweet this) Are you ready? Are you sure?
These resources will be most helpful to those who write or blog. I’m not including main social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest because those are givens. I hope to do another post for readers in the future.
1. PicMonkey.com
I’ve grown more and more addicted to excited about making graphics ever since Kristen Lamb turned me on to PicMonkey. This is where I make all my fun graphics or add text to things. I make my own Facebook banners and promo graphics and like to think that they look professional. *shifty eyes*
2. Bitly.com
Bitly takes a long URL and shortens it into a cute little link. ? I love these cute little links because they just make tweets look that much more professional. I use Bitly ALL. THE. TIME. Also, it keeps track of clicks and how many people followed the link. Handy dandy!
3. Novel Marketing Podcast
Thomas Umstattd Jr. and James L. Rubart join forces and educate us poor weepy authors who are non-savvy in marketing on … HOW TO MARKET! They cover topics like blogs, newsletters, reviews, how to not hide in your little introverted corner (or how to survive when you do hide in your introverted corner.) They’re brilliant and I wish they’d just come out with a podcast EVERY DAY because I listen to them while washing dishes.
It’s very effective.
4. MailChimp
If you obey my commands and subscribe to #3, then you will probably hear something about newsletters on the Novel Marketing Podcast. Listen to the advice, young padawans! Listen to Thomas and James! Start. A. Newsletter.
Don’t know how? Well, my friend, Google (and the Novel Marketing Podcast!) is a beautiful thing. Go to Mailchimp and start one.
Don’t have a following? I don’t care. Start a newsletter.
Don’t know what to write? Doesn’t matter. Start gathering e-mails and start a newsletter.
Don’t have a book published? (Can you guess what I’m going to say?) START A NEWSLETTER! And Mailchimp is a great place to do it. Mailchimp is free for the first 5,000 newsletter subscribers. It’s easy. It’s just…do it. Now. Don’t ask questions. 😉
5. Evernote
Evernote. It’s a lovely blend of “everywhere” and “notebook.” Evernote is a little notebook app that synchronizes everything and never loses your stuff and is a notebook in your pocket whenever you want it, wherever you want it, as big as you want it…*deep breath* … IT’S AMAZING, JUST DOWNLOAD IT, OKAY?! Besides, the app has this cute little elephant on it. How can you say no?
I’ve used this to take notes, to plan out my Facebook parties, to write scenes for a book when I’m traveling, etc. I usually prefer pen and paper, but this is one app for which I’ll make an exception.
6. 1K1Hr Facebook Page
Daily wordcounts. Ugh. I love them and I hate them and I almost always ignore them. 😛 But when I need extra motivation to keep writing (even when I don’t want to) this little Facebook group is great! You just post that you’re going to be writing for the next hour and then a buddy might pop up and write with you.
The goal? 1,000 words in one hour. Just think if you did that every day?! Your book would be done in just a couple months!
7. My Write Club
This is currently in beta mode, but it’s brilliant. It’s basically a place to list your goals and then update them as you’re writing, editing, or even reading! You can find buddies who can encourage you and set your own deadlines. Since I do freelance editing, I love it and use it in conjunction with my Calendar. It can also be a fun way to keep up on the progress done by your writing friends! 🙂
8. Jeff Gerke’s Writing Tips
What you probably know already: Jeff Gerke is a genius.
What you probably didn’t know: He shares his geniusness (totally a word) with all of you for free! These tips will help you tighten virtually every aspect of your novel. Whenever I have a question about description or POV or anything really, I’ll either crack open one of his books (because I own all of them, as should you) or I pop on over to this site to see if there’s a tip or trick on the topic I’m looking for.
9. Click to Tweet
This is where you can pre-make a tweet and then just put it all in a link so that the person just needs to click the link and the tweet is all set up for them. I use this often in my blog posts (pretty much everywhere I say, Tweet this!)
Now this is only free for the first five set-ups, I think. Then it’s somewhere around $7 a month, but I use it enough that it pretty much pays for itself. It’s nice to give your blog viewers a quick button to press with an auto-tweet function.
10. The Outdoors
No, this isn’t an app, or a book, or a blog. I’m being literal here. Step outside, peeps! I get so much inspiration from the accosting of my senses from God’s creation. I mean, I’m pretty sure God intended things to be like that. Take a camera, leave behind the headphones (just for a couple minutes!) and breathe in creation.
*heavenly sigh*
11. Goodreads
This is a great one for authors and readers alike. Get. On. Goodreads. NOW! Some people are nervous about it being “another social media to add to the list” but it’s different. It’s laid back, relaxed, and doesn’t take much interaction from you. It’s more for you than for interaction. It keeps tracks of books you like to read, you can make favorite shelves, meet fellow readers, vote for your favorite reads, and discover more books. If you’re an author — published or unpublished — it lets readers find you and get to know you. I go on Goodreads a couple times a week (come find me!). That’s it. Check it out, sign up, and be relaxed about it — it’s a resource anyone who likes books needs.
12. Go Teen Writers Blog
I’m not a teen, but I am a writer, and this blog by Jill Williamson and Stephanie Morrill is FANTASTIC! Genius! Filled with excellent tidbits and advice and guidance. Almost every blog post of theirs draws me in and leaves me further educated or inspired as an author.
Which resource are you most excited about using? Did I miss a good one?
These are great! Thanks for sharing, Nadine!
My pleasure! 🙂 And thank you! 😀
Awesome! Some of them I know, but not Bitly or click to tweet, which was something I’ve been wondering about! The others were a good reminder to do them! Novel Marketing podcast, outdoors! I have OneNote, and love it, but it is not free. When it comes to purchasing my next word program, I will have to consider Evernote, especially if it’s something that can sync from my phone to my computer.
Thanks for sharing!
Yes, I use Bitly and ClicktoTweet with every blog post!
Definitely consider Evernote. It’s fantastic! 🙂 Though if I’m planning to write a whole novel on the app, I might go with something else. It’s ideal for notes or a few pages if you don’t have your computer handy. 😛
I love Evernote!!!! Some of the others I haven’t heard of before, thanks for sharing.
My pleasure! Evernote’s definitely at the top of that list in my book. 🙂
Fun! I shared your post on Twitter. Thanks for putting together the list!
Aww, thank you Karen! 🙂
Thanks for sharing! I used clicked to tweet until it started costing money. *sobs* I do have a writing budget, but it is minuscule. Thanks for the promotion of Bitly! And the Mail Chimp..still working on a newsletter. Trying to throw together a freebie for it (in my nonexistent spare time), because I love freebies, but I might end up just promoting that awesome extra freebies come if you sign up. Which is true, because I’m constantly dreaming up new tidbits on cultures and world-building and humor and randomosity. It’s what I do!
One of my favorite writing resources is history. There is so much inspiration to be gleaned from the past! I sign up for “This Day in History” and get emails that jog my brain with fascinating facts.
I hear you. When I first started using Click to Tweet I didn’t know it had a limit, LOL.
Good point with history. There’s SO much to be gleaned from that! I’ll have to check out that email.
I’m always late to commenting on these things. Thanks so much for sharing! I’ve been looking for a good marketing podcast and have already listened to three on the Novel Marketing one. Also. Newsletters. I’m terrible at blogging, and have been considering starting a newsletter, but then I shove the very thought out of my mind. But… if you say I must… then I guess I will… 😉
DO IT! Start a newsletter! All that means is start gathering e-mail addresses. Have a sign up. You don’t have to be sending anything out right now, but that way when you DO start sending it, you’ll at least have people to send it to! 🙂
Nadine, these are all fantastic. I’ve used some before, but many I hadn’t heard of at all. I love free stuff, and free, USEFUL stuff is even better! Thanks for passing these on! 🙂
My pleasure, Amy! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!