I just wanted to post a short list of resources that I think would help any designer who is on their way to freelance efficiency!
Freelance Switch is a great resource overall and they publish great lists all the time. Here are my favorites from their infamous
101 Essential Freelancing resources article.
- My New Company – Legal and general start-up information
- Designers Toolbox – Free legal forms for graphic designers
- Copyright – Everything you need to know about US copyright
- AIGA Form of Agreement – Standard form of agreement for design services template
- HelpMeWork – US – Services to help you focus on what you know best
- CreativeCommons – For licensing…just about anything
- Creative Public - Useful site for anyone starting a freelance graphic or web design career. A $49.95 fee buys unlimited access to forms, manuals, pricing guides, contracts etc
- You Send It – Send files up to 2GB online
- Jewelboxing – superior packaging for short run CDs and DVDs
- PowerXChange – Extensions for a variety of creative software, including Acrobat, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Dreamweaver
- Dropsend – Email up to 1GB of files
- Media Fire – Send 100MB files online
- Box – Store, share and access files online
- Icebrrg – Simple web forms
- Formsite – Web forms and surveys in minutes
- Kuler – Colour scheme picker
- Pixie – A useful little colour picker
- ColourSchemer – A bunch of colour tools
- Jungle Disk – Online storage for 15 cents a gigabyte
- AskCharity – free online contacts for journalists
- TechInline – Remote Desktop Software
- Protolize – Web Resource Directory
- Proposal Kit – Proposal and contract management tools
- Ta-Da Lists – a simple (free!) to-do list application that can be shared with the world
- Backpack – Service that integrates to-do lists, notes, files, images, and a calendar with reminders that can be sent to your email or cell
- Writeboard – Sharable, web-based text documents that save edits, so you can collaborate, roll back and compare
- ConceptShare - Share designs and get feedback with visual annotation tools
- Wridea – Free tool for writers focusing on idea generation
- GoPlan – Note-taking, calendaring, task management, issue tracking, file management and online real-time chat
- Toodledo – Another web based to-do list
- ActiveCollab – Open source collaboration and project management tool
- MonkeyOn – Your to-do list for things that you want other people to do
- Remember The Milk – Another To-Do List manager
- HighRise – Track communication and conversations with leads, employees, clients, colleagues, vendors
- Campfire – Real-time group chat and file sharing
- Central Desktop – Shared workspaces and web conferencing
- Relenta – Manage your email, contacts, documents and activities
- Google Apps – Communication and collaboration tools from Google
- Zoho – Free office tools
- Campaign Monitor – Email newsletter software
- MailBuild – More newsletter software
- Breeze – Email campaign and newsletter software
- Business-Paper – Easy business cards
- GoToMeeting – Easy online meetings
- Wufoo – Make forms to survey your clients
- AIGA Spec Letter – Sample letter to communicate with clients who want spec work or free pitching
- CPA Directory – Find an accountant (in the US)
- SBA – Small Business Administration, help and advice
- Paypal – Online payment system
- Moneybookers – Online payment system
- Escrow – Online payment system that protects the buyer and seller, useful for those bigger jobs with anonymous clients.
- Resources for the Design Entrepeneur – Free sample forms and agreements
- Work – How-to guides to running a small business
- XE – Quick and easy currency converter for all your international transactions
- Trendwatching – Consumer trends and insights resource
Here are some books to top it all off:
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