Freelancing Resources

General Information and Resources

Guerilla Freelancing
Strategy guides for maintaining a successful career

30 Things to Know About Freelancing

40 Great Resources
A roadmap for freelancing

Mashable: Tool for Freelancers
Web tools to keep you organized

Business Plans for Artists
Why you should have a business plan, and what goes in it

Ulancer
Tips and resources for freelancers

Erin E. Flynn
Boundaries freelancers should set with clients

Nesha Designs
Suggestions for online invoicing, project management and time tracking

Intellectual Property Resources:

Creative Commons:
Make your work accessible to others using parameters you set, or find royalty-free work to use in your own projects.

How to Register a Trademark
Thorough walk-through of why and how you can register a trademark.

US Copyright Office
Guides to help you better understand copyrights; also links to fees and procedures for registering a copyright.

Arts Law for Everyone
Tips for artists and musicians

Pricing, Taxes and Invoicing

Tax Tips to Live By
Navigating taxes as a freelancer

Invotrak
Online invoicing

Freelance Writing Rates
One early-career writer shares her rates for various freelance projects

Chicago Area Support:

Chicago Artists Resource
Seminars and online resources for artists

Self-Employment in the Arts Conference
Annual conference and networking opportunities

Grant Writing and Funding:

Guide Star
Resources for applying to government grants

Grants.gov
Find and apply for government grants

Kickstarter
Columbia's curated page featuring student and alumni projects

City of Chicago Cultural Grants
For artists and arts organizations

Illinois Arts Council

Donor's ForumGrant writing resources and directory of grantmakers

Industry Specific

CMD+Shift Design
Blog from a Seattle design studio

The Middle Finger Project
Blog focused on freelance copywriting

Business Management and Accounting Software

Quickbooks

Fresh Books

Working Point

Microsoft Xcel (estimating)

Blinkbid

Career Center Recommended Service Providers:

Rockstar CPA
Martin is a frequent Freelancing Tool Kit presenter, and he founded an accounting firm that understands creative freelancers. You don't have to figure out income taxes alone!

Fractured Atlas
Great resource for liability and health insurance, funding support and tons of online resources.