Ekene EziaguluWhile some may argue that offline gigs are still a contributory factor in getting engagements, many others agree that the Internet possesses a much broader spread and reach.
Consider websites as the information cavalry of the World Wide Web. These sites deploy fast at a moment’s notice and never go on vacation or take afternoon naps. They stand guard so that you the freelancer can access data, analysis, tidbits as well as other resources to give your career the traction it requires.
Without further ado, the following sites should take centre stage on your computer’s list of bookmarks:
Grammarly
If you are a freelance writer, then you know that clients demand unique and compelling content that draws traffic and reader engagement. But beyond good content, another important requirement is grammatically correct and structured writing. You know how it feels when reading through an article that is deficient in terms of tenses and structure, right? and except you are also an excellent proof-reader or know someone who is, then you need help ensuring that your articles are spot-on, grammar-wise.
Welcome Grammarly.com.This website works behind the scene and turns you and your writing into superstars. Not only does the site dot your “Is” and cross your “Ts”, but you also get appropriate word suggestions in the context of what you are writing.
With Grammarly, you can rest assured that your articles will come out spick and span, to the delight of your client and your business.
The hemming way app is another potent tool that should form a part of the arsenal of the average freelance writer. The website promises to make your writing bold, clear and easy-to-understand.
With a readability index and prompts that show unnecessary word/structures usage like the number of adverbs, the use of passive voice as well as complex sentence structures, Hemingway gives you the leverage to edit and refine your writing for clarity and correctness.
So before you send your work on a journey of a possible return( take that as a rejection), do well to pass it through the Hemingway application.
2ality
For those freelancers who are into software and web development and design, you will agree that there is always a challenge, a learning curve in the world of coding and programming. and 2ality understands this peculiarity and sets about to help coders/programmers refine their knowledge and craft.
Managed by Dr Axel Rauschmayer, a leading figure in the web development and Javascript world, 2ality features free ebooks, tutorials as well as helpful blog posts to help you gain traction in your software development career as a freelancer.
Smashing Magazine
Looking for a one-stop shop on the internet regarding best practices in Web development, starting from network performance, user experience best practices, CSS design and animation, backend-related articles (PHP, RoR) and a lot of other JavaScript-related topics, look no further than Smashing Magazine.
This resource-rich website gives you ample ammunition to take down any complex programming task. You can fuel your coding imagination by flipping through the section of the website including coding, design, mobile devices as well as graphics/animation.
Dzone
Dzone prides itself as a technology portal that provides useful content on a regular basis. Freelance programmes can access topics relating to Data Management, Cloud Computing, and Java programming, as well as Web development.
There are also tidbits and downloadable tutorials covering web development, backend technologies, python frameworks as well as front-end data management.
CSS Tricks
Don’t be fooled by the name. This coding/programming instructional website offers much more than its name suggests. So if you do decide to bookmark this web portal, then you can access rich content on JavaScript and Web development.
The website also runs live video tutorials on Web design and CSS basics. You can further take advantage of an interactive forum, where fellow designers help out and make insightful suggestions.
Twitter Engineering
If you are a freelance tech enthusiast and have a bias for all the potentials yet to be unlocked from the online platform Twitter, then you are in luck. all you need to do right now is to bookmark Twitter Engineering. Twitter gained popularity with the idea of posting messages 140 characters long.
Now you can explore that idea and more from Twitter engineering, with access to insightful blogs, open source web technologies as well as engineering infrastructure.
Figure It Out (FIO)
This web resource aims to kick out the confusion that arises with dealing with clients in a different time zone. With FIO, you can enter locations and places where you would like to keep a track of, and then go to bed!
The website ensures that you keep abreast of time schedules and deadlines, no matter where in the world you work from. FIO makes the world a truly global village of interconnectedness.
99designs
This website will serve the freelance graphic designer who is dead sure about his/her abilities. Unlike conventional sites, 99designs works by creating a healthy competition among graphic designers. So rather than submit bids for any projects, freelancers enter for specific contests, where the winner gets paid for the best work. Not for the faint-hearted, I must say!
Envato
Envato is a haven for the freelance marketer. Beyond being just a freelance marketplace, Envato comprises an entire business ecosystem of sites where you can buy and sell products and services including photos, music, video, website themes, templates as well as domains.
Envato also works in collaboration with other websites like ThemeForest, GraphicRiver, CodeCanyon, VideoHive, PhotoDune, 3DOcean, audioJungle among others, giving you a holistic marketing experience.
The list above is by no means exhaustive. Every day throws up one or more website or online resource targeted to help the average freelancer gain requisite skills and conditioning. If you know of any other helpful tool or website, feel free to share them in the comment section below.
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Ebukun Gbemisola Ogunyemi