Welcome to my recommendations page. I’ve found the products, resources, and services below useful over the years.
There are affiliate links on this page. This means I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to purchase through the links below. I only recommend products and services I have experience with.
Freelancer and Self-employment Resources
FreshBooks Accounting
Manage client invoices, track payments, record expenses and keep your business resources organized and ready for reconciliation when required with FreshBooks.
With tools created to support your business every step of the way, FreshBooks is an invaluable resource. Try FreshBooks for free + 50% off your first 3 months HERE.
Seth Godin’s Freelancer Course
Seth Godin’s Freelancer Course – This was one of the first courses I took when I started contemplating self-employment.
The Freelancer Course covers the essential things you need to know about launching as a freelancer. You can view my review of the course HERE. You can learn more about what the course offers HERE.
Guide to Entrepreneurship
Guy Kawasaki’s Guide to Entrepreneurship – This course covers the steps from idea to launching your business, possible pitfalls to avoid, and brand identity among other things.
If you’re still dabbling with your business plan, in paper or in your head, this course should help you get going and answer a few of your pressing questions. You can view my review of the course HERE.
BLOGGING RESOURCES
Branding & Video Creation
Canva
Canva is an online drag-and-drop graphic designer for small businesses and content creators. I have created many designs, content, and videos for my websites and social media pages with elements on Canva.
I created the logo for this website on Canva and I’ve written extensively about Canva on the website. Start your 30-day free trial HERE.
Animoto
Create unlimited videos with the professional tools available on Animoto. Offering over a million stock photos and videos, 3,000 music tracks, high-quality video downloads, and much more.
You can create a free account and when you’re ready to upgrade, you can save 10% on annual pro and pro plus plans with code ANNUAL10 HERE.
Placeit by Envato
Placeit is similar to Canva but with a different interface and options. With a Placeit subscription, you can create unlimited mockups, designs, logos, and videos.
You can start a free account and learn more about Placeit by Envato HERE.
Website Hosting with Siteground
Siteground – One of the best hosting companies where you can buy a hosting package on a month-to-month basis but if you buy in bulk over 1 – 2 years, you will receive a substantial discount and it works out to as little as $6.99/month for starters.
Website Hosting with BigScoots
BigScoots is another great hosting company with lightning-fast customer service. I host my websites on both BigScoots and Siteground because I like having options when it comes to these things.
BigScoot services start from $5.95/month and you can choose to pay monthly or annually but you’ll save more money with an annual payment. See the service packages HERE.
Install Genesis Framework on WordPress
Genesis Framework – With thousands of child themes that you can customize pretty much any way you want without mucking about with code. Genesis Framework has a clean and minimal look.
You have the option of buying the framework plus a child’s theme or signing up for a membership for access to all the child’s themes. The Genesis Framework also comes with a free child’s theme.
Best Child Theme for WordPress Sites
Restored316 Themes are professional, responsive, and fully customizable. I wrote an in-depth breakdown of Resotred316 Themes with feedback from previous customers HERE.
GeneratePress Themes
GeneratePress is a performance-focused theme that takes speed, security, and usability very seriously. Google loves these qualities!
It’s secure, stable and search engine optimized out of the box with a pre-built site library of over 30 easily customizable themes.
Just pay for the yearly or lifetime license and you can use GeneratePress on as many sites as you like.
The Writer Entrepreneur is built on GeneratePress and it’s the only other theme I use apart from Restored316 on Genesis Framework.
You can read my comprehensive review on GeneratePress here. Learn more about GeneratePress HERE.
Buy Cheap Domain Names
Namecheap – This is a cost-effective domain registrar that offers discount codes every month. You can register your domain name for less than $10/year HERE.
Social Media Scheduling
Tailwind is one of the best social media scheduling tools for bloggers and small businesses. Tailwind allows you to schedule up to 500 pins at a time and can also be integrated with Instagram & Facebook.
There is a free trial version where you can schedule up to 100 pins for free. Afterward, pricing starts from $14.99/month.
Email Marketing with ConvertKit
ConvertKit is one of the best email marketing management companies. It’s a little more expensive than Mailerlite but it gives you a lot of bang for your buck.
ConvertKit has a lot of templates and design elements for you to choose from.
Additionally, ConvertKit level of customer service is excellent. View their excellent webinar for converting your first 1,000 subscribers HERE.
Email Marketing with MailerLite
Mailerlite is budget-friendly, simple, and easy to use. With a powerful editor, beautiful templates, powerful automation, split testing, excellent integrations and so much more.
The customer support is also super speedy. Learn more about their service and start with Mailerlite HERE.
Email Marketing with GetResponse
GetResponse is my choice for clients with bigger lists because of their rich features.
GetResponse is evolving into an all-in-one marketing solution that provides webinar hosting, landing pages, and basic CRM (customer relationship management) options. Try GetResponse for free for 30 days HERE.
Search Engine Optimization with SEMrush
Carry out comprehensive keyword research, competitor analysis, and Google Ad optimization with SEMrush. It’s an immensely useful tool for small to midsized business owners and will really help you learn how to create the best content for your niche and audience so you can rank better. Start a free trial when you sign up HERE.
Save on Furnishing Your Home Office
Bulk Office Supply – Setting up a home office can become expensive quickly but with Bulk Office Supply, you can get everything you need at budget-friendly prices.
Additionally, they offer free shipping on all orders over $45 and there’s always a sale going on.
When you order your supplies in bulk, you save even more money. See their range of affordable office supplies HERE.
MONEY-SAVING RESOURCES
Earn Cashback With Rakuten
Earn free cashback when making purchases on websites like Rakuten. On Rakuten, you can make purchases for things you would normally buy online and they have thousands of stores too!
A few of the stores include Toys R Us, Nike, American Eagle, Walmart, Shein, Target, J.C Penny, OshKosh, Gap and so much more! Additionally, you’ll get a $30 reward when you make your first purchase through Rakuten. Sign up with my link to get your reward.
Invest Your Spare Change With Moka
Moka is an app that automatically rounds up your purchases and invests all your spare change. Save more, spend less, and invest smarter hassle-free with the Moka app. Moka is available in Canada and France. Download the Moka app HERE.
HEALTH & FITNESS RESOURCES
FitBit for Fitness
Fitbit is a device that is worn on the wrist like a watch. It tracks your steps throughout the day. It also tracks calories burned and the distance walked.
If you don’t get enough physical activity every day or spend too much time sitting down and staring at a computer, a Fitbit will motivate you to do more and compete with yourself against your daily/weekly best. Grab your Fitbit HERE.