admin It’s been decades since I quit my 9-to-5 job and started working as a freelancer. Time flew by, and technology introduced some unbelievably amazing tools that were capable of doing almost everything.
Freelancing is fun; you are your own boss, take as many breaks as you want, and work on your terms. Speaking from experience, freelancing has also become a lot easier.
If you’re aspiring to be a freelancer or struggling with workload, or even facing productivity issues, I’ve got some tech tools to share. I’ve been using the following tools for some time now, and I can confidently say that they’re a game-changer.
But before I get to them, there’s one thing you need to be mindful of: your home internet connection. Some of these tools are bandwidth-heavy and might become unresponsive on a spotty connection. Luckily, I’m equipped with Verizon Fios Internet, a fiber connection that offers symmetrical speeds. And though my family uses the same connection, tech tools have never slowed down or become sluggish on Verizon.
Now, let’s start with some of the best tools that every freelancer must have:
- GanttPRO
Freelancers, especially newbies, may find it extremely difficult to manage the increasing workload. While some manage the pressure, others succumb to it, and as a result, they miss deadlines.
Well, if you’re dealing with the same problem, then I’ve got a solution for you: GanttPRO, a project-visualization tool. Though I have tried several work-visualization tools, GanttPRO outperforms them all.
This tool lets you plan and manage different projects simultaneously. As a freelancer, you can also allocate your time and resources to different tasks, and mention it in this software. Freelancers can also mark critical milestones and set and monitor deadlines of different projects.
All in all, GanttPRO is one of those tech tools that keeps you informed about your pending tasks. And at the same time, it helps you complete each of them by boosting your productivity.
- ChatGPT
This tech tool is a no-brainer on this list. ChatGPT is one of the best and most intelligent tools I’ve used till now. The scope of its work is almost limitless, and it doesn’t matter if you offer writing services or sort out budgets for small businesses; ChatGPT can help you with everything.
Personally, I offer writing services on Fiverr and Upwork. From writing detailed proposals to brainstorming content ideas and creating outlines, ChatGPT is my go-to tool.
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Having said that, there are two things you should keep in mind while using ChatGPT. Firstly, you must give clear prompts to ChatGPT to get the best possible output. Secondly, whether you’re using ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, or any other AI-powered chatbot, they’re all prone to mistakes and may generate inaccurate results.
So, to be on the safe side, it’s best to always verify information ChatGPT produces with a credible source.
- Stripe
Today, freelancers can win international clients with the help of platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, etc. While landing an international client is surely fascinating and increases the target audience for them, it may also create payment issues.
Sending or receiving money from one country to another might be a hassle. Not to mention the disparity between different currencies can also create some confusion for freelancers.
Stripe is one of those payment tools that makes the whole process a walk in the park. It lets you receive money from every nook and corner of the world, straight to your wallet or bank account.
Stripe also has an integrated currency exchange system. It can automatically exchange different currencies into your preferred currency at the latest market rates.
In addition, you can also use Stripe to create invoices and automate payment reminders. In short, I believe that this tool alone is enough to handle all freelance financial needs.
- Asana
It is a project management tool that can significantly help freelancers to sort out different tasks. Just like GanttPRO can help freelancers to visualize their workload, Asana can help them to meet their deadlines.
What I like most about Asana is that it is free for individuals. Coming to its features, Asana offers a Kanban board. I believe it’s quite helpful, especially for freelancers who work on several projects simultaneously.
Freelancers can add different projects and set their completion deadlines. Also, freelancers who outsource their work will also find Asana to be extremely helpful. They can delegate tasks to other people on Asana, monitor their progress, and even communicate with them without leaving the platform.
So, these are my top four must-have tech tools that freelancers should have in their repertoire. But before I wind up, there are a few more tools I would like to mention:
- Slack – Best for communicating with clients
- Canva – Best for designing logos, images, etc.
- Grammarly – Best for writing, editing, and proofreading content
- MailChimp – Best for running email marketing campaigns
- Google Drive – Best for saving documents, files, etc, on the cloud
