Guest post by Patsy

Time is the either the best friend or the greatest enemy of a writer. With the right tool, a writer can reclaim their time. This can mean that writing is easier, projects are completed on time, and there is better communication between writer and client. The Internet is a goldmine of great tools that writers can use to help make their job much easier. These tools are a combination of free and paid tools, but are well worth taking a look at.

1. Copyscape

The biggest problem online is that of plagiarism. Many people steal someone else’s work to pass off as their own. Copyscape helps you determine if someone is stealing your writing. It is a paid service, but worth the investment to protect your writing and brand.

2. Scribd

This is a great website for writers to store their documents, sell ebooks, and even do some research of different whitepapers and documents.

3. Skype

Talking to clients can sometimes be quite difficult as people are spread out all over the globe. Skype phone calls, or video conferencing makes the world a lot smaller.

4. Web SEO Analytics

This is a powerful tool that helps to optimize online documents for the various search engines. There is a large array of tools that are free to use.

5. Delicious

The Delicious website is one of the first bookmarking websites and still the best. There is plenty of opportunity for great ideas and checking out what else is being written about a topic.

6. Twitter

Twitter have quickly become the social media networking tool of choice for many people today. Engaging in conversations can help greatly with writing and brainstorming.

7. Google Docs

With Google Docs you can create, edit, and share documents with other people. Great for collaboration and for sending finished projects to clients.

8. Gramlee

This is a paid service which helps improve word usage and correct grammar. A great tool to improve writing overall.

9. Evernote

Evernote is an online bookmarking website that also allows you to create notes, save webpages, and even save audio clips. There is also a mobile version for jotting down ideas on the go.

10. Wridea

A great brainstorming website, Wridea, is free to users and holds plenty of ideas for when you are stuck on a particular topic.

11. Toodledo

Toodledo is a great online tool to help with tracking projects, due dates, priorities, and goals.

12. Dictionary.com

For anyone who is constantly reaching for that one word that you simply can’t remember, Dictionary.com is there to help. They have a great range of tools for finding definition, spelling, and even an online thesaurus.

13. Stock.xchange

A great website for when your project, or your blog, need to have an image to go along with the words. The pictures are free to use.

14. BlinkSale

Send invoices online, create recurring templates, and keep track of open invoices with the use of BlinkSale.

15. SlimTimer

A tool for keeping track of the time that is spent on a particular project. With this information you can then bill clients with the correct information.

16. Dropbox

There are times when you need access to files when you are not on your computer. Dropbox allows you to access your computer files, share them with other users and even have a mobile application for on the go viewing and editing.

17. WordFast

A handy translation website that will translate any language into your own.

18. CentralDesktop

Allows freelancers to share their desktop with other members of a team, or clients for collaboration, directions, and refinement of projects.

19. PayPal

Many clients prefer to pay with the online payment processor PayPal. It is easy to set up an account and you can send the money directly to your own bank account.

20. Outright.com

Keeping track of writing income is much easier with the free service at Outright.com. Takes all the guess work out of tracking income, taxes, and bookkeeping.

Patsy works for Go-gulf.com, a Kuwait web design company that provides web design solution in Qatar, Sharjah and Middle East.

Additional Writing Resources:

• Make Money From Home – Real Jobs You Can Do by Telecommuting
• Create Multiple Articles from Just One
• How to Write Your Own Ebook in 7 Days
• Freelance Writing Jobs