6 Free Web Apps to Help Organize Your Life

I was recently asked to research and write about six free web apps that could make life easier for a freelancer, and I compiled a list of apps that are free not just for a trial period, although these apps may charge fees for additional features.

Indie book authors can certainly be considered freelancers, so I am sharing this list here of free web apps that you could use to help organize your writing life. (Note that so far I personally only routinely use PayPal and Google Docs of the web apps on this list.)

PayPal.com — getting paid:

You can add the PayPal option to your author website. Then use the PayPal web app to track payments to you as well as sending money to others. (Although PayPal takes a processing cut on transactions, the setup is free.) When you order at www.paypal.com/here you can get the card reader for free for iPhone, iPad and most Android phones, which can be used at book signings.

Brightbook (mybrightbook.com) — accounting software:

This web app has free features that include the ability to create invoicing in any currency. And perhaps more importantly, this app can help you keep track of accounting and banking. Having free tools to do this can be a valuable timesaver.

MailChimp.com — build your email marketing list:

This web app has a free version that allows up to 2,000 subscribers, and you can send 12,000 emails to these subscribers for free. Great for keeping your book fans updated on your activities.

Pixlr.com — photo editing:

This is a web app for Windows and Mac as well as an app for iOS and Android. Whether you’re creating photos for your writing projects or for promoting yourself via social media, you’ll want a program that can help your photos shine.

Google Docs (drive.google.com) — simultaneous content creation:

You can create and edit documents online while collaborating with other users in real time either as a web app or as a mobile app for Android and iOS. Google Docs can be a great timesaver and eliminate the frustration of sending docs back and forth so many times that you risk confusing which version is the newest. (This could be very helpful for co-authors of a writing project.)

WeTransfer.com — large file transfer:

Send big (up to 2GB in the free version) or small files from A to B via this web app or via Android or iOS. This free app could be very valuable for delivering your book manuscript to someone.

Phyllis Zimbler Miller (@ZimblerMiller) is the author of fiction and nonfiction books/ebooks, including TOP TIPS FOR HOW TO PUBLISH AND MARKET YOUR BOOK IN THE AGE OF AMAZON and the romantic suspense spy thriller CIA FALL GUY, as well as newly written books not yet published. She can be reached at pzmiller@gmail.com