Best Free Online Tools for Writers

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by jhmattern, Feb 25, 2009.

  1. sandarr

    sandarr Well-Known Member

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    #41
    I realize I am late and this will not apply to the list, but it is a great tool for research. It is copernic, which is a desktop search tool. There is a free version and a paid version, which just adds more, however the free version searches with up to 90 engines and 10 categories. http://www.copernic.com/en/products/agent/compare.html
     
    sandarr, Apr 5, 2009 IP
  2. Johnscore

    Johnscore Member

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    #42
    Those are good links!
     
    Johnscore, Apr 9, 2009 IP
  3. theultimate1

    theultimate1 Well-Known Member

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    #43
    Tell us you'd never take a freebie that offered value to you. If you wouldn't, I'd laugh at you. Please stop ridiculing people.
     
    theultimate1, Apr 9, 2009 IP
  4. bollinger1985

    bollinger1985 Peon

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    #44
    There is a software called wordflood. It is a great tool for writing blog posts
     
    bollinger1985, Apr 9, 2009 IP
  5. David Hurley

    David Hurley Greenhorn

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    #45
    David Hurley, Apr 9, 2009 IP
    omshanti likes this.
  6. omshanti

    omshanti Well-Known Member

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    #46
    Jen,

    It's fabulous that you started a great thread here and I have used PrimoPDF before.

    The thing is I have a problem here:

    The form on my landing home page of my site: webcopywritersblog.com isn't looking great which is why I am disturbed by the same. However, I am looking for a alternative.

    I really thank Pritzel (Rep Added) for telling us about wufoo.com and I am checking it out! looks great! However, let me know what I can do about it. Any clues?

    Some Tools:

    Mindjet Mindmapping Software (Brilliant)
    Yahoo Plugins for desktop
    Windows Live Writer for Article Writing / Blog Posting!

    Also, I have got your ebook printed and would read as soon as I get time.

    BTW, do you know whether any copywriting tools can be of help while writing sales letters other than glyphius (a software for sales copy)?

    Also, apart from copyscape.com and article checker.com, what are the other places where I could check content for uniqueness?

    I would be glad to know a lot from my inspiration (Jennifer Mattern). Let me tell you this. I am doing great because of your contribution on this forum and I have been able to charge a great price for much of my work.

    The only thing I am struggling with is to build a portfolio (by charging the regular pricing or whether I must do it for a measly low amount: I'm dazed and confused). Anyway I do not wish to go off the topic, let me know if you know any great tools for sales copy and uniqueness, okay? great! Thank youu Jen for being a pillar of inspiration!
     
    omshanti, Apr 11, 2009 IP
  7. Cash Nebula

    Cash Nebula Peon

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    #47
    AbiWord
    It's just as good as OpenOffice for writing simple articles, but not nearly as bloated.
     
    Cash Nebula, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  8. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

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    #48
    I'm not a sales letter writer, so I'm not the best person to ask about that. But I haven't come across any tools specifically tailored to them. The best bet would be to check out some copywriting books to learn more about direct response copy, and to look at plenty of others as examples (especially ones in your niche that you know are performing well).

    You don't need to accept low pay to build a portfolio. In fact, I generally suggest not doing free or extremely low-rate work for members of your target market unless there's a really good reason. Needing general portfolio pieces or assuming they'll give you paying referrals are not good reasons. An example where that might be the best route is in ghostwriting. If you ghostwrite white papers, business letters, etc. where your name is never on something and the copyright goes to the client in full, you may need to negotiate to get someone to agree to let you use a piece in your portfolio (if you ghostwrite something, you generally don't have the right to claim authorship in any way without the client's permission). Here are some other things to try:

    1. Create pieces for your own business and use them in your portfolio (I'm writing a white paper for my business for example, and that will go in my portfolio).

    2. If you really want to do free work, find a nonprofit that may need that type of writing. Not only does that give you added PR value for your own business, but a referral from a respected nonprofit can be much more valuable than one from a webmaster no one has ever heard of who usually pays $5 per article.

    3. If you need articles specifically as samples, start a blog. Make it in your specialty area. Not only will it serve as an always-updated portfolio piece, but it does triple duty also as an income source and marketing tool to attract clients (my blogs have attracted some of my biggest clients--they're absolutely worth it if you can keep them maintained).
     
    jhmattern, Apr 19, 2009 IP
  9. Komicwords

    Komicwords Well-Known Member

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    #49
    Komicwords, Apr 27, 2009 IP
  10. Lancerot

    Lancerot Peon

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    #50
    Well, Paypal.. like that's the best online tool for freelancers..
    After all, that's just how you get paid in the end, right?
    Then, Open Office, and yes, GIMP. learn how to put it to work, it might help a lot.. or so they say. ;)
     
    Lancerot, Apr 28, 2009 IP
  11. daceymathers

    daceymathers Peon

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    #51
    Copyscape is also one of the good online software.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.
     
    daceymathers, Apr 18, 2011 IP
  12. jameshobbs

    jameshobbs Peon

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    #52
    That StorYbook is very cool! Thanks!
     
    jameshobbs, Apr 19, 2011 IP
  13. daceymathers

    daceymathers Peon

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    #53
    Copyscape is a good online tool.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.
    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.
     
    daceymathers, Apr 19, 2011 IP
  14. stevewritez

    stevewritez Peon

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    #54
    Hi dynashox,
    Thanks for the list. Few of them are really new to me..
     
    stevewritez, Apr 28, 2011 IP
  15. Gazzooks

    Gazzooks Peon

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    #55
    I am aware that this list has been completed, but I wanted to add a service that I use and love:
    bubbl.us it is a web based application that allows me to Mind map or brainstorm on ideas and save my results. It's smooth and complete in my eyes. No this is not advertising them nor am I affiliated with them, its just a great product.

    Best of all it's free!
     
    Gazzooks, May 13, 2011 IP
  16. WordyDivas

    WordyDivas Peon

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    #56
    WordyDivas, May 13, 2011 IP
  17. shoaibahmad9999

    shoaibahmad9999 Greenhorn

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    #57
    I think spinner chief is a great tool for writers
     
    shoaibahmad9999, May 14, 2011 IP
  18. writersutrust

    writersutrust Peon

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    #58
    this is a really informative list you have! thanks for sharing... :) here are my suggestions:

    - Microsoft One Note (lets you create lists, things-to-do, compile notes, etc.)
    - articlechecker.com (free plagiarism detector)
    - flickr.com (most especially the Creative Commons group)
    - Google Docs (for team file sharing)
    - Microsoft Excel
    - keywordanalyzer.org
    - PDF 995
     
    writersutrust, Jun 19, 2011 IP
  19. Mastermind212

    Mastermind212 Guest

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    #59
    Thiese are really helpfull tools, about some of these i did'nt even know.
    Thanks for sharing though.
     
    Mastermind212, Jun 21, 2011 IP