As a freelance writer or content creator, you are on your computer researching and writing just about every single day, all day. Google Chrome is arguably one of the best web browsers to use because not only can you view any website or blog that you need but you can also use the best search engine, Google, that’s built right in the web browser. You can always bookmark great tools like Grammarly, a site built to proofread your work, IO Scout product research for Amazon, a site that helps you research Amazon products, or LinkedIn, a site for networking, to make your workflow easy. To make your workflow even smoother you can have the same websites working at all times with Chrome Extensions.
Chrome Extensions is one of the most lucrative ideas that Google could have come up with. These are easy access tools that are perfect for freelancers when they are busy at work because they are add ons that sit right next to your web browser. Extensions such as Keywords Every Where and StayFocsd are essential when having to look up keywords, researching websites, or editing. Listed below are some of the most essential Chrome Extensions that are beneficial for freelancers during a workflow.
Keywords Everywhere
If you are a freelance content writer or copywriter, Keywords Everywhere is a cool free tool that helps you save time when trying to figure out which words will get your blog or website seen on Search Engines. This tool is great for bloggers and freelance writers because it shows you keywords that are related to your topic. Also, it shows you the monthly search volume and competition data on several websites. They show you the cost per click for any keyword you choose to use. To add more convenience to your workflow Keywords Everywhere gives you “People also search for” data as well.
Save to Pocket
With the Save To Pocket extension, you can create an account to save articles, videos, and websites for later. You may have an article you may want to read or reference later, or found websites like Unsplash with stock photos, that you may need to reference frequently. You can also save YouTube videos that you may not have the time to watch right at the moment. Instead of being afraid of forgetting the URL or always having to type it in, this extension lets you store all of them in one place for later. It’s great for freelancers to cut down multitasking or wasting time trying to remember or find information that you may have seen the day before.
Grammarly
As a freelance writer or professional of any kind, it is important that any work you turn in is properly written, and grammatically correct. Not everyone is great at proofreading and even the best proofreaders sometimes miss a few things. Grammarly is a great tool that’s almost like an extra set of eyes that will go over your work and correct your spelling and the tone of your sentences. It is an application that you can download to your desktop. Then you can copy and paste your writing into it, and it will correct your spelling and grammar, and also suggest which words to use to correct your sentence. Google has added this amazing helper to its list of extensions that you can download on your browser. Once the extension is in your browser, Grammarly corrects anything you type as you type it.
Zoom
As a freelancer, you may have clients that are either out of the state or out of the country that you have to set up video meetings with. There also may be certain situations like the recent global pandemic where you have no choice but to set up virtual meetings. The cloud meeting company Zoom has become incredibly popular due to this very situation. The easy to use platform has allows you to collaborate using one on one sessions, or have conference calls with as many as 100 people. With the extension in your browser, it’s easy to answer a call with just one click. The Zoom Chrome Extension also allows you to schedule meetings and sync them to your Google Calendar or schedule meetings for others, all without even having to go to the website.
StayFocusd
If you are someone who has a million tasks, ideas, and interests running through your brain then you can understand how hard it is to stay focused. Being disciplined is a major requirement when you’re trying to be a successful freelancer. Looking at a computer for long periods of time makes you want to take a five-minute break, which becomes longer if your break is digitized. It is easy to lose track of time when you fall into a rabbit hole on Facebook or Instagram. StayFocusd is a Chrome Extension that blocks out any distracting websites. You can customize the extension to block out any websites or specific content that you know is a weakness for your productivity.
Netflix Party
You may be wondering how is having a Netflix Party essential for freelancers? Well, one has to remember that sometimes content writers get burned out. Freelance writers or any content creator knows about the experience of having a creative block. What better way to give your mind a break than to walk away and escape into a movie with your friends. The Netflix Party extension allows you to have long-distance movie nights or watch parties with your friends and family. It allows you to chat with the group and also has video playback to review and have further discussions. The movie and discussion may inspire a new idea for a blog or writing topic.
Final Thoughts
Overall, all of these extensions will provide a great increase in productivity once downloaded to your browser. They are easy to install and won’t let you miss a beat in your workflow. Some are free and some have a price. Either way, they are a great add on to your freelance business.
