Internal Communications Resources + Freelance Writer & Solopreneur Resources
This page contains resources and recommendations for:
- Internal communications professionals across varying tenures, covering topics including: employee engagement, communication channels, change management training, internal communications strategy, platforms, and more
- Part-time and full-time freelance writers (and those wanting to learn more about freelancing!), covering topics including: business software, writing tools, where to find gigs, and a few fun extras
- Readers who want to know what workspace products I love and recommend
Grab your favorite beverage, settle into a cozy spot, and browse around! Feel free to email me with any questions about anything listed on this page.
This resource library is free because I believe in sharing knowledge and genuinely enjoy helping others. That said, it takes time to find the best of what's out there and keep it updated. If you feel compelled, you can support my work by buying me a caffeinated beverage using the link below.
I last updated these lists in October 2026.
This page contains affiliate and referral links! If you click on or choose to purchase through one or more of the links below, I may receive a small commission or referral bonus. I'll also do a happy dance and toast to you. I only share products, resources, and tools I proudly stand behind and believe in. I have marked affiliate and referral links with a double asterisk like this: Title**
Internal Communications Resources
As someone who subscribes to far too many newsletters, rest assured, the internal communications newsletter recommendations below are only the best of the best:
Strictly Internal (Founded by Kevin Blasko, now run by Kristian Gowa)
Strictly Internal (now run by Kristian Gowa) is the hottest roundup of new internal communications jobs, events, insights, and industry data and reports. Check out the Remote internal communication jobs page if you are seeking your next remote role. Even if you aren't currently job hunting, it's an excellent resource for staying informed in internal and change communications.
SI also invites communications experts, including Rachael Warner (on change communications) and Helen Baldwin (on change fatigue), to share their advice with communicators.
Happy Monday Club is a practical newsletter from the Workshop team that focuses on fostering a positive organizational culture and strengthening internal communications. It's also the brightest, most energizing email that will arrive in your inbox at the beginning of the week—I promise!
More Than Words by Ellen Griley at Equilibrious Communications
In More Than Words, Ellen talks about being human at work and translates research on leadership, communication, and organizational behavior. Through the lens of trauma-informed approaches and expertise, Ellen covers the topics no one else is brave enough to say, but most communicators feel and experience regularly. This is undoubtedly one of my top communications reads.
The Comms Bestie Group Chat by Gab Ferree
Experienced comms pro (aka Your Comms BFF), Gab Ferree, sends a weekly roundup of smart reads, spicy takes, useful tips, and ideas for rethinking comms and certain aspects of it. It's timely and always an enjoyable read.
Mixternal Comms Playbook (formerly Mister Editorial) by Shaun Randol
As of late 2025, Shaun Randol of Mixternal Comms Playbook adjusted his publishing schedule to a more spontaneous cadence and will reflect on the communications profession when he chooses. I highly recommend browsing through Shaun's archives. Everything new he writes is now FREE for everyone.
The Inspiring Introvert Blueprint by Sam Drexler
Google comms pro Sam Drexler's free email course (and the newsletter that follows) is perfect for communicators who lean introverted but want to show up more confidently in their comms work. Take it directly from Sam, who has earned three promotions at Google using the tips he shares!
I Hate It Here by Hebba Youssef**
Technically, this newsletter is for HR and People Ops professionals; however, there's a significant overlap between the topics Hebba covers and the world of internal communications (e.g., employee engagement, change management, organizational culture, employee feedback, layoffs, and more). It's real (as you might have guessed from the name) and provides a safe space for overworked, emotionally focused professionals while offering insights, lessons, and advice. And, in general, it's just fun to read and look at (the visuals are on point).
I always say, "Comms people are my kind of people!" And it's true. Building a strong communications community continues to help me succeed. Browse these community recommendations for comms consultants and in-house practitioners alike.
If you're a communications consultant, I highly recommend checking out CommsConsultants.com. Founder Ashley Dennison has over 20 years of experience in communications and is building a global directory of carefully curated communications consultants across various specialties and experience levels, all at an affordable cost. It's an excellent community for connecting with and learning from other consultants, and for access to roles seeking communications consultants and talent. Two fellow CommsConsultants.com members have hired me. (And counting!)
If you apply to join the community, please let Ashley know that Alyssa Towns referred you.
If you're looking for a communications consultant or contractor, you can submit a talent request form and receive applications from pre-vetted consultants in the directory. Want to connect with Ashley to hire communications talent? Please email me, and I'll connect you directly.
ICology**
Founded by Chuck Gose and Kristin Hancock, ICology is a paid community for internal communications professionals seeking connection, inspiration, and support. So many of my favorite fellow communicators encouraged me to join and have had wonderful things to say about ICology, so as of late 2026, I'm a paid member and proud to recommend the community. If you work in internal communications and want to find your people, look no further!
Hosted by the team at Workshop, CommsChat is a cozy community for communications professionals on Circle. You can ask questions anonymously, share resources (including templates, checklists, and more), celebrate wins, and swap ideas with fellow communicators, all while building a trusted network of people who genuinely understand your needs. Hop in and join the fun!
Ask Devin by Workshop (an advice column)
Admittedly, an advice column as fantastic as this one probably deserves its own section, and I wasn't sure where to put it, but it feels community-focused, so here we are. Workshop's Communication Manager, Devin Owens, answers your hottest questions and offers practical, human advice to help you solve your greatest internal comms challenges. There's an Ask Devin podcast on Spotify, too, if you're an audio person. Browse previous questions or submit your own!
Founded by Mike Klein, a Communication Strategist and Consultant, #WeLeadComms celebrates communications leaders and professionals across geographies, career levels, and disciplines on LinkedIn.
Templates and guides, oh my! I know how crucial templates and easy-to-follow guides are, especially for solo communicators (I was one). This section contains a combination of resources I used as a Senior Communications Manager and ones I've written based on my real-world experience.
Internal Communication: 2026 Complete Guide for IC Professionals by ContactMonkey (written by me!)
I poured a decade's worth of knowledge and my best research skills into this practical guide for internal comms pros in 2026. It covers everything you need to know about building effective internal comms practices in modern workplaces. Browse through the highlights in my LinkedIn post. Catch all of my latest articles for ContactMonkey and helpful internal communications posts for 2026 on my ContactMonkey author page.
You know how most internal communications or consultancy firms publish research on IC that covers things like how communicators spend their time (strategy vs. execution), which channels they use, whether they feel supported by leadership, and what their challenges are? Not this time. This research speaks to the actual work and feelings that internal communicators carry at all times: burnout, overwhelm, the relentless pressure to send more because leaders say so, the recognition that one-size-fits-all approaches don't work, and the reactive firehose of generating communications.
Your Frontline Comms Starter Kit: Frameworks, Templates & Proven Tactics with Speakap
I partnered with the CEO of Swing Communication and experienced communications expert Lynn Zimmerman, along with the Speakap team, to walk through frontline communications and how they differ from desk-based communications strategies. Catch the full webinar for a look at why frontline communications fall short, how to meet frontline workers where they are, five need-to-know framework principles, and our downloadable toolkit to help you get started. Don't forget to snag the templates; they're gold!
Culture in Motion from Ready Cultures (Paid resource)
The Culture in Motion playbook helps teams build internal communication systems to keep up with company growth. This playbook walks you through Ready Cultures’ five-stage roadmap, showing you how to spot the warning signs, stage your priorities, and strengthen communication at every phase of your business. I had the absolute pleasure of partnering with Alejandra Ramirez Wells, the founder of Ready Cultures, to develop the content in this playbook and bring it to life. Please check it out!
The Internal Comms Lowdown
Over the years, I've published numerous free resources on LinkedIn, including advice, templates, and more. To consolidate some of the most valuable posts (according to my network), I've compiled the tips and tricks in one place.
Master the art of pushing back on unreasonable internal comms requests with these polite yet firm responses. These are free conversation templates for internal communicators who aren't afraid to ask tough questions and want to establish themselves as strategic partners.
10 Tips for Creating Internal Newsletters People Actually Want to Read
Explore my guide and best practices for creating more engaging and less boring internal newsletters. Company newsletters often receive a bad rap, but with a few adjustments to your content approach, newsletters can (and should) be an effective channel, particularly for computer-based workers.
Ghostwriting for Executives: A Practical Guide for Internal Comms Pros
Ghostwriting is a big part of every communicator's job. While it comes with the gig, effective ghostwriting is a skill that requires intentional effort, practice, and strong relationships. These are my top tips for becoming a more effective ghostwriter for your executives and leaders as an internal communications professional.
As a former internal communicator, I know what it feels like to move a million miles per hour and wish you had more time in your day. I relied heavily on the templates and guides available on Workshop's website to support internal communications and in-house change management. Here are a few of my favorites:
- How to Manage Internal Communications as a Team of One (A resource I helped create)
- The Internal Communications Strategy Workbook (A resource I wish I had as an internal comms pro in a startup)
- Internal Communications Timeline Template (Use this for ongoing initiatives or one-off internal comms campaigns)
- Internal Communications Editorial Calendar (I used this template to coordinate comms between internal comms and HR; it's a great resource if you aren't using a dedicated internal comms tool)
- Channel Matrix Template (Defining your channels is so important!)
- AI Prompt Library for internal communications campaigns, cascades, frontline messages, leadership comms, and more
Many internal communicators are responsible for communicating change, whether or not they have formal change management training. Below are some change communication resources I recommend. If you have the budget, I have found change management training (through Apogy, Prosci, and others) to be highly valuable and a strong supplement to my IC work.
Supporting Manager Communications as an Internal Communicator
Mid-level managers are often overlooked and underutilized as communications partners. They live in the messy middle of supporting their team members through constant change, often without any influence over the changes they're navigating. Internal communicators have a unique opportunity to support manager communications through various practices, which not only help managers better support their teams but also make internal communicators more strategic partners that managers and leaders come to rely on. This guide walks you through ideas for supporting manager communications. Plus, I share the Manager FAQ template (paid resource) I've used.
Creating a change management communications plan: a guide for IC and HR pros by Workshop (written by me!)
If you're responsible for communicating change and don't have formal change management training but want to ensure your messaging is effective, this is the framework I've used to communicate organizational restructures, benefits adjustments, business strategy pivots, and more.
5 Steps to Better Change Management Communication + Template by Prosci
Change management is more than just sending communication; internal communicators can benefit from applying change management principles and practices, as they often communicate significant organizational changes. As a Prosci-certified professional familiar with Prosci's teachings, I tend to incorporate their communication principles into my internal communications work. This guide provides solid advice that internal comms pros can borrow.
Apogy's Change Management Training & Certification Program
If formal change management training is on your radar, Apogy's training program is a fantastic, budget-friendly option that not only teaches the basics of change management but also provides an easy-to-apply, adaptable framework to meet your team's needs.
Honestly, I'm not big on events and conferences unless they provide the right atmosphere (must feel non-stuffy and not overly salesy). My desire to sit in corporate-heavy environments and listen to presentations all day is zero. Here are a few of my favorites that pass the vibe and time commitment check:
BrightSide by Workshop
I've had the privilege of attending BrightSide twice (in 2024 and 2026), and it's by far my most-anticipated communications and culture conference. BrightSide gets better every year! As far as conferences go, it's budget-friendly, engaging, easy-going, and inspirational. Read more about my experience at BrightSide 2026 and get ready for 2027!
Ragan's Future of Communications Conference**
Thanks to a paid partnership with Ragan Communications, I'm proud to offer a discount to the Future of Communications Conference in Austin in November 2026! The conference is November 11-13, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Austin. Snag your ticket to the conference and receive $200 off when you use my code “ALYSSAT200” by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on November 6, 2026. Or use my registration link.
Freelance Writer & Solopreneur Resources
There are tons of freelance-focused newsletters out there these days. Below are my tried-and-true favorites for staying on top of the freelancing world and pursuing gig opportunities.
Freelance Opportunities!**
My friend, Kaitlyn Arford, works diligently to compile a comprehensive, high-quality list of freelance gigs and advice in her newsletter. It's one of my favorite places to check when searching for new clients, and I highly recommend it for both new and veteran freelancers seeking additional work. (Consider it your go-to job board.)
Founded by Amy Suto, a ghostwriter, author, and former Hollywood TV writer, Make Writing Your Job is a hot newsletter for finding freelance jobs, growing your skills, and chatting with other writers. Paid subscribers (like me!) get access to daily job board updates, a private chat, live Zoom classes and recordings, and more.
My dear friend and fellow freelancer, Stephanie Mickelson, writes The Simple Freelancer and shares success stories, tips, and recommendations for freelance writers. She's investing a lot of time and energy in her newsletter (and it shows). This is an excellent read for those building a freelance business or seeking new ways to secure clients.
Ashley Dennison, founder of CommsConsultants.com, shares tips, strategies, and stories for solopreneurs. Grow your solo business faster, smarter, and stronger by learning from Ashley's successes and failures.
Content Connect
Written by Ashley R. Cummings, Content Connect is a newsletter for freelance writers and content marketers that contains business tips, trends, and advice from industry experts. Plus, Ashley offers a job board and includes opportunities in her newsletter.
I don't remember when or how I came across Anna Mackenzie, but I'm so glad I did. Anna writes about building a portfolio career (a business comprising many businesses, projects, and income streams). The portfolio career path approach helps you grow your freelancing career without burning out.
No writing tool is perfect, but I do use a handful of them at times to proofread and review my work. Never unquestioningly accept suggestions or assume tools are always correct.
Grammarly** (Now Superhuman)
Grammarly provides writing assistance technology to improve your work. It's my go-to for self-editing blog posts before submitting them to clients. You can use Grammarly as a browser extension in Google Chrome or try Grammarly for desktop. Free and paid plans are available. I've been using Grammarly Premium since late 2020.
Read about my experience using Grammarly as an in-house internal comms pro and consultant: How Grammarly Helped Me Become a More Effective Internal Comms Pro.
ProWritingAid provides actionable advice to enhance your writing, along with detailed reports. I love that it gives sentence-rewrite suggestions to help me communicate more clearly. I appreciate the structural suggestions this tool offers. It's a great companion for long-form writing of any kind.
Do you struggle with active and passive voice? You aren't alone! This free tool analyzes passages for passive voice to ensure you're meeting your editor's requirements. I started using Passive Voice Detector in early 2022 to check my drafts.
Let's put it this way: knowing how search engines work (yes, even in 2026) matters. A few SEO favorites:
I like KeySearch because it's affordable and easy to use. As a bonus, check out my friend Polly Clover's SEO Blog Writing Course, which covers SEO basics and why she loves KeySearch.
Polly Clover's SEO Blog Writing Course** (or Blogging Toolbox**)
I didn't have any formal marketing training before becoming a freelance writer, so I was stoked to take Polly Clover's SEO Blog Writing Course to learn about SEO in a polished yet humanized way. The SEO blogging course walks you through every step, including keyword research, content writing, and Google & AI optimization. This course is ideal for service providers and small business owners seeking to grow their business sustainably. It's also great for freelancers who offer blogging services.
If you're not ready or able to take the course, the Blogging Toolbox is a scaled-back version with helpful templates for content planning and more! It offers customizable templates and checklists for writing articles that appear on Google and in AI search results — no video lessons — just the tools.
I run a small, solo business (and prefer it that way), so I keep my business tool stack fairly light. These are the tools I consistently use, excluding those clients might have me use as part of their processes, such as Asana, Zoom, and others.
Google Workspace**
After working for a Google Marketing Platform (GMP) Partner for six years, I knew I wasn't leaving my Google Workspace days behind. I use Google Workspace to power my business. I write in Google Docs, schedule virtual meetings in Google Meet, stay organized with Google Calendar, store client work and assignments in Google Drive, and track my assignments in Google Sheets. I can't recommend Google Workspace enough (sorry, Microsoft users!).
Authory** (30-day free trial)
A piece of advice I received repeatedly in my early days of freelancing was to save copies of my work. Authory does that for me! I love that Authory notifies me of new content published under my byline and automatically creates backups. Check out my self-updating portfolio.
Why not create a Buy Me a Coffee page if you're creating content? It's an easy way for others to show support and appreciation for your work. Take a peek at mine if you'd like!
This is an incredibly niche category, but the network below is also one of my favorite spaces on the internet, so it deserves its own space.
Lex Roman's Legends Network** (20% off or 2 months free)
Before we get into it, Legends is NOT a community. (No Slack workspace or constant connection points.) Paid subscribers to Lex Roman's Revenue Rulebreaker newsletter are called Legends, and they join a network of creative entrepreneurs who get newsletter placement, curated mixers, collaboration invites, directory visibility, and access to all paywalled stories. Stories cover hard-won wins from lovable underdogs, repeatable business practices for building a business, unconventional ways entrepreneurs live, updates on the technology platforms solopreneurs use, and more. Lex's events and mixers are unrivaled and highly curated, making them a great use of time.
If you run a service-based business (ahem, freelancer!) and/or want to explore alternate revenue streams, including media, digital products, memberships, courses, books, speaking, and beyond, I can't recommend the Legends network enough.
Below are my template and guide recommendations for freelancers:
FREE Resources from Rachel Meltzer
My former freelance coach, Rachel Meltzer, published all of her resources for freelancers for FREE on her website, including a massive Freelance Resource Library filled with templates, guides, systems, and more, as well as Notion templates for running your business. Think of everything you need to get your freelance business off the ground or strengthen your foundation. I can't recommend Rachel's resources enough.
Kat Boogaard offers courses, tools, and templates that save you time and energy and help you launch your freelance business. My favorites are the Pitch Pack and the Freelance Fundamentals Bundle.
Who doesn't love quality merch?!
I'd be remiss not to mention Kat's merch for freelancers. Shop freelance coffee mugs, embroidered sweatshirts (I frequently rock the "Freelancer" embroidered sweatshirt — I have it in sport grey), or an embroidered hat, including the ever-popular "Pay my invoice" hat.
Copy My Workspace
I spend a lot of time at my desk and working around my home, so I'm always on the hunt for the best work-from-home products, stationery, and desk accessories. Browse my favorites below!