Internal Communications Resources + Freelance Writer 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, how to become a better writer, and more
- Readers who want to know what products I love and recommend, covering a few of my personal favorite products, including Book of the Month and Little Words Project
Grab your favorite beverage, settle in somewhere cozy, and browse around! Feel free to email me if you have 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 update it. If you feel compelled, you can support my work with a caffeinated beverage using the link below.
I last updated these lists in March 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 in your honor. 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
Strictly Internal (Founded by Kevin Blasko, now run by Kristian Gowa)
Strictly Internal (now run by Kristian Gowa) is the hottest newsletter roundup of new internal communications jobs, events, insights, and industry data and reports. Check out the Remote Internal Communications 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), among others, to share their expert advice with communicators.
Happy Monday Club is a practical newsletter from the Workshop team that focuses on positive organizational culture and internal communications. It's also the brightest, most energizing email that will arrive in your inbox at the beginning of the week—I promise!
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.
And here are a few of my favorite reads:
- Let's Stop Pretending Corporate Comms Can Be Authentic (Sit down and buckle up; this is a controversial one!)
- 2 AI memos, 1 PR disaster, 4 lessons you need (Insider Comms™)
- How to Teach AI to Write in Your Exec's Voice (Intellicomms™)
- What Makes a Communicator a Good Writer? Answers to 10 Questions From My Lecture at Columbia University.
- Welcoming Employees Gained Via Acquisition (Insider Comms From XBox)
The Weekly Tea from Debbie Braden at Star Thrower Communication
Debbie Braden is an internal communications leader with over 20 years of experience in communications and team development. Her newsletter is thought-provoking, and more importantly, so practical that you can apply the tips and advice she offers right away. I appreciate her action-oriented approach and relatability.
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 committee helped (and 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 years of experience, all at an affordable cost. It's an excellent community for connecting with and learning from other consultants, and client opportunities that come through are only available to members. A fellow CommsConsultants.com hired me for a long-form writing project, and I partnered with another fellow consultant to host a webinar for Speakap.
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.
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. Browse previous questions or submit your own, and sign up for the monthly newsletter roundup!
Staffbase manages a global Slack community for internal and corporate communications professionals, enabling them to network and learn from one another. I've met many wonderful and talented people in this community and received excellent advice from leaders worldwide. You can often find me in the #ask-a-question channel!
Founded by Chuck Gose and Kristin Hancock, ICology is a paid community for internal communications professionals seeking connection, inspiration, and support. ICology has come up repeatedly in conversations with communicators, so while I haven't had any direct experience in the community, I don't doubt it's a space worth exploring (especially if you have a corporate budget for professional development!).
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.
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 heavily relied on the templates and guides available on Workshop's website when supporting 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!)
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 or option, I found change management training (through Apogy, Prosci, and others) to be highly valuable and a valuable 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 I've used (so don't forget to snag it!).
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 any formal change management training but want to ensure your messaging is effective, this is the framework I used to help 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 offers a framework that's easy to apply and adjust to meet your team's needs.
Change Communicator's Toolbox by Poppulo
Poppulo has a centralized content hub with change communications resources. It contains webinars and blog posts to help you overcome change fatigue and facilitate effective communications.
BrightSide by Workshop
I had the privilege and pleasure of attending Workshop's first-ever employee communications and culture conference in September 2024, and I highly recommend it! It's budget-friendly, engaging, easy-going, and inspirational. I appreciated the day's memorable events and real, authentic moments with like-minded peers looking to make a difference. Attend Workshop's BrightSide conference on September 23, 2026 in Omaha.
The Employee Comms and Experience Virtual Summit by Simpplr
The Employee Comms & Experience Virtual Summit is a half-day gathering for internal communications and EX leaders. I really enjoyed the 2025 summit and appreciate how well-run Simpplr's events are. Plus, you get to hear from fab speakers! Sign up for The Employee Comms & Experience Virtual Summit on March 31, 2026.
Staffbase's VOICES and Comms Club Events
I attended VOICES 2023 NYC and Staffbase's Comms Club events for Denver locals. I appreciate Staffbase's dedication to providing insights into the latest communications trends while creating warm, welcoming spaces for networking. I've even kept in touch with a few connections I met here in Denver! Sign up for the VOICES Americas 2026 LIVE Virtual Event on May 12, 2026.
I listen to very few podcasts consistently (I'm not a huge audio person). I've listened to episodes of the following podcasts here and there and have chosen to share others that I've seen talked about positively within the internal comms community. Cheers!
Frequency with Chuck Gose & Jenni Field
I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Chuck Gose and Jenni Field, but they are well-known and trusted in the internal communications industry. I love catching video snippets of their podcast because they share their expertise and have fun while doing it! They share their unique perspectives, personalities, and opinions as they discuss internal comms, HR, leadership, and employee experience.
Freelance writer resources
Freelance Opportunities!**
My friend, Kaitlyn Arford, works diligently to compile a comprehensive and 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 five times a week (and these are solid gigs), a private chat, live Zoom classes and recordings, and more.
Rachel Meltzer, a freelance writer and coach (my freelance coach!), sends a newsletter packed with bubbly freelance tips, free resources, tools, and templates. This newsletter is filled with strategic advice to help your freelance business succeed. (It's so good that it shouldn't be free!)
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. Hear me when I say Ashley has put in the work this year to make Content Connect one of, if not the hottest, newsletters for content marketers. Plus, Ashley offers a job board and includes opportunities in her newsletter.
Jessica Walrack, founder of All Things Freelance Writing, sends a newsletter with new writing opportunities and other helpful resources for writers. It's a great email packed with high-quality gigs.
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 into her newsletter (and it shows because she's crushing it!). This is an excellent read for those building a freelance business or seeking new ways to secure clients.
Freelance content writer Sam Lauron shares bi-weekly tips and musings on starting a freelance career from scratch. I always enjoy reading it!
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.
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 grow and expand your freelancing career without burning out.
No writing tools are 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. Try Grammarly Premium for free for one month using the link above.
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 and 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.
The Hemingway App helps writers eliminate fluff and edit sentences, making them easier to read. Free and paid plans are available. It's super easy to use!
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 don't conduct SEO research for my clients, but I do subscribe to KeySearch for my own knowledge and research purposes. 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. Upon completing Polly's course, I wrote in a review: "What I enjoyed most about Polly's course is that it's truly a start-to-finish roadmap that walks you through the entire process from ideating content to polishing and pressing publish." The SEO blogging course walks you through every step, including keyword research, writing your content, 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** (10% off your first year)
After working for a Google Marketing Platform (GMP) Partner for six years, I knew I wasn't leaving behind my Google Workspace days. 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 freelancing days 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.
beehiiv** (30-day free trial + 20% off for 3 months)
If you're considering starting a newsletter, I can't recommend beehiiv enough. I publish a newsletter on beehiiv called Time Intentional and have nothing but positive remarks about the platform and the beehiiv team. It's incredibly easy to use yet boasts robust features for newsletter writers of all shapes and sizes. You can start a newsletter on the platform in an hour or less (and feel good about it). Support is always helpful and quick to respond. I'm a big fan.
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!
Love the photos on my website? When I started freelancing, I wanted to ensure my portfolio looked polished and professional without using boring, bland stock photos. I have access to over 10,000 stock photos and countless collections that fit my needs (and don't look like other websites!). Get access to stock photos, customizable Canva templates, caption guides, and bonus resources.
Below are my coaching, community, and template recommendations for freelancers:
When I left my 9-to-5 job and started freelancing full-time, I hired Rachel Meltzer for one-on-one coaching. For three months, she helped me work out my business logistics (legal, financial, pricing), and we worked on breaking out of the traditional workday mindset. I am so freakin' grateful for Rachel and her support during those first few months.
Rachel kindly offers 20% off ALL her 1:1 programs (including Express Coaching) to users of my resource hub. Use the code "GSF25" at checkout!
FREE Notion Templates from Rachel Meltzer
Manage your brain, wallet, and business with a complete collection of free Notion templates from freelance writer and coach Rachel Meltzer. Rachel's templates are customizable and incredibly easy to use. I love the Ideal Clients Tracker!
Looking for a system to help you land the right clients without wasting countless hours spinning your wheels? Rachel Meltzer created an easy-to-follow system that freelancers of all experience levels can implement.
Kat Boogaard offers courses, tools, and templates that save you time and energy, helping 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 home office setup
I spend a lot of time at my desk and working in various areas of my home, so I'm always on the hunt for the best work-from-home products, stationery, and desk accessories. Browse my current favorites below!
Other brands & products I love
I've been a Book of the Month member since December 2020, and even though my bookshelf has plenty of unread books, I can't turn away from this happy mail each month. One of the best parts is that you can skip a month any time you want! (BOTM is how I learned about Abby Jimenez, and my life has changed.)
Little Words Project ** ($15 off your first purchase of $40+)
As a writer, it's no surprise that I love words. And I love how powerful and inspirational words can be when worn.
If you choose a word of the year, consider making a custom bracelet with your word to wear as a daily reminder!
Years ago, a mutual friend introduced me to Daniel Shaffer, the founder of Gratitude Plus. Not only is he a great human, but his product rocks! I use Gratitude Plus to list 3 things I'm grateful for each day. I am also part of multiple "circles" in the community where you can share your gratitude entries (publicly or anonymously). The app has free and paid versions. Join my circle if you want to practice gratitude together!
Secure Hand Strap for Kindle and Tablet**
I switched from a Kindle case with a stand to an easily attachable hand strap, and love it! If you're an avid Kindle user, I highly recommend investing in high-quality accessories to enhance your reading experience!
