Resources

If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I feast on resources and tools that help me accomplish my goals. I also love and enjoy recommending new products to those in my circle. (It's how I've found some of my favorite daily must-haves!) 


I also recognize and acknowledge that because I'm multi-passionate, I attract readers and audience members with varying interests and backgrounds. So, this page contains resources and recommendations for: 

  • Internal communications professionals across varying tenures
  • Part-time and full-time freelance writers (and those wanting to learn more about freelancing!)
  • Readers who want to know what products I love and recommend (hi, mom!) 

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 that I can help answer.

This resource library is free because I don't believe in gatekeeping and genuinely enjoy helping others. That said, it takes time to find the best of what's out there and update it, so if you feel compelled, you can support my work with a caffeinated beverage using the link below.

These lists were last updated in April 2025.

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**

For Internal Communicators

Newsletters

Happy Monday Club

Happy Monday Club is a practical newsletter from the Workshop team about positive company 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! 

Strictly Internal

Kevin Blasko's Strictly Internal is the hottest newsletter roundup of new internal communications jobs and insights. Check out Kevin's new 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.

Mixternal Comms Playbook (formerly Mister Editorial)

Shaun Randol publishes Mister Editorial as the go-to source and authority on mixternal communications. Read internal memos, learn about artificial intelligence and communications, and explore best practices for corporate communication. Thanks to Shaun, I'm proud to offer a discount code for paid subscriptions to Mixternal Comms Playbook. This is the ONE subscription I paid for out of pocket while in an internal communications role. 

Individuals receive 10% off at https://www.mixternal.com/alyssa**, and teams receive 5% off a corporate subscription at https://www.mixternal.com/alyssaX**

And here are my top 5 favorite reads: 

bink. (Formerly Brilliant Ink)

Receive strategic insights to enhance employee performance and drive meaningful transformation. bink. now partners with life sciences companies, so this is an excellent read for any internal communicators in the life sciences sector.

The Curious Route

Published by Joanna Parsons, a well-known and beloved internal communications expert, The Curious Route contains answers to hot industry-specific questions, practical advice, tactical tips for effective communication, and more!

Poppulo

The team at Poppulo shares a wealth of knowledge through blog posts, guides, whitepapers, and more. Their newsletter is the best way to receive their latest resources. (I've found their guides to be exceptionally helpful!)

Communities

CommsConsultants.com**

If you're a communications consultant, I highly recommend checking out CommsConsultants.com. Founder Ashley Dennison has 20+ years of experience in communications and is building a global directory of carefully curated communications consultants across specialties and years of experience at (what I believe) an extremely reasonable cost. Please tell Ashley I sent you if you apply!

Comms-unity

Staffbase manages a global Slack community for internal and corporate communications professionals 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 find me in the #ask-a-question channel often!

CommsChat

CommsChat is a private LinkedIn group managed by the Workshop team. You can connect with communicators worldwide, share tips and templates, and ask others for advice. Please let me know if you're interested in joining, and I'll make it happen!

#WeLeadComms

Founded by Mike Klein, a Communication Strategist and Consultant, #WeLeadComms celebrates communications leaders and professionals across geographies, career levels, and disciplines on LinkedIn. 

Guides and Templates

Workshop's Resource Center

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, notably the:

    Staffbase's Library for Internal Communication and Employee Experience

    Staffbase offers an extensive library of eBooks, whitepapers, and templates on topics ranging from internal comms strategy development to intranet experience to comms ROI. Staffbase likely has a resource for you if you have a specific question. Some of my favorites include:

    Joanna Parsons' Internal Comms Cheat Sheets

    If you're looking for templates and advice to help you excel in your internal communications role, consider this affordable bundle from Joanna Parsons. (The reviews speak for themselves.)

    Change Communications

    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.

    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.

    Navigating Change: How Internal Communication Impacts the Success of Organizational Transformation by Poppulo

    There's a growing need for internal communicators to upskill in change communications. This whitepaper is an excellent resource for understanding this need and how internal communicators can support this function. 

    Change Communicator's Toolbox by Poppulo

    In addition to the resource above, 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. 

    Events

    Bright Side by Workshop

    I had the privilege and pleasure of attending Workshop's first-ever employee communications and culture conference in September 2024, and I can't recommend it enough! 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. 

    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 offering insights into the latest communications trends while creating warm and welcoming spaces for networking. I've even kept in touch with a few connections I met here in Denver!

    For Freelance Writers

    Newsletters

    The Fizz 

    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!) 

    Freelance Opportunities!**

    My friend, Kaitlyn Arford, works hard to compile a lengthy, quality list of freelance gigs and advice in her newsletter. It's one of my favorite places to check when looking for new clients and my top recommendation for new and veteran freelancers looking for more work. 

    Journalists Pay Themselves**

    Indie growth marketer Lex Roman offers tactical, applicable advice on reader-funded news subscriptions. This newsletter is an excellent read for journalists and writers who have newsletters or want to start one.  

    All Things Freelance Writing

    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.

    Freelance Framework

    Chris Bibey emails a brief list of freelance writing gigs daily. The best part? It contains gigs worldwide, so it's not only for U.S.-based freelancers.

    Freelance Things

    Freelance Things is so visually appealing that it's hard not to love and recommend it. This is a must-read if you enjoy visually skimming content quickly. Thanks to this, I've found many helpful articles and social media threads. 

    Clever Counsel

    Ashley Dennison, communications consultant and founder of CommsConsultants.com, shares tips, strategies, and stories for consultants every Wednesday. 

    Rough Draft 

    Freelance content writer Sam Lauron shares bi-weekly tips and musings on starting a freelance career from scratch. I always enjoy reading it!

    Anna Mack's Stack

    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 is helpful when considering how to grow and expand your freelancing career without burning out. 

    Harlow**

    Harlow's weekly newsletter for freelancers features new gigs and tips for building a sustainable business. It's a treasure trove for freelancers, creators, and entrepreneurs. (A great one for non-writing freelancers, too!)

    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.

    Kat Boogaard

    Kat Boogaard, a freelancer with 10+ years of experience, sends a newsletter with freelancer advice, gigs for writers and non-writers, and some of her favorite reads. It's the first freelancer newsletter I subscribed to, and I always read it. (Plus, Kat is a fantastic human, and I am so fortunate that I've had the chance to work with and learn from her!) **This newsletter is on pause, but I still recommend it!**

    Writing Tools

    Grammarly**

    Grammarly provides writing assistance technology to improve your work. You can use Grammarly in Google Chrome as a browser extension or desktop app. 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.

    ProWritingAid**

    ProWritingAid offers actionable advice for improving your writing and detailed reports. I love that it provides sentence rewrite suggestions for communicating with clarity. I appreciate the structural suggestions this tool offers. It's a great companion for long-form writing of any kind. 

    Hemingway App

    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!

    Passive Voice Detector

    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.

    KeySearch**

    I don't do SEO research for my clients, but I pay for a KeySearch subscription for my 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. 

    Business

    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 weekly 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. 

    Buy Me a Coffee**

    Why not set up 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!

    Styled Stock Society**

    Love the photos on my website? When I started freelancing, I wanted to ensure my portfolio looked polished and professional. Rather than using stock photos from popular websites, I found Styled Stock Society, one of my favorite business investments. I have access to over 10,000+ stock photos and countless collections that fit my needs (and don't look the same as other websites!). Get access to stock photos, customizable Canva templates, caption guides, and bonus resources. 

    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 with my byline and creates backups automatically. Check out my self-updating portfolio.

    Groove** (30-day free trial)

    Groove is a work-from-home coworking community for creatives and business owners who want more connected and productive weeks. Grooves are hour-long, structured work sessions with five minutes to share what you're working on, 50 minutes of focus time, and a five-minute regroup to share how your tasks went. Groove with me for free for 30 days using the link above.

    1:1 Express Coaching**

    When I left my 9-5 and started freelancing full time, I hired Rachel Meltzer for 1:1 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.

    Pop Club**

    Pop Club is a supportive micro-community for freelancers led by Rachel Meltzer. It's a tight-knit group and a safe space to ask business, client-specific, and freelancing questions.

    Freelance Bold Project Planner for Freelancers**

    Manage your workload and track your income with this incredible project planner from Marijana Kostelac at Freelance Bold! After seeing so many freelancers post about this resource on Twitter, I didn't hesitate to snag it, and it delivered.

    Data Vault for Freelance Writers**

    Finding high-quality statistics and sources is one of the most time-consuming parts of freelance writing. Marijana Kay at Freelance Bold created a data vault filled with reports and data from various sectors, including commerce, content marketing, customer experience, remote work, social media, and the workplace. 

    Kat Boogaard

    Kat Boogaard offers courses, tools, and templates that will save you time and energy and help you launch your freelance business. My favorites are the Pitch Pack and the Freelance Fundamentals Bundle.

    Kaleigh Moore

    Kaleigh Moore offers various products in her shop, and one of my favorites is her Freelance Writer Template Bundle. These templates will elevate your template library, increase efficiency, and improve your processes.

    Harlow

    Harlow is a platform that centralizes the ins and outs of a freelance business (to-do lists, invoicing, proposals, contracts, and more). It's super easy to use and great for streamlining processes. The site has the latest pricing.

    Workspace Accessories

    Large Cute Kitty Desk Mat**

    This desk mat takes up most of my desk and is bright, adorable, and fun.

    U Brands U-Eco Recycled Gel Click Pens, Set of 4, Pastel Speckle**

    I'm always searching for my next favorite pen, but these consistently sit at the top of my list. They're super smooth, dry quickly, and made from plant-based materials.

    Pink Rotating Office Desk Organizer**

    This organizer holds ~50-60 pens and pencils, Post-It notes, paper clips, pencil sharpeners, and more. (And it looks great with the desk mat!)

    Bluetooth Wireless Headphones by BERIBES**

    An affordable (and pink) option for those seeking over-the-ear headphones.

    Rose Logitech MK270 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo**

    My workspace wouldn't be complete without a pink keyboard and mouse. These wireless accessories work great with my Mac!

    Ticonderoga® Pastel Pencils**

    Most people can't believe I still use regular #2 pencils, but I can't help it! This pastel set also looks gorgeous with the rest of my pink desk accessories. 

    Passion Planner**

    I've been a Passion Planner fan for many years. Whether you need a paper planner, journal, notepads, stickers, or pens, Passion Planner offers some of the highest quality stationery at an affordable cost. Use my code "ALYSSA" or shop the link above for 10% off your order!

    Transparent Sticky Notes by MIUTME**

    I learned about transparent sticky notes on social media years ago and wish I had known about them sooner. I love these for taking notes in books and jotting down thoughts on printed pages without writing directly on them. 

    Creating All The Things Scented Soy Candle

    This grounding, earthy musk candle fuels my deep work and creative sessions (and it fits nicely below my monitor). 

    AP - Associated Press Style Guide QuickStudy Laminated Reference**

    Am I the only one who loved these reference guides as a student? I primarily follow AP Style, so I keep this quick reference nearby when I need a gut check. I've found it handy!

    Just for Fun - Things I Love

    Book of the Month**

    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 **

    As a writer, it's no surprise that I love words. And I love how powerful and inspirational wearing words can be.

    If you choose a word of the year, consider making a custom bracelet with your word to wear as a daily reminder!

    Use my code "ALYSSAT" for 15% off (some exclusions may apply).  

    Gratitude Plus

    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 three things I'm grateful for daily. I am also part of multiple "circles" where you can share your gratitude entries (publicly or anonymously) in the community. The app has free and paid versions. Join my circle if you want to practice gratitude together! 

    Fintie Stand Case for Kindle Paperwhite**

    Buying a Kindle case with a stand and hand strap completely changed my relationship with my Kindle (for the better). If you're an avid Kindle user, I highly recommend investing in high-quality accessories to enhance your reading experience!

    Pink Lily**

    I have always struggled to find my style as a teenager, college student, and adult. (Maybe fashion isn't my thing?) That aside, Pink Lily has been a staple in my closet for years. It's one brand I consistently turn to and love.