Internal comms & freelance writing resources hub
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, as a multi-passionate individual, I attract readers and audience members with diverse interests and backgrounds. So, 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 that I can help answer.
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.
These lists were last updated in October 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**
Internal communications resources hub
Internal comms newsletters
Kevin Blasko's Strictly Internal is the hottest newsletter roundup of new internal communications jobs, events, insights, and industry data and reports. 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.
Kevin 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.
Mixternal Comms Playbook (formerly Mister Editorial)
Shaun Randol publishes Mixternal Comms Playbook 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. As of late 2025, Shaun adjusted his publishing schedule to a more spontaneous cadence and will write to reflect on where the communications profession is headed. 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)
Happy Monday Club is a practical newsletter from the Workshop team, focusing on 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!
The You've Got Comms newsletter is jam-packed with internal comms wisdom, insights, and inspiration. It often includes an introductory story with actionable tips and advice, top reads (from Staffbase's website and other sources), upcoming events and recordings, templates, tools, and book recommendations. Emma Fischer sends it twice a month, and it's worth blocking time on your calendar to read and peruse.
P.S. I had the opportunity to take over an issue of You've Got Comms: 📕 Your Newsletter Storytelling Playbook
The Weekly Tea from Debbie Braden at Star Thrower Communication
Debbie Braden is an internal communications leader with over 20 years of experience leading communications and growing high-performing teams. 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.
I Hate It Here by Hebba Youssef**
Technically, this newsletter is intended 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, culture cues, layoffs, and more). It's real (as you might have guessed from the name), and it provides a safe space for overworked and emotionally focused professionals while offering insights, learnings, and advice. And, in general, it's just fun to read and look at (the visuals are on point).
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!
Communities for comms pros
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.
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 send me an email, 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!
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 is a name that has come up repeatedly in conversations with communicators, so while I haven't had any direct experience participating in the community, I do not doubt that it's a space worth exploring (especially if you have a corporate budget to spend on 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.
Guides and templates for effective internal comms
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. I strive to update this article regularly, so please bookmark it if you find it helpful.
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!)
Change management and change communications
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 having any influence over the changes they're walking through. Internal communicators have a unique opportunity to support manager communications through various practices, which not only helps managers better support their teams, but also makes 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 internal comms pros can borrow from.
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.
In-person internal comms events
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.
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!
Internal communication tools
All internal communications and employee engagement platforms present pros and cons. Gathering requirements and conducting thorough research is the best way to find the right platforms for your organization. Need places to start? I've got you!
Workshop (for internal emails and SMS)**
Workshop is the kind of internal email platform I would have loved to have had access to as an internal communicator. I previously supported various startups and small teams, and Workshop would have helped me level up our internal communications. The platform is easy to use, emails are visually appealing, and you can track and monitor metrics to gauge how your team is receiving your messages. While most small teams start out sending emails via Gmail or Microsoft Outlook, look no further than Workshop when you're ready to commit to improving your internal comms experience.
A few of my favorite features:
- Hands down, one of the best drag-and-drop email editors that crafts polished, visually appealing, and audience-centric emails
- Audience segmentation capabilities for personalized communications for groups
- The ability to change or edit any link sent an email (LOVE!)
- Journeys, aka automated emails for new hires, birthdays, anniversaries, and more
- The ability to create branded internal landing pages (Pages feature) for things like company events, benefits information, change communications, onboarding guides, internal FAQs, and so much more!
I wrote about the pain points I experienced that Workshop solves. Would you like to see the platform for yourself? Request a demo! (You don't have to be ready to buy. No strings attached.)
Speakap (an employee experience app for the frontline)
I've felt the impact of the work of frontline employees in my own life — healthcare professionals, construction workers, hospitality teams, retail employees, and more — and you probably have too.
Frontline employees are often overlooked in the world of internal communications and employee experience, with organizational leaders either (1) prioritizing desk-based workers and/or (2) assuming frontline employees "don't care" about communications, career growth, or feeling connected to their work. That couldn't be further from the truth.
If your organization supports frontline workers, consider checking out Speakap, an employee experience platform that connects your headquarters and frontline teams. A few of my favorite features:
- It's a mobile-first app that's easy to download, use, and adopt (with the right rollout strategies, of course)
- Customize the app with your logos, colors, and branding for a company-centric experience; available for iOS and Android
- Integrates with your HR and payroll systems, allowing for hypertargeted communications by group, title, location, and more
- Customizable legal compliance options to meet the needs of location-based laws and regulations
Schedule a demo with the Speakap team. (No strings attached!)
Podcasts for internal communicators
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 (yet?), but these two are highly regarded across the communications industry, and 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 while discussing internal comms, HR, leadership, and employee experience.
You've Got Comms Podcast by Staffbase
On the You've Got Comms Podcast, Staffbase explores the latest trends, challenges, and best practices shaping the world of internal communications alongside industry experts and thought leaders from around the globe. Catch Regine Nelson, a well-loved comms pro, on LinkedIn in this episode: Comms Across Cultures: How Cultural Intelligence Elevates Internal Communication.
The Internal Comms Podcast with Katie Macaulay
In one of the UK's first internal communications podcasts, Katie Macaulay chats with IC leaders to explore how to improve workplace communications. With over 100 episodes to choose from, this podcast offers a wealth of communication wisdom.
Freelance writer resources hub
Newsletters about freelance writing and gig roundups
Freelance content writer Sam Lauron shares bi-weekly tips and musings on starting a freelance career from scratch. I always enjoy reading it!
My dear friend and fellow freelancer, Stephanie Mickelson, writes The Simple Freelancer and shares a combination of 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.
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!)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Writing tools for freelance writers
Grammarly provides writing assistance technology to improve your work. 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 for enhancing your writing and offers detailed reports. I love that it allows for sentence rewrite suggestions to help me communicate with clarity. I appreciate the structural suggestions this tool provides. 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.
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 a formal background in marketing 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.
High-quality, optimized content remains valuable, even in the face of recent advancements in AI and technology. I highly recommend Polly's course.
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.
Business tools for freelance writers
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.
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. 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.
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 using Google Meet, stay organized with Google Calendar, store client work and assignments in Google Drive, and track my assignments using a Google Sheets planner. I can't recommend Google Workspace enough (sorry, Microsoft users!).
Communities, templates & coaching for freelance writers
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 my resource hub readers 20% off ALL her 1:1 programs (including Express Coaching). Use the code "GSF25" at checkout!
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.
Want to try Pop Club? Enjoy 20% off your first 3 months! Use the code "GSF25PC" 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 more 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.
Kaleigh Moore offers a variety of 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.
Copy my workspace
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.
This is my all-time favorite tumbler for at-home hydration! (And it doesn't spill when my cats knock it over, which is a huge win.)
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.
Zebra Pen Mildliner Dual-Tip Highlighter Set, Assorted Midnight Hibiscus Ink Colors, 5-Pack**
Mildliners are the best of the best when it comes to highlighters. I can't live without them!
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!
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.
Stickers from The Sticker Party
The Sticker Party has filled my life, desk, and planner with joy for nearly a decade. I always keep stickers nearby and use them to celebrate projects, accomplishments, and the end of the week.
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. Shop the link above for a discount!
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.
OrganiHaus Rainbow Drink Coasters Set of 6**
Drink coasters are a must. I love these OrganiHaus rainbow coasters, with their fun and bright design featuring pops of color.
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!
Pilot, FriXion ColorSticks Erasable Gel Ink Pens, Fine Point 0.7 mm, Pack of 16, Assorted Colors**
My perfectionistic self is obsessed with these erasable pens. They write well, erase cleanly, and are no fuss. I swear by them!
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 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!
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!
