During January’s Lunch and Learn, AHCJ’s freelance members avoided discussing lofty, abstract goals and focused on practical, tactical tools that make their lives easier. Missed it? Here’s a summary of their recommendations.
Virtual assistants
One member took Lunch and Learn attendees behind her screen to show how she uses a virtual (human) assistant to handle burdensome, non-creative tasks like invoicing clients and keeping a log of all published stories.
The assistant also helps manage spreadsheets of assignments, travel plans and source contacts. She emails the freelancer each Sunday with a list of upcoming deadlines, including for contest submissions. “I learned early on I couldn’t keep everything in my brain, so I figured out what I can offload,” the AHCJ member said.
The assistant also handles one-off requests like pulling together news stories related to upcoming assignments. Even some personal tasks, like filing away recipes, are fair game, too.
The freelancer has been using the same assistant whom she hired through the company Time etc, for nearly six years. She pays $450 a month for 20 hours of work, though Time etc now charges new clients more.
Assignment tracking tools
Freelancers at the Lunch and Learn mentioned a few assignment-tracking tools they’ve found helpful. One uses a free version of Notion, which offers a “journalist hub” with templates specifically designed for writers.
Among other features, the platform allows users to monitor deadlines and easily note whether an assignment is “not started,” “in progress” or “done.” They can also set priorities and create various subtasks.
The AHCJ member said she likes Notion because, unlike some other tools, “you can see a complete picture and not just one project at a time.”
Other freelancers said they’ve had some success with Trello, a similar platform.
Transcription services
Many AHCJ members said they use Otter.ai for quick, though imperfect, transcription. (Humans are best for interviews in which you need to ensure each word is accurate and you aren’t prepared to double-check the AI version.)
Others noted that the iPhone’s voice memo app can also transcribe, allowing you to upload the text of a voice memo to the cloud or simply email it to yourself.
Pen and paper
Several Lunch and Learn participants, including me, agreed they like old-fashioned planners, legal pads, and Post-It notes — either on their own or to supplement digital tools. There’s just nothing quite like crossing off an item on your to-do list with your hand. And at the end of the day, the “best” trick, tool or strategy is the one that works for you.
Source: January Lunch and Learn: Tools and tips to meet your goals
