Regular readers will know that every now and then I share a big roundup of fab freebies I’ve found and this is one of those weeks…
Here are some of the best free guides, downloads and training courses I’ve come across. Some you may know and others might be new to you – take what you need.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to add to what you’ve already got, there’s something here for you.
Free Tools
1. Hemingway Editor
- What it is: A free writing tool that analyses your text for readability and clarity.
- Why it’s great: Highlights sentences that are too long, overly complicated, or heavy on passive voice. Makes your writing sharper and easier to read – instantly.
- How to use: Paste your text directly into the browser version. It colour-codes problem areas so you can fix them fast. No sign-up needed. https://hemingwayapp.com
2. Photopea
- What it is: A free, browser-based photo editor that works almost identically to Photoshop.
- Why it’s great: Full Photoshop-level editing – layers, masks, blend modes, the lot – completely free with no download required. Opens and saves PSD files too.
- How to use: Go to the site, open your image or PSD file, and edit exactly as you would in Photoshop. Nothing to install, nothing to pay. https://www.photopea.com
3. Colour Hunt
- What it is: A free collection of hand-picked colour palettes for designers and creators.
- Why it’s great: If you ever stare at Canva wondering what colours actually go together – this solves it instantly. Browse thousands of palettes, click to copy the hex codes, done.
- How to use: Browse by trending, new, or popular. Click any palette to copy the individual hex codes straight into your design tool. https://colorhunt.co
4. Focusmate
- What it is: A virtual co-working tool that pairs you with an accountability partner for focused 50-minute work sessions.
- Why it’s great: If you struggle to sit down and get things done – this works. You book a session, show up on video with a stranger, state what you’re working on, and get it done. Remarkably effective.
- How to use: Sign up, book a session, show up. Free plan includes three sessions per week. https://www.focusmate.com
5. Tella (Free Plan)
- What it is: A screen recording tool that makes your recordings look professionally produced – custom backgrounds, chapters, and a clean player.
- Why it’s great: Makes talking-head or screen-share videos look polished without any editing skills. Great for tutorials, product walkthroughs, or course content.
- How to use: Record your screen or camera directly in the browser. Free plan includes unlimited recordings with a small Tella watermark – more than enough to test it out. https://www.tella.tv
Free Downloads & Guides
6. Copyblogger – Copywriting 101 (Free Ebook)
- What it is: A free ebook from one of the most respected copywriting sites on the internet, covering the fundamentals of writing copy that actually sells.
- Why it’s great: Written by people who built a multi-million pound business entirely through content. Practical, no-fluff, and genuinely useful whether you’re writing emails, sales pages, or social posts.
- How to use: Head to the page, enter your email and it’s delivered straight to your inbox. https://copyblogger.com/copywriting-101
7. Notion Template Gallery
- What it is: A free library of over 30,000 templates built by the Notion community – covering content calendars, project management, goal tracking, business planning, and more.
- Why it’s great: Whatever system you’re trying to build, someone has already made a template for it. Instant download, most require no sign-up.
- How to use: Browse by category, find one that fits, and duplicate it into your own Notion workspace in one click. https://www.notion.com/templates
8. Think With Google
- What it is: A free library of research reports, consumer insight guides, and marketing playbooks from Google’s own research team.
- Why it’s great: Proper, well-researched resources on digital marketing trends, consumer behaviour, and what’s actually working right now. Regularly updated and completely free.
- How to use: Browse by topic or industry. Useful whether you’re creating content, building a product or trying to understand your audience better. https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com
9. HubSpot Free Resource Library
- What it is: Hundreds of free guides, templates, and playbooks covering every aspect of digital marketing – email, SEO, social media, content strategy, and more.
- Why it’s great: These aren’t thin lead magnets. They’re properly researched, well-structured resources worth bookmarking and coming back to. Most don’t even require an email address.
- How to use: Browse by topic and download whatever’s relevant to where you are right now. https://www.hubspot.com/resources
10. Open Library
- What it is: A free digital library with over three million books available to borrow online – including business, marketing, and self-development titles.
- Why it’s great: Borrow books you’d otherwise pay for, legally and free, straight in your browser. The range is genuinely impressive.
- How to use: Create a free account, search for any book, and borrow it for 14 days. Read directly in the browser – no Kindle or e-reader needed. https://openlibrary.org
Free Training & Courses
11. Ahrefs Academy
- What it is: A completely free training platform from one of the most respected SEO companies in the world, with courses on SEO, blogging for business, affiliate marketing, and link building.
- Why it’s great: This is expert-level content taught by people who actually practise what they teach. The beginner SEO course alone is worth hours of your time.
- How to use: Head to the Academy, pick the course that matches where you are and work through it at your own pace. No subscription or payment required. https://ahrefs.com/academy
12. Semrush Academy
- What it is: A free online learning platform with 34+ courses and certifications on SEO, content marketing, PPC, social media, and AI – taught by some of the biggest names in digital marketing.
- Why it’s great: The instructors include Brian Dean and other genuinely well-regarded experts. The certificates are free and recognised in the industry. You learn at your own pace and can retake exams.
- How to use: Create a free account, pick a course and start learning. Pass the exam at the end to earn your certificate. https://www.semrush.com/academy
13. Grow Google (formerly Google Digital Garage)
- What it is: Google’s own free learning platform with 160+ courses covering digital marketing, data, career development, and more.
- Why it’s great: The Fundamentals of Digital Marketing course alone is comprehensive, properly structured, and Google-certified. Coming from Google, it carries weight.
- How to use: Create a free account and work through courses at your own pace. Everything is self-directed so you can dip in and out whenever you have time. https://learndigital.withgoogle.com/digitalgarage
14. Meta Blueprint
- What it is: Meta’s official free training platform with 100+ mini-courses on advertising across Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
- Why it’s great: Straight from the source. If any part of your strategy involves Meta ads – or you want it to – this is the most reliable place to learn how they actually work.
- How to use: Browse the free course catalogue, pick the area you want to improve, and work through it. The training materials are completely free – you only pay if you want the official certification badge. https://www.facebookblueprint.com
Your TED talk this week is one of my all-time favourites and I find myself coming back to it whenever I’m overthinking something. Tim Urban on procrastination – why we do it and what’s really going on inside the brain of a procrastinator. Funny, sharp, and uncomfortably accurate.
That’s your lot for this week.
See you Wednesday with something brand new that I know you’re going to love…😉
