Freelancing is hard! There’s no rulebook to follow – and it can sometimes feel as though you’re learning on the go. You need to think about pricing, client management and how to run a business, on top of specific knowledge about your industry.
That’s why consulting resources, guides and books is so important, especially when you first start out. You can get advice from people who have been freelancing for a long time – and read some helpful dos and don’ts for your business.
When I first started out, I read books about SEO, blogging and marketing, but you might be looking for help with filing your taxes or finding new work. There’s something for everyone!
The 7 best books for new freelancers in 2025
Whatever your industry, there are so many great resources out there. So, what are the best books for new freelancers in 2025? Let’s take a look.
1. ‘The Freelance Bible’ by Alison Grade
‘The Freelance Bible’ by Alison Grade covers everything you need to know about freelancing. It looks at growing your client base, tracking your finances and looking after your health and well-being as a business owner.
‘The Freelance Bible’ is one of the best books to pick up if you’ve just started working for yourself. It offers helpful, comprehensive advice for new freelancers in all industries.
The book is full of useful insights and actual strategies to try out within your business. Grade also provides templates and resources that will help you plan the ins and outs of your new career!
2. ‘Falling Off the Ladder’ by Helen Hill
‘Falling Off the Ladder’ by Helen Hill is the perfect read if you’re currently in a traditional job, or if you’ve recently made the switch to freelance life.
It can be hard to get out of that 9-5 job mentality, so check out Helen Hill’s book to understand all the ins and outs of self-employment.
You can learn the value of working for yourself, including useful guides to handle everything freelancing has to offer – the good, the bad and the ugly.
‘Falling Off the Ladder’ will help you work out your motivations and intentions – and you can work towards your goals from the very start of your journey.
3. ‘No One Buys Boring’ by Alex Bishop
This is one for my fellow copywriters out there! ‘No One Buys Boring’ by Alex Bishop goes over the importance of creativity in copywriting and marketing campaigns.
The book will teach you how to create good content for your clients – and how to balance creativity with brand authenticity.
Although the book is ideal for those in creative marketing, ‘No One Buys Boring’ is also helpful for new freelancers in all industries who want to improve their own marketing.
If you’re a freelancer, you have to market yourself. This means going out and finding new work on social media or in person, so learning the basics of good advertising can never hurt. It’s all about how you stand out to potential leads.
4. ‘The Art of Balance’ by Eleanor Jones
Shameless plug alert! Earlier this year, I released a new ebook for freelancers who want to learn how to better manage their businesses.
If you’re new to freelancing, my ebook ‘The Art of Balance’ goes through how to set clear boundaries, how to manage your workload and how to find joy in your work.
I share my experiences with burnout and balance, including resources, guides and templates for business owners in all industries. How can you avoid burnout and start to thrive in your freelance career?
Fancy writing your own ebook? Check out my blog post for 10 ebook ideas for creative freelancers or my guide to creating your own ebook.
5. ‘I Will Teach You to Be Rich’ by Ramit Sethi
I recently watched Ramit Sethi’s documentary ‘How to be Rich’ on Netflix. It was a great, balanced look at how to save and spend your money responsibly.
As a freelancer, you’re in charge of managing your money, including cash flow, tax requirements, pension contributions and business expenses. This can be daunting, so it’s important to find resources to support you.
Ramit Sethi’s book looks at banking, saving, budgeting and investing. It’s aimed at anyone who wants to be a little more savvy with money, but I think new business owners will get real value from his approach.
You can learn how to make the most of the money you have – and define what being “rich” actually means to you.
6. ‘Atomic Habits’ by James Clear
If there’s one book I see recommended again and again, it’s this one. ‘Atomic Habits’ discusses the power of the compound effect, looking at how small habits can lead to big life changes.
The book is supposed to be truly life-changing – and I’ve had it on my shelf for years. Maybe 2025 is the year I finally sit down and read it…
‘Atomic Habits’ is full of clear strategies to create good habits and break bad ones, including handy templates. All of this advice is crucial for new freelancers and business owners.
When you work for yourself, you’re in charge of everything you do. You need to build good habits and create a successful routine for yourself. James Clear can help you do just that!
Looking for more recommendations? Check out my blog post for 5 books for creative freelancers – suggestions for new and experienced freelancers.
7. ‘Happy Sexy Millionaire’ by Steven Bartlett
I always recommend ‘Happy Sexy Millionaire’ for freelancers and creatives. Although the book isn’t specifically for freelancers, Steven Bartlett’s business journey is a fascinating read.
He looks at key topics like failure, rejection and how to keep going when everything is working against you. He also has interesting insights on mental health and the power of consistency.
‘Happy Sexy Millionaire’ is a quick, short read with lots of actionable tips and useful stories that may apply to your own freelance business. There’s also plenty of life advice in there, even if you’re not a business owner!
Do you have any tips for business owners in 2025? What is your number one book recommendation for freelancers? Do you have a resource for new freelancers you’d like to share?
Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂
Happy reading x
Not-So-Modern Girl 
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