Notion, Canva, ChatGPT: The side hustler’s toolkit to run a freelance writing biz in 2026

You don’t need a tech stack that requires a tutorial series

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I wonder if there’s an app that could help me with that?” when it comes to your freelance writing business?

And then you go searching the depths of the internet and immediately regret it.

Because suddenly you’re drowning in options. Tools on tools on tools. Everyone swearing their platform is the one you absolutely must use if you want to be successful.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done this.

And the worst part? I usually walk away with zero solutions. I’m frustrated because I couldn’t pick anything, and even more frustrated because I still have the original problem I started with.

Listen, my time is finite. I’m a busy lady who doesn’t have time to test-drive seventeen programs just to see if one might be a good fit.

So, I finally started doing the smartest thing possible.

I asked other people in the industry (who I actually trust) what they use.

And thank God I did.

Because the truth is, you can run a very real, very legit freelance writing business with just three tools: Notion, Canva, and ChatGPT.

That’s it. No tutorial series required.

Here’s how it works.

Why simplicity wins for side hustlers in 2026

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I get asked approximately 3,256 questions a day.

Is that an exaggeration? Maybe. But I also have a four-year-old, so maybe not.

Decision fatigue is real. And it absolutely kills momentum. The more choices you have to make before you actually do the work, the more likely you are to shut your laptop and say, “I’ll deal with this tomorrow.”

And here’s the good news.

More tools does not equal more money.

Simple works. Simple gets you paid. Simple lets you show up consistently, even when this business lives in the margins of your life.

This tech stack is simple, and it works. No decisions required.

Notion: Your freelance business brain

Here’s how Notion positions itself on its website: “Notion is where your teams and AI agents capture knowledge, find answers, and automate projects.”

Here’s what that actually means in real life.

Notion can be your central hub instead of a dozen disconnected apps. It replaces sticky notes, half-

filled planners, and all those random Google Docs you swear you’ll organize someday.

As a freelance writer, you can use Notion to keep track of things like:

• Client lists and contact info

• Editorial calendars and deadlines

• Pitch tracking and follow-ups

• Notes from client calls or project briefs

Nothing fancy required. No color-coded dashboards unless you want them. Just one place where your business lives.

And the best part? It’s free.

Canva: Look professional without becoming a designer

Canva describes itself like this: “Canva is a free-to-use online graphic design tool.”

Here’s the translation.

You can create beautiful, professional, expensive-looking designs in minutes, even if design is not your thing.

Honestly, it might be my favorite tool ever invented. And that’s coming from someone who learned

Adobe design in college. Canva is simple, intuitive, full of templates, stocked with images, and now includes AI image creation.

Here’s why it matters so much for writers.

I’ve created images or graphics for every single one of my writing clients. Was I hired to do that?

Nope. Did a need pop-up that I could easily solve? Absolutely.

That kind of value builds trust fast.

You can use Canva for:

• Portfolio pages or writing samples

• Newsletters and emails

• Social media posts

• Client-facing documents that don’t look slapped together

The AI image creation alone feels like living in the future. You just have to be very specific about what you want. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s getting better fast.

ChatGPT: Your on-demand writing assistant (not your replacement)

Here’s how ChatGPT explains itself:“ChatGPT is your AI chatbot for everyday use.”

Here’s the honest version.

Do you remember the first time you used Google and your brain short-circuited a little? ChatGPT is like that, but more.

I’ll be honest. I resisted using it for a long time on principle alone. I thought, “I’m a writer. I’m not letting a robot take my job.”

Then someone I trusted told me to just try it.

I haven’t looked back.

Here’s the key thing to remember, though. You are the writer. ChatGPT is not. Yes, it can generate text. But writer to writer, you can always tell when someone lets it do all the work. It all sounds the same. There’s no humanness.

And your clients are paying you to sound human. Because their clients are humans too.

ChatGPT is incredible for:

• Brainstorming blog topics and angles

• Outlining and structuring content

• Editing for clarity and flow

• Repurposing content across platforms

You’re the writer. Chat’s the assistant. Don’t forget that.

How these three tools work together

Here’s what a simple workflow can look like:

• ChatGPT helps create the outline

• Notion keeps the project organized and on deadline

• Canva creates the visual to support the content

This combo saves you a ton of time and helps you deliver work that looks polished and professional without overcomplicating your life.

Build the business first, add tools later

If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this, it’s this.

You don’t need more tools. You need momentum.

A simple setup doesn’t mean you’re behind. It means you’re focused. Build the business first. Let the tools support you, not overwhelm you.

And if you want help getting started without feeling like you need a tech degree or a free weekend to figure it all out, check out The Pajama Writer. You’ll find tools and resources that make this whole thing feel doable, even if your business happens after bedtime and before your coffee gets cold.

Because the best toolkit isn’t the fanciest one.

It’s the one you actually use.