Essential Tech Stack for Online Creators: A Free Guide
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Chapter 1: Introduction to My Creator Journey
For the past six months, I've been actively writing online. Initially, I relied solely on Medium for my content creation. However, as my audience has grown, I've recognized the value of branching out to other platforms. To facilitate this expansion, I've been utilizing a curated selection of tools, from note-taking applications to newsletter services, that operate seamlessly behind the scenes.
In this article, I will outline the fundamental elements of my tech stack. All the tools mentioned here are free at the outset, making it easy for you to replicate this setup and embark on your own business or side project!
Section 1.1: Obsidian: Your Creative Hub
Obsidian serves as my central hub—a second brain for creative planning and research. I've been using it to write about various topics, including my experiences with the app itself, for the past two months. Obsidian stands out among note-taking apps due to its versatility and the extensive capabilities provided by free plugins.
With Obsidian, I can enjoy the simplicity of a basic text editor while also benefiting from advanced features such as Kanban boards, flashcards, databases, and custom AI scripts. The primary role of Obsidian in my workflow is to organize and outline articles and other content I wish to create. This allows me to easily access my knowledge and resources, ensuring that my writing is structured and engaging.
Section 1.2: Selling Digital Products with Gumroad
As I began creating digital products, I sought a platform for selling them. I opted for Gumroad, a user-friendly solution with no hosting fees—just a 10% cut from sales. Since my current products are free, this arrangement works perfectly for me.
On Gumroad, you can categorize your products as courses, subscriptions, digital resources, or eBooks. Simply provide product details, connect your payment method, and you’ll receive payouts weekly. You can check out my free offering, which helps writers identify their niche on Medium.
Chapter 2: Content Creation on Medium and Twitter
The platforms I focus on for my content are Medium for in-depth articles and Twitter for concise updates. Medium has allowed me to share knowledge, hone my writing skills, and build an audience for my newsletter. I’ve found a niche where I can provide valuable insights, and I appreciate Medium’s commitment to high-quality long-form content.
My long-term goal is to continue writing on Medium while expanding my audience in areas of mutual interest, fostering valuable connections along the way. In contrast, Twitter enables me to practice both short and long forms of writing, providing a useful balance.
I’ve experimented with various services for scheduling my Twitter content, but I have yet to find the ideal fit. However, as I place greater importance on my time, I aim to streamline my content production for the platform.
Section 2.1: Building an Email List with Beehiiv
Recently, I realized the importance of having an email list, as you don’t truly own your account on other writing platforms. Using Beehiiv, a newer newsletter service, I’ve sent out weekly issues for the past five weeks, attracting nearly 80 subscribers primarily from my Medium readership.
If you’re interested in productivity and creativity strategies, I invite you to subscribe! Beehiiv is free while you build your audience, making it an excellent choice for those starting out. The user-friendly editor allows for customization, and you can create a blog-like site alongside your newsletter.
Unlike many other newsletter services, Beehiiv also lets you maintain a blog-like presence for past issues. You can find my previous newsletters on my Fundamentalised website and a dedicated publication on Medium where I share back issues.
In summary, this is the tech stack I’ve developed over the past six months to support my online writing business. I hope this article provides valuable insights or ideas that you can implement in your own journey.