Top 10 Tools for Freelancers

(via Lifehacker.com)

Ready, set, design!

T-Shirt design contests

Threadless – If your design is selected to be printed, you can get: $2,000 in cash, $500 Threadless Gift Certificate (can be redeemed for $200 cash), $500 in cash each time your design is reprinted.

TypeTees – You don’t necessarily need to be able to design to submit to TypeTees. Just come up with a funny slogan or catchphrase and get $500 if it gets printed.

Design by Humans – Minimum prize amount if your design is selected is $500 cash and $250 in store credit. Additional prize money if you’re selected for design of the week or month. Full list of prizes here.

Design Project Contests

Crowdspring – No bidding – just create the best design and win the project.

99Designs – Same concept as Crowdspring. Projects rangefrom Twitter backgrounds to logos.

Stock Photos Sites

iStockPhoto – Apply to be a contributer. You can submit illustrations, logos and photos. iStock pays contributors a base royalty rate of 20% for each file downloaded.

Fotolia – For every file sold, you will receive a royalty based on your ranking and exclusivity; most royalty’s are between 30% and 61%. Specific royalty percentages can be found on this page.

Shutterstock – Earn 25 cents per image downloaded.

Big Stock Photo – Earn 50 cents to $3.00 per download.