Communications Resources

A few favorite things

(OK, more than a few.) Our all-time favorite communications-related resources. Most are free!

We’ve tested countless tools over the years. These are the ones we actually use at Cary Communications every day. From books and fonts to job sites and home office gadgets, this list cuts through the noise and shows you what really works.

Every item has been vetted, used, and approved by us with the exception of AI presentation tools. We prefer to create custom presentations from scratch for best results.

AI Tools

Research

  • ChatGPT – Brainstorming, content creation, troubleshooting, marketing, and learning.
  • Grok – Powerful reasoning, real-time web and X-integration, and polished document creation.
  • Perplexity – Research and data gathering with citations for technical work and long-form investigations.
  • Google Gemini – AI for Gmail, Docs, and Sheets.

Writing

  • Claude – Calm, professional tone and nuanced phrasing—excellent for resumes, proposals, and executive summaries.
  • ChatGPT – Solid all-around tool for drafting emails, bios, resumes, and executive summaries.

  • GrammarlyGO – Real-time grammar, tone, and clarity edits that ensure business writing stays professional.

  • Wordtune – Refines text into more concise or formal versions, perfect for business memos or reports.

      Presentations

      • Gamma – Fast deck generation with clean themes and export to PowerPoint or PDF.

      • Beautiful.ai – Quick slide layouts for branded business decks.

      • Presentations.AI – Idea-to-deck workflow for teams that need speed and structure.

      Content & Branding

      • Jasper – For marketing, white papers, and long-form professional content.

      • Perplexity – Research assistant with citations, useful for fact-checked business writing.

      • Copy.ai – Strong for LinkedIn posts, web copy, and thought leadership.

      • Claude – Conversational writing and research tool.

      • Writesonic – Creates SEO-optimized blogs and web content.

      Graphics & Images

      • Nanobanana – Quick, minimal prompt-based image generation

      • Midjourney – High-quality concept art and campaign visuals.

      • OpenAI Image tools – Photo-real and illustration styles with strong prompt controls.

      • Designs.ai – logos, videos, mockups.

      • DALL-E – custom AI-generated images.

      Video

      • Runway – Image-to-video and AV tools for motion design.

      • Runway Gen-3 – State-of-the-art text-to-video and editing for promos and explainer clips.

      • Pika – Idea-to-video with quick effects and mobile app.

      • Descript – Edit video like a doc with transcript-based cuts and overdub.

      Audio

      • ElevenLabs – Natural-sounding synthetic voice for narration.

      • Adobe Podcast – Easy cleanup for recordings with Enhance Speech.

      Headshot Photos

      • HeadshotPro – Widely rated the best overall for executives. Delivers studio-quality, photorealistic results with outfit and background options.

      • Aragon AI – Reliable, polished headshots with a smooth, professional process.

      • Canva AI Headshot Generator – Free, fast, and perfect for quick upgrades if you already use Canva.

      Productivity

      Applications

      Day-to-day Productivity

      • Apple Mail, Edison Mail
      • Calendly (scheduling)
      • CCleaner (utility)
      • ChatGPT 
      • DuckDuckGo (search engine)
      • Gmail
      • Google Calendar
      • Google Images (reverse image search)
      • Google Maps (gps)
      • Google Voice (free phone number)
      • LastPass (passwords)
      • Libby (book reader, audio books)
      • LinkedIn
      • Loom (ad hoc videos)
      • Microsoft 365
      • Notion (notes)
      • OneDrive, iCloud (cloud storage)
      • OneNote (notes, screenshots)
      • Orbi (wifi extender)
      • Otter (automated note taking)
      • Pinterest
      • QuickBooks Online
      • Reddit
      • RocketBook (eraseable notebook)
      • ScanSnap (scanning)
      • Shazam (music identification)
      • Slack (collaboration)
      • Trello (project tracking)
      • SnagIt (screenshots)
      • X (social)
      • YouTube (videos, how to)
      • WordPress (website)
      • Zoom

      Books

      Career & Job Hunting

      Job Postings

      • Indeed – Largest global job board with millions of postings across industries

      • LinkedIn Jobs – Combines networking and recruiting, especially strong for executive roles

      • Google Jobs – Job search engine that pulls listings from multiple sources

      • Glassdoor – Job postings plus salary data and company reviews for deeper insights

      • ZipRecruiter – AI-powered matching to connect job seekers and employers

      • Monster – A pioneer in online job search, still one of the most recognized boards worldwide

      • SimplyHired – Job aggregator similar to Indeed, with a wide range of postings

      • CareerBuilder – Long-standing board with broad coverage across industries

      • Reddit Subreddits – Niche communities like r/freelance, r/forhire, and r/slavelabour post jobs

      Remote Jobs

      • FlexJobs – Curated professional jobs with remote options across industries

      • We Work Remotely – Strong focus on tech, design, marketing, and business roles

      • Remote.co – Remote jobs plus insights into company cultures

      • Remotive – Remote tech and business jobs plus a professional community

      • AngelList Talent (Wellfound) – Startup and growth-company roles, often in strategy, product, and consulting

      Tech Jobs

          Executive Job Postings

          • ExecuNet – Longstanding network and job board for six-figure executives

          • The Ladders – Positions paying $100K+ across leadership and management

          Executive Recruitment Firms

          • Heidrick & Struggles – Executive search firm with postings and board opportunities
          • Korn Ferry – Global leader in executive search, leadership development, and board placement

          • Spencer Stuart – Renowned for CEO, board, and top leadership searches worldwide

          • Russell Reynolds Associates – Focused on C-suite, board, and digital transformation leadership

          • Egon Zehnder – One of the largest privately held executive search and leadership advisory firms

          • Westview Advisors – Boutique executive search for Media, Entertainment, Sports, Finance & HR

          Creative Jobs

          • Dribbble Jobs – Go-to board for digital designers, illustrators, and UI/UX roles

          • Behance Job Board – Adobe’s creative hub, with high visibility for design, branding, and creative work

          • AIGA Design Jobs – Industry-trusted board from leading professional design association

          Freelance Jobs Sites

          • Upwork – Large marketplace covering everything from writing to tech projects

          • Fiverr – Quick-turn gigs, creative and business services

          • Freelancer – Global, wide range of project types

          • PeoplePerHour – Strong for design, content, and marketing work

          • Contra – Claims commission-free freelancing but heavy upsell on paid features

          High-End Freelance Sites

          • Toptal – Vetted network for top developers, designers, and finance experts

          • Braintrust – Talent-owned network connecting freelancers to Fortune 1000 clients

          • Catalant – Platform for independent consultants and executives in strategy, finance, and operations

          • Business Talent Group – Focuses on independent consultants for enterprise-level projects

              Communications

              Reference Sites

               Public Speaking

              Communication Skills

              Communications Skills Courses – Duarte

              22 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills – Coursera

              How to Improve Your Communication Skills

              8 Ways You Can Improve Your Communication Skills – Harvard

              Books – See the Books category on this page

              Body Language

              How to Understand Body Language & Facial Expressions

               

              Design Inspiration

              Design & Branding Inspiration

              Design Ideas

              Resources for Designers

              Presentation Design Inspiration

                Blogging

                Fonts, Images & Icons

                Best Free Fonts

                Best Free Images

                More Free Imges

                Best Free Icons

                Video Resources

                Marketing & Social

                Digital Marketing

                  Social Media

                  PowerPoint

                  Learning PowerPoint

                  PowerPoint Templates

                  PowerPoint Add-ins

                    PowerPoint AI Tools

                    PowerPoint OpenSource Add-ins

                    PowerPoint Services

                    Services

                    Tools

                    • Calendly – calendar scheduling
                    • HelloSign – legal signing of electronic documents
                    • LiveChat – online chat software ($)
                    • RocketBook – erasable notebook to upload notes to the cloud
                    • Slack – online chat software
                    • Trello – card-based project tracking board

                    Career Services

                    Tech Gear

                    Gadgets and Accesories

                    Computers 

                    Monitors

                    • AOC 32″ monitor

                       Keyboards and Mice

                      Templates

                      Audio/Video

                        Gadgets

                        Free PowerPoint Templates

                        Microsoft Free Templates

                          Executive Presentation Templates

                          Pitch Deck Templates

                          Strategy Decks

                              Financial Presentations

                              Marketing Reports

                              Tools

                              Tools

                              ​Handy Tools

                              Tips and Tricks

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