Akshata Shanbhag | Freelance writer

I help people build work around life.Through feature articles, essays, and tutorials I explore:
- Ideas, tools, and habits for sustainable work
- Technology and systems for working smarter
- The evolution of work and work culture
- Knowledge work, focus, creativity, and career pivots
- Freelancing and solopreneurshipI spent the past decade in online publishing, writing about technology for sites like MakeUseOf and Lifewire, and helping shape content strategy at MakeTechEasier and Time and Tide Watches.Now I focus on the part I always loved most—testing ideas and writing about them. In a way that speaks to people first and search engines later.And when I’m not working, I'm usually going down an internet rabbit hole, browsing a market, or taking a nap. My party trick? Reciting the alphabet backwards.

A collection of reader favorites

- What Happens When You Quit Social Media? I Found Out
- The Best Web Apps Built Around Popular Productivity Methods
- Think Twice Before Giving Up Smartphones: 5 Apps You Can't Live Without
- What Happened When I Went Completely Offline For A Week
- The Irresistible Appeal of Old Technology: Why We Struggle to Let Go

What past editors and clients had to say

💛 "It was always, always a pleasure to see one of Akshata’s articles land in my editing queue. Editing her work was a breeze, thanks to her attention to detail, knowledge of Apple platforms, and clear writing style. As an editor, I could have confidence that any article Akshata authored would do the topic justice. She’s excellent at what she does, which makes the editor’s job straightforward."
~ Ben Stegner, Deputy Editor & Onboarding Manager at MakeUseOf💛 "I had the pleasure of working with Akshata during her time as a freelance writer at MUO, where she contributed to the Productivity section. Akshata is a quick learner with a keen eye for detail. She consistently delivered high-quality work, always meeting deadlines with minimal edits required. Her positive attitude and responsiveness to feedback made collaboration a seamless experience. Later at Make Tech Easier, Akshata showcased her skills in keyword research and handled tasks with reliability and ease. I highly recommend Akshata for her dedication, professionalism, and strong work ethic."
~ Christina Sieber Windows and Productivity Editor at MakeUseOf💛 "Akshata was a keyword researcher at Make Tech Easier, and she is the most target-driven and motivated person I have ever worked with. She is a quick learner and is always keen to take on new jobs and tasks. Akshata can work without supervision and her quality of work often exceeds what is expected of her. I highly recommend Akshata for her professionalism and positive work attitude."
~ Damien Oh, Owner at MakeTechEasier💛 "As technology writers we swear by productivity shortcuts. For an editor, what could be better than a writer who makes the job effortless. I have had the privilege of working with Akshata for more than two years. Our partnership as an editor and writer made us both deliver under pressure. She took on the challenges and did all the heavy lifting. In short, it made me look good. Thanks to her well-researched and organized results, I just had to dot a few “i’s” here and there. She has a penchant for unearthing new angles in the most mundane of topics, and that’s before she gets down to the word work. “Results driven” is what comes to mind when I think of all the work she has accomplished at MakeUseOf."
~ Saikat Basu, Senior Editor at MakeUseOf💛 "I’ve worked with Akshata for a better part of a decade and I can whole-heartedly vouch for her. She’s talented, dedicated, meticulous, savvy, and efficient. Over the years, we’ve implemented several workflows together and Akshata played a huge role in ensuring success. She’s a very driven person, and as a writer, editor, analyst or coordinator. Akshata can execute any role seamlessly. I’ve worked with her in every capacity and again, I fully vouch for her."
~ Jackson Chung, CEO at MakeUseOf | CTO at Time+Tide Watches

How you can hire me to write for you

Send me an email at [email protected] or connect with me on LinkedIn.