Amazing List of Tools Used Most in My Business
These are the tools I currently use in my business. I have included the description, ways to download, pricing and my personal review. Hopefully this information will help you in your business. PLEASE NOTE: All pricing listed is in USD. :)
SQUARESPACE
Squarespace is the all-in-one platform to build a beautiful online presence.
Pricing: Websites: Personal $12/mo. or Business: $18/mo.; Online Stores: Basic $26/mo. or Advanced $40/mo.
My review: There are so many possibilities for your business when you choose to host your website on Squarespace. If you chose this platform, you will be able to create a blog, create an online store and take payments, host your podcast across all platforms, complete email marketing campaigns to stay connected with your clients all bundled up in the stunning interface. They also offer one free business email (yourname@yourbusinessname.com) for a year with Google Suite. My websites are hosted on Squarespace as well as all the websites I create for my clients. You create an account, choose a template and add your images and copy from there. Please remember, I am also a web designer if you need assistance! :)
CALENDLY
Calendly is a scheduling software
Pricing: Basic: $0/mo.; Premium: $8/mo.; Pro: $12/mo.
My review: I love Calendly because of the ease of the platform. I was able to set up my online booking in under 30 minutes. You can choose your availability, the length of your appointments and how far out you want to allow your clients to book. Once a client books your services that appointment automatically posts on your calendar and you received an email update. You can try the basic service for free as long as you need it which is a plus. When you are ready to add more features, I.e the ability to accept payments you can purchase the premium or pro service. I have not had any issues scheduling with the Calendly service.
ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR
Adobe Illustrator is graphic-driven software used primarily for creating vector graphics. Adobe illustrator is used for creating logos, graphics, cartoons and fonts for the photo-realistic layouts of Adobe Photoshop.
Pricing: Single App: $19.99/mo.; Adobe Creative Suite which includes all Adobe Apps $52.99/mo.
My review: I use Adobe illustrator to create all the graphics for my business. I create social media graphics, blog images, podcast covers, ebooks, logos, business cards, etc. This is an amazing design platform that allows you to create vector graphics. Vector graphics can be made large enough to fit a billboard and small enough for a business card and will never lose their clarity. Raster graphics become pixelated when you change their size. Tip: when you hire a graphic designer ask them what type of software they are using. That will let you know if you should work with them or not.
PLANOLY
Visual Planner for Instagram
Pricing: Free: $0/mo.; Solo $7/mo.; Duo $15/mo.; Squad $79/mo.; Team $159/mo
My Review: Planoly helps me schedule out my Instagram Posts. You can schedule out as far as 15 days with the free plan and unlimited days with the paid plans. Because my Instagram account has a theme, the ability to view my entire feed helps me stay consistent when creating my content. You are also able to create hashtag groups according to the type of content you post. I highly recommend this to stay on top of your posting schedule.
GARAGEBAND (APPLE PRODUCT)
A line of digital audio workstations for macOS and iOS devices that allows users to create music or podcasts.
Available on the Apple App Store
Pricing: Free
My Review: Garageband is the software I use to record, mix and edit my podcasts. The amazing part is that it is free in the App Store for all Apple users. You mix different tracks to create your complete episode. Once I set up my podcast template, I only have to change out my intros and episode recordings and save them for a quick upload to my Squarespace website.
FOREST APP
An app to help you stay away from your smartphone and stay focused on your work.
Download in the App Store or Google Play
Pricing: Free
My Review: I recently realized through coaching that I am an instant gratification type of girl. I need quick wins to keep me going to my long term goals. The Forest App serves two of my needs. First, it helps me to stay focused because you enter the amount of time you want to accomplish a task, choose your plant or tree and set your calming sounds. I love the beach and my sound is set to the ocean waves. I don’t have to continue to check the time because I know when the sound ends that my time is up which keeps me focused. Second, when I complete my time I will grow a tree or plant, if I use my phone my tree will die. :( I am super serious about my forest and WILL NOT accept any dead trees. Seeing my forest grow serves my instant gratification to keep me moving forward to accomplish more tasks.
And there you have it! I know that there are many amazing tools that are not mentioned. If you have any recommendations, please list them below. I would love to check them and hopefully add them to my list. Until next time,
Cameo