Running a small business can be an exciting adventure! But it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Luckily, we live in a digital age where technology can streamline our workflows and make our lives easier.
Some of us remember what it was like before the internet and smartphones blessed us with their presence. Hello, slow manual processes.
Technology has opened a new world of opportunities for entrepreneurs. It’s made business ownership possible for more people and has made processes more efficient.
I’m grateful to exist in this digital age, where I can live my dream of working for myself. And I want to share tips to help fellow business owners do the same.
Here are six of my favorite tools that have been game-changers for me as a freelance copywriter and business owner. From organizing my schedule to creating stunning visuals and managing finances, these tools have become indispensable.
Grab a cup of coffee, and let's dive into the world of productivity!
Collaborate and Create Efficiently with Google Workspace
When it comes to business productivity, Google Workspace is a superstar!
Formerly known as G Suite, this all-in-one suite of tools includes:
Gmail
Google Drive
Google Docs
Google Sheets
Google Slides
And more.
Google Workspace allows you to effortlessly collaborate with your clients and/or team in real time — no matter where you are. You never have to worry about saving a document, and you can access it at any time from any device.
The suite's standout features include seamless file sharing, shared calendars, and video conferencing via Google Meet. And Gmail allows you to create a professional-looking business email with your domain.
Plans start at $6 per month.
Say goodbye to endless email threads, disorganized documents, and version confusion when editing documents. Google Workspace keeps everything neatly organized in one place.
A little secret...I don't even have Word on my computer anymore. THAT’S how efficient Google Workspace is!
Calendly will Simplify Your Scheduling Woes
Managing appointments and scheduling meetings can be a headache, especially when dealing with clients and colleagues across different time zones, which is becoming more common.
Calendly is a lifesaver for busy entrepreneurs, offering an intuitive and easy-to-use scheduling platform. Simply set your availability preferences, share your Calendly link, and let others book time slots that work for both parties.
Calendly syncs seamlessly with your calendar, ensuring there are no scheduling conflicts. You can even integrate it with other apps, such as Google Calendar or Zoom, to streamline your workflow further.
I have mine connected to my Google Meet account to seamlessly send clients a video conferencing link.
If you're just starting out, Calendly's free version works great. Paid plans with additional business features start at just $8 per monthly user.
I started with the free plan and now use the Professional plan, which is $12 monthly. I can link my Stripe or PayPal account for payments and create unlimited events for various services.
With Calendly, you can focus on what matters most — building relationships and growing your business.
Unleash Your Inner Designer with Canva
We are visual creatures. Creating eye-catching visuals is essential for grabbing your customers' attention.
Canva is a user-friendly graphic design tool that makes creating stunning graphics and marketing materials a breeze. Even if you're not a design expert, you can design confidently using Canva.
Choose from thousands of professionally designed templates or start from scratch. Customize your design fonts, colors, and images that reflect your brand's personality.
Canva has a free plan and two paid plans: Canva Pro and Canva for Teams. I started with the free plan and later upgraded to Canva Pro for the premium features like design kits and advanced photo editing tools.
Whether you need social media posts, logos, presentations, or business cards, Canva offers a vast library of design elements to draw attention to your small business.
Enhance Your Writing Skills with Grammarly
Suppose you're just starting out in your small business. In that case, you're probably writing your own content because a professional copywriter isn't in your budget—yet. And you may not even have someone to review your content before hitting publish.
Sidebar...hiring a copywriter is an investment that will save you time and help boost your business. When your budget allows, hire a copywriter.
With Grammarly, you can confidently hit publish, knowing your writing is polished and error-free.
This handy tool checks your grammar, spelling, and punctuation and even provides suggestions for improving sentence structure and style.
Grammarly offers a free plan and two paid upgraded plans: Premium and Business. I use the Premium Plan. It's only $12 per month and includes a plagiarism checker.
You NEVER want to plagiarize content — on purpose or accidentally.
Whether you're crafting an email, writing a blog post, or preparing a business proposal, Grammarly is like having your own personal editor by your side.
And it integrates seamlessly with web browsers and Google Docs, making it convenient to use across various platforms.
Use FreshBooks to Simplify Your Finances
Does bookkeeping have you pulling your hair out? I get it. I'm not an accountant either.
Managing finances is crucial for any business, big or small. This is an area I see other freelancers and businesses slacking on. Making notes here, stashing receipts wherever, and then tax time comes, and BAM! You're disorganized and stressed out because you can't find anything.
FreshBooks is an accounting software designed for freelancers and small business owners. It streamlines your invoicing, expense tracking, time tracking, and reporting processes, making financial management a breeze.
Create professional-looking invoices in minutes and easily track payments and expenses. You can collect payments using FreshBooks or connect to popular payment processing platforms. Your clients will love the seamless online payment process, and you'll love staying organized and getting paid efficiently.
Spend less time on paperwork and more time on growing your business with FreshBooks. Try it for free for 30 days.
Bluevine Makes Small Business Banking Easy...for freelancers, too
Small business banking has been a challenge as a freelancer. While there are many banking options for small businesses, they still aren't the best fit for freelancers — in my humble opinion.
Bluevine is a financial tech company that caters to small businesses, and it's GREAT for freelancers! They're backed by Coastal Community Bank, so your checking account is FDIC-insured up to $250,000.
Bluevine offers various banking services tailored to the unique needs of small business owners and freelancers.
One of the standout features of Bluevine Bank, and my personal favorite, is the sub-accounts. You can create up to five sub-accounts under your primary checking account. Each has its own account number, making it easy to earmark money for taxes, payroll, and other business expenses.
Other perks include:
-No monthly fees
-Eligible account holders can earn 2.0% interest on balances up to $250,000
-Free checks
-Unlimited transactions
-Withdraw cash for free from 37,000+ in-network ATMs
And you can open a business checking account in just a few minutes without the hassle of visiting a physical branch.
Bluevine provides a seamless online banking experience, allowing you to manage your finances from anywhere, at any time. With their intuitive mobile app and web portal, you can view account balances, track transactions, pay bills, and transfer funds with a few simple clicks.
This accessibility empowers you to stay on top of your financial business health, even when you're out of the office.
So there you have it—my six favorite small business tools for success. Now go out there and Embrace the Power of Productivity!