ESSENTIALS

Hello Everyone!

I want to share some valuable tools that make my life easier. When running a business of any size, it is vital to have an arsenal of tools that automate and create an efficient environment. My toolkit is full of programs that serve a purpose and functionality necessary to stay on track. 

My essential toolkit includes:

Bookkeeping Essentials:

• Quickbooks Online/ Freshbooks

  • Quickbooks online is straightforward to use. The functionality and ease drew me to this software. Quickbooks allows you to import or create your Chart of Accounts so that you can track each bank transaction. You can also connect multiple banks and credit card accounts to view an overall expense and profits scope. Quickbooks Online allows for ease in your register's reconciliation, and your accountant can even hook up to your account! This is a 10/10 recommendation from me! www.quickbooks.com 

• Google Drive 

  • GET YOU A GOOGLE DRIVE. I am serious; Google Drive is a LIFESAVER. I have a Google Drive setup for my consulting business in which I have my yearly budget and a specific profit and loss tracker in which I update in real-time monthly. Google sheets and docs update in real-time and save you the hassle of having to save a file on your desktop and take up unwanted space. With Google drive, you can invite and share folders with your accountant or bookkeeper to get things organized. https://support.google.com/a/users/answer/9282958?hl=en

• Dropbox 

  • SAVE EVERYTHING! Dropbox is a cloud-based server where you can connect directly through your desktop and immediately save files. As you are starting your business, you will want to keep multiple copies of everything. You will want to have copies of your expenses, invoices, bank reconciliations, contracts, and just about everything else, and Dropbox has many affordable storage options. www.dropbox.com 

Task / Project Management Essentials:

• Asana 

  • Asana is a HUGE helper for me. I have multiple clients and a full-time job, and I would be a mess without Asana. Asana has a free version that allows for multiple users and projects simultaneously. Asana may seem overwhelming at first, but once you get the hang of it, you will be on your way to efficiency. My favorite Asana feature is the fact that you can integrate Asana with Google Drive and Slack. The Google Drive feature allows you to share files and docs with specific team members or project members and not muddy up your Google share settings. The Slack feature allows for automated updates when there is movement within a task and an added communication feature for your team. www.asana.com 

• Dubsado

  • Dubsado is one of my FAVORITE tools and also my featured product from the last email. Dubsado is an all-in-one for client management. In Dubsado, you can create clients, projects, contracts, invoices, and even schedule calls. I use Dubsado for all of my client contracts and invoicing. I collect payment through Dubsado via their integration with Stripe. I can use Dubsado to create contract templates that make sending client proposals and agreements a breeze. Dubsado is beloved by the OBM and VA community, and once you dig in, you will see why. www.dubsado.com 

• LastPass

  • LastPass is a password vault. Suppose you are working with a large team or multiple clients, I highly recommend LastPass. LastPass allows you to share login information without the other person being able to see your login information. LastPass connects with your browser and takes the hassle out of remembering an arm’s length of passwords or having to share passwords with multiple users. www.lastpass.com 

• See also Google Drive + Dropbox. 

Social Media Management Essentials:

• Canva 

  • Canva is all the rage right now, and for good reason. Canva is a graphic design site that allows you to create social graphics, logos, email templates, resumes, and so much more. Canva also creates your own social media templates, so if you have someone creating graphics for you, they can use your templates to update those graphics. Canva walks you through creating your brand kit complete with fonts, colors, and styles. Canva has both a free and pro option, and if I were you, I would opt-in for the low-cost pro option to get all of the features! www.canva.com 

• Kapwing 

  • Kapwing is new for me. I recently worked with a client who used it, and I am hooked! Do you want to add a video element or feature clips from your podcast on your IG or Facebook? Kapwing is the FREE way to do this. Kapwing is a drag and drop graphics creator that allows you to embed waves and animate pieces of your graphic to make compelling short videos for social. www.kapwing.com 

• Later 

  • Later is FREE. Let me repeat, Later is FREE! As a small business owner, I love free; cost savings is enormous, and Later is one of the free social media scheduling tools. Later connects with Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. My favorite Later feature is the Instagram preview. Later gives you a glimpse at how the posts will look on your feed and even gives you the option to work the feed like Tetris and move posts around until you are happy with the layout. www.later.com

• Sprout Social 

  • Sprout social is paid but has a free trial. I recommend using sprout if you are going to max out your Later posts. If you are looking to really ramp up your social posting and want to have all of your social handles under one platform, use Sprout Social. Sprout also has a very detailed analytics feature that allows you to understand your audience behaviors better, allowing maximum engagement. www.sproutsocial.com 

Communication Essentials:

• Voxer

  • Voxer is the walkie-talkie I always wanted. I love the notification sounds, and honestly, voice memos are so much easier than typing out a short novel in text. Voxer allows me to communicate with my clients quickly and gives me the option to send voice memos or text messages. Voxer is easy to use and setup! 

• Slack 

  • Slack is AMAZING. I have completed large projects all inside Slack. Slack is like text messaging on steroids. Slack integrates with Google Calendar, Asana, Google Drive, Zoom, Salesforce, Teams, Twitter, and many, many more! Slack is fast and can save meetings and email time. Slack allows for instant communication that can resolve matters promptly. 

• Zoom/ Google Meet 

  • Video conferencing is essential nowadays, with so many folks working remotely. Zoom and Google Meet are easy to install and use and can be used from your phone, laptop, or tablet. Both allow for screen share and chat features that help visualize meetings. Get both if you do not have them already! 

• Calendly 

  • Calendly is a booking service that integrates with your calendar and lets clients book calls around your availability. Gone of the times of back and forth emails and phone tagging. Calendly is the middle person you always wanted and the receptionist you need. 

Business Owner Essentials: 

• Insight Timer 

  • Insight timer offers meditation timers. I use the guided meditation feature for a 3-5 minute break from the day. Insight timer is free! I recommend finding a quiet place and clicking the three-minute guided meditation for a quick reset during a busy day. 

• Clarity Money 

  • Clarity Money is a budgeting app that integrates with your bank and credit cards. Clarity has budgeting options as well as notifications when you have upcoming payments on subscriptions. These new streaming platforms are difficult to keep up with, and Clarity Money pings me when a payment is due or a trial period is ending so I can stay on top of my budget and spending. 

• Emeals 

  • Emeals is a meal prep and recipe app. Each week Emeals sends me five recipes based on the diet settings I created at account setup. I can also browse other meal plan options like Keto, Vegetarian, and Mediterranean so that I can have multiple menu options. My favorite feature of Emeals is its integration with Instacart. I can save recipes and immediately add them to my cart to be delivered to my home; talk about a mega time saver!