Platforms For Small Business Owners to Increase Productivity!

When I first started out as a Social Media Manager I tried every website under the sun for creating content, scheduling posts, project management, calendar scheduling, invoicing etc. The list could go on. I basically did a free trial of multiple websites for each thing. Sounds time-consuming right?

I am here to save you from this, although everyone has different preferences so there is no telling if you will like the same ones as me!

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Content Creation

If you are not a Photoshop or Adobe guru like me then you have to try Canva! Canva is a content creation platform that makes it easy for you to create professional-looking graphics even if you are just starting out. If content creation isn't what you are best they have templates that you can use. All you have to do is add your brand colors, fonts, and photos.

On Canva you can create any size photo you need, add transitions, create videos (reels), and again they have templates for just about everything.

Post Scheduling

I quite literally have tried every platform for post-scheduling. When it came down to it for Instagram and Facebook I really do like the Meta Business Planner. It is easy to use, I can schedule posts and stories, and it is in the app which is always better for the algorithm!

If you do prefer something else my next favorite is Buffer. I found this to be easy to use and I loved the monthly calendar view feature.

Project Management

Airtable has been my saving grace for planning content calendars and sharing them with clients. In Airtable you can customize everything and I feel that it is pretty user-friendly. My 'work spaces' for clients have sections for me to add photos, captions set the post status, and even a spot for my clients to make edits or share thoughts.

I can add my team members (content creators and copywriters) to these workspaces as well. There is even an option to only share specific information with each person. I find this very helpful when I do not want a client to see all the different areas that my team is putting information into. I can just share the final product with my clients and nothing more!

Checkout Airtable here: https://airtable.com/invite/r/E7nBy1QH

Appointment Booking

If you are a business that needs to book a call with a new client or a reoccurring monthly call with a current client, it is a good idea to have a calendar link that someone can go to and view your availability. I use Calendly for this. I enjoy being able to input the times I am available and easily change it when needed.

Creating a calendar like this really helps streamline your process and eliminates back-and-forth emails trying to find a date and time to talk!

Try Calendly: https://calendly.com/mgraemedia

Proposals, Contracts, & Invoicing

I used to do this ALL backward until I found Honeybook! I can now send my proposal and invoice all at once. Honeybook has loads of templates to choose from and they even have contracts. I first got Honeybook because I needed a contract and a starting point for how to build my contract. After that, I decided I wanted to streamline everything and have it in one place.

I now have templates on here where I introduce myself to new clients, give them the services that are right for them, allow them to pick the service they want, sign the contract, and pay the invoice. It is so easy! I can even set up reoccurring payments for my 3-month contract clients.

Here is my link to sign up for Honeybook: http://share.honeybook.com/mgrae2893675

New Client Questionnaire

I did not go through too many sites to find a good one for surveys. I always knew about Survey Monkey and it was free so that is what I went with. I did run into the issue that you can only have 10 people fill out a survey on the free version.

Once I really started using Honeybook, I began to use the "forms" that can be created. This is really nice because if someone does fill out my "New Client Inquiry" they automatically go into my Honeybook database. I very recently began doing this but someone has filled out a form and their profile was automatically created and now their form will live with their proposal, contract, and invoicing information.

Selling Services (Coaching Calls)

I struggled at first to figure out how to easily allow people to sign up and book a coaching call with me. I tried so many different "link in bio" sites and finally found Stan Store! Not only can I have a link to my website, freebies, and anything else, but I also can add services for people to instantly purchase!

You can view my Stan Store and try it for yourself here: join.stan.store/mgraemedia

For more information on Social Media Management or 1:1 Coaching Calls visit our Services page.