The Three Business Tools I Can’t Live Without

When I first started my business, I was overwhelmed with keeping all the different parts organized. I used to drown in notebooks, print, sign, scan, upload and email all contracts, and physically update spreadsheets with every purchase. Little did I know, there were so many platforms to make managing your business easier.

These three business tools not only made my life easier, but also helped my business grow, a win-win! I wish I had this list when I started, but I am so excited to share with you the business tools that I simply couldn’t live without. No, my coffee maker didn’t make this list, but it is a close fourth.

1. Paper by Dropbox

Paper by Dropbox is an app I use almost everyday. It is similar to Google Docs, but I think is much more user friendly. Paper helps me do tasks such as: plan and draft my blogs, brainstorm social media strategies with my clients, make virtual and linkable vision boards, make to do lists and set deadlines. Honestly, you name it, and it can be done on this app.

Paper doesn’t only keep me organized and on task, but I can also share the document I’m working on with my client or my copy writer so they can edit and add their thoughts too, making it a super impressive collaborative tool! (You can also turn the edit feature off if you just want them to be able to view and comment on your project).

Why I love it:

Freakin’ FREE baby
Versatility
Accessibility

2. Quickbooks

If you’re like me, you hate the numbers side of business — except for the getting paid part. Unfortunately for us creators, business is not all aesthetics and pleasing our clients. Quickbooks makes managing the money side easy. The app links to your bank account, helps you categorize your spending and income, sends invoices, and accepts payments. Then, when dreaded tax season comes around, Quickbook easily syncs to Turbotax or sends your accountant everything they need. And, as an added bonus, they offer a free mileage tracking app which saves me literally hundreds of dollars at tax time.

Why I love it:

Makes me feel less stupid
All inclusive money handling
Game changer

3. HelloSign

As a photographer, contracts are a huge part of my business, and I literally have no idea how anybody got anything done before HelloSign. First, you create a your contract in Word (I love this because you are still in control of your aesthetics because I am Libra AF), then upload them, and pick where the client signs and send it off. Also, I never worry I’ll lose a contract because you can link it to Dropbox to save a cloud version of the document. You can pay for upgrades, but they have a pretty decent free version, too.

Why I love it: