Favorite Tools
Here are the apps I use to run my business and the ones I recommend to my clients.
Many of these links are affiliate links, which means I will get a commission or credit if you purchase. However, none of the fees have been increased to compensate me.
TOOLS TO RUN YOUR MARKETING & SALES
SYSTEME.IO
This is the app I use to run a large part of my business, including my entire website, all of lead generation and sales funnels, email marketing, shopping cart, courses, and communities. It's easy to use, intuitive, and fast. I've tried a ton of apps over the years and this is my favorite by far. Not only is it perfect for coaches who are just getting started, but those same coaches will be able to keep using it as their business grows. It's seriously inexpensive for all that you get. And the best part? The free plan is GENEROUS! Check it out.
CONVERTKIT
If you're not quite ready for an all-in-one solution like Systeme and only looking for an email marketing platform, you can't go wrong with Convertkit. I was using Convertkit before I switched over to Systeme. It's easy to set up and use and the emails are gorgeous.
VISTA SOCIAL
Vista Social is the tool I use to post on all my social media platforms. It allows you to schedule and post to several platforms at once saving you a ton of time and headaches. It also includes engagement tools, an AI assistant, and a bio link tool.
GOFULLPAGE
Go Full Page screen capture is a Chrome extension that allows you to capture an entire webpage. You can save the page as a PDF or PNG file. I use it to capture swipe files of marketing and business pages I love for future inspiration.
TOOLS TO COLLECT, MANAGE, AND SAVE MONEY
STRIPE
Stripe is my favorite merchant account. It's easy to set up, easy to use, and easy to integrate with a shopping cart app (such as systeme.io above).
PAYPAL
Paypal is another merchant account I use in my business. A lot of customers love using Paypal because it makes them feel safe purchasing online. It's definitely one you want to set up if you plan to sell coaching or courses online.
YNAB
YNAB is a personal finance app that I actually use for my business as well. I've had to tweak a few things to make it work for business, but I couldn't be happier with it. It has a tiny bit of a learning curve, but once you understand it, it will be easy to get and keep your personal and business finances organized. AND save you money. They also include a generous free trial so you can really try it out before you decide. I saved more than double the yearly fee the first month of using it. You might find you do the same.
APPSUMO
Appsumo is a company that works with other companies to create fantastic deals on business related apps. Most of them are lifetime deals. It's highly worth getting on their email list to get notified of new deals. It can save you a ton of money. You'll get 10% off towards your first purchase.
SETAPP
Setapp is a subscription service to a bunch of individual MacOs and iOS apps. For one low price per month, you have access to hundreds of apps. Granted, not all of them will be useful, but there are enough in there that I've found the price more than worth it. I'm currently using 23 apps on my Mac. Some of my favorites are Craft, Mockuuups Studio (used it for the iMac images on this page), CleanMyMacX, and TextSniper.
TOOLS TO HELP YOU COMMUNICATE
SPARK
Spark is an email app with a ton of features. The free version may be all that you need. It has a Smart Inbox, Smart Search, email templates, email signatures, and my favorite, Snooze. The snooze feature allows you to file the email away until you're ready to see it. Just let Spark know when you want it to show up in your inbox again.
ZOOM
Zoom is a video conferencing app that you've more than likely heard of. It is what I use for all of my coaching calls, as well as my enrollment conversations. The free version might be perfect for you. If not, their smallest paid plan is still quite affordable.
TIDYCAL
TidyCal is the online scheduling app I use. It's simple to set up and use. Plus, it allows my clients to easily schedule multiple coaching calls at once, saving them time.
SLACK
Slack is a communication tool you can use with your team if you have one. It beats the heck out of email. And their free version is quite generous. Depending on how big your team gets, you may never need a paid plan.
TOOLS TO KEEP YOU PRODUCTIVE & ORGANIZED
NOTION
Notion is the app I use to store all the pieces of my business and life that I want to keep track of. The flexibility you have is incredible -- you can build it your way with databases, pages, and blocks.
CLICKUP
Clickup is a project and task management app that also has documents, notes, whiteboards, and mind maps. Everything you need to keep track of your goals, projects, and tasks.
XMIND
Xmind is a mind mapping app that I use during my Coach Action Plan calls and whenever I need to get my creative juices flowing. It also includes multiple tabas and an outline feature. So I can get creative with the mind map and then switch over to the outline when I'm ready to get things organized in a linear or hierarchical way.
TOOLS FOR LEARNING & CREATING
EVERAND / SCRIBD / SLIDESHARE
With one small monthly subscription, you get access to Everand (ebooks and audiobooks), Scribd (digital document library), and SlideShare (online presentations). I mainly using Everand. It's similar to Kindle Unlimited, but the selection of books available is much, much larger. Business books, personal development books, and even fiction. Well worth the price. It has a generous 30-day trial. Click the button on this site to get an extra 30 days (60 days total). Plenty of time to see if it's for you.
READWISE READER
Readwise Reader is a tool that allows you to highlight emails, articles, Kindle books, and PDFs and then export them to your favorite note taking app. Use the link on this site to get a free month if you decide to try the premium version.
CANVA
Canva is an easy to use graphic design tool that allows you to create professional looking graphics for your business in no time. It's got a slight learning curve but nothing you can't handle. You'll be amazed and proud of the graphics you come up with. The best part are the hundreds (if not thousands) of templates to choose from. You'll never again have to design something from scratch. Time saver! If your budget allows, I also highly recommend the pro version. You'll be able to schedule your social media posts right from Canva, easily resize graphics for different social media platforms, create multiple brand kits with your brand colors and fonts, and a bunch more.
DESIGN CUTS
Design Cuts is a website that allows you to purchase already designed resources for your business. It's mainly for creatives, but I've found a lot of fun and quirky designs that I haven't been able to find anywhere else.
CREATIVE MARKET
Creative Market is a website that allows you to purchase already designed resources for your business -- social media posts, presentations, brochures, freebie giveaways. Everything is designed for you. You just need to add in your content.
UNSPLASH
Unsplash is a source for freely-usable images. They're beautiful and free. What's not to love? They're my first choice for grabbing beautiful graphics for my courses and marketing materials.
DEPOSITPHOTOS
Deposit Photos is another photography site. Not free, but sometimes I can't always find an image I'm looking for on Unsplash, so I use Deposit Photos to fill in the gaps.
TOOLS FOR CREATING VIDEOS
DESCRIPT
If you create videos of any kind on a regular basis, you are going to want to get Descript. It saves me HOURS a month. It allows you to edit videos using the transcript of the video. No more trying to find the exact place in the video file to edit it.
TAJA
Taja.ai is an AI platform that creates algorithm-friendly titles, descriptions, chapters, and shorts for your YouTube channel. It saves a ton of time. Sync it with YouTube, make a few tweaks, and you're good to go.
SAMSUNG MICROPHONE
This is one of the best microphones for the price. I love the quality of the sound. It's easy to set up and use. It comes with everything you need -- cables, stand, and pop filter
RING LIGHTS
I purchased two of these ring lights to put on the sides of my computer. They have three different color light options, from warm to bright white. They're also dimmable so you can select the amount of light you want on your face. I've never used this, but you also have the option of attaching your phone in the middle of the light.
