Save your most precious resource, your time! These 5 tools have proven to give me back my time, enabling me to spend more time doing what I love and being with those I love.

It can be difficult to know what resources to choose from for your creative service-based business. Below are 5 of my favorite recommendations for tools that I’ve found work for me in my 15 years as a photographer and currently utilize for my brand photography and business mentoring.

Each of these links is an affiliate link where you receive a discount or bonus and I receive a commission or bonus for referring you. Utilizing my links and unique codes helps me to bring others the resources and business education and tips for free. If you choose to test out, sign up with, or purchase from any of the links below – thank you!

HONEYBOOK

HoneyBook is everything your business needs to get it done. Manage projects, book clients, send invoices, and get paid — all on HoneyBook. 

I’ve used HoneyBook for about 7 or 8 years now. It served me amazingly well when I was a wedding and family photographer. It transitioned easily with me into brand photography & business mentoring. If you have a small business that requires online proposals, contracts, project management, scheduling, and invoicing then give HoneyBook a try to discover how powerful a tool it is.

Link only, no code necessary.

SHOWIT

Create a website that books the clients you love. ShowIt gives you complete creative control so you can finally build the website you’ve been dreaming of. 

In my opinion ShowIt is like Photoshop and a website building platform collided. It’s the perfect website builder for creatives! I love the ability to fully customize templates, integrate my wordpress blog, and have access to some of the top website designers in the country who design on ShowIt. It’s icing on the cake that the ShowIt community is top notch, too!

Code: jennashriver to get 1 month free.

FLODESK

Built by creators for creators. You can use it to design and send on-brand marketing emails, create opt-in forms to grow your list, and build powerful email automation.

From the moment FloDesk launched I knew I’d love it as my email platform. Much for the same reasons that I love ShowIt, FloDesk was built by creatives for creatives. They have beautiful email templates to choose from, all capable of being customized to fit your brand. FloDesk cuts the navigational clutter that other email platforms have that slowed me down.

Link only, no code necessary.

QUICKBOOKS

Smarter tools for the world’s hardest workers. Set up a simple streamlined system for your finances that makes tax season simple.

As a creative, bookkeeping is one of my least favorite aspects of my business. That may not be true for you, but either way QuickBooks brings organization to all of our transactions and banking.

Link only, no code necessary.

CANVA

Create beautifully branded content for social media & beyond. Easy & intuitive to use. Thousands of templates, illustrations, & other assets are available. Schedule to Instagram or Facebook right from Canva.

Canva is my favorite tool for easily creating graphics and videos, and scheduling them to social media. I love the ability and ease to collaborate with others within Canva. So if you outsource social media, have a team or an intern, and they can fit seamlessly into your social media planning process.

Link only, no code necessary.

I tried to keep this blog to the point to give you just the information you need. If this blog was helpful for your creative small business, leave a comment letting me know. If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments as well.

If you liked this post, check out my other post about HoneyBook here.