My Favorite Online Tools

Have you heard the saying, work smarter, not harder? In today’s digital age, there are a multitude of digital tools that allow you to do just that. But how do you know what is the right tool to use?

There are usually several tools out there that can do the same thing. Have a clear vision for what you want to accomplish and then go find a tool that will fit your needs. Today I’m going to highlight a few of my go-to online tools that will make your life a little easier.

Canva

Canva is an online platform that allows you to create professional looking images with little graphic design knowledge. You can select a number of online templates and then modify accordingly. Canva has a multitude of fonts and graphics within the tool, but it also allows you to upload your own graphics as well.

Within Canva, you can share graphics with others (I LOVE this when I’m working with an author. I can complete a project for them in Canva and then send them an easy to edit original). You can download images from Canva in a multiple of formats.

Pixaby

I get asked all the time where I get my images. My favorite site for stock photos is Pixaby. Pixaby is full of free images that you can use and they are copyright free. You can search Pixaby for the type of image you want. They have a nice selection of photographs, vector graphics, and background images. This is one of the most robust stock photo sites that I have found that is free of charge. (The photo below is from Pixaby. I searched for flowers and this was one of almost 2,000 options).

QuickBooks Online

Bookkeeping isn’t always fun, but it is important. I am in QuickBooks online daily. I use it to track my business expenses, and I also love that I can keep notes on clients and vendors all in one place. This is an inexpensive place to keep all of that business stuff that isn’t a ton of fun, but inputting it regularly will save you from headaches in the long run.

MailChimp

MailChimp is my favorite way to send emails. They are currently going through some rebranding of their own, but MailChimp is still free if your email list is under 2,000 subscribers (there is a cost after that). You can use a variety of templates to create eye catching emails for your subscribers. You can also create “email drip” campaigns that allow emails to go out at your request (things like a series of emails welcoming new subscribers when they join). MailChimp is user friendly and gives you some nice reporting to track who is opening your emails, clicking on links, etc.

Using the right online tools can save your sanity.

They can save you time, effort, and allow you to create professional looking marketing materials without a big price tag.

Do you have any favorite online tools? Do you have an area you’re struggling to find the right tool in? Let me know in the comments below.

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