You did it. You finally decided to go out on your own and start your own business. You’ve got the drive, passion, and determination to make it happen as a solo entrepreneur. The question is, do you have the right solopreneur tools in your arsenal?
Becoming your own boss is exciting and scary at the same time. You get to call the shots, but you also have to do everything on your own. From customer service rep to social media manager, you wear every hat.
As overwhelming as it seems, you can do it. You can run your own one-person business with the right digital tools.
As a solopreneur, you need to streamline every aspect of your business. Even the most mundane of tasks need to run on autopilot. Time is your most precious resource, and that’s where the following tools come.
Here are the top 10 best tools for solopreneurs like you:
1. WorkFlow Max
WorkFlow Max is an all in one project management solution with quoting, scheduling, time tracking, invoicing and all built-in. You can use this tool on a desktop computer or any other smart device.
In addition, there are over 30 add-ons like Zendesk or Adobe, HubSpot, and Smart Payroll, all of which maximizes your efforts and workflow.
2. WiseStamp
When just starting out, professionalism is a must. With the WiseStamp app, you can create a professional signature that shows your photo and automatically sends your contact information to the recipients.
It also includes links to your website and social media pages. You can customize the entire process for free. If you want, there are additional options with a yearly subscription.
3. Shake
Shake is one app you need to check out. It offers free templates you can use for electronic signatures from clients. It’s 100 percent free to use on of Shake’s template, or you can always upgrade for more customizations. For solopreneurs just starting out, the free plan is a good place to start.
4. Eventbrite
What solopreneur doesn’t need event planning? There a slew of free event-planning apps that make planning your next event easy. With event planning apps like Eventbrite, you choose which works best for your niche.
Just keep in mind that some event apps are free and some aren’t. Most are available on both the App Store and Google Play.
5. Adobe Spark
In today’s digital age, you need a social media presence to grow your business. Adobe Spark lets you design high-quality graphics for free. The best part is, you don’t need a degree in design to create eye-catching graphics.
There are a variety of templates specifically sized and formatted for your chosen platform. You can also create stunning videos without needing prior editing experience.
6. Square
Let’s face it: Time is money. And when a client wants to pay, you better be able to accept the payment. If not, that sale might go right out the window. One of the biggest complaints consumers have is malfunctioning check-out processes.
Thankfully, the Square app lets you accept secure payments with zero fees to get started from anywhere. The company then sends interested parties the hardware they need to get set up. While they do keep 2.75 percent of all transactions, the ability to accept credit and debit cards on the move seriously increase your ROI.
7. Hootsuite
When it comes to managing multiple social media channels, Hootsuite is a game-changer. With the free version, you can connect up to three social media accounts, schedule future posts and see basic analytics. Especially on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, posting in real-time when your target demographic is available is crucial.
In addition, there are also paid plans available for solopreneurs who need to organize more than three accounts.
8. GetResponse
For as little as $15 a month, GetResponse helps you effectively grow your email list to 1,000 subscribers. As your business grows, there are higher-level tiers available.
You get landing pages and marketing automation as well. When ready for higher-tier plans, you’ll be privy to campaign consulting, Salesforce integration even webinars.
9. WiseIntro
WiseIntro helps you build an online presence without expensive start-up costs. As you grow, it’s easy to upgrade for additional features. Because of WiseIntro’s sharp visual components, you’re able to show leads what you can do, even at the earliest stages, without having to pay a graphic designer.
When it comes to the best tools for small business, WiseIntro makes the cut.
10. Grammarly
Grammarly is one of the best tools for small business owners. Whether you are writing emails or posting on social media, Grammarly can help you create beautiful copy. It’s like spell check on steroids. Grammarly has a free version that catches punctuation and grammatical mistakes, which are often overlooked by word processor applications.
The free version also checks for plagiarism to ensure that none of your research accidentally end up in your copy. Once your business grows, there are paid versions, which include vocabulary enhancement tools and advance checks for grammar and punctuation.
Final Thoughts
Growing a business, especially on your own, is never easy. It takes a lot of hard work and patience to get the ball rolling. But this should never dissuade you from marking your mark in the world. Some of the best tools for solopreneurs are at your fingertips.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of the blog series Grow Your Business brought to you by the marketing team at UniTel Voice, the virtual phone system priced and designed for startups and small business owners.
