It’s so important to choose the right people and the right tools to work within our businesses. As much as I would love to be the tech wizard for all the amazing mums in business who reach out to me, I’ve come to realise that it’s impossible to be a master in all the different platforms, apps and programs that are in the online world. And it would actually do those of you who I work with a disservice if I tried.
When you don’t use an expert for the job?
We had it happen recently with our loft conversion project. Everything was going well, the main loft construction was done, the electrics were in, the walls plastered and a lovely new staircase to get up to the new floor of the house. It was just the bathroom and the final finishing touches and thats when things started to unravel. The person running the build bought in a jack of all trades to fit the bathroom rather than the specialist professionals we had for the rest of the project. The result? The quality of the work was shocking, and we weren’t happy so they had to redo it which in the end it cost them more time and money to fix their mistakes.
Just as the “jack of all trades” approach can backfire in construction the same applies to the tech within your business. When you seek tech support you want someone who’s not only competent but also specialises in what they do. You and your business deserve someone who can understand the ins and outs of the different platforms, apps and programs you use daily and can troubleshoot any hiccups that occur.
That is why I focus my tech services on the tools I use regularly within my own business.
Top Tools for Mums in Business
So let’s dive into my top tech tool recommendations that have transformed my business and can elevate yours too!
Email Service Provider – Mailerlite
Mailerlite is a game changer when it comes to growing your business. Not only can you do so much with it, but the best part is you can get started for free up to your first 1000 subscribers. Building an email list is one of the greatest assets a business can own as you have full control over how you communicate with the people on it. With Mailerlite you can create landing pages to get people to sign up for your list, set up automations to deliver any freebies you offer or send a set of emails to welcome people onto your list. You can segment the people into different groups so you can create targeted campaigns for your different audiences. Mailerlite also integrates seamlessly with your website, online checkout, booking systems etc so you can automate areas of your business with ease.
Professional Email Address – Google Workspace
First impressions matter right? Having a professional email address that uses your domain (@yourbusinessname.com) gives your business instant credibility. But here is the twist – most free emails that come with domain or hosting packages are spam magnets. So if you want your emails to land in people’s inboxes and not their spam folders a Google Workspace account is my recommendation. Not only do you get a professional Gmail email address, but Google Workspace gives you access to all the amazing Google features like Docs, Sheets, Forms and Slides. Trust me, Google Docs has been my go-to for planning all of my social media content and blogs.
Website – WordPress using the Divi Theme
Do you know more than 800 million websites around the world have been built with WordPress! WordPress is the foundation for your website and then Divi is like hiring the architect (can you tell we have been getting lots of work done recently!) pairing these together will give your website the look and function your business needs. I use the Divi theme because it’s not only easy to use but also allows you to create elegant designs for your website with a library of over 1,000 layouts.
Bookings and Diary Management – Calendly
If you work 1:1 with clients do you find yourself going back and forth over DMs, or emails trying to find a date and time that works for you both? Well, Calendly has been a game-changer for my business. By setting up your availability you can simply send clients a link to book appointments and connect it to your Zoom account to even send them the link to connect. After all, time is your most precious asset and Calendly allows you to manage it wisely.
Content Design – Canva
Canva is all you need to create scroll-stopping branded designs for any area of your business. Having spent most of my working life before kids using Adobe programs like Photoshop, Illustrator etc I was sceptical at first as to how good Canva could be. Well, it didn’t take long for me to be converted, so much so that for the first time this year I haven’t renewed my Adobe subscription, I’m Canva all the way. I use it for everything, social media posts, website images, lead magnet PDFs, and even my family’s Birthday and Christmas presents. I highly recommend using Canva and you’ll be able to create stunning graphics, engaging social media posts, and eye-catching promotional material. No design background is necessary.
Online Checkout – Thrivecart
The beauty of an online checkout like Thrivecart for both you and your clients is it makes all your transactions seamless. You simply set up your products (in this case products refer to anything you are selling whether a physical product or a 1:1 Zoom power hour) and you choose the methods people can pay you. I purchased Thrivecart when I was struggling to get invoices paid on time but what was also really important to me was having a way of breaking down payments for my services into manageable payment plans. Thrivecart allows you to do this with ease.
Social Media Scheduling- Meta Business Suite
Consistently posting to your social media pages is important for keeping up to date with your audience and keeping those pesky algorithms happy. But the reality is things come up and posting live all the time just does not work. That is why I use Meta Business Suite to schedule my Facebook and Instagram posts. Give your social media an upgrade and not only schedule posts but meta also allow you to track things like engagement and reach of your posts.
Content Best Friend – Grammarly
The unsung hero of your content, Grammarly is there keeping your spelling and grammar in check. From emails to your social content, Grammarly can integrate with so many other online programs it makes everything you create clear and easy to read.
When you entrust someone with your tech journey you deserve to work with someone who’s been there, done that and that’s exactly what I’m here to be – your reliable tech ally in this busy online world.
If you are ready to elevate your tech game for your business let’s chat and explore the exciting possibilities together. Take a look at my Tech VA services here or book a FREE Discovery Call.
Have a great day
Nicola – New Wisdom Design and Digital
