Tools I use to maximise productivity in my photography business
Starting a business can be overwhelming, let’s be real. There are so many areas that need your focus and attention and most days can feel like there just aren’t enough hours to get through everything.
Today, I’m sharing tools that I use on a daily basis to help streamline my business and that I really couldn’t live without.
Dubsado
Dubsado is an all-in-one business management tool that allows you to send contracts and invoices, handle project management, create questionnaires and other forms, manage bookkeeping, track your time, send and receive emails.
Using Dubsado has been a huge learning curve for me, but one that I couldn’t have understood or realised the potential of until I worked with Lindsey Garvey. Lindsey specialises in supporting photographers and creatives with the admin tasks they don't have time for. She worked with me to completely transform my customer journey, created beautiful custom forms (which you can see above) and build workflows that really do cut out the repetitive tasks in my business. I highly encourage you to find out more about Dubsado and how Lindsey can help you if you’re feeling overwhelmed with the admin side of your business.
Flodesk
Flodesk is a new email marketing service provider that's built for creators, by 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 automations.
Email marketing is an incredible tool for sharing content, connecting with your audience and selling your services or products. Before I found Flodesk, I was so frustrated with sending out emails to my clients. Other apps seemed too clunky and confusing to use, but Flodesk is beautifully designed and I really enjoy using it. I can design emails, create templates from previous emails and set up automations and it’s so simple to use, it’s saved me a lot of time and stress!
If you’d like to try Flodesk, I have a code you can use for 50% off your monthly subscription (so instead of $39 per month, you can use it for $19, for the entire year). Simply enter this code to get the discount :)
Planoly
Planoly app and web dashboard enable users to manage their posts and content visually before posting it live on Instagram.
This app has been a game changer in planning out my social media and seeing how everything works together aesthetically, as well as helping me to stay organised with posting. I always encourage my clients to use this app after they receive their images from me, as it really helps to build out a cohesive looking grid and adds a level of consistency. Planning out your posts in advance definitely takes away the stress on what to post on a daily basis and saves a lot of time in the process.
Shootproof
Shootproof is an online gallery platform, that allows you to host your images, share with your clients and make sales in the process. Images can be watermarked, galleries can be password protected and you can assign your own personalised payment options to each gallery. You can also use Shootproof to send out invoices, contracts and create automations (which is amazing if you want to remind clients when a gallery is about to expire or gently nudge a client to complete an order).
Canva Instagram Templates
Wildflower Design Co offer the most beautiful Canva templates, which are amazing when it comes to planning out social media posts. They also include content ideas, which are perfect for those days when you lack inspiration. Using these templates are the solution if you’re looking to grow your business on Instagram, connect with your audience and raise your engagement.
So there we have it. My most used tools in my business that I really couldn’t live without! I’d love to know if any of these are new to you or if you have anything you’d recommend.