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Ever get the feeling you’re spending more time figuring out new automations than they actually save you? You’re not alone in that! In this blog, I’m sharing some time-saving tools you might reckon you’ll never use, but hey, you might just discover something new.. And if you’re really not up for it, you could always think about roping in a VA to sort it for you.
Automating Social Media
Let’s take a peek at some handy tools for managing your social media. Canva’s brilliant for creating visual content AND you can use it for scheduling, ChatGPT helps with coming up with creative posts, and ManyChat’s perfect for setting up chatbots. Did you know that with Canva, you can even create bulk posts? Combine that with ChatGPT, and you’ve got yourself a month’s worth of content in no time.
Ever seen those Instagram posts where they say, ‘comment with ‘I want’ and get x instantly,’ or ‘send a DM with x and get the e-book,’ etc.? They’re probably using ManyChat for that. And let’s not forget the good ol’ reliable scheduling tools like those in Canva, Later, Metricool, or just the built-in scheduling features on social media platforms (and those are always free!). Personally, I swear by Later and the built-in scheduling options on the socials. Even if Meta’s not always up to scratch, well, everyone’s got their own preferences.
Organising Files
To keep your files organised and easily shareable, you’ve got tools like Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. Use the collaboration features in your chosen storage service, like Google Drive’s shared folders or Dropbox Paper, to work together on docs and share ideas effortlessly. And to keep your files in sync across all your devices. That way, you’ve always got the latest versions, no matter where you’re working. OneDrive, part of Microsoft Business is like your all-in-one digital vault. It’s where you stash all your important stuff – documents, photos, videos – and access it from wherever you are, whenever you need it. No more sweating over lost files or lugging around USB drives like it’s the ’90s.
If you’re all about automation, Zapier’s the one for you. It can handle stuff like saving email attachments straight into specific folders or giving you a heads-up when files get updated. For signing docs, you can do this with Dropbox aswel or there’s DocuSign, and when you need to zap big files across, WeTransfer’s your go-to.
Simplify Email Marketing with These Automations
Email marketing packs a punch when it comes to staying connected with your audience and boosting your brand. There’s a whole array of tools out there to help you nail your email game, like MailChimp, MailerLite, Laposta for newsletters, and if you’re up for some serious automation, think ActiveCampaign or FluentCRM. ActiveCampaign is seriously a handy platform for email marketing and automation. With ActiveCampaign, you can set up all sorts of clever automations based on what your subscribers do, think sending them a personalised email right when they need it most. Plus, you’ll get detailed stats to track how your campaigns are performing, so you can tweak them for even better results.
Choosing the right email marketing tool boils down to your specific needs, budget, and how much automation you’re after. It’s worth shopping around and seeing which one fits your vibe and your business best. Personally, I’ve got a soft spot for ActiveCampaign, and it seems like loads of entrepreneurs in my circle do too.”
There’s Always Room to Make Bookkeeping More Efficient
Let’s dive into bookkeeping! Keeping tabs on your finances can sometimes be a bit of a faff, but luckily, there are tools that make it way easier. Think programmes like QuickBooks, and Xero. With these tools, you can whip up and send invoices and keep your financial info nice and tidy. Also it helps you do you taxes and both of them are HMRC recognised. Personally, I’m a fan of QuickBooks because it’s user-friendly and packed with handy features to streamline my bookkeeping. It’s not just for invoicing either, it’s great for tracking my bills too. Besides they have great deals and different kind of pricing options. I use the Essential plan because I work with different currencies.
What else would you like to automate?
For more business tips, be sure to check out my latest blog on the top editing tools I swear by, or give my social media a whirl.
Psst! Heads up: some of the links in this message are affiliate links. What does that mean? Well, if you click on one and decide to use the service, I receive a small commission. But don’t worry, it won’t cost you a penny extra! And rest assured, all the opinions you find here are entirely my own.