💙 Fave Tools & Tech

💙 Fave Tools & Tech


Table of contents

Updated: January 3, 2023

I love apps. My business partner says I have an app "problem." Guilty as charged! I tested and helped develop apps at the corporate level. I guess I've never stopped testing (and buying!) cool stuff. Now you get to explore my fave tools and tech.

FYI: this page includes affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I've used and love. I've noted affiliate links with an asterisk (*). Read our disclaimers.

✨ Fave Apps

My Tech Stack

📬 Email Marketing

ActiveCampaign* is the best CRM and email marketing platform for small businesses.

MailChimp (great integrations): great for new businesses.

🏫 Courses & Community

Most robust learning management system (LMS) outside of WordPress: Learnworlds*: massive integrations, courses, live events, coaching/appointments, ebooks, SCORM, and a built-in community.

If you're a solopreneur, Podia is an excellent platform for creating and selling courses.

🎧 Podcast Tools

Hosting

I 💯 recommend Captivate* ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Customer service

Other podcast hosts for business include Transistor and Buzzsprout.

Editing

Mics

The Ultimate Podcast Planning Checklist | AppSumo
Podcasting is the hottest content marketing trend—you know that—but how do you even get started with the process? The Ultimate Podcast Checklist is the step-by-step solution for the bootstrapping podcast newbie. Our ‘Find Your Podcast Why’ system will uncover what you know about your listeners—and y
Grab my mini-course to learn more about how to plan your own podcast.

🎥 Videos

Cameras

Editing

  • Camtasia: editing + pulling video clips together
  • Descript: editing + removing filler words + transcript

💎 Social Media

Lately.ai uses artificial intelligence to help you not only write and post content, it's a dream for content creators (podcasters, YouTubers, etc.) who want to share clips of their work. Lately.ai will edit and generate video or audio clips to accompany your posts. 🤯🤯 CoFounder Kate Bradley Chernis shared startup and writing secrets on the Women Conquer Business podcast.

Kate Bradley Chernis: Defying the Odds & Raising Millions
From DJ to Wal-Mart to raising millions to fund her startup, Lately.ai, you don’t want to miss this interview with Kate.
Kate Bradley Chernis, CoFounder of Lately.ai, on the Women Conquer Business podcast.

MissingLettr*: I LOVE the Curate feature, which allows other creators to share my content with their audience. I interviewed the founder, Benjamin Dell, on my podcast.

Launch Great Business Ideas In 6 Weeks or Less
Fabulous insights from Benjamin Dell, Founder, MissingLettr. How to launch ideas quickly, and promote your blog posts.
Benjamin Dell, Founder of MissingLettr, on the Women Conquer Business podcast.

🌐 Web Tools

Platforms

  • Ghost* is GREAT for creators, bloggers, newsletters. If you're not a creator....
  • Squarespace is great for coaches, consultants, and non-technical entrepreneurs. SEO out of the box. Use promo code GIMME10 to get a discount on your first year.
  • Shopify for eCommerce 💯. Don't mess around with WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Magento/Adobe Commerce, etc.
  • What about WordPress? WordPress is great. Best SEO. And it requires hosting, plugins, updating, security.... During the pandemic, platforms like Squarespace, Shopify, and (ugh!) Square made it so much easier for everyday business owners.

Plugins, Hosting & Security

Shopping Carts:

  • Studiocart* Studiocart creates sales funnels in WordPress. It's also founded and operated by Nicole Evans, a woman of color, which is awesome! 👏
  • Thrivecart I use Thrivecart to create sales funnels for Women Conquer Business

Search Engine Optimization:
RankMath, its free version, is full-featured and easy for the layperson to understand

Hosting:
Siteground* I've used Siteground for years. Wordpress.org recommends Siteground

Security:
If you're on WordPress, you need some form of security. Sucuri is a great platform and service I've used in the past (and with clients). Most small businesses only need firewall protection. If you've been hacked, or want heightened protection get the website security plan

🗄️ Ultimate Space-Saving Desk Setup

ultimate space-saving desk setup
The "before picture" was too terrifying to share (for reals!) Here's my current desk setup. 

If you're curious about the space-saving desk setup I'm currently using, I've included it below.

Why? Because I suspect many of you don't have my patience — nay, stubbornness, curiosity, and budget — to try numerous configurations for three years. I know, I know...

Here's what I'm working with:

  • Room size: 8' x 10'
  • Desk size: 48" x 24"
  • Computer: 16" MacBook Pro, laptop stand, Trackpad, Keyboard with Numeric Keypad
  • Misc: Podcast mic, webcam, lighting for video calls and streaming

I wanted space to work at my desk WITHOUT giving up access to my whiteboard, closet, or office windows.

Here's how I did it: