Boost your productivity.

As a business developer and entrepreneur, my top priority is finding the easiest and shortest routes to get things done. We all have to take on multiple roles, from developing websites to writing content and managing social media ad campaigns.

This can be overwhelming, and small business owners are very familiar with this. Luckily, there are great tools to help. Here are some I use regularly that have made my life easier.

1. Outsourcing

Outsourcing tasks can free up your time for important matters. Delegate them to someone who can quickly and easily meet your needs. Use freelance websites for these. You can get almost anything done for reasonable prices that fit any budget.

Do you need your logo animated? Videos for your social media ads? Edits on your website? You can find a freelancer to do it.

The sites I use most are:

Freelancer

Fiverr

2. Email Marketing & Automation

Despite many communication platforms being available these days, email marketing remains relevant and effective. It plays a vital role in marketing strategies and must not be ignored.

Managing your mailing lists, subscriptions, email designs, automation, and campaigns can be overwhelming. That’s why there are tools to handle all of this for you.

Build your email list with signup forms and landing pages. Then, segment it to send emails to specific people. Set up automated messages to save time. Integrate your website or e-commerce store. Access analytics to track campaign progress.

I’ve used Mailchimp for many years:

Mailchimp

3. E-commerce

Most businesses need or will profit from an online store. If you’re not acquainted with websites and coding, this may seem impossible. Hiring someone to build an e-commerce website can be very costly.

You need a platform that handles everything for you. Just add your product’s info and images, a payment gateway, and delivery options.

There are various pricing options to suit every business budget, and a free version to get you started.

I like Ecwid because it integrates with your current website’s design and colors. It’s user-friendly and offers great customer support.

Ecwid

4. Images & Video

Marketing is about visually attracting and pleasing content. Not everyone has the photography or videography skills to produce great visuals, nor the time alongside other business tasks.

The problem is that you need videos and images for almost everything. This includes social media and online marketing campaigns, your website, social media posts, presentations, products, printed marketing material, branding for your physical business, and more.

Visual imaging is crucial for your marketing strategy. Use good images and videos across all platforms. Poor imaging can deter potential customers by giving an unprofessional impression.

Using high-quality imaging for your business is beneficial. You can buy photos, vectors, or video clips on stock websites:

Shutterstock

Dreamstime

Depositphotos

Helping Your Business Grow

Here are some tools I use that might benefit your business. I’ll share more tools and tricks. Follow me for more.

If this seems daunting or you’re unsure how to get started, please feel free to contact me for a consultation.

I understand; I’ve been there.

by Madelein Wolfaardt

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