The 12 Best Productivity Apps, Business Apps, and Resources I use in my own businesses.

Because lord knows we can all use a few efficiency hacks in 2022.

Efficiency and the right tools are KEY to running a successful business. In this blog post, I am rounding up my favorite business productivity apps for small businesses, plus resources and hacks.

(disclaimer: for some of the apps/resources listed, I may receive a small commission for referring you. However, I ONLY recommend apps/resources that I love and have had a significant impact on my business.)

One thing you need to know about me is that when it comes to productivity, I want simplicity and efficiency. I hated the idea of using a bunch of different apps for different things because apps like Trello and Todoist just did not work for me. I was able to simplify things by using Google Suite but realized that some of these apps are plain necessary and even though I would like them on a single platform because of who I am as a person. I have researched and tried most things, and finally, have my systems and apps that work.

Let’s go ahead and dive right in.

1. Asana

This one is new for me, and I am KICKING myself for not using it earlier. I’ve tried Trello, I’ve tried Todoist, I’ve tried paper planners, and I’ve tried Google lists. I could not stick with anything or feel organized until I began using Asana. You can create projects and view them as checklists, boards, timelines, calendars, etc. I have the paid version, and I will never use anything else. They have training videos that make everything simple, and it makes communication with team members so easy and straightforward. I use Asana through the website and on the phone app. I cannot recommend Asana enough.

www.asana.com

2. Blinkist

Pressed for time--this is the entire motto of my being. Between running a business and being a parent, I have zero time for reading. Blinkist has changed the game for me. Blinkist has a TON of titles in all genres, but business is what I use the most. The app condenses books into what they call “blinks.” These blinks are summaries of essential principles in each book, and each takes about 10-15 minutes to read. BUT… you don’t even have to read them as they have audio blinks. I listen to these when I am driving and listen to a few books per day this way. If I like what I hear, I purchase the book and read the whole thing. If I feel like I have gained all of the information from the blinks, then I leave it be and rest easy knowing I learned a ton in just 15 minutes.

3. The Creative Law Shop

This resource is the single, most valuable resource in my business. I recommend this to every business owner. Every single one. I am a doomsday prepper for my business, and this means I have contracts for everything. Where do you get contracts for a creative business, you ask? At the Creative Law Shop. The Creative Law shop is a contract template shop specifically for the creative industry. She has a crazy amount of templates and likely has precisely what you need. I cannot recommend this resource enough, AND I have a discount code for you below :

shopcreativelaw.com

use code BEPUBLISHING10 to get 10% off

4. Kajabi

Kajabi hosts all of my online courses. This platform allows students to enroll and pay, gives them lifetime access (if that is something you want to offer), provides workflow automation, marketing pipelines and emails, and more.

5. Google Drive/G Suite

This one may be obvious for some, but I could not live without Google Drive. Being able to share large files with team members and clients is a necessity for me, and it is way simpler than dropbox. I use Gmail, Google Docs for article-writing where edits can be seen in real-time by users, Google Calendar, My Business, and YouTube, and it’s all in one place easy to access.

6. Flodesk for Email

I LOVE Flodesk. It’s user-friendly, intuitive, and AFFORDABLE ($38 per month WHAT!?). I’ve tried Mailchimp, Squarespace, Hubspot, Kajabi, and Dubsado, and nothing compares to Flodesk. It’s got simple, beautiful customizable email templates, and the availability to create different segments and funnels for each facet of your email list. I am simply obsessed with Flodesk, in fact, it’s probably my favorite tool I use in my business.

7. Plann for Instagram Scheduling

Plann is another app without; I simply could not function. I run three Instagram accounts, and this saves me SO much time. I can plan out posts weeks at a time to auto-post to Instagram. You can tag the photos, use hashtags from a saved set, write the captions and tag in the captions, and add a location. I simply would not be able to run social media without this app. This one is at the very top of my list for recommendations.

8. Canva

I have used Canva for YEARS with incredible success. I finally broke down and got the paid version this year, and I am never looking back. This app is for graphic design newbies who cannot afford graphic design for every tiny piece of content. They have SO many templates that are each 100% customizable and even have animated content. I have used this nearly once per day for the last several years. This is a MUST for Pinterest, Instagram stories, flyers, ads, presentations, etc.

9. Gusto

Gusto. Let me tell you how much I obsess over any resource/app/product that is simple as hell. That is why I will only ever use Gusto as my payroll service. For a small company like mine, payroll takes well under one minute. The reporting is SO simple; they provided resources during COVID, including payroll reports specifically tailored to PPP forgiveness and for those applying for PPP. For someone who HATES anything to do with numbers, they make this essential part of business stress-free and straightforward.

10. Otter.ai

Ah. artificial intelligence… Elon Musk’s favorite love-hate topic. For me, I love apps that utilize AI because they help me streamline. Otter is one of those. This app is a transcription app that comes in clutch for me when I am interviewing for the magazine or am hosting a long meeting and do not want to have to worry about furiously taking notes. You can hit record in the app or press record on your voice recording app on your phone and upload it. Otter will receive the recording and transcribe it from there, even recognizing who is speaking and marking it as a specific speaker for each line. The ability to put my notes down and listen has allowed me to be in the moment during interviews. Also, it lets me quickly put together my article afterward.

11. Quickbooks

This recommendation is another obvious for some, but I hate numbers. Like, I hate anything that has to do with numbers. Of course, they are essential to business, so I just push through with a grimace on my face, but Quickbooks makes things SO much more straightforward for this numbers-hater. It makes tax time SO much simpler because I just share my account with my accountant, and all of the information is there. I use the mobile app for tracking mileage and for snapping photos of receipts, which is super helpful to have in one place and filed away neatly for my accountant.

12. Grammarly

A necessity for a publishing company, but writing is a necessity for all companies. Impeccably written copy with proper spelling and grammar will set you apart. As I type this, I am using Grammarly’s suggestions. I have the paid subscription to this which cuts down on the editing process. The lite version makes spelling suggestions and light grammatical suggestions, but the paid version edits for passive/active voice, strength of the article, tone, formality, and so much more. Both the free and paid versions are available as plug-ins on Chrome and Safari. 10/10 would recommend.

So, those are my top apps and resources for business! I hope you found this roundup helpful. Looking for more business hacks, education, or business advice? Head over to our education page to find a course or solution tailored to your needs.

-B.E