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A few years ago, I wrote a blog post sharing tools for blogging that I can’t live without. I thought it was time for an updated list. Here are some of the tools I find indispensable for content creation, running my business, and more.
Fohr
Fohr is an influencer community platform. I use their interface to quickly track important metrics like engagement rate, but they’re so much more than that. I’ve connected with brands for collaborations and attended fun and fascinating networking events at their NYC office. Recently, I was able to attend Advertising Week thanks to Fohr. I found a lot of inspiration and made great connections with people I never would have met otherwise.
Google Workspace
I use Google Workspace for everything from hosting my business email to storing tea nerdy spreadsheets in Drive. Since it’s just me running Tea for Me Please, the Starter subscription works just fine, but there are options to upgrade if you have a larger organization. It’s super handy to be able to sync and access everything on all of my devices. The improved security options also help me rest easy knowing that my important accounts are safe.
StickerYou
StickerYou is a company that I recently discovered. I’ve ordered trinkets like stickers and magnets for giveaways, but they have a ton of different branded things that can be customized with your logo. Everything I’ve ordered has arrived swiftly and has been of very high quality.
One of my favorite items is a magnetic name tag that I can wear to trade shows and speaking engagements. I added an iron-on transfer of my logo to an inexpensive apron to have something clean and classy for events that could get a little messy. Image transfer decals are great for adding my logo to teacups and other items.
StickerYou‘s customer service has also been excellent. I emailed them for something that turned out to be my mistake, but they responded quickly and even offered a credit.
Freshbooks
Tea for Me Please was officially registered as an LLC in 2022. That means having to track income and expenses as well as filing quarterly tax payments. FreshBooks is my all-in-one tool for financial tracking and invoicing. I can easily accept payments using PayPal and most major credit cards. When the time comes to file annual income taxes, I can print out reports of everything my accountant needs. I try to dedicate a few hours each month to make sure that I have everything entered accurately.
Square
I’ve used Square as my point of sale for in-person sales as well as selling advanced tickets for events. Being able to use my phone to accept credit cards from anywhere that I am is a huge help. There were some last minute cancellations before a workshop I had earlier this year, but I was able to quickly issue refunds without skipping a beat. The free plan charges just 2.6% + 15¢ per transaction and works well for my needs.
Wall Calendar
I’ve tried a number of different content calendars over the years, but I have never been able to stick with any of them. This year, I found that what works best is an old-school wall calendar. I found a pretty one at HomeGoods with plenty of room for writing. I use sticky note tabs to plan out blog posts and videos, and then write them in once they’re finished. I love being able to easily shuffle things around before they’re finalized. It hangs above my computer so I can just look up and see what needs to be done next.
Are there any other tools that you recommend I check out? Let me know in the comments below!
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