Looking for tools to make running your business smoother, more efficient, and dare I say, even fun? ? You’re in the right place.
Here’s my hand-picked list of tools and recommended resources for your business that I personally use or that come highly recommended by trusted friends and colleagues. Prices range from free to premium, and yes, a few of these links are affiliate links—because it’s The Baby Boomer Entrepreneur, not The Baby Boomer Hobbyist! But rest assured, I only recommend tools I trust and believe in.
If you try one of these out, I’d love to hear your thoughts—shoot me a quick email to let me know how it works for you!
Email Marketing & Course Hosting: Systeme.io
I’ve been using Systeme.io for my email newsletters and online courses, and it’s been a game-changer. This all-in-one platform lets me:
- Create opt-in pages, sales pages, and thank-you pages with ease
- Build autoresponders for lead magnets and courses
- Host videos directly on the platform without relying on YouTube or Vimeo
It’s a huge time saver and has cut my monthly expenses by hundreds of dollars compared to my previous tools. Plus, it has an affiliate program so you can get others to promote your courses or programs.
One downside? The entry-level paid plan only allows for 10 tags, which wasn’t enough for me, so I had to upgrade to the next tier. But the value is still unbeatable.
Pro Tip: There’s a free version, so you can try it out before committing.
Online Scheduling: Acuity Scheduling
If you hate the back-and-forth of scheduling meetings, Acuity is a lifesaver. I love that I can:
- Add a link to my email signature so people can book directly
- Embed a calendar on my website so people can book without clicking to another website
- Create multiple appointment types for different needs
- Sync Acuity with my Zoom account and Google calendar so people get their Zoom link immediately and the meeting gets added to my calendar automatically
- Even collect payments when clients book (though I’m not using this feature currently)
- Has a questionnaire you can ask people to fill out before they book a meeting. It’s great because I can see what they want to talk about, check out their website or LinkedIn profile all before we meet.
I switched to Acuity after another calendar tool failed me and caused me to miss meetings. Acuity’s reliability and features have made it well worth the investment.
Livestreaming Software: StreamYard
Whether you’re livestreaming to grow your audience or connect with clients, StreamYard is my go-to tool. I tested several different livestreaming tools and StreamYard was the easiest to use, the easiest to connect to social media (one tool I tested never did connect to my LinkedIn profile)
Here’s why I love it:
- It’s super easy to connect to all my social profiles
- Inviting on-camera guests is a breeze—they don’t need an account or to download anything
- Scheduling live videos on Facebook and LinkedIn with cover images and descriptions happens all in one place
- I get HD recordings to repurpose on YouTube or my website later
- It even has a webinar feature
StreamYard’s free version is great to start with, but upgrading unlocks streaming to multiple platforms, transcripts and HD recording. Also, if you buy the paid version using my link you’ll get a $10 credit.
Personal Videos with Bonjoro
Video isn’t just for public publishing on Facebook and YouTube. an underused type of video is personalized video. This is where you record a video for one person and send it directly to them usually in an email.
Why would you want to do this? If someone buys your course or signs up for your program, won’t they feel more excited if you send them a personal welcome video using their name? I know I would.
Likewise, if someone is interested in your course but doesn’t buy, send them a video highlighting some of the benefits, answering their questions or inviting them to a call.
You can also respond to support questions with a quick video, which is often faster, and clearer, than trying to type it.
The paid version also allows you to collect video testimonials from happy clients.
Video Editing: Camtasia
For simple and effective video editing, Camtasia is my MVP. I’ve been using it for over 10 years and recently upgraded to the latest version because they keep adding so many bells and whistles that are actually useful. Originally designed for screen recording, it’s also excellent for editing videos. You can:
- Trim out mistakes and pauses
- Easily combine multiple video clips into one video
- Add text, photos, or overlays
- Create polished videos without needing a pro
- Add beautiful captions to your videos
Their tutorials are fantastic for beginners, and the 3-day free trial gives you time to test it out on a real project.
Black Friday Sale: They’re having a sale from November 29 to December 6, 2024. Everything is 25% off. So if you’ve been thinking about buying Camtasia or any of their other software, this is a great time to invest.
Lighting for Videos: Logitech for Creators Litra Glow Premium LED
Good lighting can transform your videos, and while natural light is my go-to, sometimes you need a little help. Enter the Litra Glow:
- Compact and portable
- No weird “ring light” reflection in your eyes
- Adjustable brightness and color
It’s perfect for evening videos or overcast days when natural light just isn’t cutting it. It connects to your computer via USB cable and you can adjust the brightness or colour using the Logitech software but I just use the buttons on the back.
Malware Protection: Malwarebytes
Malware can wreak havoc on your computer, and antivirus alone isn’t always enough. Since switching to Malwarebytes Small Business Edition, my system has been clean and running smoothly. Highly recommend it for peace of mind.
These are just a few of the tools that make my business life easier—and I hope they’ll do the same for you!
If you’re curious about any of these resources, give them a try and let me know how it goes. Your feedback might just inspire me to add even more tools to the list!
