Skip to content
Aubree Malick
  • About
  • The Prep 2.0
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Contact us
Aubree Malick

5 Tools Every Freelancer Should Be Using

ByAubree Malick July 1, 2022July 1, 2022

When I started my freelancing business, I had a two year old and was two months shy of delivering my second son. I quickly realized that in order to not hit the fast track to burnout, I was going to need some solid systems and freelancing tools in place. 

I have dabbled with more tools and systems in my three years of being a business owner than I might be willing to admit, but I have also learned that keeping things simple is the way to go. You don’t need all the pricey bells and whistles, but you definitely need helpful tools and systems in place. 

Today, I am sharing my top 5 favorite freelancing tools and systems that I strongly believe every business owner needs in order to save time and stress less. 

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Any purchases made through one of our links earns us a small commission, at no extra cost to you.

Tool #1: Google Calendar

I use Google Calendar daily to organize client meetings, personal events, podcast interviews, coaching calls, and more. For a while I only used a paper/pencil type calendar but quickly realized that in order to prevent double booking, a digital calendar was a MUST!

I also love that I can share my calendar not only with my team but also with my husband so everyone is always in the loop of what is going on both personally and professionally. 

I love to set reminders and color code my calendars to help keep everything organized. This one is a no brainer. 

Tool #2: Google Drive

Another one of my favorite freelancing tools is Google Drive. I organize files, templates, free downloads, client work and more within Google Drive. Organized folders make my heart sing so this is a definite must on the list. 

I recommend creating different categories such as marketing and then sub folders underneath (IG, TikTok, Pinterest, blogs, emails, etc.)

This is also where I house testimonials, brand photos, tax information, and SOPs. Basically without Google Drive, my business wouldn’t function. 

Tool #3: ClickUp

I recently switched over to this project management tool. You could also use Airtable, Asana, Monday and more but for me, this is the most robust way to keep my day to day tasks organized. I also use this to keep my team organized as well as my podcast and social media tasks. 

There are so many features ClickUp has to offer and I feel like I am barely scratching the surface. I love the forms you can create directly in ClickUp along with all of the automations. You can also embed Google docs, templates, and your calendar. Win, win! 

systems for freelancers

Tool #4: Voxer

Who doesn’t love talking out their thoughts?! Voxer is way faster than texting or sending emails. I use this walkie-talkie style app to talk with clients, my team, and even my biz besties. 

You just download the app and you are able to talk with whoever you need for longer than the one minute time limit those other social media platforms cap out at. 

Tool #5: Dubsado

Having a strong CRM (customer relationship management) makes for a streamlined client experience. Dubsado is the perfect way to send custom proposals, contracts, invoices, and schedule discovery calls. 

Honeybook is another great CRM that has all of the capabilities of Dubsado but for me I have always swayed towards the latter. 

If you are looking for a more budget friendly approach, especially if you are just getting started, you can use tools such as Acuity, Waveapps, and Calendly. 

Once you hit those 3k+ months, I do highly recommend investing in Dubsado or Honeybook as it will save you tons of time and make the client experience one to remember. 

Want to learn more about becoming a virtual assistant, checkout my FREE training! 

tools for freelancers
Instagram TikTok Apple Podcasts Facebook
REFLECT!! Are you taking time to reflect on you REFLECT!! 
 
Are you taking time to reflect on your business wins no matter how big or how small?
 
Are you taking time to reflect on what is going well and what might need some adjustments in your business?
 
Are you taking time to reflect on your WHY for starting your business in the first place? Has it changed?
 
As a society, we are constantly moving at a million miles a minute and as a result, we often neglect to reflect. 
 
As an entrepreneur, I try to reflect on all of the above at least once a quarter. I even have a reminder set in my calendar to do so. 
 
By taking time to reflect, to pause, to think, it allows me to progress and grow. 
 
I challenge you to do the same!! 
#workathomemom #momsinbusiness #stayathomemoms #thegreatresignation #freelancingfemales #virtualassistants #formerteacher #workfromhomelife #momssupportingmoms #momsonamission #workfromanywhere
Are you afraid to niche down your services in fear Are you afraid to niche down your services in fear that you will miss out on working with potential clients?

I hear this all the time from my Prep students who are a few months into their freelancing journey. 

They have plateaued in their earning potential and as I advise them to niche down their services, I get responses like “But Aubree, I’m afraid I won’t get clients.”

They feel like they have to offer all the things and be available to do any and all services in order to grow their business but quite the opposite is true. 

By niching down, you are opening the doors for so much more. You are opening the doors to be seen as an expert in your field, as the go-to person for X, as the must-hire for _______ service. 

And with that comes the ability to bump up your prices. If you are an in-demand service provider offering just one service, people are going to want to pay a premium price. They want the specialist, not the Jack (Jill) of all trades that can do it all. 

So if you have been considering niching down to offer just one service, take this as a sign that NOW is the time! 

What do you/or what do you want to specialize in?

#womenentrepreneurs #ceomindset #onlinemarketingstrategies #scaleyourbusiness #virtualassistantforhire
When you are just starting out as a freelancer, th When you are just starting out as a freelancer, there are 4 must-do’s I always recommend. 

First, you want to make sure the legal side of things are set up whether you decide to file for an LLC or sole proprietor. 

Next, you will want to decide what services you will offer. Do you want to offer more general VA type services or do you want to specialize in one specific area such as website design?

After that, it is time to create your packages. Think about what you will charge for the services you provide. How many packages will you offer. Are you willing to make custom packages? Think through it all.

Last, you will want to create a portfolio that you can share with potential clients. Be sure to share who you are, how you can serve them, the services you offer, and what you charge for those services. 

If all of this feels overwhelming head to the link in bio to watch my free training when I go more in depth with each of the above steps. 

#ceolife #workfromhoejobs #workfromhomemomlife #workfromhomemomjobs #earnmoneyfromhome
Did you know you might be missing out on working w Did you know you might be missing out on working with potential clients simply because you are not following up?

I learned the importance of following up very early on in my freelancing journey. 

If you connect with someone in a FB group, follow up with them via email and provide further details regarding how you can support them with the services you offer. 

If you are having a genuine conversation with a potential client in the DM’s and they say they might be interested in the future, follow up with them a month or two later to see if now is a better time. 

If you had an awesome discovery call, sent over a proposal and contract but have yet to hear back, send a follow up email. 

People get BUSY! It is very likely that the person on the other side does want to work with you but because they are so overwhelmed and in the weeds of their business, they forget. You need to do the work for them and follow up. 

I recommend creating some sort of follow up system whether that be in your project management tool like Trello or Clickup or in a simple spreadsheet in Google Sheets. 

Stop missing out on working with dream clients and always, always follow up! 

Double tap if you have a system in place for this? 

#virtualassistantcommunity #workfromhome #virtualassistantmentor #businesssupport #freelancelife #virtualassistance
Follow on Instagram

© · 2022 · Aubree Malick · Terms & Conditions · Website by Whizzy Website

Scroll to top
  • About
  • Podcast
  • The Prep 2.0
  • Blog
  • Contact us
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest