Your freelance business doesn’t start with tools, but you know what? The right tools can go a long way in making your work easier and creating the success you want.
That’s why this month, I’m going to go over some of the core tools you should be considering for your business. A quick warning though.
The best tool isn’t the most popular, or the newest, or the most (or least) expensive. It’s the one that fits your needs and goals — so pay attention to the way you work and where you could need some support before anything else.
With that out of the way, let’s go!
The CRM
If you don’t have a customer relationship management tool or system, it’s time.
No really. Even if you’re just starting out.
CRM tools allow you to track your prospecting, identify what methods and platforms are bringing you business, and even manage ongoing relationships with existing clients.
You might think you don’t need one but I promise — there’s no way you’re keeping an eye on the big picture while trying to do production and manage everything else going on in your business.
I like Streak because it integrates with Gmail but the biggest benefit for me is the sales management (we’ll be talking more about that later this month). It does a lot more including tracking deal flow, and event planning, so even if you’re not using it for sales, you’ll probably find some benefit.
I used to use Insightly for y CRM, and it’s good, but didn’t quite work out for me. Platforms like Dubsado though (which I also use), also offer CRM functionality.
There are a bunch more, so play around with them until you find one that works with your freelance business goals.
Megan