For those who don’t know me, I am like super type A. I prefer things to be organized, color coded, planned and “in order”. I cannot stand chaos - in my life or my business. I can’t focus. I’m definitely the girl with the color coded closet. To be honest, everything in my life has some sort of system, process or specific way to be done in order to be efficient. Even wedding planning is fun for me, and I have created very organized spreadsheets for each area of planning.
I’m sure that doesn’t surprise you as organization is kind of my job as an online business manager. I pride myself on creating efficiencies in my clients’ businesses and helping them to get organized.
So, you may be wondering what tools and systems you can implement into your business to get organized. I am sharing my favorite five with you to help you get organized in your business.
Asana
If I had to pick one tool that was the most helpful in keeping me organized and my business on track, it would be my project management tool, Asana. This is where I brain dump everything that needs to get done, organize it by client or project and assign due dates to myself, my clients or my team. It helps to make sure you’re on track and things don’t fall through the cracks. I love that Asana lets you customize by either board view or list view for each project, and they send you a daily email reminding you about everything you need to get done for the day. There’s so many things I love about Asana, but it really is the best place to start when trying to get organized
2. Dubsado
This is by far the best platform for sending contracts, invoices, forms and automating your workflows. I love to set it and forget it. It is the ultimate business management platform that will save you so much time in your business. While I do love this platform, it’s not super intuitive. Once you know what you’re doing it gets easier. The automated workflows are the thing that makes me the happiest. Knowing you don’t have to recreate and manually send contracts, emails or invoices has been invaluable in terms of saving time in mine and my clients businesses.
3. Acuity
Acuity is such a robust tool that really simplifies so much, and truly acts as your secretary. It gives your potential clients the ability to schedule calls directly through your website. This eliminates the need for them to email you to find a time to book a call and the back and forth/time wasted and potentially interest lost. There’s even more things that Acuity can do such as sync multiple calendars, accept payment, connect with your accounting software, CRM and more. It’s a pretty fabulous tool if you ask me!
4. Google Drive
Where do you store all of your documents? On your desktop? Or do you have an organized folder system by client or project that you use to easily find things? I love that Google drives allows me to keep everything I need for my biz and my clients in one place. It also makes me feel better knowing that it’s all accessible online if something happens to my computer. I can easily share documents with my clients this way and we can work together on one document at the same time.
5. ActiveCampaign
Email marketing is a great tool for so many reasons. I personally love ActiveCampaign, but if I’m being totally honest, I didn’t love it at first. It wasn’t until I really got into using it for a client that I fell in love. My email marketing is currently on MailChimp, but I’ll be merging over to ActiveCampaign soon. I love the ease of setting up sequences on ActiveCampaign and really funneling your audience to what they want and need from you. Regardless of what email platform you have, I always recommend setting up a welcome sequence for people when they join your list, as well as some sort of sequence for a “lead magnet” or “freebie” or “download” - whatever you want to call it. This helps you stay top of mind with your audience and deliver value directly to their inbox. Automations/sequences make it easier so you don’t have to individually create and send - and then re-create these emails with each new follower.
Do you have a favorite system or tool to help you stay organized in your business? Do you use any of these currently?
Speaking of setting up systems. Have you heard? I am now offering something that I think will be a total game-changer for your business! I can completely transform your business in just four hours by putting in place customized systems that will save you countless hours of time, and make your life 100x easier. I’m now booking clients for 4-hour Systems Intensives! I want to help you set your business up, or get your business organized with all the best systems and processes to help you THRIVE, save you time and reduce your stress friend!! Learn more here.
Katelyn Hamilton is an Online Business Manager and Get Your Sh!t Together Strategist. She helps busy entrepreneurs organize, strategize and prioritize their business to go from overwhelmed to out-in-front.
After spending 6 years in the corporate world working with multimillion dollar companies, top-rated chefs and celebrities, she launched her own business to find more flexibility and freedom. She matched her corporate salary in just one year of starting her business.
Katelyn is also a soon-to-be wife, stepmom, dog mama of two furry friends, fitness lover, sports fanatic (Go Dawgs) and dreams of living at the beach.
Click here to book a free call to talk more about your business goals and to see if hiring an OBM is the right fit for you.
