Top tools for marketing your online business
I’ve talked before about the importance of setting up systems to streamline your marketing efforts, and today, I want to dive into the top tools I recommend for supporting these marketing systems in your online business. These are my current favorites from what I've used so far, and they’ve been game-changers for me!
Either keep reading or watch the video below:
Asana
Alright, let's kick things off with Asana. If you've been here a while, you know I love Asana. It’s my go-to for managing all my systems. Whether it's breaking down tasks, creating templated workflows, or collaborating with my team, Asana is the central hub that keeps everything organized. I use it to systemize lead management, content creation, email marketing, and so much more. Let me tell you a bit about its pros and cons.
Pros:
Asana is user-friendly
The free version goes further than any other work management tool I've tried
Customizable workflows
It is great for team collaboration
Extensive integration options
Cons:
Can be overwhelming figuring out how to best set everything up
Because it's so simple to begin using, many people don't experience the full potential and only use it as a to-do list
When I first started my business, I was all over the place. I had ideas scribbled on sticky notes, to-do lists scattered across multiple apps, and I constantly forgot important steps in my processes.
Enter Asana. I now use Asana to manage all of my work and have everything nicely organized within my central Asana business hub. For example, I created a template for my YouTube workflow that includes 35 tasks for each video. Now, instead of starting from scratch every time, I just use template and follow the steps. It has saved me so much time and stress!
I've made my system templates available for you in Asana Essentials, which you can find at www.samanthkasbrick.com/ae. Asana Essentials is your key to getting set up the right way, getting the most out of Asana, getting your business organized, and systemizing your entire business. I call it Asana Essentials, because it sets you up with the essential foundations you need, but provides you with the strategies to run your whole business with Asana.
The best part? The free plan offers so much that you can get started without spending a dime. Seriously, Asana has transformed how I work, and I can't recommend it enough. If you want to get your hands on my templates or need help optimizing your Asana setup, check out Asana Essentials.
2. MailerLite
Next up is MailerLite, my favourite tool for email marketing. It’s user-friendly and has a great free plan that’s perfect for getting started. I use MailerLite to create and manage my email campaigns and funnels, and it makes the whole process super easy.
Pros:
Easy to use
Generous free plan
Advanced automation features
Cons:
Limited support for free plan users
Fewer integrations compared to competitors
You can try it out here and be up and running growing your email list in no time! If you want to launch your next free lead magnet, you can do the whole process with this tool – from landing page to automating the follow-up sequence. It's so simple. If you're new to email marketing or looking for a better free tool, definitely give MailerLite a try.
3. Metricool
Moving on to Metricool, a user-friendly tool that makes posting across social media platforms fast and convenient. What I love about Metricool is that it has a pretty decent free plan and it simplifies the process of scheduling and posting content everywhere quickly. They’re partnered with Google and Meta, so you won’t get penalized for posting through the app, which is a huge plus.
Pros:
Easily post across multiple social media platforms.
Clear analytics and reporting.
Affordable pricing options.
Cons:
∙ Limited options for customizing reports.
Metricool is especially going to help if you manage multiple social media accounts, Whether you just manage your own or multiple, if you struggle to keep up with the different posting schedules and formats, Metricool could change the game for you. You'll be able to plan and schedule all posts in advance, and the analytics feature can help you track performance and optimize your strategies. It’s a lifesaver if you're juggling multiple platforms. Check it out here.
4. Canva
Now, let's talk about Canva, the ultimate tool for creating content and lead magnets. There is a free version, but I personally prefer the paid version because it offers so many more features and assets. I've been a paid customer for years, and it’s worth every penny.
Pros:
The interface is very user-friendly.
Tons of templates and design elements to choose from.
The Pro plan is reasonably priced.
Great for beginners or people who aren't professional designers.
Cons:
Advanced users might not be able to do everything they need, as it is a bit limited when it comes to advanced design.
Back in the day, I used to spend hours trying to create decent graphics using complicated software. It was frustrating, and I often ended up with designs I wasn’t happy with. Then I discovered Canva. It makes it super easy to design professional-looking graphics, even if you’re not a designer. I've used it to create my YouTube thumbnails, social media graphics, and even eBooks. The templates and drag-and-drop interface make the whole process quick and fun. If you’re doing any kind of graphic design for your business, you need Canva in your toolkit.
5. Squarespace
For bringing everything together and closing sales, I recommend Squarespace. It's very user-friendly, especially compared to WordPress (which, to be honest, I’m not a fan of). Squarespace makes designing a website easy for non-professionals.
Pros:
You can build your website, host your online shops, manage email marketing, and schedule calls all in one platform.
Their customer support is very responsive and helpful.
The designs automatically adjust to look good on mobile phones and tablets.
Cons:
Advanced users might find the customization options limited.
When I started this business, I knew I wanted to get away from Wordpress, which I used for my first business's website. I decided to try out Squarespace, and within a few days, my entire website was up and running. It was straightforward, and the results looked pretty great, without the need of a web designer. They offer all-in-one options for email marketing, courses, digital products, and scheduling, but I usually prefer other specialized tools for better value. For example, I use MailerLite for email marketing. But if you want an all-in-one solution, Squarespace is a great option.
6. Cal.com
Last but not least, Cal.com for automated scheduling. I recently found out about Cal.com and started using it, and I’m loving it so far. It offers more features for free than Calendly or Acuity, both of which I’ve used in the past.
Pros:
The free version goes far: You get a ton of features and different meeting types without having to pay.
You can customize how people book appointments with you.
There aren’t any hidden costs or fees.
Cons:
I haven't ran into any yet!
One of the biggest hassles for me used to be scheduling calls with leads, clients, or team members. The back-and-forth emails or messages to find a suitable time were a pain. I've tried a few different tools, but love what cal.com offers.
Cal.com has been great for automating the scheduling process. Now, anyone I send my scheduling link to can easily book calls directly through the tool, and I can set my availability in advance. It’s seamless and efficient. If you need a reliable and feature-rich scheduling tool, give Cal.com a try.
So, those are my top tools for marketing your online business. Each of these tools has unique features that make them stand out and help streamline your marketing efforts. I encourage you to give them a try and see how they can transform your business.
