Every Tool I Use to Run My Freelance Marketing Business

Maybe you’re an entrepreneur who needs all the best tools to manage your own social media accounts or maybe you’re a fellow social media strategist – regardless, welcome! I’m breaking down the tools I use to run my social media marketing business. 

Tech: Apple 

Like most marketing girlies, I’m 100% an Apple girlie – I’ve got the iPhone 12 Pro, Macbook Air, Magic Keyboard, and Magic Mouse (although this ergonomic mouse is ideal if you have shoulder pain). 

I run my entire business on Apple products and have no intention of ever switching. 

File Storage: Google Drive

I use Google Drive to store my files, client work, and literally every other document related to my business. I also use Google Docs and Sheets for brainstorming, writing email newsletters and blog posts, or any documents that are going to be shared with my clients. It’s easy for them to review, download, and add feedback.

Project Management: Notion

Google Drive is more of a storage system and less of a project management system. That’s where Notion comes in. It’s the perfect system for all your project management needs: business brainstorms, content planning, grocery lists, and random 2am thoughts. I use it to organize my personal and professional life, and to create all of my free downloads and digital products.

Graphic Design: Adobe Creative Suite

Whether I’m editing photos or designing graphics, I use Adobe Creative Suite. There is a learning curve but once you get the hang of it there’s more freedom and flexibility than Canva. 

However if you’ve never used photoshop before and find it intimidating, it might be easier to get a Canva Pro account instead.  

Graphic Design: Canva Pro

As much as I love Adobe Creative Suite, Canva has its perks. It’s user-friendly, there are lots of free and paid templates to choose from, and they’re always adding new features. 

Canva is how I design my client’s Instagram grids (template available here) and client-facing documents like social media strategies and monthly reports.

Video Editing: InShot

As much as I encourage everyone to edit their videos in the Edits app, InShot is so much easier to use. You can even use your own brand fonts, adding a touch of your visual brand identity to each video you create. 

Social Media Scheduling: Later Media

I beg you to use a social media scheduling tool. A scheduling tool allows you to schedule all of your content in advance. You’ll never forget to post again, nor will you have to stop what you’re doing to post because Later will do it for you.

I love Later because it’s easy to use, you can schedule content across a variety of social media platforms, they have lots of analytics to make reporting easier, their marketing is top notch and full of helpful tips, and they’re always adding new features.

Email Marketing: Flodesk

I’m a big fan of Flodesk, mostly because they make it so easy to create gorgeous, design-forward email newsletters without needing design or coding experience. I use them for my own newsletters (sign up here!) and for my clients. 

Click here to save 50% for your first year. 

Email Marketing: Klaviyo

For my clients who want more analytics and are willing to put in the extra design work, I highly recommend Klaviyo. The analytics cannot be beat, they’re always suggesting new ways to improve, it links effortlessly with Shopify, and while it takes extra work to design each email in Photoshop, it’s so worth it. If you want the analytics but don’t have the design skills (or time), book an Open-Click-Convert Email Kit and I’ll do the hard work for you in 48 hours or less!

Client Management: Dubsado

This is new to my business so I can’t entirely say I use it to run my business just yet, but I’m hopeful. I got started on Dubsado to automate my onboarding, contracts, invoicing, and more so that I can spend less time on “admin” mode and more time actually serving my clients. It took a while to set up, and I haven’t had it long enough to confirm if it’s a tool I’ll use long-term, but if you’re interested in automating your business, this is where I’d start.

Use this link to save 20% off your first month or year of Dubsado.

For Invoicing: Square

Since I started my business in Canada, I always used e-transfers to get paid. When I moved back to the states, I had to figure out an alternative, especially for my clients abroad. I chose Square because it’s easy to use, they have a great app, and most importantly: it has the lowest payment processing fees, especially for my Canadian clients. Even if I use Dubsado long-term, I’ll continue to use Square for my OG clients who’ve been working with me for years.

Use this referral link to save on your first Square transaction.

For Digital Products: ThriveCart

Until 2025, I used Flodesk Checkouts to sell my digital products. It was so simple to set up, easy to maintain, and I don’t have any complaints. But I wanted more from my shop. I wanted more analytics, better integrations with other programs like Dubsado, and I wanted to offer “upsells” to help my customers save on products they’ll benefit from. So I switched to ThriveCart and I have zero complaints so far!

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Wait, Who Am I?

Hiiii! 👋🏻 I’m Sarah, an online entrepreneur & marketer of over 10 years. I went from starting a clean beauty blog right out of high school to managing social media for Canada’s largest wellness retailer. Now I live in the middle of nowhere in North Carolina, helping high-growth entrepreneurs get SEEN so they can build a crazy fun life their business supports, and not the other way around.

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