5 Must-Have Software For My Business

If a contractor’s tools of the trade include a hammer, tape measure, and a level, then my tools would be my Nikon D750, my camera lenses, Creative Cloud (Lightroom Classic and Photoshop Adobe), and ShootProof to deliver the images to my clients.

In addition to the tools above, here are my 5 favorite software to keep my business running like a well-oiled machine.

1. CRM software
   • HoneyBook
     • This CRM helps me gather clients’ information and it keeps my photoshoot projects organized. I can send contracts, invoices, questionnaires, emails, photoshoot prep guides, etc.
     • My favorite tool from HoneyBook is definitely the automation of emails and tasks for each project. It saves me from doing the same thing over and over again for each project.
     • Sign up for their 7-day trial and click on this referral link when you are ready to invest in HoneyBook to save 20% on your 1-year subscription. http://share.honeybook.com/charissa958326
2. Email
   • Google Workspace (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, Google Doc, etc.)
     • For only $6 per month, I have a professional business email (email@yourcompanyname) and larger storage on my Google Drive.
     • Google Calendar is my life! It helps me with time management and I use Tasks to keep my to-do list on track.
     • I save the photoshoot prep guides and other work-related documents so that when I email my client, I can send them the link instead of attaching the file.
3. Website platform
   • Showit
     • I love Showit! It is my favorite website builder. My website designer, Jill from JKL Creative Studio, did a fantastic job on my website when I rebrand my business in 2021.
     • Showit is a drag-and-drop website platform that you can customize both desktop and mobile easily and have total creative control, all without writing a single line of code.
     • Get a free month of Showit when you sign up. Click on this referral link: https://account.showit.co/r/chyphoto
4. Graphic design
   • Canva
     • Canva has been a game-changer! I used to do a lot of my social media graphics in Photoshop. While Photoshop is powerful, it can be time-consuming for simple tasks like creating flyers or social media graphics.
     • I was using the free version for about a year and then I upgraded to Canva Pro. It was worth the money!
     • I can customize my brand kit to match my company’s brand, logo, color palette, and brand fonts. It saves me so much time when updating a template to match my brand.
     • I also get more graphics, stock images, and videos that look more professional.
     • Most of all, I love how easy it is to use Canva to create everything you need to promote your business online. You don’t have to be a designer because they have beautiful templates for you to use and customize.
5. Social media scheduling tool
   • Buffer
     • I use Buffer to schedule my LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook posts. It helps me keep my social media marketing consistent and stay relevant.
     • The free version allows me to manage up to 3 social channels and 10 posts per channel.
     • I post 3 times a week, so I can schedule my social media posts a few weeks out. I schedule a time that works for me (around 11 am) to engage with my audience. Engagement is the key to building a strong relationship with your audience. Posting alone is not enough.

I wouldn’t be able to survive as a branding & portrait photographer without all of these tools. They help me create an awesome experience for my clients, from consulting and planning, to capturing my clients’ stories, editing the images, and delivering the final images to my clients.

Many of my clients shared how much they love my process, so I’m here to share what I use with you. I hope you find it helpful!

Starting a business is hard, but once you find the right tools, they’ll help you build a stronger business and build a better relationship with your clients. You got this!

What are some of your favorite software you use for your business? Comment below.

Interested in a branding photoshoot in the North and Central New Jersey area? Contact me and schedule your complimentary consultation.