No matter what your profession is - writer, developer, designer, animator, or freelancer in any creative field - tools are essential for growing your business.
Here are 10 tools I use every day to run my freelance motion design business and this blog for freelance creatives.
Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means I might get a small commission if you sign up or purchase through some of the links (at no extra cost to you).
Dropbox
I use Dropbox to backup and share files with my clients.
I couldn't do without it.
I like it because it is simple and easy to use. For example, I can right-click on a file to create a shareable link to send to my client.
What started as a pioneer in online storage tools is now turning into a platform with many tools such as Dropbox Capture, DocSend, Dropbox Sign.
They are also experimenting with new tools in Beta, such as Dropbox Spaces, to manage files and projects with your team.
Dropbox Shop, for selling digital products.
And Dropbox Replay for faster video collaborations.
Milanote
Milanote is an absolutely awesome tool for creatives.
Milanote has completely bridged the gap between how I think and how I want to organize my thoughts and creative projects.
ConvertKit
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to grow your online business.
By building a list of subscribers and sending them regular emails, you can stay in touch with your customers, promote your products and services, and most importantly - build a relationship of trust and loyalty.
I use Convertkit for email marketing. It's feature-packed, easy to use, and tailor-made for creative professionals.
You can easily build automation sequences, tag subscribers, and send a/b title tests, and much more.
I'd highly recommend checking the free plan to see if it's a good fit for your business.
Grammarly
We write all the time--emails, blog posts, social media.
Words are one of the primary communication forms.
Grammarly is the tool I use to ensure my writing is, well... Grammarly correct and mistake-free.
One thing that's especially great about Grammarly, is that is works everywhere you write and is truly cross-platform.
Upwork
As a freelancer, the most important thing you can do is get clients. But it can be tough to find work, especially when you're first starting out.
Upwork and similar platforms offer endless opportunities for work. You just have to go looking for them.
If you're starting out as a freelancer on Upwork (or any other freelancing platform) read these two guides:
Frame.io
An absolute must-have for any video professional.
Do you remember how tedious and complicated it used to be to get comments and feedback from your clients?
Well, Frame.io doesn't only make the process buttery smooth and incredibly efficient, but it also makes it a lot of fun.
The web and app versions of the tool are great for the client feedback workflow, but the After Effects & Premiere extensions are what really make the app shine.
Webflow
Your website is important for your business. But designing and making it look great is usually a huge pain.
That's where Webflow comes in.
Webflow is one of the best tools for easily creating beautiful websites. It has an astounding visual editor.
While there definitely is a learning curve when first using it, it is more than worth your time (I built both this website and my studio website using Webflow).
Envato Market
With an Envato Elements subscription, you get access to hundreds of premium creatives assets Template Kits.
Whether you're working on a client project or something for yourself, creative assets can help you get the job done faster.
Calendly
Setting up meetings can be tricky. We're all busy people, and finding the best time to meet can be a challenge.
Calendly takes the pain out of scheduling meetings, by syncing to your calendar letting others know when you're available.
You can get started with a free account right now.
Notion
Notion is the new productivity tool that everyone loves. It is simple to use and helps you get your work done quickly and efficiently.
With Notion, you can easily keep track of your to-do list, schedule, and notes all in one place.
You can keep track of all your creative assets and team hub.
You can easily create and manage your tasks, set reminders, and track your progress.
Notion is also great for collaboration, as you can share your to-do list, schedule, and notes with others and work together on projects.
Google Workspace
Google's suite is well-known and needs no introduction.
Google Workspace includes Gmail, Google Docs, Google Drive, and Calendar. All these features are available in one place.
Fathom Analytics
Fathom Analytics is an alternative to Google Analytics that focused on three things: privacy, speed, and simplicity.
Most people think of Google Analytics when they think of tracking analytics on their websites. This is because it is free, packed full of features, and provides tons of data.
But at times, that may come at the expense of slowing down your website, a steeper learning curve, and user privacy.
Grab $10 credit for your first invoice using Fathom Analytics.
To recap
Dropbox is a great tool for backing up and sharing files.
Milanote is an excellent tool for brainstorming ideas, creating mind maps, project moodboards, and organizing creative projects.
Convertkit is a great tool for email marketing, with a free plan of up to 1,000 subscribers.
Grammarly is a great tool for ensuring writing is grammarly correct and mistake-free.
Upwork is a great platform for finding freelancing work.
Frame.io is a great tool for getting comments and feedback from clients on video projects.
Webflow is a great tool for easily creating beautiful websites.
Envato Elements is a great resource for access to hundreds of premium creative assets.
Calendly is a great tool for scheduling meetings, by syncing to your calendar and letting others know when you're available.
Notion is a great tool for productivity, allowing you to keep track of your to-do list, schedule, and notes all in one place
Read next: 3 must-have tools for growing your freelance business.