The sooner a small business implements systems and automates processes the more likely they are to succeed. All too often new start-ups forego business tools due to the minimal monthly expenses. What they may fail to calculate is their return on investment (ROI).
An expense is always a good expense if it will bring more dollars to your business. Forecast and calculate how long it will take you to recoup your money. If the answer is increasing your bottom line within the next few months, you should buy it and use it.
As an entrepreneurial business coach, I recommend the following tools:
vCita – Appointment Scheduler
This is an appointment scheduling software for small businesses. It has its own live website you can integrate into your main website or use this tool as your main online presence. It tracks contacts, signals you to follow-up with potential clients, takes payments and my favorite is their appointment calendar feature. It has the ability to only show selected hours you are available and it will sync with your own calendar. It eliminates the need to worry about double booking or the need to send emails back and forth to set an appointment. Access to set an appointment with you is easy with this tool and simplicity a key component to getting and keeping clients.
AWeber – Email Management
It is an email marketing management tool. Your email list is the only true list your business will likely own. You must use it to keep the list valid and current. In addition, it is a great marketing tool for you, even if you are a start-up and you don’t have a robust email list yet. This tool will help you format your emails and provide you with all the training you need to grow your list and land more clients.
Stripe – Payment System
This is an online payment system like PayPal but different. Stripe is a newer product and integrates with more systems than its competitor, PayPal. The company also scales the cost to the business client. They start at a lower price point then PayPal to entice new businesses with less volume to choose them. Another thing they offer is a more secure system. In today’s environment, every business must protect themselves from fraud and Stripe is providing more peace of mind and less risk to their clients.
Pocket – Bookmark Tool
It is a bookmark tool. It allows you to schedule a time to address non-urgent items such as keeping abreast of news or watching the latest video from the influencer you follow. Yes, I recommend the investment in this tool because it will save you time, keep you focused and it is FREE. The ROI is immediate. It doesn’t get better than this.
BombBomb – Video Creator
It is a tool to send videos via email. If you want to build a relationship with your potential clients or better relationships with your current clients there is almost nothing better than sending them a short-personalized video. BombBomb makes creating and sending videos simple and their clients rave about it.
You must take calculated risk in business to be successful. Implementing new systems can be one of the best ways to grow your business. It may be a challenge to your routine and to your pocket, but as my friend, Saurabh Bhatnagar, one of the Top Entrepreneurs in India says, “If entrepreneurs only wait for the perfect time, then there won’t be any perfect time.”
Make today one of your best days and use good business practices to grow your business. I invite you to Join My Facebook Community and get more great tips for your business success.
Virginia Phillips is an author, speaker, coach and the owner of The Academy of Entrepreneurial Excellence. She is a communication and leadership expert and recipient of the VIP Woman of the Year 2016 for excellence and locally nominated for the “Best of 2016”. Read her interview on LadyBossBlogger to learn more about her.
Neha says
Seem like great tools. I haven’t tried any of them but will surely be checking them out.
Jake says
Quotechef.com does it for me.
Sharon Melanson says
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Carla says
Thanks for posting! I know some of these, but for email and marketing automation I’m using GetResponse. Not sure if you know it, but it’s pretty cool.