Must-Have Content Marketing Tools For Small Businesses in 2023
Have you ever tried to cut a birthday cake with a spoon?
I mean… it’s possible, but it’s a hell of a lot harder than if you were to just use a cake knife.We all know that not having the proper tools makes even the simplest tasks harder to complete. This fact is true when it comes to cutting a cake, putting together IKEA furniture, and most importantly, when running a successful online business.
As a successful business owner, you need to have a toolbox full of apps and websites that you can use to help make content creation and project management faster and better overall.
Luckily, there are wonderful (mostly free!) resources available to streamline your processes.
Legal Stuff: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I only reccommend products, software, and tools that I really use and love.
Resource #1:
Stan Store
This all-in-one creator store replaces so much other tech for a fraction of the price. ✰✰✰✰✰
Top Features:
One-Click check-out eliminating friction, increasing conversions
Allows you to eliminate 3rd party tools including Calendly, Linktree, Course-Builders, Funnel-Builders, Membership platforms, etc… and have all features in house
0 transaction fees, keep all of your earnings
14-Day free trial with easy-to-find and instant cancellation option
Honest Stan Store Review:
I highly recommend this tool if you’re serious about monetizing your social media account beyond brand deals and/or looking to start your own online business. Start with the Creator account of $29/month instead of the Creator Pro, upgrade only after you start making roughly $3,000+ per month. The Creator account includes all necessary functions including Course function, which typically costs hundreds or thousands of dollars on other platforms.
Resource #2: Speakflow
Speakflow's free online teleprompter makes me show up more confidently on camera. Full Stop. ✰✰✰✰✰
Showing up on video has not been my strong suite. Fumbling lines take after take cost me so much time — not to mention it dings the ego. Enter Speakflow, a digital teleprompter you can use on any device to speak clearly into the camera without memorizing your lines!
Top Features:
1. Sync multiple devices: Control multiple devices at once – your script and settings will sync and scroll on all devices in real time.
2. Virtual Teleprompter: Need to shoot a video for your course? Have a pitch to give on Zoom? Set other app windows as the background so you can always see your audience or any tab of your choosing with Overlay.
3. Scroll with Your Voice: You're in control of the speed. Speakflow can follow your voice.
Honest Speakflow Review For 2023
I can’t believe this software isn’t more popular. That is bound to change as video content continues to dominate. So far, I’ve used it to shoot a couple of Reels in less than 15 minutes, and I recorded all the Content Crafters Membership videos smoothly (sometimes in one take!) with the help of the prompter.
Speakflow has a free teleprompter, you can write & save scripts, and read them to record takes or present to your audience. Access to premium features starts at $8/mo.
Try Speakflow
Resource #3: Tailwind
Tailwind is a game-changing tool that allows you to schedule and publish content on a handful of social media platforms. I use it for everything on Pinterest. Say goodbye to manual posting and hello to increased traffic!
One of the most intimidating aspects of social media can be the recommended daily number of times to post. The recommended minimum for Pinterest is 3 Pins per day, with a maximum of 30 Pins per day. Add that to your other platforms and you have a full-time job and a serious time commitment. Tailwind, a scheduling app, truly solved this problem for me.
Top Features:
1. Smart Scheduling: Tailwind's algorithm determines the best times to post based on when your audience is most active. That means more engagement and more followers!
2. Tailwind Create: Add a photo - and in a few seconds - you will have hundreds of designs to choose from. It’s never been faster to create beautiful social posts. Plus, Tailwind Create applies your colors, fonts, and logo to every design to give you a completely unique set of on-brand posts sized for each network and ready to share. My only wish list item is an Idea Pin designer. And, rumor has it I’ll get my wish soon.
3. Ghostwriter AI from Tailwind: Ghostwriter produces near perfect copy because it’s trained on best practices used by professional marketers to generate results.
Honest Tailwind Review For 2023
I’m recommending this tool if you're looking to save time and increase engagement on Pinterest. Tailwind has been a lifesaver for me and has helped me grow my following on both platforms. Read more about how I used Tailwind to Grow my Pinterest from 2K Monthly Viewers to 100K in 6 Weeks! Take advantage of Tailwind's analytics to track your growth and engagement.
I love that Tailwind has a forever free plan and offers affordable upgraded plans for $9.99-39.99 a month.
Sign Up For Tailwind
Resource #4: Canva
Canva is a graphic design tool that makes creating stunning visuals a breeze. From social media graphics to presentations, Canva has everything you need to elevate your brand.
Top Canva Features In 2023:
1. Brand Kits: Canva's brand kit feature allows you to store your brand colors, fonts, and logos in one place. This makes it easy to create consistent, on-brand visuals every time — a huge advantage for non-designers like me.
2. Template Library: Canva has a vast library of templates for everything from social media graphics to resumes. You can customize these templates with your brand kit and create beautiful designs in minutes.
3. New AI Features: Canva's new AI features make designing even easier. The Magic Resize feature allows you to quickly resize your designs for different platforms, while the Background Remover tool lets you easily remove the background from any image.
Honest Canva Review:
I can’t recommend Canva enough. Look no further for an easy-to-use graphic design tool that will help elevate your brand. Canva's brand kit feature and vast template library make it easy to create on-brand designs quickly, while the new AI features save you even more time.
Bonus Tip: Take advantage of Canva's collaboration features to work with team members or clients on design projects — we LOVE it here at my agency Ascent StoryCraft. Free and pro plans available. If you’re design a lot like most online business owners than the pro plan is an obvious choice.
Sign Up For Canva
Resource #5: Trello
Trello is a visual project management tool that helps you organize and prioritize your tasks and projects. It's perfect for individuals, teams, and businesses looking to streamline their workflows.
Top Trello Features:
1. Boards: Trello's boards are the foundation of the platform. Each board represents a project, and you can create as many boards as you need. You can add lists and cards to each board, and drag and drop them as your priorities change.
2. Cards: Trello's cards are where the details of your project live. You can add checklists, due dates, attachments, and comments to each card. You can also assign team members to cards, making it easy to see who is responsible for what.
3. Power-Ups: Trello's power-ups are add-ons that extend the functionality of the platform. Some popular power-ups include calendar view, custom fields, and integrations with other tools like Slack and Google Drive.
Honest Trello Review
I highly recommend Trello for anyone looking to organize and streamline their tasks and projects. Trello's visual interface makes it easy to see what needs to be done, and the ability to assign team members to cards ensures that everyone is on the same page. Plus, the platform is incredibly versatile and can be used for everything from task management to product development.
Take advantage of Trello's integrations with other tools to streamline your workflow even further. For example, you can use the Slack integration to receive notifications when cards are updated, or the Google Drive integration to attach files to cards.
Sign Up For Trello
Happy Creating!
Cyndi, Owner of Ascent StoryCraft
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