Everything I Use To Run My Small Business
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links (Etsy, Mavely, HauteStock). However, rest assured that my recommendations are based on personal experience and genuine belief in the products mentioned.
Canva
If I could only share one thing, it would be to download Canva today. Canva has been so helpful from creating digital products, Instagram reels, and Pinterest pins to website elements and more. It’s very beginner-friendly and offers so many amazing features. I have the paid version, but using the free version is perfectly fine, too! Signing up is super quick and easy, just head over to Canva.com (I’m not an affiliate for Canva, I just love it and think everyone who is thinking about starting a business should utilize it).
2. Pinterest
Next, social media. I mostly use Pinterest since it’s what I’m most comfortable with, but Instagram and TikTok are great resources too. This will help to get eyes on your business. Whether your path is affiliate marketing, selling digital products, having a blog, or making videos for views, socials are key.
3. ChatGPT
I love having ChatGPT help me when I’m having a block or if I just don’t know something. I utilize ChatGPT to help me brainstorm ideas for my blog, help create digital products, captions, and more. Obviously, you don’t want to take word for word everything ChatGPT says, but it’s a great resource to help you get started. Check out my post on ChatGPT prompts here.
4. Etsy/Creative Market
I love Etsy, so much. Anything you need for your business, you can find on Etsy. From stock images, reels, templates, guides, and more. They even sell “done-for-you” products that you can buy and make your own to resell. Check out this seller, PLRSupply, they have so many products you can purchase and then resell. It’s awesome if you don’t have hours to create your own products. There are so many great sellers doing this! Search PLR products or MRR products into the Etsy search bar and find one that resonates with you and that you would be proud to share with your community.
I also really love Creative Market. It’s sort of like Etsy, but for creators! Check it out!
5. Mavely
Mavely is an affiliate marketing network for those who are just starting out. You don’t need a certain number of followers or even your own website. There are so many huge brands on there to work with (Target, Etsy, Walmart, Vuori, Ulta, TripAdvisor AND SO MANY MORE). Make sure you read the terms for each brand that you want to work with. Sign up for Mavely using my referral link here!
6. HauteStock
Most of the images that are on my website, Pinterest, socials, etc. come from HauteStock. They have the absolute BEST library of photos AND videos. (See the above photo!) Some of my go-to categories for my business are Food & Drink, Lifestyle, Tech Mockups, and Workspace. They also have a ton of free templates and guides! There’s no way I would be able to take the type of high-quality images I’m looking for on my own so HauteStock is a lifesaver.
Check out my post on HauteStock here!
Use BECK15 at checkout for 15% off of your subscription!
Not ready to commit? Get 21 FREE photos here!
7. Squarespace
Squarespace is hands down the easiest website-building experience I’ve ever had. I know the bloggers all used to say you HAVE to have WordPress so that you can put ads on your pages to get paid for views, but like, I don’t want ads. I HATE going to a website and having to click out of ads every 5 seconds. I tried the WordPress thing once and it’s not for me. I don’t want to spend hours trying to set up one page. So if I’m missing out on money because of that, I actually do not care. I rather have an easy set-up with a polished look any day. I can just keep this a blog or incorporate a storefront, which I’m hoping to do one day! I can’t say enough good things about Squarespace. 10/10.