Do you actually use these tools yourself?

Yes - many of them! My own business stack is listed above. And since I went through several iterations myself, I've included a small number of alternatives where I have personal knowledge of them, even if I ultimately decided on a different option personally.

Which tools should I start with if I'm just getting started?

Start with three and in this order - (1) an accounting tool like Xero, (2) a website like Wix, and (3) a CRM like HubSpot. By far the most important tool out of everything is your accounting & finance system because it has legal and tax requirements. Always check your country and local area for applicable laws.

Can you help me setup any of these tools?

Absolutely! That a part of what I do in my VO Business OS services. If you'd like help choosing or implementing the right systems for your business, book a free exploratory session above.

Are these sponsored or affiliate links?

Some of the links are affiliate links which earn me a small commission if you sign up to a paid plan, but there is no sponsorship or influence on my recommendations. These are all tools I've tried and used myself.

Tools I Actually Use & Recommend

Curated for creative businesses

The software and systems I trust to run a lean, modern voice over business - finances, email marketing, client management, productivity, and more.

I only recommend tools I believe are genuinely useful. Some links may earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you

See my Top Pics

My Three Essentials

If I were starting over today, these are the three tools I'd setup up first before anything else.

Xero

Bookkeeping and taxes

Quotes, invoices, expenses, payment gateways, and tax readiness. The accounting tool I trust most for solo businesses. Clean interface, easy reconciliation, and an accountant favourite.

Try Xero

Wix

Website

Click & drag web builder with domain hosting, audio playback, storefront, and more in a clean and modern interface. Loaded with templates and extra applications to cover most of what you need.

Try Wix

HubSpot

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Keep track of your clients and high-value prospective clients. Solid GDPR compliance and strong integrations with additional solutions. Keeps your relationships moving forward.

Try HubSpot

All Recommended Tools

Below are three of my top tool pics for each category, chosen for solo businesses and creative freelancers.

Accounting & Finance

Stay compliant and get paid faster.

These make tax time far less painful.

Xero

It Just Works

My personal choice for bookkeeping. Simple design, easy to use, and connects with banks, Wise, and both Stripe and PayPal. Has everything a solo freelancer needs.

Try Xero

QuickBooks

If your Accountant Uses it

Click & drag web builder with domain hosting, audio playback, storefront, and more in a clean and modern interface. Loaded with templates and extra applications to cover most of what you need.

Try QuickBooks

17Hats

Simple Tracking and Reporting

While not an official financial package, 17Hats can track sales and expenses better than just a spreadsheet and produce reports for your tax preparation or accountant.

Try 17Hats

Website

Present your business to the world.

Your most important digital asset for your business.

UpperLevel (WordPress)

Great Service and Reliability

Domain and website hosting with top service, combined with the full control to configure WordPress, UpperLevel Hosting is highly recommended when you need to turn every dial of your site.

Try UpperLevel

SquareSpace

Click & Drag Simplicity

Build professional, design-focused websites and online stores without needing to code. Combines hosting, domain registration, and e-commerce tools into one user-friendly interface.

Try Squarespace

Wix

Extensive Additional Apps

With multiple editors, tons of templates to inspire, and native or 3rd party apps to expand, Wix can be your commercial storefront powerhouse without touching any code.

Try Wix

Client Management

Track prospects, clients, and interactions.

A CRM is one of the highest-ROI tools for a freelance business.

Moxie

Contact-focused All-in-one System

Ideal for B2C businesses who focus on the individual instead of the company - although it stores both. Combines CRM with Quote, Invoice, and Contract in an elegant system. Integrates with QuickBooks.

Try Moxie

HubSpot

Sales-focused CRM

The free or Starter tiers are powerful for freelance businesses. Contacts, deals, email integration, web forms, and even some financial features at no or low cost makes it good if yoru budget is tight.

Try HubSpot

Nimble

Relationship-focused CRM

Powerful prospecting feature to discover online details about contacts like social media. Automated email syncing and group messaging make it a strong tool for your business.

Try Nimble

Productivity

Stay focused while looking like a pro.

The tools that quietly save you hours every week.

Google Workspace

Best at Integrating with Other Systems

Pair email with your domain for a professional presence. Best at integrating with others. Google Drive includes e-signature for your contracts as an included bonus. No Mac/PC email client.

Try Google Workspace

Microsoft 365

Works Seamless with Microsoft Ecosystem

No-brainer if you like the Microsoft environment and use Outlook client. Enterprise-class administration and high email delivery reputation. Industry standard file types for productivity - docx, xlsx, pptx.

Try Microsoft 365

Apple iWorks Suite

Mac-specific

If you have a domain email address from another provider and you use a Mac, the Apple apps - Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Mail, and Calendar - work amazingly well together and they're free!

Try iWorks Suite

Email Marketing

Build your list. Nurture your leads.

Consistent email is the most reliable way to sell services as a freelancer.

Apollo

Leads and Outbound Sequences

Large database of leads with LinkedIn, website, email, and phone numbers. The free plan is usable with some limitations. Can be a strong part of an outbound marketing system.

Try Apollo

Brevo

Automation and possible lite CRM

Formerly Sendinblue. Strong automation features, SMS support, and a generous free plan. Great if you want more advanced sequences and use as your primary customer database.

Try Brevo

MailerLite

Dedicated Email Solution

Clean, simple, and affordable with strong subscription management. Brilliant for voice actors and creative freelancers who want to run a professional email list without overpaying.

Try MailerLite

Content Creation

Create images, video, and audio.

For building your online presence and body of work.

Canva

Powerful Free, Mind-Blowing Paid

Punches well above it's weight (or price point). Use for creating graphics, images, PDF's, presentations, eBooks, videos, even scheduling social media posts with imagery and captions in advance.

Try Canva

Reaper

Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

The DAW I've always used, Reaper is powerful, efficient, and inexpensive. There's a learning curve, but with excellent resources online it rivals much more expensive packages.

Try Reaper

Headliner

Videograms, and MORE

Add audio to images or video with responsive wave forms. Caption and promote your audio or video podcast. Free plan works well with low volume, but a great place to get started.

Try Headliner

My Actual Business Stack

I tried multiple systems before I found the combination that worked for me and I felt hit the "sweet spot" for a solo creative freelance business. This is what I'd choose again if I started from scratch today.

These are the tools that genuinely run my business.

1

ACCOUNTING

Xero

TRY IT

2

WEBSITE

Wix

TRY IT

3

CRM

HubSpot

TRY IT

4

PRODUCTIVITY

Google

TRY IT

5

EMAIL MARKETING

Apollo

MailerLite

TRY IT

5

CONTENT CREATION

Canva

Reaper

TRY IT

6

MIDDLEWARE

Make

TRY IT

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Need help choosing the right systems?

I help voice actors build lean, profitable businesses with the right tools, the right workflows, without being overwhelmed.

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System Resources

Email Your Question

Tools I Actually Use & Recommend

My Three Essentials

Xero

Wix

HubSpot

All Recommended Tools

Accounting & Finance

Xero

QuickBooks

17Hats

Website

UpperLevel (WordPress)

SquareSpace

Wix

Client Management

Moxie

HubSpot

Nimble

Productivity

Google Workspace

Microsoft 365

Apple iWorks Suite

Email Marketing

Apollo

Brevo

MailerLite

Content Creation

Canva

Reaper

Headliner

My Actual Business Stack

Xero

Wix

HubSpot

Google

Apollo

MailerLite

Canva

Reaper

Make

Want help building your voice over business?

Need help choosing the right systems?

Do you actually use these tools yourself?

Which tools should I start with if I'm just getting started?

Can you help me setup any of these tools?

Are these sponsored or affiliate links?

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