I am often asked for recommendations on how to run a successful online business, especially if it is to generate passive income. Frankly, there is a lot of technology involved in making a business as automated as possible, and therefore as passive as possible, never mind adding in the new software you’ll need to create and sell passive products. So the easiest way to start is to tell you how I run my business! Here is everything I use and/or would recommend to anyone out there looking for good software, outsourcing and technology to make their business less busy…
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Automation & Outsourcing
Automation is my number one recommendation when looking to improve operational processes in your business. You can spend a lot less time dealing with administrative tasks if you think clearly about how your business works and what you need it to do automatically for you.
I love my scheduling system through Acuity! I swear this keeps me perfectly organized and allows existing clients, potential clients and Academy students to easily book an appointment with me. It integrates with my email software, ConvertKit, and my website so everything runs smoothly. (Obviously my lovely Filofax isn’t out of the question, because, paper!)
To be legal, I don’t want to worry about signatures in the mail or having to post things, so I use Signable to manage client contracts and important documents. I outsource my bookkeeping to Linda at WeDoTheBooks.co.uk. Why; Because it’s not my genius zone and it has to be right!
I looked into email solutions and literally researched every possible solution on the “email list”. trying a few free ones before settling for ConvertKit. It’s a platform built specifically for creatives who work online and know what they’re doing! It’s simple to use and an effective method of automating my email marketing and communicating with my customers. I absolutely love the visual automations, landing pages, segmentation options, and ecommerce integrations that are all built in.
I rely on Last pass to manage my passwords and it allows me to securely share important information with my VA and other project managers when I outsource.
And if I get stuck with any of this, I have the fantastic Nic and Lesley of Digital Fixers on my team!
Web & Hardware
I run my website through WordPress using a unique theme: Passive Platform designed and hosted by the incredibly talented HaydenIngham.com. I’ve used hosting services provided by Site Ground in the past and honestly, they’re great (which is why I still recommend them!). I can’t sing the praises of their customer service team enough! They used to put up with my very non-tech talk if I ever needed support without making me feel stupid!
When it comes to websites, there are plenty of options to visit and all the big players are out there, but why not check out Create for a more personalized approach. Alternatively, if you’ve decided that WordPress is your thing, then you’ll need a good theme. Before implementing Passive Platform, I used a number of themes lovingly created by Bluchic, who also create beautiful landing pages, sales funnel templates and social media templates, all designed to make your brand look its best.
Depending on what your business does, you may want to consider an e-commerce solution, and I can’t recommend EKM enough for their customer service and values as a company.
However, you don’t need a brand new website or eCommerce platform if you don’t want to! When I first started out on a shoestring budget, SendOwl was my digital product selling platform of choice and I still highly recommend it, and I’ve heard a lot of good things about PayHip as well.
Most of my computer hardware, including my laptop, is Acer, but I use other tools to keep everything running smoothly:
Software, Lead Gen & Design
To create most of my digital products, I use a combination of Microsoft Word, PDF and Canva to design the graphics and graphics and distribute them through the Passive Platform. However, there are so many options out there depending on what you want to create and who you are creating it for.
However, if I need more specific work on my brand overall, I use Katie at KeppelLeopardCreative.com
Pinterest is a big driver of traffic to my website, so I use Tailwind scheduling to do a lot of the heavy lifting from it.
I use Zoom for video meetings and to record training, with Kapwing adding subtitles later.
If you’re looking to add some pizzazz to your social media or websites, I’d recommend checking out Quizcheck for lead-generating quizzes and Sparkol for whiteboard-style animations.
Lead Generation can be a whole host of things, but there’s one essential thing you absolutely need to get right above all else. your copy. When I need an expert on something super special, I turn to the most talented Jo Watson of AGoodWriteUp.com. I also regularly pick her brain and drown in amazing ideas during the Sort in 60 sessions.
Courses, subscriptions, subscriptions and digital downloads
If you’ve decided that courses, subscriptions, subscriptions, and digital downloads are in the future of your business, then technology can start to get overwhelming. Here are my top suggestions when you’re in the market for a platform that works for you:
Affiliate Marketing
The question I get asked most often about affiliate marketing is how to find programs to join. Now my absolute top recommendation for this is Awin, simply because it’s one of the biggest management platforms out there and there’s a brand for every possible niche you can imagine. Along with programs like Ultimate Bundles, Share-a-Sale and Amazon, I use affiliate marketing in my own business to make referrals for another income stream that benefits my business.
Drop shipping
CJ Drop Shipping is a one stop shop for all things drop shipping: from product sourcing, warehousing, order fulfillment and shipping. You may also want to consider a discussion with the EKM platform if you are looking for a ready-to-ship e-commerce solution.
Print on demand
If you want to sell your art or designs through a more scalable model, then print to order is for you. I always recommend my clients to start with Redbubble because the user experience is clear from my experience, however, CJ Drop Shipping also offers this service along with many, many others.
Learning & Development
Anyone who knows me knows that books are my thing, but not only do I love going down a rabbit hole that Carroll created, I also love reading about myself and business development. My top suggestions for finding great books are:
In addition to their affiliate, I dip my toe into Ultimate Bundles when they have a bundle offer that I know I can learn a lot from. Additionally, I subscribe to Freelancer Magazine for a quarterly foray into the industry.
Blogging can be both cathartic and profitable, having a huge impact on the business in terms of SEO, marketing strategy, affiliate marketing and more. Therefore, it is essential to get it right. I rely on the aforementioned From Blag 2 Blog by Jo Watson of AGoodWriteUp.com
Besides the tangible experience of sitting down with a good paperback book, I love listening to audiobooks that I think can really bring some purpose to everyday tasks. My favorite audiobooks related to self-development (via Audible) include:
If classes are more your bag, then I’ve certainly been known to participate in one or two of these too:
- 24/7 learning – lessons on everything from gardening to social media!
- Wonderlass – Designing for Business Profit
- Futurelearn – many disciplines available with a particularly good selection of business and management courses
- Natasha Bray – emotional self-development using hypnosis and smart mind (it really works!)
Other Useful Links
If you want more help on any of the topics I’ve covered, you need to join the Passive Business Academy!
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