Here are some tried and tested options that I have dabbled in over the years when working for others and now working for myself. We all love a free or cost effective way of producing professional looking work, as well as systems to make our working lives more efficient and frankly, easier. So here are some of my secrets shared!
It is very easy to fall in love with these two pieces of software, they will allow you to produce simple imagery that you could very well believe has been created by a design professional. I use both regularly for crafting social media posts and images in blogs, for myself and my clients (they might have a preference, or their branding files are stored in one or the other). The templates are cool, so you don't need to have an eye for design to use them. There are so many to choose from, you can also import your own images, and resize them if you are cross posting on your social channels, there is even a template for Instagram and Facebook stories. Both are easy to use and it is straightforward to duplicate your image for consistency across a series of posts and to save it as a social ready PNG. Image sizes can be chosen based on your needs, for example the Instagram post size is already there waiting for you, you don’t even have to google it and set the size. Both have a bank of images, shapes, fonts and everything you could wish for. Crello also has video templates perfect for social media impact. I have used both for formal documentation, to create branded A4 worksheets, sales documentation, posters, flyers, presentation templates and more. I do not use paid versions of either, you should definitely take a look if your visuals need a lift.
I have Zoom downloaded to my phone, it takes seconds to schedule a live video meeting. I can also log in and use it on my laptop. I do not know this system inside out by any means but have found it does the trick for me for video calls. Super simple, video calls are free one-on-one, for a group conversation there is a 40 minute cut off on the complimentary package. I have been using Zoom since I got started working for myself and have not experienced a single hiccup so far (I can't say that for some of the other video call software out there).
Everyone has heard of Mailchimp for sending your email campaigns. I still cannot get over how much is included in the free package: forms, email templates, automation, segmenting your lists, the reporting functions, it is all there. Mailchimp couldn’t be easier than it is and being such a well known system means there are a tonne of YouTube how to’s and the Mailchimp guides are so idiot-friendly. Each step is outlined to make sure you can get the most from Mailchimp. The drag and drop editor allows for complete fuss-free customisation, allows you to produce some great looking emails and it makes it so easy to add your opt ins and so on to get you closer to achieving GDPR compliance.
This is another reliable and efficient system in my experience (touch wood) which has a free option for sharing big files. We Transfer will allow you to create boards, store your images and send them via an email friendly link. You can send your collection of images and files made of many megabytes straight from We Transfer to your recipient, or you can keep the link and share at will. The paid option allows you to send bigger files and will store your links for you to dip in and out and resend as necessary. Something like a full colour brochure and all its packaged up files will probably exceed the free sharing size limit.
Couldn't live without this now. This little beauty remembers all of my passwords! Clients can securely share their passwords with me. Again, nothing not to love about Last Pass, simple to set up, and saves so much time. A Virtual Assistant's dream!
I have been trialling this one recently and after signing up and giving other time tracking software a go I am loving Clockify. It is so simple, could not be simpler in fact. The other free software I tried I found to be hard work, take up too much time for set up (I like to get going off the blocks). With Clockify I logged in and off I went. I time track my work, I add a description, tag it and hit the clock. It has been logged in all week, restores just fine in Chrome even with Windows updates, black screens and being switched on and off (don't ask about my laptop abuse habits, but you can be assured if it passes my test it has been put through its paces). Tagging each item means I can filter by client, by paid work etc and look at what I have actually done all week, what I have earned and who to bill. Really useful for keeping track of which tasks are taking how long. Well worth a look if you want to reflect o the week or the month's activities.
I am currently investigating options for electronic document signature, I have looked at a few, if you have any recommendations from experience I would love to hear them. If you have any royalty free imagery sites you have come across which have a modern and clean look I would be very interested to hear about those too! Drop me a line and thank you for sharing.
About Virtual Executive Services MK
Virtual Executive Services MK is a Virtual Assistant service based in Milton Keynes, supporting clients across the UK. Specialising in admin, marketing and social media support for small businesses, start ups and entrepreneurs. Find out more.