9 Apps + Websites I use Daily

Honeybook is a tool I use daily as a creative business owner. From inquiry to project completion, HB has become an intradgrul part of my business.

Things I use Honeybook for:

• Client Inquiry Form (I use the embed form on my Shopify site.) This automatically creates a new project with all of the client details and information I need to start the conversation.
• Contracts Honeybook makes sending contracts easy. I love that not only can I include all of the important information in plain text, but I can also add multiple choice options for people to select projects dates. Having the ability to add questions also gives me a place to let clients select an environmental non-profit of their choice for me to donate to on their behalf.
• Questionnaire Getting to know my clients is a huge part of my design process. Once the client has signed my contract, I send along a questionnaire to kickoff the project. Honeybook allows me to craft the questionnaire as I please to collect all of the information I need. The template feature allows me to reuse the same proven questionnaire without recreating every time which saves SO much time. I also use the template feature for my contracts.
• Instant Booking Although this is not an option I like to offer all the time as I prefer to chat with potential customers first, I do LOVE this feature for the couple of sales I do throughout the year. This option allows me to collect client information, share details on the sale + offering and even collect payment to secure customers spots. When I do this offering, Honeybook creates a link that I can add to my e-mail newsletter, Instagram profile + story to make it super easy for folks to book with me.

Although this is primarily how I use Honeybook, there is SO much more to the platform. Using HB has streamlined my process, saved me so much time and kept me organized even at my busiest times. I love that it keeps all of my client files and communication in one place.

Give it a try and get 30% off here.

Although some designers may turn their nose up at Canva, I am a BIG fan. Aside from using it for myself sometimes to make social media content (IG posts and reels) it has been an absolute game changer for my clients.

Prior to Canva, delivering branding files was sometimes overwhelming, confusing and puzzling for clients - they often said "what do I do with these?" Canva truly filled that gap for many of my clients.

Upon the completion of any branding or design day project, I suggest that my clients subscribe to Canva Pro. This gives me the ability to upload their entire brand kit to Canva - fonts, colors, logos, icons, photos - you name it. This simple step makes my clients life SO much easier as when they go to create content or marketing materials, they are setup for success with their brand kit. This saves time, confusion, frustration and guarantees staying on brand every time.

I love how empowered my clients feel to dabble within the platform and feel proud that I can help show them the basics through Loom videos how to start working with their branding.

For the fellow podcasts listeners, this is a really cool episode about Canva and how they got their start designing yearbooks!

Okay this may seem random but it is key to all of my best days and endless quest to find some resemblance of work life balance. Beyond the bike, the Peloton App is packed full of different types of workouts to keep things fresh, accessible and perfect for whatever mood you are in.

While I am not at home in Truckee with access to my gym and Peloton bike, I love using the app for:

• Outdoor Runs (I am NOT a runner but these classes make it enjoyable)
• Strength - Currently working through the Upper Body with Tunde program for the THIRD time and highly recommend!
• Yoga
• Stretching

With a busy work schedule, finding time for movement can be difficult - and that is usually when we need it most. One of my favorite things about the app is the ability to choose the length of class depending on my schedule. Classes literally start at 5 & 10 min so it makes it easy to stay consistent without time being a valid excuse.

Add me on there if you want an accountability buddy. :) EKcaliroosta

$100 off your Peloton Bike, Tread or Row

My favorite app for photo editing! Let me preface this with that I am a graphic designer not a photographer. That being said, I do love creating content and capturing the world around me. I love editing my photos with Tezza because it is easy to use and has filters/effects that feel on brand to me. Much of my design is inspired by a slightly vintage/retro feel and I love that Tezza easily allows me to edit my photos to have a film feel without being too over the top.

Maybe my favorite tool that I have incorporated into my design process. Whether it is a proposal, branding project, website or illustration project, you WILL be getting a Loom video from me. Ways I use Loom on the daily:

• Proposals When a potential client reaches out, I send along a PDF with the requested services along with a video of me talking through the PDF, what package may be a good fit, any creative ideas I have, etc. This is a great way to add some context to the PDF with personalized information based on the client and what they are looking for.
• Branding There is SO much that goes into any branding concept and recording these videos when sharing concepts is the best way I have found to communicate that with clients. Specifically for design days, mine and my clients time is so precious and there is not time to type out all of my thoughts which is where these videos come in.
• Websites I love a Loom video to walk my clients through their website as I am working on it. It is a great way to explain functionality, design choices and point out things to consider. In addition to using it in the design process, it is also an AMAZING way to teach my clients the basics on updating their website by recording quick tutorial videos for them. I feel like this is a huge value add and I love empowering my clients to feel confident making small changes on their own in the future.

For my fellow millennials, it's like AIM / MSN messenger for adults. :)

I specifically use Slack for creative sprints: Design Days and Website in a Week projects. Slack allows me to quickly share revisions. thoughts and receive client feedback without hundreds of e-mails throughout this client sessions. In addition to quick communication, I love that you can use the voice note feature, make calls through the app and have clients download it on their phone. When time is crucial, Slack allows my clients and I to communicate quickly, easily and saves our inboxes.