Unlock the secrets to a streamlined freelance business with Emma’s latest blog post! Discover the essential tech stack that can transform your workflow and boost productivity. From onboarding clients with Dubsado to managing tasks with Notion, she delves into the tools that have stood the test of time. Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer or just starting out, these insights will help you work smarter, not harder. Dive in and elevate your freelance game today!
Listen to the podcast episode below, watch it on [Youtube], or scroll down for the summary!
Prefer to read it? Here are the main points!
In this week’s episode of The Freelancers Tea Break podcast, I’m diving into one of my most requested topics: my current tech stack! If you’ve ever wondered what systems and tools help me run my business smoothly (especially as someone with ADHD who needs things to be simple and intuitive), this post is for you.
I put the call out in both my Facebook and Discord communities to see what you’d like to hear more about, and this topic was a big yes from you all.
So let’s talk tools – the ones that have stood the test of time, made life easier and helped me stay on top of client work, content creation, coaching and courses.
What is a Tech Stack, Anyway?
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, your tech stack is simply the collection of apps, tools and platforms you use to run your business. And mine, surprisingly, hasn’t changed much in recent years – which says a lot about how well it’s working for me.
Here’s What’s In My Tech Stack Right Now:
Dubsado – for onboarding & offboarding
Dubsado is my go-to for client admin. I use it to:
Schedule sessions
Send contracts and invoices
Automate onboarding with forms and welcome emails
Nudge me for follow-ups like testimonials
Whether I’m booking coaching clients or podcast guests, it keeps everything smooth and professional.
Podia – for courses & freebies
I moved from Teachable to Podia a few years ago and haven’t looked back. It’s intuitive, drag-and-drop simple, and perfect for hosting:
Online courses
Freebies
Webinars
Only downside? No app. But the user experience makes up for it!
Discord – as an alternative to Facebook Groups
I’ve been experimenting with Discord lately as a fun, fresh community space. Our Facebook Group still runs, but Discord gives us:
More lively chat
Custom channels for topics
Better boundaries (less doomscrolling!)
I’m even planning to add a networking element soon – stay tuned!
Sunsama – my daily planning lifesaver
I’m obsessed with Sunsama. It’s like my digital HQ:
It syncs my emails, calendar, and to-do list
Lets me drag tasks straight from email
Tracks where I spend my time
Even helps me reflect on how things went
If you’re a planner who wants a better relationship with your inbox, Sunsama might be your new BFF.
Slack – for team comms
I use Slack with my team to:
Chat without cluttering email
Share content and assets
Collaborate on social posts via Canvas
It’s free to get started and great for solo freelancers who need simple team or client communication.
Notion – my business brain
Notion is my digital command centre. I use it daily to track:
Client work
Payments
Weekly stats
Resources and templates
I’m also exploring some of the new AI features to streamline content and admin. You can even build onboarding processes here, which is fab if you’re just starting out.
Bonus tools I love:
Speaking Email: Reads newsletters aloud so I can declutter hands-free (yep, sometimes while playing Nintendo)
Speechify: Great for listening to long emails or documents
Voxer: For voice note convos with clients
Descript: What I use to record and edit this podcast
If I Were Starting From Scratch…
For any freelancer starting with zero budget, I’d recommend:
Slack for communication
Notion for organisation and task management
Discord if you want to build a community outside social media
All of these have generous free plans and can grow with you.
TL;DR – My Top Tech Stack Recap (with Links)
Heads up: Some of the links below are affiliate links. That means if you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). I only recommend tools I genuinely use and love in my own freelance business.
| Tool | What it’s for | Trial / Pricing | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubsado | Client onboarding, contracts, forms | Get 20% off your first month or year with my affiliate link. | Visit Dubsado |
| Podia | Courses, freebies, webinars | 30-day free trial, then from $33/month with my affiliate link. | Visit Podia |
| Sunsama | Daily planning, to-dos, email wrangling | 14-day free trial, then from $16/month with my affiliate link. | Visit Sunsama |
| Discord | Community-building (alternative to FB groups) | Free | Visit Discord |
| Slack | Team and client communication | Free for basic use | Visit Slack |
| Notion | Business dashboard & task tracking | Free plan available | Visit Notion |
| Speaking Email | Hands-free email reading | Free & paid options | Visit Speaking Email |
| Speechify | Listening to long emails/docs | Free & paid options | Visit Speechify |
| Voxer | Voice note chats with clients | Free plan available | Visit Voxer |
| Descript | Podcast recording & editing | Free & paid plans | Visit Descript |
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