Select Page
What is the best project management software for your business?

What is the best project management software for your business?

What is the best project management software, Michele? This is such a common question. When I first started out as an online business manager, I was taken aback by the number of multi-six-figure business owners that were winging it in their business without project management software. 

These owners spent more time reacting to the day-to-day operations, attempting to keep ahead of their tiny teams, and working themselves into tears of exhaustion. Their time was more focused on preventing everything from falling apart than creating freedom and impact.

It's clear they managed the business without a system, reacting daily to whatever arose.

The reason is not because they believe that is the best approach but rather because they either tried to implement one in the past and failed, they had a project management software and didn’t actually use it well or because they tend to avoid anything to do with technology or software. 

Juggling multiple projects and trying to stay organized is tiring, right?

Yes, I know very few business owners will get excited about project management software the way that I do. In today's fast-paced world, project management software has become a must-have tool for busy online business owners. Because here’s the thing, you’re not able to grow your business if you’re stuck in the day-to-day trenches of your business.

But with so many options available, how do you choose the best one for your needs? Don’t worry about it Friend, I’ve got you. Are you ready to make a decision once and for all on what is the best project management software for you and your business?

The decision is ultimately up to you, as it needs to be the one that works for you. Not the one that works for me, not the one that works for your business bestie, but the one that works for you. 

This will serve as a guide to help you understand the key features to look for, comparing the top contenders, and sharing expert tips to make an informed decision. Whether you're a solopreneur, a small business owner with a tiny team, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and insights needed to streamline your projects, improve collaboration, and ultimately boost your productivity. It's time to find the best project management software to take your business to the next level!

For Those of You Not Sold Yet on Project Management Software

With project management software, you can effectively address the challenges and pain points you face as an online business owner. By implementing software it aids to address the following pain points and problems:

1. Task Organization and Prioritization: The management of multiple tasks and projects can quickly become overwhelming. By using project management software, tasks can be organized, priorities can be set, and resources can be allocated efficiently.

2. Team Collaboration and Communication: Online businesses often involve remote teams or freelancers, so effective communication is essential. In order to ensure seamless team communication, project management tools provide collaboration features like real-time messaging, file sharing, and task comments.

3. Deadline and Time Management: 

For any online business to succeed, meeting deadlines is crucial. It allows owners to set deadlines, track progress, and manage time efficiently, reducing the risk of missing them.

4. Workflow Efficiency: 

Different teams or departments may need to coordinate workflows in an online business. A project management software streamlines workflows, automates repetitive tasks, and provides a clear view of the progress of a project.

5. Resource Allocation: 

Optimizing productivity requires efficient resource allocation. The use of project management tools makes it easier to manage workloads and assign tasks.

6. Task Dependencies: 

Projects with interdependent tasks can be challenging to manage. By defining task dependencies, project management software ensures that tasks are completed in the correct order.

7. Tracking and Reporting: 

Online business owners should monitor the progress of their projects. It's easy to create detailed reports using project management software, which provides valuable insights into the status of a project, the productivity of the team, and any potential bottlenecks.

8. Client Collaboration: 

It can be valuable for businesses that work closely with clients to have a platform for collaboration. Through project management tools, clients can securely access project updates and documents, fostering stronger relationships.

9. Document Management: 

Online businesses deal with a large number of documents, contracts, and files. Most project management software includes document management capabilities, making it easy to store, organize, and access project files.

10. Scalability: 

An online business needs a flexible solution that can scale as it grows. Project management software often offers different pricing tiers and customizable features, accommodating the evolving requirements of a growing business.

11. Centralized Data and Information: 

A centralized platform for all project-related data and information reduces the chance of information being lost or scattered.

12. Task Accountability and Transparency: 

Using project management software, tasks are more accountable since they can be assigned responsibilities and progress can be tracked. Additionally, it increases transparency, facilitating communication between team members.

As a result, online business owners can streamline operations, improve team collaboration, boost productivity, and achieve business objectives more efficiently with the use of project management software. Rather than relying on more manual methods of managing tasks and projects, it provides a structured approach to managing online businesses, alleviating the pain points associated with managing them.

But, What is the best project management software for you? 

I’m going to run through the top Project Management Software and maybe a few less-known project management software. 

Are you ready to finally make a decision? Before we get into this, I’d like you to think about your pain points and what you are trying to solve with this software. What is the most important features you’d like it to have? There is a reason why we have so many options to choose from. All of these softwares were developed because the developer had a different way of thinking when it came to managing projects and tasks. 

1. Asana:

   – Task Management: Intuitive task lists and boards for efficient task organization.

   – Team Collaboration: Real-time collaboration and communication for teams.

   – Kanban Boards: Visualize workflows and manage tasks using Kanban boards.

   – Document Sharing: Share files and documents directly within the platform.

   – Calendar: Plan and track project deadlines and milestones on a calendar.

   – Mobile App: Access and manage projects on-the-go with a mobile app.

   – Integrations: Seamlessly integrate with various productivity tools and apps.

2. Teamwork:

   – Task Management: Plan, track, and manage tasks with ease.

   – Team Collaboration: Foster collaboration and communication among team members.

   – Kanban Boards: Visualize and manage tasks using Kanban boards.

   – Time Tracking: Track time spent on tasks and projects for accurate billing and analysis.

   – File Attachments: Attach files and documents to tasks for easy access.Team has the best file management based on my experience. 

   – Customizable Views: Customize views and workflows to fit specific project needs.

   – Cross-Platform Accessibility: Access Teamwork from multiple devices and platforms.

3. ClickUp:

   – Task Management: Efficiently manage tasks and projects in a centralized space.

   – Team Collaboration: Real-time communication and collaboration for teams.

   – Kanban Boards: Organize and visualize tasks with customizable Kanban boards.

   – Time Tracking: Track time spent on tasks and projects for improved productivity. While they do have this native in the software, I don’t love it. Although, they have been making improvements to the time tracking. 

   – Integrations: Connect with various third-party apps and tools for seamless workflow.

   – Customizable Workflows: Tailor workflows to match specific project requirements.

   – Proofing and Approval (Noted in previous responses): Simplify creative review and approval processes.

4. TickTick:

   – Task Management: Create and organize tasks with due dates and priorities.

   – Team Collaboration: Share lists and tasks with team members for collaboration.

   – Time Tracking: Track time spent on tasks for better time management.

   – Mobile App: Manage tasks and projects on-the-go with a mobile app.

   – Cross-Platform Accessibility: Access TickTick from multiple devices.

   – Note Taking: Take notes and set reminders to stay organized.

   – Integrations: Integrate with other apps and services for enhanced productivity.

5. MeisterTask:

   – Task Management: Plan and execute tasks with intuitive task management.

   – Team Collaboration: Collaborate with team members using built-in communication tools.

   – Kanban Boards: Visualize and organize tasks with customizable boards.

   – Automation: Automate repetitive tasks and workflows for increased efficiency.

   – Integrations: Connect with various third-party apps for seamless data flow.

   – File Attachments: Attach files and documents to tasks for easy reference.

   – Customizable Views: Customize views to match your preferred task display.

6. Monday:

   – Task Management: Organize and manage tasks using intuitive boards and timelines.

   – Team Collaboration: Collaborate in real-time with team members.

   – Kanban Boards: Visualize tasks and workflows with customizable boards.

   – Time Tracking: Track time spent on tasks and projects for accurate reporting.

   – Integrations: Integrate with popular tools and services for enhanced productivity.

   – Automation: Automate routine tasks and streamline workflows.

   – Cross-Platform Accessibility: Access Monday from various devices and platforms.

7. nTask Manager:

   – Task Organization and Prioritization: nTask Manager offers intuitive task lists and boards to help online business owners organize and prioritize tasks efficiently.

   – Time Tracking: The software includes built-in time tracking features, allowing users to monitor the time spent on tasks and projects accurately.

   – Issue and Risk Management: nTask Manager provides tools to identify and manage issues and risks, ensuring potential problems are addressed proactively.

   – Meeting Management: With meeting scheduling, agenda creation, and minute-taking features, the software streamlines meeting processes and enhances productivity.

   – Integrations: nTask Manager integrates with popular productivity tools, extending its functionality and adaptability to the business's existing ecosystem.

8. Wrike:

   – Advanced Task Dependencies: Wrike offers sophisticated task dependency management, enabling businesses to create complex project workflows with ease.

   – Customizable Workflows: The software allows users to create customized workflows tailored to specific project requirements, improving team collaboration and efficiency.

   – Proofing and Approval: Wrike provides visual proofing capabilities, allowing teams to review and approve creative assets directly within the platform, reducing approval cycles.

   – Resource Management: With resource allocation and workload balancing features, Wrike helps optimize resource utilization and team productivity.

   – Enterprise-Grade Security: Wrike ensures data security and compliance with industry standards, making it suitable for online businesses dealing with sensitive information.

9. Notion:

   – Flexible Workspace: Notion offers a versatile workspace where businesses can create custom databases, wikis, knowledge bases, and task boards, all in one platform.

   – Collaboration and Documentation: The software facilitates real-time collaboration, making it ideal for online businesses with teams working across different locations.

   – Media Integration: Notion allows embedding various media types, such as images, videos, and files, making it a dynamic platform for creative and media-centric businesses.

   – Note Taking and Wiki Creation: With its note-taking capabilities and wiki-style layout, Notion promotes knowledge sharing and documentation within the organization.

   – Cross-Platform Accessibility: Notion is available on multiple devices and platforms, ensuring seamless access and synchronization of data for remote teams.

– I love Notion. This is what I use for my content calendar. I’ve not taken the time to drive into the new project and tasks features that have been released. This is also software that you’ve going to master quickly. You’ll need to spend some time watching YouTube videos. It’s incredibly flexible; you have a blank slate that allows you to create whatever your heart desires. 

These highlights provide an overview of the key features offered by each project management software. Keep in mind that the actual feature set may vary based on the specific plan or version of the software. Always refer to the respective software's official website for the most up-to-date and detailed information.

Book A 1-Hour Virtual Session

Discover the Secret to Effortless Content Creation –

From Overwhelmed to Thriving: Your Content Creation Simplified Journey Starts Here!

It’s that time again to wrap this up! 

I hope this was helpful for you in figuring out what is the best project management software. 

The great thing about most of these is that they can try it out for free. Some give you access to all the features for a limited time; others let you use the software as long as you’d like with limited features.

Let me know what questions you have, if you're confused. Book a mini-session, we'll get it figured out! 

Thanks for your time; I appreciate you and hope you have a wonderful week. 

Software for Lead Management: Streamline Your Sales Process

Software for Lead Management: Streamline Your Sales Process

EP-028-Content Systems for Growth-Software for Lead Management -HoneyBook CRM

Have you ever read Emily Ley’s book Grace Not Perfection? She grabbed me with the first few lines in the introduction. She starts off by talking about the hampster wheel of overwhelm, trying to do it all, along with managing the circus of life as a wife, mom, and business owner, and overachiever. In the circus of life, I’m definitely the juggling act. How about you? I’m guessing the last thing you want to have to happen is dropping the ball on a new prospective client by making them feel unwelcome. Implementing software for lead management is one way to make your online marketing efforts thrive. 

It's about having an efficient client workflow that allows you to automate and manage your prospects. That's where lead management software comes into play. With its powerful features and intuitive interface, lead management software can streamline your sales process, ensuring that no potential client slips through the cracks. From capturing and organizing leads to nurturing them through automated workflows, this software is a game-changer for your small online business. Are you ready to explore the benefits of lead management software?

The Importance of Streamlining Your Sales Process

A streamlined sales process is essential for any online business owner looking to grow a business that is able to support their big why. I’m guessing you understand the importance of having an efficient system in place. Without a sales process in place, what good is all that time and energy spent on your online marketing efforts? It's easy to lose those valuable leads, resulting in missed revenue opportunities. However, I believe the worst of all is missing out on the chance to make a positive impact.

Do you see how important it is to have lead management software to organize and track leads? Your entire sales cycle should be focused on making every prospect feel welcome.

One of the key benefits of streamlining your sales process is increased efficiency. With lead management software, manual tasks such as data entry and lead tracking become automated, freeing up your valuable time to focus on building relationships. By eliminating time-consuming administrative tasks, you can become more productive and effective in running your circus. (:

Benefits of Software For Lead Management

Your online business can benefit greatly from the features of all-in-one software for lead management. We are going to look specifically at the key features of HoneyBook, which is the Client Relationship Management (CRM) software that I use in my online business. I’ve used Dubsado in the past, and they are both very similar. It really comes down to personal preference. A few years ago, I switched to Honeybook as I found it simpler and more visually appealing. 

1. Contact Form for Lead Management

Lead management software provides a contact form that will kick off the automation process. It will welcome your lead, send you a notification, and ensure that no lead falls through the cracks.

Honeybook contact forms can be customized and embedded on your website. Or, if you prefer, as a direct link to an already set up call to action on your website or social media.

When you send your ideal clients to one place, it allows you to gather important information. New inquiries are automatically added to your HoneyBook account, so you can respond and manage them all in one place.  

Plus, HoneyBook contact forms are so cute that your ideal clients won't be able to resist! They'll be saying “Aww, how could I say no to this adorable contact form?! I'm in!”

2. Automations of Managing Your Prospects

Oh my goodness, HoneyBook automations allow you to automate repetitive task so they’re taken off your plate. What I love is that it will send an automated thank you. This reduces administrative work for me and my team and allows me to give my clients the best experience possible. It is a 

3. Beautiful Templates are simple and easy way to streamline for your lead workflow.

You can use HoneyBook’s interactive files to build customer experience for your clients. They have beautiful templates gallery full of examples made by other business owners, so it’s easy to get started. Not only that, they have a scheduler with payment so you can book faster. With multiple steps in one customizable file you can streamline your entire client flow. 

This is exactly what I use for my project management mini-session. If you’ve attempted to implement this in the past and failed, you may not have picked the right project management software for you. Are ready to streamline your operations, improve team collaboration, enhance productivity, and calm the chaos? Book a mini-session, we will figure out the right software for you and I’ll get you started with a template.

Now, that we’ve covered the benefits of software for lead management, let’s move into mapping out the workflow.

Mapping Out the Workflow

Let's map out a lead management workflow from the initial introduction to becoming a paying client using Honeybook CRM:

1. Introduction:

  • A lead comes across your website or social media through free content (blog posts, videos, social media posts, etc.).
  • They are intrigued by your valuable information and want to learn more.

2. Free Offer:

  • The lead signs up for a free offer, such as a downloadable guide, ebook, or webinar related to your expertise.
  • They provide their email address to access the free content.

3. Nurturing through Email Marketing:

  • The lead is added to your email list, and you start nurturing them through automated email sequences.
  • You send a series of helpful and engaging emails to build trust and establish your authority in your industry.

4. Lead Form with HoneyBook CRM:

  • In one of the emails or through your website, you offer a free consultation call related to your services.
  • The lead expresses interest by filling out a lead form on your website, which is powered by HoneyBook CRM.
EP-028-Content Systems for Growth-Software for Lead Management

5. Consultant Call or Services Booking:

  •  Once the lead submits the form, you receive their information in HoneyBook CRM.
  • Now, this is where you have a few options: 

→You may review each application or lead form submitted and decide, based on the information, if they are a good fit and send them the link to book and pay for a 1:1 coaching call. 

→  Or you can send them a booking link to schedule a complimentary consultation call to figure out if they are the right fit for your services

6. Consultant Call:

  • During the consultant call, you have a conversation to understand the lead's needs, challenges, and goals.
  • You provide tailored solutions and recommendations based on their specific requirements.

7. Proposal and Contract Management:

  • After the consultant call, you create a customized proposal using Honeybook CRM's proposal management feature.
  • The proposal outlines your services, pricing, and any other relevant details.
  • Once the lead approves the proposal, they receive a contract to review and sign electronically through Honeybook CRM.

8. Onboarding:

  • The lead officially becomes a client once the contract is signed and the initial payment is made (if required).
  • You begin onboarding, providing them with any necessary information and resources to get started.

9. Service Delivery and Follow-up:

  •  You deliver the agreed-upon services, providing top-notch customer service throughout the process.
  •  You continue to nurture the client through email marketing and occasional check-ins to maintain a positive relationship.

10. Payment and Ongoing Relationship:

  • As the client is satisfied with your services, they continue to work with you on an ongoing basis.
  • Honeybook CRM helps manage payment processing and client communication throughout the relationship.

Does that give you an idea of a lead management workflow? Of course, you’ll need to tailor it for your exact services. See how you can efficiently guide leads through the process, from their initial introduction to becoming satisfied paying clients, all while leveraging the capabilities of Honeybook CRM to streamline and automate various stages.​

Not sure about you, but I’m ready to wrap this up. 

Getting off of the hamster wheel of overwhelm means implementing systems instead of trying to juggle it all. You have a lot on your plate, so why not delegate by implementing software for lead management? Your content goes a long way, so make sure your online marketing efforts are successful with a well-thought-out lead management process.

Making a new prospective client feel unwelcome is the last thing you want to happen. To ensure that you don't miss out on any potential clients, effective lead management software can help you streamline your workflow, automate tedious tasks, and keep your sales pipeline organized. 

Book A 1-Hour Virtual Session

Discover the Secret to Effortless Content Creation –

From Overwhelmed to Thriving: Your Content Creation Simplified Journey Starts Here!

How To Increase Traffic for my Website: The Republishing Effect

How To Increase Traffic for my Website: The Republishing Effect

Let me ask have you found yourself in the thick of it all, without one extra minute, wondering what content you can create to get more eyeballs on your website? Next thing you know, you’re going down a rabbit hole researching how to increase traffic for my website. 

Aww, if this is you, Friend, I have one simple tip you can implement into your content calendar to do just that! Are you ready? This one simple tip is to rewrite and republish your old content on your website! Everything needs a refresh now and then, am I right?

 

You may feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the constant churn of content creation. Not only that but depending on when you’re reading this, it’s the season of no time. Not one extra minute! All the minutes that you previously had for creating amazing content that generates traffic to your website have been swallowed up by keeping your kids entertained while schools are out for summer. You know what I mean, right? I have been there and done that; I get it!

If this is you sweet friend, this too will pass, although from a soon-to-be empty nester, I encourage you to relish every minute. My heart would love to be back in the thick of summer kid entertainment and activities. 

What you need is a quick and simple way to get more eyeballs on your content to drive traffic to your website that can be done in minimal time. How do you do that? As I alluded to earlier, it is by updating, rewriting, and then republishing your old content.  

Why You Need to Rewrite and Republish Your Old Blog Posts

If you’re on the fence about whether this will work, yes, it does! Numbers tell a story, and I’d like to share with you a recent experience one of my clients had. In the content calendar, I’d peppered in old blog posts to rewrite and republish. 

One thing we do weekly when we meet with the SEO and Conversion Manager is look at the path that visitors take on the website. Kind of like social media, you want them to stay on your website, getting to know about you and your online business. I was curious about the traffic that was coming in from a recent blog post that I rewrote and republished a few weeks ago. Numbers do not lie, and they will tell you where to spend your time. 

First, we looked at the traffic from the date the blog was republished until the current date. It was getting decent traffic, but the wow factor, the visitors, on average, clicked through eight pages on the website. 

I was curious as to the amount of traffic this post was getting prior to the content refresh. We ran the same report going back two years until the day before the post was republished. 

Let Me Say We Were Blown Away

The number of visitors to that blog doubled compared to the previous two years. Do you see how amazing that is? The numbers in two weeks doubled the amount of traffic that they had in two years. Not only that, before the post was rewritten, visitors clicked through to only one page after the post and left the website. 

We were totally geeking out over this information. That’s the proof that it works. This is the perfect solution to how to increase traffic for my website

Now That is How To Increase Traffic for My Website

By refreshing the content and images, it renews the energy and gives it new life.

I do the same thing to increase traffic for my website. Oh my goodness, how much I’ve grown and evolved over the last seven years with my content is groundbreaking. I’ve gone from throwing up content to really getting into the art and science of how organic content works to increase traffic for my website, in the end, drives conversions. 

Even though I’m a past sale rep, for some reason, I get weirded out selling my own services. I need to remind myself In order to have a business and not a hobby; I need to have conversions. Our website is the tool we need to find the people that we connect with, and your content is what does that. 

How Can You Do This

 

Go back to your old content and make it relevant again. If you’re anything like me, what I did back in the day is not what I’m doing now. 

Enhance those posts to keep them in line with your current services or products. 

 

A Word Of Caution

Do not change the URL! Only update the content. Changing the URL is an SEO no, no, for sure. 

Make it simple by using the SEO plugin Yoast. They have the feature to rewrite and republish an old blog post. It’s pretty slick and easy to use. It allows you to rewrite and schedule the post to go live instead of having to move it to draft mode to be published on your content's go-live date. 

Am I saying that right? For example, my weekly content goes live on Wednesdays for my blog post and podcast. When is the day that you release new or refreshed content? 

Book A 1-Hour Virtual Session

Discover the Secret to Effortless Content Creation –

From Overwhelmed to Thriving: Your Content Creation Simplified Journey Starts Here!

I Don’t Know About You, But I’m Ready To Wrap This Up

One thing we know for sure is that nothing stays the same; you are constantly evolving as a business owner. Rewriting and republishing previously published blog posts is a quick and easy way to get content out the door without the stress of starting from scratch. It is clear from the remarkable results we have seen that this strategy holds great potential.

We were blown away by how refreshing old content has the ability to unlock new opportunities; not only doubled its traffic within two weeks but also experienced an astonishing shift in user engagement and lead generation. Oh my goodness, I think I failed to mention earlier in addition to increased traffic to the website, that engagement created two new leads into the business by filling out an application to work with them. That type of result is mind-blowing. Take advantage of repurposing your content and watch it go farther than you ever imagined. What old content will you make new again?

Thank you so much for reading, I appreciate you, and I hope you have a wonderful week.