Things We Love | For Entrepreneurs | Honeybook
I’m just going to put it out there and say it.
Running a business can be hard. Being a small business owner or solopreneur can be harder.
We wear many hats every day. We go from being the secretary to customer service, accountant to social media guru, and then every position in between.
In the seven years that I have been running this business, I have tried many things to help make running a business easier. I have made too many spreadsheets to admit (many of those with errors that cost me major dollars), and kept handwritten notes to stay organized.
Let me just say, the more my business grew, the more I had to learn to scale.
So if there are three things I can swear by as a business owner, although I could probably make an entire list of things that make my life easier, it would be:
1. My Planner: I have been using the Day Designer planner for three years and it’s been a staple in staying organized for my daily to-do list. You can get it here.
2. Honeybook:
3. Details Software: We’ll go into “detail” on this in a later post!
I know we’re not supposed to “tell” all our inside secrets on how we make everything look so easy, but I’m way more into supporting my community of local business owners than to hide this gem.
So today, let me tell you why I love Honeybook.
*If you’d like a 14 day free trial & a 50% off discount code for your new membership, click here.*
*Scroll down for more information on some of my favorite features!*
Honeybook is a client management software designed for creative professionals. It allows the user to create workflows to manage clients at every stage of a project, create custom and private portals, and manages your schedule.
Although this overview is pretty basic in comparison to the vast features that this program offers, I’m going to highlight three of my personal favorite features the program offers.
Workflows
Honeybook allows me to create a workflow customized to my business’ needs and timing. At this point, we’ve perfected how long everything takes from the first inquiry we receive from a potential client, all the way to completing their wedding.
In the workflow, you can build in tasks and reminders to ensure that you never miss a follow-up or important interaction with your client.
This has been vital in my business’s success!
I always have more orders reserved in time. I know when to schedule their final reviews. Every last detail is noted so that every client gets a customized, yet thorough and equal experience, for their wedding.
Contracts & Invoices
I use to send invoices, actually progress invoice (oye!) clients through accounting software. I’d have to put a reminder in my calendar to remind them to pay their bill and also to follow up if a payment was late . . . quite frankly, it was daunting. It left too much room for error, missed payments, and forgotten follow-ups.
On top of the accounting software issue, getting contracts signed and returned was a royal pain in the butt for everyone. Not to mention, printing and storing all that paperwork took up a ton of space. I tried a separate online contract signing program for a while, but after so many signatures they required monthly payment. Once again . . . Oye!
I had too many systems running and none of them were working seamlessly together to create an integrated experience.
Honeybook offered one of my favorite solutions. I can send invoices and contracts online all in one shot.
One email and it’s all done.
Clients can pay their invoices online and they can sign their contract within the same document. It’s all customized to my needs and my brand.
Funds are deposited into my account and clients get reminders when payments are due. Everything is in one spot in their client portal and easily accessed!
It’s been a major game-changer for both my clients and myself!
Reports
Okay, if you’ve made it to this part, let me bore you with some cold hard facts.
Data doesn’t lie.
Honeybook tells me exactly where my inquiries come from, what lead sources are providing value, and what I’m grossing in sales.
There are a million other reports, and let me just say, they are super valuable. Running a creative business is a ton of fun, but making sure you’re running a profitable business is even better.
Make sure you have software that’s giving that information to you.
If you’d like to give Honeybook a try, they offer a 14-day free trial to get started. Their customer service is amazing and they’ll help you get situated and feeling right at home!
If you do end up loving it like I know you will, you can use my referral code for 50% off your membership.
If you have any questions on how to use it, or before you get started, shoot me an email and I’ll be happy to help!
Much Love & Happiness ~ KH
