Resources
LEVEL UP with this list of recommended Books Apps Gear Docs
Books
Gear
Apps
Documents
Here is a list of some of the tools that I've used to create this website, my podcast and other business & creative projects. I hope these help you as much as they've helped me. – Steven
** I have partnered with some of the services that I use. This has allowed me to offer you some promotions with the special links below (extended trials and discounts).
Artlist is amazing for sourcing music (that you are allowed to use on your show, see their terms). This is where I found the intro and outro music for the podcast. It will level up your production value immediately.
Type: App – Category: Podcasting
Auphonic is a great tool for both rescuing bad recordings and making sure your final mix is up to Radio Standards. I use this to “clean up” the final mix from Adobe Audition to make sure the vocal tracks and music tracks all have the same loudness so my listener gets what they're expecting when the put the volume to a certain level. This is a must use.
Type: App – Category: Podcasting
Adobe Audition comes with the Adobe Creative Suite. It is used by podcasters and movie makers. It can be intimidating at the start but once you get used to it, it has a lot of powerful tools such as removing noise, adding effects, and the overall management of your multitrack sessions.
Type: App – Category: Podcasting
Headliner almost does it all when it comes to creating marketing material for your show. I use this to create audiograms (Square, Wide, and Story format) and it also transcribes your media (at no additional charge). Definitely worth taking a look at.
Type: App – Category: Podcasting
Not all hosts are created equal. If you want your show to be on as many podcast players as possible, Libsyn is the only choice. They helped my show get on Amazon Music for their recent launch, and will let you know anytime there is a new player you can submit your show to. Distribution is key.
Type: App – Category: Podcasting
If you're looking to learn about Paid Traffic, Content Marketing, Copywriting etc.. Digital Marketer is a great place to take courses and get up to speed. These courses have really helped me with this website and developing content and the right copy (how I speak in email and these pages). You get badge when you've completed each course. Highly worth it.
Type: App – Category: Training & Certificates
SEMrush has an amazing suite of free online courses for SEO and Content. You really should know this stuff if you're in business and you have or run a website. Traffic and Copy are essential to communicating your value, and in turn, making money.
Type: App – Category: Training & Certificates
This is a data migration / data syncing tool. It was critical when I migrated all of my business data from Drop to G-Drive. I also used it back when I relied on Saleforce. Great for backing up cloud data. Must have.
Type: App – Category: Productivity
If you can't stay off your phone or from checking facebook every 10 minutes, Freedom App is great for blocking specific apps and websites for either set amounts of time or during a schedule that you determine. Perfect for keeping you honest throughout your working hours. Does offer a chance to see the app if “really” needed.
Type: App – Category: Productivity
Stop relying on the red squiggly line that never seems to work. Grammarly integrates with Google Docs Suite, Chrome OS (which helps you on any webpage you're writing on (even this wordpress editor)), as well as your phone. It's the fastest way to get content out there that is well polished and still sounds like you.
Type: App – Category: Productivity
I can't do email without Mixmax. It allows you to snooze emails at certain times and based on conditions, schedule emails at specific times and based on conditions (did they reply, did they not open the email), and has the best email template system I've seen using keyboard shortcuts to fill out an entire email (subject and body with formatting included). Integrates with Salesforce, Pipedrive and other CRM's.
Type: – Category: Productivity
It's like getting a bunch of apps for the price of 1. Ulysses, a very popular writing app is included which by itself costs $5.99 per month, but for 9.99 per month on Setapp, you get Ulysses and MANY other very useful and productive apps ranging from utilities, photo editing, project management and writing tools. Worth checking out.
Type: App – Category: Productivity
One app to rule them all. Zapier is a service that allows you to connect many other web app/services that you use. Think of it as automation without any coding. Bring information from one system into another, as actions happen. This app will make or break your business as the economy continues to scale.
Type: App – Category: Productivity
If you've gotten an email from me it probably came from ActiveCampaign. This is the top when it comes to email marketing and automation. Their system allows you to automate so many actions based on different events or triggers (when an action takes place). A must for serious emailers running a podcast or website. Comes with a built-in CRM.
Type: App – Category: Sales & Marketing
Creating any kind of social media post for your business or podcast has never been easier with Canva. It's most useful for speed AND for anyone who wishes they could make cool marketing posts but are terrified of using Adobe Photoshop. It works seamless on mobile. You'll be glad you tried it.
Type: App – Category: Sales & Marketing
Pipedrive changed the game for me. I used Salesforce for a long time and it was expensive and did not “work for me”. Pipedrive is clean, efficient and loaded with automations and easy to customize. The phone app works great and is a seamless experience from the browser application. I use this for sales business and for tracking guests for the podcast.
Type: App – Category: Sales & Marketing
SEMrush is a great tool for discovering many many things about top websites. I use this tool to help me find topics for episodes. You can search for questions being asked on the internet based on topics or keywords. Imagine being able to produce content that people are actually looking for.
Type: App – Category: Sales & Marketing
If you've heard of Linktree or used it, this is WAY better. Taplink helps you make a landing page and link to include in your Instagram (or anywhere you want) bio. This way you don't lose out by having to choose another social link in your bio, this allows you to include them all.
You can add sliders, videos, different pages, countdown timers and collect leads (using built-in lead forms). And its cheaper! Check it out
Type: App – Category: Sales & Marketing
On some of the days I felt most lost, what kept me going was my list of daily (morning, afternoon, evening, and shutdown) habits. You can make custom list of habits at custom times of day on specific days. Complete with guided meditations, this app is a life saver.
Type: App – Category: Health & Fitness, Productivity
I've gone through quite a few pull-up bars in my day. Megabar will be the last one you ever have to buy. It's robust and detaches to become a stand-alone workout bar that you can add standard plates to. And it comes with a set of rings! Get fit.
(not sold on amazon)
Type: Gear – Category: Health & Fitness
If you're looking to book guests, or better yet, get interviewed on a podcast, this is a good place to start. Create a profile, upload your picture and some info and you could find yourself getting invited to be on a show.
Type: App – Category: Podcasting
Perfect for sharing blog posts, on repeat. Typically sharing a blog post happens, once. Then you have to reshare and who can keep track of all that? Missinglettr takes one blog posts and makes many social posts from it and then schedules those post across and entire year. Plus much more, worth a look. I left buffer for this tool.
Type: App – Category: Productivity, Sales & Marketing
Record, edit, mix, collaborate, and master your audio and video with Descript. It wasn't until I switched to Descript that I felt like I could actually produce content for the long term.
Type: App – Category: Podcasting, Productivity