IRIDIUM HELPS

This week I had a couple of great help sessions with women who are getting ready to dive into the consulting world, and it got me all fired up about the tools and systems that can make or break an entrepreneurial journey. It may sound dramatic, but I’ve worked with enough companies over the years to understand the truth of James Clear’s statement “You don’t rise to the level of your goals, you fall to the level of your systems” in business. So, let’s talk tech, shall we?

Here’s the thing: I’m a total systems nerd. Give me a tech stack (the collection of programs, software, and apps used) to optimize, and I’m happier than a kid in a candy store. But, I know that the thought of setting up all these tools can be overwhelming for many of you. So, let’s break it down, no BS style.

The Must-Have Tools for Your Consulting Toolkit

1. Searchie.io: This is my main squeeze for courses and memberships. It’s an all-in-one platform that’s affordable, customizable, and comes with killer AI tools that make managing it a breeze. Plus, it gives you those sweet, sweet viewer analytics so you can understand what your audience wants. There are also really great integrations to automate much of the administrative work. What’s not to love?
2. ConvertKit: Your go-to for easy email marketing. Sequences, broadcasts, automation, paid subscriptions – it’s got it all. It is also pretty easy to set up and includes some great features like being able to sell products, a built-in referral network, and access to an easy Creator Profile that can function as your website for as long as you need it. Trust me, your future self will thank you for this one.
3. Canva: This is by far my favorite design and marketing tool. In Canva, repurposing content for different platforms, using brand colors and fonts, and finding great stock imagery is extremely easy, taking hardly any time at all. Plus, there are thousands of templates to choose from and modify. We have the premium version and use the content calendar for publishing straight to our social channels as well.
4. Quickbooks: Keep those finances in check! Future you will be so grateful when tax season rolls around.

Tools That Are Nice-to-Have’s

1. VideoAsk: Perfect for asynchronous video communication in coaching. Not sure what that means? Basically, your client have the option to easily record a quick video, text, or voice message to you, making your interactions much more efficient and personal. Because sometimes, typed messages just don’t cut it, and you need to see those facial expressions.
2. Hubspot: A solid choice for your CRM and website needs. Just be careful with those price-lock contracts (more on that later).
3. Gusto: Payroll made easy. Because nothing says “I’m a real business now” like having to figure out payroll taxes.
4. SamCart: Slick payment pages? Check. No more cobbling together janky PayPal buttons. If you’re doing any sort of hourly billing and want to be able to charge a card on file easily, this is the best way to do it.
5. AI Assistants: We’re big fans of Claude and ChatGPT premium. They’re like having a super-smart intern who never sleeps (or asks for coffee runs).

Most tools have tiered pricing with free or low-cost options to start. Always begin there and scale up if needed. And here’s a pro tip: pay monthly and avoid price-lock contracts when you’re just starting out. We learned this the hard way with Hubspot (ouch, my wallet still hurts). I HIGHLY recommend taking 15 minutes each month to review your tech stack subscriptions and billing. If you’re not using it, downgrade or cancel.

Success Stories That’ll Make You Go “Damn, I Want That”

We’ve seen some pretty cool transformations using these tools. One client used Searchie to expand their consulting business from a handful of clients to running cohort-based coaching. Another saved a ton of time and energy by using Searchie as a knowledge base and training platform for their team. I just love being able to help people translate their ideas into realities from a tech perspective.

Word of Caution: Avoiding the “I Need to Do It All” Trap

It’s easy to look at big names like Amy Porterfield and think you need to be doing ALL THE THINGS. But remember, she’s got a team of 20. You’re just getting started. Set realistic expectations for yourself, or you’ll burn out faster than a cheap candle at a séance. You don’t need to have everything connected, developed, and built out before you start doing business. Trust me, I have made this mistake many times over the years and I’m always amazed by how much my ideas of what was “needed” differed from what the realities of function actually ended up requiring. Which brings me to…

The Key to Sanity: Start Simple, Scale Smart

Design for where you’re at now, not where you want to be in five years. Start simple and take it one step at a time. And for the love of Pete, don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to be an expert in everything. Sometimes, it’s worth finding someone you trust to help out rather than reinventing the wheel. Remember, as a consultant, your time is money so don’t spend precious billable time farting around in the weeds.

Oh, and don’t forget about insurance. Seriously, get good business insurance. Future you will be so grateful when that one client decides to go off the rails.

Staying in the Loop

Part of having an effective tech stack is understanding how to utilize the tools effectively. With new features constantly rolling out, staying on top of them can save you time and money. Here’s my secret sauce for staying up to date with tools:

• Read those product update emails (they’re actually interesting, I swear)
• Do free trainings and webinars for the platforms you use
• Check out developer communities for creative ways people are using tech or to ask questions about your use case
• Keep an eye on product roadmaps
• Listen to tech/business podcasts like The All In Podcast

A Final Word of Wisdom

Make sure you have someone in your life who can pull you out of the weeds when needed. Caley has always been really helpful with this for me. Consulting isn’t for the faint of heart, but it can be incredibly rewarding. And remember, if anyone tells you this is easy, they’re full of sh*t.

But hey, that’s why we built Iridium Helps. We love nothing more than helping women like you navigate the wild world of entrepreneurship. So if you’re feeling a bit lost in the tech jungle, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’ve got your back!

Now go forth and conquer, you brilliant consultant-to-be!