Solopreneurs are perhaps the most shrewd type of entrepreneur. Solopreneurs decide to take their business idea and make it a reality on their own, without the help of a team. Solopreneurs may start companies to pursue side ventures or other career interests. They may opt to go all in, hoping for the benefits of autonomy and flexibility.
Solopreneurship can offer a lot of benefits, but it is not easy. It is crucial to find ways to simplify all tasks since owners often do everything on their own. If you don’t have the right software tools, it is easy for tasks to pile up. We’ll be discussing four tools solopreneurs can use in order to make their job easier.
4 Best Tools for Solopreneurs
1. Legal Document Management Software
Every business sells something. It might be something intangible like bookkeeping services. It could be something tangible, such as a commissioned work of art. It could be a combination where the recipient receives a product but services such as web development are part of it.
Solopreneurs have something to offer clients in every case. These relationships are usually managed by legal agreements and documents. It’s difficult to hold any party responsible without them. Each side has some recourse and protection if they have to perform or pay according to the contract.
Problem is, not all solopreneurs have experience in contract law. It can also be difficult to organize all of the paperwork involved in binding agreements. It is easier for most people to use a contract management platform to manage this aspect of their business. The process of creating and signing contracts becomes more efficient when the app is used correctly. Owners can automate repetitive tasks and secure e-signatures. They also have cloud storage.
Also read: Top 10 Legal Document Management Software
2. Invoicing Software
Solopreneurship does not eliminate the need to manage invoices. It doesn’t matter if a company is large or small, the exchange of money is essential. Vendors and other companies receive funds for supplies. Importantly, revenue comes from the sale of products and services.
While money can be exchanged at the point where a sale is made, many solopreneurs also offer services. This type of business model usually brings in revenue after the fact. Graphic designers may be contracted to do recurring work for six clients. The designer will not receive payment until the clients have approved the deliverables. This arrangement requires invoicing which can be tedious for business owners.
Solopreneurs find it even more difficult to manage multiple projects and chase down payment. According to the Independent Economy Council, freelancers face the most difficult task of getting paid. Amazing 74% of gig workers claim they aren’t receiving timely payments. Amazingly, 59% of gig workers say they are still waiting for $50,000.
However, 38% still create invoices from scratch with word processing tools. These invoices need to be manually tracked. Solopreneurs can save time by using invoicing software. They can save templates and track when invoices are sent. This also helps them to determine late payments. Invoicing apps make it easier to follow up on late or missed payments. They also signal the need to have tough conversations with clients. These software tools also automatically deposit funds into bank accounts, which simplifies income tax preparation.
3. Task Organizers
To-do lists can take time away from the actual work. It’s an essential step in the planning process. It’s difficult for solopreneurs to succeed without organization if they are focused on every aspect of running a business. Spreadsheets or word processing programs may seem like a good solution. These software tools can be too simple to handle the demands of busy owners.
Because they allow teams to collaborate, project management software is great for large companies. Project management software may be too complicated for a small business. They are the ones who track tasks, create timelines and deliver results. Solutions that organize to-do lists are often more effective.
Solopreneurs can use daily planner apps to initiate tasks, classify outstanding items and set priorities. They can see what is on their plate every day before they start. It’s easy to rearrange a schedule if a deadline is not being met. The business owner can see immediately how shifting priorities will affect their other responsibilities. Task organizers will remind you of important deadlines to ensure that nothing is missed.
Also read: Top 20 Solopreneur Business Ideas
4. Social Media Tools
According to statistical research, 33% of marketers spend between one-five hours and five hours a week on social media. This is a large percentage, but it only represents 23% who dedicate 6-10 hours a week to social media marketing. While this time might seem small for large companies, it is often more important for solopreneurs.
Social media managers are not able to do the job for sole business owners. They must plan marketing, including social media posts as part of their daily work schedule. Social media can become a rabbit hole that they cannot escape. If a solopreneur gets too involved in creating content, their productivity may suffer.
There are many apps that automate posts so owners can avoid being distracted. Solopreneurs can engage with customers while still getting some of their time back. They can schedule posts automatically for each week using social media software tools. These platforms can be used to execute a long-range content schedule by business owners. As automated posts can be canceled or modified, sudden changes won’t be a problem.
What Solopreneurs need
Owners who have a team to help them manage a business are able to handle the challenges of running it. People who can do it all by themselves are without a doubt a different breed. They are not afraid to take on challenges and know they can handle any challenge. Solopreneurs still have the option to benefit from specific software. Apps that simplify everyday tasks can make it easier to run a solo business.
