I always get asked about the resources and products I use (and recommend) for different aspects of running my blog and business. I decided to put together this compilation with all my absolute favorite apps, programs, classes, and companies that I've used (and currently use) to grow my blog and lettering business.
You know all those people who are always talking about how you had to start your newsletter subscription list yesterday? Yeah, I didn't take it seriously either, and I am paying the price now. I moved to Flodesk last year, and I am in love! It's so simple, and you can make your emails so pretty! That's always a plus in my eyes. Don't be like me and start your email list now!
With so many parts and pieces, plans, and strategies, it's challenging to know where to start and what really matters most. That's when this handy guide comes SO handy! The guys at ConvertKit created this guide with best practices, advice, and some advanced strategies that are compiled into this.Try it now!
My hosting company journey has been pretty long. After running into issues when my blog started to get more and more traffic, I finally decided to take the recommendation of some of my blogging friends, and I switched to Lyrical in 2020. I think their customer service is one of the best ones out there, and they have always been so pleasant to work with. I highly recommend them! LyricalHost makes setting up and running your website or blog super easy! Use my code “HOWJOYFUL10” to get 10% off your first hosting plan payment!
If you ever wondered how to use the power of Gmail and all the Google Suite products (hello spreadsheets) and keep your custom domain, this is for you! Even after my last server erased ALL my email, I switched to Google Suite and never looked back! I am one happy customer, and you can be one too! Try it for FREE for 14 days here.
The best thing about this plugin is that it lets you organize your affiliate links; you can either cloak them or not (make them pretty and small). This feature is particularly awesome to keep Amazon links organized, but also stay on top of their terms because they do not allow you to cloak their links. You also have analytics on how many people are clicking on them. Get it right here.
This is definitely one of the must-have plugins when you have a self-hosted WordPress blog; it is the best way to track traffic on your links and make them shorter and prettier by using your URL (cloak links) for social sharing. I have the paid version because of how easy it is to use the extra features and the fact that I can change the links in my dashboard if they need to be updated. This is saving me so much time (because I would have to go post by post updating links). Get it here.
Is one of the most used online data backup services in the industry. The app provides data-backup protection, file-sharing capabilities, and device syncing so you can access your files and photos from your Phone & Laptop. You can integrate your Dropbox account with 100,000 third-party apps, making it an extremely versatile app. I use it to back up most of my work files as well as move things from my phone to my iMac when I'm not close enough to use AirDrop. Start a FREE account here.
This one of my favorite apps around! It is a spelling and grammar app that checks your spelling as you write. Many of you know that I am a self-taught English speaker and that I actually started blogging as a way to improve. Well, things would have been so much easier for me if I had this little tool when I first started blogging! I am better now, but I am still learning when it comes to grammar, and this is one of the best tools to polish and learn. Bloggers, writers, entrepreneurs and anyone who ever types on a screen can benefit from this. You may fancy yourself a spelling and grammar pro but will be surprised at what this app can catch! Even my husband that is a writing pro loves this app, Get it right here!
No matter if you are on Mac or PC, MacPaw has a cleaning product for you! I installed CleanMyMac probably a month or two after I upgraded to a 27″ iMac, because it started to run so much slower, and after one run I could not be happier! It gives you reminders that you have to “clean” every two weeks or so and makes my Mac run so much faster than before! Just imagine, on the first run it cleared about 2G of stuff, and I had hardly used it! P.S. If you use many pictures, it can also delete all the unwanted duplicates. Download Clean my MAC or Clean my PC for FREE. You are welcome! ;)
One of the many great things about Creative Market is that they host so many independent designer's shops, so the possibilities to find something of your taste are very big. They have a super wide variety of premade logos and social media kits to help your blog or Business start with a professional look! Also, you can get 6 Free goods each Monday, and 2 extras that you can unlock if you spend $15+ on their website, score! Check it out here!
Is an incredibly easy-to-use web-based program and a reliable online design tool perfect for anyone who doesn't have Photoshop or is not very familiar with it. The drag-and-drop functionality makes designing eye-catching designs simple and quick.
The one products that I love the most from them are the Landing Page templates, they offer one with Tripwire and that has singlehanded helped me tremendously to increase my passive income. But their most famous products are blog themes, unlike others, you will not need Genesis to run them. So it's less expensive and full of great features. The Maggie theme is one of my favorite themes from Bluchic, it's super clean and it features a ton of useful areas, they also include plugging for testimonials, portfolio, and widgets designed to guide your readers to your sales funnels, shop for all their themes right here.
I first purchased ThriveCart when it was not fully launched, and since then, the development has been remarkable! I have my sales pages, and I was also able to migrate the course I'm working on and have all my lettering offerings in one place. Get ThriveCart Pro here.
Shopify is by far the most robust e-commerce platform I've experienced, and I've tried all of them! After a lot of testing and multiple headaches with other platforms, I set up my current physical shop with them. Never been happier! Start a 14-day FREE trial here.
It allows you to sell digital goods online. It connects with the payment provider so you get paid, and it automatically delivers the files to the buyers once payment has been completed. It also has an integrated affiliate interface, so you can pay people to help you promote. Sign up here.
Do you want to start your business at a low cost just to test the waters? Etsy is the best way to start and see if your product sells. It's easy because you just need pictures of your products, descriptions, a header, and a profile image. Easy right? Get your first 40 Etsy listings for free.
EDD is a FREE plugin that allows you to sell digital goods using WordPress; it's like WooCommerce but specially tailored to digital goods. This is the plugin I use to power my studio website.
A great way to sell digital products. If you are starting and not ready to set up your website, Sellfy is a great way to test the waters; it's super easy to add products, and you have a dedicated front page. Sign up here.
This little gadget has saved me so much money just by reminding me to activate Ebates and by automatically searching for coupons for me, I have it on all my computers, ps. If you have Amazon Prime, it can let you add items to a watchlist for price drops and notifies you when the prices change!! whaaatt? (I know, you are welcome!) Get $5 to get you started here.
ust check it before you shop, select the coupons and scan your receipt! it's so easy to use, and most times there are tons of basic stuff that we normally buy, so it's good to save even when we go to the store for some basics! Get $10 welcome bonus here.
I truly like Amazon Prime. I mostly shop for my business (supplies, books, tech stuff, etc.) and the two-day shipping (or sometimes 1-day depending on the item) is spectacular! Since I live in the mountains, going shopping for that “one thing” I usually forget is a pain! And don't get me started on the gas to drive down! So Amazon Prime is always my savior! With your membership, you also get to watch thousands of shows & movies in their app, as well as a ton of free books and magazines on Kindle (they also have a Kindle app for your phone). If you use my link to try it for FREE, I will get a small commission that supports my blog (the price to you will be the same), Start your 30-day free trial here.
Just like ShareASale, and MaxBounty, they host many brands you can apply to (in a ton of different areas) and get paid when your readers purchase their products or services using your affiliate links. Their referral program is also very good, you will get $30 for everyone you refer who gets approved. Apply to their marketplace here.
Creating courses is a wonderful way to increase revenue, but to be able to offer digital downloads and also a membership in the same platform is what Podia does best! Whether you need all of them or are starting with only one, being able to keep adding to your business is such a great Check more right here.
A great way to go further into a topic you are covering in your blog AND make a good profit is to make an online class. This is something I am working on, and after super long research, Teachable was the best option I could find. Not only is it super simple and requires no coding knowledge, but it's also super simple to add an affiliate program to your course, so other bloggers can help you spread the word! Check out this 7 steps to launch your own profitable course webinar to get you started. Sign up right here.
Zazzle allows you to upload your artwork and turn it into products that people can purchase. What I love the most about Zazzle is that in addition to adding your artwork, you can also create templates, so the people on their website can customize their items. You can see examples of this in my Zazzle store: HowJoyful. There I have uploaded regular pieces but also allowed for some to have custom text, and those are my bestsellers. So you could sell just about any item with your blog's logo or different artwork. Open an FREE store here.
Minted is one of my favorite places for luxury printing, they offer so many lovely designs for business cards (or “blog cards”) and personal stationery! I first tested their printing with some personal stationery and Conner's birthday invitations, and I was (and still am) super impressed with the quality of their products and also their packaging! The paper thickness is so good (no flimsy cheap paper there), and the foil selection they offer is wonderful! Plus, they support independent designers showcasing their creations and letting them get a commission when you buy their designs. Check out their foiled business cards here.
Zazzle is my favorite place to get cards because of their quality and price. I actually have a tutorial for painting the edges of business cards, and I used Zazzle to print them. You can check it out here, and subscribe to their newsletter for announcements on their sales. I bought mine with an extra 75% discount, making it difficult to pass, so I always wait for the sales and restock my cards. Check out their business cards here.
