systems + processes create growth

Transparency moment: the links in this post are referral links, which means I do benefit if you make a purchase through them (but that’s just smart business). I only recommend products I’ve used myself and fully stand behind. If you choose to shop through my links, I genuinely appreciate it—it supports the time and effort that goes into creating resources like this.
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now let's get into it.
when you first start out, you've got to be scrappy. You've got to be resourceful. You hustle until you ultimately burn out. I get it, i did it too. But you'll only last for so long. I have seen so many creatives burn out from this kind of mentality. So how do you change that? systems + processes. 
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What does this look like?
You know all the miscellaneous tasks that keep you busy but not really productive? Tasks like invoicing, creating contracts, collecting all the client details, organizing and keeping track of your emails, delivering client galleries, and scheduling. They're all important, but they can be so time-consuming. And frankly, for a creative brain, they're also mentally taxing. You feel drained.

There is a solution.
Did you know that we live in the age of technology, where there is literally software/an app for everything? You probably know this. Maybe you have even looked at purchasing one but didn't due to the cost, or maybe you were intimidated by the idea of learning something new. trust me, I felt that too, but creating systems + processes using software like honeybook, was one of the best things i could have ever done for my business. 

Your time is one of your best investments.
with only 52 weeks in a year (maybe less if you take any time off)... it's honestly not much time when it really comes down to it. What if you could give yourself back more time to take on a few more clients, work on your business internally, or simply take time off? An extra $30-$100/mo feels like a big investment, but in the grand scheme of things, could give you back 30-40hrs. per month. How much more could you make if you had extra time to invest in your business? would spending $1200 a year be worth it if it gave you back 360+ hours? If I use my normal hourly rate (i don't normally charge by the hour but that's another blog for another day) of $120/hr.  That's upwards of $42,000 extra a year in potential revenue because i took back the time i spent on frivolous tasks like invoicing and scheduling. that $30-$100/mo. doesn't seem so daunting now, does it? plus, it's a write-off. 

It's the small changes that create the big ones.
as I write this, it's the start of a new year, which is the perfect time for change. So many times, people try to bite off more than they can chew and take on too many things at once, when just implementing a few small changes can create much larger changes in the future. 

the software that changed my life.
HoneyBook is basically your digital front desk—the place your clients go from “Hey, I’m interested” to booked, signed, and paid… without you juggling a pile of tabs and email threads. 

one platform, so many tools:

• Lead forms + pipeline to capture inquiries and keep every project organized 
• Proposals + contracts to bundle with payment options so clients can book fast with less back and forth
• Invoices + online payments with options like payment schedules and automatic reminders 
• Scheduling + calendar no more "when are you available?" and time zone confusion
• Client portal + templates so the whole experience feels clean and professional 
• automations + AI tools (follow-up drafts, ai assistant for zoom meeting notes, lead follow-up suggestions) so you’re not babysitting your workflow​

and the tech keeps on getting better. This is truly a software designed for creatives.

beyond the tech. 
Some of the simplest systems I have implemented go beyond the software and apps. It's the choice to leave my cell phone plugged in to charge in the kitchen and using alexa for my alarm, giving me the chance for better sleep and less doom scrolling. it's choosing to meal prep healthy options so I don't spend so much on fast food because I didn't plan ahead. And it's taking a week out of the end of the year to review all my numbers (using my reports from honeybook) so i can look at where my most valuable leads came from so i make better choices in where i invest my marketing dollars for the next year. Have too much on your mind? do a brain dump. Take a few minutes and write down everything on your mind and then go through with a highlighter and create a priority list.

If you made it this far...
i hope this is your year to make some changes that give you your time back and help you grow your business to a whole new level. if you have questions, i'd be happy to answer them, and if you sign up and need a quick overview on how to use honeybook, i'm here to help!

try honeybook now: 7 day free trial + 30% off