Best apps for content creators in 2023
*my personal opinion*
MILANOTE:
I’m certain this is the most underrated app out there. I love it on desktop and use it for everything visual, which includes: mood boards, brand strategy, podcast planning, photography shoots, research proposals, website site maps, UX storyboards, and more.
NOTION:
I am newer to Notion but have already found it incredibly useful for content planning and collaboration. I have started to build a template for my friend and me to use as we look to launch our creative podcast (more info coming soon).
HONEYBOOK:
HoneyBook is traditionally used by photographers, wedding planners, and other creative service freelancers. I use HoneyBook as a designer and a content creator to organize contracts, submit proposals, and invoice clients all in one place. With HoneyBook, users can automate busy work and stay on top of to-dos, saving time and money, while growing your business.
*Affiliate link: Using my link, you can try HoneyBook for $1/mo for first 8 months or $96/yr. http://share.honeybook.com/michaelrmims
QUICKBOOKS SELF-EMPLOYED:
You will make your accountant so much happier this year. As a self-employed content creator, you can easily track and identify your expenses, as well as track mileage driven to shoots or meeting locations. Then when tax season comes around you can export everything nicely into a spreadsheet for your CPA or upload to TurboTax.
ADOBE EXPRESS:
I never was a fan of Canva (because I am much more comfortable as a designer in Photoshop and Illustrator). But, Adobe Express has been great for simple designs, thumbnail creations, and quick video edits with text overlays. It’s great if you’re not a designer. I also love the QR generator and background removal features. They are the easiest tools to use on the go.
*Affiliate link: Free download but take a look at the premium trial which includes over 20K fonts, even better templates, and options to add personal branding. https://prf.hn/l/Jzjeqav
ADOBE LIGHTROOM:
Truly my go-to for editing photos on the fly. Their enhanced subject detection is phenomenal. And their presets are pretty great too.
CAPCUT:
I find it easier to edit TikTok videos in CapCut versus native TikTok for the mere fact that you can export without watermarks in full HD or 4K.
WHAT ABOUT YOU? I'm always open to trying new tools that streamline my creativity and/or make me more efficient and productive. What apps do you love? What would you replace my suggestions with?
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Beyond the tools I mentioned, I've had so many people ask me about specific alternatives or how I integrate everything. It's a journey to find your perfect tech stack as a content creator, and I'm always refining mine! For instance, while MILANOTE is my absolute favorite for visual brainstorming, I know many creators are on the hunt for free alternatives. While Milanote does offer a generous free tier, if you need something entirely free for basic mood boards or mind maps, tools like Miro or even Google Jamboard can serve as starting points. However, in my experience, Milanote's intuitive drag-and-drop interface and infinite canvas truly set it apart, making it worth exploring even for those just beginning. It’s perfect for visualizing everything from a brand strategy to a photography shoot outline. When it comes to the business side, managing clients and finances can feel overwhelming. I often get asked about HONEYBOOK alternatives or integrations. While I swear by HoneyBook for its all-in-one client management (contracts, proposals, invoicing), I know tools like Dubsado or even a combination of simpler project management and invoicing apps can work. For the tax season, linking HoneyBook with QUICKBOOKS SELF-EMPLOYED has been a game-changer for me. It means all my income and expenses are neatly categorized, ready for my CPA or direct upload to TurboTax. This seamless integration saves hours of headache, letting me focus on creating rather than crunching numbers. If you're comparing it to solutions like Sprout Studio, consider your primary needs: HoneyBook excels in broad client management for various creative services, while Sprout Studio often has deeper integrations for photographers. And let's talk about visual content! Beyond ADOBE LIGHTROOM for photo editing and ADOBE EXPRESS for quick graphics, I've explored many mobile-first apps. While some search for 'PhotoRoom Max Unlocked,' I find that Adobe Express, with its powerful background removal and quick edit capabilities, offers a fantastic, user-friendly experience right on my phone. Lightroom's subject detection is still unparalleled for professional-level mobile edits. These tools are crucial for us millennial professionals and creatives who need to produce high-quality visuals on the go. For video, my love for CapCut is no secret. The ability to export in full HD or 4K without watermarks is a huge win over native social media editors. I also experiment with NOTION for video content planning, sketching out storyboards, and script outlines before I even open CapCut. It's all about finding the ecosystem that supports your unique creative flow. What works for me might not be an exact fit for everyone, but these tools have genuinely transformed how I approach content creation.
Thank you! 😊