For The Sage Mages' third anniversary, Amy Pedid and her network of Sage Mages are revealing the top 10 time-saving services that streamline business tasks. It can be overwhelming trying to choose the right tools for a startup. Congrats if you have found all 10 magical services. I hope you have saved as much time and money as we have.
As a gift to my time-starved peers, we're going to make the list short, with notes on pricing, services, and hyperlinks for more information.
Happy hunting for the right tools to amplify productivity in your business. If you need consulting on small business or nonprofit communication design, we'd love to have an initial intake meeting to see if we can help.
$0 to 240 or more annual cost
A language model created by OpenAI that uses the GPT-3.5 architecture to provide natural language processing services. It is designed to answer a wide range of questions on various topics, provide suggestions and recommendations, and engage in conversation with users. ChatGPT uses advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze and understand natural language input, providing accurate and helpful responses in real-time. Successful implementations include creating best practice grant writing standards, summarizing books or articles, learning more about accessibility and successful email or social copy.
$0 to 720 or more annual cost
An AI art technology platform that creates generative art using artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. The platform uses a combination of neural networks, deep learning, and natural language processing to create unique and abstract art pieces. Users can interact with the platform by providing prompts or inputs such as words, images, or sounds, which the algorithm then uses to generate new and original artwork. MidJourney aims to push the boundaries of creative expression using cutting-edge technology and AI.
$0 to 192 or more annual cost
An innovative online collaborative whiteboard platform that allows teams to visualize, collaborate, and use templates to easily share ideas in real-time, regardless of their location. The platform provides a digital canvas for brainstorming, planning, and organizing ideas, with features such as sticky notes, diagrams, mind maps, and more. Users can collaborate with team members in real-time, add comments and feedback, and export their work to various formats.
$12 to 1000 or more annual cost
Google Domains is a usually cheap domain (url) registration service provided by Google that allows users to purchase and manage domain names for their websites. It offers a simple and intuitive interface for finding, registering, and transferring domains, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. Google Domains also provides additional features such as email forwarding, custom domain email addresses, and website building tools through partnerships with other Google products such as Google Workspace and Google Sites. The service is designed to help users get online quickly and easily with their own personalized domain. Make sure to check if URLs and social media tags have been taken before you buy an LLC.
$0 to 700 annual cost
An online platform that provides formation and registration services for businesses. ZenBusiness aims to simplify the process of starting and running a business for its clients. They help entrepreneurs and small business owners with registering their companies, obtaining licenses and permits, and keeping up with compliance requirements. Services include tax consultations, business banking access, educational access, invoice creation, time tracker and more. Advocation includes An LLC for every mom in America, giving away one thousand free LLCs to laid off workers and a five thousand dollar grant program.
$0 to 192 annual cost
A cloud-based scheduling software that allows users to schedule appointments and meetings without the back-and-forth communication of traditional scheduling methods. Users can share their availability with invitees through a personalized Calendly link, which integrates with their calendar and automatically updates in real-time. The software supports multiple calendar integrations, time zone detection, and customizable notifications and reminders.
$0 to 624 or more annual cost
Client, project, and financial management service tools including pre-vetted legal templates to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Users can find multiple solutions to make the client's experience with communication as enjoyable as possible.
$0 to 540 annual cost
A cloud-based website building platform that allows users to create and customize websites without any coding knowledge. It provides a drag-and-drop interface with customizable templates and a range of features such as e-commerce tools, blogs, forms, and more. Wix also offers integrated hosting, domain registration, and SEO optimization features. The platform is designed to provide users with a simple and affordable way to create professional-looking websites for personal or business use.
$0 to 150 annual cost
A graphic design platform that allows users to create a variety of visual branding and marketing content such as social media graphics, presentations, posters, and flyers. It offers a range of customizable templates, drag-and-drop design tools, and a library of images, fonts, and illustrations. Canva also provides collaborative features for team projects and the ability to download designs in various formats for printing or digital use. The platform aims to provide users with an accessible and easy-to-use tool for creating professional-looking designs, even without any previous design experience.
$70 to 1320 or more annual cost
A subscription-based software with a range of productivity tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and more. The suite also offers cloud storage with OneDrive and collaboration features with Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is designed to help users work efficiently and effectively across different devices and platforms. If you are just starting out and need something free, check out Google Docs or OpenOffice.
Ready to Streamline your Business Tasks and Brand?
We hope you have been inspired to use at least one of our top 10 tools to save time for small business owners. If you need consulting on small business or nonprofit communication design, we'd love to have an initial intake meeting to see if we can help.
Author's Notes:
Special shoutout to the expensive but worth it Adobe Creative Cloud and very cheap yet effective password management system Bitwarden. Stated prices in this blog are subject to change based on state location and time of year. They do not show all of the cost options available. Prices were reviewed on 04/19/2023. Note: Parts of this article was written with the help of ChatGPT.
Which Magical Tools Do You Love?
- ChatGPT
- MidJourney
- Miro
- Google Domains
You can vote for more than one answer.
