1. Video Editing & Storytelling

(Tools I actually use, not just recommend)

iMovie

Honestly? Still my number one video editor.

Simple, clear, and very easy to use if you have a Mac.
Best for horizontal video, but also works well for mobile formats.

CapCut

A powerful yet very accessible video editing tool.

Great for:

• Reels and short-form storytelling

• Educational content

• Outreach and mission-driven narratives

Very popular (used by creators, big brands, and organizations alike) and excellent if you don’t have a dedicated video editor.

2. Organization, Clarity & Collaboration

(Choose simple or structured — both are good)

Google Drive

If I’m being honest, I never get tired of Google Drive.

Perfect for:

• Shared documents and folders

• Comments and feedback

• Controlled access (view, comment, edit)

Often the best choice for teams that want something simple, familiar, and effective — and FREE!!!

Notion

A great option if you enjoy structure and customization.

Useful for:

• Documentation

• Planning

• Content systems

• Team clarity

Powerful, but not necessary for everyone — Google Drive is more than enough for many teams.

Otter.ai

This tool makes notes for you, and it’s super helpful.

Great for:

• Meetings and interviews

• Sermons and talks

• Planning and documentation

It supports accessibility and accuracy with very little effort.

3. Communication & Automation

(Use with discernment — don’t overwhelm people)

ManyChat

Useful if you rely heavily on messaging (especially Instagram DMs).

Helpful for:

• Event registrations

• Follow-ups

• Simple communication flows

Best used to support people, not replace them.
Especially helpful for larger organizations or accounts with big followings, it truly makes things easier and saves you so much time.

Squarespace Email Campaigns

I love Squarespace for email campaigns when your website already lives there.

Why:

• User-friendly

• Clean, beautiful designs

• Simple and effective

It’s not for heavy customization, but for clarity, simplicity, and consistency, it’s a great choice. Plus if we build a website for you, we’ll make sure we set up a template for you to use!

4. Design & Creative Assets

(For when you need to create quickly and well)

Canva

Always my go-to for:

• Quick flyers

• Social posts

• Communication pieces

I use this widely for my partners and for myself.
For more refined or professional illustration work, Adobe Illustrator is still my personal go-to — but Canva is unbeatable for speed and accessibility.

Envato

Great for downloading:

• Fonts

• Stock photography & video (I use it a lot for this, their archive is huge and quite different from what you see out there, which can be very repeated)

• Templates and design assets

Useful for websites, presentations, social media, and print.
A practical resource for both small and large teams creating in-house.

Pexels & Unsplash

Two free stock libraries I use regularly.

Great for:

• Website imagery

• Background visuals

• Editorial-style photos

They’re especially helpful when you need clean, modern visuals quickly, and without licensing headaches.

5. Scheduling & Focus

Calendly

A simple scheduling tool that removes unnecessary back-and-forth emails.

Helpful for:

• Client calls

• Office hours

• Intro or discovery meetings

Not everything needs automation, but this is excellent when you do.

6. Forms & Simple Data Collection

(Accessible, familiar, simple)

Google Forms

An easy and reliable way to collect information.

Great for:

• Event registrations

• Feedback and surveys

• Sign-ups and internal organization

Simple, free, and familiar, often more than enough for schools, nonprofits, and small teams.

7. Accessibility & Inclusive Communication

(Small steps can make a real difference)

Built-in Accessibility Tools

Many platforms already include helpful accessibility features — such as Google Docs, Canva, and Squarespace.

Helpful for:

• Color contrast checks

• Readability

• Alt text reminders

• Clear structure

Accessibility doesn’t require expensive tools, it often starts with using what you already have, well.

— — — —

8. A few other resources here listed below:

• Stripe/Square — Both good for in-person payment processing

• Zapier — Learning how to use this platform is great, and can automate big/complex processes