Over the past few years, I’ve tried a number of different CRMs (contact relationship management), small business management tools and software made for entrepreneurs. As someone who is all about trying new things, I obsess over testing several options before I settle on one that is going to be best for my service-based business.

So when the last quarter of 2018 rolled around and I started to take serious new directions in my business, I decided that it was time for me to DRASTICALLY streamline and uplevel some of my behind-the-scenes business and project management processes and a huge part of that was to find an all-in-one CRM tool that made like as easy as possible for both myself and my clients. And thus, my relationship with Dubsado began.

 

I knew that I could, and should, do a better job of managing my own business since in the branding and web design process I almost always inevitably end up training my clients on how to streamline and run their own business. That being said, my own processes really needed some love and updating. For instance, I was using Typeform to create questionnaires and business forms and Hello Bonsai to create proposals and contracts..two platforms right there. I was on a free account with Typeform so I needed to manually check a couple of times a day to ensure that someone had actually filled out the form (such a headache) and Bonsai only allowed for minimal customization of contracts and proposals so it was like reinventing the wheel every time I wanted to send one to a new potential client. PLUS, there was a charge for every contract that went out. Talk about a nightmare!

The examples can go on and on, but I knew that with me pivoting my business to no longer be a subcontractor and instead manage my own clients, I would really need to find something that kept as many tools as possible within one platform. And that was exactly what I needed to solve for: I needed a small business management software made especially for my needs as an entrepreneur. A flexible, client management system that was:
– Easy to use (even for a new service-based professional or entrepreneur)
– Efficient (save me time and money)
– Effective (streamlined processes that I would normally do manually)

I needed to find a small business management software that I could use daily to help me manage my small business – and that was simple enough for my clients, coaches and service-based professionals, to be trained on with little tech-overwhelm.

 

 

ENTER DUBSADO FOR SMALL BUSINESS CLIENT MANAGEMENT

Right off the bat, I loved Dubsado. I loved the Dubsado training videos I loved that Dubsado focuses on the needs of the entrepreneur and service-based professional. (Dubsado actually calls themselves a client management system for creatives and entrepreneurs.) I was immediately impressed by the consistent effort that the company makes to continually add features to the software. I also love the elegant architecture of the platform, and the interface feels fresh and modern. Personally, as a service-based entrepreneur, I appreciate a well-designed software – the better it looks, the better it makes me look.

DUBSADO FEATURES THAT IMMEDIATELY HOOKED ME

 

1. Integrated System for Proposals – Contracts – Invoices

One of the best features of Dubsado is the ability to seamlessly and effortlessly connect three very important parts of the Lead-To-Client process: the proposal-contract-invoice steps of my business.

In Dubado, these three unique “forms” are created separately and easily connected together, using Templates that you’ve created for Contracts and Proposals (there is a free template library where you can find a form to get you started).

It’s important to know that even when you start with a pre-created templated Proposal or Contract, you can easily assign it to a lead/client and customize it as needed.

2. Templates

When you get started with Dubsado for your small business management, you will want to invest a bit of time creating a few templates to get you started. You can create Templates for:

• Contracts, Sub-Agreements, and Proposals
• Lead Capture Forms
• Questionnaires
• Canned Emails
• Services and Packages

3. Workflows

Moving a warm lead or a client through a series of steps demands automation. That could be a follow-up after a webinar or free coaching session or onboarding a new client. Without automation, you risk skipping or forgetting steps in your own process.

And no matter what type of service-based business you’re in, you must show your client how professional you; they deserve the peace of mind.

And this is where Dubsado can really shine for you!

Workflows can be one step or a dozen steps. The trick with Workflows (which really isn’t a trick at all) is to plan out what you want the Workflow to do, make sure all the elements needed are created, then create the Workflow. If you invest the time to setup a few Workflows at the onset, you’ll end saving yourself hours of time in the long-run. And that’s why you use a small business management software like Dubsado – to save yourself time and money.

4. Secure Client Portals

The funny thing is that I didn’t think that I’d use the Client Portals, and as I continue to grow my business, I see endless uses for the Client Portal feature. Client Portals allow you easily share and store documents that your client may access to including:

• Emails sent via Dubsado
• Copies of invoices created and sent via Dubsado
• Questionnaires sent to client
• Proposal, contracts and sub-agreements for clients
• Tasks Lists shared with client
• There is a learning curve that you must go through with Dubsado, much like any software that is going to be a big part of your
• business. Don’t expect it to “turn on” and you’re done.

You will want to spend strategic time thinking through your processes and Workflows. And you may not get it exactly perfect the first time. But that is OK. Dubsado is flexible, and flexibility means that you need to take the time to think through and properly plan out how you will use it for your business. Some features you’ll use immediately; some you’ll implement later on. Don’t worry about using every feature right out of the gate.

There are a lot of awesome ways that you can use Dubsado, and as Dubsado continues to grow in feature set, you can continue to integrate more features into your business processes.

Some of my favorite Dubsado features include:

• The proposal, contract, invoicing one-click automation
• Flexible, customizable workflows that will help you automate manual, high-touch parts of your business
• The ability to create lead capture forms that you can embed right into your website, or use Dubsados landing page capability to capture leads
• Canned emails and recurring invoices (this is huge for me!)
• Predefined Packages that you can use on invoices and proposals for quickly filling in
• Private, password-protected Client Portals where they can access emails, proposals, questionnaires, and more

WHO IS DUBSADO GREAT FOR?

There’s a plethora of service-based professionals that Dubsado is the perfect software for including:

• Graphic Designers & Web Developers (that’s me!)
• Business & Personal Coaches
• Facebook Ad Managers & Consultants
• Online & Social Media Marketers
• Financial Planners & Attorneys (my lawyer uses it too!)
• Wedding & Lifestyle Photographers
• Fitness Trainers & Sports Coaches
• Wellness Professionals & Doulas

And so many more!

A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

It’s important to know that you don’t have to use every feature of Dubsado to make it worth the investment. The price point is accessible and they offer a 14-day free trial so you can get your feet wet.

Dubsado is not a marketing or email automation software. Therefore for cold leads and list building, you will still want to use an email marketing software like MailChimp, Active Campaign or ConvertKit, etc.

Disclaimer: if you use my Dubsado link, you’ll save 20% and I’ll earn a free month!