vanessa’s top picks

Whether you’re an experienced entrepreneur, coach, or a content creator venturing into the online
space for the very first time – I’ve got you covered.

Let me save you the guesswork and share with you some of my all-time favourite secret weapons
that I guarantee will fast-track your success (you’ll almost feel like you’re cheating).

PS: Some of these are my affiliate links, which means I may get a commission for
recommending the product to you. There may also be special deals you can get exclusively
from me to you – so keep an eye out!

The essentials
Scaling secrets
Favourite Products
Reading library

TOOLS FOR BEGINNERS

New to the online business game? Here are some fundamental tools you NEED in order to get started with your new service-based business.

Tubebuddy - Youtube Optimization

Tubebuddy will help you gain a competitive edge for competitor research and keyword ranking. We use it with VidIQ. USE CODE: vanessasbuddy for 20% off all licenses

Try tubebuddy >

REV - Audio Transcription

We transcribe all of our Youtube videos for captions with Rev. We love Rev because it's easy, fast, and accurate.

Try rev and get $10 OFF >

Elementor - Website and Landing Page Builder

If you have Wordpress, this is Vanessa's FAVOURITE and virtually free plugin. Elementor can help you build your entire website and create beautiful landing pages that are super custom to YOU. This drag and drop page builder is a game-changer especially for those who can't afford fancy lead gen software yet. We recommend upgrading to the $50/year plan to unlock even better features.

Try Elementor >

ConvertKit - Email Marketing

ConvertKit is an email marketing software designed for creators and entrepreneurs that has plenty of user-friendly features to make email marketing and lead collection super simple and virtually stress-free.

Try ConvertKit >

Airtable - Content and Data Management

We use Airtable to store all of our CRM data, spreadsheets, forms, and content plans. It's an all-in-one solution and beats Google Sheets and Google Forms like no other because you can consolidate all the data, customize your dashboards, and automate data collection. We highly recommend Airtable for the entrepreneur at ANY stage.

Try Airtable>>

VidIQ - Youtube Optimization

VidIQ is great to give you indepth insight on the performance of your videos and how your keywords rank. We use it with Tubebuddy.

Try vidiq >

Group Leads - Facebook Group Plug-in

Want to be able to save all your member's responses when they join your FB group without the manual hassle? Or do you want to automate sending your freebie to anyone who joins your FB group? Well, you're in luck because Group Leads helps you automate EVERYTHING when it comes to accepting, filtering, and nurturing your Facebook group member requests!

Try Group Leads >

Namecheap - Domain Hosting

We love to buy our domains from Namecheap. The hosting solutions provided by Namecheap are less expensive than GoDaddy, yet still offer better features.

Try namecheap >

BrandUp Brand Shop - Pre-made Logo Shop

If you're launching a new biz on a strartup budget, these semi-custom logos are the perfect solution to build your visual branding affordably and in a matter of days. You get the complete brand package, with a logo, color palette, brand fonts and custom brand guide PDF.

Try BRANDUP >

LATER - Instagram Scheduler

Later is our preferred marketing platform for Instagram to help us plan our captions and feed directly on Desktop without any tech hassle.

Try Later >

Siteground - Site Hosting

We created our website with www.wordpress.org and hosted it on Siteground. It's a reliable webhost that allows our site to run smoothly with no kinks.

Try siteground >

Last Pass - Password Security

As a business owner and content creator, security is incredibly important, especially when you have A LOT of logins! We keep all of our logins safe with Lastpass.

Try Last pass >

Canva - Graphic Design

For our basic social media needs, including cover banners, YT thumbnails, and packshots, our entire team relies on Canva to bring our brand to life.

Try canva >

wave Accounting - Accounting Software

A free accounting software that lets you invoice your clients and also track your income and expenses. The best part? It's free.

Try wave >

Gsuite - Data Storage

GSuite it what our team uses to create all our professional emails and host all of our internal team documents.

Try gsuite and get 20% off your first year >

Zoom - Video Conferencing

Zoom is a powerful platform that allows you to host meetings in an effortless way. We love using Zoom to record our calls, film our course lessons, and more.

Try zoom >

OneDrive - Heavy Duty File Storage

OneDrive has the BEST plans for file storage (1TB of storage at an unbeatable price). We use OneDrive to store all of our Youtube clips and course content. Plus, you get FREE Microsoft Office with your plan.

Try OneDrive >

TOOLS FOR NEXT LEVEL GROWTH

Ready to go next level in your business and scale FAST? Here are some tools I invested in to take my business to multiple 6-figures.

Bench Accounting - Accounting Software

Bench is a bookkeeping software that includes REAL bookkeepers to help track your expenses and income. You get direct access to your bookkeeper and they work hand in hand with your tax accountant. Vanessa absolutely loves Bench and cannot reccommend them enough if you want to take your finances seriously. Get 20% OFF your first 6 months with Vanessa's link exclusively.

Try Bench Accounting >

Kajabi - Course Platform

Kajabi is the ONLY course and membership platform we use to host all our programs. It has all the features you need to create, market, and sell your digital product. The best part is that Kajabi makes it so easy and effortless. Our students love navigating Kajabi as their course platform as well!

Try Kajabi >

Thrivecart - Payment Checkout

Thrivecart allows us to optimize our checkout pages for conversion and is packed with many sales features that drive revenue for our business. Get a lifetime license with Thrivecart using Vanessa's link exclusively.

Try Thrivecart >

Gravy - Payment Recovery

Gravy is the secret sauce to recurring revenue retention for businesses with subscriptions and memberships. Imagine having a 24/7 engagement team that contacts customers or students within hours of a failed payment, updates billing information and saves the clients you worked so hard to win. That's Gravy!

Try Gravy >

LeadPages - Landing Page Builder

We now use Leadpages to build our landing pages due to the features that help optimize our pages for conversion. Leadpages makes it so easy to build our opt-in pages, sales pages, and everything in between.

Try LeadPages >

Dubsado - Client Management

Keep track of your client workflow, send contracts, and automate the entire onboarding process with Dubsado. You'll look like a total professional to your clients and the best part is that you'll no longer need to spend time sending documents back and forth.

Try Dubsado >

Active Campaign - Email Marketing

We currently use Active Campaign for all our email marketing needs. Active Campaign is a powerful all-in-one solution for marketers and sales teams that automates not just email marketing, but everything from sales emails to lead scoring.

Try Active Campaign >

Airtable - Content and Data Management

Try Airtable >>

99Designs - Graphic Design

Our course slides and all of our professional graphic needs (such as Vanessa's Youtube cover banner!) are done with 99Designs. 99Designs connects you with highly skilled graphic designers at reasonable prices. We love it because the turnaround times are amazing for projects on a time-crunch and the designers are top-notch! Save $20 with Vanessa's link exclusively.

Try 99Designs >

Transferwise

Instead of using PayPal (which has ridiculous fees!), Vanessa’s entire team uses Transferwise to pay contractors, wire money internationally, receive money, and so much more. Transferwise has been a game changer in how our business transfers money and we have saved hundreds and thousands in fees alone!

Try Transferwise >

BrandUp

Vanessa's brand and web design agency, BrandUp specializes in building brands and websites for scaling entrepreneurs. From brand positioning, to brand messaging and visual logo design, to building custom websites and sales pages on Kajabi and Wordpress- they are a one stop shop for priming brands to scale.

Try BrandUp >

HelpScout - Customer Support

Instead of having multiple inboxes and emails that get lost, Helpscout allows our team to transfer emails to the right team member easily, and helps us keep track of all our support tickets so none of our students and audience members feel left behind. Receive a $50 credit when you use Vanessa's link exclusively.

Try HelpScout >

Easy Webinar - Webinar Platform

We host all of our free trainings using Easy webinar which makes the automation process seamless not just for our team, but for our audience.

Try Easy Webinar >

Deadline Funnel - Countdown Timer

To drive urgency for our prospects to act fast on our limited time offers, we use Deadline Funnel to activate countdown timers that help us increase conversion.

Try Deadline Funnel >

Slack - Communication Platform

Vanessa loves to use Slack to communicate with her clients and her growing team. Slack keeps things organized within the business by seperating all of our conversations in unique channels. Get a $100 credit with Vanessa's link exclusively.

Try Slack >

Olark - Chatbox

We use live chat boxes on our pages where our team can directly help our prospects navigate any questions they may have about our products and services.

Try Olark >

Screenflow - Screen Recording Software

Vanessa loves to use Screenflow to record her screen for YouTube videos!

Try Screenflow >>

Repurpose House

Repurpose House turns every type of content whether audio or video into multiple content pieces of various dimensions so you can explode your socials without doubling your work. Use code VANESSALAU20 to get 20% off your sign up fee with Repurpose House.

Try Repurpose House

SNAG MY TECH AND OFFICE TOOLS

Curious to know some of my all-time favourite products that have kept me SANE in my business, from snazzy content-creating tech tools to lifestyle products? Look no further, I’m sharing all the deets below.

Sony a6400

Youtube Camera

Buy Youtube Camera

Sigma 16mm f1.4 Lens

Youtube Lens

Buy Youtube Lens

RODE Rycote Studio Boom Kit

Youtube Microphone Stand

Buy Youtube Microphone Stand

Rode VideoMic Pro+

Youtube Microphone

Buy Youtube Microphone

Rodecaster PRO

Microphone Pre-Amp

Buy Microphone Pre-Amp

Gator Frameworks Boom Mount

Microphone Desk Mount

Buy Microphone Desk Mount

Shure SM7B Microphone

Podcast Microphone

Buy Podcast Microphone

Dell 49" 4K Monitor

Office Monitor

Buy Office Monitor

Panasonic Lumix GH5

DSLR Webcam

Buy DSLR Webcam

G X Vario II Professional Lens, 12-35mm

Panasonic Lumix GH5 Lens

Buy Panasonic Lumix GH5 Lens

Elgato Camlink 4K

DSLR HDMI Capture Card

Buy DSLR HDMI Capture Card

Wireless Remote

Youtube Camera Remote

Buy Youtube Camera Remote

CalDigit TS3

4K Port Dock

Buy 4K Port Dock

UBeesize 51" Tripod Stand

iPhone Tripod

Buy iPhone Tripod

DJI Osmo Pocket

Vlogging Camera

Buy Vlogging Camera

CACOY Leather Desk Pad

Desk Pad

Buy Desk Pad

Logitech MX Master 2

Ergonomic Mouse

Buy Ergonomic Mouse

Logitech K860 Keyboard

Ergonomic Keyboard

Buy Ergonomic Keyboard

Steelcase Leap V2 Chair

Ergonomic Chair

Buy Ergonomic Chair

Torchiere Floor Lamp

LED Lamp

Buy LED Lamp

Fluance Bookshelf Speakers

Office Speakers

Buy Office Speakers

OMYSA Mid Century Plant Stand

Plant Pot

Buy Plant Pot

Nathan James Industrial Bookshelf

Hanging Bookshelf

Buy Hanging Bookshelf

IKEA Karlby Oak Kitchen Top

Office Desk

Buy Office Desk

IKEA Bekant Legs

Office Desk

Buy Office Desk

Camera Charger

Dummy Battery for Camera

Buy Dummy Battery for Camera

MY FAVOURITE BOOKS

Here are my all-time favourite books that have helped me level up my business and my mind.

Business

The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness

Buy The Almanack of Naval Ravikant: A Guide to Wealth and Happiness

Mindset

101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think

Buy 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think

Business

Tools of Titans

Buy Tools of Titans

Business

Cashvertising

Buy Cashvertising

Business

Building A Brand Story

Buy Building A Brand Story

Mindset

How to Win Friends and Influence People

Buy How to Win Friends and Influence People

Mindset

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Buy Rich Dad Poor Dad

Coaching

The Coaching Habit

Buy The Coaching Habit

Mindset

You Are a Badass

Buy You Are a Badass

Mindset

The Desire Map

Buy The Desire Map

Tools of Titans

DotCom Secrets

Buy DotCom Secrets

@vanessalau.co

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