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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 - 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

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

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 - 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 >
Acuity Scheduling - Appointment Booking System

Acuity Scheduling - Appointment Booking System

To reduce the back and forth with clients and prospects, having a booking system is key. We love Acuity because you can customize your booking page AND connect it with your Instagram business account so prospects can book you directly on the 'gram.
Try Acuity Scheduling >
Airtable - Content and Data Management

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 - 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

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

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

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 - 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. Use the code “VANESSA100" to get your first month free on the Premium annual plan. **Please note, this coupon code expires on Dec 31st 2020
Try Later >
Siteground - Site Hosting

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

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

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

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 - 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 - 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 - 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 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 - 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 - 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 - 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

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

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

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

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 >>
99Designs - Graphic Design

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Screenflow - Screen Recording Software

Vanessa loves to use Screenflow to record her screen for YouTube videos!
Try Screenflow >>
Repurpose House

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

Sony a6400

Youtube Camera
Buy Youtube Camera
Sigma 16mm f1.4 Lens

Sigma 16mm f1.4 Lens

Youtube Lens
Buy Youtube Lens
RODE Rycote Studio Boom Kit

RODE Rycote Studio Boom Kit

Youtube Microphone Stand
Buy Youtube Microphone Stand
Rode VideoMic Pro+

Rode VideoMic Pro+

Youtube Microphone
Buy Youtube Microphone
Rodecaster PRO

Rodecaster PRO

Microphone Pre-Amp
Buy Microphone Pre-Amp
Gator Frameworks Boom Mount

Gator Frameworks Boom Mount

Microphone Desk Mount
Buy Microphone Desk Mount
Shure SM7B Microphone

Shure SM7B Microphone

Podcast Microphone
Buy Podcast Microphone
Dell 49

Dell 49" 4K Monitor

Office Monitor
Buy Office Monitor
Panasonic Lumix GH5

Panasonic Lumix GH5

DSLR Webcam
Buy DSLR Webcam
G X Vario II Professional Lens, 12-35mm

G X Vario II Professional Lens, 12-35mm

Panasonic Lumix GH5 Lens
Buy Panasonic Lumix GH5 Lens
Elgato Camlink 4K

Elgato Camlink 4K

DSLR HDMI Capture Card
Buy DSLR HDMI Capture Card
Wireless Remote

Wireless Remote

Youtube Camera Remote
Buy Youtube Camera Remote
CalDigit TS3

CalDigit TS3

4K Port Dock
Buy 4K Port Dock
UBeesize 51

UBeesize 51" Tripod Stand

iPhone Tripod
Buy iPhone Tripod
DJI Osmo Pocket

DJI Osmo Pocket

Vlogging Camera
Buy Vlogging Camera
CACOY Leather Desk Pad

CACOY Leather Desk Pad

Desk Pad
Buy Desk Pad
Logitech MX Master 2

Logitech MX Master 2

Ergonomic Mouse
Buy Ergonomic Mouse
Logitech K860 Keyboard

Logitech K860 Keyboard

Ergonomic Keyboard
Buy Ergonomic Keyboard
Steelcase Leap V2 Chair

Steelcase Leap V2 Chair

Ergonomic Chair
Buy Ergonomic Chair
Torchiere Floor Lamp

Torchiere Floor Lamp

LED Lamp
Buy LED Lamp
Fluance Bookshelf Speakers

Fluance Bookshelf Speakers

Office Speakers
Buy Office Speakers
OMYSA Mid Century Plant Stand

OMYSA Mid Century Plant Stand

Plant Pot
Buy Plant Pot
Nathan James Industrial Bookshelf

Nathan James Industrial Bookshelf

Hanging Bookshelf
Buy Hanging Bookshelf
IKEA Karlby Oak Kitchen Top

IKEA Karlby Oak Kitchen Top

Office Desk
Buy Office Desk
IKEA Bekant Legs

IKEA Bekant Legs

Office Desk
Buy Office Desk
Camera Charger

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

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

Mindset

101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think
Buy 101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think
Business

Business

Tools of Titans
Buy Tools of Titans
Business

Business

Cashvertising
Buy Cashvertising
Business

Business

Building A Brand Story
Buy Building A Brand Story
Mindset

Mindset

How to Win Friends and Influence People
Buy How to Win Friends and Influence People
Mindset

Mindset

Rich Dad Poor Dad
Buy Rich Dad Poor Dad
Coaching

Coaching

The Coaching Habit
Buy The Coaching Habit
Mindset

Mindset

You Are a Badass
Buy You Are a Badass
Mindset

Mindset

The Desire Map
Buy The Desire Map
Tools of Titans

Tools of Titans

DotCom Secrets
Buy DotCom Secrets

want
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the
scenes

I get all kinds of unfiltered on the ‘gram @vanessalau.co

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want
to go
behind
the
scenes