Tools & Resources
A collection of my favorite resources for creatives, designers, and freelancers—from the software that manages my clients and contracts that protect my business to my trusted education programs.
for creative professionals
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WEBSITE DESIGN
Showit is my preferred platform for website design: its design-friendly interface is perfect for visual thinkers and creative layouts. Click here to get your first month for free!
CLIENT MANAGEMENT
The most important tool in my business is my client management system: a cohesive place to send contracts, create invoices, store questionnaires, and track project progress. Click here for 50% off your first year of Honeybook!
EMAIL MARKETING
I love to deliver my best content to my email list; Flodesk makes it easy to create workflows with beautifully designed templates. The seamless design and ease of use actually make email marketing fun! Get 50% off here.
Business & Design Resources
Showit
honeybook
flodesk
PINTEREST SCHEDULER
I use Tailwind for both Instagram scheduling and Pinterest marketing (my favorite evergreen marketing... with 3.5 million impressions this month!). Try it for free here!
WEBSITE TEMPLATES
Get a luxury website without the luxury price tag. Tonic sites are modern, stylish, and effortlessly sophisticated—you won't find a better template for showcasing a high end brand.
VIDEO RECORDING
When I deliver initial design presentations to clients, I share the thoughts behind each design concept via Loom screen recording software. This premium account is worth it.
tailwind
Tonic
Loom
LEGALITIES / CONTRACTS
A solid contract is irreplaceable for any small business. I trust Paige Hulse for contracts drafted specifically for creatives, reviewed by her professional legal team. Use my code for 10% off: SARAHANNDESIGN10
ONLINE QUIZZES
Generate leads in an engaging and high-converting format with online quizzes by Interact. This platform allows you to create interactive quizzes as opt-ins / lead magnets that will help grow your email list. Try it here!
GRAPHICS
You can purchase some of my hand-drawn illustrations from my shop. Feel free to use these graphics for your own brand, website, or personal stationery—I love to see what you create with them!
contracts
Interact
ILLUSTRATIONS
recommended
Education resources
*This page contains affiliate links to trusted products and services.
Learn how to drive traffic to your website via Pinterest marketing: leverage your evergreen content with Pinterest strategy.
How to Drive Traffic with Pinterest
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Build creative confidence, acceptance, gratitude, and self-love with these 23 affirmations for creatives. (I say these words to myself every day.)
23 Daily Affirmations for Creatives
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Is Honeybook right for you and your design business? Read this post to learn about my client process, and the features I recommend for designers!
Honeybook Workflow for Designers
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Resources for Creatives
Resources for Creatives
Resources for Designers
This year, we're focusing on the word well: living well, doing business well, and serving our clients well. Learn more about our vision here.
Choosing to Live Well
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This free resource will give you a foundation to polished typographic design… allowing you to build a thriving design career.
The Typography Handbook
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How to set healthy boundaries that show respect for your clients and for yourself, allowing you to be fully present for work, life, and rest.
How to Set Healthy Boundaries
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Resources for Creatives
Resources for Designers
Resources for Creatives
I am a big proponent of continued education in your chosen field—especially by reading! This essential reading list is a peek into my bookshelf.
Reading List for Creatives
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Learn how to build your email list with effective, high-converting opt-ins. Build an engaged list and connect with your audience.
How to Build Your Email List
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Planning a photo shoot to capture brand images and headshots for your website? Read these tips from a professional web designer first!
Brand Photography Tips
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Resources for Creatives
Resources for Creatives
Resources for Creatives
Read this post for 3 easy ways you can connect with your ideal client. This simple checklist will help you establish that connection and create conversion!
3 Ways to Reach Your Ideal Client
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As a graphic designer or freelancer, a professional contract is the best way to set expectations for both yourself and your clients.
How to Legally Protect Your Business
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I'm so honored to be featured on Shanna Skidmore's "Consider the Wildflowers" podcast. Join our conversation in episode 041.
Podcast Feature
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Resources for Creatives
Resources for Designers
Resources for Creatives
How do you cultivate creativity in your daily workflow? Are you finding time to nurture your creative spirit? Visit this list for ideas!
How to Stay Creatively Inspired
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Commit to starting your day with 5 morning routine habits that will open your heart to gratitude, creativity, and inspiration.
5 Morning Routine Habits
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Instagram is one piece of the marketing funnel—but it's not the end goal. Your website is the place where inquiries turn into booked clients.
Instagram is Not Your Portfolio
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Resources for Designers
Resources for Creatives
Resources for Creatives
Books Every Creative Business Owner Should Read
How to Set Healthy Boundaries in Your Creative Business
How to Drive Traffic to Your Website Using Pinterest
5 Things You Need to Make Your Business Look Professional
The Color Story Library: Over 100 Curated Color Palettes
Download the Free Workbook:
Build Your Brand
free resources for creatives
Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know it's normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story.
It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions.
And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.”
— Ira Glass
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Portfolio Critique
Together we'll take a look at your portfolio and identify its strengths and opportunities for growth or clarity. I know the thought of a critique can be a bit intimidating, but I promise to offer constructive comments with kindness!
You don't have to go it alone. If you find yourself running into a lot of questions about your work, your design process, or your business... a Design Mentor Session can help bring clarity to your creative journey. Mentor sessions are an opportunity for me to share expertise and tailored insights with you in a one-on-one setting.
We'll start with a questionnaire to learn more about your challenges, and then we'll schedule a 45-minute video call to cover questions about business workflows, design feedback, creative processes, or brand strategy.
Bring Clarity to Your Design Business
Elevation Strategy
During our session, we'll discuss personalized strategies to elevate your brand. These insights will help you present a polished and elevated brand, empowering you to attract high-end clients and increase your income.
Design mentor sessions can include:
Accountability
After our session, I'll follow up with a detailed list of action-items to keep you on track toward an elevated brand. We'll make sure you have all the resources you need to move forward with confidence and clarity.
Access to my Resource Library
Every mentoring client receives access to my carefully curated resource library, including my typography handbook, favorite font pairings, over 100 approved color palettes, and my tried-and-true email templates.
book your session
Investment / $525
Ready to get started? I'd be so honored to walk alongside you in this season of your business. Let's elevate your offerings with confidence and clarity!
Schedule a Design Mentor Session
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until then...
feel free to explore my resources and tips for creatives below!
I look forward to chatting with you soon!