{"id":47814,"date":"2023-10-20T15:55:18","date_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:55:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/startupsmart.test\/2023\/10\/20\/the-32-tools-this-aussie-founder-uses-to-build-her-silicon-valley-startup-startupsmart\/"},"modified":"2023-10-20T15:55:18","modified_gmt":"2023-10-20T15:55:18","slug":"the-32-tools-this-aussie-founder-uses-to-build-her-silicon-valley-startup-startupsmart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.startupsmart.com.au\/uncategorized\/the-32-tools-this-aussie-founder-uses-to-build-her-silicon-valley-startup-startupsmart\/","title":{"rendered":"The 32 tools this Aussie founder uses to build her Silicon Valley startup – StartupSmart"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/div>\n

By Holly Cardew<\/strong><\/p>\n

Over the past year I have used hundreds of tools while building Pixc.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the best ones that helped me to create my startup:<\/p>\n

Productivity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Trello<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Trello is a collaboration tool that organizes your projects into boards. I use it when I am making lists of investors\/advisors\/mentors to contact and need to move them along to another list (E.g.: To be contacted, to another list \u2018contacted\u2019 \/ \u2018follow up\u2019 etc.). Other people use it as their everyday task list.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Asana<\/p>\n

      \n
    • Asana is my favourite task tool. You can create detailed task lists for projects with your team. I highly recommend it. It is free too for up to 15 members.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Google Drive<\/p>\n

        \n
      • This is so handy to work on collaborative documents with the team. No need to save and update \/ sync the latest files. I use presentations, spreadsheets and word docs for our team.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        WhatsApp<\/p>\n

          \n
        • I have a distributed team, as well as customers in over 200 different cities. Whatsapp is a great way to instantly message anyone in the world for free.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Marketing, social, growth and distribution<\/strong><\/h3>\n

          Buffer<\/p>\n

            \n
          • Need to schedule a lot of social media posts across all different platforms? Use Buffer. You can also schedule pins to Pinterest now.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Snip.ly<\/p>\n

              \n
            • Get rewarded for sharing other people\u2019s content and posts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Growth Geeks<\/p>\n

                \n
              • Need some growth experiments done? Hire a growth geek.
                I have used Growth Geeks for a few tasks and there are some great people on it, but there are also others that are clearly just outsourcing the work. The quality has varied over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Stocksy<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Beautiful stock images (that don\u2019t look \u2018stock-y\u2019) to get your website started. Images from only $10.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Unsplash<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Free stock images\u200a\u2014\u200athey have a great range<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Outreach<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • This is the latest software that I have been using as a sales tool to contact potential customers. Even though they have raised $2 million it still needs a bit of work but I am looking forward to seeing what they do.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Close.io<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • I have only tried Close.io for a limited period of time and it wasn\u2019t for us but it looks fantastic for sales teams. They also produce great videosto help you.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        Instagress<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • Grow your Instagram fan base (with real fans). Try it for yourself and you will know what I mean after three days.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Intercom<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • Again another favourite. <\/strong>Intercom is essentially a CRM and live chat tool in one. Once it has been integrated with your site, as a non-technical person, I can build out email funnels to get in touch with leads and customers. I can see how many times they have been on the site, placed an order and send them targeted messages.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            Outsourcing<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                            Upwork and Freelancer<\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • A great if you need a task done and don\u2019t have the time to do it.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              PressFriendly<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • Get your PR done via PressFriendly as a monthly service. I have just signed up so I will let you know how it goes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Pixc<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • Product image editing and optimisation for your eCommerce store – yes I am biased<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Instacart<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  • Being busy, I found that I started getting lazy and reaching for the closest snack. In San Francisco, this is usually a pastry, cookie or muffin at the closest coffee shop.
                                    So, yes, I outsource my shopping when I stay at the office until 10pm and need my groceries delivered. I have no excuse not to be healthy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                    Product & Development<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                    moqups<\/p>\n

                                      \n
                                    • moqups allows you to quickly sketch up wireframes for your website or landing page layout which you can then easily pass to a designer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                      InvisionApp<\/p>\n

                                        \n
                                      • I have only recently started working with a product manager. Previous to this, I was the product manager and I would spec everything out in a word document and in moqups. Now, we use Invision which allows everyone to add comments on the wireframes and design. We are definitely more efficient.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                        Logos and design<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                        99Designs<\/p>\n

                                          \n
                                        • Need a logo? Throw it up on 99Designs, run a contest and see what you get back.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                          Creative Market<\/p>\n

                                            \n
                                          • A marketplace full of fonts, graphics, icons, Photoshop brushes and more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                            Envato<\/p>\n

                                              \n
                                            • Envato is a collection of multiple websites and tools but my favourite is ThemeForestwhere you can get all these themes you want to start a website. If you are bootstrapping your company, I definitely would not design something from scratch.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                              Networking<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                              LinkedIn<\/p>\n

                                                \n
                                              • \u200aActually it is not that common in Australia to use LinkedIn however it sure is the best way to network and keep in touch with everyone around the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                AngelList<\/p>\n

                                                  \n
                                                • If you haven\u2019t already, create an AngelList profile for you and your company. This is the best way to recruit and connect with investors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                  Founder\u2019s Network<\/p>\n

                                                    \n
                                                  • I am part of a small members-only network in San Francisco which allows me to build close and honest relationships with other founders. I think when you are building a company, this is really important.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                    MeetUp<\/p>\n

                                                      \n
                                                    • Use MeetUp to attend events that you are interested in. Be careful that you don\u2019t get caught up attending any oldevent if you are busy building a company – this will suck up your time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                      500 Brunches<\/p>\n

                                                        \n
                                                      • Go to brunch with a group of people that has been carefully curated. This is a great way to meet other people in San Francisco.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                        Weave<\/p>\n

                                                          \n
                                                        • Think Tinder meets LinkedIn. Swipe right or left to meet people in your industry. I have met all sorts of people from marketing, growth, technical, to artists.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                          Other\u200a\u2014\u200astartup life related<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                                                          Zova<\/p>\n

                                                            \n
                                                          • Keep fit while you are working at home from your desk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                            Uber \/ Lyft<\/p>\n

                                                              \n
                                                            • I could not live without Uber and Lyft. You can get anywhere you need at the tap of your phone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                              NutriBullet<\/p>\n

                                                                \n
                                                              • The best offline tool of them all. I bought a NutriBullet and I blend everything<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                Getaround<\/p>\n

                                                                  \n
                                                                • Getaround is peer-to-peer car rental which I use when I want to drive beyond San Francisco. The app allows you to book within five minutes and unlock the car with your phone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                  I will be adding to this list as I continue to build my company so let me know if there is anything I should try\u200a\u2014 I\u2019m\u200aalways looking for new cool tools to use.<\/p>\n

                                                                  Follow StartupSmart on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Soundcloud.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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