text based 

creator Toolkit

Recommend Tools & Resources For Your text-based Business

text based creator Toolkit

Recommend Tools & Resources For Your text-based Business

I am always asked about the tools I use to run my creator businesses, so I thought it would be helpful to create a resource page that you can always come to for all of your text based creator needs.

I will be breaking down this page into sections that are specific to each individual piece of your creator business.

Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase.  Please note that I currently use ALL of the tools on this page, and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something. 

My text based creator Toolkit

These are the specific tools I'm using to run my personal brand.

I have, and still do, use other tools [I mentioned below] for other newsletters, but these are my top choices in almost every single category.

KIT (CONVERTKIT)

EMAIL SERVICE PROVIDER

Kit is THE number one ESP on the market, and the one I use for this newsletter and multiple other newsletters. It is my top recommended ESP for many reasons, and I have a full breakdown here. 

Try Kit

THRIVECART

BEST FOR: CARTS & COURSE HOSTING

I have made over seven figures using ThriveCart [with Superhero Jacked] taking advantage of bumps and upsells. It also has ThriveLearn, which can host courses, AND has a one-time payment, rather than recurring monthly fee.

Try ThriveCart

CIRCLE

BEST FOR: COMMUNITY & COHORTS

Circle is my top choice for hosting communities and cohorts because it also enables you to restrict community, chat rooms and specific courses much easier than an alternative like Skool.

Try Circle

WORDPRESS

WEBSITE PLATFORM

WordPress is the tool I use to build every single one of my websites.  It's free, powerful and extremely easy to use. I highly recommend pairing it with a tool like Elementor or ThriveThemes to host your website.

Try WordPress

THRIVETHEMES

WEBSITE BUILDER

I have used ThriveThemes for years now and it allows me to do virtually anything with my website. It's a plug and play builder with hundreds of templates, it collects leads, does pop up leads, timed evergreen campaign builders, landing pages, testimonials, course builder and so much more.

Try ThriveThemes

BIGSCOOTS

WEBSITE HOSTING

Bigscoots not only has the best pricing, but it is also BY FAR the best customer service I have EVER worked with from a website hosting company, and possibly any SaaS. (And I have spent thousands on website hosting!)

Try BigScoots

That's it! 

You don't need an overly complex system to run your text-based business.

All you need is:

  • An ESP (Email Service Provider)
  • A cart system to sell digital products.
  • A tool to host courses and/or community.
  • A software to run your website.

And then you're off to the races.

Alternatives And Other Recommendations

These are tools I use on multiple other newsletters/businesses for specific reasons I make mention to. They are alternatives for ESP, cart system and even course and hosting courses and community.

SPARKLOOP

NEWSLETTER GROWTH

SparkLoop allows you to make more money AND grow your newsletter. It is is owned by Kit, so with a Pro plan you can build a referral program (free internal growth), and eventually even scale to advanced paid growth tactics.

Try SparkLoop

BEEHIIV

EMAIL SERVICE PROVIDER & WEBSITE BUILDER

BeeHiiv is the one of the only alternative ESPs I recommend for certain creators in specific situations behind my Kit recommendation. If you are considering it, read my full breakdown here.

Try BeeHiiv

KAJABI

WHAT I USE IT FOR: CARTS AND COURSES

Kajabi is a great cart host, but unfortunately since it's meant to be an all in one tool, with capabilities of running your entire website, newsletter, cart, etc., you lose out on a lot of capabilities and end up with a pretty hefty monthly expense.

Try Kajabi

SUBSTACK

EMAIL SERVICE PROVIDER & WEBSITE BUILDER

The only other ESP and website builder I recommend is Substack, but it's HYPER specific to creators in a niche or situation that has them wanting to build a paid newsletter (which is not the most ideal route). You can read my deep dive on paid newsletters here.

Try Substack

BLACKTWIST

WHAT I USE IT FOR: THREADS SCHEDULER

This is the best scheduling tool for Threads. Full analytics, easy reposting feature, invite team members and the ability to auto-plug your CTAs coming soon as well.

Try BlackTwist

ELEMENTOR

WEBSITE BUILDER

I use ThriveThemes but also recommend Elementor for some people building their WordPress website. It will replace the main aspects you need to (website plug and play builder and lead forms), while saving you 5X the price.

Try Elementor

Note: All of these tools are great, and have their specific uses, which is why I still recommend them for certain creators.

Ultimately, the text based creator stack I'm going with is my personal preference for the business model I'm running for my personal brand.

If I do, however, eventually roll out a cohort, I will likely use Circle.

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