Tools we use
These are the tools the Been Remote team uses to create content, manage projects, and be productive. And sometimes not. You can pretty much do 90% of your work on Google drive. No, you do not need Airtable! Put the SaaS down and walk away!
As far as remote tools go, you only need 3 types to get work done: A task manager like Jira, a documentation knowledge base like Confluence, and Google drive in order to create and store actual drafts and files.
On top of that, an image editor like Canva and whatever pro marketing tool you need to do your main job – like a video editor, SEO tool, or podcast studio.
You really don’t need more than 2 or 3 SaaS tools to crush your job – don’t get addicted to taking course (unless they’re good courses) or buying tools because you think it will motivate you. Instead, lead with doing work you enjoy and get the tools to support that.
Semrush: SEO & keyword tool
After years of using Semrush, I’m still using it, but a little more jaded on the number of features they have decided to gate and charge for, that were previously included. Will I switch to ahrefs? Time will tell.
Canva: Images, decks and graphics
Canva is great if you’re not a designer (and honestly, even if you are – especially if you work with non-designers). There’s millions of templates, and if you work in any kind of content, you’ll want fast and easy custom images to go with it. The monthly prices are pretty affordable for small teams, and it’s a great replacement for google slides for making decks.
Confluence and Jira: Documentation and task manager
Atlassian products are by far the better choice over Notion and Monday, respectively. Why? They have all the features of both, and then some, because they aren’t a startup – they’ve been perfecting these products for (yes!) decades. Plus it’s made originally for devs, so you have engineering and marketing working from the same platform. Plus I think it’s cheaper overall.
Google Drive: Yeah I said it
Google Drive is NOT a place to store notes, agendas, strategy docs, or documentation on processes (SOPs). Store anything like that in Confluence (or Notion) because it includes a filing system. Documentation needs a filing system.
Drive is for actual content. Drafts should be made and stored in Docs in order to use comment features for feedback. Worksheets and audits should be done in Sheets so anyone can access it and you can track many small tasks in one place. This is free, y’all. You do not need Airtable to create a solid revenue tracker. You can do it in Sheets, I promise.