These are all the tools I use for podcasting, email newsletters, blogging, making videos, and selling things online.
If they're here, it's because I recommend them!
Podcasting
- Transistor.fm – podcast hosting & analytics & podcast websites. (this is my new startup!)
- Descript – this audio recording and editing application has really sped up my podcast editing workflow. This is also what I use for automated transcriptions. BY FAR the best transcription system I've used.
- Screenflow – I used to use Garageband for editing audio, but I prefer Screenflow's editor. (On the PC try Audacity)
- SSL 2 – this is the audio interface I use to connect my mic to my computer (the Behringer UMC202HD is also good)
- Shure SM7B – after years of using cheaper mics, I got the SM7B. Great mic (but the Samson Q2U is a great budget choice).
- Audio-Technica ATH-M50x – these are the headphones I use.
Tools for running SaaS
Here's our tech/software stack for running Transistor.fm.
- Ruby on Rails – programming framework.
- Postgres – open-source relational database.
- Tailwind CSS – the CSS framework we use on the marketing site and in the app
- AWS – we host the app on Amazon Web Services.
- Digital Ocean – some assets are hosted here.
- Caddy Server – HTTP/2 web server with automatic HTTPS.
- Shortcut – kanban project management software.
- Crisp – live chat widget, customer support, and knowledge base.
- Rewardful – affiliate & referral management software.
- Google Apps – email, documents, calendar.
Analytics
- Fathom Analytics – website stats that don't track or store personal data from visitors. I use this on my personal site and on the Transistor marketing site.
Membership site
- Meeps – an alternative to Memberful for member registration, payment, user profiles, user directory, and so much more. I run MegaMaker on this platform.
Images / Graphics
- Sketch – I finally gave up my beloved Macromedia Fireworks and I'm using Sketch full-time.
- Unsplash – awesome, royalty-free images.
- Pexels – a great collection of stock photos.
- PlaceIt – easily create Macbook, iPad, iMac & iPhone mockups and demo videos.
- LogoJoy – simple logo generator.
Website / Landing Pages
- Statamic – after 10 years on WordPress, I switched to Statamic CMS and I love it.
- TailwindCSS – we use this on the new Transistor marketing site.
- Laravel Forge – I use this to provision and deploy servers.
- Digital Ocean – hosting for my Statamic site, MegaMaker forums, and other coding projects.
- WPengine – my WordPress sites are hosted on WPengine.
- Netlify – where I host static sites.
- Carrd.co – the best landing page builder I've found.
Accounting
- Wave – we use this for bookkeeping, invoicing and payroll.
Online store
- Podia – Podia is an all-in-one platform for selling digital goods. It's where I sell downloads, courses, membership, and books. (Example)
- Meeps – I'm running my merch store for MegaMaker here.
Email Newsletter / Drip Campaigns
- ConvertKit – a simple tool for sending email newsletters + created automated sequences.
- Userlist – we use this on Transistor for onboarding emails, and broadcasts to our users.
- MailChimp – another great option for email newsletters and automations. Free for up to 2,000 subscribers.
- Podia – this all-in-one platform also has a good basic newsletter + drip sequence functionality.
Screencasts / Video / Livestreaming
- Ecamm Live – this helps produce your stream, show your desktop and camera, switch screens, and will even allow you to take live Skype calls. (Example)
- Restream.io – this will take your live video stream and re-broadcast it to multiple platforms at one: YouTube, Twitch, Periscope, Facebook Live, etc…
- ScreenFlow – screencasting and video editing for the Mac.
- GoAnimate – create cartoons and animations.
- Render Forest – create awesome intro / outros and animations.
- Music For Makers – royalty-free music for your videos.
- DeckSet – simple presentations and powerpoints from markdown text.
- CamLink – a USB interface for using my DSLR camera as a webcam
Creating eBooks / PDFs
- Reedsy – I use Reedsy for writing, layout, and publishing of ebooks.
- Grammarly – check your writing for typos and grammar mistakes.
Stickers / Printing
- Sticker Mule – highest quality stickers I've found, fast shipping.
- Printful – on-demand printing for t-shirts, mugs, socks, and more.
Those are the big ones. I'll continue to add/modify this list as I think of other things.Note: some of these links are affiliate links. This means I'll get a small percentage commission on the sale.