Toolbox Part 1

Problem Solving in a Sea of Digital Solutions

The creative journey is fraught with obstacles, hazards, and endless questions. The biggest question is: How do I get this idea to people who need it?

This newsletter aims to provide the necessary tools to fill in some gaps along your journey to building the business, projects, or other creative ideas that only you can bring.

1. Getting Ideas Out of Your Brain

Take notes. Sorry, this one is really simple. Most phones these days have a notetaking app. If you have an iPhone, the base notes app is insanely robust and has just about anything you would need to keep track of new ideas quickly. Between tagging, folders, and smart folder organization, the iPhone notes app is a great place to start with organizing your thoughts and making quick notes that stay with you long term.

If you are on android, I would recommend something like Google Keep. It has a tagging system as well and can embed links effortlessly if you are a collector of tabs.

You won’t remember it. Just write it down.

2. Sending Files Can Really Suck

One of the challenges with many businesses, creative or otherwise, is the ability to get people the files they need quickly and reliably. As someone who worked in the video field for YEARS, it was always a struggle to find a tool that anyone could access. People would struggle with a Dropbox link or a Google account if I used their storage tech.

While people have become more tech-savvy over the years, the problem persists as people become tethered to their platform of choice and don’t want to veer off the path they’ve bushwhacked their way through.

In Comes WeTransfer.

They will send files up to 2 gigabytes (GB), covering most digital content size requirements (barring some larger video files, of course) for FREE. These files are short-lived, meaning you put the file on there to send to a client, and then once it’s gone, you can either re-send it or pay for longer terms and larger file sizes.

The best part is that WeTransfer lets you upload the files, put in your recipients’ email(s) and your email, and then craft an email message. Don’t want to send it via email? No problem. WeTransfer will let you copy a link instead—ideal if you are sending files phone to phone.

You can decide if your file expires in 3 or 7 days (or more if you select a paid plan). Upgraded plans also have more options available (like selling digital items through the file send option, longer custom storage times, and more).

I know this sounds like an ad, but it’s not. I just have a marketing brain, and I have one way to talk about awesome tools I find: sell them. I’m not getting a kickback on this product¹; I just feel that strongly about it!

1. Although I’m not opposed to a brand deal, WeTransfer :)