Esme's Tech Stack

I think it’s nice to be able to poke around in someone’s life and see what they’re using.

This is not a recommendation list, it’s purely a list of the things I find value in and use all the time. Do not use this as a shopping list!

Audio, Video and Graphics

  • Canva - obviously
  • CleanShotX - replaces native screenshots on Mac, and then adds even more functionality!
  • Creative Fabrica * (affiliate) - commercial assets and fonts
  • Descript * (affiliate) - everything audio and video editing
  • Ivory Mix* (affiliate) - for stunning photos, videos, Canva templates, monthly content, PLR items, and trainings
  • Loom - screen recording
  • Screen Studio - a screen recording tool (with lots of features!). Mac only
  • SnagIt - another screen recorder (but you can record without using your mic, which is important!)

Automations and AI

  • OpenAI ChatGPT - I previously had a paid account for this, but now I have Magai!
  • Make * (affiliate) - for visual automations.
  • Magai * (affiliate) - all the LLMs and image generators (minus MidJourney) in a single platform, plus custom personas
  • Notion AI - AI power that has all the context of your entire Notion space to learn from (Notion Ambassador Perk)
  • Pleexy - this bridges between Notion and Todoist (it does other platforms too!
  • Pipedream * (affiliate) - automation platform, but this also takes code as well as no code
  • Zapier - no code automations
Yes, I have 3 automation platforms. There are some things that only one of them does. For example, Zapier can’t see related databases in Notion, Make and Pipedream can

Calendars and Meetings

  • Cal.com - alternative to Calendly
  • Camo - turn your iPhone into a webcam (without Continuity) on Mac and PC
  • Every Time Zone - see when everyone is! If you create a free account, you can pick the time zones you see
  • Fantastical - my go-to calendar app
  • Morgen Calendar * (affiliate) - I'm still playing with this, but it has a lot of potential, especially for Notion tasks!
  • TidyCal - another alternative to Calendly
  • Zoom - obviously

Email and Comms

  • Slack - gotta love Slack for comms
  • Sly Number - second physical cell number in an app (handy for clients/WhatsApp business)
  • Spark Mail (2) - free email client with the ability to discuss emails and share without forwarding - Mac only (Note: Spark 2 is free, Spark is paid and is available on Windows as well)
  • WhatsApp Business - let’s keep business and personal separate, eh?

Forms

  • Fillout - great for creating basic forms linked to Notion databases
  • Notion Forms - a new kid on the block, but we have high hopes
  • Tally - if you need a form, Tally’s got you. Including conditional logic and Zapier in the free version
Don't even get me started on Google Forms...we don't have time for that! Seriously, just use Tally!

Socials and Email Marketing

  • (Convert)Kit * (affiliate) - there’s a reason this is the industry leader!
  • Metricool * (affiliate) - social media scheduler & outstanding analytics.
  • MissingLettr * (affiliate) - promote blogs to socials on autopilot. I've not used this a lot, but it's here in case it's helpful!
You'll notice that there isn't a lot in this section. Simply because these do everything I need them to do!

Tasks, Projects and Content

  • Capacities - great for daily pages and bi-directional linking. Paid version has the ability to send tasks anywhere else too!
  • ClickUp * (affiliate) - work management (task and project management)
  • Craft Docs - gorgeous document editor, with daily planning and reminder management
  • Notion - project & task management, archiving, documentation
  • Obsidian - great local and offline first platform for content writing
  • Todoist * (affiliate) - task management (get the paid version for reminders)
  • Whimsical - process and workflow mapping

Time Tracking

  • Timery - Mac only - extends the functionality of Toggl (desktop widgets #ForTheWin
  • Toggl Track - time tracking on all devices (I used the free version for year, but now I pay for it)

Website, Domains, and Browsers

  • Name Cheap - the cheapest domain host I've found
  • LnkBio - a really decent (and decently priced) link-in-bio app (their ethics are wonderful)
  • OpenMyLink * (affiliate) - URL and link shortener with amazing analytics
  • Raindrop - this is the best bookmark manager I’ve ever used
  • Wavebox * (affiliate) - the best browser in the world (according to me)
  • Webstudio * (affiliate) - the best no-code (and open source) visual website builder ever IMHO (I'm a bit smitten)

Apps That Run Everything Else

  • Apple: Pages, Keynote, Numbers and Notes
  • Grammarly - spelling and grammar checker
  • Raycast - shortcuts, extendible launcher, and productivity tools
  • TextExpander - snippets

Honorable Mentions

  • Day One - journalling app (mental health is important folks)
  • Moxie - client portals
  • Spacegoods Rainbow Dust - mushroom powered productivity & focus
  • UPDF - one of the best PDF editors I’ve seen (App Sumo link)

Hardware

  • Apple - MacBook Pro M1 2020 + OEM wired Apple Keyboard + Magic Trackpad
  • Apple - iPhone Xs Max (my webcam)
  • BenQ - ScreenBar Halo LED monitor light x 2
  • Elgato - Stream Deck XL - great for macro buttons and automating tasks
  • LG - 27UL550P 27" monitor x 2
  • Razer - Siren Mini Condenser Mic + Innogear Microphone Stand Set
  • Alogic - Triple 4K Display Universal Docking Station (this + Display Link Manager allows me to have 2+ external displays)
  • Neewer - RGB62 Magnetic RGB Video Light with upgraded App Control and (Neewer) Metal Phone Tripod Mount
  • Ikea - Bekant Desk Frame 902.529.08 + Bekant Table Top 002.532.38 (160 x 80, white)

Yes, I have all that.
No, I'm not joking.

And this is just what I use, not what my clients use!