I'm interested in how other freelancers and contractors manage their daily interactions with clients. What tools do you use for communication and file sharing? Are you relying on a single comprehensive platform, or are you combining several different applications? If you've experimented with client portal services like HoneyBook or Dubsado, what kept you using them or made you stop? I'd love to hear what strategies and tools are working for you, or what challenges you're facing.
3 Answers
I just go with whatever the client is already using. Most prefer a combo of Google Drive and email or Slack. I also use Miro for visual projects since clients can comment directly without needing an account. It saves a lot of hassle compared to playing ping pong with screenshots over email.
I use a shared Google Drive folder for all my client interactions. It’s fantastic for collaboration since we can upload files and edit documents directly. Plus, it's free!
I used to juggle emails for communication, Google Drive for file sharing, and random apps for other tasks, which was a mess. I tried HoneyBook and Dubsado, but they felt more suited for wedding planners than my needs. Eventually, I built my own software to keep everything organized by client, so I don’t have to search through old emails anymore. What's your biggest challenge right now—file sharing or organizing conversations?
That's so interesting you built your own solution! What specifically didn’t work for you with HoneyBook and Dubsado? For me, my biggest hassle is definitely keeping everything in one spot—I'm juggling email threads, Drive links, and using Venmo for payments all over the place.
Nice and straightforward! Do you set up a separate folder for each client, or keep a master folder? And what about invoices and payments—do you manage those with different tools?