The Tools I Use Every Day as a Content Creator (That Actually Make Me Money)

Written By Kate Shewaga

Let me guess.

You’re working all day. You’re filming. Editing. Answering emails. Posting. Scheduling.

And at the end of it… you feel busy, but not necessarily ahead??

I’VE BEEN THERE. For like, years.

As a content creator, UGC creator, Pinterest marketer, video editor, and entrepreneur (why do we wear so many hats? 😂), I’ve learned something important:

It’s not about workingmore, it’s about building better systems.

I’m writing this from my own brain people, no AI needed, because these tools / apps are my saving grace when it comes to running my business (and has kept me from undercharging):

1. Toggl: The Tool That Changed My Pricing

This one is non-negotiable for me.

I track every minute for:

  • Client retainer hours

  • Agency work

  • How long it takes to script a UGC video

  • Filming time

  • Editing time

  • Pinterest scheduling

Because I’m a literal DATA NERD, I even once tracked how long it took me to complete a puzzle I got for Christmas, LOL. (Ps it was two hours in case you were wondering).

As creators, we often guess how long something takes. But when you actually track it? The numbers can surprise you.

Something you thought took 20 minutes might actually take over an hour.

And that’s the difference between undercharging and pricing properly.

And Toggl is FREEEE so you can literally try it right now!

TRY THIS:

Track one full week of every little microscopic thing you do for work (and personal life, if you’re data-curious!) The data will tell you where your time is leaking AND where you make the most bang for your buck.

2. Downie (Through Setapp): My Repurposing Shortcut

This one is newer in my workflow, but I have loved it.

I use Downie to download:

  • Instagram Reels from client pages

  • TikToks

  • YouTube videos

Then I convert them into:

  • Pinterest video pins

  • YouTube Shorts

  • Compilations

  • Hook breakdowns

Before finding this I was using sketchy download sites or waiting on my clients to send me the raw files (which never came lol).

Now I just paste the link and download the file properly.

I do pay $30+ CAD per month for Setapp but it’s well worth it in my opinion.

If you’re managing Pinterest or repurposing content, you need clean files, not screen recordings.

3. CapCut: My Editing Ride-or-Die (peek for a small warning)

I’ve tried other editing platforms but I aaaalways come back to CapCut.

It’s simple. The captions are easy. The layers make sense. Exports are quick.

I pay for the premium version because I use many of the PRO tools, BUT they recently did a big system update and I lost all my drafts.

Allllllll of them. I cried. It was a humbling moment.

So here’s my advice:

  • Export projects often.

  • Back up important drafts.

  • Don’t rely only on cloud saves.

4. Canva: The Simplest Tool That Still Feels Powerful

I love Canva. Love love love.

My 9-year-old niece knows how to use Canva, so if you’re intimidated by design, I promise you can learn this.

I don’t use many templates. I prefer building from scratch.

I use it for:

  • Pinterest pins

  • Instagram carousels

  • Media kits

  • Mockups for clients

I love the stickers.
The fonts.
The drag-and-drop ease of creating content.

It keeps my content clean and on-brand without overcomplicating things.

I use the paid version and for how much I use it, it’s a no-brainer. My only disclaimer is that I solely use Canva for static images, not video editing. I’ve tried, and some people do love it, but CapCut is more my jam on that front.

The Bigger Picture

These tools aren’t super glamorous (or always free, unfortunately), but they:

  • Save me hours

  • Help me price properly

  • Make my workflow smoother

  • Keep me organized

  • Prevent burnout

As a mom and entrepreneur, I don’t have endless time, so I just need systems that WORK and these all have my stamp of approval.

If you’re feeling stuck right now, perhaps revisiting your workflow would be a great place to make some changes. What’s working? What’s not?

Fix the systems and you’ll be an organized little entrepreneurial wizard.

If this helped even a little, I’d love to know! And if you’ve got a tool you swear by, send it my way because I’m always optimizing something.

Kate

Quick note: Some links below are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you sign up. I only recommend tools I use every single day in my own business, so you’re getting the real deal here. Thank you for supporting my little corner of the internet.

Kate Shewaga
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