These CRMs keep my business running so that I don’t lose my mind!

 Some of my friends think I lead a glamorous life getting dressed up and working in luxury locations, making beautiful works of art and getting paid for it. Yes, my job is that and I love it, but behind the scenes, there is so much more that goes into running a successful wedding videography business. 

 Editing, cleaning video gear, marketing, invoicing, researching, blogging, social media, accounting and taxes… it’s a full-time job and there is a lot to do.

 Late last year, when the pandemic gave me some time off from shooting weddings, I got busy streamlining my business so it could run more efficiently when the weddings were rolling again. This unexpected forced time off shooting was in some ways a blessing as I had time to reflect on how I could improve my workflow, streamline my processes and focus more time on the things that often get put at the end of the to-do list, like continuing educating and blogging for my clients. 

 One way I achieved this was by exploring the latest CRM (customer relationship management) systems. I discovered two that suit my business brilliantly.

 Honeybook and Dubsado both allow me to organize and streamline the behind-the-scenes work of my wedding video business. For now, I’m using Honeybook, but there are some specific things about Honeybook that have had me really considering switching over to Dubsado. It was difficult to decide which one to go with – both are excellent.

 Honeybook helps me manage projects, book clients, sign contracts online, send invoices and accept payments. With the magic of HoneyBook, I can effortlessly view and follow stages of a project and keep invoices, contracts and other important documents in one place. 

 I love the name too, although I’m not sure where the inspiration came from. The company has been going strong since 2013 and has helped so many freelancers and artistic business owners streamline their workflows. 

 Dubsado shares many of the amazing features offered by Honeybook. Their forms and templates alone save hours upon hours of work and the whole system they have going is pure genius and really affordable. Dubsado started out with the husband and wife team, Becca and Jake, and soon expanded to the team that many professionals use from life coaches to event planners and wedding videographers like me.

 Really it comes down to personal preference and depending on what industry you are in, you might lean towards one or the other. I know many professional wedding vendors who use both, and it was another videographer who pointed me in the direction of Honeybook in the first place.

The main turnoff for me from Honeybook is the email system. I want my emails to feel and look natural and not feel like my couples are responding to a program. This has led me to still use gmail at times to send emails. Dubsado’s email format looks more like a regular email. If only they had a phone app…

Honeybook also allows you to add on multiple brands at no additional cost whereas Dubsado charges $10 a month for each additional brand. As someone that runs 3 brands, I went with the more affordable route. Dubsado offers an amazing trial by allowing you to use the CRM for 3 clients with no limitations while Honeybook only offers a 7 day free trial. Dubsado also implements SO WELL into your online brand and can make your clients feel like they are still on your website whereas Honeybook feels more clunky and operates as a separate system. This alone may have you choose Dubsado over Honeybook if you favor a more simple and integrated client experience.

Before, I was using Google calendar, Google drive, invoicing software and separate contract software. It was sucking up valuable time and causing me frustration. It was a bit like going to four stores to get bananas, pineapples, bread and almond milk when I could cruise by the supermarket and get everything in one quick trip. Do you get what I mean?

 I’m so satisfied with Honeybook and Dubsado and I don’t know how I ever lived without these CRMs. The client experience and my workflow are improved so much from before. Check them out and see if they can help your business too!

Get HoneyBook for 20% off for one year with my referral link.

Get Dubsado for 20% off your first month OR year of Dubsado (depending on whether you chose the monthly or annual plan) with my referral link.

Let me know which one you decide to go with!

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