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Running a solo business used to feel like juggling chainsaws while blindfolded.
Now? It’s more like cruising in a self-driving car with my playlist on.
The difference? My tech stack.
Too many writers work harder than they need to. And make less money than they deserve. Yes, I spend about $2.5K a year on software. But every dollar earns at least 20 back. Without burning out.
The right tech doesn’t just save time. It gives you calm. It buys you brain space. It lets you focus on the only job that really matters: writing.
Here’s the exact stack that makes my solo business (almost) effortless.
1. ThriveCart — My Digital Cash Register
Use: Products + courses
Cost: ~$700 one-time (lifetime)
ThriveCart is where every sale begins.
It hosts my digital products, runs my course platform, and handles all payments. It’s clever use of bumps and upsells boosted my income by 37%.
Clean. Reliable. Never crashes mid-launch (looking at you, other platforms 👀).
When someone buys, it talks to Kit, unlocks their course, and fires off the right emails instantly.
Why I love it: Because it sells while I sleep. Literally.
2. Senja — My Reputation Multiplier
Use: Testimonials
Cost: ~Free (but I pay $24 for the starter plan)
Social proof is my silent salesperson.
Senja makes collecting and displaying testimonials stupid-simple. Every buyer gets a link to share feedback, and their words appear on my sales pages within minutes.
Result? New customers trust faster. Repeat customers buy easier.
Why I love it: Because praise buried in your inbox helps no one. Senja turns it into sales.
3. Kit — My Audience Engine
Use: Email list + automations
Cost: ~Free to start (but with 10k subs I pay $1,390/year)
I started with Beehiiv. Like a clueless beginner. Then I met Kit and everything clicked.
It’s the beating heart of my business. I’ve got 10,000 people on my list and send one newsletter a weeb but 20,000 emails go out every month automatically. Triggered by what people click, buy, or ignore. Those extra messages nurture deeper trust and make sales without me lifting a finger.
Yes, it’s pricey. But the Creator Network alone brought me 3,000 new subs in 12 months.
Why I love it: Because I write once and earn forever.
4. WisprFlow — My Dictation Shortcut
Use: Voice-to-text ideas
Cost: ~$10/month
I think faster than I type.
WisprFlow captures my brain on a walk, cleans it up, and saves it. By the time I sit down to write, half the work’s already done.
Why I love it: Because it turns walks into writing sessions.
5. ChatGPT — My Thinking Partner
Use: Writing, research, idea analysis
Cost: $20/month
AI doesn’t replace me. It multiplies me.
I use ChatGPT to analyse my best-performing posts, turn transcripts into drafts, polish headlines, and nudge me out of creative ruts. (more details here).
It’s like having a strategist, editor, and coach rolled into one for less than a takeaway.
Why I love it: Because it saves hours and sharpens every line.
6. Zoom — My Connection Tool
Use: Live workshops + coaching calls
Cost: $15/month
I run a new masterclass every month on Zoom. Sharing the exact tactics that are working for me. Each one makes about $1K and becomes a replay I can resell forever.
Simple. Reliable. Personal. No tech replaces that human spark.
Why I love it: Because relationships scale better than algorithms.
7. Wistia — My Replay Hub
Use: Hosting course replays + videos
Cost: ~free to start (I pay $16/month)
Every masterclass I sell lives on Wistia. It looks clean, loads fast, and feels premium. No YouTube ads or distractions.
Why I love it: Because it keeps my products looking pro.
8. Substack — My Growth Flywheel
Use: Newsletter + Notes
Cost: Free (with 10% fee on earnings)
Substack is my home base. It’s where readers find me, trust me, and eventually buy from me.
It’s also my quiet sales engine. I’ve gained 5,000 subscribers in 12 months, built a $600/month paid tier, and met readers who now call themselves writers.
Yes, Substack takes 10%. But what I get in return is priceless: discovery, community, and a place that rewards real writing.
Substack isn’t just a platform. It’s a permission slip to grow without pretending.
Why I love it: Because it made writing social again.
9. Free tools that glue it all together
Cal.com: Handles coaching bookings
CalendarLink: Instant event invites
YouTube: Mini-masterclasses for my paid subs and other free content.
Zero cost. Big payoff.
The real secret behind “effortless”
I’m to help people and make money without burning out.
This is why I love all these tools. Each one serves a job: to make it easier to write, connect, and sell. Because when your systems hum quietly in the background, your creativity can roar.
So no — my business isn’t effortless.
But thanks to this stack, it sure feels that way.
Derek
I read this with ease however, The calculations for growth utilizing software I’ve never heard of, seems a bit much for me as a seasoned beginner. What are you gaining in real time feedback and have you been on tour yet?