Are you a solo entrepreneur?

Are you struggling to face the multiple layers of your business, like marketing, scheduling and invoicing?

Then you landed in the right place.

In this post, I’m going to talk about Artichoke, the first mobile appointment-based tool that allows you to start managing your solo business in minutes.

 

How Artichoke Works

There are 53 million freelancers in America today. By 2020, 50% of the U.S. workforce will be freelancers (this does not mean they are all full-time freelancers, but one of every two workers will be freelancers in some capacity).

Artichoke is a game changer for all these freelancers who need help organizing, managing clients and getting paid. This application provides an easy process to optimize time and schedule more appointments.

Artichoke is an all-in-one business platform for solo entrepreneurs that can help you in many ways, including:

• online scheduling;
• managing clients;
• credit card processing;
• appointment reminders;
• tracking income and expenses.

Now, let’s see all these features in details.

But first, you may want to take a look at this introductory video:

 

Artichoke: Online Scheduling

It’s easy to set up your own page, so to get booked online 24/7.

Once you login your Artichoke dashboard, click on “my web page” on the left side of the menu:

First, add your general information, like business name and logo, phone, description and a proper business category.

Also, you may want to add a bio, where you tell more about what you do. Consider this will be a prominent part of your booking page which clients will see online. Specifics like your background, areas of specialization, certifications and an explanation of your passion for the business are all things that will help you gather more customers.

Now, enter your Twitter, Facebook, Google+ and eventually Instagram profile. Add your website link and click on the next button.

First, enter where you are going to offer your services (there’s an option, if you are working remotely).

Then, add your work hours, by simply choosing from the menu as you can see in the previous image.

Once you save this, you will be asked to set the prep time, which is the time interval between each appointment.

Finally, you can choose your web address to get a personalized sub domain name at GetArtichoke.com

 

Artichoke: Managing Clients

Add clients, progress notes, check transaction history, view stats, and check balances, all in one place!

On your Artichoke dashboard, click on “clients” on the left menu.

First, you want to add the clients information, like name, email and phone, address, credit card details and even the birthday (which is an awesome way to increase engagement and interaction with your customers. Artichoke can send friendly client emails for birthdays and service anniversary dates).

Once you have your database of clients, you can manage them, adding a series of information:

You can add notes, which can help you track how things are moving on with that specific customers. Set reminders for you and your clients on important progress notes.

The Artichoke app will help you with the history of the clients, the stats and balances.

 

Artichoke: Managing Appointments

On the second tab of your Artichoke dashboard, in the left menu, you can find the appointments section.

This feature will help you manage your appointments with the clients.

You can view the appointments booked via your web page built with Artichoke or add new ones directly.

 

Artichoke: Adding Your Products and Services

This section lets you add your product and service details, to help you sell them.

For example, click on “add a service” to enter the details of what you do, such an online tutoring or a massage.

You want to enter information such as duration, price, tax rate, service name, tax rate, number of participants, description and the possibility to book online.

There’s also an awesome option to sell gift cards!

 

Artichoke: Manage and Track Expenses

As a solo entrepreneur, a very important part of the business is tracking the expenses.

Artichoke made it really easy.

Simply add each expense, with the vendor details, date, amount, category and your notes.

 

Grow Your Independent Business Intelligently

Artichoke app will help you grow your business intelligently:

• Automated referral requests encourage clients to spread the word shown
• Referral tracking makes sure you know who to thank
• Client reviews that build your reputation online
• Tools to track and reconnect with clients who have fallen off schedule

Word of mouth and recommendations are the best form of marketing!

 

Track Your Business Growth

Once you start using Artichoke app, you can visit your dashboard to check how your business is growing:

• See your hours, income, expenses, and the bottom line, all in one place.shown
• Stay current on client balances
• Always know your numbers with the weekly email summary

 

Anywhere, Any Device

At home or on-the-go, you can access your Artichoke account on mobile, tablet, or desktop.

 

Artichoke Pricing

Even pricing is really simple with Artichoke.

There’s a small fixed rate of $25/mo, with all the featured included.

You can start your 30 days free trial here (no credit card required).

 

Final Words

Team behind Artichoke has done a fantastic job building this app.

I found it easy to use, with everything a solo entrepreneur needs to manage his business and see it grow over time.

It’s accessible everywhere and the cost per month is really reduced (which is really important, considering how hard is to start a business as a freelancer).

I suggest you to try Artichoke right now, by claiming your free 30 days trial here.

 

And you?

Are you running a solo business?

How are you managing all the clients, appointments, credit card processing, expenses, etc?

Are you going to try Artichoke?

Please let me have your views in the comments below, thanks!