Behind the Scenes of Blessed is She // Tools + Tech

what you need to run a ministry

We're often asked a variety of questions about what the Blessed is She ministry uses to make videos, downloads, and so on. So we're pulling back the tech-y curtain—come on in!

Behind the Scenes: Tools + Tech

Over the years and as the ministry has grown, we've tried many tools and processes to find the just-right mix of what helps us serve the Lord and the Blessed is She community. Of course, we are always learning and evolving, so let us know in the comments below if there's an amazing tool we're missing!

Organization + Productivity

G Suite // Google’s G Suite (email and Google drive) is where we keep all our digital documents, including cooperative spreadsheets, resources, calendars, and more. It’s so user-friendly, and it allows us to manage all of our files in one place.

Slack // Slack is a workplace app that allows our team to communicate on different channels for different things. This has transformed our operational team's communication. And since most of us work remotely, it allows us to have a place to "gather" (and use GIFs).

Trello // Trello is an online project management tool that arranges projects in little boards (almost like bulletin boards) in an easy-to-view spread. We use this for team projects and as individuals to keep track of our own daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. It's also a great tool to use for brainstorming and jotting down quick ideas (you know, like the ones you get in the shower).

Toggl // Toggl is an online time-tracking tool to help you keep track of the hours you spend on your projects. So helpful for keeping yourself on track and getting a true idea of how much time you're spending on certain tasks.

WooCommerce // The WooCommerce plugin for WordPress is what fuels Blessed is She’s online shop. There are so many functions that we love, and because it’s a plugin, it’s really easy to implement on your own site.

HelloSign // Being that the ministry is run almost entirely online, a lot of times we need documents signed over the Internet. Enter: HelloSign.

On the subject of team organization and project management, check out these top five apps for remote teams!

Content Creation

MailChimp // We use this service to send emails.

Tidio // This chatbox function allows up to three users on at a time, has set Do Not Disturb times, and looks beautiful!

Canva // Spoiler alert! Most of the graphics we make for Blessed is She are done in Canva. This free, web-based graphic design program also comes with a paid business plan, and its templates turn even the most green users into designers.

Sticker Mule // We use Sticker Mule to create our stickers! The design process is easy, and production/shipping turn around is so quick.

Crowdcast // We love to use Crowdcast for our monthly workshops.

Lightstock + Unsplash // If you are looking for stock photography that isn’t cheesy, look no further. Lightstock specializes in Christian photography, so it’s a nice addition to using Unsplash.

Community + Social Media

Buffer // We schedule our Instagram here (best place ever because they actually put correct spaces in for IG captions!).

Planoly // This is where we lay out our Instagram plan. You can lay out all of the pictures in a grid then see what works and what doesn’t. Drag and drop and mix around the pictures.

Tailwind // We love Tailwind for scheduling out and auto-publishing pins to Pinterest.

CoSchedule // This works right within Wordpress, which is amazing. Right when we schedule a blog post, podcast, or devotion, we can schedule out social media from right within the post. CoSchedule automatically pulls the featured image, it can support so many different social media channels, and it’s honestly one of the greatest plugins we use on Wordpress.

Podcast Recording

Yeti Microphone // Our microphone is super easy and simple to use. It plugs right into the computer via a USB cord. Super simple.

Ecamm for Skype // When Beth and Jenna record with guests for The Gathering Place podcast, they use Ecamm for Skype. When they record with just the two of them, they simply use the Audio Recording function on QuickTime Player.

GarageBand + Audacity // We use these software programs to edit each podcast episode.

Anchor // This is what we use to simply upload our mp3s which then publishes The Gathering Place to all the podcast apps that exist. Anchor is owned by Spotify!