Alright, fellow indie hackers and digital solopreneurs. Julian Ward here. If you've been following my journey, you know I'm not about the "guru" hype or the hustle-until-you-drop mentality. My game plan has always been about building smart, sustainable income streams – the kind that hum along quietly, generating cash while I'm off doing... well, other things. And for that, you need a killer stack of tools.

Forget the shiny object syndrome for a moment. This isn't about collecting subscriptions. It's about strategic deployment. In 2025, the landscape is richer than ever, but the core principle remains: automate what you can, focus your energy where it truly matters. I've personally built multiple $2K/month income streams, not by grinding myself into dust, but by curating a lean, mean machine of digital helpers.

So, what are the actual tools Julian uses for side hustles? Let's pull back the curtain on my current setup, the unsung heroes that power my passive income, and how they contribute to a smooth workflow and robust automation.

The Foundation: Notion for Everything

If there's one tool that underpins my entire operation, it's Notion. It's not just a note-taking app; it's the central nervous system of my side hustles. Seriously, without it, I'd probably be drowning in tabs and sticky notes.

A screenshot of Julian Ward's organized Notion dashboard for side hustles

Building My Ultimate Dashboard

Every single project, every content idea, every financial tracker, and even my personal to-do list lives in Notion. My custom dashboard is my command center, giving me a bird's-eye view of everything happening across my various income streams.

  • Project Management: From idea inception to launch, Notion databases track tasks, deadlines, and progress for each side hustle.
  • Content Calendar: All my content planning, from blog posts like this one to social media snippets, is mapped out here. It helps ensure consistency and prevents me from chasing my tail. This is where my content tools come together.
  • CRM & Lead Tracking: A simple database helps me manage partnerships and track potential leads for my digital products.
  • Knowledge Base: Any repeatable process or important snippet of information gets documented in Notion, making it easy to delegate or revisit later.

The beauty of Notion is its flexibility. You can mold it to fit your specific workflow, not the other way around. It's a critical component for anyone serious about digital solopreneurship.

Automating for Scale: My No-Code Arsenal

This is where the magic happens. Automation isn't just about saving time; it's about creating systems that work for you, even when you're not at the keyboard. This directly translates to income generation with less active input.

Zapier & Make: The Digital Glue

These two are the workhorses of my automation setup. Whether it's a simple trigger-action or a complex multi-step workflow, Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat) connect all my disparate tools.

  • Lead Capture & Follow-up: When someone signs up for a freebie on my website, Zapier automatically adds them to my email list in ConvertKit and sends a personalized welcome email. No manual data entry, ever.
  • Content Repurposing: A new blog post published on buildwithnotion.com can automatically trigger social media posts across platforms via a Make scenario. Less manual distribution, more reach.
  • Data Synchronization: If I update a status in Notion, it can trigger an update in a Google Sheet for reporting, or send a notification to a specific Slack channel. This keeps my internal processes humming.

My advice here: start small. Automate one repetitive task, see the time savings, and then build from there. You'd be surprised how many hours you can claw back.

Webflow / Carrd: Landing Pages & Simple Sites

While I love building in Notion, sometimes you need a public-facing website or a high-converting landing page.

  • Carrd: For ultra-simple, single-page sites or lead magnets, Carrd is unbeatable. It's fast, affordable, and requires virtually no design skill to look professional. I've used it for quick product launches or to collect emails for new ideas.
  • Webflow: For more robust websites or product pages that need custom design and functionality, Webflow is my go-to. It's a powerful no-code builder that offers incredible flexibility without needing to write a single line of code. This is where my primary product pages live.

The goal with both is to have a professional online presence that can easily integrate with my automation tools and email list.

Connecting with Your Audience: Email List & Content Tools

Building an audience is non-negotiable for any side hustle, and your email list is your most valuable asset. The right content tools help you feed that audience and keep them engaged.

Illustration of an email list growth strategy with various tools

ConvertKit: My Email Command Center

I've used a few email service providers over the years, but ConvertKit hits the sweet spot for creators. It's powerful enough for complex sequences and segmentations, yet intuitive for sending out a quick broadcast.

  • Sequences & Automations: My welcome sequences, product launch flows, and engagement emails are all set up here. This is crucial for nurturing leads and converting subscribers into customers on autopilot.
  • Segmentation: I can tag subscribers based on their interests, purchases, or how they joined my email list. This allows for highly targeted messaging.
  • Landing Pages & Forms: While I often use Carrd for primary lead magnets, ConvertKit's built-in forms and landing pages are great for quick captures.

Building an email list isn't just a "nice to have" anymore; it's foundational for direct audience connection and income stability.

My Content Tool Stack: Research to Polish

Producing high-quality content consistently is key to attracting traffic and building authority. These are the tools that streamline my content creation process:

  • Surfer SEO: For keyword research and content optimization, Surfer is invaluable. It helps me understand what topics to cover and how to structure my articles to rank well for those SaaS longtails. It’s my secret weapon for organic visibility.
  • Descript: If I'm producing video or audio content (which I increasingly am for tutorials), Descript is a game-changer. It transcribes audio/video automatically and lets you edit by simply editing the text. It's mind-bogglingly efficient.
  • Grammarly Premium: Self-explanatory. Even as a "nerd," I'm human. It catches those pesky typos and awkward phrasings before they go live.
  • Canva Pro: For quick social media graphics, blog post banners, or even simple PDF designs, Canva is a lifesaver. It makes professional-looking visuals accessible.

These tools allow me to punch above my weight when it comes to content quality and output.

Best Practices for a Lean, Mean Side Hustle Machine

Having a great toolkit is one thing; using it effectively is another. Here are some of my guiding principles:

Keep Your Stack Lean

Resist the urge to sign up for every new SaaS tool that pops up. Each new tool adds complexity, cost, and a learning curve. My philosophy is to use the fewest tools possible to achieve my goals. If a tool isn't actively contributing to income generation or significant time savings, it gets cut. Simplicity in your workflow is key.

Optimize for Automation, Not Just Tools

It’s not just about what tools you use, but how you use them together. Think of your side hustle as a series of mini-processes. Which of these processes can be automated? Start there. Whether it's email sequences, social media scheduling, or data backups, look for opportunities to set it and forget it. This frees up your mental energy for strategy and creation.

Data as Your Dashboard

Integrate your tools so that key metrics flow into your Notion dashboard or a simple Google Sheet. You can't improve what you don't measure. Seeing my traffic, conversions, and email list growth all in one place helps me make informed decisions, rather than just guessing.

Iterate and Refine

My stack isn't static. What works great in 2024 might need tweaking by 2025. I regularly review my tools, cancel subscriptions I'm not using, and experiment with new features or alternatives. The goal is always to improve efficiency and maximize ROI for my side hustles.

Conclusion: Build Your Own Automated Income Stream

Building side hustles that generate real income doesn't have to feel like a second full-time job. With the right tools Julian uses for side hustles – a solid Notion foundation, smart automation with no-code platforms, and focused content and email marketing strategies – you can create systems that work for you.

My journey to multiple $2K/month income streams wasn't about finding a magic bullet, but about systematically building and automating. These aren't just software recommendations; they're the building blocks of a more efficient, less stressful way to earn.

So, take a page from my playbook. Start with a solid workflow in Notion, identify repetitive tasks for automation, and focus on building that valuable email list. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.

Ready to dive deeper into how Notion can become the heart of your side hustle? Check out my latest template for automating content creation!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most crucial tool Julian uses for his side hustles?

Without a doubt, Notion is the cornerstone of Julian's entire operation. It serves as his central dashboard for project management, content planning, CRM, and knowledge base, allowing him to organize and track all aspects of his multiple side hustles in one flexible platform.

How does Julian automate his side hustles without coding?

Julian heavily relies on no-code automation platforms like Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat). These tools act as digital glue, connecting various applications to automate tasks such as lead capture, email follow-ups, content repurposing, and data synchronization, significantly reducing manual effort and scaling his income streams.

What tools does Julian recommend for growing an email list and creating content?

For email marketing, Julian uses ConvertKit due to its balance of powerful automation and user-friendliness for creators. For content creation, his stack includes Surfer SEO for optimization, Descript for efficient audio/video editing, Grammarly Premium for proofreading, and Canva Pro for quick graphic design.