Sometimes, when you step back and take a look at your workflows and which parts have the most friction – automation isn’t the answer. For me, over the past few weeks, templates are the tech tool I have found the most impact from. This newsletter is going to specifically focus on templates for their content, not their style (although I have tips for that, too!).

Writing emails is a task I often avoid or put off because it requires a lot of critical thinking to craft each one from scratch. I also frequently turn to a trusted reader to make sure my email has the right tone and my message is clear. A double-check like that can be a significant help, but it also takes more time and energy (from your proofreader, too!).

Now, I’m writing templates for crucial emails and documents and having those proofread. That means I’m building a library of solid starting points for things I write, reducing the mental load and allowing me to focus on customizing the message where it truly matters. I’m not auto-filling these templates with any kind of automation; instead, I am using them as a framework to build upon.

Getting Started with Email Templates

I’ve written several blog posts about how to set up and use email templates in Gmail, which can save you a ton of time and stress!

Custom Google Drive Templates

Did you know you can turn your own documents into templates in Google Drive? If you have Google Workspace for your business, you can submit a document as a template to your library, allowing you (and others on your team) to reuse and adapt it without starting from scratch every time.

1. Navigate to Google Docs (or Google Sheets, etc., depending on the template you are submitting).
2. Click on Template Gallery.
3. There will be a General tab, and also one for your business. Click on the business-specific tab, and then click on Submit Template.
4. Fill out the form that pops up, including selecting the document you want to use as a template, then click Submit.

Now you’re all set!

(On an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone? You can use Google’s templates on your device, but to create or use your custom templates, you’ll need to be at a computer.)

Where Could Templates Help You?

Google Docs for Client Proposals

If you’re a freelancer or run a service-based business, using a Google Docs template for client proposals streamlines creating thorough, consistent proposals. You can make a template that includes sections for the project overview, scope of services, pricing breakdown, and timeline – customized to the specific details you would share based on your unique business. Google even has some project proposal templates of their own for you to start from!

Google Sheets for Project Checklists

When looking through templates, don’t limit yourself to the Work category. The To-do list template for Google Sheets could be an excellent foundation for making a project checklist that you can then save as your own template. It even shows how many tasks have been completed and how many remain at the top!

Notion for Video Production Management

Notion has tons of pre-built templates, too. For anyone involved in video production for their business, using the Project template in this free Notion Video Production template can save you a ton of setup time for each new video. Use it as is, or customize it to fit your unique workflow!

Have you built your own template that transformed your day-to-day, or do you have go-to sources for great templates? I’d love to hear about what’s working for you.