The Ultimate Guide to Using Notion for Solopreneurs
As a solopreneur, you wear all the hats. From managing clients to creating content, tracking finances, and juggling a million other tasks, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. That’s where Notion comes in—a flexible, all-in-one workspace that can transform your business, streamline your systems, and help you thrive without burning out.
This guide is your one-stop resource for mastering Notion as a solopreneur. We’ll cover everything from getting started to advanced features, with actionable tips and links to dive deeper into key topics. Ready to supercharge your systems? Let’s dive in.
Why Solopreneurs Need Notion
Running a business as a one-person show comes with unique challenges:
Tasks are scattered across tools, sticky notes, and your brain.
Overwhelm builds as responsibilities grow.
Systems that work for large teams feel clunky for solo operations.
Notion solves this by consolidating everything into one customizable workspace. It’s your task manager, content planner, CRM, and more. With Notion, you can:
Organize your to-dos by priority.
Centralize client information.
Streamline your content creation.
"Notion isn’t just a tool; it’s a mindset shift for solopreneurs. It transforms chaos into clarity."
Explore my journey to finding the perfect system.
Getting Started with Notion
The Blank Page Problem Notion’s endless customization is its greatest strength—and its Achilles’ heel. If you’ve ever opened Notion and felt paralyzed by the possibilities, you’re not alone. Here’s how to beat the overwhelm:
1. Start with Templates
Templates provide structure, so you don’t have to start from scratch. Use:
Notion’s built-in templates.
FREE templates from creators (like the one in my Systems Bundle).
Creator-made templates (like my Anti-Burnout Notion Planner).
2. Master the Basics
Focus on essential features first: headers, lists, databases, and relations. Build confidence before diving into advanced setups.
Check out my guide to starting strong with Notion.
Building a Sustainable Productivity System
A solid productivity system keeps you organized without adding complexity. Here’s how to use Notion to streamline your business:
1. Task Management: Your Daily Operations Hub
Set up a Master Task Database with tags for priorities and deadlines.
Use views like calendars, lists, and Kanban boards to match your workflow.
"A sustainable task system should work for you, not overwhelm you."
Read why most task management systems fail and how to fix them.
2. Client Management: Your Notion CRM
Track client details, communications, and deliverables in a centralized database. Build dashboards for each client, providing instant access to:
Project timelines.
Meeting notes.
Key tasks.
There are notion templates for this alone, but I would recommend getting a template that has a CRM built in! Check out my Notion templates here.
3. Content Creation: From Ideas to Execution
Notion’s databases and linked views make content planning seamless. Use a content calendar to:
Track blog posts, social media, and newsletters.
Connect each idea to related tasks (e.g., "Draft" or "Promote").
Learn more about building sustainable systems for your business.
Advanced Notion Features to Level Up Your Business
1. Automate with Integrations
Save time by connecting Notion to other tools:
Use Zapier to create tasks from emails or calendar events.
Try the:gist for workflows Zapier can’t handle, like client onboarding. (Note: I don’t really use this anymore after Notion’s automation upgrade in Fall 2024!)
Discover 3 must-have apps for Notion.
2. Dashboards for High-Level Views
Create dashboards to monitor key areas like:
Sales and marketing performance.
Task progress across projects.
Content performance metrics.
3. Reusable Templates
Streamline workflows with templates for:
Client onboarding.
Content creation (e.g., blog writing templates).
Recurring tasks like reporting or invoicing.
How Notion Helps Prevent Burnout
Burnout happens when disorganization leads to overwhelm. Notion combats this by:
Centralizing information: No more jumping between apps.
Reducing decision fatigue: Pre-built workflows mean fewer choices to make.
Gamifying progress: Use trackers to visualize your progress and stay motivated.
"Notion isn’t just about productivity—it’s about creating space for what truly matters."
See how I use Notion to plan my week and prevent burnout.
Tools & Apps That Work Seamlessly with Notion
Expand Notion’s functionality with these tools:
NotionSocial: Manage your social media directly in Notion.
Inbox2Notion: Turn emails into manageable tasks.
Akiflow: Automate task scheduling.
These are my 3 favorites, but there are tons of other integrations too. This is a more comprehensive list.
Get MORE information about my 3 favorite Notion integrations.
Notion Success Stories: Real-Life Transformations
Here’s how Notion has helped solopreneurs like you:
"You’ve Saved MY Business! I signed up for some SEO schooling and I’m getting SO MUCH MORE than that! … I’m so pumped to learn this stuff! It looks like everything I wanted and needed that I couldn’t put together… you may just save my business! No joke!"
—Megan Devito, Life & Anxiety Coach, Systems School Student
"I love my template so much! And Ellyn too. I'm in the process of organizing my life on it and it is coming together nicely. Being a part of Ellyn's community is very helpful for customizing it to your liking. I highly recommend it!"
—Amy Sprecher
Learn more about my systems and client success stories.
Here’s how Notion has helped solopreneurs like you:
Before: Scattered notes, missed deadlines, and constant overwhelm.
After: Streamlined workflows, centralized systems, and clarity.
"Switching to Notion saved me 10 hours per week and eliminated my stress."
Where Do I Go From Here?
If you’re ready to take the next step in building systems that work for you, here are your options:
Free Resources
Start with my Sunday CEO Systems Bundle, designed to simplify your workflows and help you build sustainable systems:
What’s Inside:
✅ Sunday CEO Notion Template — Your all-in-one business dashboard to keep you organized AF.
✅ Simplified Planner + Review Templates — Streamline your tasks, track progress, and reflect like a boss.
✅ Automation 101 Masterclass — Make your systems work for you with simple, time-saving workflows.
✅ Deciding on Your Tech Worksheet — Choose tools that actually help (and ditch the ones that don’t).
✅ Bonus: 5-Day Systems Sprint Email Series — Step-by-step guidance to build sustainable systems in Notion.
Download your Systems Bundle here.
Paid Offers
Ultimate Anti-Burnout Notion Digital Planner
Don’t just organize your life—transform it. This all-in-one template is perfect for solopreneurs looking to streamline their workflows without stress.
Sustainable Systems School
A self-guided course to help you build systems that scale your business and prevent burnout. Perfect for solopreneurs ready to master their tools.
VIP Day: Done-for-You Systems
Work with me one-on-one to build a custom Notion system tailored to your business needs. This is the ultimate option for solopreneurs who want expert support to get organized fast.
Ready to Transform Your Business with Notion?
Notion isn’t just a tool; it’s your business’s best-kept secret. Whether you’re just starting or ready to optimize, now is the time to take action.
Get Started Today
Download my Anti-Burnout Notion Template to hit the ground running.
Enroll in Sustainable Systems School for step-by-step guidance.
Let’s build the systems that will empower your business and free up your time. Your burnout-proof success story starts here.
