My 2021 tech stack: Robust audience research and a slick SEO toolkit

This essay originally was published on July 29, 2021, with the email subject line CT No. 88: 2021 tool stack + official newsletter toddler status.

In previous years I published this review of all the tools in my stack in August (read the 2019 and 2020 tech stacks). With big plans for next month, I've decided to shift and publish my third-annual tech stack overview in the anniversary issue.

I've made some big changes in my stack across the board, especially as I'm aligning my business with my values and making the most out of software investments. I also tried some flashy new tools—looking at you, Superhuman—which messed up my workflow for weeks. It wasn't the tool; it was me. (Or was it?)

2021 tech stack

Here's where I've landed. I've linked all the reviews I've written for these tools... and I've reviewed almost all of them! Mostly this means my last-minute review reserves are depleted.

New additions are marked with a *.

Audience and social listening

All new additions! Definitely upped my organic audience intelligence ante this year. Expect more on audience intelligence data this fall. (And if you want me to build you an audience profile from this killer data, hit me up.)