 Resources
Productivity / Efficiency
Marketing
Business Systems
Creating Products and Services
For the Fun of It
Productivity / Efficiency
OneNote
Once you’ve started using OneNote, you’ll never be able to do business without it; that’s been my experience. Imagine a series of three-ring binders for each of your clients, projects, ideas or other categories, and in each binder, a series of tabs with each tab divided with its own mini-tabs. Now turn that into a single electronic file that allows you to write on any page of any notebook, move from section to section, automatically save, link to documents on your computer, and much more. That’s OneNote. (You can also share OneNote with remote users, but that’s a story for another day). Very reasonable priced and a must-have, I believe, for anyone working in the PC environment.
ActiveWords
I must use ActiveWords multiple times every hour I’m at the computer, and am at a loss when the program is closed on my computer. What does it do? ActiveWords permits you to create simple keystrokes to do any of the following actions: replace text, open a file, open a folder, go to a URL, or open a program. ActiveWords has a nifty productivity monitor, too, and it tells me I’m saving myself close to 3 hours per month by using ActiveWords. I add to that the reduced stress and hand usage that accompanies ActiveWords use, and urge every PC user to get it.
Jott
As their tagline says, “Turn your words into action.” Jott gives you the ability to dictate notes via your cell phone, which are instantly transcribed and delivered to you as a text email message. I use it constantly when out and about (walking my dog, for example) to capture ideas and reminders, anytime/anywhere, knowing they'll be waiting for me back at my computer. Their free service does all this, and the features go up from there with paid options. Can't live without it, myself.
VisualThesaurus
I've never been able to write without recourse to a thesaurus. VisualThesaurus is that and more; submit your word and it will create a fabulous visual display for that word. They offer a 14 day free trial, and I'm guessing you may be hooked once you try it.
Sharing calendars, contacts and documents remotely
MobileMe (for Macs)
Yes, it allows remote users to share and update calendars, contacts and documents seamlessly. It can be used between a Mac user and a PC user, or between two Macs (and also PDAs). Any updates on MobileMe are instantly synced to the MAC , and vice versa. It takes a bit of time and tech support to set it up to work right, but once it's up, it does the job.
Google Calendar
This is a great simple online calendar feature, allowing control of access for diverse remote users. I particularly like the easy online interface and colorful formatting tools.
SharePoint
If you want to be able to update client or other remote calendars instantaneously from within your Outlook account, and also allow them to do the same from their computer/Outlook account, this is my favorite way to. I use SharePoint inexpensively with Commerce Street 's SharePointHosting service to share and sync calendars and contacts and share documents.
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Marketing
Constant Contact
Get people’s permission to market to them, send these targeted prospects and clients valuable information on a regular basis, and you’re building long-term relationships to sell your products and services. Constant Contact is my favorite way to send these email messages / newsletters.
Bloglines
So many blogs, so little time. And yet blogs have become a crucial source of information, community, (and entertainment), and a key component of the ‘new media marketing.’ How to keep track of all the blogs you want to follow? RSS Feed is the technology, and my preferred way to receive my Feeds is Bloglines. I add blogs I’m following to my Bloglines page, and can see all new postings and saved postings.
Speaking of blogging, my experience is with TypePad. They are true to their tagline, Create the blog you want in minutes. Of course, there’s also Blogger and other services. Blogs are simple to set up, and potentially powerful tools in your marketing arsenal. If you want to learn who’s blogging out there on any subject, Technorati is a directory of blogs. Check it out.
Twitter
Want to microblog? Yes, with Twitter, you can post tiny messages (from your computer, from your cell phone, from anywhere); and with a Facebook add-on, they will also post to your Facebook account. What’s Twitter? I like this description on their site from Nicholas Carr, Author and Technologist, who writes: “Twitter is the telegraph system of Web 2.0”.
Facebook
No longer the domain of teens and other young types, Facebook is now used by businesses from solo entrepreneurs to large enterprises for business purposes. Are you there yet?
LinkedIn
There was a time when LinkedIn was hot, and then it became a dull second to Facebook, but over time, it has solidified itself as a significant business directory and networking site. If I want to learn about someone, I am as apt to Google and find them on LinkedIn as anywhere else; and if they’ve posted a substantial listing, I can learn who they are, what they’re working on and working towards, and once I link to them, get linked to all their connections. There are groups to join as well. Get LinkedIn or get lost, I say.
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Business Systems
Quicken Home & Business
I'm often surprised how many solopreneuers do not have easy access to financial records, either about their business or their personal lives. Knowing where you stand financially, with up-to-date records, is, to my mind, a pillar of business and personal success. If your business is large enough, you may be ready for QuickBooks or other financial accounting systems. But I've found that Quicken Home & Business has worked for my business (and home) over many years. I invoice there, maintain separate business and personal accounts, run easy reports on income and expenses, prepare for tax season in hours, and even download and reconcile all my financial information from credit card and bank accounts directly into Quicken.
On this topic, a word of advice on Online Bill Pay and Auto Bill Pay:
If you are not already paying your bills online, do not pass go, do not collect $200, just sign up now and do it. Not only do you save on postage and paper checks, but it is fast and simple and you can do it from any computer. At the same time, put as many of your bills on auto pay as you can. Both these measures take some upfront time, but the saving in time, energy, and money is completely worth it.
TraxTime
I tell my clients with whom I work ‘on the clock’ that I only bill them for the time I’m working on their business, and TraxTime is how I can do this effortlessly. If you have any reason to track your time – whether for billing purposes or just to know how and where your time is spent -TraxTime is a tiny, powerful piece of
software you’ll want to use.
Skype
Many people know Skype as the online phone service permitting you to ‘Skype’, i.e., call people for free anywhere in the world, using Skype accounts. Far fewer know that Skype also offers a very low price service to call from your computer to any landline anywhere in the world. It’s now how I make all my international calls. All I need is a headset, my computer, and an internet connection, and I can call long distance for as low as 2.1 cents/minute (India and Australia, for example, in the fall of 2008). They’re constantly offering new features, including cell phone usage, so keep checking in on them. (Did you know that with Pamela, a Skype add-on, you can record calls for free on Skype? People I know swear by it. Haven’t tried it yet, myself.)
Chat/IM with Skype
Yes, you can also use Skype to chat/IM anyone else who has a Skype account. I am not a huge fan of IM, but sometimes, it is the fastest way to get my – or someone else’s – attention, and in the deluge of email, a quick message can be a great magnet for focus and action.
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Creating Products and Services
FreeConference
Whether you want to set up a bridge line for a teleconference, teleseminar, or multi-party business call – or, as I do, have a ‘virtual lunch/breakfast’ meeting with colleagues around the country on a monthly basis - FreeConference is as good as it gets, and yes, their free service is outstanding. (They also offer recording options, and other paid services, depending on your needs.)
GMR Transcription Services
If you’re speaking or teaching, turning audio into written text to sell as product requires transcription. GMR have been quick, professional, and reliable and have competitive rates.
Telephone Bridge Services
If you want to rent a dedicated bridge line (yours to use for the duration of the contract), I’ve had excellent service with Telephone Bridge Services. Their lines include options for recording and more.
Lulu
For self-publishing, Lulu has been my gem. A beautiful book product, a deliverable on-demand model, access to your very own storefront to sell your book, registering with an ISBN, and access to Amazon and other on-line booksellers, are all included for a very low price.
Angel Editing
When you’ve finished your manuscript, turn to these folks for formatting; they’ll do the job with lightening turnaround speed, multiple revisions, and the result will be a formatted, PDF file that meets all the requirements for Lulu publishing and looks great and professional.
SoundForge AudioStudio
Want to edit audio files? SoundForge’s AudioStudio is a simple, inexpensive option.
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For the Fun of It
Picnik
Okay, I don’t actually use this one yet, but my teen daughter takes photos, adds jazzy colored text, and the results are fabulous. It’s free and easy and I can’t wait to try it myself.
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