One of the great things about using the right tool is it makes your work easier. As I learn and master more tools I will add them here to help your blog too. Most of these resources have a free version that will allow you to test it first before purchasing additional features. With each tool, I have tried to give you some tips from my experience. In some cases, I have provided links to my favorite resources to help you get started. Please let me know about your experience because there is always something more we can learn.
Disclosure – Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, which means, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. Even though I may earn a small commission there is no additional cost to you and I appreciate your support. I have experience with all of these tools and companies, and I am recommending them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something. So please do not spend any money on these products unless you need them or you believe they will help you achieve your goals.
Website Tools
Blue Host: You can’t run an internet business without a website. Blue Host is the only web provider I have ever used. There are many options for web hosts, but Blue Host makes starting and installing WordPress very simple. I used Michael Hyatt’s guide when I set up a new site.
SumoMe: This is a great company with many tools for using your website. Everything from list building to tracking website statistics and social sharing tools. They also integrate with most major email providers.
Social Media
Buffer : I use this tool every day. It allows you to schedule your social media posts so you don’t flood your followers. Buffer will even tell you what times are best for your posts to get maximum engagement. Buffer makes it easy to share links to your favorite sources and provide valuable information to your audience.
Twitter : This is my social media of choice. I feel most comfortable using Twitter because it is short communication and I can quickly check in to see what is new with the people I follow. The mobile app is very well done so I most often use it right from my phone and rarely log in from a computer.
ManageFlitter : There are a number of tools to help you use your social media accounts. ManageFlitter is a great tool for reviewing your followers. You can easily get some statistics about each of them and clean up who you follow to make sure you are getting seeing the tweets you want to see.
Other Software Tools
Evernote: I store as many things as I can in Evernote. Everything from meeting notes to pictures the kids make at school. If I want to remember it I put it in here. I am not the most organized person and that is why Evernote is so great. It’s like opening the junk drawer and whatever you are looking for is right on the top. Yerka!
Mail Chimp : This is another tool that can grow with your needs. Mail Chimp is my email service that delivers your weekly email and helps track my subscribers. It takes a little time to learn the tools but they have a step by step process and a large help system.
Kindle: I use the Kindle app on my Ipad to read most books. Not only do I always have the books with me but I can take notes and highlight things to remember. Our local library allows me to check out Kindle books as well so I can read even more books without haveing to buy every one of them.
Keeper: One day I lost my mind. I couldn’t remember any passwords and they all got scrambled in my head. I have been using Keeper ever since. As an Internet business, you have to have a lot of logins you need to have a way to manage them and use safe passwords. I have the Chrome extension and now I only have to remember one password.
Hardware
Every accountant has to have a 10-key calculator on their desk. I always use a Sharp EL2192RII Standard Function Calculator