This year, I’m focusing on my one big goal – and that’s to grow my online business, build a bigger and better community, and to connect with entrepreneurs and bloggers all over the world.
There’s nothing more inspiring than connecting with other successful people, and hearing how they overcame their financial struggles and can now help others to do the same.
To do that you need some serious tools and resources so you can learn all the ins-and-outs of running a successful business online. Here are my favorite tools and resources to help get you started towards making your business a massive success in 2013!
For the (un)Organized Entrepreneur
How to Design the Ultimate Home Office, from Hassan Osman ($9.95 eBook). Do you have an unorganized, cluttered work space? This is one of my favorite books for learning how to make the most of your space. Packed with efficiency tools, layouts, basic steps for designing and maintaining a clutter free work space. The guide is very easy to read and filled with pictures, prices and the direct links to products, that Hassan actually uses, so you don’t have to waste your time researching.
Getting Rid of It, from Betsy and Warren Talbot (Kindle: $4.99 Print: $7.99). Did you know the average person spends one year of their life looking for lost things? In this “intervention” of a book, you learn practical steps to getting rid of stuff. But it’s more than that, not only is it a step-by-step guide, this book addresses the emotional and peer pressures of decluttering and why we accumulate stuff.
For the Writing & Blogging Freelancer
A Writers Bucket List, from Dana Sitar ($9.95 book). Dana had no idea how to be a writer, but she wrote a book on how to be a writer anyway. No more overwhelming how-to-be-a-writer books, this book is the go-to for not just writing, but creating anything in general. This book offers “99 things to do for inspiration, education, and experience before your writing kicks the bucket”.
Rockstar Blogging, from Shannyn Allen ($24+ eBook). Everybody loves free stuff, but how about $1K in free products, sponsorships and fans all for your blog? This guide has it. But more impressively, the know-how to get noticed by brands you love and how to pitch to them. No matter what your blog topic, big or small, this is the guide to get noticed!
Successful Freelance Writing Online, from Tom Ewer ($47 eBook). Tom Ewer writes an awesome book about how to launch or elevate your freelance business further all by writing for blogs. This book tackles the issues of how to set your rates, attract new well paying reputable clients, and of course how to make more money. I’m even featured in the book!
The Ultimate List of Better Paying Blogging Gigs, from Sophie Lizard (Free PDF). I’ve used Sophie’s tips and advice (and even interviewed her on the blog) for building my successful freelance business. This guide offers a giant list of sites and blogs that will pay you $50 or more per article you write for them. It’s packed with other tips like how to format, how to really impress the editor and more!
Tribe Writer, from Jeff Goins (eCourse). Jeff’s course is about how to find your “tribe”. How to really EARN your readers attention through four simple steps. He teaches how to build content, find your voice to really speak to your audience, getting your name and website awareness and how to get published.
For the Social Media Strategist
Drive Traffic and New Leads with Social Media, from Natalie Sisson ($247 eCourse). Social media is one of the most powerful ways to build your brand. This easy to follow tutorial courses help build a strong and lasting platform to get your message heard and stand out against others. Even if you’re familiar with social media and how to use it, Natalie shows there’s always something more to learn to propel you to the next level.
How to Create a Freakin’ Fabulous Social Media Strategy, from Alexis Grant ($59 eBook). Become a social media hero for your boss or client! Alexis is a digital genius who’s passionate about making a life on her own terms (check out her interview). This guide will help you craft a winning social marketing strategy so you can reach your big goals. It even includes a sample strategy so you can see how one digital strategist puts all the pieces together.
Use Social Media to Get Freelance Gigs, from Carol Tice ($197 4-week bootcamp). If you’re overwhelmed by social media and not sure how to get a foothold for your freelance business, this 4-week class covers everything. How to use social media to market and grab new prospective clients. Carol gives real-time tips in her interactive sessions, making it quick and easy to understand and to follow by example. (sign-ups are currently full)
For the Networking Genius
Thrive Hive, from SidekickPM and Kickstart Kitchen. ($10/month private forum). Thrive Hive, an online community, is your total entrepreneurial cockpit for women entrepreneurs who are serious about growing their business and spreading the word about what they do. With speaking opportunities, live video chats with experts and more, Thrive Hive is the place for women who: thrive on collaboration, want a fertile testing ground for new product and service ideas/launches and to learn from other successful entrepreneurs who’ve been where they want to go.
The Freelancers Club, from Careful Cents ($20/month private forum). An exclusive club I created for solopreneurs, freelancers and self-employed people looking to maximize their business. We share tips, advice and questions for creating work-life balance, increasing revenue and all the other things that come with being your own boss! Sign up for the email list to get a personal invitation!
For the Goal-Driven Entrepreneur
Ass Kicking Action Method, from Kickstart Kitchen ($37 course). Reaching business goals doesn’t happen just by writing them down. Anyone can set goals, but the trick to making your big goals a reality is having a plan, taking consistent daily action on that plan, and being accountable for producing results. JOIN THE TRIBE of women entrepreneurs, and make this the year that you stop dreaming about it and start doing it! You’ll get the 10 Step Guide and the Workbook. Plus, you’ll receive 52 Action Strategies delivered to your inbox over the next year.
Make Sh*t Happen, from Jenny Blake (eCourse). This 10-week course, inspires you to know that whatever idea you’re hoping to launch, you’ve got the skills to accomplish it! Jenny packs support, material and structure into this course to help you make real headway on your idea. Very straightforward, no-frills advice and tools for making IT happen.
Live Off Your Passion, from Scott Dinsmore ($197 eCourse). Featured in Ted Talks, Live Off Your Passion is nothing short of a miracle. Literally helping 100’s of people. It’s far from a “leave your job and start over” guide, Scott teaches you how to quit your job and all the hardships that come with it to find, launch, support and progress your passion to whole new limits!
Location Rebel from Sean Ogle ($297 program). “Everything you need to work from anywhere.” This is an online program that gives you the tools to run your business from anywhere and how to make money on the go. Regardless if you want to travel or not, this book will still give you valuable means to improve you life. Once signed up there are interviews to watch that are concise and to the point. Blueprints on what exactly to do, how to find clients and all the skills you need with the resources to learn them. And a forum that is filled with helpful folks to support you and answer any questions.
For the Unconventional Thinker
App Academy, from Benny Hsu ($97 course). If you have an idea for an app but no idea where to start, the App Academy is what you need. Benny made almost $17,000 in one week of his FIRST app launch! You will learn the tricks he discovered and use these ideas to rise to the top, even if you have no experience in app creation – at all. He teaches how to develop your ideas, outsource it, how to look good and be found in the app store, and everything in between.
Start a Blog That Matters, from Corbett Barr ($97 weekly sessions). This course contains 13 weekly lessons to guide you through starting a blog that matters over the next 90 days. You’ll start with choosing a great topic and setting up your blog and end with building your audience and spreading your influence. Whether your goal is to build a business around your blog or just to have fun with it (or both), this course will build a great foundation for your blog.
For the Financially Conscious Entrepreneur
Make it Rain, from Caleb Wojcik (10-week Course). This 10-week course is the class we should’ve had in college or high school. This 10-step weekly checklist teaches you how to take command of your money. Maybe you don’t know where to start when it comes to money, or you’re on the right track and want to make maximize what you’re saving and earning, this is the class is for everyone. Oh, and if you sign up for the course, 25% of it goes to help build clean water wells in Africa.
The Mint Manual, from Tim Murphy ($29 eBook). Finally there’s a step-by-step guide that will save you tons of time and headache trying to figure out how Mint.com works. Tim doesn’t just do the cut and dry tips either – he includes screenshots, secret tips and even a cheat sheet. He also uses his own finances as examples and even displays a few super nerd sections (that you can skip if you’re not a business nerd like I am).
31 Days to Improve Your Financial Life, by PT Money (FREE resource). Don’t let this blog post fool you. Not only is it free and open to anyone, it’s full of epic information, actionable tips and resources for you to turn your financial life around – in just 31 days! And Phil Taylor (PT) doesn’t just share stuff from his own blog, he shares links to top financial blogs on the internet.
What kind of entrepreneur are you? Name one online tool or product you’ve used to make your business better!
[All the items listed are products I use personally. Some of them are affiliate links, which means I'll earn a small commission at no cost to you! However, the opinions here are my own.]
- Get access to exclusive content, not published anywhere else.
- Tips on getting organized and being more efficient.
- Advice on building a business around your life.
- A personal invite to the Freelancers Club!
I'm an ex-small business accountant who aims to help freelancers get out of debt and organize their life. And through the recently launched 
