Loralees’ ToolBox Checklist
Running an online business can get really complicated. We often sign up for way too many programs, our laptops get cluttered & it’s hard to remember passwords. It can get super complicated. I wish I could suggest using just a small handful of tools to run your business online – 1 single out of the box solution. But I can’t. Instead, I can give you my list of tools that play well together. And most of them are already on your computer today, so you don’t need to take the time installing extra programs. I recommend spending a bit of time this week familiarizing yourself with each of these. It will save you time later this month. (this is for my PC readers) Preinstalled on all Vista and Windows 7 computers
Windows Live email Windows Live Calendar Windows Live Writer Windows Live Movie Maker Snipping Tool Calculator Paint Sticky Notes Microsoft Office Word Starter Microsoft Office Excel Starter Skype Adobe Reader
Browser
Mozilla Firefox (syncs your folders if you use more than one computer)
Chrome (as a backup plan)
Checklist
Data Protection & Storage
SugarSync to backup & easily share files with your team, clients and your other devices AVG Free 2012 (free antivirus software) runs efficiently, doesn’t slow your computer down
Windows Sky Drive (25 GB storage online) Tools for your Toolbox: your for Tools www.LoraleeHutton.com work… live…Anywhere… 1
Productivity
Simpleology – time management tool Evernote – free version to keep track of all of your notes Adobe Reader – up to date version join.me (no membership required, just bookmark it and use it when you when you need help from a friend or to work with a client) Jing by Techsmith (communicate your message quickly – to VA’s tech support, friends or clients) Skydrive – free PowerPoint, Word, Excel and OneNote
Social Media & Customer building tools
Facebook (for secret groups, page and profile) Twitter (sign up for a basic account with your full name if you don’t have it already) Hootsuite (to manage your social media) free account is enough for simple social media management
Other
PDF995 or CutePDF (have this installed on your computer in advance so you can print any document as a PDF) Fax Zero for sending faxes anytime Mailchimp (or any other program for collecting emails, and sending group messages) WordPress (installed on your own server, not at WordPress.com) Hostgator for website hosting (use coupon code “ loraleehutton “ for a great discount)
Money from Customers and to Suppliers
Accounting software (you choose – Wave Accounting, Mint or QuickBooks)
Paypal – upgrade to the Business account (the free version)
Optional
Meetingburner.com or AnytimeMeeting.com for webinars, or even 1-1 meetings with a client Checklist Free Conference Call HD.com (upload music, automatic recordings and people can call in by skype)
Tools for your Toolbox: your for Tools www.LoraleeHutton.com work… live…Anywhere… 2