In the spirit of Oprah’s Favorite Things being curbed this year, below are the home business owner’s list of not only favorite, but essential goods and services. While they may not be as flashy, or be delivered on a silver platter, or adorned with a big red bow, they are equally as pleasing when used effectively. Pleasing because you, the home business owner, are given the benefits of extra time, money, and happiness to share as you will.
1.The first is the Blackberry or iPhone.
Be in the know no matter where you are! Have all means of communication in your pants pocket or purse wherever you go. Over the summer I found a new appreciation for this when ditching the office to go hiking. Caring my Blackberry in my backpack I was able to answer emails and return calls whenever I needed a rest. There is the other aspect of the Blackberry in allowing you to escape the home and still feel as though you are being productive.
2.Constant Contact & Quick Books Online: take your marketing and accounting departments with you! Market your products/services from anywhere! Constant Contact holds all of your contacts in one place where you can create an email marketing campaign and send out from wherever work takes you. Potential customers sign up to be on your mailing list from your website, blog, and store. You can also enter in contacts from current customers, vendors, friends, and family who have consented to receiving your email. Constant Contact has a stellar reputation with email clients making your emails more likely to wind up in the Inbox vs. the Junk Mail, while still allowing you to mail out in bulk. You can also target the emails to specific customers and then track the results.
Biznik - Startup Nation - Facebook - Myspace - Twitter - Odeo… plus more and more are showing up everyday. Catch the wave and enjoy. My favorite is Biznik. Why? Biznik encourages the independent business owner to get out and meet people; to network in person, not just in chat rooms. Nothing can replace meeting face to face with a colleague, potential customer, or mentor.
7.Roku and Netflix - workout videosCan’t get to the gym… is it raining outside? Netflix has workout videos that play through Roku so you can stop working at any moment and start working out!
8. Office Space- portable, away from distractions, and pleasing.
Create a space that you want to be in with materials that allow you to take your office on the road. I use portable file folders and have comfortable, fashionable bag to tote my work along with me to meetings, coffee shops, and social gatherings.
Free, free, free! Downloading Open Office is like finding ten bucks in your coat pocket you forgot you had. Open Office provides it’s users with great tools for their businesses at a great price.
