This morning I was interviewed by Carley Knobloch from Mother Craft Coaching on how I balance entrepreneurial life and being a mom (a whole series of blog topic potential here). Carley asked me about my favorite technologies that make life easier. I loved this question and decided to share my favorites here:
1. Log Me In allows me to connect and work from my desktop computer from anywhere. I can login from a coffee shop, a hotel, while on a trip or even pool-side (like that happens often!) and I’m able to work from my desktop as if I were sitting at my desk. Indespensable!
2. For social media, I use Tweetdeck to manage my Twitter activity. This free downloadable client tool allows me to monitor Twitter streams, create groups to track my favorite Tweeters, easily reply and retweet, and a whole bunch of other cool features.
3. Another social media tool that I can’t live without is Hootsuite, which allows me to schedule posts and send them out to all of my social media profiles (with the help of ping.fm).
4. To track my favorite keywords on Twitter (my business name, personal name, book titles, etc.), I use Socialoomph. This site sends me a daily email digest with all of my keyword terms. It’s also useful for setting up auto-follow (automatically follow back those who follow you on Twitter) and a bunch of other really cool features.
5. To manage event registration, I love Eventbrite. This service handles ticket registration for free or paid events, processes payments and gives me a central place to manage my attendee list.
6. For phone services, I use Grasshopper (formerly GotVMail). For about $10 per month, I have a toll-free phone number with a phone tree that allows me to route calls to various team members or to wherever I may be. Voice mails are also sent via email and there is a new feature that converts messages to text for quick viewing from email (or from my Blackberry).
7. I’ve used eFax for years. I can send or receive faxes from virtually anywhere. (Are you seeing a theme here? Good technology provides a lot of freedom!)
8. Ditto for Stamps.com. It’s incredibly easy to print postage and track the status of packages.
9. For my Blackberry, I find all kinds of cool apps and tools at Crackberry. My current favorite is the LED light application that blinks in different colors if I have a text message, voice mail, missed call, etc.
10. For blogging, I have to give props to Typepad. Though I also use WordPress for this blog that you’re reading now, I have some other projects that I’ve been testing on Typepad. It’s incredibly user-friendly with some cool plug-ins that enhance the whole experience. Both are great tools and each has its share of pros and cons, but if you’re looking for something easy, give Typepad a try.
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November 10th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Stephanie,
Still love how you offer good information and keep it straightforward with low spin (and without overwhelming anyone) I use most of those on your list and have come to appreciate both Log Me In and Grasshopper. (still have Chocolate Grasshoppers no the counter…. getting up the guts).
Looking forward to your next article.
PS
I will add though: Personal Brain from http://www.thebrain.com has saved the day for me as it organizes, mind maps, and so much more… all for free.