We adhere to the philosophy espoused in the title of the Luther Vandross-Janet Jackson duet, The Best Things in Life Are Free. For me, the mindset has become so strong that I like to call myself The Queen of Free. It’s a mindset that has caused me to visit 7-Eleven for a free Slurpee on July 11.
This money-saving radar is a necessary sensory attitude for small business owners to develop. In addition to helping with the bottom line, this attitude helps your small business in other ways, such as with efficiency and productivity and the ability to do more with less. In addition, some of these items will give you a more professional edge and position your business to compete in a bigger arena. Here are some of LGK’s favorite “free stuff” finds, in alphabetical order.
Audacity – audio editing software
Awesome Screenshot – full-screenshot capture, annotation and sharing app
Bitdefender – computer security software
BlogTalkRadio – podcasting platform
Buffer – social media and blog sharing app
Canva – graphics tool
Card Munch – business card to address book converter
DropBox – cloud storage and file sharing system
Freshbooks – time tracking and invoicing system
Google – docs, calendar, images, alerts
Hootsuite – social media management tool
Hubspot Marketing Grader – website, blog, social media and SEO grader
LogMeIn – collaboration software utilizing screen shares
Pocket – web article app for future reading
Polldaddy – website, blog and online polling tool
QuickBooks – accounting software
Roboform – password management and form filler app
Speek – new-school conference call and collaboration system
SurveyMonkey – online survey tool
WavePad/Video Pad – audio and video editing software
WolframAlpha – knowledge engine
WordPress.com – blogging platform
WuFoo – form builder for websites
Wunderlist – collaboration-via-lists app
Most of these items are completely free for all of the features. Some have paid add-ons or monthly fees to access advanced features, which you may not need. Some offer a free trial. But the key word here is free, so we’ll have to disagree with author Robert Heinlein’s pessimistic view of the world.
There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch.
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, 1996, Robert Heinlein
Please reveal your free and money-saving apps and tips with us and I’ll share them in a future blog.
Leisa Chester Weir
For daily marketing communications news, subscribe to LGK’s free, online, MarCom Digest.