5 Productivity Tools for Self-Employed Internet Entrepreneurs

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/287575
by Nathan Resnick

Technology can offer you many helping hands.


Image credit: GetResponse

JANUARY 23, 2017

For many, working for themselves online is a dream come true. Not only are they able to choose clients, manage responsibilities and work how, when and where they want, but the overall sense of empowerment that comes through being their own boss is a feeling that’s second to none.

In the words of Sir Isaac Newton, however, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” So, while working from the comforts of a home office in pajamas might seem like an irresistible offer, taking to the internet to make a living has its downsides, too. Chalk it up to the frustrations of client management, being solely responsible for the success or demise of your digital business or struggling to focus while working alone from a personal computer, being self-employed is one of those things that’s easier said than done.

Fortunately, there are a number of tools available to lend a helping hand. Nowadays, as far as keeping yourself as productive as possible is concerned, there are more than enough high-quality resources to keep you on task. Care to check ‘em out? Below, you’ll find five of the best:

1. GetResponse.

If you’re looking to boost your inbound marketing efforts, GetResponse is for you. This marketing automation software makes it extremely easy to create online sales funnels that convert.

Whether you’re looking to create an email marketing drip campaign or a robust webinar, GetResponse has a full suite of software that can automate your funnel. When it comes to being an internet entrepreneur, this type of tool can make the difference between a high grossing month and a loss.

It makes sense. No matter your money-making niche or area of expertise, countless emails are constantly being sent and received. As such, why not make email a more effective marketing tool with a top-notch, first-rate automation platform? With one in place, your business stands to benefit.

2. Slack.

While there are bound to be a number of Skype, Fleep and HipChat proponents who read this post, Slack is hands down the best messaging software available to self-employed entrepreneurs. When used correctly, it acts as the key component of your team’s internal communication.

And don’t go thinking it’s just another messaging program. The beauty of Slack is that it’s able to integrate with other productivity tools like Trello (see below) or Jira. Furthermore, with Slack, file-sharing is a drag-and-drop activity. Afterwards, everything is organized and searchable.

3. WorkFlowMax.

Real-time communication is nice and all, but for a more robust means of enhanced productivity, project management plays the most important role. Yup, you guessed it -- this is where WorkFlowMax stakes its claim as the simplest, most straightforward job management software on the market.

Getting beyond the unnecessary bells and whistles of most job management platforms, what distances WorkFlowMax from the rest of its competitors is its unique, cloud-based interface. Representing vital tasks, team members can send instant quotes and easily track time spent working on projects. This enables an internet entrepreneur to streamline the process of invoicing through trackable time. The platform also integrates with world class software solutions like Xero for accounting and Hubspot for marketing.

4. Evernote.

If you’ve taken the entrepreneurial plunge and are now working for yourself, you’ve likely heard of Evernote. And with good reason -- it's a game-changing resource. For example, have you ever read or seen something online you felt could greatly change your business for the better? Of course you have. But bound by an endless to-do list, you’re likely to either forget where you found the top-tier tidbit, the message it transmitted or the impact you originally felt it could have on your business. Needless to say, none of these options will work.

Luckily, as a cross-platform, note-taking program, Evernote makes remembering important information a breeze. Whether it be formatted text, a full webpage, voice memo or photograph, Evernote takes jotting down notes to a whole new level. Don’t bypass this one-of-a-kind tool.

Related: 10 Steps for All-Around Optimizing Your Business

5. If This, Then That (IFTTT)

Time is a businessperson’s most valuable asset. Think about it. No amount of entrepreneurial brilliance can recoup the precious hours and minutes that’ve been lost. Simply put, once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. No time-saving tool understands this better than IFTTT.

IFTTT stands for “If This, Then That.” Basically, IFTTT is a web-based service that allows self-employed entrepreneurs to create chains of simple, task-oriented statements that incorporate a host of popular tools. The result? Automation kicks into high gear, saving you some serious time.

For example, let’s say that yours is a business that relies heavily on Facebook for marketing means. Using IFTTT, the moment someone likes a photo your business posted, you can set things up to receive an email notification and automatically download said photo to DropBox.

Twitter, Instagram, MailChimp, Spotify and even Alexa -- if there’s a tool you’re routinely using during the workday, there’s an incredibly high chance that IFTTT is able to use it to help you build out a more meaningful, streamlined working experience.

This list doesn’t contain many surprises. Time and time again, each of the above tools has proven themselves invaluable for the self-employed. If you work for yourself, you owe it to your business to give them a try. You’ll be glad you did.

Nathan Resnick is a serial entrepreneur who currently serves as CEO of Sourcify, a marketplace of the world's top manufacturers. Having brought dozens of products to life, he knows the ins and outs of how to turn ideas into realities. 

12 Tools for Running Your Business From Anywhere in the World (Infographic)

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/286131
by Jonathan Long

Internet access is transforming how companies recruit talent and how tolerant employees are of commutes. The right tools make everyone happier

Telecommuting and working remotely was once reserved for trendy Silicon Valley based startups, but these days it’s more of a common occurrence. In fact, 37 percent of Americans worked from home last year. 

It has benefits both sides love -- the company gets to reduce operating costs and the employee eliminates long commutes, providing them with more personal and family time. The internet is entirely responsible for how businesses operate these days. Whether you operate a large company with hundreds of employees, or you are a solopreneur building a small team, you can leverage online tools and software to run your business from anywhere in the world. There are no geographical limitations, provided you have an internet connection.

There are several options when it comes to cloud-based tools and SaaS (software-as-a-service) applications, so Wabash Power Equipment Company put together the infographic below to highlight twelve useful online tools that can be used to run a remote business from any location in the world.

14 Free Tools Every Solopreneur Needs

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/287942
by LUCINDA HONEYCUTT

These apps and digital tools help reduce the time a solopreneur has to spend on mundane tasks.


Image credit: Shutterstock

Solopreneurs are in a class by themselves. Given all the typical pressure of an entrepreneur that they're under, and the fact that they have little-to-no outside assistance, solopreneurs need tools to help them reduce the time they spend on mundane tasks.

Additional free time, after all, is a godsend: It allows solopreneurs to maximize their time and creative potential for tasks that actually help their businesses grow.

So, if you're one of those besieged solopreneurs, here are some suggested tools:

1. WiseStamp

WiseStamp makes it remarkably easy to create a professional email signature that will show your picture and automatically give recipients all your contact information, including links to your website and social media pages. There are several ways to customize the process that are all entirely free. For additional options, the site offers a yearly subscription.

2. Workflow Max

Workflow Max offers everything you need in a single integrated platform. This tool can be used on the computer or on whatever smart device you prefer. You can handle everything from lead and client management, to invoicing and time sheets, job costing, purchase orders and more. There are more than 30 add-ons you can use to adjust the workflow as needed.

3. Zapier

Zapier lets you automate tasks easily by teaching more than 750 apps to work together. The free plan allows you to build individual connections and create basic automation, while the premium plan allows greater customization of the automation processes.

4. Shake

Shake by Legal Shield provides free templates that can be filled in with your specific information and sent to clients or collaborators to sign electronically and return. There is absolutely no cost when you use one of Shake's free templates, or you can upgrade to the monthly plan to make extensive customizations. For most people just starting out, the free plan will be more than sufficient.

5. Square

Square gives you the ability to take secure payments anywhere you are and has zero fees to get set up. The company will send interested individuals the hardware that attaches to a smart device for free and then keeps 2.75 percent of any transaction that is completed. This gives solopreneurs the ability to accept debit and credit cards from wherever they have the opportunity to make a sale.

6. Adobe Spark

If you’ve read anything about using social media to grow your business, you already know how important it is to have high-quality graphics that are designed for the platform you are using. Adobe Spark lets you do this for free. The premade templates are sized appropriately for whichever platform you are designing for, and the site also gives you the ability to create stunning video with virtually no prior experience.

7. Hootsuite

Hootsuite makes managing all of your social media accounts as easy as delegating the process to a virtual assistant. The free version lets you connect three social media accounts, schedule messaging and see basic analytics information. Plans are available for people who need to organize more accounts and for those who already have a team.

8. GetResponse

Email marketing and connecting to prospective clients through those efforts is incredibly important to effectively grow your business. GetResponse helps businesses do this for as little as $15 per month and includes 1,000 subscribers. As the business grows, higher-tier levels are available within the service. Every company, no matter how small, can benefit from gorgeously designed functional email marketing. Plus, you get landing pages and marketing automation, too. Higher-tier plans include additional features, like webinars, Salesforce integration and campaign consulting.

9. Grammarly

Solopreneurs often begin by doing everything themselves, including writing their own copy for email, social media, website pages and advertising materials. This is an effective way to keep initial costs low, but not all solopreneurs have the requisite skill set to write beautiful copy. Grammarly evens the playing field by catching grammatical and punctuation mistakes often overlooked by word processor applications. The free version also allows you to check for plagiarism, to make sure nothing you’ve read for research accidentally makes its way into your finished product. The upgrade option catches more details.

10. WiseIntro

WiseIntro is a free way to build your online presence without any startup costs. As you gain traction and need more options, it is easy to upgrade to one of the tool's monthly plans to unlock additional features. This is an especially good choice for solopreneurs. This is because of the strong visual component they have to their work and their need to show prospective clients exactly what they can do while still avoiding -- at this early stage -- having to pay a graphic designer to create a custom website.

11. Sighted

Sighted is an online invoicing tool perfect for freelancers and solopreneurs. The free plan is perfect for a small business, offering 20 invoices per month in multiple currencies, for up to 10 clients. As the business scales, paid plans (starting at $4.99 a month) allow for unlimited invoices, expenses and 100 or more clients. All plans feature the ability to accept online payments and include a profit and loss report to make tax time a little easier.

12. Evernote

Evernote is a place to store all of those ideas, pictures, mind maps and other assorted information that you want to remember. It can be accessed from a smart device or computer, and when you input something in one location, it will be available from all of your devices instantly. This is a great tool for any planning you do on the go, and it comes with a ton of free storage. If you find yourself relying on it as an extension of your own memory, you can upgrade to a plan with more storage.

13. Portent Title Maker

Everyone gets stuck with creating a catchy title for a blog post or article at some point. Portent’s Title Maker takes your keyword and turns it into an interesting heading to give you a jumping-off point for your next piece of content. This tool can even help generate ideas for newsletters, brochures and emails.

14. Assistant.to

Just because you are a solopreneur doesn’t mean you want to do every single task for yourself. Most businesses owners would agree that having a secretary to take care of details is essential. Unfortunately, it isn’t affordable for everyone just starting out. Assistant.to sets up your appointments by working with your email recipient, automatically adjusting time zones and even rescheduling meetings if something comes up.

Companies have found that by offering a limited version of their services to small businesses and solopreneurs, they are able to develop lasting business relationships that will grow over time.

Then, as their business demands increase, loyal users are more willing to pay for services they have begun to depend on. Take advantage of this marketing tactic yourself, and put it to work for your business today.

What is a social enterprise?

http://ethicalhour.co.uk/social-enterprise/

Social enterprise is a business model that balances making a profit with a social purpose. It is a more ethical and sustainable way of doing business. The core mission of a social enterprise business plan is to create positive impact and improve society.

Unlike charities or not-for profits, these socially responsible businesses still make profit and aim to grow independently to increase their impact.

There is no legal definition of social enterprise. They trade in different sectors and industries around the world with the intention of using business as a force for good to have a positive impact on community problems.

In simple terms, a social enterprise can be defined as a business that reinvests profits into its social or environmental mission, rather than stakeholder gain.

This handy infographic explains the different types of social purpose businesses:

“What is a social purpose business?” infographic from Pinterest, author unknown.

Private businesses are owned by shareholders and exist to make a profit for those who own shares in the company. They may engage in “Corporate Social Responsibility” activities, such as supporting chosen charities or implementing sustainability policies to reduce waste. Many businesses and corporations take CSR very seriously, but their primary mission in this traditional business model is to make profit.

The difference between private corporations and social enterprises is that social enterprise businesses reinvest their profits with their primary focus on social or environmental impact.

Alternatively, traditional charity and not-for-profit business models focus purely on addressing social need. Charities traditionally raise money to fund their social mission through grants and donations and are eligible for some tax reliefs, whereas social enterprises raise money through trade – by selling products or services, and pay the same taxes as for-profit corporations (depending on their legal structure).

The truth is, there’s a sliding scale of socially responsible businesses. The marketplace for ethical business is growing, with the value of ethical consumer spending growing to £38 billion in the UK in 2015 – an average growth of 8.5%. According to Social Enterprise UK, there are around 70,000 social enterprises in the UK alone.

How to define a social enterprise:

The term “social enterprise” refers to the purpose of the business, not its legal structure. The UK Government define social enterprise as:

“A business with primarily social objectives, whose surpluses are principally reinvested for that purpose in the business or in the community, rather than being driven by the need to maximise profit for shareholders and owners.”

Social Enterprise UK, the national body for social enterprise say that in order to be a social enterprise a business must:

• Have a clear social and/or environmental mission
• Set out their social purpose in their governing documents
• Generate the majority of their income through trade
• Reinvest the majority of profits into their social mission
• Be majority controlled in the interests of the social mission
• Be transparent and accountable

What is the difference between social enterprise and ethical business?

Like social enterprises, there is no legal definition for an “ethical business”.

An ethical business considers the impact of its actions, products and services on people, animals and the environment. This includes their manufacturing processes, supply chains, packaging and distribution. Ethical businesses are ‘socially responsible’ as they attempt to minimise any negative impact on society or the environment.

Not all ethical businesses are social enterprises.

Social enterprise primarily focuses on the benefits they bring to society or the environment and exist to create a positive impact, whereas an ethical business that isn’t a social enterprise just 

seeks to reduce any negative impact.

There is a lot of opportunity for ethical businesses and social enterprises. Recent research by Unilever showed that 50% of shoppers in the UK and USA say they feel better when they buy sustainable products, and a third of consumers say the social and environmental impact of a product directly influences their buying decision.

What is the Triple Bottom Line?

The Triple Bottom Line is a framework that applies to ethical business, CSR and social enterprise.

The ‘Triple Bottom Line’ was developed in 1994 by John Elkington, founder of consultancy firm SustainAbility.

He believed that companies should be measured against three separate bottom lines. The first is the traditional measure – “Profit”. Secondly, companies must be measured on how socially responsible they are across their operations, and should be measured on “People”. Finally, they should be held accountable for how environmentally responsible they are – giving the third bottom line of “Planet”.

Image credit: CSR Ambassadors

Social enterprise business models focus on the triple bottom line. They seek to make a profit and grow their business in order to further their social and/or environmental mission.

Supporting social enterprise and ethical businesses

If you’re starting a social enterprise, running an ethical business or blogging about ethical issues, then you’ve come to the right place. #EthicalHour is the world’s first comprehensive support network for social purpose businesses.

We connect social enterprises and ethical businesses and bloggers all over the world to support each other, learn from each other and maximise the positive social impact.

If you’re serious about taking your social enterprise, ethical business or blog to the next level, join our exclusive free Growth Network on Facebook where you’ll have access to premium support and resources.

Connect with a global network of ethically-focused businesses and bloggers during the #EthicalHour Twitter chat every Monday 8pm (GMT) using the hashtag – or catch up on previous chats here.

#EthicalHour gives social entrepreneurs the platform to connect, learn and grow. Working together to reach our full potential, we can be the change we wish to see in the world.

5 Reasons Why Social Entrepreneurship Is The New Business Model

http://www.forbes.com/sites/meimeifox/2016/08/08/5-reasons-why-social-entrepreneurship-is-the-new-business-model/#3cc75c0350aa

by MeiMei Fox

Today’s young people are as concerned with making a positive impact on the world as they are with making money. A whopping 94% want to use their skills to benefit a cause. Meanwhile, only half of Americans have confidence in the free market system, down from 80% just 15 years ago.

Against this backdrop, social enterprise has taken off as a new formula for success, combining capitalism with a do-gooder mentality. These self-funding, for-profit businesses also have a mission to tackle global issues such as alleviating hunger, improving education, and combatting climate change. To achieve their high-minded goals, the companies might fund specific programs, partner with governments or existing philanthropic entities, or follow a one-for-one donation model, and work on either the local or international level.

I spoke with several leading social entrepreneurs, all of whom are incredibly enthusiastic about what they do for a living because it allows them to live their passion, embracing a career with meaning. Here are five reasons why they believe social entrepreneurship is the new business model:

1. It connects you to your life purpose.

Honeycomb is a social impact SaaS platform bringing businesses and philanthropy together to make the world a better place. The company has facilitated over $2.4 million in social impact to over 500 non-profits in less than four years.

Melissa Levick has aligned her career with her life purpose. (Photo by Studio Emp)

Honeycomb cofonder Melissa Levick said, “ Having social impact built into your business model allows you to live your life on purpose.  It's about connecting your brand's why with how it can be used authentically to serve the world. It's not a gimmick or a marketing tool. It's a genuine mechanism to solve social problems while feeling connected to a higher purpose.”

2. It keeps you motivated.

Ido Leffler had tremendous success with one of his first businesses, the natural beauty brand Yes To (Carrots, Cucumbers, etc). When thinking about what to do next, he and his business partner Lance Kalish decided to build their company on three key pillars: working with incredible people, making great products, and benefiting an impactful cause.

Leffler created Yoobi to make school supplies fun again and solve a big problem along the way: Teachers in the U.S. spend an average of $500 out of their own pockets every year on school supplies, and millions of kids don't have the tools they need to realize their potential in the classroom. For every Yoobi item sold, the company donates supplies such as colored pencils, staplers, and notebooks to schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Ido Leffler handing out Yoobi school supplies. (Photo by Kendal Lovejoy)

Why found a social enterprise? “I think the biggest question once you’ve reached success is one of motivation,” Leffler said. “What keeps you going? For us, it was this idea that we didn't want to just be ‘widget guys.’ We wanted to make a real and lasting impact on people’s lives. It's that simple. At the end of the day, giving back in the way that we are is much more rewarding than any business success I can think of."

3. It brings you lasting happiness.

Corporate360 is a multi-million dollar outbound marketing data software start-up that founder Varun Chandran created without external funding. The company also runs an NGO in Chandran’s hometown of Padam, in Kerala, India.

The social enterprise’s main programs include improving sanitation, drinking water, and housing for the villagers. The company has gifted a school bus and an ambulance to the local government. Every academic year, the Corporate360 team distributes school kits consisting of bags, books, umbrellas, and lunch boxes to the local students. In addition, through its SmartWorker software, Corporate360 hires women, youth and physically challenged individuals from low-income families, training them to perform simple digital data tasks and connecting them to a life-changing source of income.

Varun Chandran finds happiness giving back to his hometown. (Courtesy of Varun Chandran)

Chandran himself grew up in Padam extremely poor, the son of a farmer. This is a big reason why, for him, the definition of success includes making a difference in other people's lives. "I have discovered a larger purpose,” Chandran said. “My biggest happiness so far in life is being able to go back to the village where I was born and 'adopt' it. 

When I first made money, I traveled to 32 different countries and bought everything that I had ever wanted, but I realized that I still wasn’t happy. I found real, lasting happiness through my social impact work. At the same time, it makes me feel more responsible for working hard to build the business so that I can contribute even more. It’s a win-win situation, and I enjoy it to the fullest.”

4. It helps you help others discover their life purpose.

NEWaukee, based in Milwaukee, is the only social architecture firm in the country that operates on a social enterprise business model. “We believe that the place in which a company is located and how invested that company is in the local community have a direct correlation to the ease with which it sources the talent needed to make its products and the customers needed to buy its products,” explained NEWaukee co-founder and CEO Angela Damiani.

Angela Damiani enjoying her hometown and primary cause, the city of Milwaukee. (Photo by Jason Klein)

The social enterprise model allows NEWaukee to offer hundreds of events and programs annually to the public for free, build public parks and works of public art without the need for taxpayer or philanthropic investment, and support twenty-four different non-profit organizations at no charge. “We’ve developed a mechanism for corporations to put the human back into human resources while simultaneously making the Milwaukee community a more equitable, accessible and vibrant place for all to enjoy," Damiani said.

On a personal level, Damiani feels honored to “live and breathe this work every day.” She said, “Not only have I found my own passion through creating this business model, but also I am delighted to help others find their own life purpose through our projects and programs. We are serving our clients while shedding light on their potential to be their best and brightest.”

5. It is what today's consumers want.

WE’VE provides hand-selected, skilled artisans from Cambodia, India and the U.S. with a global online marketplace for their goods. All the eco-friendly products are sustainably created. In addition, WE’VE collaborates with the artists to support their families and local communities.

Eve Blossom believes today's consumers want products with a purpose. (Photo by Rick Dean)

WE’VE Founder and CEO Eve Blossom said, “As consumers, we have redefined ourselves as citizens of the world. More and more people are interested in products and services that align with their values. We are considering our purchases in a holistic sense, examining the price of products not only in terms of the amount paid at the register, but also the total cost of production along the way, including pesticides and poisons used, sweatshops employed, and other, broader human consequences. A whole industry has grown around this revelation, as businesses are being built on a smarter framework of ecological, economic and social sustainability. The most fulfilling goods and services are those that connect us in relevant ways to other people and help us live in concert with our values .”