10 Essential Digital Resources For The Home Business On A Budget

INTRODUCTION

You need specific tools to thrive as a home business owner, so we’ve gathered these ten digital resources for you. With this office kit, you’ll be able to get the job done without going over your budget.

All items listed, except the docking station and external hard drive, are resources I use in my home business. If I were using a laptop as my primary office computer, I would use the docking station to connect to a desktop monitor and possibly other peripherals.

In place of an external hard drive, I use Google Drive as an online file storage and sync app. For more information on backup options, read my blog, “5 Recommended Cloud Storage Services For The Small Business.”

You may ask whether to use a desktop or laptop computer or both. Or maybe an all-in-one computer would be best? To help with these questions, read my blog, “Finding the Right Computer for Your Home Business.”

Please use the comment section at the bottom or our contact form if you have questions or suggestions.

_{(We independently select these products — if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.)}

1. HP 17.3″ FHD Laptop

The HP 17.3″ FHD Laptop is perfect for budget-conscious shoppers who don’t want to sacrifice quality or features. It boasts an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U 4.0GHz processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. And if that wasn’t enough, the HP 720p HD Camera with integrated dual array digital microphone ensures high-resolution video calls whether you’re working from home or on the go.

Technical Details

Standing screen display size	‎17.3 Inches
Max Screen Resolution	‎1920 x 1080 Pixels
Processor	‎2.1 GHz amd_ryzen_5_5500u
Processor Count	‎4
RAM	‎8 GB DDR4
Hard Drive	‎256 GB SSD
Graphics Coprocessor	‎AMD Radeon™ graphics
Average Battery Life (in hours)	‎8 Hours
Operating System	‎Windows 10 Home

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2. HP Pavilion TP01 Business Desktop

The HP Pavilion TP01 Business Desktop Intel i3-10100 3.60GHz Processor is an excellent desktop computer for businesses and professionals who need a dependable machine that won’t break the bank. It has 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB PCIe SSD drive, making it perfect for those who need something that can handle heavy use without issue. With 4 USB 3.1 Gen1 ports, 4 USB 2.0 ports, 1 HDMI port, a USB 3, 1 Type-C Geni port, SDXF Reader, and 1 x Headphone/ Microphone Combo Jack, this desktop has all the essentials. Additionally, it comes preloaded with Windows 11 Home 64 edition.

Technical Details

Processor	‎3.6 GHz core_i3
RAM	‎8 GB DIMM
Hard Drive	‎256 GB Solid State Hard Drive
Graphics Coprocessor	‎Intel UHD Graphics 630
Processor Count	‎4
Number of USB 2.0 Ports	‎4
Number of USB 3.0 Ports	‎4
Series	‎Pavilion TP01
Operating System	‎Windows 11 Home

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3. HP All-in-One PC Desk Computer

The HP All-in-One PC Desk Computer is perfect for anyone seeking an affordable and powerful all-in-one desk computer. Its specs include a 2.6 GHz amd_ryzen_3_2300x processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, and a 256 GB SSD hard drive. In addition, the AMD-integrated graphics allow for smooth gameplay or video streaming experiences. Lastly, its 4 USB 2.0 and 2 USB 3.0 ports make it simple to connect all necessary peripherals and devices.”

Technical Details

Series	‎HP All-in-One 22-dd0032
Standing screen display size	‎22 Inches
Operating System	‎Windows 11 Home
Processor	‎2.6 GHz amd_ryzen_3_2300x
RAM	‎8GB DDR4
Hard Drive	‎8 GB SSD
Chipset Brand	‎AMD
Card Description	‎Integrated
Graphics Card Ram Size	‎8 GB
Number of USB 2.0 Ports	‎4
Number of USB 3.0 Ports	‎2

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4. Sceptre E248W-19203R 24″ Ultra Thin 75Hz 1080p LED Monitor

Sceptre 24″ Professional Thin 75Hz 1080p LED Monitor is an excellent choice if you’re budget-conscious but still want a high-quality LED monitor. With its thin bezel design, it’s perfect for both home and office use. Plus, the Full HD resolution delivers crystal clear images, while the 75Hz refresh rate ensures smooth gaming action. And since it has built-in speakers, you don’t need to buy separate ones!

Technical Details

Standing screen display size	‎24 Inches
Series	‎E248W-19203R
Screen Resolution	‎1920×1080
Max Screen Resolution	‎1920 x 1080 Pixels
Color	‎Machine Black
Product Dimensions	‎21.59 x 7.02 x 15.83 inches

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5. HP ENVY 6055e All-in-One Wireless Color Printer

The HP ENVY 6055e All-in-One Wireless Color Printer has what you need for your home office at a reasonable price. With auto 2-sided printing, you can save time and paper, while borderless printing gives you professional-looking results every time. Plus, the self-healing Wi-Fi ensures that you always stay connected, even if there’s a hiccup with your internet connection. And with an input/output capacity of 100 sheets/25 sheets, you’ll easily handle even the most significant print jobs.

Technical Details

Manufacturer	HP Printers
Product Dimensions	14.21 x 17.03 x 5.2 inches
Item model number	ENVY 6055e
Customer Reviews	4.1 out of 5 stars

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6. Plugable USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station

The Plugable USB 3.0 Universal Laptop Docking Station makes connecting multiple devices to your laptop easy. With four USB 2.0 and two USB 3.0 ports, you’ll have plenty of options for connecting external devices – perfect for an expanding work setup from home or a busy office desk on the go! Plus, the black color looks great with any laptop, so you can keep that polished look no matter where you work.

Technical Details

Brand	‎Plugable
Item model number	‎UD-3900
Number of USB 2.0 Ports	‎4
Number of USB 3.0 Ports	‎2
Color	‎Black
Power Source	‎DC

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7. Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Wireless Mouse

The Logitech M720 Triathlon mouse is the perfect device for those who use multiple computers or devices regularly. Its easy-switch feature allows you to toggle between three different devices with a simple push of a button, and its contoured shape and textured rubber grips make it comfortable to use for long periods. Furthermore, it features an advanced optical tracking sensor for precise control on almost any surface, and dual connectivity that allows you to connect wirelessly via Bluetooth or the included Logitech Unifying Receiver. The mouse also provides side buttons and a scroll wheel for easy navigation, and it is available in black.

Technical Details

Brand	‎Logitech
Series	‎M720 Triathlon
Item model number	‎910-006036
Average Battery Life (in hours)	‎24 months
Operating System	‎Windows 10, 11 or later, Linux +no software support legal footnote, Chrome OS, macOS 10.5 or later, iPadOS 13.4 or later, Android 5.0 or later

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8. Arteck 2.4G Wireless Keyboard Stainless Steel Ultra Slim Full Size Keyboard

The Arteck 2.4G Wireless Keyboard is perfect for anyone who wants a straightforward, dependable wireless keyboard. This no-frills keyboard is ideal for those looking to declutter their desk or prefer being unencumbered by a wired connection. The robust and reliable 2.4GHz wireless connection of the Arteck guarantees uninterrupted typing sessions. The Arteck’s slender and smooth design is perfect for those constantly moving or with limited space, and it can easily withstand regular wear and tear. Plus, with its quiet keys and detachable USB receiver, the Arteck provides users with a hassle-free typing experience.

Technical Details

Product Dimensions	16.85 x 4.92 x 0.55 inches
Item Weight	14.9 ounces
Item model number	HW192
Batteries	1 CR2032 batteries required. (included)

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9. Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD

You are introducing the Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD. This external hard drive is perfect for storing your essential files and documents. With 1 TB of storage space, you’ll have plenty of room for everything you need. The Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD is easy to use and compatible with Windows and Mac computers. Plus, it comes in a sleek black color that will look great with any setup. Order your Seagate Portable 1TB External Hard Drive HDD today!

Technical Details

Hard Drive	‎1 TB Portable
Brand	‎Seagate
Series	‎STGX1000400
Item model number	‎STGX1000400
Operating System	‎Windows®10, Windows 8, Windows 8
Color	‎Black
Hard Drive Interface	‎USB 3.0

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10. Logitech C270 HD Webcam

Looking for an affordable and easy-to-use webcam? Check out the Logitech C270 HD Webcam! With a wide field of view and crystal clear HD 720p video, it’s perfect for Skype calls, webinars, and even recording videos. Plus, the built-in microphone with noise reduction ensures your voice comes through loud and clear. And setup is a breeze – connect the webcam to your computer’s USB port, and you’re ready to go!

Technical Details

Brand	‎Logitech
Series	‎960-000694
Item model number	‎960-000694
Color	‎Black
Rear Webcam Resolution	‎8 MP
Batteries	‎1 Lithium Ion batteries required.
Manufacturer	‎Logitech

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LED Display – What It is, And How It Can Benefit The Home Business

Introduction

LED display is one of the newest and most innovative advertising methods. People quickly turn to outdoor LEDs for their advertisement needs because they use significantly less energy than traditional billboards. Also, the screens are large and bright, making them more difficult for people to miss.

In this blog, we will be looking at what LED display is, how you can use them for advertising, and how they could benefit the home business.

What is LED display Outdoor advertising?

LED advertising is a type of outdoor marketing that uses electronic displays to show static images, videos, and animation. These advertisements are displayed on high-definition screens, making them visible from far away. This digital advertising method is very versatile and suitable for placement almost anywhere.

Advantages of outdoor LED display advertisement

The outdoor LED display screen offers a lot of advantages for advertising. Of course, any business wants people to pay attention to their advertisements, so they notice and understand the material. As a result, advertisements seem more appealing to potential consumers. But that isn’t all; several more benefits come from using outdoor LED displays for ads.

1. Eye-Catching Advertising

As I already alluded to, using bright LED lights with color and motion, outdoor LED displays are attention-grabbing. When you add video or animation, they command even greater attention. In short, the possibilities of LED display advertising are limited only by the advertiser’s creativity.

2. OOH Advertising Solution

According to the article, “LED Screen Advertising Benefits – 10 Reasons Why LED Technology Helps You Expand Your Business,” by Daniel Reynolds (https://dynamo-led-displays.co.uk/led-advertising-screen-advantages/), “Using LED screen advertising as your Out Of Home (OOH) advertising solution means that your digital content can be published with high-quality outdoor LED screens and relayed to a far broader public audience. Depending on the footfall, traffic speed, and the frequency and duration of your message, you can get your ads in front of a broad cross-section of a local community, potentially generating new interest, widening your audience, and increasing inquiries.”

3. Lower Cost Advertising

You might be shocked to learn that outdoor LED advertising displays are cost-effective. As a result, many clients want to invest in an outdoor LED display. When compared to traditional advertising boards, they are far more cost-efficient.

Unlike typical print ads, LED ads can easily be edited or updated without the additional costs of reprinting. The upfront costs can add up to considerable financial savings by eliminating the time and cost of editing and reprinting print ads.

4. Real-time updates and edits 

The cost savings of editing and updating LED advertisements over printed ones was just mentioned. Now I’d like to highlight the ability to real-time adjust and improve your targeting using LED advertising, which allows you to hone your targeting precision on a continuing basis. You may push your marketing efforts from anywhere in the world thanks to wireless technology and cloud-based computing, allowing you to manage them from anywhere. Various sophisticated software platforms enable you to make any desired changes immediately by working remotely.

5. Effective advertising

With outdoor LED displays, you control which ads to play and when. Furthermore, there’s no limit to how many ads you can display or run at one time–you could even alternate between multiple ads.

6. Synchronous Digital Campaigns 

In real-time, DOOH provides for the opportunity to establish completely synchronous digital campaigns published and streamed across websites, mobile devices, applications, television, radio, and Digital Out of Home (DOOH) media. The cutting-edge technology and servers may be programmed to deliver coordinated and highly targeted advertising with a level of control and accuracy previously unimagined.

How can LED display advertising benefit the home business?

This article is titled “LED display advertising – what is it, and how can it benefit the home business.” As I write, that is always my concern – to benefit the home business. So can LED display ads help the home business? The short answer is, “It all depends.”

But before getting into what it might depend on, I want to highlight the vast array of new possibilities it offers. Having read this far, you know about some of its advantages and opportunities. It has all the capabilities and options of ads on the internet or television.

You can now move your advertising outdoors using the same design tools you have already been using. And your ads are displayed wherever you choose. They don’t have to be in front of a computer or mobile device or at home watching their television. They might be driving across town or to another city. They might be at the mall or an athletic event.

Each setting catches the person in a different frame of mind and receptivity to your message. And, whatever the location, it segments your audience based on interest.

So with these thoughts in mind, allow your mind to run free as you consider the possibilities.

It all depends

Now to mention a couple of factors that can determine whether or not the home business might benefit from LED display ads.

• Advertising Budget – Your business’s advertising budget will be a significant factor. I am not suggesting that LED display advertising is more expensive than other forms. But it could require more outlay to get the coverage you might get with other forms of advertising. Since LED display ads are stationary, multiple locations will be necessary to broaden your scope. On the other hand, in specific settings, it may grab attention better than the internet or social media ads which compete with many other diversions.
• Geographical reach – Another significant factor that could impact the benefit of LED display advertising for your home business is the geographical reach of your product or service. In some cases, that reach will be local, whereas, in others, it will be state-wide, nationwide, or even global. If your business has a broad reach, you should not automatically eliminate the use of LED displays. Should you want to infuse a heightened awareness about your product or service in a specific market, LED displays might fit the bill.

Adcritter

As you think about using this form of advertisement in your home business, consider the operation of a company such as Adcritter. Adcritter (adcritter.com) bills itself as “The Small Business Ad Platform,” targeting TV, Internet, and Billboards.

Adcritter offers subscriptions on its platform with a monthly fee of $149. You design and schedule your advertising yourself using templates they provide. Templates vary depending on the media you plan to use, whether TV, internet, or billboards.

When you have designed your ad campaign, you are ready to arrange with Adcritter the media, coverage, and desired schedule. You decide the ad budget right for your business, and Adcritter uses its buying power to get you the best possible prices.

Through this or similar ad agencies, the home business can coordinate its advertisements across social media, internet search ads, TV, and LED display billboards. And you have eliminated using an expensive ad agency in the process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, LED display advertising can be a great way to get your home business noticed. However, it is crucial to consider your advertising budget and geographical reach when deciding if this form of advertising is suitable for you. Additionally, an agency like Adcritter can help you coordinate your ad campaign across multiple platforms and save money.

Please share your thoughts or experiences concerning LED display advertising in the comments below. If you would be interested in receiving bi-weekly email notices of our blogs for home and small businesses, please sign up using the form below.

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What Is A Pad Printer And How Can It Help Your Home Business?

• Introduction
• What Is Pad Printing?
• Basics of Pad Printing
  • How does a pad printer work?
• Cost of getting started
  • Print Projects within your business
  • Pad Printer Business
• Ideas For Identifying Business Clients
  • Individual Customers
  • Business Clients
• Conclusion

Introduction

What Is A Pad Printer? If your business transfers two-dimensional images onto three-dimensional objects, that question could interest you. Your quality might be lacking if you use screen printing or another technique rather than pad printing. The pad printer is made specifically for this print job.

But you may also be looking for a way to take your home business to the next level. Pad printing can benefit your existing business but can also be an avenue for diversifying your business or starting a new one.

What Is Pad Printing?

Pad printing is an indirect offset where ink from a laser engraved plate is transferred onto a 3-D object using a silicon pad. Thanks to pad printing, a process once difficult or impossible to complete is now available for customization. With the pad printer, it is possible to print on such materials as:

• Aluminum
• Cellulose acetate
• Ceramics
• Chromium-plated surfaces
• Coated surfaces
• Cotton
• Duroplastics (phenolic and melamine resins, glass-fiber reinforced polyester, and epoxy resins)
• Glass
• Gold-plated surfaces 
• Leather
• Metals
• Nickel-plated surfaces
• Paper
• Plasticized PVC
• Polyester (PES)
• Rubber
• Silicone rubber
• Synthetic leather
• Wood
• and many more

By broadening the types of materials you can print on, you also enlarge the number of doors opening for starting a new business or expanding an already current one. With being able to print on any of the following surfaces, your printing ventures could include:

• 1. Custom coasters
• 2. Ceramics such as mugs, plates, and bowls.
• 2. T-shirts
• 3. Golf balls
• 4. Keychains
• 5. Magnets
• 6. Notepads
• 7. Pens
• 8. Mousepads
• 9. Stickers
• 10. Glassware Decoration
• 11. Metal Signage
• 12. Promotional Items such as pens and buttons
• 13. Product Labeling
• 14. Barcodes

This list is not exhaustive, but it should pique your thinking about the limitless options. These choices might be made available as promotional goods for your company or to sell, or you may contract with other firms to print on products they create or market.

Basics of Pad Printing

How does a pad printer work? 

Three components are necessary for a pad printing machine to deliver a print to an object: the plate, the ink cup, and the pad.

The Plate: The printing plate holds the image you want to engrave on the object. Common ones are plastic – thin metal plates covered using photosensitive plastics. They are known for their flexibility, cheapness, and easy printing. Another type is the steel plate, known for toughness and durability and better suited for large production runs.

The Pad: The mechanism that transfers ink in a pad printing machine is called the printing pad. With the image on the pad, the pad stamps it onto the object.

Pads are silicone, with the type and hardness depending on their purpose. Pads also come in diverse shapes and sizes, determined by the application and artwork.

The Ink Cup: An ink cup is a mechanism that contains the ink printed on a component. The ink cup travels over a plate containing the etch and then returns, leaving only a tiny amount of ink in the etched region.

The ring and cup are the two essential parts of an ink cup. The plate has a ring that slides over the cup to limit ink to locations on the plate consistent with the image. Some manufacturers use ceramic, metal, and plastic rings in their products.

For more details, go to: 

• Step by Step Guide:  https://www.printinginternational.com/story-printing-international/what-is-pad-printing/
• Training & Expert Advice: https://itwtranstech.com/services/training/

Cost of getting started

Suppose you’re wondering how much it costs to begin pad printing. In that case, the answer is relative to whether you plan on utilizing it for existing business ventures or starting an independent pad-printing-based business.

Print Projects within your business

With an established business, you may wish to print your company name or logo on goods as a marketing technique. For example, publishing your firm’s name and logo on coffee mugs as a giveaway is an option. You may rent a little pad printer for $310 from here. A printer with this price range would come with supplies such as ink, paper, and plates, but not necessarily the printer itself.

Pad Printer Business

There are a variety of print projects that a company may undertake. Therefore, the cost depends on the nature of the job. Other factors contributing to the cost are the size and quantity of the product to be imprinted. To give an example, I’ll utilize one case study; you may tailor it to your needs.

This example will use mugs as the product of choice using the Printa Systems ready-made printing system.

The Printa System provides you with the high-quality equipment needed to run your business and the expert training necessary for success. With this particular plan, you are leasing to buy the 990 Series Silver Pad Printer System. The cost of the machine is $3995, with shipping totaling an extra $110—making the total $4105. Your contract stipulates that you pay out this lease at a manageable monthly rate of $138.75 for 48 months. At the end of this period, you will own the equipment.

It is wise to keep it simple and start with a niche market such as mugs. But the equipment you purchase will enable you to branch out and print many other things like water bottles, pens, glasses, cups, and golf balls. You won’t need to purchase any extra machinery.

In addition to the equipment, you will also receive training on how to use it. The session covers setup, preparation, artwork, printing, and more topics. This way, even if you have never worked with a printer, you can get started without trouble.

Go to this link to explore the information further.

Other Ideas: This is only one way to secure the printing equipment. However, this example may serve as a guide for the cost and capacity of a pad printery. Furthermore, this method allows you to start without making a significant financial investment.

Go to https://www.printa.com/business-resources/how-to-start-a-mug-printing-business for more information about the printa system.

Ideas For Identifying Business Clients

After you’ve decided to start your own pad printing company and have acquired your equipment, you will now need print jobs. Enlisting jobs may be the most challenging part of launching a print shop business for you. Where can you locate customers, and how will you entice them?

Individual Customers

If you operate a home-based business, realize that foot traffic will not contribute to your success as it would for a store-front operation. Your primary customers deliberately seek out your products or services online or through word of mouth.

Any mode of advertisement or promotion (aside from a street-level sighting) places you on equal footing with the store-front business owner. Those ads can easily direct customers to your website, make a phone call, or send an email inquiry.

Business Clients

You’re not limited to only finding individuals as customers; business clients are another great option. If you pad print any products, find businesses that make and sell those same items so they can use your service for imprinting purposes.

Teaming up with this type of business can make sense financially because you would print more items and get stable work. In other words, having just a few contracts like this could be all your company needs to do well. Once established, you can increase your production with more of the same printing or start imprinting onto different products–or both! This way, your printing volume will go up, along with how much money you’re making.

Here are some reasons why choosing a B2B approach to identifying print jobs might be wise. These ideas come from the article, “Why B2B is a Better Choice for a Print Shop Franchise,” published by Signarama Franchise.

Conclusion

To summarize, pad printers can be highly beneficial to home business owners:

Business projects can help you create professional-looking marketing materials and personalized gifts and save money on commercial printing services.

Start a new business: Starting a pad printing business can be a great way to earn extra income from home. Anyone can get started in this rewarding field with a small investment in equipment and supplies! 

Please share your thoughts or experiences in the comment section below. What would you like me to write about? Contact me at: wayne@digitalchowder.com

10 Digital Resources For The Home Business

• Introduction
• 1 – A dependable internet connection
• 2 – A computer
• 3 – A printer
• 4 – A scanner
• 5 – A secure online backup solution
• 6 – Accounting software
• 7 – Reliable Email Marketing Service
• 8 – A social media management tool
• 9 – A customer relationship management (CRM) System
• 10 – Project Management Tools
• Conclusion

Introduction

As a home business owner, you need access to the best digital tools and resources. From marketing and accounting to all other facets of your business can all be run more efficiently with the right Digital resources for the home business. Here are ten essential digital resources every home business owner needs to consider.

1 – A dependable internet connection

If you want to run a successful home business, having a dependable internet connection is essential. It’s hard to imagine any business these days without access to the internet. But it’s not enough to have access – it needs to be reliable and fast.

Speed, dependability, and availability should be at the top of your list when considering what type of internet connection you will use. Provider selection will also play into this decision-making process. If you want a fuller understanding of the subject, please read my blog post “What To Look For In A Reliable Internet Connection.”

2 – A computer

A computer is not only a vital piece of office equipment but also a crucial digital resource that a home office can’t live without. But which type of computer will be the most useful for your company? I address that in my blog, “Finding the Right Computer for Your Home Business.” I’ll walk you through a series of questions to help you determine what aspects of your office and job should influence your decision on the best computer alternatives.

3 – A printer

A printer is an essential partner to your home business computer, even though there are several ways of sharing documents from your computer over the internet. Choosing the right printer for your business can be difficult with all the different options on the market, but my blog, “How to Choose The Right Printer For Your Home Business,” will give tips that can ease the decision-making process.

4 – A scanner

A scanner is another important consideration as you equip your home office. You’ll need to scan documents and photos more often than you might think. A scanner can also replace a fax or copy machine, so choosing wisely is essential. Read my blog “Finding The Best Scanner For Your Home Office” for help choosing the right one for your needs.

5 – A secure online backup solution

In the days of paper files, preserving crucial documents was a huge problem since any fire, or catastrophic event could result in loss. Back then, finding a storage solution was difficult and often impossible. Even though we have digital media now, which makes document storage simpler, the threat of losing them is just as significant, if not more. Nowadays, however, every business can easily find an affordable backup solution.

After reading my blog, “5 Recommended Cloud Storage Services For The Small Business (SOHO) in 2022,” you will be better prepared to select the type of connection and provider for your business internet.

6 – Accounting software

Home businesses run by solopreneurs need tools to manage tasks usually given to employees. Invoicing is one of those tasks, and it’s something you can’t ignore if you want your business to stay financially afloat. An invoicing app will save you time and help you keep track of your outstanding invoices. This includes:

• Easily send invoices from your phone or computer
• Automate the process and make sure you’re paid promptly
• Track payments so you can see at a glance who owes you money and when the payments are due
• Allowing payment via credit card or PayPal

My blog, “3 Best Free Invoicing Apps for Sole Proprietors in 2022,” will introduce you to three great invoicing apps that can also handle accounting tasks.

7 – Reliable Email Marketing Service 

Email marketing can be a great asset to your other marketing strategies for your small business. Developing customer relationships is key to success, and email allows you to do that at a fraction of the cost of many approaches. Check out my blog, “5 Free Email Marketing Tools to Help You Grow Your Business,” for more information about some excellent email marketing apps.

8 – A social media management tool

Being up-to-date on all your media channels and other marketing methods can be an intimidating task for solopreneurs. Yet, staying connected with your community is essential. That’s where social media management apps come into play.

In my blog, “5 Social Media Manager Apps for Small Businesses,” I have compiled a list of five social media management applications that you may count on to keep you engaged and linked with your community.

9 – A customer relationship management (CRM) System

A CRM system is an excellent way to organize your customers and their contact information in one accessible place. This allows you to follow up with customers,  send marketing materials, or easily plan sales automation because you can see the big picture of all customer relationships. Automated emails are also a fantastic perk that many people overlook – based on specific actions taken (or not taken). Contacts receive automated email responses without any additional effort from you!

For more information on how small businesses can benefit from a customer relations management app, please read my blog post, “The Benefits of Hubspot CRM for Small Businesses.”

10 – Project Management Tools

Being a solopreneur is challenging enough without constantly worrying about all the projects and tasks you have overloaded in your mind with no solution in sight. Luckily, there are ways to get organized and apply solutions so that you don’t feel overwhelmed all the time. A good project management app can help deliver you from being stressed and overloaded without a handle on your job.

In my blog, “2 Great Project Management Apps for Struggling Solopreneurs,” I will highlight how important it is to have project management tools in your arsenal. I will also offer tips on getting the most out of these apps. Lastly, I will recommend two solid options for you to consider.

Conclusion

Running a home business might be challenging but feasible with the proper tools and resources. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most important digital tools and resources for home business owners. Then we’ve linked you to articles going into more detail about each resource. You’ll be well on your way to establishing a successful home business if you use these technologies.

If you know of any other great resources, please share them in the comments below or email me at wayne@digitalchowder.com.

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2 Great Project Management Apps for Struggling Solopreneurs

2 Great Project Management Apps for Solopreneurs

• Quit Getting Overwhelmed
• Set Aside 60 Minutes
• What Is The Difference Between Projects and Tasks?
• Do I need both a project management app and a task management app?
• Click Up Project Management App
• ClickUp Overview
  • ClickUp User Plans:
• Todoist Task Management App
  • Todoist User Plans:
• How do you choose?
• Regularly review Your Projects and Tasks

Project and task management software can help you keep track of all your tasks and projects to stay organized and focused. Here are 2 Great Project Management Apps for Struggling Solopreneurs.

But these are only tools that are no better than how you use them. Alongside these tools is the need for self-management. And only you can make this work, especially for the Solopreneur. No supervisor or team member holds you accountable for the tasks and projects required to succeed. You are the boss!

In this article, I want to highlight the importance of including project management tools in your tool belt and offer practical personal tips to help you use them best. No matter how good the tool is, it is only as good as the user.

Quit Getting Overwhelmed

Have you ever awakened in the night and couldn’t get back to sleep because of an idea or undone task that took over your thoughts? As you may have found, a simple solution can be to make a note of that idea or task. Once the note is made, your mind is released from the thought, and you can get back to sleep. A daytime version of this is when we become overwhelmed or stressed from feeling there is more to do than we can accomplish.

The problem is that all the undone tasks and big projects are rolling around in our minds with no way to get a handle on them. There is no plan or organization—just loose thoughts running rampant through our heads. The same simple solution that helped you get back to sleep can also reduce stress and keep the overwhelmed feelings at bay. Organize those thoughts and make notes of a plan. With a written plan, you can get the ideas out of your head and tackle the tasks and projects one chunk at a time without being overwhelmed and stressed. The trick is to have a written plan. Until you do, your mind is not released. It is full of random thoughts.

But making a written plan for your tasks and projects is not the first step. It is the second step. The first step is to create a plan to plan.

The tyranny of the urgent:  Are you familiar with the phrase “the tyranny of the urgent”?  It refers to being tyrannized by urgent tasks that may not be all that important. But they are urgent, so we set aside everything else to do them. While it is true that we do not have control over some of these pressing matters, we can control many. How? By having a plan for our tasks and projects. Often what has become urgent is a task that we kept pushing back until there was hardly enough time to get it done. At that point, it has become critical.

The more we allow tasks and projects to go undone, the more urgency we will have. And the more we will be overwhelmed and stressed. Stop allowing less important tasks and projects to become urgent and take you hostage! When this happens, what is the first task to go undone? Planning!

Set Aside 60 Minutes

So, set aside 60 minutes, get away from interruptions, and make a plan. If you truly devote the 60 minutes to planning and remove all interruptions, I guarantee you will emerge from this time feeling like you had a mini-vacation.

So, how are you going to use these 60 minutes? What plans are you going to make? Here are some suggestions:

• Plan when & how you will plan. For your first 60-minutes session, you may need to spend more time on this than in subsequent sessions. When will you have another of these sessions? How frequently will you have them? Get some dates on the calendar. If you don’t, this may be your last session.
• Identify the three most important tasks/projects you face over the next three months. Determine the time frame in which each needs to be accomplished. Then go backward from those dates and schedule when you will lay out a plan for each task/project.
• Start planning for the top priority task/project on your list. As time allows in this session, start planning for the first item on your priority list.

Each of these 60-minute sessions will vary, but I strongly encourage you not to exit a session without a date on your calendar for your next session. I suggest one of these 60-minute planning retreats at least quarterly. You may find it necessary to do so more frequently. Then, revisit your plans weekly. Each week, whether on Friday for the next week or on Monday for the current week, review your project and note what needs to be accomplished during the week ahead. If necessary, make adjustments to the plan and your schedule for that week to do what is most important. Not just what is most urgent.

What Is The Difference Between Projects and Tasks?

I have mentioned both projects and tasks. Is there a difference, or are the terms interchangeable? This is an important question. As you explore the subject online, you will find that the words are often used interchangeably. But this is not truly the case, nor do I use the terms interchangeably. A project is a big event or a significant element of making your business successful. Projects refer to all involved in carrying out that event or essential business element. On the other hand, tasks are the individual items that must be accomplished to complete the project. For instance, a project might be to have a booth for my company at a trade fair. That project involves many actions: register the booth with the fair administrators, decide what the booth will comprise, construct the booth, enlist people to man the booth throughout the fair, etc. Each action is a task, but the project is to have the booth for the fair.

Do I need both a project management app and a task management app? 

This is another excellent question. A good project management app will include task management. Without task management, a project will never get off the ground. But will this cover all my needs in operating my business? My answer to this question is ‘No.’ Many will disagree with me, but our differences are less about what is accurate or best and more about how we prefer to work. From my perspective, a project management app is about managing projects but not managing all aspects of my business or my daily activities. I may have 2-3 projects at a given time, but I have many tasks to deal with during each day unrelated to any of these projects. I prefer a separate task manager into which I fold jobs both related and unrelated to my projects.

So, having determined that we need to have a regular time to plan and that it could be helpful to have both a project management app and a task management app., let’s move on. We will proceed to discuss possible solutions for both of these needs. First, we will address a project management app.

Click Up Project Management App

As an example of project management tools, I will use ClickUp. In the interest of full disclosure, as an affiliate marketer, I may receive credit should you sign up for the app.

So out of all the choices out there, why have I chosen ClickUp? First, I should explain that in recommending this app to you, I have shopped the project management market, chosen this app, registered an account, and used it as my tool. So let me explain why I chose it.

• It is well suited for the solopreneur. Many of the apps I explored assumed larger businesses with multiple teams. I found them difficult to fit my planning process and implementation. Frankly, I found many to be confusing.
• It has a logical, structured approach. This is a feature that makes the app easy to understand and use.
• It has all the tools I need in one place. While I choose to go elsewhere for a task manager, I don’t have to. ClickUp has it and sends a daily email listing incomplete tasks.
• It has all the features I need free forever. Since this article is aimed primarily at solopreneurs, it is good to point out that the free forever plan allows an unlimited number of members or team members.

Here is a list of features that come with the free forever plan:

• 100MB Storage
• Unlimited Tasks
• Unlimited Free Plan Members
• Two-Factor Authentication
• Collaborative Docs
• Whiteboards
• Real-Time Chat
• Email in ClickUp
• Kanban Boards
• Sprint Management
• Native Time Tracking
• In-App Video Recording

ClickUp Overview

Now let’s give an idea of how project management might work and, in the process, provide an overview of ClickUp. Of course, managing a project using a different app will have some differences, but the basics will be the same.

ClickUp hierarchies:  ClickUp is built as a series of hierarchies. The first tier 0f this hierarchy is the workspace. A workspace represents your business or company and so will contain everything related to the company. Within your company or workspace are spaces. These are your projects. You can have an unlimited number of spaces (projects) in your workspace (company). Within a space (project), lists are created. Each list contains any number of tasks related to certain aspects of the project. So, for each project, you end up with several lists necessary to accomplish that project, with several related tasks in each list.

Building a project: When preparing for a project, I start by creating a space within my company workspace. Let’s say I plan to have a booth at a trade fair.

• The first stage will be to plan the project working within the space I created for the project. Within the project space, several tools help with planning and monitoring the project’s progress. Here are some of the tools:
  • Board on which I can view all lists and tasks on one screen.Calendar to reference the overall time frame and when tasks need to be completed.
  • Gantt chart to display a timeline of starting & stopping dates for assignments.
  • Box, which gives an overview of all pieces of the project.
  • Mind Map to visualize your Workspace Hierarchy or create your own free-form Mind Map for planning and organizing projects and ideas. As ideas are added, they are each mapped to other elements of the project, allowing a visual of how the project ties together.
  • Workload allows you to see your team’s capacity if you are working with a team. You can see who is over or under-assigned and reassign tasks accordingly.
  • Whiteboard: Collaborate, brainstorm ideas, solve problems and get work done quickly.

For this first stage, I will start with the whiteboard to brainstorm ideas for the project. With several ideas, I will outline a plan. Then I will move on to the second stage of the process.

• Second Stage: In the first stage, I brainstormed to form the nature of my project and outlined how it would operate and what it would accomplish. In stage two, I want to bring the project to life. This is where I break down each piece of the project into actions. First, I break it down into sections. For my fair booth, the sections could be:
  • Determine the message & graphics
  • Identify vendors & contractors to provide materials and labor
  • Design & construct the booth
  • Move the booth onsite & set it up,
  • Make accommodations for the booth operators
  • Etc.

Around each of these sections, I will create a list and the tasks necessary to accomplish that section within each list. I will also assign these tasks to a timeline for when each should be started and completed.

• Third Stage: The third stage is the implementation of the project. As a solopreneur, this is all on me. If I have been realistic in the second stage, I have not assumed more responsibility for myself than is reasonable. Without a team, I will have to contract out what I can, leaving my role primarily to that of project manager. That in itself will be plenty. So as project manager, I will set aside time daily to monitor the project pieces using the tools made available by ClickUp. What tasks have been checked off? What tasks are currently underway, and what is their progress? Will upcoming tasks be able to start on time? If not, what is needed to get them going? These are some of the questions I need to raise daily to keep the project on track.

This project is just one example of using a project management app and of the ClickUp project manager. There are many other project management apps out there. If ClickUp is not for you, find one that fits how you work and the nature of your company.

ClickUp User Plans:

• Free Forever:  This plan is said to be for personal use, but solopreneurs should be well-served using this plan. While there are a few differences between this and the paid plans, the allowed storage space is a big difference.
• Unlimited: ($5 per member / mon) This is said to be best for small teams.
• Business ($12 per member /mon) Best for mid-sized teams
• Business Plus ($19 per member /mon) Best for multiple teams

The word to notice in these plans is the word ‘teams.’ If you are a solopreneur, there are no teams, again emphasizing the sufficiency of the Free Forever plan.

Next, we will consider a task management app.

Todoist Task Management App

Todoist promotes itself as “The world’s #1 task manager and to-do list app.” And PC Mag contributes to that image with the pronouncement, “Todoist is the number one to-do list app.” The app’s excellence in managing tasks led me to choose it for personal and business use. While emphasizing its excellence at managing tasks, its business plan is geared for teams and has project management features. If you find a project management app such as ClickUp to be overkill for what you need to do, Todoist Business might be what you need. It will provide shared lists for teams allowing collaboration on projects which may be the primary feature you are looking for. At $6 per user per month, it is affordable for a small business.

Todoist User Plans:

• Free: For starters
• Pro: ($4 /mon) For power users
• Business: ($6 per user /mon) For teams

So why would I choose ClickUp for project management instead of Todoist? The same features Todoist lacks in project management are the main features I want. That is project envisioning and planning. If tracking all the tasks related to a project is all I’m looking for, Todoist does an excellent job and would be my choice. But I want more. And I can get it for free from ClickUp.

At this point, I may have you confused about why I even use Todoist. I have used Todoist for years and have been pleased with its functionality. But more recently, I began to feel the need to better plan and stay on top of my projects. I started looking for a project management app and selected ClickUp. But unless I also use Todoist, I find a gap in keeping up with my tasks.  Though ClickUp does a great job of keeping me on top of my project-related tasks, I have many other non-project-related tasks. I still need to stay on top of these. So I find it works well for me to blend the two. As I review my project tasks for the week in ClickUp, I include those I need to do each day in Todoist alongside other non-project tasks. Then I have them all together and can prioritize the whole list each day.

How do you choose?

As you weigh the pros and cons of these two apps, ask yourself the questions: do I need both or just one, and if one, which one? As you consider these questions, here are a couple more questions to help. Am I in more need of managing projects or tasks? If you find that you need project management more, you might consider whether using a task manager would also be beneficial.

Regularly review Your Projects and Tasks

If you haven’t already guessed, I am inclined toward being organized. I don’t like being tyrannized by a constant urgency of tasks. That doesn’t mean I enjoy planning. I don’t. But I enjoy it more than I enjoy being stressed. 

If you are a solopreneur,  as I am, you don’t have a team around you to cover the areas in which you are not strong. So if planning is not your forte, you will likely have to step up and do something you don’t enjoy or feel capable of doing. For this reason, I have offered some of my practices in planning in hopes of being helpful. But even if you find my methods unhelpful, I believe you will find help with a Project Management App to give you direction and structure for your planning.

To that end, I invite you to check out one or both of these apps.  Here are links you can use for that purpose:

ClickUp Link                            Todoist Link

Please leave comments or questions below.

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The Benefits of Hubspot CRM for Small Businesses

• Top Posts
• Should You Have A CRM System?
  • What If I Could Change the Scenario?
• HubSpot CRM
• Introduction To A CRM System
  • Capturing New Leads
  • Video Overview
• Taking The Plunge
  • HubSpot
• Choosing A CRM System
• Conclusion

You Can Easily Manage All Customer Relationships from One Place.

With HubSpot CRM, you can easily manage all your customer relationships from one place. This means you can keep up with what’s going on with each contact, whether it’s a lead, a prospect, or a current client. You can even send automated emails to your contacts based on their actions within the system.

Do You Have A CRM System?

Is a CRM System (Customer Relations Management) a component of your small business? If not, should it be? If it is, how is it contributing to the growth of your business? I would love to hear how CRM is benefiting your business. Please use the comment box below to share. Or, you can contribute through our contact form. I acknowledge that there may be businesses that will not benefit from CRM significant enough to be worth the setup time and learning curve. But I also contend that in many instances, an assumption that CRM will not benefit may be unfounded.

Should You Have A CRM System?

To explore the benefit of a CRM app, Let’s use my business as an example. I am an affiliate marketer. SEO is a big deal to me and my business. I’m continually looking for ways to improve it to bring more traffic to my site. Given my efforts to improve SEO and my obsession with analytics, putting all my eggs in that basket is tempting. If I can grow my traffic to enough visitors, I will attain the financial return I’m after, so it would seem. If this is my entire strategy, I’m playing a numbers game. I’m betting that a certain percentage of those who come to my content will make a purchase. The more I increase the traffic; the higher my income will be. While this can be true, I’m overlooking many contributing factors that could increase the percentage of my return, better known as ROI.

I’m overlooking an important factor in why people come to my site. I need them to click on an affiliate link and make a purchase. But is that why they came to my site? No. It is unlikely that anyone will come to my website to buy something.

In most cases, they came for information. It is possible that while they are reading, they will see an ad for a product they were considering purchasing or that has an incredible price. So on impulse, they click on the link to check out the product and may make a purchase. That scenario has considerably decreased the percentage of a visitor making a purchase. So if I relied on a broad statistic that says that a certain percentage of those who visit a site make a purchase, I might discover that the percentage is much lower for my scenario.

_{(We independently select these products — if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.)}

What If I Could Change the Scenario?

So what if I could change that scenario? What if, for instance, I began to acquire an email list of those who read my blogs? And then, I used a CRM system to store and manage that list. And what if I keep track of the habits and behaviors of those on the list? Blogs they read and activity on the website? Now I have a means of building relationships with people who know what I offer. They are no longer strangers who happened by my website but followers or at least repeat users of my services. For these people, the scenario has changed. When they come to my website now, they are already open to taking advantage of what I offer. I have increased the ROI for those on my list. And the more I can grow that list, the greater my return will be.

Let me give a personal example of how this might work. A few months ago, I came across a reference to a blog written by Lisa Sicard, posted on her website, inspiretothrive.com. After reading her blog and exploring her website, I decided I was interested in her ideas and services and wanted her as a resource. So I subscribed to her email list. Now I receive her weekly newsletter with references to her blogs and other resources. When she recommends a product or an action that might help, I check it out because I consider her a competent resource. By signing up for her email list, I transitioned from a visitor to a follower, and when I read her blogs or go to her website, I am already receptive to what she might recommend.

Convinced that I need to pursue growing an email list, I will need help. I need a CRM system to help manage this effort.

HubSpot CRM

As a user of HubSpot CRM, I want to walk you through some of its features to acquaint you with ways the CRM can benefit your business. From the list of CRM systems below, you will notice that PCMag editors Gadjo Sevilla & Neil McAllister, in their article, “The Best CRM Software for 2022,” rated HubSpot as the “Best for Easy to Use CRM for SMBs.” They also gave it a 3.5 Good rating, which is not the highest rating provided for CRM choices for small businesses. So HubSpot may not be your pick. My purpose is to reveal some features, pointing out how they might benefit your business.

First, one of the reasons I chose HubSpot was the free features with no time limit on the free access. There are a few limitations on some of these free features, such as having HubSpot branding or no form or email automation. The free account allows 1,000 contacts and 2,000 emails per month. The startup business has the free tools it needs to grow and can phase into additional features as it is ready for them and more capable of paying.

As I move on to highlight some of the features in HubSpot, I want to emphasize that this is not a review of HubSpot. I do not intend to cover all segments of its features. This blog only introduces CRM software and how it can benefit your business. I will use HubSpot and its marketing features to outline a CRM marketing plan using an email list.

Introduction To A CRM System

Once I have set up my HubSpot free account, I have the choice of registering for tools in five different categories: Marketing, Sales, Service, Operations, and CMS. All are free. While I could sign up for tools in more than one of these hubs, I have only chosen Marketing.

I begin by importing a pre-existing contact list to get started with my marketing tools. I also have the option of manually creating new contacts. The importing process is simple. I exported a contact list I already had with another email service to a CSV file. I then imported the file into my HubSpot account. The free HubSpot account will allow me to store up to 1 million contacts in as many as five active lists and 1,000 static lists. The limit on emails sent each month is 2,000.

With contacts stored in my account, I will also connect my website to HubSpot through the HubSpot WordPress plugin. Through this connection, I can track the contacts’ activity on my website by email, phone calls, and chat. The HubSpot plugin connection allows me to establish a chat feature on my website for interaction with website visitors. From my dashboard, I can turn the chat feature on or off depending on my availability to respond. With these tools engaged and the ability to track user activity, I can begin to interact with my contacts based on their interests. In other words, I can build relationships with them. Once I start sending targeted emails and newsletters, I will have additional information to help develop those relationships.

Capturing New Leads

Now that I have access to a free marketing account and a list of contacts added to it, I am ready to begin adding new leads to my CRM. I will use the following tools to achieve that goal:

• Landing Page Builder – I can create a landing page for a new promotion. For greater integration, I will use the HubSpot service to host it for free rather than including it along with my website. I could design a complete website with the CMS tools on HubSpot if I choose. I already have a website, so I will use only the landing page tools to channel results from my new promotion.
• Forms – This tool will add a form to my landing page to capture new leads.
• Ads – Using the ad tools, I can integrate with Facebook ads, creating and tracking an advertisement for my new promotion. Ad campaign activity will go into the contact records.
• Marketing Email – Now, I am ready to send a marketing email or newsletter to target the various interests of both my new and existing leads. Tools for this are in my free marketing account.

Why Not Use Only An Email Marketing Service?

You may wonder why you need a CRM system if you already use an email marketing service such as MailChimp or Constant Contact. One of the strengths of HubSpot and other CRM systems are their integrations. HubSpot, for example, has integration with MailChimp, enabling you to continue using your account there while importing the activity of your email blasts to your CRM in HubSpot. When I am ready to send a marketing email or newsletter, if I choose, I can integrate with MailChimp or another service to send the newsletter. My CRM system will receive the contact activity from that mailing to provide insights on my contacts. This information will help me segment my contacts and inform me of their needs and interests.

It is not necessary, though, to use MailChimp because HubSpot has all that is necessary for the task of mailing. Whether using an integration or working within HubSpot, your move to a CRM system will transition you from merely using analytics to having a comprehensive view of your contacts.

Video Overview

For another perspective on using a CRM system for marketing, this video will give an overview of inbound marketing at HubSpot.

Taking The Plunge

Whether you’re ready to dip your toe in the CRM pool or take the plunge, here are some resources to help.

HubSpot

HubSpot is my choice and the system I have used to demonstrate the advantages of using a CRM system. If you want to check it out further, here is a link you can use for that purpose – HubSpot. The extensive array of free resources will help you get up and running before having any financial outlay. To be clear, as an affiliate, I may benefit if you choose HubSpot.

Choosing A CRM System

There are many options when choosing a CRM system. HubSpot is not the only option and may not be your best choice. As you browse through the list below, a good starting point is to match a system to the size and needs of your business. You will find systems designed for larger and smaller companies, along with other options.

This list is available from PCMag editors Gadjo Sevilla & Neil McAllister, in their article, “The Best CRM Software for 2022,” which reviewed 13 of the best CRM software. Here is their summary:

• Zoho CRM  4.5 Outstanding | Best for Zoho Platform Customers
• HubSpot CRM  3.5 Good | Best for Easy to Use CRM for SMBs
• Freshsales CRM  4.0 Excellent | Best for Basic CRM
• Zendesk Sell  4.0 Excellent | Best for Integration With Zendesk Products
• Salesforce Sales Cloud Lightning Professional  4.5 Outstanding | Best Overall
• Less Annoying CRM  4.0 Excellent | Best for Startups
• Sales Creatio  4.0 Excellent | Best for Large Sales Teams
• Apptivo CRM  4.5 Outstanding | Best for Small Business CRM
• Insightly CRM  4.0 Excellent | Best for Growth-Stage Businesses
• Pipedrive CRM  3.5 Good | Best for Deal-Oriented Sales Teams
• Act! CRM  3.0 Average | Best for Longtime Act! Users
• Salesflare  2.5 Fair | Best for Very Small Teams
• SugarCRM Sugar Sell  4.0 Excellent | Best for High Customization

Conclusion

HubSpot CRM is a good choice for small businesses that want an easy-to-use system with many free features. But there are many CRM systems available, and the best one for your business will depend on the size of your company and your specific needs. Use the resources above to help choose the best CRM system for your business.

If you are already using a CRM, you might want to make a recommendation describing the benefits of your system that you like best. Please do so in the comments box below or through our contact form.

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