Free business resources you should know about
As a small business owner, I spend a lot of time researching things to help me either run my business better, learn how to do something, or to save a little money (probably you know how that feels, right?). So, here are a few business resources I’ve come across, and used, to help you!
If you’re looking to write a newsletter…
…then head over to Mail Chimp’s Resource area.
Even if you don’t use Mail Chimp*, you should check out their free Guides, specifically their Email Marketing Field Guide and Common Rookie Mistakes. There is seriously good information in both that you can apply to whichever email mailing list provider you do use, and good tips to help you if you’re a beginner. Bonus is that all of the Mail Chimp Guides can be downloaded in multiple formats so you can read them on your computer, your e-reader, your phone, or online – whichever is easier for you.
Even if you forgo the Mail Chimp Guides, then there’s absolutely one thing you need to know before jumping into email marketing and that’s the CAN-SPAM Act, or the rules regarding the distribution of commercial message electronically and what your responsibilities are as an email list owner. Mail Chimp goes over its requirements about it here, and you can read more details here.
* I would highly recommend Mail Chimp – their customer service is fantastic, they have free plans, and there’s a monkey on the dashboard who compliments you every time you visit. Don’t underestimate the power of a complimenting monkey to brighten up your day.
If you’re thinking about making the switch to WordPress…
…and my post yesterday didn’t answer all of your questions, then head over to iThemes’ publishing hub.
iThemes is a company that designs premium WordPress themes, and over the last few months, they’ve been churning out really good free ebooks about WordPress and websites. My favorite ebook they’ve put out so far is Getting Started with WordPress, which is a truly thorough introduction to what WordPress is, how it works, and what you can do with it. Any technical questions about WordPress will most likely be answered here.
If you’re looking for deeper conversations about business…
…then check out the online magazine called In Treehouses, from Mountain & Pacific.
I signed up for the In Treehouses mailing list on a whim, having no idea what a freedom business was (the tagline) or what to expect. But honestly, I am so glad to have come across this online magazine because it’s definitely shifted the way I think about my business and what I want. Each edition is packed full of good, in-depth information around a particular topic, and each one is gorgeously designed. Thom, the designer and owner, puts new editions out every five weeks, and as soon as I see it waiting in my inbox, I’m downloading and devouring that edition.
If you’re wondering how to use fonts…
…then check out this Beginner’s Guide to Pairing Fonts post from Webdesigntuts+.
There are a ton of posts out there about using fonts online or making smart font choices, but what gets me about this particular post is how in-depth it is. It’s one of those posts that thoroughly talks about the subject, not just glosses it over it. For that reason alone, it should go right into your bookmark folder as a go-to font resource.
If you’re trying to find or promote an eclass…
…then check out Seek Your Course.
I came across this site a couple weeks ago, and I love the idea behind it – a place where you can find a collection of online classes that you might never have known about otherwise. And if you’ve got an eclass to promote, you can sign up to list it on their site. As of right now, it’s free, so head on over to read more information.
What about you? What are some business resources you rely on?
