Resources
Here’s what I use to run my business. If it’s listed here, it’s because I recommend it and use it.
Kick-Ass Courses | Website Stuff | Graphic Design Stuff | Search Engine Optimization | Lead Generation | Small Business Back Office | Video Stuff
Kick-Ass Courses
Marketing for Coaches by Matthew Kimberley
This is the only guide you need to set up your coaching business. I wrote it. I should know.
Linked Influence by Lewis Howes and Sean Malarkey
Click here to read my full Linked Influence review.
It’s a SUPER useful and concise video course that show you how to use LinkedIn to actually, you know, make you money, instead of just waste time. Highly recommended.
Websites: Domain names, hosting, design and stuff
Domain name registration
This is for when you want to get your own domain name: www.YOURDOMAIN.com, for example. I use Namecheap. Because it’s cheap, and user friendly, and the customer service is prompt and useful.
Web Hosting
I use two companies – blah blah eggs in one basket etc (incidentally, that’s why I register my domain name with a different service from the one that provides the hosting.
Web hosting is where you store your website. If you think of your website as a building, this is where you pay the rent, and can keep your stuff. If you don’t have it, you don’t have a website.
The two companies I use are Hostgator and Bluehost. Both are good.
**UPDATE*** – use Hostgator and the coupon code “MattKIsANiceGuy” (without quotation marks) and get 25% off. You’re welcome.
Building Your Website
Use a framework that makes it easy. You don’t need to learn programming languages, you just need to install WordPress.
WordPress lets you manage your content, structure and blog entries from one simple interface. Installing it isn’t too tough, but see the next entry for help on tying the whole thing together.
Sticking It All Together – The Nuclear Option
If you’re already feeling a little dizzy at sticking your domain name, hosting and WordPress framework together (that’s before we’ve even made it look nice – see next bit) then don’t waste hours and hours making an unholy mess on your own. Go and see my friend Johnny B Truant, who’ll put it all together for you quickly and neatly.
You’re specifically interested in his Awesome Website package. Proof, if proof was needed, that you can get a website put up and looking good for a VERY low price.
He’ll be your first port of call. Probably go there before you look at buying hosting, as he’ll guide you on the way he wants you to do it to make it quick and easy for both of you.
Analytic tools
It’s not only out of curiosity you should be monitoring who is coming to your website. It helps you design a better user experience.
I use a combination of Google Analytics and Statcounter (both free) and Get Clicky, which is paid, but the most intuitive and beginner-friendly.
Hugely important.
Graphic Design and Making Things Look Nice
Logos
A logo and brand identity is usually the cornerstone to your business (unless you’re me …)
In the past I’ve used LogoNerds (logos from $27), which does a reasonable job – what it says on the tin.
Another, more interesting resource is 99Designs. This is “crowdsourcing” at its best. You post your project, and designers from all over the world can bid to do your work. You choose the logo you like. They also do business cards, web-design and other shit. One of my favorite spots for getting quality work done.
Prettifying WordPress
Once you’ve got wordpress installed, you’ll need a theme. Themes make your site look nice.
I use Thesis everywhere. It’s for *advanced-ish* users, but for me there’s no parallel.
That’s not to say that there aren’t other awesome themes available. I’ve heard fantastic things about many, particularly Genesis and Headway, which allows for drag-and-drop customization. If you’ve not used any of these premium themes before (and it’s DEFINITELY worth using a premium theme. If you’re not sure why, click here to read more) then get started with one that you like the best.
Business Cards
Need some, don’t need some? Your call.
I have a love affair with Moo. I FACTUALLY love this company. You can upload your own design, or pick from loads of quirky, shiny, happy designs that they help you with. The quality of the cards is second to none.
I’ve also had good results from Vistaprint, when I was working “corporate”. But, nah, go with Moo – seriously fun.
Search Engine Optimization
Keyword Research
You’ll know if you need Market Samurai. I use it for about three of my sites. It’s the internet marketer’s weapon of choice for seriously in-depth keyword research, and has modules for domain name buying, monetization and spying on the competition.
Unless you’re really into gaming the Google rankings, it’s possible that it isn’t for you. That said, download it, play around with it, and you might be pleasantly surprised …
Writing so that the search engines can find you
Probably much more relevant to most of you, this tool, called Scribe SEO, gives you gentle suggestions as to how you should be tweaking your website copy so that the search engines can find you.
If you want to feature high in the rankings for “Cupcakes in Brussels”, then this is a tool that you should be exploring. It’s designed for people who are going to be making money one way or another from their websites, which if you’re a business owner, is you. I use it on all of my sites. Click here to check it out.
Lead Generation
The Entire Shebang
I’ve recently switched to Infusionsoft for my entire back office. Lead gen, email marketing, shopping cart, affiliate management. It’s not for everybody. If you’re just starting out and money is an issue, then start by combining Aweber and 1ShoppingCart (details below). But boy, is this seriously powerful.Frankly, I’m not sure what I was doing before I used it.
Email Marketing
Lead generation has got to be a priority for ANYBODY doing business online or offline. It’s the constant flow of potential clients that keeps your business alive and growing.
I use Aweber for email marketing. Primarily because it’s as easy to use as, well, email, and also because the the tools it puts at your disposal for creating web forms (to capture leads) are powerful and intuitive.
Pop Ups That Annoy The Hell Out Of Your Visitors But May Well Get You More Leads
Pop Up Domination isn’t something that everybody will want to use. Depends on you. At the time of writing I’m testing it out on MatthewKimberley.com.
That said, I use it with some success on different sites of mine, particularly those that promote lead generation techniques. (It’s meta).
The overwhelming response from the internet marketing folk is that this is a powerful tool that will increase sign ups. Try it.
WordPress Theme Designed Solely To Convert
Optimize Press isn’t, strictly speaking, a lead generation tool. But it does contain incredibly powerful lead generation capabilities.
It’s a complete WordPress theme and customizable for landing pages, squeeze pages, membership sites and sales pages. You can also host your regular blog on it, but you might want more customization options.
Once you’ve completed the learning curve – say a day or two – then this tool allows you to get a sales page up and running in a matter of minutes.
My favorite feature, though, is its inbuilt video player. If you’ve ever dealt with the headache that is trying to get your own video integrated into your WordPress site, you’ll appreciate that.
Small Business Back Office Stuff
Customer Relationship Management
If you’re a regular reader, or you’re a newsletter subscriber, you’ll know that I’m a poster-child for Highrise from 37signals.
If you’re not using a CRM system, even if you’re one-person company (hell! ESPECIALLY if you’re a one-person company) then you are a fool.
YOU CANNOT remember everything. Let Highrise do it all for you. I’ve done a getting-started video here, to get you, er, started.
Easy As Pie Invoicing
NNNgggh! That’s the sound of me “appreciating” Freshbooks.
It is VERY SIMPLE invoicing for people who hate doing invoices and stuff. Integrates with your shopping cart or Paypal, allows you to log your time, let’s your customers see their invoices online, sends invoices by email, sends invoices by snail-mail. The works.
Highlyrecommended. Try it out.
Payment Processing
I can’t do a comparative review of payment processors, but I personally use 1ShoppingCart (in combination with PayPal) for digital delivery and order-handling. I recommend it.
Back Up
If you don’t do this, you are a fool. A FOOL.
I back up in triplicate, if not quadruplicate.
First, download the free Dropbox and SugarSync. They both do the same thing, but SugarSync is more configurable.
Keep important copies of in-use documents in Google Docs.
And, ultimately, you’ll want to back-up everything else with Mozy. It’s where I keep all my music and photos and stuff. When I recently switched computers it was a lifesaver.
Project Management
Basecamp is what I use for project management.
If you’re not sure what project management is, it’s basically a way of combining and sharing to-do lists, agendas, resources and calendars. Particularly useful if you work on stuff with other people.
(Would it be too geeky to admit that I make my wife use it for family projects?)
Video Stuff
Video Hardware
I use a Flip Mino HD camera. It’s actually about the only thing you need to GET STARTED with online video.
Records in HD, comes pre-loaded with basic editing and captioning software and has one-click upload facilities for YouTube.
If you use it in the right conditions, the quality is exceptional.
The major complaint is that it doesn’t have an external microphone socket. The Kodak Zi8 is a popular choice for those that want or need that kind of capability.
Video Editing
Sony Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinumis what I use. I reckon I use about 2% of its capabilities. It’s powerful and incredibly well-priced. I’ve yet to identify the perfect source of tutorials, though …
Feels a little like I’m driving a big car with a man walking in front waving a flag.
There’s a free trial download available.
Screen Capture
TechSmith comes through with the goods. Jing for basic imagery and short video screencapture, and Camtasia for more advanced stuff.
Honestly, if you keep your videos short, and don’t need editing capability, then Jing is all you need. I actually prefer Jing for image capture to SnagIt, their premium feature.
Free trial download of both available.
Getting Video Online
This can be a fucking nightmare. YouTube only does so much. If you want to protect videos, host them on your own site, get detailed statistics and have complete control over the viewer’s experience, you need to use something like Easy Video Player.
Easy Video Player has been a godsend. If you’re serious about hosting video, and like the customized stuff that the gurus use, like players that don’t let you pause them, or that show a sign-up box at the end of the film, then check this out. I use it myself.
That’s it, I reckon.
I also use stuff like Skype, but you already know about it. Is there anything missing? Honestly, I don’t think I use anything other than the above …
A lot of these links are affiliate links. But I use every single product on this page. And it’s how I make my living.
