David’s Recommended Business Resources
Want the resources and tools I have used to build by business both online and offline?
I’ve tried A LOT of different systems and blogging tools, and I’m always learning about new and better business-building tools. On this page I share my favorite tools and resources I have used to to build online business and websites that have generated tens of thousands of dollars in sales MONTHLY.
No matter what tool or resource you’re considering, first ask yourself how it will help you achieve your goal. How can you use it to grow your business and bring value to other people? What problems will it help you solve?
These are all important questions. Hopefully these tools help you, and please contact me any time so we can talk about how any of these might reach your home business goals. Also be sure to scroll down to my recommended Entrepreneur Library. These books have been invaluable in helping me think and act like a business owner. I’m a firm believer in the notion that your life is a result of the way you think. If you want treat your home business like the real business it is, I know you will get a ton of value out of these books.
Please note: Some of the resources and tools below include my affiliate link, and I may earn a small commission if you do decide to purchase any of these great tools. It’s absolutely no extra charge to you. These are the specific tools I have used and had great success with, and I would only recommend something I feel strongly about.
David’s Blogging Ultimate Resource
World’s Largest Registrar – GoDaddy.com
There are several domain registration and hosting companies out there. I use GoDaddy because it’s the best. It’s very simple and there’s no need to add on a ton of other tools unless you want a really complicated website to manage. If you want a website or blog that generates traffic and earns you money, you need a self-hosted website that you own.
There’s a huge misconception that there are several other comparable hosting options that are a lot cheaper. That’s just not true. Like most anything else, you get what you pay for. You can get a great, self-hosted blog up with your own unique URL for less than $5 a month. I love to use WordPress as by website editor. It’s very simple and you can customize it with terrific plug-ins and almost endless settings.
This is where I have gotten most of my website and blog themes from. Think of a theme as the skeleton of your site. It gives your site structure. You can be the novice of novices and still learn how to use a StudioPress theme. I’d love to show you. They have many great-looking and effective themes to choose from. They are also very mobile friendly and show up perfectly on cell phones and other mobile devices. You can buy one theme at a time or buy a package of different themes if you have several sites and blogs. However, I do not recommend changing out themes often. Find one you like and stick with it.
Mail Chimp is so simple to use, and their free services have a ton of valuable tools for capturing emails, building your email list and creating effective email campaigns. Mail Chimp let’s you import your own email lists, tract who is viewing your emails, who is clicking links and even lets you build segment lists to target certain people based on activity, location and several other things. The paid service offers more features but the free service is terrific and has what you need to get started.
Blog Plug-ins
These are some of my favorite WordPress blog plug-ins I have used to create sites that have generated multiple six figures in sales within just a few years. A WordPress plug-in is simply an add-on that enhances your blog with cool tools such as widgets, email opt-ins, Search Engine Optimization tools, social media share buttons, etc. Most plug-ins are free or at least have a free version with optional paid up-grades.
SumoMe
SumoMe has several cool services including email opt-in pop-ups, list builders and easy-to-use social media share buttons. This plug-in integrates with all the top email services wuch as MailChimp and Constant Contact.
Don’t Have a Blog?
I you don’t currently have a blog or online presence, you need one. No matter what type of home business you have, having your own blog can help you grow it. Here are just a few benefits to having a blog for your business:
Write about your passion. You wouldn’t have a home business if you weren’t passionate about what you’re doing. Share that passion with the world.
Bring business to you. Are you always having to go out there hunting down customers and business partners? How would you like people to find you for a change? That’s the power of a blog.
Connect with like-minded people. Sometimes it’s hard to find people who think like you do. They’re out there, and a blog is a terrific way for you to connect with them.
Blogs are dynamic. One of the biggest reasons blogs are great for building your business is because you are constantly adding content and updating it. Fresh, up-to-date content is also a great way to reach new people.
Provide more value. Blogging is a terrific way to provide more value to your marketplace and bring more expertise to your customers.
If you’re interested in learning more about creating a blog (it’s a lot easier than you think!) or already have one but need some help with it, click the contact me link below. I’d love to give you a free consultation to see how I can help.
Entrepreneur Must-Have Library
The books below have been invaluable in my personal and business growth. The principles in these books can be applied to any type of business, especially a home business where it’s up to you to build. All of these books but one has an audio book version, which is the version I prefer. I can’t describe how much these books have helped me. Of course, I’ve read many others, but if I had to pick the books I’d put in an Entrepreneur must-have library, these are the ones.
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
If you want to learn the mindset and fundamental practices of some of the most successful people in history, this is the book you have to read. It’s a classic, and if you are a home business entrepreneur, it’s a must.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
Another classic, this book is so timeless and simple, that the title says it all. Dale Carnegie takes you through the simple actions of how to focus on what other people want and need so that you can bring them value first. This is the essence of your business in the first place, so every business owner or future business owner needs to read this, and read it over and over.
The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
This book has changed a lot of people’s lives and the way they think about the “work-life balance.” Tim Ferriss essentially has hacked life. He shares his secrets about how he created a passive income and travels the world on his terms for a fraction of the price most people would think. WARNING: This book will make you want to quit your full-time job. Tomorrow.
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John Maxwell
The godfather of leadership, John Maxwell, identified 15 laws of growth that successful people experience. This book is easy to follow and extremely practice. The laws here can not only be applied to your home business, but also to your everyday life. If you want to grow, you need to learn these laws.
How Successful People Think by John Maxwell
John Maxwell has a lot of books, and I’ve read most of them, but this is another one of my favorites. In order to be successful, you have to think like a successful person. It all starts in your head. It’s been said that you become what you consistently think about. If you want to be a successful business owner and finally catch your dreams, learn how the best of the best think.
The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk
I became a big fan of Gary Vaynerchuk a few years ago. Go check out his story and keynote speeches at GaryVaynerchuk.com. He is one of the world’s foremost experts on online business and brand building. This is his second book, and it proves why today’s economy is all about truly caring for your customers. The wall between business and customer has come crashing down, and Gary tells you why the businesses who true care will win.
Jab, Jab, Jab Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk
A perfect title for Gary’s message of “give, give, give, ask.” This is a case study book on the right and wrong ways to use different social media platforms. The “push marketing” model is dying quickly. Today it’s all about offering free tips, advice and giveaways before asking for something from your customers. If you are wanting to grow your business using any form of social media, you have to learn from the best out there. This does not have an audio version because it is very image-heavy for the case studies.
The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews
I’m a huge fan of Andy Andrews and the way he delivers his message. This is his signature book–a fictional story about a time traveler who learns the seven decisions that determine personal success. While homeless and living under a pier when he was younger, Andrews studied some of the most successful business owners, politicians, philanthropists and thinkers in history, and discovered seven common laws that determined their success. He created this fun and attention-grabbing story to teach those laws.
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
You’d have a hard time finding an entrepreneur who wasn’t influenced by this book. Robert Kiyosaki tells of the two different money mindsets that influenced him growing up. He quickly realized that the entrepreneur mindset was the only way to create true leverage and residual income. This book totally changed the way I looked at income sources.
Go Pro: 7 Steps to Becoming a Network Marketing Professional by Eric Worre
If you have a network marketing business, you just absolutely have to read this book. I keep several copies of the book and CD set to give away to my team. It is an easy read, and every step can be used right away. It is not specific to any particular company or type of network marketing plan, but covers the fundamental action steps to grow your business. Everything in it is something anyone can do. This book has helped me immeasurably.
The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy
You’ve probably been told that it’s the big decisions you make that determine your life, such as where you go to college, what you major in, marriage, buying a house, etc. But Darren Hardy, former publisher of SUCCESS magazine, says that isn’t so, and he’ll prove it to you in this book. The Compound Effect shows you how those small everyday discussions and habits, added up over time, are what really determine your life.
