Tools & Resources

I've collected together a resource page of apps, software, blogs and books which have helped me stay organized, develop my digital presence, communicate effectively and start my own business. This list will likely grow as I continue to learn. Bookmark this page, and check often. 

Communication & Collaboration

  • Gmail – needs no introduction. If you're still using your high school Hotmail account, I plead you to make the switch
  • Skype – calling, video chats and instant messaging with friends, family and clients
  • Google Hangout – used for larger video chats
  • Doodle – easiest way to schedule meetings
  • Dropbox – share entire folders or single documents, store your files in the cloud and have all your documents synced across your devices
  • Google Drive – easiest way to create and collaborate documents and spreadsheets
  • Rapportive – shows you everything you need to know about your contact, right in your inbox
  • Boomerang for Gmail – schedule your emails to be sent at a later time, or remind yourself of the email by sending it back to your inbox after a period of time

Website, Domain and Hosting

  • Squarespace – the best and easiest way to design your own website. I've designed, hosted and purchased my domain all through Squarespace!

Social Media & Marketing

  • Hootsuite – I use this to manage my clients' social media platforms. I use this to schedule tweets, track my searches and lists
  • Buffer – schedule content to be posted at set times. I use this to share articles on my personal social media accounts throughout the day
  • Aweber – I use this to manage my mailing list and send newsletters
  • Rafflecopter  - I use this to run giveaways for my clients

Productivity & Note Taking

  • Google Calendar – appointments, meetings, time blocks and deadlines
  • Nozbe – one of the best apps that implement the Getting Things Done system. All my to-do's go here
  • Evernote – my notes, web clippings, favourite articles and ideas all go here
  • Mint – the best method I've used to track all my earnings, expenses and savings
  • PayPal – used to receive payment from clients
  • Day One - journaling app for iOS 

Technology 

  • iPad Mini – I can't live without my iPad. I use it for emailing, internet browsing, reading and writing

Reading

  • Feedly – my Google Reader replacement, used to stay updated and read all my favourite blogs
  • Pocket – used in sync with Feedly. I select articles that interest me, load them to Pocket and read them while on the go. 
  • Flipboard – I use this to read and follow magazines curated by authoritative people in specific industries
  • Kindle – I load all PDFs and eBooks here, and read them on the go. I have the Kindle app downloaded in my iPad Mini. 

Learning

  • Quora – a great source of knowledge on almost anything
  • Skillshare – learn creative and design skills 
  • Lynda – learn more technical, business and creative skills. I've used this website to brush up on coding and learn more about online marketing and copywriting
  • Coursera – open online courses from universities around the world, taught by professors. I've used this to brush up on economics, business strategy and entrepreneurship. Other courses include applied sciences, arts, and so on. 
  • Udemy – online learning platform with classes on many things including applied sciences, design, business, and others. I've taken courses here on leadership, copywriting and online marketing

Blogs

My favourite blogs

Books

Books I've read through the years that have contributed to my learning

Entrepreneurship

  • The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
  • Whatcha Gonna Do With That Duck? by Seth Godin
  • The Suitcase Entrepreneur by Natalie Sisson
  • Click Millionaires by Scott Fox
  • Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
  • Small Business, Big Vision by Adam Toren & Matthew Toren

Business/Leadership

  • Ctrl Alt Delete by Mitch Joel
  • The Wealthy Freelancer by Steve Slaunwhite, Pete Savage & Ed Gandia
  • Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki
  • Brainfluence by Roger Dooley
  • The Personal MBA by Josh Kaufman
  • The 5 Levels of Leadership by John C. Maxwell
  • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
  • Finerman's Rules by Karen Finerman
  • Learn In by Sheryl Sandberg

Lifestyle

  • Focus by Leo Babauta
  • Thriving on Less by Leo Babauta
  • Simplicity: Essays by Joshua Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus
  • Getting Things Done by David Allen
  • Choose Yourself by James Altucher
  • The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
  • Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell
  • Quiet by Susan Cain

Communication/Marketing/Sales

  • How to Talk to Anyone by Leil Lowndes
  • Sales Bible by Jeffrey Gitomer
  • How to Sell Your Way Through Life by Napoleon Hill
  • The Copywriter's Handbook by Robert W. Bly
  • Convince Them in 90 Seconds by Nicholas Boothman

Personal Finance

  • I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
  • Money Rules by Gail Vaz-Oxlade