One of the first things I learned as a home-based business owner was that the saying "you have to invest in yourself before anyone else will" (I have no idea who coined that phrase) was entirely accurate. BUT, I also learned that there are things you can utilize to propel your business forward that wont require the black-market sale of a kidney. Or both kidneys.
So I'd like to share with you some more resources I've used in my business practices.
ACCOUNTING, TAX PREP, INVENTORY MANAGEMENT: First, one of the most popular and prolific questions I'm asked regards accounting, tax preparation and inventory management. I am not a tax professional and encourage everyone to talk to a tax professional before instituting any accounting, tax or inventory software or processes. But, if you'd like to get your feet wet with some research, this invaluable resource was introduced to me last month that is a rather comprehensive list of resources to suit the needs of this category. Check out THIS RESOURCE (click here) from Cloudwards for a thorough walk-through of some of the most popular accounting, tax and inventory solutions.
PHOTOGRAPHY: If you've followed me for a hot minute, you'll know I'm a photography enthusiast. While, as a hobbyist, I have invested in pro-sumer camera equipment, those beginning to build their home-based business can use free, inexpensive or on-hand resources to create stellar marketing and sales photography.
Phone Apps and Computer Programs:
The photos included in this image were edited using the Snapseed phone app, available for iphone and android users (also adaptable for use on a PC, though I've not tried it).
It was then compiled with another phone app, Pic Collage, also available for both iphone and android users.
The compiled image was then brought back into the Snapseed app to add the final text overlay.
The background color can be changed, as can the color and style of text added. These apps make marketing and promotional images super easy to build and share!
These images were created by finding a free stock image (ie. the woman in the woods) from sites like Pexels, www.pikwizard.com and Pixabay. Each image is uploaded by users who like to share their work for use by others. Check the individual Terms of Use for each image to determine if they may be utilized for commercial purposes.
Once the stock image is chosen, it's brought into the free PC photo editing program iPiccy. Check out Starla Moore's thorough video on creating outstanding marketing photos using the iPiccy program.
Not a program or software, but still photography related.... No light tents, no external lighting, and requiring no additional purchases. Photos edited in Snapseed.
Note 8
Old cookie sheet
Side Table
WEBSITE AND ONLINE PRESENCE: I've said it before and I'll say it over and over again. I no longer have any affiliation with them, but if you're looking to build your business from the ground-up and finances are tight (we've all been there, may still be there, may find ourselves there again....), try Storenvy. It's free. It's customizable. You can link a free Blogger, Wordpress or Weebly blog to it, create static pages for a gallery of past work, an About page, a policies page, for a complete online presence. For the price (you know... free), it's an absolutely amazing option.
These are my most-used or most-referenced resources in the running of my business, or have been in its beginning stages. I hope you have fun giving them a go!
Stay creative, folks!
Nicole
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