We can all probably agree that certain tools and technologies aid in our work and have the ability to get it done just that much faster. However, the wrong tools end up being a time suck at best and can completely derail and frustrate us at worst.

I understand how important it is to choose the right resources for the right job. With that in mind, I’ve put together this content marketing resource list of everything I currently use (or have used) in my business and would recommend to you. Please keep in mind this list will change and evolve with my own business and with what I learn working with my clients, so check back often!

BLOGGING

  • WordPress.org: get your free self-hosted WordPress site here
  • Editorial Calendar: download this super-detailed editorial calendar template that I use (coming soon!)
  • Blog Template: download the blog template I use for Fortune 100 clients (coming soon!)

PRODUCTIVITY

  • Google Drive: Share docs with an online remote team or with clients and edit in real time
  • Evernote: Download both the web app, the clipper and the mobile app to seamlessly manage your to-do lists and make quick notes. I write down draft blog posts here so they stay synced with my mobile and computer.
  • Asana: free tool for productivity on steroids; manages your workflow, projects and team members without relying on email
  • Diigo: Bookmark sites you find interesting. Use categories to segment sites for maximum value.

SOCIAL MEDIA

  • Hootsuite: manage your social media accounts across twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and more from a single dashboard.
  • Buffer: Schedule social media posts in advance to publish on a pre-determined schedule. Use in conjunction with feedly below for curation on steroids
  • Feedly: The RSS reader to check for all the latest news and info about your industry. Subscribe to blogs and read them in a visually pleasing app
  • Followerwonk: To understand who to follow as part of your influencer marketing strategy

LIST BUILDING

  • MailChimp: Design your email newsletters in a snap with Mailchimp’s ready-to-use templates. Free for the first 2000 subscribers.

WEBSITE

  • BlueHost: Get the most affordable, and reliable hosting service recommended by WordPress itself. Their customer service is always on!
  • NameCheap: Buy that domain with cheap coupon codes
  • Avada WordPress Theme: The professional theme I use for this website.
  • Basic plugins to install:

➔    Jetpack: instant access to your traffic stats

➔   Shareaholics: cool-looking social share buttons to just about every social network

➔   Akismet: to catch spam

➔   Yoast SEO: learn how to write blog posts with SEO best practices

➔   Scribe SEO (paid): same as above but with more guidance

➔   WordPress Backup to Dropbox: backup your entire website on the cloud to DropBox (get a free Dropbox account)

➔   Disqus Comments: manage comments on your site in a professional way

➔   Contact Form 7: embed this to give people a way to contact you with details

➔   Related Posts: this is a great way for people to discover more/similar content from you

ANALYTICS

  •  Google Analytics: Comprehensive tools to measure the results of your content marketing and social media efforts. Free to use.
  •  Google Webmaster Tools: Install this for some great dimension into web visitor analytics and for getting your site ranking in Google faster.
  •  Twitter Counter: Analyze how your twitter network is growing
  •  Social Mention: Put in links or phrases that you want to monitor on social networks
  •  Talkwalker Alerts: get an email alert anytime your name or business name (or any other phrase you choose) is mentioned anywhere on the Net

ANDROID APPS

BOOKS

  •  The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss: The bible to read for designing a life you love around the work you love
  •  The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau: Some great inspirational stories and how-to advice.
  •  Content Rules by Ann Handley and C.C. Chapman: The fundamental book on how to create compelling content that converts
  •  The New Rules of Marketing and PR by David Meerman Scott: The ground-breaking book on digital marketing and it’s many offshoots
  •  Promote Yourself by Dan Schawbel: How to do personal branding right so you are viewed as an expert in your industry
  •  Influence Marketing by Danny Brown and Sam Fiorella: Everyone wants to find influencers to build their brand but few do it right. This book teaches you how to focus on the right influencers for content amplification.
  •  Online Community Management for Dummies by Deb Ng: If you manage an online community of any size on any social network, this is required reading.
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