The Tools We Use
Everyone has their favorite tools. The use of tools is a higher function, one of the main things that indicates intelligent life. On the internet your choice of tools often makes the difference in your internet experience and that of your market.
I use several tools that make a difference for me. I use a laptop instead of a desktop computer as I travel a lot and I need my business to travel with me. I also own an air-card to allow me internet access pretty much anywhere.
I have all three main browsers loaded to my computer, but my browser of choice is Firefox, because of the flexibility and pluginedness (yeah, I know it isn’t a word). I could have chosen many different blogging tools, but I chose Wordpress for much the same reason. It gives me flexibility and by using the self-hosted version I have complete control over my content.
I use Squidoo as a marketing tool in addition to my blog. Thanks to the brilliant interface the Squidoo folks have put together there and the amazing SEO that happens as a result, I get serious traction for ideas and concepts I want to explore and have a tool that allows me to show myself as an expert on any particular topic I feel passionate about.
I use Dreamweaver as my html editor and Photo Impact Pro as my graphics editor. I prefer Pinnacle products for editing video, but I also use Ulead from time to time. I use Total Recorder and Sound Forge for audio editing and CamStudio for creating tutorials.
I have a number of tools I use for SEO projects, which I will be covering in more detail in my newest Squidoo lens. http://www.squidoo.com/keywordstosuccess
Learning tools: I have a few favorite mentors, Seth Godin at the top of the list. I totally recommend his latest brilliant marketing book, Meatball Sundae, as well as my three favorite classic Seth Godin books, Permission Marketing, Unleashing the Idea Virus and Purple Cow (actually, there are a lot more…Seth doesn’t know how to write a bad book). I am currently reading Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch, all about marketing that sticks. I also spend at least 3 hours a day doing research to keep up with marketing trends, marketing tools and resources and what folks are doing out there. The best way to learn the web is to be part of the web.
What are your tools? I would love to hear about what you are using to market on the internet. You will see many future posts about specific tools.
Tags: , lenses, marketing books, recommended reading, Seth Godin, Squidoo, Tools
