I want to tell you about 5 great resources that I use everyday to speed up what I do … and you’ll be delighted to hear that they won’t cost you a thing!

# Great resource 1

I couldn’t do without bit.ly … I constantly use it to shorten links in emails, and with a registered account, I get to check how many people are clicking on those links.

# Great resource 2

I make great use of Firefox as a browser and to be honest with you, if you’re into IM and you’re still using Internet Explorer, you’re probably missing a trick.

With Firefox you can use cool plug ins to make life easier.

My top recommendations?

=> S3Fox: lets you manage Amazon S3 easily
=> ScreenGrab: allows you to take instant full page screen grabs, great for screen shots
=> Alexa Sparky: Automatically shows you the Alexa ranking for any website
=> Speed Dial: creates fast access panels for all your most commonly used websites … I have panels for affiliate sites, forums, Giveaways, blogs and so on.

# Great resource 3

Ever need to convert files which you can’t open on your PC or laptop?

Try using Zamzar to convert files types … it’s great for unusual video files, or converting PDFs to Word documents or vice versa.

# Great resource 4

I find that I need to send a lot of big files these days, usually mp3 audios that I want to be transcribed.

If you need to send large files – the type that make your emails jam up – try out SendThisFile.

Most people recommend YouSendIt, and I do have a paid account, but for quick (and cost-free) transfers, I use SendThisFile.

I also like the way I can embed a bit of code in my own websites so that people can easily send large files to me … check out my example here.

# Great resource 5

The final cost-free resource that I’m using all the time now was recommended to me by my product launch partner Chris Freville.

It’s called GroupMail and although I now use the paid version, the basic download is absolutely fine.

Groupmail is a cross between an auto responder and regular email … it allows you to correspond with larger groups of people (ie your affiliates or JVpartners) without having to rewrite or copy and paste the email lots of times.

It allows you to insert first/second name fields like an auto responder does and makes managing multiple emails a much simplified process.

I used it to communicate with my testimonial providers for my forthcoming product launch, and also my JV partners in my recent mini Giveaway.

So there you are, 5 cost-free resources that I make regular use of and that I recommend you check out to streamline your own day-to-day business operations.

Three extras … more great time-saving resources

# Great resource 6

Although I don’t make heavy use of it myself (there’s a good reason for that!), I highly recommend this free tool.

It’s called Jing and it allows you to quickly and easily record your PC screen so you can make instructional videos.

I use this technique on my Helpdesk sometimes, when someone is struggling to do something and it’s easier for me to show them in a video.

The reason I don’t use it myself so much is because I own the paid version, Camtasia 7 which has all the bells and whistles.

However, if I’d known about Jing at the time, that money might still be in my pocket

# Great resource 7

I make regular use of Slideshare both as a method for driving traffic to my offers but also as a way of making my presentations available for viewing, sharing and download.

I’ve only dabbled with Slideshare so far, but I highly rate it as a free resource.

You can check out my Slideshare area here to see how I’ve been using it.

# Great resource 8

My final resource tip is called LogoFresh and I used it to create my own coaching logo and branding which you’ll see me use across my web pages and webinars (see image above).

I stumbled across this one day and loved it, I had my branding created in no time and managed to get in all all sorts of formats … suitable for smaller items like calling cards, right up to a big backdrop print which will debut in some front of camera videos that I’ll be making very soon.

More great tips?

So, eight great resources that you can use in your everyday business, all of them free at basic level, but like most things in life, upgrades are available.

If you found this post useful, let me steer you in the direction of this one too which looks back at the purchases I have made for my business over the years and reviews which were worthwhile and which were a waste of money.

Read it here.

Your thoughts?