Occasionally I post about various tools I use and/or recommend, but I thought it might be nice to start an easy-to-access list. I hope it's helpful!
My Income Streams
My goal is to create multiple income streams and to make them as passive as possible. By "passive" I mean, they don't require a lot of time and energy to keep them going. For example, selling my ebook while I sleep and waking up to money in my PayPal account is an example of passive income. Of course there's a lot of work on the front end, but once it's in motion, it largely works on its own.
Tell Your Time - My ebook which has brought in good, steady income since I launched it in October 2010. If you're interested in writing your own ebook, check out my How to Write an Ebook series.
Swagbucks - This feeds my book addiction mostly. You don't need a blog to earn with Swagbucks. Check out my posts on the subject here, here and here.
AdSense - Google has made setting up their ad program super easy. Just sign up, create your ad(s) and stick the code in your sidebar (or wherever you want it to show up) and you're done.
Commission Junction - For hosting, MOO cards (these are super cute although I now need to order new ones with my new logo!) and many more options.
ShareASale - Genesis Theme (the best theme I've used so far) is mostly what works for me here.
Logical Media, Panthera, MySavings, Escalate - Are you a deal blogger? These are good places to sign up for affiliate opportunities. For me, the income stream comes from the referrals.
Amazon - I sell my ebook via Amazon but I'm also a part of their "Associates" (i.e. affiliate) program which pays a commission on books and any other Amazon products. My Living Books List is also another place I utilize Amazon.
Affiliate Marketing – I promote a few worthwhile ebooks I have bought & used myself (see below). For more about affiliate marketing, you might be interested in my Affiliate Marketing Explained posts.
Coaching & Consulting – This is on a limited basis currently, but still brings in some.
Keeping Track of Money
Budget (choose Mac or Windows) – We are Dave Ramsey fans around here and this allows you to divvy up your money into your envelopes when you get paid and then watch your balances as you spend throughout the month. We love it.
PayPal – I use Merchant Services for invoicing clients.
E-books & Forums
How to Market and Sell Your eBook – This book by Sarah Mae came in SUPER handy when I relaunched Tell Your Time. Highly recommended.
Blog Post Promotion: The Ultimate Guide – I still have yet to employ all these tricks by Kristi Hines. Great tips.
31 Days to Build a Better Blog – A workbook that walks you through improving your blog. How can you go wrong with Darren Rowse?
E-junkie – If you have written an e-book or produced some other sort of product you want to make available to your readers, E-junkie makes it easy to sell online.
Hosting & Domains
HostGator – I have been very happy with HostGator so far. I recorded a video tutorial about them here.
Bluehost – This is another hosting company I use for my sites. I explain why in How to Set Up Hosting and WordPress.
GoDaddy – I register all my domains here. Check out How to Register a Domain Name for more.
Blog Design
Genesis Theme Framework – I used free WordPress themes for many years. In 2011 I bought Genesis and have been extremely happy with it. Here's a video tutorial about it. Absolutely recommended.
Five J's Design – If you're looking for a blog or website design, look no futher than Joy at Five J's Design. She's experienced, works fast, is extremely intelligent and is very reasonably priced.
The Blog Designer Network – A HUGE list of designers. I can't personally vouch for most on the list, but I browsing through portfolios will hopefully give you an idea of someone you might want to work with.
Atahualpa – This is a pretty decent free alternative to the popular paid-for themes, Thesis and Headway.
Gimp – Free image-editing software. It's an excellent choice if you want something a little more robust than Picnik, but don't want to pay for something like Photoshop Elements or Photoshop (Mac) or (Windows). I do all my design work in Gimp. (If you need help getting started, I recommend these helpful Gimp tutorials.)
Web Browsers
Google Chrome – In my opinion, Google Chrome is the best browser available for free. It's fast and easy to use. I would rank Safari second (it works on both Mac & PC), Firefox third and Internet Explorer? Well, if you're using IE, let's just say I highly recommend you switch to another browser as fast as you can. Oh I do not like IE.
Misc
123inkjets.com – For printer ink. They're MUCH cheaper if you buy online (as compared to the store) and I've never had a problem with the generic cartridges.
Disclosure: I am compensated for purchases made via the referral links in this post.
Here at BloggingWithAmy you'll find tips, tools & tutorials about blogging and websites in plain English. Want to 