6 Online Marketing Tools That Are Worth Every Penny

TweetBelow are six tools that I use regularly that are worth every cent I pay for them — they help me market my tiny business.

AWeber–  AWeber is an email auto-responder and broadcasting system.  A properly built email list is a very powerful asset in your marketing.  AWeber is very reasonably priced and provides seamless communications with customers and prospects that have opted into your email subscription.

Camtasia Studio –  Camtasia Studio is a screencasting tool that allows you to create video of the things you are doing on your computer screen.  If you have a business where you could add value to your customers by providing “how-to” video on using software, internet applications, etc this is a must-have.

I have used the free tools and I have used Adobe Captivate — my vote is for Camtasia Studio.  Although it is frustrating sometimes in its limitations, I look the other way because it is VERY easy to use.

WebCam–  If you aren’t doing video today, you could be doing it tomorrow with very little investment.  Web cam’s are inexpensive and perfect for shooting head-shot video of yourself.  Use the webcam to talk about something valuable and interesting to your prospects and customers.  Then upload the video using TubeMogul, embed it on your own site and burn it to DVD for hand-outs at networking events.

Adobe CS4– The Adobe Suite of software is something that I use on a daily basis to edit graphics, video, and other forms of multi-media.  If you just want to get your feet wet – start with Adobe Photoshop — get a training video and learn the basics.  You won’t be disappointed in this purchase, I promise you.

iPhone –  I use my iPhone to increase my productivity and stay abreast of my rapidly changing industry.   The most valuable aspect (for me) of my iPhone is the ability to listen to podcasts about my industry.  I don’t care what business you are in, there are podcasts you could be listening to that will help you grow your business.

I also use the audio recorder in my iPhone to record blog post ideas that I have when I am away from my computer.  Also, the ability to surf the Internet from anywhere allows me to read blogs on the go.

SnagIt –  This little program is amazing!  I don’t know how I ever lived without it.  It allows you to “snag” (take a screenshot) of anything on your screen.  The real power here lies in the robust editing capabilities that SnagIt has.  Every time I use this program, I find something new that the program can do for me.