In addition to the downloadable transcript in PDF, the following highlights some of the most popular tweets from the chat:

Be sure to check out the transcript in PDF for the full discussion. Note that the transcript is in reverse chronological order.

If you weren’t able to join us this week, weigh in on the chat questions below!

The #solopr chat – held each Wednesday from 1-2 p.m. Eastern – is a weekly ritual for some of the most savvy Solo PR Pros on Twitter. Anyone with a Twitter account is welcome to participate – see Join Us for the #solopr Chat on Twitter to find out how!

Between Pinterest’s rise to fame as the third most popular social network in the U.S. by some accounts and Facebook’s $1 billion acquisition of the mobile photo sharing app Instagram – a company that was just two years old – it’s easy to see that if content is still king, visual content rules the social web in 2012. There’s been a lot of interesting discussion about the trend toward more visual content/learning, and strong visuals are clearly here to stay as an increasingly important element in any PR program.

As solo PR pros with budgets that are often more limited, the ability to find free, high-quality images online for use in blog posts, presentations, and on social networks – and edit them using free tools –  is now more essential than ever. But don’t just search Google Images and copy something from there (this is tantamount to stealing).  There are many resources and tools available for no cost, high quality visuals – our favorites follow.

Free Image Downloads

1. FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Quickly downloading photos from this online database of free images is especially easy since no registration is required. Though each image on this site can be purchased as a higher resolution file, internet-ready images are available for immediate download free of charge, provided you adhere to the site’s Terms of Services and provide attribution to the original photographer. On FreeDigitalPhotos.net, this means inserting a hyperlink to the contributor’s profile page if the image is to be used online, or publishing the following credit along with photos used in printed materials: “Image: [NAME] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net”

2. StockFreeImages.com
Though there’s one extra step to using this site in that you have to register first, this online collection of 431,000+ images operates similarly to FreeDigitalPhotos.net: give proper credit to the author, and use of the image is entirely free. On this site, an HTML credit line is automatically generated upon download that looks something like this: “© [NAME] | <a href=”http://www.stockfreeimages.com/”>Stock Free Images</a>”

3. Stock.xchng
Like the resource listed above, users must register and sign in to access the 350,000+ quality stock photos by more than 30,000 photographers found on this site. All images here are entirely free as long as users stick to the rules found in their Image License Agreement, which specifies where/when you can and can’t use an image. There’s also an option to contact the photographer if you’d like to use their image for purposes other than those allowed in the agreement.

4. Compfight
It’s a common misconception that all images on Flickr are freely available for use. Not true! Compfight is a search tool that allows you to filter Flickr images and view only those available through Creative Commons or for Commercial use (depending on your needs).

On Flickr, the “license” terms for each image are in the right sidebar – click the words “some rights reserved” to see the details. Some images are shared with permission to “remix” (which means you can crop it, or add a title on top of it, for example), while some are not. Most “some rights reserved” images ask for attribution.

5. iStockphoto’s Free Photo of the Week
Every week this site posts a new image, accessible from its home page, that it makes available for free (to give users a reason to keep coming back). You may not have use for the image today, but it never hurts to download these into a folder and save for the future.

Of course, sometimes paying a relatively small fee (usually around $2, depending on size) to a site like iStockphoto.com or Shutterstock for the perfect image is worth it. But if you’re just looking to jazz up a boring PowerPoint or illustrate a blog post, the sites above can often fill the bill.

Free Photo Editing

Our long-time favorite editing tool, Picnik, was shuttered by acquiring company Google in April (some of its features have been incorporated into Google+).   We’re currently trying out the following:.

1. PicMonkey
PicMonkey is certainly an appropriate Picnik replacement, as the service was actually started by former Picnik engineers. PicMonkey is free and doesn’t require registration (checkout the rather advanced human touchup tools – it’s hard to beat a good teeth whitener and wrinkle remover!).

2. BeFunky
Another photo editing site where registration isn’t required, BeFunky comes with all of the basics like the ability to fix red-eye or bad lighting, but also insists that it has “more effects than any other photo editor, and features you won’t find anywhere else.”

3. Aviary
Aviary is a suite of powerful creative applications that you can use right in your web browser. This site allows for photo editing with tools like the Image Editor, Screen Capture, Vector Editor, Image Markup, and more

Do you have any favorite resources or tools we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Image: Idea go / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

For those of you who are active on Twitter, @PRCog needs no introduction. One of the few examples of social media anonymity done right, PR Cog expresses – with trademark humor – many of the frustrations that exist for a mid-level PR pro. These generalized beefs can be with both clients and upper management, and many of his tweets are now on behalf of other annoyed PR tweeters, submitted anonymously to him by Direct Message.

I was happy to electronically interview this popular Twitter character turned blogger, who shares his insights on both PR Cog’s Gear Grindings and PRBreakfastclub (where he serves as Editor and Publisher). But little did I know I was about to be given a worldwide exclusive to the Cog-related story of the year!  Read on…

1. Being a PR Cog sure sounds tough — how’d you come to such a fate?

Well, I became a Cog in a small professional services based shop about 5 years ago after leaving the professional services space.  I became @PRCog on a bad working day almost 18 months ago. I made the account, tweeted a bit, followed some journalists and pros (not in the Law & Order sense) and forgot about it.  I returned a few weeks later to discover I had been re-followed by more than I expected.  I fully expected backlash and have only been told by one person that they know of someone who doesn’t like what I’m doing.  The person who doesn’t like it has yet to grow the brass ones to tell me. More details can be found in Valerie Simon’s interview from a few months back.  But it’s been a very enlightening experience since I started.

2. What’s the most difficult thing about your current state of affairs?

Let’s come back to this one…

3. Do you ever long to escape the grind and become a Solo PR Pro?

Well, this is the first time I’m putting this out there publicly — I already have.  A few months back my old agency and I parted ways.  I wasn’t growing as a professional any longer and had filled all the possible positions / done all the tasks at that agency (we were VERY specialized).  It was all very amicable – I still try to refer them business and they send me work occasionally.

Since then, in addition to looking for new opportunities at an agency and in-house (because we all like the stability of a paycheck, and I’m the first to admit I’ve got plenty to learn – I know if I don’t pursue other opportunities simultaneously I’ll wonder what’s out there), I’ve setup my own shop and have been living the solo life (living room office, kids asking for juice during biz calls, etc. – the whole kit’n'kaboodle).  I’ve worked a few contracts/consultations and am continuing to seek out new business.

4. Is being an independent PR consultant the best way to find freedom? What’s a Cog like you dream of doing?

Unless you can find that perfect agency/company and love everyone you work with (i.e., if PRBC were to form their own agency – xo Cats & Kittens ), it would appear to be.  The experience has been very liberating.

During a recent potential client meeting, who in addition to my normal skillset I discovered was also looking for skills and experience outside my comfort zone, I was able to actually say, “Yes, we can do these things, realize though this part of it isn’t where my background is and it’ll be a learning experience for both of us.”  I disclaimed that if needed we could knock down the tab or I’d bring someone in short term to teach me a few things.  I’m happy to sell myself to the best of my abilities, not make promises I then expect my “staff” to fulfill.

Could it have cost me the contract? Maybe, but that’s better than having a dissatisfied client and not being true to what I can and can’t do. Particularly early on – some of the best clients at my former company came from satisfied client referrals – don’t want to start off on the wrong foot.

So, returning to question 2 — the biggest issue now is the social media side.  Inevitably the question comes up, “Do you have any social media experience?” It’s quite a dance trying to reference my blogging, PRBC activities, and Twitter use without specifically referencing PRCog. Returning back to a normal twitter account will be difficult given the number of people that have actually seen me IRL (most of whom I trust, but there’s too many to depend on it being kept a secret).  Thankfully, I’m having more conversations than snark, so even if I have to go there I can.  Potential clients have no interest in outing me.  Most of the current venom has been archival or ghost tweets (tweets sent on behalf of others [as therapy] that they can’t send because their bosses or clients are following them).

5. Any extra tidbits you can tell us about the man behind the mask?

Oh goodness.  Well, next big projects include an interesting PRBC project and for this summer — Masquertweet, of course .

I’m still the same snark filled, fun loving, optimistic (ok, that one’s only partially true) me.

Actually there are a few odd observations — One of the biggest things that surprises me is the number of people I’ve never tweeted with before whose first question in a dm is ‘What agency are you at?”  I don’t assume everyone in the PR world knows who I am (goodness, I would hope not), but if I was really going to randomly disclose that info wouldn’t I have it in my bio?  Or a real name? Or…something else indicating I want to tie my real self to this identity?  This may be an indication of one of the biggest SM/PR problems — not researching (or reading) before engaging.

The lack of identity seems to put a number of people at ease online – I’ve had numerous people tell me things in confidence I wouldn’t tell others that I do know IRL.  Perhaps there’s a belief (which is true) that I have no incentive to ruin anyone (at least anyone that hasn’t given me reason to), and the credibility of an anonymous person is in question so the risk is minimal.  Maybe others are just more trusting than I am (a definite possibility).

—

So, there’s the bombshell. I had intended to interview a Cog on how he longed to break free – only to find out he already had! Fellow PR pros, do you agree that becoming an independent consultant is the best way to escape life-long Cog status? What advice would you offer to our newly-solo PRCog?

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But I don’t advocate everyone take the leap willy nilly. The truth is there are times when a look before you leap strategy might serve you best. As noted in that earlier post, this doesn’t mean you can’t be successful or go out on your own during this phase in the economy. You can! It’s just that different times call for different measures.

We’ve talked about the exciting consulting opportunities available for those who’ve experienced a layoff, but what about someone who is currently employed?

I recently asked the Twitter community, “Independent PR pros: what would you say to someone considering leaving a job right now to become a PR freelancer?”, and some of my wise and witty friends weighed in:

rachelakay @KellyeCrane From my short term as a freelancer – have a $ cushion. You cannot predict anything.

techpr @KellyeCrane I’d say (from experience) plan a multi-stage ramp-up before jumping. Then go!

JMLaw @KellyeCrane Have a client lined up. Good advice anytime, but especially now when the market is even more uneven than usual.

LScribner @KellyeCrane Lots of opps out there for consultants. Recommend getting out, make connections and using PR skills to market yourself.

rachelakay @KellyeCrane Oh also have a logo created. You can’t have anything else – cards, Web site, anything w//out it. First thing I did.

GreggPerry @KellyeCrane there is work to be done, and those who can offer senior-level experience and value have a leg up. That said, scary to let go.

DannyBrown @KellyeCrane Stay friends with your co. (they may contract u in future); have money for 6 mths without pay; network network network!!

rockstarjen @KellyeCrane let people know you’re making the leap as early as you can. you’ll want those referrals BEFORE you’re looking for them.

PRjeff @KellyeCrane Depends on the job. Employment doesn’t mean job security. It’s great to be in control of your own destiny.

zakmo @KellyeCrane be aggressive.

DannyBrown @KellyeCrane And have a rack full of wine for the doubting times

What do you think? If you’re one of those thinking about becoming a consultant, what are your thoughts on the matter (feel free to comment anonymously). If you’re a freelancer, how would you advise a friend considering this career path right now?

We all do it on occasion. Sometimes we fool even ourselves, we’re so good at pretending to be busy — and independent consultants are especially vulnerable.

It can be a form of procrastination (as in the illustration above). Or perhaps we just can’t find the muse that day — the brain juices simply aren’t flowing for some reason. Sometimes we feel a little guilty if we don’t have enough client work, and busying ourselves with non-essential tasks helps fill the void.

If you find yourself losing track of time as you mosey aimlessly around the Web, ask yourself: could I take a walk? Endulge in a guilty pleasure? Pick up the phone and call an old friend? Getting away from the computer can be the best way to jump start your productivity.

Just remember: there is no glory in working for the sake of working. Take time for some amusement, and you’ll be more efficient when you have actual work to do. So have fun out there!

What do you do when you find yourself pretending to be busy? Any tips for clearing the cobwebs?

Cartoon by Dave Walker. Find more cartoons you can freely re-use on your blog at We Blog Cartoons.

How and why did you “go out on your own”?

About three years ago, I was heading up the PR efforts for one of the largest homebuilder associations in the country – leading up public awareness campaigns, leadership positioning and crisis management for a variety of personalities and companies.  I began Big Noise out of a real desire to handle ‘non industry’ clients, taking on a few freelance gigs here and there and actually helping out with the local media relations efforts for Johnette Napolitano as she was touring in support of her solo effort, Scarred.  So, when the opportunity to handle the public relations for a NASCAR team based in Dallas – the only one based in Texas and a relatively small outfit – came up, I was intrigued.  The owner of the team was a bit of a paradox: a card-carrying Republican that was covered in tattoos and had a mouth like a sailor.  There mere fact that he was this little ‘David’ in the ‘Goliath’ world of NASCAR intrigued me, so I took him on as a client.  Big Noise Communications was then made ‘official’ out of sheer necessity to have an ‘offsite entity’ to serve as this team’s agency.

How do you find most of your clients?
Most of my clients have come about through word of mouth and recommendations.  Leaving a strong impression on current clients and colleagues has paid in dividends for me in this way.  It’s like having good karma in business – it’s all gravy when you handle yourself with integrity and moxie.

What are some examples of interesting projects you’ve been able to work on as an independent?
Some of the most interesting projects I’m finding myself involved with are still developing.  While I can’t say too much just yet, what I can tell you is that I’m in the process of working on a variety of things with folks like Todd Defren, Mary McKnight, David Mullen, Matt Batt and Arik Hanson. Additionally, from being able to work with Big Noise Communications full-time, I’ve been able to promote the ‘Narciso Tovar’ brand a bit more. As such, I’ve been asked to teach a couple of classes on Social Media and Public Relations to working professionals in the Fall.

What benefits of being independent have you experienced?
Going at it full-time with Big Noise Communications has been a great for a variety of reasons:

• More freedom – Since I’m the one who heads up the company, I’m the one that ultimately calls the shots, establishes methodologies and sets the tone for the brand.
• Greater focus – I’m no longer feeling the pressure to cross-sell services that I’m not as savvy on, nor am I feeling the need to ‘share the love’ with different practices in-house.  Even though Big Noise Communications handles social media engagements and ALOT of things that fall under the ‘PR umbrella,’ that’s just it.  If we were to be approached with the prospect of doing some email marketing campaigns, print advertising, etc., I can simply pass along the opportunity to a company I can vouch for and trust.  The ability to do this is both invigorating and freeing.
• Increased flexibility – If I need to take in a movie in the middle of the day to unwind, I’ll do it.  If I just want to have a 15-minute ‘just shut up and dance’ time in the middle of the afternoon, I make it happen.  Moreover, I can be as mobile as I want/need to be.

What do you find to be the biggest challenges?
Going at it full time with Big Noise is still very exciting for me. Being able to contain this excitement and energy in a ‘normal’ 9-5 day has been more difficult for me than ever before.  Granted, there really are no true 9-5 hours in PR (or, at least, none that I know of); but since I have more than just our clients to consider (I have a company to think about, after all), it’s kinda’ hard to just turn it off.

What’s your favorite “guilty pleasure” that being solo allows you to do?
I can crank up my music to 11 without having to worry about bothering ‘the man’ – essentially giving me the ability to ‘Fight the Power’ with a lot more ease.

What are some important things to keep in mind to succeed as an independent consultant?
Whether you’re working as an independent or starting up your own practice,
you have to always remember three big things:

• Don’t take yourself too seriously – the moment you start rolling your eyes, thinking something is beneath you is the moment you’ve turned into a suit.  If people want to work with a suit, they’d go with the big dogs. More than likely, you’re not the kind of person that falls into this category.  Get your hands dirty and never hold yourself up to being the kind of person that has to be ‘handled’ in a certain way.
• Always be in sponge mode – there are so many things that are changing, improving, developing, etc. in communications that you need to always do your best to be reading and learning.  I know time is tight, but it will never let up.  You’ve got to make the time.
• Hold on loosely to your passion – to borrow the phrase from .38 Special (loved that song): “If you cling too tightly, you’re gonna lose control.” The best kind of passion is one that is free flowing like water – kind of like Bruce Lee.  This dude never let his fighting/self defense style get in the way of any one form.  He once said that “water can flow or it can crash.”  This is why tapping into your passions is so important because it will always be flowing and always ready to crash with ideas, excitement, energy and a desire to share.

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us”

– Joseph Campbell

The first time many people consider PR freelancing or consulting is the day they learn their job is no longer. If you’ve recently been laid off, or are concerned you might be, the time to think about working as a PR consultant is now.

This may be temporary while you simultaneously seek full-time employment, or you may find you love it so much you permanently join our ranks! As a newly-free friend recently told me, “I think we’re ALL gonna do a little consulting in the new economy.”

But where to begin? If you’re facing involuntary independent status, your head is likely reeling a bit, and that’s to be expected. Beyond the traditional job-seeking advice, here are a few consulting-related items to consider in the near-term:

• If you’re still technically employed, plan to take copies of any information your company policy allows, in particular those related to your network of contacts (including business cards and emails) and work samples. If possible, retrieve any personal information you may have on your company blackberry, laptop, etc. You’ll need that information to help secure your new consulting contracts.

• Don’t be ashamed of your status. Some of the industry’s foremost leaders and thinkers have announced publicly that their positions were eliminated in recent months. In this economy, there is no stigma against those that have been laid off, and there’s no need to apologize (even implicitly) as you network. Try to quell those demons. “Our doubts are traitors, And make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt.” – Shakespeare

• Consider your health insurance options. If you’re married, take a look at the plans available through your spouse’s employer. If the selection is undesirable or you’re unmarried, you can usually obtain insurance coverage through your employer’s COBRA plan.   This will likely seem expensive, but it is worth doing near-term while you investigate your options further. It’s important to make sure your health insurance doesn’t lapse, since that can make it more difficult to get coverage later and subjects you to the whims of the insurance industry (e.g., pre-existing condition loopholes, application technicalities, etc. – ugh!).

• Don’t worry about a business structure, name, or any of those things that might feel overwhelming at the moment. You can do independent PR consulting under your own name, and as a “sole proprietor,” with no up-front paperwork required. When tax time comes, you’ll just use the Schedule C form to report your income and expenses.

• Speaking of expenses, start keeping track of them immediately. As you may know, you can deduct some of your job hunt expenses, but you can also deduct expenses if you do any kind of consulting. Just grab a folder and start stashing your receipts for anything professional, such as networking lunches, association dues, and meeting attendance fees. If you meet a colleague at their offices and you have to pay to park, that receipt goes in the folder. Buy some legal pads to write out your consulting ideas? Receipt in the folder! You get the idea… you’ll be surprised how quickly it adds up.

• And then there’s the big question: fees. If you worked with freelance PR pros in your previous position, you probably have an idea of what PR consultants are charging in your area. If not, an excellent resource is the annual Writer’s Market publication. In addition to being available for purchase, it’s also typically found in the Resources section of your local library. Though written primarily for freelance writers, Writer’s Market includes a “How Much Should I Charge” section that offers some guidance on hourly fees for PR activities. Keep in mind that the rates for freelance writers are often lower than those for experienced PR professionals.

• When it comes to setting consulting fees, the biggest newbie mistake is failing to consider the extra financial responsibilities you have as an independent. In particular, a full 15.3% of your income will go to the self-employed version of FICA (versus half of that — 7.65% — when you’re an employee). That’s in addition to your tax rate. Add it up, and you can easily find 40% or more of your pay going to Uncle Sam. Now before you go slamming your fist on your desk cursing the IRS, just remember it’s nothing to get upset about if you plan ahead and take this into account when setting your fees.

• Another mistake is forgetting that you now will be responsible for a variety of non-billable work (sending invoices, new business plans, etc.) related to maintaining your business.  You might have a billing rate in mind, but when you consider these factors you may find you should be billing considerably more than that. It will of course depend on your skills and experience — just be sure not to short-change yourself!  In many ways, the market will perceive your level of expertise based on your fee level.

This is just a quick-hit list of initial considerations.  It’s my hope that regardless of what direction you end up heading long-term, the result will be an even more satisfying career that brings you fulfillment and enriches your life.

Are you considering PR consulting, or have you recently “hung out your shingle” as a freelancer?  What issues are you finding most challenging? Veteran solo PR pros – what advice do you have for those just getting started?

Photo credit: mufan96

Here, in an attempt to help you wade through the options, I’ve assembled the tools I’ve personally found most helpful. Best of all, most are free or have free versions.

Productivity

1. Google Docs – Offers applications including word processing, spreadsheets and presentations that you can create and share online, and then edit anytime, from anywhere. You can even import existing documents for no-cost backup storage.
2. Zoho – Zoho is a suite of 16 productivity and business applications that compete with Google’s offering. Zoho allows you to not just import existing documents, but also entire folders via the Zip function. For that reason, I personally give Zoho a slight edge over Google Docs, but you may want to check them both out to see what works best for you.
3. iGoogle – Develop a personalized page of widgets for easy access to your key online resources. Make it your home page for a productivity boost.
4. When is Good – Simple way to schedule meetings with multiple participants without the email back-and-forth.
5. Zamzar – If someone sends you a file that you don’t have the software to open, check here to see if you can convert it into another format that works for you. Not sure how we lived without this one!
   
6. You Send It – Circumvent email when sending large files by using this service, which allows you to just send a link to the download.
7. Jott – Jott’s voice-to-text services allow you to record and capture thoughts, create to-dos, set reminders, and send emails and text messages – just by calling a special phone number. Unfortunately, Jott’s free version is now more limited than it once was, but it can still be useful for reminders.
8. Evernote – Allows you to easily capture information in any environment using whatever device or platform you find most convenient. The stored information is then accessible and searchable at any time, from anywhere.
9. Yahoo mail – I know… this sounds old-school. But if your brain is trained to think in folders (a la Outlook) rather than tags (which is how Gmail works), you just might prefer Yahoo for your online email system.
10. Slideshare – The leading site to publicly share your Powerpoint presentations, giving them greater visibility, and to view presentations of others for inspiration.
11. Toodledo – There are countless Web-based to-do list tools, but my favorite right now is this one. I like the ability to group tasks by project and assign priorities. If you have an iPhone, you can also use it to sync with the Todo application.
12. Delicious – Delicious is a Web-based bookmarking service that allows you to save, manage, tag, and share Web pages from a centralized source. The site has social features, with an emphasis on the power of the community, but even if you only use it to give yourself access to your bookmarks regardless of browser or computer, it’s definitely worth a try!
13. PimpMyNews – Many favorite news sources and blogs have signed up for PimpMyNews, so you can have them read to you while you’re on the go. It’s a bit robotic, but it can be helpful, especially when traveling.
14. Firefox – If you still feel locked into Internet Explorer, you may want to give Mozilla Firefox a try. The best thing about this browser is its full library of “add-ons” from various developers, which install easily and can be used to customize your Web experience (based on your personal needs) for greater productivity.

Media Relations

1. Help a reporter out (HARO) – One of the easiest ways to get story leads also happens to be free. Just sign up and you’ll receive an email (usually twice daily) of press queries organized by industry/interest for easy scanning. I recommend you give it a try (you can always unsubscribe if it’s not useful to you).

Monitoring

1. Google Alerts – Setup Google to automatically email you with new news – including blogs, if you’d like – about search terms you designate.
2. Twitter Search (formerly Summize) – You don’t have to be on Twitter to find out what’s being said about you or your clients. Searches on this site can even be subscribed to via RSS feed.
3. Techrigy – A software solution designed specifically for PR and marketing agencies to monitor and measure social media. A “Freemium” version is available.

Writing

1. Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com – This two-fer is in my opinion the best online dictionary resource, with a thesaurus search on the same word an easy one click away.
2. OneLook Dictionary Search – This site offers wildcard searching for both words and phrases, which can a helpful resource.
3. Microsoft Word Built-in Thesaurus (Shift + F7) – OK, this one isn’t online, but I had to include this tool because many people don’t know about it. In MS Word, you can highlight a word and hit Shift + F7 for a list of synonyms. Click your choice and hit “replace” (a productivity boost!).
4. AP Stylebook Ask the Editor – Can’t find your Stylebook? This online Q&A is searchable, and you can often find the answers to your style questions here.

Collaboration

1. FreeConference.com – Get your own free dedicated dial-in number and access code to hold conference calls on demand. Other no-cost and modest fee options available.
2. Skype - With Skype you can make free calls over the internet to other people on Skype for as long as you like, to wherever you like. It’s free to download, and new services are added all the time.
3. Backpack – Billed as “an Intranet in 30 Seconds,” Backpack provides a central spot for organizing your business and sharing information with your team (which, via permissions, can include clients, vendors, partners, etc.). With integrated to-do lists, files, notes, and a calendar, Backpack is not free but many independents swear by it.
4. GoToMeeting – This online meeting and conferencing software is another paid service, but one that allows you to operate in a virtual environment. A competitor to WebEx, it offers secure screen sharing without having to set up complicated video feeds or Webcams.

Presentations/Images

1. Powered Templates – A great source of downloadable PowerPoint templates and backgrounds. Most require a small fee, but if you’re design challenged (as I often am) it can be well worth it.
2. Compfight - You’ve no doubt heard of the photo sharing site Flickr, but you may not know it can be a great source of free professional images (for your presentations, blogs, etc). At this Flickr search tool you can turn the “Creative Commons: Commercial” qualifier on, and it will find only those images that are usable for commercial purposes (be sure to give the photographer attribution per their individual terms).
3. iStockphoto – For around $1 per image, this site makes it easy to find just the right image you need, with no attribution required.
4. Picnik – An amazingly easy online photo editor.

Business Management

1. Freshbooks – Fast becoming the solution of choice, Freshbooks offers time tracking and invoicing that is easy to use and free to try.
2. Hostgator – After some pretty exhaustive research to find the best low-cost – but robust – hosting solution, I’ve gone with Hostgator. If you have a Web site or blog (or you’re looking to build one), I can happily recommend them.
3. WordPress – It’s the best platform for blogging, but did you know WordPress can also be a great way to build your own easy-to-manage Web site? I wish it had been available when I built mine!
4. GoDaddy – Offers an easy and reliable means to register a low-cost domain name, which you can then use for your email address. There may be cheaper registrars out there, but some are not entirely trustworthy.
5. Get Rich Slowly Personal Finance Spreadsheets – Though these are billed as “personal, this list of links to helpful financial spreadsheets unveils many that can also be used for your business finances.
6. HighRise – A simple system where you can track communication and conversations with leads, employees, clients, colleagues, and vendors.
7. Survey monkey – All the tools you need to create your own online surveys quickly and easily. Use it on your clients’ behalf, or create a quick survey to solicit feedback from clients on your performance.
8. Paypal – With economic times being strange as they are, some clients may want to pay you with their business credit card. This online payment system can offer an easy way for you to accept these credit card payments.
9. FaxZero – These days, the need to fax is rare. In those unusual instances, this service can be a good solution if you don’t have a machine and want to avoid a trip to Kinko’s. Note that free faxes are available, but they will include an ad on the cover page (ad-free versions cost $1.99).

For Fun (and Work)

1. Pandora – Do you need a little music to get yourself going while working? Pandora is a personalized Internet radio service that helps you find new music based on your old and current favorites.
2. BLIP.fm – Another music service, on BLIP.fm you are your own DJ, creating your music station through access to millions of streaming songs. It’s a social site, so you can develop a list of your favorite DJs and share your tunes.
3. Hulu – This online video service offers a huge repository of movies and TV – all free. The many news clips and documentaries available can be useful for client research.
4. iTunes – For those of you who use it, this seems like a no-brainer. But some folks don’t realize that you don’t need an iPod or iPhone – or even a Mac – to use iTunes on your computer. With iTunes, the whole world of podcasts is opened up to you – virtually all for free.
5. Urban Dictionary – Be warned: this consumer-generated site of the latest slang is usually funny, sometimes offensive, and nearly always addictive! But it’s not just for fun – I’ve actually tapped into it to make sure a word I’m using doesn’t have any unintended connotations for some readers.

So that’s my list of favorites – purposely not too long to save you time. And don’t worry, I didn’t forget about social media. That’s a big topic, which we’ll cover separately in-depth.

These are just the services I have used and can personally recommend, but there are many more. What’s your favorite?

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