Holiday Gift Guide for the Solopreneur in Your Life
(or ideas for your own holiday wishlist)
I don’t know about you but I have zero problem with building and maintaining a wishlist of items I would love to add to my business. And since it’s that time of year, I thought I’d share some of the products and services I’ve had my eye on for the solopreneur in my life (ahem, me).
Note: some of the links on this page are affiliate links. Or you know, if you wanted to get me a gift this year…
Here’s a list of items on my own wishlist this year:
1 – Blue Yeti Microphone
Love. Or at least I think I will. Right now I have a very very basic USB microphone that I’ve been using to do all my recordings and webinar presentations. The sound quality is iffy and I would love love love to up my game in that department. When I ask my fellow solopreneurs which microphone they recommend, the answer is a thousand times this one.
http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Yeti-USB-Microphone/dp/B002VA464S/ref=pd_cp_MI_0 (affiliate)
[Update: I actually now have the Blue Snowball microphone (affiliate) from the same company and love it.]
2 – LKR Social Media Marketer
LKR’s Social Media Marketer is a product I’ve had my eye on for a bit. I like to think I’m up on social media and how it works but I’m not up on EVERYTHING and the latest changes – because how could you be? If it’s not your job, you basically need to hire someone to keep on top of all of that for you (the latest how-to for YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, etc.).
Social Media Marketer is even better than just social media support because – and this is what *really* has me eyeing it – it comes with a community of small business owners just like yourself. Community is everything when you’re a solopreneur and the connections you can make with fellow small businesses can not only make you a happier entrepreneur but a more successful one at that. Plus expert help! How many times have you wanted to ask someone a quick question on anything related to your business? Yep, that online community can help you with that.
http://lkrsocialmedia.com/lkr-social-media-marketer/
(Full disclosure: I’m a current customer of LKR but this is not an affiliate link).
3 – Facebook Ads Gift Card?
Facebook Ads = drool-inducing gift for me. I experimented with a free credit from Facebook ads a few months ago and saw some pretty quality traffic/leads come from it. I would love to up my Facebook game with some more Facebook advertising.
Okay – so I don’t think this one actually exists but I would love it if it did. Maybe I can gift a prepaid Mastercard instead?
4 – Girl’s Guide to Web Design
I’m not a complete novice when it comes to web design (I did put together and have made several alterations to this WordPress site) but I know I’m lacking quite a bit of tricks in my WordPress Web Design Toolbox.
I recently came across the Girl’s Guide to Web Design and know at some point I will be finding myself in there (perhaps when I have some time to redesign this site).
http://girlsguidetowebdesign.com/sign-up/
5 – Virtual Assistant
How many solopreneurs could benefit from a few extra hands on deck? Or many just a pair of hands from one virtual assistant? Whether full-time or part-time, a virtual assistant can unlock SO many hours for you to focus on what’s more important in your business and help you accomplish SO much more.
Where can you find one? Try Elance or Odesk.
Looking for a personal recommendation? Depends on your needs, but I’ve heard several endorsements for the lovely Pat Romain.
6 – Buffer AWESOME
I LOVE Buffer. I hate to flood my Twitter followers with tweets – even if those tweets are full of super-awesome content. So I’ve been using the free version of Buffer for some time now. But I have to say – I’ve hit the wall a few times when it comes to the free limits.
My social media presence is way more consistent when I use Buffer and I would love to go “awesome” with them in their plan with unlimited posts. I still log in to Twitter and Facebook multiple times a week to interact with followers in real time but Buffer helps me pace out my “isn’t this cool?” type of sharing.
7 – GotoWebinar
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’ve done a few webinars recently (like this one and this one). I did them both with a free trial of GotoWebinar. I really liked the interface (though going through a training is highly recommended before your first webinar) and would love to add webinars as one of my go-to types of content. Easy to record and use, definitely high on my wishlist.
http://www.gotomeeting.com/fec/webinar
8 – Erin Stutland Shrink Session
As a soloproneur, your body is one of your most important assets to maintain. When we’re not in our best shape, we’re not at our best mentally and our businesses suffer – or at least, aren’t performing optimally. I am super excited about Erin Stutland’s upcoming at-home Shrink Session workout. Erin has a unique way of attacking your limiting beliefs while at the same time helping you get in top physical shape.
http://www.shrinksessionworkout.com/
9 – Hilary Rushford Style Session
There is a lot of truth to the idea that what you wear and how your present yourself to the world not only affects your confidence but how the world sees you. Hilary Rushford is my go-to gal for style advice for real people and real budgets. A Skype style session with Hilary has been on my wishlist for awhile now because I don’t know what is what with my closet or my style. Especially if you’re expanding beyond the virtual world and headed to live events with real-people meetups, being able to dress yourself in a way that makes people take notice (in the best way) is incredibly valuable.
If you’re not familiar with Hilary, prepare yourself to fall in love: http://deanstreetsociety.squarespace.com/hire-hilary/
10 – World Domination Summit Conference
I’ve been to a few local meetups but have yet to get myself to a big conference. There are SO many to choose from, but especially after Laura Simm’s write-up about this year’s event – World Domination from Chris Guillebeau is at the top of my list. A place where you can meet other people and entrepreneurs trying to do things a little bit differently. Online connections are lovely but nothing replaces real face-to-face time.
Check out Laura’s write-up here to see what I’m talking about: http://createasfolk.com/world-domination-summit-a-moment-you-missed/
[Update: I attended WDS in 2014 and it was amazing. Definitely still very much worthy of being given as a gift for the solopreneur in your life)
11 – Lead Player
As I move more into video, this plugin seems like such a drool-worthy must-have for upping your conversions from video. It allows you to capture opt-ins RIGHT within the video! Definitely on the want list and will be seriously considering before my next video.
(Hat tip to Catherine Just for letting me know about this one last week.)
Check it out here: http://www.leadplayer.com/
What about you?
What’s on your wishlist this year? Any gifts you’d add to this holiday gift guide for the solopreneur? Any item on this list you’d LOVE to have or have and love? Let me know in the comments!
I’ve got my on the Yeti and a bunch of the other goodies on this list! I love the combination of gifts you’ve put together.
Thanks Jenn! It was fun putting together my wishlist
Thanks for sharing, Liz – great list! Agree with Buffer – love it. Gotowebinar is one on my wish list and I’ll check out Blue Yeti and Lead Player as I’m planning to make more videos next year.
Glad you liked it Valerie!
Great list! I see something on there that I’d enjoy
I personally would love a Fitbit and an iPad Mini for Christmas.
I cracked up laughing when I read this list. It is so terribly spot on! Well done.
Thanks Felicity!
Love your suggestion of the Girls Guide to Website Design – it’s an incredible community of designers & learners and well worth the investment. Hope to see you join us there Liz!