Bootstrapping is the art of pulling one's self up by the bootstraps, or the art of going it alone, with little to no funds, and hopefully making it.
Most of the skills associated with Bootstrapping revolve around guts, determination, the willingness to take risks, and being innovative.
But... there are a lot of tools out there that make parts of this a lot easier, and there is a well worn path by those who have gone before you to show you the way through some of the common problems.
5 Must Use Tools for Bootstrapping Consultants
1) LinkedIn - I am a big fan of this networking tool and I recommend it to anybody who needs to get their name out there. Answer questions, publicize your profile, get your name seen and make sure your details draw attention to what you are doing.
2) GoDaddy - Great, easy to use, cheap and has features that can have you with a published corporate presence website within the hour. Love it and use it a lot!
3) Google Apps - Another feature of the modern Internet that I would be lost without. I use Google Mail as my corporate email account and have linked it to my emails from my other websites and companies. I also use Google Pages a lot for holding files, the Calendar for scheduling between myself and others I work with, and this Blog is published via Blogger.
4) Zoho - This is where most of my blogs are written, and where most of my files are kept. I have found the word processor to be an excellent tool and as yet I have not had the need to use any of the additional items there. I also use this for writing my articles, and I am using it to hold the manuscript of my next book.
5) Salesforce.com - For those of you that read this blog regularly you will notice that I am a bit of a fan of this product and company. In fact, I own shares! I started using this when I was working as a Business Development Manager some years ago and found ti to be a fantastic view into how business software could/should be. Cheap, functional, intuitive and useful.
I use this still today where needed to manage my customer relationships, and to drive through the statistics needed for success in sales, regardless of what you are selling.
But even with these tools the only thing that will separate you from certain failure is your core idea, the value for it in the market place, and your ability to not give up and keep driving towards your goals.
Isn't it strange how we can't find a way, there seems to be no path to take... then we find a way! And we're of to the next step in our careers!
