There are so many tools out there that are touted as “essential” but in reality they’re just doodads (cool things that aren’t essential and in many cases are just plain distracting). Below is a list of essential tools to run a successful business:

First, the free stuff:

The 90-Day Marketer Blog

The 90-Day Marketer blog is a great resource for free information on how to start a business or take your current network marketing business online.

Tweet Deck

This is a great, free little time saving wonder!  Social networking is an absolute necessity if you plan to have a business online.  Tweet Deck allows you to update all of your social profiles, and monitor when people respond to you all in one place!  No need to go to a million sites to keep your social network alive, just hop into Tweet Deck and your good to go.

Wordpress.com

Web sites come in all shapes and sizes . . . and price tags!  That’s why it’s always great to start with something that’s free.  Wordpress is an easy to use application that allows you to build your own web site/ blog with very little technical experience.  One of the advantages for going with Wordpress is when you upgrade and use your own server to host your site, you can still use the Wordpress platform on your own hosting account.  If that sounds confusing — let me see if I can keep it simple:

• You need a web site
• Wordpress.com is free
• Wordpress.com has some limitations
• When you get serious and get your own “server” to host your web site, you can use the same software (Wordpress) on your new web site so you don’t have to get used to new application

Second, the paid stuff:

Online Contact Management (and e-mail follow up tool)

If you are a network marketer, you must have a contact management system.  Oprius not only allows you to keep track off all your leads, prospects, customers, and distributors, it also has a lead capture system, so you can turn your web site into your very own lead generating machine!  By clicking the image above you can get a free 30 day trial too!

Your Own Web Site — Host Gator

An inexpensive web site hosting company. Get started for just a penny! Templated web sites are provided
for free. Click on the banner ad below to for more info. Use this coupon code to get your first month for just one penny! – wordpress

Training for Network Marketers — The 90-Day Marketer Course

A step by step, clear the clutter, no-nonesense course on everything you need to know about taking your network marketing business online and building a solid and robust business.

Excellent Network Marketing Book:

How to Sell Network Marketing Without Fear, Anxiety or Losing Your Friends