A Few of My Favorite Tools…

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A Few of My Favorite Tools

For authors today, we have so many fantastic tools to connect with readers – tools not available even a half-century ago. Things like websites, email lists, social media, giveaways, and more!

I thought it might be fun to take a moment to look at some of these helpful tools, and I’ll share what I use and why. 

DIYWebsite: I use Weebly for my reader website, mostly because I’m a do-it-yourself kind of gal. While I have a basic skill level with html, I much prefer the drag-n-drop ease of Weebly’s website-builder. And their templates don’t require a tech degree to customize. Works for me!

On the other hand, I use WordPress.com for this blog. The WordPress.com portion of the WordPress offerings is also fairly intuitive, although I prefer to leave the WordPress.org websites for the professionals!

Web Host: I use Fatcow.com for my domain name and website host. You can create your website under any platform (such as Weebly, WordPress, Wix, etc.) through their control panel, or you can pay them to create your site. They have a ton of other things that are included, like multiple free email accounts for each website. Their customer service is also quick and top notch.

Email List Service Provider: I’ve use Mailerlite for just under a year now and I’m pleased with it. I had been with Mailchimp, but their pricing can be steep when your email list grows larger. I love that the Mailerlite platform is generally more intuitive than MC’s. Also, a nice bonus is that you can get 30% off your Mailerlite plan if you have a paid Instafreebie plan. 🙂 (Details here.)

Reader Giveaway Tool: There are lots of other great websites out there that help with reader giveaways (such as Gleam or King Sumo), but for the free version, I think Rafflecopter does a great job. It’s easy to build a giveaway, share it with your readers, and choose a winner.

FWEF072

Editing Book: This isn’t technically a tech tool (unless you read it on an ereader), but I had the opportunity to read an early copy of Finding and Working with an Editor: Everything You Need to Know for a (Nearly) Pain-Free Edit, and it’s definitely a book I recommend! 🙂 If you’re looking for an editor, or think you should be, you won’t want to move forward without reading this first.

 


I know I’ve barely scratched the surface with the above list. We haven’t even talked about Dropbox for file storage, or Zoom for video chats with critique partners, agents, or editors, but I don’t want to get too techy on you. 🙂

Now, I’d LOVE to hear your recommendations!

What tech tools do you love in your author life! Anything related to social media or another category I didn’t cover here? 

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2 thoughts on “A Few of My Favorite Tools…

    Elva Cobb Martin said:
    March 16, 2018 at 11:29 am

    Good info, Misty! I would like to add an editing program I’ve found most useful and not pricey. It is ProWritingAid.com You can integrate it with your msword and just click on it when you have a doc or chapter or book pulled up in Word. You can choose from about 30 things ProWritingAid checks and marks in your document. I only paid $40/year and really love this tool! It’s like having a savvy editor looking over your shoulder to edit your ms.
    Blessings,
    Elva Cobb Martin
    VP ACFW-SC Chapter

    Liked by 1 person

      Misty M. Beller responded:
      March 16, 2018 at 2:22 pm

      Yes! I’ve heard great things about ProWritingAid! I’m adding it to my list now. 🙂 Thanks for mentioning that one, Elva!

      Like

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