Recommended Tools
Web Hosting
Enjoy a one-time US$50 discount on shared hosting when you sign up with my preferred hosting company; DreamHost.
Why DreamHost?
Previously, I had my sites hosted by a friend who's a web designer, and it didn't work out because I had to deal with Cpanel and when things go wrong, it's a pain in the arse. Then I had to get my own hosting and I was using WPEngine for about a year because apparently they are good for WordPress sites. To be honest, it was pricey and not cheap at all. For me, I didn't see the value.
Then someone recommended DreamHost and given how affordable it was, I decided to just give it a shot.
Their usability won me over.
Their customer service? SUPERB.
I can't even count the number of times I sought help from their customer service officers because I messed up... But guess what, they do whatever they can to solve my problems... In other words, I am a super happy customer.
100% value for money and you get a free domain for the first year when you sign up!
ENJOY US$50 discount when you sign up here!
To be upfront with you, as an affiliate with DreamHost, I get a one-time US$97 rewards payment when a customer signs up through me. So this US$50 discount I am offering you, comes out of my US$97 one-time rewards payment.
And I think it's only fair to DreamHost, to you, and me, a way of sharing some of my rewards with the people I am referring to, and my way of saying thank you to you, for trusting my recommendation.
Email Marketing Software
With so many email autoresponder services in the market, choosing the one that fits your needs suddenly becomes a massive project.
I did massive research and comparison, especially since I am a one-woman-show, at least for now, my time is limited and I need to use my budget wisely.
MailChimp? ConvertKit?
Just to name a few of the solutions I've researched on:
- MailChimp
- AWeber
- Infusionsoft
- HubSpot
- Mautic
- SendInBlue
- ConvertKit
From free to paid solutions, I've read up whatever I could land my hands on. If you're growing your email list from scratch, I suggest starting with MailChimp.
Once you hit around 500 to 1000 subscribers, I recommend ConvertKit.
Why?
- Simply put, "Email marketing for professional bloggers". Simple to use and affordable. Best thing, it's also scalable when you grow your business & team.
- Extremely informative and practical webinars
- Extensive knowledge base with guides for you to get started
- Generous with useful and valuable content before you even get started!
Don't buy my word for it, in fact, experience it for yourself.
If you're still shopping around, it's ok!
In the meantime, you can download this free guide, "The Complete Guide to Email Marketing", sent straight to your inbox - for free.
The All FREE Internet Lifestyle Academy
Starting with detailed step-by-step blog posts, to eventually video tutorials and email courses, the objective of USP's Internet Lifestyle Academy is to sharing everything I know to:
1. Total newbies
2. Beginners
3. People figuring their new online business out
Yes, FOR FREE.
Plus you can also join our closed FB support group, an online learning community where we help one another with our online businesses and entrepreneurial journey.
There's more to the All FREE Internet Lifestyle Academy.
Free HubSpot Inbound Certification Course
"The Inbound Certification course is a free marketing training course that covers the fundamentals of the inbound methodology.
You'll learn how SEO, blogging, landing pages, lead nurturing, conversion analysis and reporting come together to form a modern inbound marketing strategy."
Unlike Digital Marketing - How to Generate Sales Leads in 2017, HubSpot Inbound Certification focuses more on the Inbound Methodology.
In other words, what's beautiful about Inbound is that its approach doesn't require you to go and fight for attention. Instead, it's an approach that focuses on attracting customers "through content and interactions that are relevant and helpful."
This free certification is perfect for writers, and anyone who is new to online marketing.
Free Content Marketing Certification Course
You're a writer and you want to make money with your blog?
Or you're new to online marketing, the idea of online businesses, and you wonder how can you write or create content that turns into a profitable business without having to sell, sell and sell?
Then you need to sign up for this free content marketing certification course by HubSpot.
The best part is that because it's a HubSpot course, by default, it uses the Inbound approach.
What I love about Inbound...
"By creating content designed to address the problems and needs of your ideal customers, inbound marketing attracts qualified prospects and builds trust and credibility for your business."
Free Email Marketing Certification Course
Whether you already have your own online business, or you're a writer, a blogger or you're already using email marketing.
This free email marketing certification course will help you understand WHY you should be using email marketing if you still haven't.
Or if you are already using email marketing, how can you get the best out of your campaign efforts, and make email marketing work better for you.
"2.4 million emails are sent every second worldwide, but most of them are never opened. This advanced email marketing training course will teach you how lifecycle marketing, segmentation, email design, deliverability, analytics and optimization come together to create an email marketing strategy that grows your business, and your career."
If you're wondering, but I am new to this whole thing, and I am not too ready for an advanced course, then start with this free guide, "The Complete Guide to Email Marketing" by ConvertKit.
