Posts Tagged ‘freeagent referal code’

In my last post, I listed some very nice Android applications which a Freelancer, Contractor or Small Business owner can use to streamline their processes.    Today, I want to suggest some cloud based applications which will boost your business in ways you can never imagine.

I am going to bypass the obvious cloud applications such as Google Analytics, Adwords and Google Goggle Docs as everybody knows about these.   My list is instead, the top 10 alternative cloud applications for small business:

FreeAgent – Cloud Based Accounting
This one product has revolutionised my business – and that is not an exaggeration.  Before my company started using Freeagent, the accounts was always something of a black hole. I would find out how we were doing only at key dates – when VAT was due or at year end.  Freeagent makes everything visible and clear as you carry out business activity.   Which is why I cannot recommend it highly enough.

TeamWorkPM – Online Project Management
Good project management can add all kinds of benefits, and can take away a lot of pain – and cloud project management can make you much more visible to your customers whilst you work on their projects.  I know a lot of small businesses rave about BaseCamp, but take it from me, TeamWorkPM blows basecamp out of the water.

DropBox – cloud based file storage
It took me a while before I started using Dropbox, and now I kick myself for not using it earlier.   Dropbox, in a nutshell, allows you to share files between computers and locations without the need for a memory stick.  It auto syncs computers via the web, and provides a fairly large FREE account to start with.

Evernote – cloud notes system
Evernote’s principle is ‘remember everything’ and that’s just what it does.  Whilst Dropbox shares files, Evernote shares and syncs snippets between computers and mobile devices.  I use it to store and sync notes, shopping lists, code routines, SQL scripts, how to notes and a whole host more.  Any pictures or photos you add (from the web, your PC or mobile camera) are OCD’d by evernote, and everything is searchable and can be divided into folders.  Evernote gives a very generous FREE account.

ToodleDo – cloud ToDo lists
I have spoken about ToodleDo (don’t let the name put you off) in the past as what I believe to be the ultimate ToDo list system, with built in Getting Things Done (GTD) configuration.   With the FREE usage, and free mobile system as well, there is no reason not to be organised.

LogMeIn – cloud based remote Support
I have tried all the remote control systems for supporting remote customers, and for me, LogMeIn is the best.   Again its FREE, its low footprint, secure, and has never let me down.   Install the software on the client PC, and then use any web browser to access the client PC, see what they are doing (with their permission) and take control as required.

Linkedin Groups
I will always recommend joining Linkedin for anybody in business.   But the real power for a freelancer or small business owner is in the discussion Groups.  For small business owners, I recommend the Small Business Ambitious Owner Manager LinkedIn group.

Xmarks – Cloud BookMark Sync
Plucked back from bankruptcy at the end of last year, the xmarks service is still running.   Xmarks auto syncs bookmarks different browsers and different PCs via the cloud.  So if you find a good web site whilst working at a clients site, bookmark it and when you get home, it will also be on your home PC.  And once again, it’s FREE.

WuFoo/SurveyMonkey – cloud customer survey
There is not much between these two to choose from – they both do almost the same thing.  Both offer limited free accounts – but the point of both is the same – crate a survey to ask your customers what they think of your quotes, prices, services, support etc, and get them to tell you what they think via quick online forms.   The feedback you receive will help you improve your business.

ZenDesk – Cloud based support system
The final offering is one of the big names in online support systems.   Having a place for customers to log issues, ask questions, and get help is important, and Zendesk provides all the features you would expect in a simple to use interface.   It’s not free, but it is easy to use for both you and your customers

Note, if you are looking for a Freeagent referral code to save 10% on the freeagent sign-on costs, there is a code at the end of this post.

When it comes to web sites, products and services, there are many different ways of driving traffic and customers to your doorstep, be it virtual or real.  The vast majority will take time, money and an awful lot of effort with differing degrees of success.   As a business supplier, one of the cheapest methods is the referral – customers telling other customers to use your product and service because of how good it is.

There are 3 different ways of getting referrals:

Customer direct referrals – This is where customer A tells customer B how good your product/service is, you have no involvement, and the first you know about it is an email, phone call or visit from customer B.  Great – more business, but how many times has it happened for you?

Customer requested referrals – For this, you need to go cap in hand to customer A (possibly at the end of  a project) and ask if they know of any other companies who could benefit from the same product or service.  If they provide details (and even if they call company B on your behalf) you are only one step ahead of a cold call.

Customer incentive referrals – This type of referral is almost the same as the customer direct referral, with the exception that there is an incentive for customer A to contact customer B.

Let’s take two real world examples of these referrals.

LoveFilm – If you are a member of lovefilm, the online film rental company, as well as sending you your requested DVD or BluRay movies,  every so often you will get cards from them giving new customers a months free subscription for you to pass on to friends to encourage them to join.  This is all fine and good, but the big question is – what do I as an existing customer get out of it?  The answer is nothing.

FreeAgent – Now if you are a user and subscriber of the Freeagent small business online accounting solution, you have a page on your accounts screen for referrals.  Freeagent encourages you to pass on the good word – if somebody takes your advice and signs up to Freeagent, then they as a new user get a 10% discount.  But the difference here is that Freeagent also gives you, the existing customer the same 10% discount.

So in the two examples above, Lovefilm gives me nothing for proving their link above, whereas Freeagent gives me 10% off all my fees in the future if somebody clicks it and signs up.  But it also gives you the same 10% if you sign up.  In the Freeagent system – everybody wins.  My link gives me 10% off my existing account, you get 10% off and freeagent gets a new customer with zero marketing cost.   Everybody wins.

It’s viral marketing at its very best, but in this case you are not forced to watch a video of a computer generated frog, a man painted orange slapping people, or a dog roller-skating.

So that leaves two questions….

1)      Where in your business can you use the Freeagent model to have existing customers pass on your details for a future reward in the form of discount, gift, free days, hours, etc?

2)      If I wasn’t getting the 10% discount from the Freeagent link, would I still recommend it?  The answer is a big YES, even without the 10% referral, it’s the best thing for small business since sliced bread

The referral code is included in the above links.  But if you are looking for direct entry of a Freeagent referal code, use 34o5sqzm