Free Resources for Entrepreneurs

Starting a business is no easy feat. And when you factor in all of the hidden costs that go into growing and scaling a successful company, it’s enough to leave any entrepreneur running back to the confines of a stable 9-5 job with a guaranteed paycheck and benefits.

But chances are that you would not be an entrepreneur if you weren’t a bit of a risk taker. Luckily for you, there are a plethora of free resources out there to mitigate the risks of growing your business. We’ve rounded up a couple of our favorites below.

1. Fathom Voice: Most young companies don’t have a phone system in place, instead choosing to conduct company business on their cell phones. But the waters start to get muddy from a branding and operations perspective once you realize that there’s no clear-cut way for customers and prospects to reach your company. And let’s not forget the outrageously high phone bill you’re sure to rack up! That’s where Fathom Voice comes in. This Indiana-based startup has been in your entrepreneur shoes and wants to help. The company makes cloud communications software including contact center, CRM and phone systems. They’re offering their entire product suite free of charge to any company with below 30 employees and $3 million in revenue for a whole year, which is a steal when you consider the $10,000 value of this gift. To apply, go to http://fathom.com/startup
2. MorgueFile: If you don’t have the marketing spend for photography or expensive cameras, stock photo websites are great for everything from sprucing up your company website to digital and print advertisements.  MorgueFile is one of our favorites, featuring a plethora of high-quality photographs that are free for use as long as you provide attribution. No registration required for downloading images, either- a win-win!
3. Template Stash: Are your graphic or web design skills non-existent (or rudimentary at best)? No problem. Template Stash has curated a free collection of beautiful, modern designs. You can find one to suit just about any need, including landing pages, mobile templates, and even e-commerce sites. This is certainly a real steal for those looking to optimize branding and communications efforts across multiple channels.
4. Help A Reporter Out (HARO): The rise of social and content marketing means that media coverage is now just one of many tools you can use to drive brand awareness. But a piece of coverage in a respected outlet will always have timeless value, which is where HARO comes in. HARO is a network of journalists seeking sources for stories that they’re working on. It’s a great way to get your product some exposure, or to position yourself as a thought leader in your respective industry. Sign up for free, and receive queries three times a day to your inbox. Want to ensure you stand out among the many other sources responding to HARO queries? Here are some helpful hints.
5. Join.me:  Startup life is oftentimes hectic and unpredictable, with your employees and other stakeholders oftentimes traveling or working out of office. Luckily, Join.me’s video conferencing software has a free tier including unlimited instant video sharing and video conferencing with VoIP. This way, you can easily connect with your remote employees without worrying about a dramatic uptick in your phone bill across borders.