Author Tech – SMART Phone 101

If you took the time to read my AuthorTech Article about SMARTPhones, you know I think it’s a must for every entrepreneur Author who wants to work SMART vs hard.  So once you have the phone, what do you do with it?

Getting the phone is just the first step, then you have to learn how to use it!  If you’re pretty tech savvy it may be simple for you to get the basics, however depending on your level of expertise doing anything beyond making calls and checking Facebook may leave you scratching your head.  (If this is you, no worries, I am awesome at setting up gadgets and teaching you how to keep things running smoothly Call me)!  Once you get the basics down, its time to upgrade.

The BEST part of SMART phones are the Apps.  Now depending on what platform you choose for your phone the exact Apps you use will vary, but I am going to create a list of the TYPE of apps I recommend to optimize the use of your phone for business!

• Banking: You want to be able to access your money so make sure you download your bank’s mobile software. Be careful about using this as there are predators out there, but having quick access to your money is good move
• LinkedIn: I’m assume you already have set up your LinkedIn profile right? (If not, hop to it!) Now get the mobile app so you can access contacts in your network easily!
• Mobile Credit Card Payments:  You want to be able to accept credit card payments from WHEREVER you are so you need an app to do that.  Options include:
• Mobile Merchant Pro which offers a FREE app, the thing is you have to use Authorize.net or PayPal Web Payments Pro.
• Square Up they offer a FREE cool credit card swipe tool that plugs right into the media jack on your phone!  The money gets deposited right into your bank account.  This is perfect to accept payments on the go.  I am currently awaiting mine to be delivered and if you follow my Adventures in Tech Blog, I’ll share about my experience once I start using it!
• Intuit GoPayment: Similar to Square Up but powered by Intuit (same people who make Quickbooks).  It comes with a card swiper too (so convenient)
• Gmail/Google Apps
• Sync your calendar, email, and contacts only works if you’re using Gmail and other Google tools
• If you’re using Google Apps to power your back office this is essential!
• Paypal: You can request money, send money, and check your balance but even better you can receive CHECKS while on the go! No more running to the bank, you can use the camera feature on your phone! PAYPAL rocks!
• Email Sync: If you’re using another mail service, find their app and load it. You want to be able to read and respond to messages on the go.  Who knows when opportunity is going to knock?
• Social Networking: Twitter, & Facebook in particular.  You’re an author so you need to be able to “micro’blog” on the go.  Your readers want to hear from you.  The articles on “Social Media for Authors” are perfect to find out how to use these tools once you get them set up!

These are my essentials and there may be others that will work PERFECTLY for you, but you have to start somewhere right?  Just remembers these phones are not just for talking and if you’re paying for a data plan, make sure that phone can make you money on the go!

Author Tech – SMART or Not to Smart (phone)

Kania "TechnoDiva" Kennedy

Greetings Authors!

I’ll admit it, I’m a geek and proud of it!  I love video games, can write computer code, and I loooove gadgets.  While I don’t have to have the latest and greatest in cellphones, when I do upgrade I tend to add all the bells and whistles I can afford!

When my old cellphone went kurplunk a few years back I entered the SMARTphone world.  I heard a lot of hype about these phones, but wasn’t sure if it was worth the cost (these plans are not cheap).  I’m not cheap, but I’m frugal so before I implement a new a new piece of technology or add anything else that will cost me money I like to weigh the practicality of the decision.

I started with a Plam Centro (Do they still make those? LOL) and it was cool.  Ultimately why I was a yes was to have the ability to combine my PDA (Electronic Calendar) with my phone AND sync them with my calendar while on the Go!

I am committed to being FREE.  I don’t like be tied down to a desk or a city.  No I don’t have commitment issues, because I am committed to being free :-).  My dream is to be able to travel and live my life without having to put my business on hold.  If I want to work in front of the lake instead of being trapped in my home office or tethered to wi-fi at a coffee house or something, I can do that (awesome right?).

So what on earth does this have to do with Authors and writing?  

Well guess what, when you become an author…you become a business or rather a personal brand!

Yep if you plan to sell your books you are instantly in business and have to go to work on getting your  brand established (get your name out there and your works sold)!  With that in mind, don’t you want to spend MOST of your time writing and as little possible running the business side of being an author?

One of the tools that will help you with that is a SMARTPhone!  It’s a must have tool for every small business owner.  So in part 1 of this 2-part series, I’m sharing my experience as I entered the SMARTPhone market and making the case for every person in business to have one.  So back to the story!

 

I use the Google Apps for business to run my back office (yes I can and do help small businesses implement and learn how to use these tools) so that means my email, contact list, and calendar are powered by google and with all of the lovely Apps out there for the SMARTphones I cab sync them from anywhere!

So if I make an contact while at a networking event, I enter the data on the spot and INSTANTLY my address book is updated.  Same for appointments and events.  This means less work entering data and keeping my schedule straight.  Pretty SMART huh?

Since my first experience with Palm I have upgraded and experienced both the Blackberry and the Android operating systems.  I have not made the investment into an iPhone, mostly because although I love Apple, my life is very PC and Google.  Currently I’m using the DROID 2 from Motorola and while it has had its kinks its decent.  Since I’m frugal, I’ll probably keep it until my contract is up or they offer a discounted UPGRADE!  In addition to the calendar and contacts features, I use my phone for accepting payments on the go (gotta be able to make money at any time), blog, tweet, stay connected on Facebook, make and take business calls, email, and soooo much more.

End of the day,  EVERY entrepreneur Author who is serious about their business selling their books needs to invest in a SMARTphone.  It helps you stay quick, accessible, and connected to your business personal brand (aka YOU) from wherever you are.  If you’re worried about needing your space, don’t worry…they all come with an OFF BUTTON!!

Stay tuned for Part 2 where I”ll break down how to optimize your phone for your business personal brand.