Leader
Unclaimed money
There's a frightening amount of money unclaimed and awaiting collection, about $458 million at last count. Are you one of the 500,000 Australians who’s owed something? Find out here. 
How to write a mission statement
This video by Dan Heath over at Fast Company shows you exactly how the mission statement of a small business goes from tasty to terrible in one brainstorming session.
Just how much are meetings costing you?
This basic, but very effective tool easily gives you the answer. Simply tell it how many people are in attendance, their daily rate and the clock starts ticking. Very, very scary! 
Any procrastinating writers here?
Thought so. This little site is a corker. Select how many words you're trying to write, your deadline and punishment mode and you'll get some pretty sharp reminders if you start to slack off. 
Need a financial health check?
Superannuation advice, budget planners and tips for saving are all on offer at the Understanding Money website. This Government operated site provides real back to basics information on how to, err, understand money. 
Font of all knowledge
Not sure what your default font should be? This site is sure to help. Simply paste in some text, choose from hundreds of different fonts and take your pick! 
Feeling demotivated?
The motivation industry has had its day in the sun. How's this for a contradictory view? Despair.com's demotivators claim to 'increase success by lowering expectations.'
Office pod
We want one. Well half a dozen, actually. These office pods have got to be the coolest little workspaces we’ve seen. They look so yummy in the garden.
18 smokin' hot business cards
If you’re just starting up or looking to redesign your business cards, here is a wealth of inspiration from our friends at Freelance Switch.
Wordle on the street
This cool free tool at www.Wordle.net generates funky looking word clouds based on your website or selected text. You can even try different colour schemes and layouts.
Hot or cold?
Stay up to date with the climate debate on this site. Great for those pro action and sceptics, it lists calls to action and dissenting voices from around the world.
Are you free?
If you struggle getting small groups of people together for a meeting, this little gizmo may help. It certainly saves on the email tennis.
Get help from the crowd
The Flying Solo forums are where you can talk and network freely. If you're looking for help, seeking a referral, or just itching to share some news or knowledge, there's a mob of supporters here.
Someone trying to empty your pockets?
SCAMwatch will help you recognise, report and protect yourself from scams that target you or your small business.
Want to get your articles out there?
ArticlePR features a free list of article submission sites or article banks, to which you can submit your articles in order for them to be distributed far and wide.
Keep it simple, silly
More often than not, a soloist’s life is about multi tasking and coping with complexity. If this sounds like you, our friends at Freelance Switch have some worthwhile tips: 10 Ways to Simplify Your Freelance Life.
Calling all Flying Solo fans!
If you're an active networker or involved in any small business groups, we'd love you to get involved in our snappy little promotional program. Find out more. 
Who's following you?
Twitter fans may like Twittersheep, which tells you which kinds of folk are following you. Give it a go! 
When it all gets too much
When it all gets too much. A big thanks to web developer, Simon for this little gem. Apparently it’s where he heads when clients drive him nuts.
Save (on) your energy
Make It Cheaper provides a free service that helps you ditch and switch energy providers. There’s a handy blog with money saving tips, too.
Have you read our manifesto?
If you've yet to read Flying Solo the book, have a read of the Soloist's Manifesto to get a feel for what it's about. Alternatively, browse some reader reviews.
Anatomy of Australia’s micro business owner
Flying Solo’s Understanding Micro Business, 2010-2011 – Australia’s largest micro business survey takes the pulse of this critical business sector. Download the results now.
Get projects over the line
If you admire 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' (and who wouldn't?) and recognise you need some assistance to get over the finish line, this online goal tracker may well appeal.
Text for dummies
Ever wondered where to find that dummy text used by designers? The answer is here. Given it's a practice that's been around since the 1500s, this may not be the original source!
Impress your TED friends
There's no doubt that TED is a wonderful resource and we love it, but FORA is pretty awesome too. Enjoy a short movie with your morning tea.
Please help us spread the word!
If you enjoy your time on Flying Solo, you may like to tell others. Here are a number of ways you can do just that. The larger we get, the greater the combined wisdom. Thanks!
What say you?
Become a member
Join Flying Solo and start promoting your business in our member directory; post comments on articles and dive into the lively forum discussions. It's quick, free and easy. Join the community now!
Welcome to Flying Solo
Australia's solo and micro business community
We are here to help you create a business and a life that you are proud to call your own. So let's get started!
What do you need?
Advice from our 1,000+ articles
Fresh articles from our team of experts are published each weekday. Read how to get going in startup then find out more about technology, marketing and finance. Plus there's plenty on how to work smarter and live smarter, too!
Stay up-to-date with all our latest articles through the Soapbox newsletter, sent to over 18,000 subscribers each Tuesday.
Exposure for your business
Get the word out for free or for dead cheap via our members directory.
Information about the micro business community
There are over a million solo businesses in Australia, yet curiously little has been known about what makes us tick...until now. With over 1,300 Australian respondents, our survey Understanding Micro Business 2010-2011 is the largest of its kind.
Connection through our forums and live events
Head over to the Flying Solo forums to find out what our 13,000+ forum community are chatting about today. Or enjoy real life connection at our next Flying Solo LIVE! event.
Inspiration from Flying Solo the book
To get a real feel for what this community is all about, have a read of the Soloist's Manifesto, extracted from our book Flying Solo - How to go it alone in business.
The soloists behind Flying Solo
Robert Gerrish, founder; Sam Leader, editor; Peter Crocker, marketing
Our business also enjoys editorial support from Lisa Crocker, while Jayne Tancred keeps the forum flying in her role as concierge. Without their support, this community would grind to a halt.
We’re all here to help you create a business and a life that you are proud to call your own.
Feel free to contact us or simply start exploring the site.
Love your work!
PS: A quick toot on our own trumpet
In 2009, Flying Solo was deemed a site of 'national significance' by the National Library of Australia and was selected for preservation within their Pandora web archive project. In the same year we were chosen by the Oxford University Press for inclusion in one of their Commerce Level 6 publications. Yay!
If you like what you see, please click on the image below and help us spread the word.
