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!
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!
Profile | Sue Currie
Sue Currie
Sue is a professional speaker and the director of Shine Communications Consultancy an executive development company. Sue works with independent and corporate professionals on personal branding and brand visibility.
Through her consulting and training programs on image and media, she helps you to grow your company's major asset - You.
Sue has the background to support her message having worked in television as a newsreader and publicist after an earlier career in modelling and acting. She writes a regular ezine and is the co-author of Apprentice to Business ACE - your inside-out guide to personal branding. Sue enjoys helping others to bring out their personal best and Shine.
Articles by Sue
Personal branding at work
17 Jul 08Sue CurrieSoloists often work in isolation and don’t get to see clients on a constant basis to help build that easy camaraderie you get at work. Therefore to succeed in your business, it’s critical to establish strong relationships through personal branding. Read more
Comments: 11Develop your Personal Brand - Twelve tips
30 Mar 08Sue CurriePersonal branding is the relationships an individual has with its public - essentially personal public relations. How others feel about your personal brand determines whether or not they want to have a working relationship with you. Read more
Comments: 4Successful media interviews
24 Feb 08Sue CurrieSuccessful media interviews are a great way to promote your business. But if you’re unfamiliar with being interviewed, you may get daunted by the prospect. Rather than saying no to the opportunity, there are ways you can eliminate unnecessary fears. Read more
Comments: 3Choosing colours to alter perception
22 Jan 08Sue CurrieIf you’re feeling full of life and bubbling with creativity and confidence, chances are you’re wearing red. If you’re feeling indifferent, or distant, you are probably dressed in black. This article looks at choosing colours to alter perception. Read more
Comments: 14Why a professional image is important
22 Nov 07Sue CurrieThe image we portray sends an important message to our clients, as well as influences how we feel about ourselves. Therefore, as soloists, we too need to consider our professional image and how to dress for success. Read more
Comments: 15Why publicity wins you business
21 Oct 07Sue CurrieWord of mouth is a very powerful public relations weapon and one of the best ways of generating it is through publicity. Although publicity can be very valuable, it is often overlooked as a true means of creating interest in a product or service. Read more
Comments: 5How to write a media release
11 Aug 07Sue CurriePublicity is supposedly seven times more effective than advertising, and it is free if you do it yourself! Learn how to write a media release to capture the attention of journalists, and you can cash in on the free editorial coverage. Read more
Comments: 3Presentation skills: What makes a great presenter?
10 Jun 07Sue CurrieBeing able to communicate effectively is a key part of business success, making the ability to confidently deliver a speech or presentation is an important skill. Here are a few tips that may help improve your presentation skills. Read more
Comments: 8Event management: How to organise and stage a special event
15 Apr 07Sue CurrieSpecial events come under the umbrella of public relations and are a great way to promote your business. If you have event management plans for your own special event, you are in a good position to make the most of the PR opportunity it presents. Read more
Comments: 7Marketing communications: the basics
18 Mar 07Sue CurrieSales, PR, event management, marketing and promotion... chances are you'll have many roles to play within your solo business. You should also add Marcoms Manager to your job description. Learn more about how it can help you to succeed. Read more
Comments: 0How to write articles that generate free publicity
18 Feb 07Sue CurrieWriting articles and submitting them to the media is an excellent way to get free publicity. Any time you have something published it creates awareness and enhances your credibility. So how do you go about it? Read more
Comments: 2Verbal communication skills: Improving your verbal skills
18 Jan 07Sue CurrieIt's easy for soloists to let their verbal communication skills lapse. If you worry about what to say at a networking event and would rather email than pick up the phone, your verbal skills may be a bit rusty. Read more
Comments: 10Gain media exposure - develop an online profile
03 Dec 06Sue CurrieAn online profile is the ideal way to improve media exposure and that of your brand. By creating a dedicated 'media room' you will maximise your chances of getting noticed. Read more
Comments: 4Develop a strong personal brand for your business
29 Aug 06Sue CurriePersonal branding is important for business and as a solo business owner to a large extent, you are the brand! Here's some tips on how to brand you ... to stand out and shine. Read more
Comments: 3New marketing: personal branding
16 Jul 06Sue CurrieWhat is personal branding and how does it impact marketing for a solo business? Here are the answers... Read more
Comments: 3Choosing a business name and image
23 May 06Sue CurrieGetting the right business name and creating a strong image are central to your success as a soloist. Here's how you can get it right from day one. Read more
Comments: 1Getting media coverage: 10 tips
23 Apr 06Sue CurrieYou don't need a huge PR budget to enjoy media exposure. Follow these 10 tips to increase your chances of nabbing the attention of editors and journalists. Read more
Comments: 2Getting website traffic
28 Feb 06Sue CurrieYou may know how to look for a business via a search engine, but do you understand how to generate your own flow of website visitors and encourage them to visit again and again? Read more
Comments: 2Getting targeted web traffic
06 Dec 05Sue CurrieSo your business website is up and running. But is anyone visiting it? Here are some tips to drive the right kind of traffic to your site. Read more
Comments: 2Why consider sending a media release?
14 Nov 05Sue CurrieIf you want your business to stand out from the crowd, a media release may just be the answer. Not only can you enjoy free publicity, you'll also get added recognition. Read more
Comments: 5Social skills - the secret of networking?
30 Oct 05Sue CurrieWhen so much of today's business networking is done (or at least discussed) in a social setting, perhaps we all need a little etiquette upskilling. Read more
Comments: 4How to use Personal PR and get noticed
10 Oct 05Sue CurrieWhen it comes to meeting potential clients, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Effective personal PR holds the secret. Read more
Comments: 2Building rapport when networking
26 Jul 05Sue CurrieAttending networking events can be a great way to boost your profile and build rapport...but only if you know what you're doing. Read more
Comments: 6PR planning within your brand marketing
07 Jul 05Sue CurrieThere are a variety of ways to spread the word about your business - developing a PR plan encorporating promotional activities is surely the way to succeed in solo brand marketing. Read more
Comments: 1Join the community! It’s free.
Flying Solo is Australia’s micro business community, where thousands of business owners connect, support and network. Become a member today and join in the fun!
You’ll get to:
- Learn from 900+ expert articles, updated daily, on topics including startup, marketing, working smarter, living smarter, technology and finance.
- Share your thoughts and experiences by posting comments on articles and getting involved in our forum discussions.
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- Network through our Flying Solo LIVE! events and meetups where you can connect with like-minded independent business people.
Join us today for a Free Membership or find out more about Profile Membership.