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!
Profile | Tim Reid and Luke Moulton
Tim Reid and Luke Moulton
Hosts of the Small Business Big Marketing Show
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria | www.SmallBusinessBigMarketing.comABOUT TIM
Tim loves seeing the soloist do utterly great marketing that ensures they attract and retain more of the right customers, more often.
Having spent some 15-years in the jungle (the corporate one) in both advertising and marketing camps, it occurred to TIm that the marketing concepts and principles that the top of end town utilised can just as easily be applied to the small guys. The only difference is budget, which allows the big guys to do more things more often (but not always more effectively).
Tim now shares his knowledge and enthusiasm for marketing with soloists everywhere. He hosts Australia's #1 marketing podcast (Small Business Big Marketing), he blogs, has a book called Cha-Ching! The sweet, sweet sound of small business marketing success, is active on the speaker circuit and is about to launch The Marketing Microscope, where soloists can register for webinars laser-focused on all aspects of marketing.
When not rattling on about all things marketing, he hugs his wife and kids.
ABOUT LUKE
For the past 10 years Luke Moulton has been helping small and medium businesses market themselves online. As the former owner of a web development agency, he's had the opportunity to consult with 100's of SME's, helping them improve their online marketing by assisting with Search Engine Optimisation, Pay Per Click advertising and conversion optimisation.
These days Luke divides his time between consulting, Small Business Big Marketing and managing his own portfolio of websites. He's recently made the move to being a solo business owner and now bases himself at home on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria.
Visit our website for a free marketing idea per week for one year!
Articles by Tim Reid
Podcast: How to generate free publicity
14 Aug 10Tim Reid and Luke MoultonFree publicity? Bring it on! Tim Reid & Luke Mouton's entertaining and insightful podcast shows you how to get the word out... for free. Read more
Comments: 710 things you need for strong brand building
04 Sep 09Tim Reid and Luke MoultonI speak to groups of business owners weekly about what you need for strong brand building. The first thing I emphasise is brands are earned…not bought. Read more
Comments: 5How to handle customer complaints
20 Nov 07Tim Reid and Luke MoultonHow often are you pleasantly surprised by great customer service? If you’re like me, then sadly not very often. But recently, I had a good customer service experience that demonstrates the best way to handle customer complaints. Read more
Comments: 9Get more business with sampling
16 Oct 07Tim Reid and Luke MoultonI know sampling isn’t new. But lately I’ve been thinking that such an effective marketing tool, with the ability to get lots of people trying your product or service, is not used often enough. Read more
Comments: 13Marketing communications strategy: Your target audience doesn't care
29 Mar 07Tim Reid and Luke MoultonLet's face it, promotion, advertising and marketing is not cheap. In fact, it's really expensive! And the crazy thing is, we're so often at a loss to know which parts of our marketing communications strategy are reaching our target audience. Read more
Comments: 5Creative thinking: What would Virgin Blue do?
15 Oct 06Tim Reid and Luke MoultonIf you're struggling with a lack of ideas or inspiration, sometimes it helps to do some creative thinking and ask, what approach might another business you admire take? Read more
Comments: 2Flexible working hours: Mowing on a Monday
14 Sep 06Tim Reid and Luke MoultonAs a fairly new soloist, I am still coming to terms with the flexible working hours this existence brings. No longer am I bound to my desk from nine to five, having to find an excuse if I want to sneak out mid-afternoon to buy a book or wash my car. Read more
Comments: 12Join 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.
- Promote your business and find the business support, partners and resources you need through our member directory.
- 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.