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 | Amanda Gonzalez
Amanda Gonzalez
- Name:
- Amanda Gonzalez
- Forum profile:
- Amanda Gonzalez
- Directory listing:
- Untangle the Web
Amanda Gonzalez
A reluctant member of Generation Y, Amanda leapt off the soloist cliff in 2007 after working too long at a Big 4. As the owner of Untangle the Web, Amanda enjoys helping small business owners who are in the complete dark about 'computers'. Her business designs, copywrites and photographs for small business owners, so they don't have to waste valuable time looking for each individual professional - professionals they don't even know how to qualify.
Amanda's blog focuses on guiding small business owners through the fundamentals of design, copywriting and marketing techniques to strengthen their small business. Her obsession with books is causing her hallway to narrow alarmingly. Amanda lives in Sydney's Coogee with her husband Alan and their boy Lex.
Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler - Albert Einstein
Articles by Amanda
Righting referrals gone wrong
26 Jul 10Amanda GonzalezGenerating referrals is the ultimate in marketing. They’re credible, powerful – and they’re free. But how do you undo the damage when referrals go wrong? Read more
Comments: 2Improve your homepage copy in under an hour
28 Jun 10Amanda GonzalezYour homepage is arguably the most important element of your website. In just a few minutes each, these six quick steps will rejuvenate its copy and get it working harder. Read more
Comments: 7Ten dos and don'ts of successful web design
10 May 10Amanda GonzalezSuccessful web design is an involved and time-consuming process. These strategies will help you get the best from both your web designer and your budget. Read more
Comments: 6The nine keys to managing client expectations
18 Feb 10Amanda GonzalezMismanaged client expectations can be unpleasant, costly and damaging to your reputation. So what is the best way of managing client expectations to stop them biting you on the backside? Read more
Comments: 7Eight ways to beat writer’s block
07 Jan 10Amanda GonzalezEverything’s in place. The desk is organised, your pencils are sharpened, the distractions are distracted. Enter stage left, writer’s block. Now what? How do you beat writer's block? Read more
Comments: 8Choosing an email protocol
03 Dec 09Amanda GonzalezPOP, IMAP and Exchange… what do they really mean? This article demystifies email protocols and helps you determine whether you’re using the email protocol that’s best for you. Read more
Comments: 8Work integrity: The soloist’s dilemma
22 Oct 09Amanda GonzalezI’m in business for many reasons. One is to make myself happy, and another is to make others delighted. But what if, to make others happy, I have to compromise my work integrity? Read more
Comments: 14Business and children: friends or foes?
02 Aug 09Amanda GonzalezI love chatting to my clients and find exchanging snippets strengthens our relationship. I often chat about children as it’s a fairly safe topic to discuss. Or so I thought. Read more
Comments: 15Tips for promoting your website
16 Jun 09Amanda GonzalezYou’ve been handed the keys to your brand new website, and are ready to tell the world. But how exactly are you going to promote your website, and will it cost the earth? Consider these seven good ol’ fashioned tips. Read more
Comments: 21Seven reasons NOT to blog
05 May 09Amanda GonzalezYou’ve read enough articles telling you why you should blog. What about reasons not to blog? This will help you objectively decide whether you should or shouldn’t start a blog. Read more
Comments: 17Making your website’s homepage work
05 Mar 09Amanda GonzalezYour website's homepage is Increasingly the first impression of your business, and this piece of prime real estate can make or break your cred. So what can you do to keep your visitors reading? Read more
Comments: 18Join the community! It’s free.
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