Resources

Welcome to my resource page! This is a collection of tools I use to do virtually everything from writing to instructional design and development. These are my go-to tools. These are tools I use daily, and that is why I am telling you about them. As a fan of these tools, I am also helping the companies spread the word.

Before I tell you about these resources, I need to make an important disclosure.

In the spirit of full disclosure, some of these links may be affiliate links. This means that if you purchase an item through the link below, I will earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands. Please research products fully before making a purchase. 

Now, let me tell you about the tools that make my life so much easier.

Web Hosting

Bluehost

For hosting my various websites, I have shifted to BlueHost. I can do everything I need to do on this hosting platform, from building webpages to creating databases.

The control panels are easy to use. They also provide one-click installations of key software that I use, including WordPress and other content management systems.

Bluehost is a great platform to get started with building your website.

WordPress

When I first started creating websites, I was hand-coding everything. While you can get exactly what you want, it is much harder to maintain. I found a more efficient solution. I developed my first blog on WordPress. It is a great place to start.

WordPress.com is a great place to start a new blog or website. It did virtually everything I wanted to do. However, there are some restrictions that will hold you back. For that reason, I started to self-host on hosting platforms such as Bluehost. Now, I load WordPress from WordPress.org and set it up the way I want.

You can create some amazing websites with WordPress. WordPress is one of the most popular content platforms for development.

Videos

DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve from Blackmagic Design is a powerful video editing program that combines editing, color correction, visual effects, motion graphics, and audio production in one application. You can combine video clips, images, music, and recorded presentations, then add titles, transitions, and voiceovers to create polished videos for platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. While its advanced features take time to learn, it offers extensive creative control. It is my go-to tool for video editing.

OBS Studio

OBS Studio is the tool I use for live streaming to Facebook or YouTube Live and recording videos. This free, open-source program lets you connect multiple cameras, share your computer screen or individual application windows, and add text, images, and overlays. You can create different scenes and switch between them during a broadcast, including a picture-in-picture layout that shows your webcam alongside a presentation or demonstration. OBS Studio also includes audio mixing tools to help you balance your microphone, computer audio, and other sound sources.

Logitech 922x

For capturing video in my office, I use a Logitech 920. It has proven to be a very durable webcam. It has performed great time after time. Primarily it sits on my computer, but I have a number in my drawer that I take onsite with me as I help faculty with their video projects. The Logitech 922x is an upgrade to the 920.

iPad

I have used an iPad for nearly ten years and absolutely love it. I mainly use it to consume information, such as reading books, watching videos, and reading blogs. Occasionally, I will use it for writing notes.

Increasingly, I have used it to capture videos I live stream to Facebook or YouTube Live. I do this when I do not need to show what I am doing on the computer. For those cases, I use OBS Studio.

Iographer

One of the best buys I have made is for this Iographer mobile media case. When I am videoing with my iPad, I use this case to mount my iPad onto a tripod. The case also has two handles to help with stability if you are not using a tripod. Additionally, it has cold shoe mounts for other accessories such as a microphone or light kit. It is extremely durable.

YouTube

YouTube is the place where I share all the videos I create. YouTube is a logical place to share videos with others. If you are concerned with the public seeing your video, then you can make your videos unlisted or private.

YouTube Live

Our current go-to strategy for capturing an event is to use YouTube Live. YouTube makes it very easy to capture a live stream. All you need is an internet connection and a webcam. I use my trusty Logitech 920. If you want to share content from your computer as part of the stream, you will need to use a product like OBS Studio.

Scanning

ScanSnap

My scanner of choice has been the Fujitsu ScanSnap iX500 Sheetfed Scanner. It will take 60 pages and scan the front and back into a PDF file in less than 60 seconds. This was a lifesaver when I moved from Wyoming to New York. I scanned five recycling containers of documents into Evernote as PDF documents. When I want to save a document, I just drop it into the scanner, and voilà, it is done. Scanning all these documents into digital documents has made it easier for me to share with others. A lot of the documents were training notes and ideas that I wanted to keep.

Scanmarker

The Scanmarker digital highlighter is my latest tool. I do a lot of reading, and I wanted an easy way to capture my marginalia from the books I read. It is a slick tool that works just like a highlighter. Just run the device over a line of text, and it will save it as digital text in the program of your choice. I have been using it to capture my notes in Zotero.

Chromebook

I am a huge fan of my Chromebook. I do so much work in the cloud using Google products. It made sense to get one for basic computing. You simply need to turn it on, log onto the Internet, and log into Google. You are all set. I never have to worry about losing work because it is in the cloud. My Chromebooks have been pretty indestructible. For less than $300, you can’t beat it.

Audio

Audacity

For a period, I podcasted. I hosted the In the Classroom Podcast. A lot of the podcasters that I know create their podcasts with Audacity. Audacity is freeware but has an amazing amount of power. It certainly does everything I need it to do.

The Snowball

Naturally, to record a podcast, one needs a microphone. In my case, I have a Blue Snowball USB Microphone. It is very easy to use, and I am very pleased with the quality of the sound for what I am doing. I also have a boom arm and pop filter included.

Libsyn

For distributing your podcast, I learned it is best to load it onto a podcasting platform. I am using Libsyn. These services provide their options at a reasonable cost. They will also distribute the podcast to iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, Google Play, etc. Finally, I can import the link into my page without affecting the website’s performance.

Graphic Design

Canva

When creating images for my blog posts (every post has a featured image at least), I use an online program called Canva. It is a wonderful tool that helps me create professional looking images without having to be a graphic designer. Canva has templates for all the different social media graphic sizes that you need. If they don’t have it, you can customize the dimensions.

Pexels

It is just not good practice to use copyrighted images without permission. Thankfully, there are sites like Pexels and Unsplash that provide images for free. Pexels has some wonderful photos. The site has certainly made me look a lot better on the web.

Unsplash

Unsplash is another free image site. Their images are also great. You can really brighten up your site by using them. Most times, you simply give them credit for use.

Storage Tools

Dropbox

I store all my important documents in the cloud, either on Dropbox or Google Drive. I have been using Dropbox for at least 10 years. At that time, I needed a solution to prevent losing files when my hard drive crashed. Since using Dropbox, I have been less concerned about computer failures. I kept my dissertation solely on Dropbox while I was writing it. Now, I primarily store my Scrivener files on Dropbox so that I can access them from multiple computers. I have invested in extra space with a yearly subscription.

Google Drive

Because of my Chromebook, Google Drive is now the place where I store documents. I can easily access my documents as long as I have an internet connection. With the Chromebook, I can also work on documents offline and sync them when I reconnect. So far, I have been able to store virtually any type of file I want on Google Drive. Google Drive also makes it extremely easy to share files and folders with others.

Productivity

Asana

Asana is where I manage my projects. I have Asana set up for my personal use, for work, and for my business dealings. Within Asana, you can set up multiple projects with tasks and subtasks. You can assign each task and subtask to an individual on your team. Additionally, you can add due dates and create repeating tasks. Once a task is complete, you just check it off.

I use Asana to not only manage my projects but also to track ideas such as blog and podcast topics. At work, I use it to manage my team meeting agenda.

Google Apps

If I am creating a document, the odds are that I am creating it in Google Apps. Google Apps provides a suite of applications that I rely on daily. My email client of choice is Gmail, which is part of the GSuite. Additionally, I have other connection tools such as a calendar and Google Hangouts, which allows me to video chat with others.

Other apps allow me to create documents, spreadsheets, presentations, forms, drawings, websites, etc. Besides sharing with others, you can collaborate in real time with others. Most importantly, the app saves all your work automatically. Not only does Google store a current copy, but you can see the revisions. I have never had to worry about lost work.

Marinara

Marinara is a Chrome extension I use to help stay on task. It uses the Pomodoro method for staying focused. With a click, you turn on the timer and get head down into your work. At the end of the established time period, it will tell you to take a break. I have my timer set for 42 minutes with a 5-minute break. I challenge myself to see how many “Pomodoros” I can do in a day. When I use this strategy, I get a lot of work done.

TextExpander

If you repeatedly type the same phrases, emails, or letters, Textexpander can save you time. You store frequently used content as snippets and insert it by typing a short, unique abbreviation. For templates that need personalization, you can add fill-in fields, dropdown menus, and optional sections to customize the text before inserting it. I use it for routine letters and my different signature blocks, making everyday writing faster and more consistent.

YouTube Music

I simply cannot work without my music. YouTube Music is my music application of choice. With it, I can start a radio station based on a favorite artist or song, explore personalized mixes, or create playlists to keep my day filled with music. If I want to hear a specific song or album, I can search for it and start listening. YouTube Music Premium adds ad-free music, background playback on mobile devices, and downloads for offline listening.

Notepad++

Notepad++ is a text editor. There are times you need a good text editor because word processors add code behind the scenes. Notepad++  was designed for coders. If you select the language that you want to write in, Notepad++ will not only color code the language but also provide assistance while you type. I use it to help edit HTML code and clean up data I enter into spreadsheets. Recently, I extended its capabilities to use Markdown language, which is essential to AI prompting.

Fiverr

Fiverr is a place where you go to hire someone to complete a task for you at a nominal fee. If you do not have expertise in an area or you don’t have the capacity to complete the task, then Fiverr is a great place to go. I have used them to help promote my book. If you need a web designer, a graphic designer, etc., this is the place to go.

Analytics

Google Analytics

Google Analytics supports all the websites I manage. Google Analytics tracks everything regarding the use of the website. It lets me know if I am on the right track when I change my site or when I promote content. If you are running a website, then Google Analytics is a must.

Google Data Studio

Google Data Studio is a new tool that I have been using. Basically, it is used to make sense of the data you have. With Google Data Studio, you can create attractive, informative displays of your data. Additionally, you can add filters to your sheets so that others can manipulate the information. At work, I have run various spreadsheets through Google Data Studio to discover new relationships.

Writing Apps

Scrivener

Scrivener is my go-to writing tool for books, podcast scripts, newsletters, and blog posts. It lets me keep drafts, notes, and research together in one project, break longer works into manageable sections, and rearrange content with drag and drop. I can view reference materials alongside my writing and use outlining tools to organize my ideas as a project develops. When I am ready to share my work, Scrivener can compile those sections into a manuscript and export formats such as Word, PDF, and EPUB for ebook publishing. The more I use it, the more ways I find to turn scattered thoughts into finished work.

ProWritingAid

ProWritingAid helps me edit and polish my writing, from blog posts and newsletters to book manuscripts. It identifies spelling, grammar, and punctuation issues while offering suggestions to improve style and readability. Its detailed reports highlight repeated words, overused phrases, passive voice, and sentence structure, helping me spot patterns that could weaken my writing. I can review the suggestions and choose the changes that make my work clearer while preserving my voice.

Hemingway Editor

The Hemingway Editor will help you simplify your writing. By dropping in text, the Hemingway Editor will let you know where to use easier words, correct passive into active phrasing, and clean up adverbs. The Hemingway Editor will also give you a grade for your writing. There is also a desktop version of this app.

Zotero

Zotero is a bibliographic citation tool. I use it to track my academic and book research. With Zotero, you can collect information including notes on many types of reference materials. Once collected, you can use it in your writing to cite content correctly. Zotero can automatically format the citations to meet different requirements such as APA or MLA. Last, you can export an annotated bibliography. The Chrome extension makes it easy to import new content.

Collection Apps

Diigo

Diigo is a social bookmarking tool. If I find a web page that I like and want to reference later, I will store it in Diigo. With a handy Chrome extension, it is easy to save and categorize web pages. I have countless collections of websites that I easily reference or share with others. I use Diigo extensively when I am doing research.  One of the great things about Diigo is that I can reference my thousands of bookmarks wherever I have an internet connection.

Communication Tools

Zoom

When it comes to video conferencing, Zoom is my tool of choice. Zoom makes it tremendously easy to schedule a one-on-one or group call. It has been great for holding meetings, providing technical support, and giving training. With Zoom, I can share my screen. It also has a whiteboard and member chat feature. It is a great tool for trainers.

Learning Tools

LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com)

Besides the MOOCs and other courses I subscribe to, LinkedIn Learning is one of my go-to tools to learn something new. These video courses are easy to consume. You can watch a full course or just find a video that addresses the issue you are facing. With videos that are 2-8 minutes long , they are easy to consume.

Pocket Casts

When I listen to podcasts, I use Pocket Casts. The program is a straightforward podcast application. You simply subscribe to a podcast, and the episode automatically downloads to your device. Well, that depends on how you have it configured. I primarily listen to podcasts while I am out walking or driving. I also listen to podcasts through the web app.

Feedly

Feedly is a tool I use to aggregate various blogs and news feeds. It makes it a single place to go to see all the news you are interested in. Another useful feature is that you can organize the blog feeds around topics. I use it to keep tabs on different topics that are meaningful to me.

Well, that is my collection of apps and tools that I use to keep my life running at home, work, and play. What apps do you find essential?

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In the spirit of full disclosure, this is an affiliate link, which means that if you purchase this item through my link I will earn a commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link. I only recommend products & systems that I use and love myself, so I know you’ll be in good hands.
Plus, when you order through my link, it helps me to continue to offer you lots of free stuff. 🙂 Thank you, in advance for your support!