Students already have a lot on their plate - from keeping their grades up to building a healthy social life. This, however, doesn't seem to stop some of them from running their very own blogs and startups.
Thanks to the availability of online tools and resources, students are now more than capable of balancing their schoolwork and the tremendous responsibilities involved in running a business. It's only a matter of finding the platforms that fit your needs as an entrepreneur and student.
Without further ado, below are some of the best tools that any student entrepreneur should use:
1. Knowledgehut
Students need to focus on learning - and they still should as young entrepreneurs. Knowledgehut is an e-learning platform that students can use to fill essential knowledge gaps. Most of the courses are beneficial to any aspiring entrepreneur, including business management, finance, risk management, and digital marketing.
Knowledgehut courses offer a library of video lessons, reading materials, and quizzes created by certified instructors. While these resources allow students to learn at their own pace, they can also sign up for in-classroom sessions for better results and additional benefits. Another alternative would be Investopedia, which is a free resource site for business-related topics.
2. IFTTT
As a student entrepreneur, time management is one of the significant challenges you need to overcome. With IFTTT, you can automate repetitive tasks related to your online presence and the digital aspects of your business. It works by allowing you to link multiple apps and services into single workflows - also called "applets".
The best thing about IFTTT is its flexibility. With a little creativity, you can design applets that automate social sharing, reporting, bookkeeping, and project management tasks that would've taken a significant amount of time. Alternatively, you can simply pick from hundreds of pre-made applets available in the IFTTT Discover page.
3. Essayhub
Writing academic papers is one of the most time-consuming activities that students have to deal with. It involves several solid hours of in-depth research, writing, and proofreading to do traditionally. So if you want to invest more time on your business, you can rely on an essay-writing service like Essayhub.
Using the platform only involves three steps. First, you place an order by filling in the details for your paper. Once submitted, you will then get the chance to pick a writer based on their individual bids and track record. Lastly, you can communicate with your chosen writer at any time during the project. This will allow you to discuss further details and ensure the project turns out exactly the way you want it to.
4. FreshBooks
FreshBooks is a cloud accounting suite that makes the financial side of things a breeze. It can help you manage invoices, track your expenses, and prepare financial reports - all in one place.
FreshBooks also features a straightforward project management tool that lets you, employees, and clients collaborate on the cloud. It's not as comprehensive as other project management platforms like Basecamp, but it seamlessly integrates with Freshbook's accounting features. You can also use the mobile app to stay ahead of your business finances no matter where you are.
5. Wix ADI
Building a website, even with a content management system like WordPress, takes a ton of time, especially when it comes to optimizing your site's design and layout. That's why you should consider using Wix ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence. It's an AI-powered website builder that leverages data from over 86 million users.
The platform guarantees that no two websites implement the same design. But if you want to personalize your site further, Wix ADI allows you to customize the site's fonts, colors, and other visual elements.
6. Fiverr
It doesn't matter what niche you're in - you need manpower to mobilize your business plans. As a student, you probably don't have a lot of funds to build and sustain your own team. For now, you can rely on freelancers who can work on a per-project basis. And to find them, you can use a platform like Fiverr.
The Fiverr marketplace covers a number of industries that can help startups - from design to digital marketing. Some of the more relevant fields include financial consulting, business planning, branding, and career advice.
Think you're ready to take on the life of a young entrepreneur? Take it easy and read this post for six valuable pieces of advice first.