Introduction
I wasted a lot of time and money trying out different equipment, software, and services. The items listed here represent the best practices that I found. I hope that sharing what I use with you saves you thousands of dollars and days of time trying to figure this out for yourself.
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Productivity Software
- Email: Superhuman (for incredible power and speed) and G Suite
- Typing shortcuts: TextExpander (limited time 20% off coupon)
- Shortcut buttons on my desk: Elgato Stream Deck XL
- Email reminders: FollowupThen.com (free)
- Timekeeping, invoicing, and accounting: Clio (email me for a 10% discount)
- PDF editor/creator: Adobe Acrobat Pro
- Ms Word and Excel: Microsoft Office 365
- PDF storage: Evernote (I’m generally paperless: all mail, bills, etc. turn into PDFs via Fujitsu ScanSnap)
- Calendar and file storage/backup: G Suite
- Speech-to-text dictation tool: Nuance Dragon NaturallySpeaking (check Amazon prices)
- Text editor: Notepad++ (free)
Computer Hardware
- Keyboard: Logitech MX Keys Mini
- Mouse: Logitech MX Master 3S and DELUX Seeker Wireless Ergonomic Vertical Mouse
- PC: Dell Precision 3420 Desktop Workstation with Intel Xeon E3-1240 v6 Quad-Core 3.7 GHz
- Monitors: Acer 43″ 4K Monitor and a Dell 27″ Monitor
- External drive: LaCie Rugged Mini
- Scanner: Fujitsu ScanSnap
- Printer: HP Laserjet Ent 600 M602N Printer
- 4k Webcam – Logitech BRIO – Ultra HD Webcam for Video Conferencing, Recording, and Streaming
- Webcam lights: Elgato Key Light Air and Elgato Key Light
Furniture
- Treadmill Desk: LifeSpan TR1200-DT5 is the [adjustable-height treadmill desk](http://adjustable-height treadmill desk) I use
- Dual monitor arms on the treadmill desk: WALI Premium Dual LCD Monitor Desk.
- Desk: Ikea LILLTRÄSK countertop laid on two Ikea ALEX drawer units
- Desk chairs: Herman Miller Classic Aeron Chair and CB2 studio iii office chair
- Foot massager below desk: Cloud Massage Shiatsu Foot Massager Machine
Phone Apps
- Audiobooks: Audible
- Password manager: LastPass
- PDF storage: Evernote (for a paperless office)
- PDF scanner smartphone app: Scannable
- Education: YouTube Premium (save time, eliminate commercials, and download videos to watch offline)
- Email: Missive (for incredible power, speed, and team collaboration) and G Suite
Website
- Web Hosting: SiteGround (current host; great value) and WP Engine (expensive; lightning fast; secure; automatic daily backups)
- Website Software: WordPress with Easy Table of Contents and Yoast SEO
- Logo: 99designs (professional designers compete to create your logo)
Video Software
- Screencast and Video Recording and Editing – Camtasia (if you only have a Mac, consider Ecamm Live)
- Video Editing – Descript
Audio & Video Equipment
- Camera – Sony FX30
- Microphone – Sennheiser MKH-416
- Backup Microphone – Rode Podcaster USB Dynamic Cardioid Broadcast Microphone
- Greenscreen – Fancierstudio Chromakey Green Chromakey Blue Collapsible Backdrop Collapsible Reversible Background
- Greenscreen Backdrop Stand – Fovitec – 1x Multi Purpose Heavy Duty Clamp Kit
- Older Video Camera: Sony FDR-AX100 4K Video Camera with memory card and tripod
- Older Video Camera: Canon EOS Rebel T6 with power adapter and memory card
- Video Camera On-The-Go: Apple iPhone Pro with AmazonBasics 50-Inch Lightweight Tripod and Smartphone Mount
- LED Video Lights: Fovitec
- Starter Video Lights: Fancierstudio Lighting Kit
- Ring Light: Neewer
Virtual Assistant Hiring
- Virtual Assistant (VA) Job Posting Sites: OnlineJobs.ph, Fiverr, and Upwork
- Book on How to Effectively Outsource to Your First VA: The Outsourcing Lever
- Training Course to Help You Hire Your First VA: One VA Away
- Training Courses for Your New VA: VA’s Made Easy