The iPhone has a lot of uses beyond texting and playing Words with Friends. I think you can even make phone calls with it. ;o) Beyond that, though, the iPhone can be very useful in your business. If you have an iPhone, the ideas and apps described in this article may help you to use it to work more effectively, make better use of down time (such as waiting time) and make your business more successful.
And if you don’t have an iPhone yet, maybe this article will give you the rationalization excuses solid reasons you need to buy one!
Get Paid
This is a big one. There are several apps that enable you to accept credit cards on your phone. I use the Square reader and app, but there are similar programs available through PayPal, Intuit and others. Being able to accept credit cards on the spot makes it easier for customers to buy from you, and not having to invoice and wait for payment means that you get your money faster.
Do Your To-Dos
Having a to-do list frees your mind from trying to remember what you have to do so you can actually do it. There are lots of ways to put your to-do list on your iPhone, but one easy way is with Remember the Milk. This free iPhone app syncs with their other apps so you can use it from your phone, computer, iPad, etc. It will send you text or email reminders, and syncs with other systems such as Google Calendar. You can even print a to-do list for a low-tech way to stay on top of your tasks.
Project Management
There are several project management applications that can help you keep all of your communications and files in one secure location. OmniFocus, Teambox, and Podio are just three of the dozens of top-rated project management tools. These applications aren’t free; OmniFocus costs $19.99. However, unlike many online project management services you don’t have to pay a monthly fee to use them.
Meet with Clients
Skype, Fusebox, FaceTime and WebEx Meetings are applications you can use to meet with clients wherever you (and they) are. You can easily hold a face-to-face meeting with clients and prospects so you can do business with people anywhere in your town or around the world—anywhere there is a WiFi or cell connection.
Post to Social Media
There are apps to connect you with the major social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and many others. Snap a picture of your event, add a short comment and upload it to your fans and followers. Or use time while you are waiting for something to update your status or tweet out some words of wisdom. Using your iPhone with social media makes connecting easy, wherever you are.
Create Content
Your iPhone can be used to create podcasts, photos, videos and written content. You can even post to your WordPress blog from your iPhone.
Apps such as iWriter and PlainText can be used to create documents. Use Dropbox, a free cloud storage and file sharing application, to send the documents to your other devices and computers or to collaborate with others.
With Dragon NaturallySpeaking you can create content by dictating to your phone and email the documents to yourself. FrameArtists lets you make infographics to share on social media sites.
Research and Make Notes
Applications like OneNote and Evernote help you organize your research and take notes on your abundant business ideas. Or record a quick voice memo to remind yourself of the great idea you do not want to forget.
Are you using your iPhone as effectively as you could be to get the best results for your business? Look for ways your phone can help you do more in less time and be more successful. And maybe you will even be able to squeeze in a couple of rounds of Angry Birds.
I do not yet have an iPhone, (sigh…) but I do know many individuals who would never think of going anywhere with out theirs! Thank you for sharing these tips of what you can actually use your iPhone for, (beyond the obvious, texting 🙂 I am still a bit behind the times, I’m afraid. I am at home most of the time, so I still use our land-line home phone mostly, except for when I need to text my husband, at work etc. 🙂 I use my laptop for all my online stuff at this time.
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Great advice! Just took “The Idea Lady”‘s class and must admit it was one of the best. I couldn’t get her ideas down fast enough. She’s straight forward and gives consistently good information. I’ll be talking to this informative woman again!