Resources

Madalyn in a black polo shirt smiles and holds a smartphone. Text reads Madalyn’s top resources for services, tools, products and books. Work smarter not harder!

Welcome to my Resources page. I have put together a list of services, tools and products that I use and highly recommend. What you see below has helped me build my business to what it is today.

Please note some of these links are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. I recommend what you see on this page because they are incredibly helpful and useful to me and I think it would be helpful to you too.

Social Media:

SocialJukebox
This is my go-to tool for sharing my “evergreen” content on social media, especially Twitter. I can basically “set it and forget  it.” And it saves me a TON of time! This is helpful for your blog posts and other articles and information that you want to share on social media more than once. Evergreen content are posts you’d put out today, next week, even three months from now. It never grows stale. SocialJukebox is the perfect solution for this.

ManageFlitter
I love this tool for managing my Twitter account. I can easily clear out profiles that are not following me back, discover influencers, set up searches to uncover people and brands I should be following, and so much more. The PowerPost feature is my favorite because I can set up tweets to publish at the best times. ManageFlitter does all the heavy lifting here. Try this tool and see how these awesome features will help you “work smarter not harder” on Twitter.

Website Hosting & Email Marketing:

Bluehost
As a digital marketer for the past 22 years, it’s important that I have a reliable hosting company for my websites. I have been using BlueHost since 2010 and I have to say it is the BEST website hosting company on the market today. BlueHost prices start as low as $3.95/month. When you combine that with their helpful customer service, you have piece of mind that your website is running securely on the internet.

Books:

Crushing It! by Gary Vaynerchuk
Gary Vaynerchuk is a personal branding genius. His latest book, Crushing It!, illustrates how to build your brand and influence using social media tactics to amplify your message. He also shares lessons and inspiration drawn from the experiences of dozens of influencers and entrepreneurs who rejected the predictable corporate path in favor of pursuing their dreams by building thriving businesses and extraordinary personal brands. It’s a must read!

Rise and Grind by Daymond John
I love Daymond John, not just because he’s a killer shark on ABC’s Shark Tank. It’s also because he’s an amazing entrepreneur who hustled his way to the top, creating something from nothing with his apparel company, FUBU. He released a great book in 2016, The Power of Broke, that blew me away. And now with his latest, Rise and Grind, he shares how to use grit and persistence to fuel your success.

Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss
If there is one book you should invest in right now, it’s the latest from Tim Ferriss. While it’s a big book (623 pages), it’s an easy read. Touted as “short life advice from the best in the world,” it’s a compilation of tools, tactics, and habits from 130+ of the world’s top performers. You get cool advice from iconic entrepreneurs, elite athletes, billionaire investors, popular actors, and a variety of interesting people doing amazing things in the world. The book is transformational. You won’t be disappointed.

Entrepreneurial You by Dorie Clark
This is my favorite new book! I just read it and am wow’d by the amazing content from Dorie Clark. She’s the author of two other books that I’ve read: Stand Out and Reinventing You. In Entrepreneurial You, Dorie shows you how to monetize your expertise, create multiple steams of income, and thrive in this new economy.

The Tao of Twitter by Mark Schaefer
Mark Schaefer is a master on Twitter. And his book, The Tao of Twitter, is the world’s best-selling guide to this mega platform. Now in its fourth edition, it’s been revised and expanded to include even more. It’s great for beginners and those looking to learn new strategies.

Social PR Secrets by Lisa Buyer
Excellent book that will show you how to optimize, socialize, and publicize your brand. It’s a public relations, social media and digital marketing field guide with 30 chapters and 75+ actionable tips. Once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down.

Winning at Social Customer Care by Dan Gingiss
This is a wonderful book sharing how top brands are creating engaging experiences on social media. So great examples in here!

Educational:

My online courses – I have free and paid courses that will help you become Twitter Smarter.

Read my Affiliate Disclosure.

Madalyn’s Gear

Headshot of Madalyn smiling in front of a podcast microphone. Also in view is the Twitter Smarter mic flag with Madalyn’s photo and Twitter logo on it.

When it comes to audio and video, I use a variety of gear. People are always asking me about my podcast set up. I invested in a high-end microphone, the Heil PR-40. It runs about $325 and is worth every penny. It will make you sound amazing! Not only do I use it for my podcasts but also for my webinars, online training courses and even Skype chats.

Madalyn in a gray t-shirt smiling in front of a microphone.This is my audio/video gear:

Heil PR-40 microphone
Blue Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter
Blue Microphone 20 foot cable
Samson SP01 Spider Shockmount (this is way cheaper than the Heil shockmount)
BSW Pop Filter RE320 (if you want a cheaper option get this)
Heil PL-2T Overhead Broadcast Boom
Mic Flag (square box with my logo)
Logitech Brio webcam
Viltrox LED video lights
Arkon Tripod with Phone Holder Mount (save 20% discount code: TwitterSmarter)
Arkon Clip-on LED Selfie Light (save 20% discount code: TwitterSmarter)

My Set Up:

If you’re looking for a great microphone, these are the ones I recommend. They are all USB plug-in and play except the Heil PR-40.


Low End

Mpow 071 USB Headset
https://amzn.to/2MmCSZ1

Medium Range

Audio-Technica ATR2100
https://amzn.to/2KpDj7S



Blue Snowball
– comes in white or black
https://amzn.to/2lxyWcz

Blue Yeti
http://amzn.to/1U6MyTJ


High End

Heil PR-40 – I use this microphone. It’s amazing!
http://amzn.to/243wisd

If you order the Heil PR-40, you’ll need a mixer or pre-amp. I recommend using the Blue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter/Mic Preamp
http://amzn.to/27OP5Mo

Microphone for iPhone

Boya By-m1 3.5mm Electret Condenser Microphone with 1/4″ Adapter for Smartphones
http://amzn.to/2q433Mc

Lights

2 Packs VILTROX LED video Panels
https://amzn.to/2On0tO0
The kit comes with (2) bi-color LED video light, (2) power adapter, (2) power cable, (2) 26-75 inches adjustable light stand, (2) hot shoe adapter, (1) wireless remote control, (1) carry bag. Dual color temperature system, brightness and color temperature (3300k~5600k). Wireless remote control system.
Check out this article and video from Wistia that shows you how to get great lighting on a budget.

Arkon Clip-on LED Selfie Light
http://www.arkon.com/product/SPLEDRING-live-streaming-video-selfie-light.html
(use coupon code: TwitterSmarter for 20% off everything in Arkon store)

Video

Logitech Brio Ultra HD Webcam – I’m using this now. It costs 3.5x more than the C920 (below) giving you clearer video and the ability to film in 4K.
https://amzn.to/2IrNUM2

Logitech C920 – Great camera for the money! I’ve used it for years. It’s a workhorse with a great price tag.
https://amzn.to/2yl4WXA

Tripod

Arkon 11 inch Tripod with Phone Holder Mount
http://www.arkon.com/product/RVTRIXL-tripod-phone-holder.html
(use coupon code: TwitterSmarter for 20% off everything in Arkon store)

All of the Amazon links are affiliate links, which means that if you choose to make a purchase I will earn a small commission. The commission comes at no additional cost to you. I recommend these products based on my own personal use and experience or by the recommendation of colleagues.