With the passing of Steve Job’s a several weeks ago, I thought I’d dedicate a post to this super genius of technology and entrepreneurship. If there’s one thing I can’t live without as a business man/homo sapien, it’s Apple Apps. Take my parking spot away, take my Lacoste messenger bag away, heck take my lucky stapler away but don’t take my Apple Apps away.
The following are ten apps on my iPhone that I use religiously in order to make the hectic world of marketing a less hectic world. All of these are free (except Hipstamatic) and will be sure to come in handy at some point. Here they are:
1. Facebook
Who doesn’t use Facebook first thing when they wake up in the morning? Not only does the Facebook App help you manage your social life, but the Facebook App allows you to manage your Facebook Fan Page without having to hop on a computer. Real time/as it happens updates are key for interacting with your audience and the Facebook App helps make that happen.
2. Instagram/Hipstamatic
Sometimes small businesses don’t have grade A photographers or designers by their side all the time to capture the moment or to generate images for projects. A quick and cheap solution to this is using either Instagram (free) or Hipstamatic ($1.99) on your apple device. Both allow you to create stellar images in minutes. You’ll have professional looking images that are easily uploadable to other social networks and the web.
3. Twitter
Another ubquitiuously known social network but still essential to mention nonetheless is Twitter. As mentioned earlier, real time content is key to engaging your audience. By having the Twitter app handy on your phone you can easily accomplish this. The Twitter app enables picture uploading, geolocation and easily allows hash tagging and @ mentions when drafting your tweet.
4. Photoshop Express
Complimenting Instagram and Hipstamatic, Photoshop Express is another essential app to have when generating marketing content. Photoshop Express allows for you to edit photos with basic edits like rotation, cropping, resizing, saturation, brightness and contrast. There’s also a few cool filters and borders you can put your photos through as well.
5. Zappit
With QR codes gaining popularity, it is important to have an app in your app arsenal that allows for you to easily scan a QR code and get the content you need. Zappit is a basic QR reader this easy to use and of course free. Also comes in handy when you need to test your own QR codes you create.
6. What the Font
You heard me right, What the Font?! Just kidding, but this app is a lifesaver when you see a font you love but have absolutely no idea what it’s called. Especially when you’re looking for ideas to relay to a designer and know what you want but don’t know what you like is called; then this is the app for you.
7. Google
Another no brainer to have in your app toolbox, the Google app comes in useful for just about anything you need to know on the spot (i.e. presentations, research in the field, where to take clients for lunch, you name it). Also nifty since it’s equipped with the voice search feature.
8. Google Voice
Supplement your Google app with the Google Voice app. Especially if you are like me and are working on basically zero budget, Google Voice is a great tool to have if you want a dedicated phone just for your business. The Google Voice app eliminates the need to dial the Google Voice number and provides straight access to your Google Voice phone number with a nice phone key pad.
9. Four Square
Keeping in step with the whole engaging your audience theme, Four Square is a good app to have to literally put your place of business/company on the map. If you don’t, someone else will, so it’s probably a good idea to download this app and make your Four Square presence known. Plus, you can get into some places free by checking and find out about other cool locations.
10. WordPress
Last but not least the WordPress allows you to quickly write an on the spot post or modify an existing one when access to a computer is feasible and timing is crucial. In addition, moderate comments and check out stats on your blog or website.
So there you have it, my list of what apps every business professional (esp Marketers) should have on their apple device. Thank you Steve Jobs for enriching the lives of technology goers everywhere; the world will not be the same without you. If you have any other suggestions, drop a comment and let your ROAR be heard.
