In this edition of the Affiliate Buzz, James and Arlene Martell discuss productivity tools that you can use to save you time. Most of the tools for productivity that they discuss are free and they use everyday.

Tool #1. Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Arlene discusses keyboard shortcuts that you can use: There are also many more you can find online.

Ctrl + Enter: automatically puts .com and opens the web page.

Ctrl + A: highlights the entire text for you

Ctrl + C: copies the highlighted text

Ctrl + V: pastes the copied text

Tool #2. Graphic Design Tool

James talks about Canva, a free graphics design tool. It helps create graphics for various things. Like designs for Web or print: blog graphics, presentations, Facebook covers, flyers, posters, invitations and more. You can Simply search for the best graphics, photos, and fonts, or upload your own, then use Canva’s drag and drop tool to create a design. There are also thousands of fonts to choose from and it is online and free to use.

Tool #3. Communication Tips

James and Arlene discuss Skype. Using the text message box in skype provides instant messaging back and forth, without having to wait and search for an email to come through. It saves a ton of time and skype is easy to use, and lets you know when a message comes in. Great when an immediate response is required. Again, this saves a lot of time.

Tool #4. Browser Tips

James arranges his browser tabs in the same place. In order, his tabs are: Elance, Basecamp, Facebook, Gmail, Hootsuite. These are the programs he uses everyday, so having them all lined up and ready to click on, saves time.

Arlene uses an incognito window for easier organization. Sometimes, if you have two gmail accounts, this allows you to keep them both open, as well as other programs you need to refer to without overloading your main browser.

Tool #5. Dual Monitors

James has dual monitors on his desk. You can take an open document and drag it to the other monitor, allowing you to view two important documents at the same time. Once you try it, you will never want a single monitor again. James says dual monitors increase productivity as everything is so accessible.

Tool #6. Basecamp

Basecamp helps you get organized when you have several tasks that need to be done by a specific date. If you have other team members or writers you work with, assign them the tasks they need to complete, with a due date, and you will know exactly where you are at in the project. Once they complete the task, they tick it off so you know it is done. There is also a place for discussions, text documents, graphics and a calendar. It is THE most amazing tool we have used in a long time and we could not stay organized without it.

Tool #7. Elance

Elance helps you get an on-demand team. Post a project you need done, and watch the bids come in. It is easy to set up milestones for the project, make payments and communicate with your vendor. There is no charge to post your project, and it is the best place to find qualified workers to tackle any task from writing to technical help.

Tool #8. Google Drive

Google Drive lets you collaborate on documents in real time. If you need to go through a document with someone else, and you both need to edit it, this will be the place you want to store that document. Any changes are immediate, so there is never a risk of using an older version. We also use it to store our podcast audios where the host and writer can get the information they need,

Tool #9. Using Templates

Arlene uses templates to save time.