I don’t know about you, but I’m a big Batman fan. I consider him a true social entrepreneur… but that’s another blog post. What makes Batman, Batman in my opinion is his utility belt. Batman without his utility belt is just a guy in a rubber suit (kind of weird, huh?). His utility belt is what helps him make the most of tough situations and creates opportunities for him to succeed.
Now, you may be thinking, “What do I need with a batarang as an entrepreneur?” Well, to be honest, an entrepreneur’s utility belt isn’t filled with fancy gadgets, but with simple everyday things that will help you make the most of every moment, everywhere (including waiting in line at the post office, sitting on a long flight, or in a public restroom.)
Also, there’s no Alfred to hook you up with all of these gadgets, but I’ll show you how to get them for cheap. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Business Cards
Features:
Basic - Lists your name and email address (Can be black and white)
Advanced – Lists your company logo, name, physical address, phone number, fax numbers, email address, twitter username, facebook username, linkedin username, and mission of your company. (Note: Good to use both sides and color)
Uses:
• Hand out to contacts whenever you meet them. (Note: Don’t immediately give someone your business card, at least have a conversation with them first. Also ask for the other person’s card in exchange.)
For Ultimate Bootstrappers:
• VistaPrint.com gives a great a deal where you can get 250 business cards for free (they have VistaPrint’s logo on the back, though). Or you can spend like $20 or less to get ones in color without their logo on the back.
• Create them yourself by buying thick paper and printing and cutting them yourself.
2. Smart Phone
Features:
Basic – Can send/receive phone calls, send/receive email, send/receive text messages
Advanced – Could everything the basic can and even interpret a baby’s cries for you… yea, it’s that serious.
Uses:
• Instantaneously send/receive important emails to clients, customers, employees, and anyone else you need to get in touch with.
• Call up a friend when you need a free place to crash when you’re traveling or need to borrow clothes because the airlines lost your luggage again.
• Twitter out where you are and what you are doing so you can meet up with people and never be alone
• Work whenever and wherever
For Ultimate Bootstrappers:
• Check out eBay or Craig’s List for some that are on sale
• Buy refurbished from the manufacturer, most companies have a sales page for that (Apple, Blackberry)
3. Camera
Features:
Basic - Can take pictures
Advanced - Can take pictures and record video (HD is better)
Uses:
• Instant Celebrity. Take a picture with a celebrity (possibly holding your product) and get increased credibility. If you can get a quick video interview with them that’s even better!!
• Create video blogs. A great way to spice up your blog is to add video and why not make it easier to create?
• Capture great ideas already out there. If you see great marketing or a cool new product or a great store, take picture or video tape it and make a note of it so you can learn from it.
For Ultimate Bootstrappers:
• Check out eBay or Craig’s List for some that are on sale
• Buy refurbished from the manufacturer, most companies have a sales page for that (Canon, Flip)
4. Pen/Pencil and a Notebook/Notepad
Features:
Basic – Allows you to read what you wrote
Advanced – Has a nice look to it and doesn’t smudge/leak
Uses:
• Idea capture, a good way to write down all of the ideas that you have about your business
• A to-do list creator
• Backup if you’ve forgotten your business cards.
For Ultimate Bootstrappers:
• Use some of your old notebooks from school or buy from Staples or Walmart
5. A Magazine or Book
Features:
Basic – Highlights… just kidding. You’ll want at least a business magazine with you
Advanced - At least 2 magazines or 2 books
Uses:
• Great conversation starter, as long as you don’t bury your noise in it.
• Good source of information and news to keep you up to date in your field and pass time while traveling or waiting.
• Good way to start a relationship with a journalist/author is by commenting or emailing them about their article or book, so get to readin’
For Ultimate Bootstrappers:
• Check out Half.com for some great deals on books. Amazon has great deals on magazine subscriptions (under $10)
• Go to your local or college library, they’ll have some for you to browse through.
• Spend a day or five “browsing” at a Barnes & Noble.
• Check out Google Books, where you can browse through a good portion of a book for free, this way you can preview before you buy.
• You can also get free magazines for signing up with freebizmag.com
• Authors will send you books if you review them on your blog and offer to do interviews with them (you’ll get them before anyone else).
6. Breath Freshener
Features:
Basic – Make your breath smell normal after being up for hours working
Advanced – Creates a frosty mist around you when you breathe
Uses:
• Create a great impression with a new contact while delivering your elevator pitch in tight quarters
• A good conversation starter: Ask, “Hey, would you like a breath mint?”. Then you can say, “Hi, I’m….” and begin your conversation.
• Turn a new contact into a date for Friday night
For Ultimate Bootstrappers:
• Eat foods that have a good strong scent like oranges or actual mint.
• Ask someone for one
7. A Watch
Features:
Basic – It tells you the correct time
Advanced – It’s a classy watch that gives a good impression (Doesn’t have to be expensive)
Uses:
• Helps you to arrive on time for important meetings and give a good first impression
• Reminds you of how many hours you’ve been up working in case you’ve lost count
For Ultimate Bootstrappers:
• It’s a great item to add to your wishlist for the holidays
• Buy one off the street for cheap, just make sure it’s in working order.
8. BONUS: Shark Repellent Bat Spray
Features:
Basic – Repels sharks
Advanced – Could possibly repel a Blue Whale
Uses:
• Repels sharks (you never know…)
For Ultimate Bootstrappers:
• Only if you’re Batman, even Robin doesn’t have any.
Sure, this may seem simple, but how many opportunities have you missed when you didn’t give that guy your business card, or forgot to write down that great idea you had, or missed that important call or email?
Gather the materials you need for your own entrepreneur utility belt, so one day you can say…
I’m BATMAN!!!
