1.  Money:

Grants:  Grants are money that are given to entrepreneurs to help them start and grow their businesses.  You don’t have to pay it back.  You don’t have to give up equity in your business to get it.  Learn more about grants.

Small Business Competition:  Business Plan Competition is another way for entrepreneurs to get free money.  The only catch is that you have to compete in order to win it.  The competition usually consists of key members of the organization making a presentation before a panel of judges who will decide who the winners are.  Some competitions include making an elevator pitch.  Sometimes more than one presentation is required.  Some Business Plan Competitions don’t require an in person presentation.  Just the submission of the plan is requird.   Learn more about Business Plan Competitions.

Crowdfunding:  Crowdfunding is another source of free money for entrepreneurs.  Crowdfunding is a new way of legally raising money for small businesses.  Crowdfunding allow entrepreneurs to make their pitch (via video or text) on websites and invite the public to contribute to their businesses.  The entrepreneur don’t have to give up any equity or take on debt.  All contributions come with no strings attached.  Learn more about crowdfunding.

2.  Tax Filing:

This IRS website directs you to different free tax filing software that you can use to file your federal and state taxes.  There are certain criteria you must meet.  For example, there is an maximum income threshold you must meet.  Pick the one that you qualify for that best meet your needs.  Learn more.

3.  Business Assistance:

SCORE:  SCORE stands for the Service Core of Retired Executives.  This organization is affiliated with the Small Business Administration (SBA).  They provide free small business counseling.  They have offices located throughout the country.  If you’re looking for small business advice at no charge check them out.  Learn more about SCORE.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDC):    The Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) is a national organization run by the Small Business Administration (SBA) that provides assistance to entrepreneuers on a local level through out the country including the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the U.S.Virgin Islands.  Learn more about SBDC.

Women's Business Development Center (WBDC):  The WBDC provides free counseling to entrepreneurs.  They are a non-profit organization with offices throughout the U.S.  Learn more about WBDC.

4.  Data Storage:

Drop Box:  Drop Box provides a 10GB storage package for free.  It places a virtual hard drive on your computer and files are automatically synchronized to the cloud when you place a file in it.  Data is encrypted in the cloud and you can share it with others.  Learn more about Drop Box.

OpenDrive:  Open drives provides a 5GB storage packagefor free.  It works very much like Drop Box.  It places a virtual hard drive on your computer and files are automaticaly synchronized to the cloud when you place a file in the it.  Data is encrypted in the cloud and you can share it with others.  Learn more about OpenDrive.

5.  Video Hosting:

YouTube:  Youtube is a video hosting site owned by Google.  It is free.  You can create and upload your own video to it and share that video on your website with a simple link back to it.  The whole world can also search Youtube and find your video.  You can also add advertising to your videos as a way to generate income.  The more people viewing your video the more money you will make.  It cost you nothing.  You can also link to other people’s videos that convey the message you’re trying to articulate  and use it to enhance your website.  The people that created those videos will benefit from having more people view their videos.  Visit Youtube.

6.  Analytics:

Google Analytics:  There are many tools at Google Analytics, but the one that most entrepreneurs should focus on is the one that lets you track the number of visits to your website.  It provides details sucha s when visitors are coming to your website, how long they’re staying there and what geographic locations they’re coming from.  It’s a great tool to have.  It is free.  If you already have a google account, you can sign up for it using that account.  You can track more than one website.  Learn more.

7.  Legal Documents:

Docracy:   Provides free access to sample documents such as Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA), Employment, Sales & Purchases, Consulting, etc.

Free Legal Documents:  This site offers free documents such as Loan Agreements, Law Will and Testament, Durable or Lasting Power of Attorney, Free Bill of Sale Forms, Employment Contracts, Property Rental Agreements, General Contractor Agreement, Intelluctual Property, Franchising, etc.  Learn more. 

Law Depot:  Law Depot offers a range of free documents that includes Partnership Agreement, Confidentiality Agreement, LLC Operating Agreement, Shareholder Forms, Employment and Human Resource (HR) Forms, etc.  Learn More.

Law Smart:  Law Smart offers a range of free documents that includes Partnership Agreement, Consulting Agreement, Operating Agreement, Confidentiality Agreement, Employment and Human Resource (HR) Forms, etc.  Learn more.

8.  Social Media: 

Social media is the most cost effective way to promote your small business.  It is free.  Through social media you can reach hundreds of millions of people for just a small investment your time.  These sites includes Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest.  Learn more about Social Media.

9.  Podcasting:

Blog Talk Radio:   Blog Talk Radio's virtual recording studio has everything you need to easily produce a high quality podcast and broadcast your show live online from the site, your own blog, iTunes, Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress, Linkedin, etc.  Create a live talk radio show with up to 3 hours of air time per day.  Interact with your listeners in a live chat room. This adds a whole new interactive dimension to your broadcasts.  Take callers into a private screening room before you bring them on the air so you can get their name or question. Or you can talk to a co-host about the next segment while music's playing.  Connect to your show directly from your computer without a phone by using Skype.

The free version allows you to; host your own live talk radio show using any phone and a web browser; 5 simultaneous guests/listeners on your show;  Live chat with listeners;  Promotional tools: share on social networks, embed on blog/iTunes;  All shows archived as podcasts;  Unlimited podcast storage.

10. Stock Photography:

Use free pics to enhance your website or promotional materials such as business cards, brochures, flyers, etc.  Search these sites for specific types of pics and select the ones you want.  Use them as you wish at no cost or licensing issue.

Bing

Jeshoots

Life of Pix

Picography

Pixababy

Splashbase

SplitShire

Startup Stock Photos

Stock UP

Unsplash