Web-based and Text Message Reminder Applications
Free Web-based reminder applications can help you remember your important business tasks and events.
Aliza Sherman
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Web-based and Text Message Reminder Applications
Hi there, The Digital Marketer here, ready to help you put the power of the Internet and technology to work for your business.
Do you have trouble remembering all the millions of things you have to do each day to operate your business? If you are like me, paper calendars and Post-It notes just aren’t enough. Luckily, there are Web-based reminder sites to help.
I’ve tried many different reminder sites to help me keep track of meetings, conference calls and other tasks I have to do on certain times or days. These sites usually offer free services that are Web-based but they can interface with your e-mail and even your mobile phone or PDA using text messages.
Top Reminder Sites
Two popular reminder sites are Remember the Milk and I Want Sandy. Both have many features including integration with your mobile phone or device and even your Twitter microblogging account for those who use Twitter. While many people swear by these sites, I personally find the learning curve for using them a little too steep for me.
But don’t avoid checking them out because I don’t use them. That would be like not trying out a PC because I’m a Mac person and I tell you that I prefer Macs. Everybody is different. I encourage you to check them out for yourself.
My Reminder System
So what do I, Small Biz Tech Girl, use? I’ve been getting to know 30Boxes a lot better since I recently bought an iPod Touch with iCal, the calendar application. Also, I’m on a MacBook that has iCal so 30Boxes can synch up with both my desktop and handheld calendars. I like that the 30Boxes interface is a calendar. I enter events by double clicking on any date box or by typing in an event or task in the quick add field at the top of the calendar.
Then I can double click on any entry on any day and select “Reminder” and configure my 30Boxes settings to send a text message to my mobile phone or device 5, 15, 30 minutes or more before any given event. I personally prefer getting text messages as my reminders because the little alarms prompt me to focus in on the next task at hand.
Texting and E-mail Reminder Options
If you like texting, then you might want to check out Kwiry at K-W-I-R-Y dot com. Kwiry lets you send a text message to your Kwiry account when you need to remember something but are away from your computer. Your text message is then sent as an e-mail to your e-mail account or can be accessed on the Web via your Kwiry account page. No more lost tiny pieces of paper with your scribbled notes.
Another site that taps straight into e-mail and text reminders is YourLi.st at Y-O-U-R-L-I dot S-T.
If bare bones and no frills is your preference, an old but still usable reminder site is Memo To Me. Set up a free account for basic e-mail reminders without all the bells and whistles.
Here are some of my quick and dirty tips for getting the most out of your online reminder system:
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- Choose the service that suits your perferences and personality. Don’t go for the most popular one if it doesn’t work well for you.
- Pick the service that provides you with reminders in the way you are mostly likely to respond. For me, it is a text message. For you, it might be an e-mail or a tweet in your Twitter account.
- Take time to configure your settings. Take advantage of the “repeat” feature to avoid having to re-enter tasks that you do regularly.
- Make time to use it. Make updating your schedule a priority each day.
Bottom Line: One size does not fit all so try several reminder sites until you find the perfect fit.
Contact Me
That’s all we have time for today. Visit the show’s website at digitalmarketer.quickanddirtytips.com for links to all of the sites mentioned in the show. If you’d like to ask a question or request a topic for The Digital Marketer, email me at digitalmarketer@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email .
If you would like more information about keynote speeches, workshops, or other appearances by me, Aliza Sherman, host of Small Biz Tech Girl, visit www.mediaegg.com for details.
The Digital Marketer’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Building Your Business With Web Tools is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips network at quickanddirtytips.com. Tune in for another business boost from The Digital Marketer, the host who’s not afraid to go under the Internet’s hood & get a little dirty!
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