Question of the Day - Do I Really Need To Make Changes?
You know the only thing in life that is constant is change. But for some of us, that is a difficult thing especially if the thing we need to change is something that we’ve grown accustomed to and really like. But what if that something is not bringing in the initial results you got when you started it.
You see, as much as we would like to, we cannot control all the variables that affect our businesses, and on account of that, we must be willing to pursue and embrace the changes that will keep us at the competitive edge. Sometimes it means letting go of business relations, business practices or anything that adds no relevance to our success. Or it might mean getting help for your business by hiring a virtual assistant.
Just remember that before you make that move to change you are sure about where you want to go and you have an informed opinion of how to get there.
Building A Business Is Hard Work..
I never realized it until today how much work it takes to build a successful business. Its not that I have been completely clueless, just that the work never felt like work because I absolutely love what I do.
Its just that today with several deadlines pressing and a few more popping up I felt the burden that business ownership can sometimes bring.
There is good news for business owners however. In spite of the fact the the work must be done, it does not mean that you should be the one to do it.
If you are doing tasks that does not make you any income then the solution is simple: outsource to a virtual assistant.
Other ways that you can save yourself from doing repetitive tasks is to automate as much as possible. Are you doing the same tasks daily, over and over? Then look for ways to simplify and possibly automate. This will save you some time and headache and free up more time to do the things that really matter (ie those things that bring in the revenue).
Today I am taking my own advice and trying to save myself some future grief because building a business is hard work but it really doesn’t have to be!
CRG
TGIF Aren’t All The Days The Same?
Well today is Friday and as usual, everyone is delighted. But for me, the day is no different from any other. Being sick for the past four days, its hard to see any joy in the arrival of Friday.
But wait a minute. Today I can do some of the things that the last few days did not allow me to. As I peer through the window of my son’s bedroom, I can see the lovely trees swaying in the breeze, the sunshine is out, though to some it might be shining without mercy, the birds chirping, and so many things we often take for granted.
As any small business owner will agree, sometimes we are so deeply buried in making a success of our business, that the everyday things we ignore, take for granted until one day we might wake up to find they are no longer there.
Let the weekend be a happy time, a time to reflect and bound. The life of a virtual assistant is one of constant improvement to meet the growing demands of today’s technology. But don’t let that drive snuff out the simple beautiful things in our lives. I’m glad I can write this today. Aren’t you glad you read it?
Until next time, have a fab weekend.
Good Habits - Life’s Auto-Pilot
Today I sat trying to figure out a good productivity tool, and started my search on the Internet. But then I realized I did not have to go so far because it was staring me right in the face. Good habits.
This is what gets you up when you want to stay asleep a little longer. Its what dresses you when you think pajamas will do. Its what gets you out of the house when the bedroom serenades you, its what keeps you punching at the keys when all you want to do is log off.
As a virtual assistant we do not always want to do what needs to be done, but good habits, if they are really good, and are indeed habits are what keeps us going.
TGIF: Another Chance To Write Your Story
A great story is an excellent way to get people’s attention. From kids to adults, we all love a great story. So those writing them must be willing to give attention to that fact and be committed to giving the time and the effort to ensure it satisfies the taste of those who have the appetite for it.
Now you might ask what does this have to do with me a small business owner. Well it has in it a principle that is applicable to all business ventures. Give attention to the market condition, and make the necessary changes or adjustments to keep customers loving what you offer. And as Friday drifts away amid the laughter and fun of knowing the weekend is here, don’t give all of this pleasant time to just one thing; fun and laughter, but stick in somewhere your plan to ensure that your story, whether its “client building”, “outsourcing“, “virtually assisting” or “small business marketing”, satisfies the appetite for which they were intended.
Have a super weekend.
Merlene
Five Star Executives
Feeding When Everyone Is Full?
Have you ever gone to the home of a relative or friend, and they offer you something to eat, but because you’re reluctant to make them feel bad, you accept it, and just hope your already full stomach will clear some room to receive it? What happens. You force to eat, did not enjoy it and so you just give it back or secretly get rid of it. When we start our own business without a business plan, what we can find ourselves doing is feeding when everyone is already full. Their is no appetite for what you are serving, because there are so many serving what you have, and with a more palatable taste than yours.
In order to be successful in business, time and effort must be put into it. There must be some market research done in order to ascertain the need. It make no sense spending money on a venture only to find out that nobody wants your product.
Today we want you the small business owner, the virtual assistant to conduct a proper market research, have a definitive outline and never be afraid to ask the experts. Don’t have people trying to hide to get rid of your product. Make sure that there is still an appetite for what you’re going to serve.
Is Email Marketing All Its Made Out To Be?
Today’s question hits right at the core of a marketing strategy that is gaining ground in the columns and paragraphs of many pages and articles. Whether email marketing is all its made out to be hinges on its effectiveness in reaching targeted goals. So my straight-forward answer to that question is a resounding yes. Let me explain.
A virtual assistant or small business owner has as their goal client building, which email marketing, as long as it is done right, does.
Sustained relationships is another one of the VA’s objectives. Remember that a single sale does not mean you’ve made a customer. Making customers require multiple contact. With email marketing, our contact can become more personalized, and because its inexpensive, it can be done several times. All it takes is some commitment.
The virtual assistant needs know that their prospective clients develop trust in the product or service offered. Email marketing facilitates this trust since a rapport is established between them.
All of these can result in one thing, greater business exposure which leads to more marketability which translates into bigger and better business.
So there you have it. I hope I’ve answered your question.
As K. C Kasen used to say, “keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars”.
Let the E In Email Represent Effeciency
You know when it comes to communication methods, we see email running in the race with a few. But the thing is, for a small business person, say like a virtual assistant, using email as a means of communication can at times become deficient since so much unanswered email remains in the Inbox, and you keep wondering what on earth do I do with all this stuff.
Well here are a few things that you can do.
1. Auto check can be a bit of a nag, so either shut it off completely, or if you are like me, forgetting all the time, set it to a more convenient spaced time like every half hour.
2. Stop reinventing the wheel 15 times a day. There is Email Templates 5.0 that can be used to accelerate the task of responding to email. The template can be used as the basis for response, but please customize it to suit the person or situation you are dealing with.
3. Stop trying to impress. If you know you are not going to respond to an email after 2 minutes of looking at it, just delete it. The feeling of guilt will still not make you respond two months down the road, so stop cluttering your Inbox. Just get rid of it.
4. Don’t try to be Octavio Pax or Sydney Sheldon. Simple email require simple responses. No point in writing 3 lines when 5 words would do. This is not at all to suggest that grammar, capitalization and proper punctuation should be ignored, or you should write in disrespectful tones. Just give it in a concise way.
For the virtual assistant, time must be spent wisely and efficiency given liberally.
Give a Little Something / Get a Lot
You know it is said, the more you give the more you get? Its no different in the world of online business. Although businesses are started to make money, making contacts starts the process, and you can do that by giving away something.
What then do you give away? As a virtual assistant, you can give away information, which is something people are always in search of. Just make sure that what you give has its origin with you, and it’s not made by someone else.
These freebies can take the form of coupons for your product, newsletter, report relevant to your product or service, things like that. People are always impressed when they are made to feel like you value them enough to give them something that you value.
So go ahead and give a little something, but something worthwhile, see yourself receive a lot.
I’m looking For Low Cost Advertising For My Business. What Can You Recommend
Not many things are cheap these days, and as the Chinese say, “good thing no cheap”. But having said that, there are still some things, very few though, that are not just cheap, but they are effective.
One of those things is Article Marketing. What is that? Well it is advertising your online business through the power of writing. Everyone is looking for information. Some pay for it, while the rest of us check the Internet. So all you do is capitalize on that and give people what they want. Information. And not just information, but accurate, concise and useful information.
Now when they’ve gotten what they want, you ask them for a little something. If your article was informative, they might reward you with their email addresses to see what more you’ve got. Your website now gets targeted traffic through this, and as a small business owner, that can be worth its weight in gold.
Many virtual assistants are still struggling to make their mark in the world of online business, while still many have made their mark using article marketing to effectively ride the tide of success. So go ahead and be among those who are reaping the benefits of this low cost but highly effective tool.
Keep the questions coming and never be afraid to ask.
