Consider an affiliate program. People will often sing the praises of your product or service, in exchange for a commission on each sale made as a result of their recommendation. What could be better than having an entire sales force working only on commission!
Hints and Tips
Welcome to the UKAVA: Busy Bee Virtual Bookkeeping
Welcome to the UKAVA: Busy Bee Virtual Bookkeeping
https://www.ukava.co.uk/virtual-assistants/busy-bee-virtual-bookkeeping/
Top Email Newsletter Housekeeping Rules – Tell Your Readers What To Do
If you go to the effort of writing an email newsletter, do not forget to tell you readers what you want them to do next. You are writing in order to build a relationship. So, do you want them to go to your website to read the rest of the articles, or download something for free? Do you want them to purchase a product or service? If so, give them a reason to do it now rather than later, and provide a link to click, so they can buy it now. If you do not tell them what to do next, they will not do anything apart from read your newsletter and delete it. Tell them what to do, and, provided that they are interested, they will do it.
Top Email Newsletter Housekeeping Rules – Send Useful Information
One of marketing’s basic rules is to know your target market well. Know their interests and things about which they like to be kept informed. If you come across information that you feel would be useful to your target audience, add it to your email newsletter (crediting the author or source, of course). The more useful the information you provide, the more likely your readers are to stay subscribed.
Top Email Newsletter Housekeeping Rules – Get The Balance Right
It can be very tempting to fill each of your email newsletters with information about your latest service or product, and, indeed, your readers will be expecting to hear a certain amount of that. But, do not forget also to include some free tips or an advice spot. Giving a measured amount of free information marks you as an expert in your field, and a generous one at that.
Top Email Newsletter Housekeeping Rules – Send Messages At Reasonable Intervals
Do not use your email newsletter in the same way as you would Twitter or a blog. Your subscribers have given you permission to send them information, but, if you abuse it, they will soon be sorry they did. The result will be that they will leave your list just as quickly as they subscribed to it. Send updates once or twice a month and leave it at that.
Top Email Newsletter Housekeeping Rules – Use A Proper Email Delivery System
When you first start sending out email newsletters, it is very tempting to send them using your normal email delivery service, such as Outlook. After all, it is free and already there on your desktop. However, internet service providers frown upon mass mailing, and you will find very quickly that your email address will be blacklisted and you may be banned from sending any email. There are many legitimate email delivery services available whose costs are minimal; use one to manage your mailing list.
Top Email Newsletter Housekeeping Rules – Invite Interaction
Do not forget to ask your readers for their comments, questions or future topics they would like to see covered. The whole point of writing an email newsletter is to build a relationship with your prospects and invite further interaction. You want them to take the next step by picking up the telephone or sending you an email. Make it clear that not only is this an acceptable way of contacting you, but the best way.
Top Email Newsletter Housekeeping Rules – A ‘Double Opt-in’ System
If you use a proper email newsletter delivery service such as Constant Contact, Aweber or MailChimp, your subscribers will go through what is known as a ‘double opt-in’. This means that, after submitting their email address through your website form or other link asking them to sign up for your newsletter, they will receive an email asking them to confirm their subscription by clicking on a link within it. This is key, as it stops third parties from adding subscribers without their knowledge.
Tips to Build Your Newsletter Subscriber List Tip 8
Include a Forward to a Friend link in your newsletters so that your readers can forward an article to a friend that may find it interesting. Run a joint venture with a complimentary business. Choose a business that provides services to a similar target market, for example small businesses.For this reason, also include a link to your sign up page in each emailed newsletter.
Tips to Build Your Newsletter Subscriber List Tip 6
It’s simple but very effective, include an opt-in form on every page of your web site. It’s also worth checking your web statistics to see where people leave your web site. Check the last page they view before they leave and make sure there is a note asking them to sign up for your newsletter at the bottom of this page.
Welcome to the UKAVA: Viralent Ltd
Welcome to the UKAVA: Viralent Ltd
Virtual Assistant Business Overhaul Tip 10
Write regular press releases and guest blog posts and send them to publications aimed at your target market. Even if your particular story is not run, you will be seen as the expert in your field and may be approached later.
Virtual Assistant Business Overhaul Tip 9
Syndicate your articles online to article directories to attract new visitors to your web site and email newsletter subscriber list.
Virtual Assistant Business Overhaul Tip 8
Write articles useful to your target market then add them to your web site or blog. You can also include them in your email newsletters. This showcases you as the expert in that particular field and builds confidence with prospective clients.
Virtual Assistant Business Overhaul Tip 7
Give your website a revamp. Is all the information up to date? Does it show a good photograph of you? This is your virtual shop window and the first impression most potential clients will see.
Virtual Assistant Business Overhaul Tip 6
Build your email newsletter subscriber list, put a sign up box on your web site, include a link to your sign up page in your Twitter updates, Facebook posts, blog posts, etc.
Virtual Assistant Business Overhaul Tip 5
Set up an email newsletter to keep in touch with both clients, prospects and visitors to your website. Often website visitors are at the information gathering stage and are not yet ready to buy your service, but you need a way to keep in touch with them and show your value and expertise. Start by sending out simple tips that are useful to your target market.
Virtual Assistant Business Overhaul Tip 4
Send your existing virtual assistant clients a questionnaire. Ask them what they like about your service and what they would like to see added. It may be that you’ve added more services since they joined you that they are unaware of, or their business has grown and they could use more help in different areas. If they are happy clients, ask them for referrals to other potential clients.
Virtual Assistant Business Overhaul Tip 3
Join at least one online networking site, which can be a strictly business site like LinkedIn or more social site (but often equally effective) such as Facebook and Twitter. Don’t forget as a ‘virtual’ worker you can work with anyone, anywhere!
Virtual Assistant Business Overhaul Tip 2
Join a local networking group to gain local visibility and meet some like-minded small business owners. People buy from people they know and like so get out of your comfort zone and go and meet some potential clients. Don’t forget to follow up after events and meet up with contacts outside the events too.
Email Addiction – Are You Guilty?
Our latest time saving tip is a simple one – Limit the amount of time you spend checking email and switch off email alerts. If you are constantly checking your inbox or are responding immediately to email alerts you could be wasting hours every week, not to mention finding it very difficult to concentrate. Limit email checking to 3 to 4 times a day and stick to it. Your email will still be answered within a reasonable time but you will be able to concentrate on more involved projects without constant distractions or interruptions.
Alternatively, let your virtual assistant handle and filter your email for you. They can pick up your email on your behalf, filter out the junk and spam, answer requests for information as you instruct and only forward on to you the handful of messages you actually need to deal with yourself. How many hours would that free up each week to work on the more important things?
To find a virtual assistant to help you in your business, browse the Virtual Assistant Directory at the UK Association of Virtual Assistants.