Hints and Tips
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.
Home Office Top Tip 6 – Additional Equipment You Will Need
Consider an all in one printer, scanner and copier as it saves space. You can also get one with an integral fax machine, although you can also use an online fax services from your 0844 number provider or Efax if required.
You will also need a shredder for confidential documents and you may need a transcription pedal if you offer the service and are asked for it and potentially a binder, laminator and guillotine again only if you need them for a specific job or your own use for marketing materials.
Home Office Top Tip 5 – Research and purchase your Computer.
When deciding which type of computer to buy, consider how you will be working and which option would be best for you. If you are going to be working away from the office from time to time, you might choose a laptop. Make sure when you are using if for extended periods at your desk that it is on a stand with the screen at eye level and use a proper keyboard and mouse.
Consider a large external hard drive for making mirror back-ups and storing large files and make sure you also have an online back system such as Carbonite.
Home Office Top Tip 4 – Set up professional call handling for when you are away from your desk.
Who will answer your telephone if you are on a call or out of the office? There is nothing more likely to lose you a potential client than an unanswered enquiry call. You can’t be at your desk every minute of the working day so set up a real live person call handling service.
Home Office Top Tip 3 – Set up your telephone system.
Firstly you need to consider if you will use your home telephone number, set up a new line just for business use, perhaps use Skype (providing you have excellent broadband) or register a non-geographic or 0844 number that will divert to your home number during office hours.
There are benefits to all options so consider each one carefully before making your choice. Don’t use more than one or they WILL all ring together!
Just a note about using a mobile telephone number, don’t use one for your main business number as it will destroy your credibility. It screams ‘one-man-band’. If you want to use a mobile, divert your landline to it using BT Call Divert.
Home Office Top Tip 2 – Create a permanent, comfortable and healthy desk space.
When choosing a desk make sure it is large enough area to accommodate the work you will be completing. It is tempting, particularly when using a small space, to go for a small desk or one of those cupboard work stations. Just make sure you have enough room to spread out.
Make sure the chair you choose is fully adjustable and comfortable. You will be spending a lot of time at your desk so ensuring a healthy sitting posture is essential.
How To Get Involved With Social Media – Twitter
Twitter has become increasing popular over the past year or so with everyone who’s anyone Tweeting their little hearts out. Twitter is a micro-blogging site which limits the length of the comments you can post to 280 characters. It’s no go for posting large chunks of content but ideal for posting links to interesting information.
Twitter is highly interactive and users re-post other peoples comments (Tweets) if they are useful and also respond. You choose who you ‘follow’, i.e.: whose Tweets you read, so it is a great platform for making contacts and establishing relationships.
How To Get Involved With Social Media – Blogging
With a blog you can post content in the form of text and pictures and it is possible to have a two way dialogue by way of people commenting on your posts. You can have control over what comments actually appear on your pages if you manage your comments using your preferred blogging software so you can approve, delete or mark them as spam.
Blogs can be written in many styles from the very informal personal right through to a professional corporate blog. It’s important as a small business to inject some personality into your blog as your followers are trying to get to know you as well as read your material.
How Can Social Media Help My Business?
There are various social media platforms you can use to deliver messages to your readers and followers which we’ll look at through the remainder of this series. But before embarking on any marketing activity, it’s important to know why it’s useful.
Social media is instant so your messages can be delivered as they happen, and most importantly, it’s interactive – you are actually inviting comment and suggestion. Of course the most important point to remember is that the search engines love social media is its content is current and fresh. Your comments will be picked up by the search engines – how exciting is that?