According to wikipedia “Web 2.0 is a term describing changing trends in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aim to enhance creativity, information sharing, and collaboration among users. . .” This is an interesting concept.  I attended a web 2.0 teleclass interview earlier today that refreshed my mind of many concepts in the world of website marketing. There is so much information out there today that touches on basic steps in marketing.  These concepts seem so simple, yet they are easily forgotten or pushed aside during the rush of everyday life and business.  Here is a brief reminder to boost your list and website traffic:

1. Write a 500 word minimum article


2. Add the article to your ezine


3. Post the article on your blog


4. Create a podcast reading of the article and host it on your blog


5. Submit the article to article banks

For a deeper look into this process I will offering a free Web 2.0 marketing template-Volume I in the next few days.  Come back soon to get your copy or subscribe to my blog to be notified of all of my posts.  As always, I welcome your comments, questions and ideas.

By VANetworking member Kara Wierzbowski 

Running a business can get hectic. Being organized can help. Organization saves you time, saves you money, and saves your sanity. Whether responding to emails is taking several hours a day, your office is over-run with papers, you missed a press release deadline or your customer service is suffering a VA can help. Here are just a few ways:

1. Email management throughout the day– There are several ways that a VA can manage your email accounts. She can set it up to come directly to her, she can log on to your computer or you can forward emails so she can handle them. No matter how you set it up, this service can save you hours a day. Plus you won’t miss another important email.

2. Mail management when you are away – While a VA can easily manage your email every day there are still all those pesky envelopes that make their way to your mail box. If you are out of town, simply forward your mail to her business address, she can toss the junk and scan the important items and email them to you as an attachment. Never be late on a bill again!

3. Manage passwords – With nearly every website these days requiring you to register an account you can easily lose track of all those passwords. Simply email your VA the new user name and password for a site and she’ll keep it in a database and can easily pull it up should you need a helping hand with recalling a password.

4. Keep track of your clients and customers – A VA can easily create a database that logs all the information about your client or customer. She can easily update it to add or remove entries so you have the most up-to-date information ready for a mail out.

5. Maintain a birthday list for your clients or customers – Customer service goes a long ways these days. And what is better to keep in contact than slipping a birthday note, a business anniversary card or a “thank you” card in the mail to a client? Clients are thrilled to realize you are thinking of them and they appreciate the service. A VA can create and manage that list with daily reminders set so there is never another forgotten card.

6. Create holiday timelines – If part of your online marketing practices involve submitting articles, press releases or keeping up with a blog it can be very beneficial to write seasonally appropriate or holiday appropriate material. Yes, we all know when Christmas, New Years, Mothers Day is, but what about all the other lesser-known holidays or events that can be taken advantage of? A VA can also keep track of the deadlines for magazines, newspapers, etc and help you get your material in on time.

7. Appointment setting & reminder services – Seems simple enough. But the days can get very hectic very quickly as you run your business. A VA can easily place calls or accept calls and emails and schedule your calendar. Even better, she can email or call you to remind you what you have on said calendar.

8. Scan documents and put them on disks – If your office is overflowing with paper and you want to get control or go a little “green” then a VA can help. You can send her the papers and documents; she can scan them, save them to a CD and mail the CDs back to you to keep.

9. Manage your merchant account –A VA can easily log into your merchant account and see when someone needs to have a friendly reminder sent to them regarding a payment. You’ll no longer lose money over a time sensitive matter.

10. Set up color-coordinated filing system – Even though a VA could be miles away, she can set up a filing system for you. You send her your documents, papers, etc and she can create a color-coded system that works for you, file the papers appropriately and send the whole get-up back to you. You simply have to keep it up to day. Never lose another must-have piece of paper again.

These are just a few of the ways an organized VA can help keep you organized. When you are organized you save money, time and you can focus more on your business.

*Source: Virtual Assistant Networking Association
The ever popular, friendly, informative, educational & resourceful network for successful and aspiring “IN THE KNOW” Virtual Assistants and Achievers globally that everyone online is talking about.

By VAnetworking member Kara Weirzbowski

Because the Virtual Assistance industry is growing so rapidly there are now thousands of VAs to choose from. And because clients work so closely with their VAs it is very important to find one that is a perfect fit for you. The task can be daunting. However, if you ask yourself the right questions and respect your answers you will be on the right path to choosing your perfect VA. Here are just a few questions to ask yourself when choosing a virtual assistant:

1. What is your personality type? Are you a Type A that works well with other Type A personalities or do you need a more laid back person to work with? Or are you relaxed and need a Type A personality to keep you on track, on time and organized? Think about what type of person energizes you and consider a VA that has a compliments that.


2. What is your communication style? Are you a quiet person who doesn’t like to talk every day? Or are you better served by a daily or weekly phone call to connect? If you are chatty, don’t partner with a VA that prefers to be less-than-chatty. Neither one of you will be happy.


3. How often do you like to communicate? Do you like to email 5 times a day, once a day, once a week? How much communication do you want from your VA? Do you like to chat on the phone? Do you hate the phone and prefer email? It’s important to find a VA that matches that style. Trust me; you don’t want to receive 20 emails a day from an “in touch” VA if you prefer less but more focused communication. It will drive you both crazy in no time.


4. What kind of commitment do you want? Do you have a ton of on-going projects and want a retainer agreement where you and your VA commit to a predetermined amount of hours per month? Or at this point in time do you have small projects that you need minimal help with? Save yourself time and determine this up front so you can skip the websites that claim they don’t offer project work or vice versa.


5. How involved do you want your VA to be in your business? Do you want her to brainstorm marketing ideas with you, rehash your business plan? Or do you have a preference for someone who will simply submit your work on time and keep your business admin tasks completed? Don’t partner with a VA that has involvement in mind or you’ll find yourself unhappy. Likewise, don’t ask a VA whose preference is to simply complete projects and email them to you to collaborate on an advertising campaign.


6. What kind of work style do you prefer? Do you prefer a more structured work style? Do you like pre-determined meeting times? Or can a spur-of-the moment phone call work for you? You’ll be much happier to partner with a VA that has the same work style as yourself.


7. How important it is for you “click” with your VA? Ideally, we all click to a degree with the professionals we hire, such as our accountant, lawyer, etc because we want to give our money to someone we trust and like. However, it’s crucial to really click and connect with your VA because she’ll become a partner in your business. Depending on your arrangement and needs, you could expect to talk with her daily. Some people prefer to have the expertise the VA offers and can manage without a personal connection and other business owners need the connection first and realize the VA can learn the skills necessary. Think about what would work best for you.


8. What kind of importance do you give certifications and associations? Do you want your VA to have a long list of official certifications or belong to a list of associations? If that’s important to you, there are many VAs who hold several certifications and belong to many associations. Not holding a certification doesn’t mean a VA isn’t qualified and professional but it might be something you want to consider.


9. Do you mind if your VA subcontracts to other virtual assistants? Many VAs make it a common practice to subcontract work out, but if she does, you should be ok with that. Do you prefer just one person to work on your projects? Do you care if other people manage your projects so long as your VA gives it the final approval before sending it on to you?


10. And last, but certainly not, least – do you trust your gut? Easier said than done when you start your VA search as there are now thousands of qualified, professional VAs running businesses. But once you talk to someone, communicate with them several times, get the responses you are looking for – then see what your gut tells you and go with it. You’ll be on your way to a successful relationship with your new virtual assistant.

Just a few simple questions can prevent a lot of misunderstanding and wasted time. Take your time with your VA search. If it works out perfectly, you’ll have a partnership that will benefit your business for years to come.

Stop by the Virtual Assistant Networking Assocation (VAnetworking) today and find that VA you’ve been looking for. They are waiting, ready to assist you with all your business needs.

***
*Source: Virtual Assistant Networking Association
The ever popular, friendly, informative, educational & resourceful network for successful and aspiring “IN THE KNOW” Virtual Assistants and Achievers globally that everyone online is talking about.

By VAnetworking member Helen Byrne

The virtual assistant industry is a booming one. However, if you are just starting out, you might be experiencing some concerns. Perhaps you are having a hard time getting new clients or maybe the long hours were not something you bargained for. Has the start-up process been slower than you thought it might be? There are many concerns that anyone new to the virtual assistant industry might have.

However, making your business a success must involve some really hard work on your part. Below are the top ten tips to making your virtual assistant business a success.

1. Manage Your Time – If you find that you are working extremely long hours, you will want to take some time management steps. Set specific hours and stick to those hours, plan your day in advance with a planner, and know what you are doing from month to month with a calendar.


2. Have a Positive Outlook – Negative thinking can be one of the major factors in failure. When you want clients to partner with you as a virtual assistant, you need to have a positive outlook on your success. Actually see the success, and it will happen.


3. Network – There are numerous places that allow you to network with other VA’s. When you join a networking group, you will find support, knowledge, advice, and even recommendations for work.


4. Website – Your website is a crucial element to the success of your business. It should be attractive, informative, and functional. Without a well thought out and designed website, you will find that your business is lacking in perhaps its most crucial area.


5. Web Content – Articles can be your best friend in getting the traffic and the business you are looking for. A well-written article does many things for your business. It can instill trust in your clients, show expertise and knowledge, and with keywords, bring traffic and potential clients directly to your website.


6. Invest – No business can function without some sort of financial investment. You want to make sure that you have the right equipment for any service you offer.


7. Advertise – Advertisements are another form of financial investment. With a catchy and well designed advertisement, you will attract clients interested in partnering with a virtual assistant. Advertisements can be placed in a variety of ways including in local and national press, professional journals and on the internet.


8. Outsourcing – Even if you are not well equipped for a certain skill, you can outsource to provide your clients with the most extensive list of services. Many other VA’s may be willing to partner with you to provide services that you cannot, and vice versa.


9. Dedication – You have to have dedication to make any business work. Remember why you chose this business as your career and focus on your original goals. Your dedication will prove to clients that you are serious about succeeding.


10. Commitment – You have to make a commitment to both your business and your clients. Keep to the deadlines you have set with clients for returning their work, and most importantly, make sure you are available to your clients when you say you will be.

Knowing these ten top tips to making your virtual assistant business a success will help you understand the most crucial elements to your business.

Stop by the Virtual Assistant Networking Assocation (VAnetworking) today and find that VA you’ve been looking for. They are waiting, ready to assist you with all your business needs.

***
*Source: Virtual Assistant Networking Association
The ever popular, friendly, informative, educational & resourceful network for successful and aspiring “IN THE KNOW” Virtual Assistants and Achievers globally that everyone online is talking about.

By VAnetworking member Dawn Goldberg

You are highly skilled, multi-talented VA, and you have great ideas. As a VA, communication is key to building relationships with your clients. And you’ll probably be communicating with customers of your client. Actually, to the clients’ customers, you are the client.  E-mail is a vital tool in your business as a VA, increasing efficiency if it is used correctly.

As helpful as e-mail is, you want to make sure you are communicating with and representing your client in the best manner.  Here are ten rules that will help you do just that.

1. Know your client.  Does he want one e-mail a day with a summary of everything, or does he want one subject per e-mail?


2. Number the items you want your client to respond to.  That way nothing gets lost, either for your client or you.


3. If your e-mail asks for feedback, use Outlook tasks to set yourself a reminder.  It can be awfully easy to send off an e-mail, breathe a sigh of relief that it’s off YOUR plate, and then promptly forget about it.


4. Send messages to your client in plain text.  That way you don’t have to worry about her spam filters or funky formatting.  If you must send in html, find some way to differentiate your replies.  In an e-mail discussion where every reply is blue, it’s too difficult to see whose reply is whose.  Use purple (my favorite) or some other color for your replies.


5. If you’re sending an attachment, get in the habit of attaching the document first before you enter in the recipient’s name.  That way if you accidentally hit send before you attach the document, it won’t go anywhere.


6. Use signature lines. Create signature lines for each client.  Make your clients look bigger and better by having a company signature.  In addition, create a signature for all e-mails you send on your own behalf.  Using your name and company name will remind your clients and others of who you are, what you do, and what you stand for.


7. E-mail is not confidential.  Protect your client by using discretion when sending e-mails.


8. Don’t assume that your client got an important message from you just because you sent an e-mail.  E-mails do not always reach their destination.  If you don’t hear back, call to make sure he got the message.


9. Read your e-mail out loud before you send it.  Does it say what you want it to say?  Is there anything that could be misinterpreted?


10. Sometimes it is better to have a voice to voice conversation with your client than to send an e-mail.  This is especially true in awkward or stressful times.  When difficult situations arise, pick up the phone instead.

E-mail is an amazing technology:  quick and casual.  Just beware that very quickness and casualness when using e-mail.

Source: Virtual Assistant Networking Association
The ever popular, friendly, informative, educational & resourceful network for successful and aspiring “IN THE KNOW” Virtual Assistants and Achievers globally that everyone online is talking about.

Do you get so busy doing your work that you forget to move around? Do you work in such a static state that your whole body is exhausted at the end of the day? As someone who sits at a desk and computer for a good portion of the day, I know what this feels like. While working this morning I felt an overwhelming sensation to get up and stretch.
Reflecting on the tae-bo video I used last night during my workout, I remembered something Billy Blanks said. He said that throughout the day, no matter what you are doing, take short breaks and do this stretch. Spread your legs apart and squat. Hold this position for a couple 8 counts, making sure that your back stays straight and your torso is centered over your legs. Also make sure your knees are over your toes and not past them.

What a great idea I thought. So a few minutes ago, I stood up at my desk in front of my computer screen and did this stretch. Then I stood up straight for an 8 count and did the stretch again. WOW! The power of the body is amazing. When fresh oxygen enters your system and you get your blood circulating the effects are amazing.

I then sat back down at my desk and noticed how much stronger my posture felt.

I invite you to try this tip Stretch and share your experience.

I listened to a training call today that ignited a spark. It reminded me of some very basic skills that I haven’t been my best at lately. Are you clear with your team members in how you want communication to flow. Have you ever taken the time to explain to the people you team with, what you expect. As you start to work with a new client, a great way to get things started is to explain your hours, your turn-a-round time on tasks and in general how you work. Do you have set office hours? What is important to you. It is also helpful to ask questions and truly listen to their answers. Would the new client want to hear from you immediately after every email or is a 24 to 48 hour response time more realistic? Do you normally offer your clients a time when you can have a project completed? There are so many things to address when starting a new relationship with a client or VA, but communication should be on top of the list. Communication is key to all successful relationships.

How are you communicating?

As a virtual assistant, I started out offering my services to anyone who might be interested. I soon found out that I really needed to deside on and develop a niche market. Researching what was needed, I found that Life Coaching is a growing industry with an aray of niche areas. How exciting, to work with life coaches who each have their own niche market.

If you are considering jumping into the Virtual Assistant workforce there are some key points to think about.

• What do you enjoy doing?


• What is your personality type?


• Do you have what it takes to be self-employed?

Think about these questions. Really think about these questions! That will give you a starting point.

Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase.

Its importance varies by product, industry and customer. As an example, an expert customer might require less pre-purchase service (i.e., advice) than a novice customer. In many cases, customer service is more important if the purchase relates to a service as opposed to a product”.

Customer service may be provided by a person (e.g., sales and service representative), or by automated means called self-service. Examples of self service are Internet sites.

*from Wilkipedia Dictionary at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Customer_service

What is the true meaning of customer service? How many times have you been told

“The customer is always right”?

WRONG! I have decided to focus my blog in 2007 on one theme – Customer Service. This topic has so many areas that we can focus on. I hope you will join me in looking at customer service in all aspects, all types of business, and all of life this year.

Let’s re-introduce the true meaning of CUSTOMER SERVICE in 2007 together one day at a time!

The holidays are almost here.? What a wonderful time of year!? Are you busy?? During this time of year, it seems we are frantically trying to tie up loose ends, get ready for the holiday celebrations and get year end projects in order.

What projects are you currently working on?? Is there a way that these can be simplified or automated?

Tell me about your projects and I’ll offer suggestions to help streamline them.

Emails are essential to your business for many different reasons. If you spend all your working hours answering emails, how are you supposed to run your business? The answer is simple: use autoresponders. Autoresponders are programs that automatically respond to your emails without you so much as having to click on your mouse.

There are a number of good reasons why you need an autoresponder besides just answering your email. For example, autoresponders can be used if you need a way to send information about your services or products, price lists, or if there are repeated questions asked across large numbers of emails. Maybe you want to offer your site visitors a special bonus of some kind, such as advice or relevant articles. You can advertise your business and then build stable relationships with your customers by using autoresponders.

Autoresponders are an effective, powerful marketing tool that allows you the ability to make contact with thousands of potential customers. This is an invaluable asset considering how many potential customers you usually have contact with before you make an actual sale. Essentially, autoresponsers allow you to automate part of your marketing campaign.

Are you using an autoresponder program currently?? If so, what program do you use and how has it benefited your business?

What is it that you need to grow your business?? Are their personal tasks that you need to take off your plate to allow yourself more time for business?? Are their business tasks that you could outsource to allow more time for selling or marketing and sharing your passion?? If you truly want to grow your business, these questions need some serious thought to develop accurate answers.? Don’t just accept the first answer that comes to your mind.? Schedule yourself a half-hour to review these questions and really get down to the nitty gritty answers.

If you take time and determine your true needs, the next step is to find solutions to your needs.? This might involve outsourcing to a Virtual Assistant, a Personal Assistant, or maybe just spending less time doing things that don’t help your business.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? Send me a reply.? I’d love to offer some suggestions from a fresh and different point of view.

Ebay is the world’s largest online marketplace. Google has convinced ebay to let it sell text based advertising on e-bays non-us websites.? The deal that was announced Monday does not include an provisions for promoting the companies’ competing payment services.
Read more…

For more information about search engine marketing and optimization, here are a few websites that provide a great deal of information. Check them out and let me know what you think of these sites and the information they provide.

www.searchenginewatch.com

www.sempo.org/

www.iprospect.com/

www.submitexpress.com/

The most important factor of your ads is the headline or title. More than any other part of the ad, the title can impact the CTR of your ads. The more potential customers identify with your heading, the more likely they will be to click your ad. The number of characters allowed in your heading is quite limited, so optimizing the best possible combination of words is of utmost importance. Using relevant keywords in the ad title usually work very well. This technique captures the attention of users by putting their search terms in the most prominent position in the ad. It is best to display URLs with the “www” in front of them. It is not necessary to use the “www” to reach your site, it lets customers clearly know that they are seeing a website URL and becomes more likely that they will remember your site. Avoid using hype in your ads. You cannot write PPC ads in a vacuum. Testing is essential and you need to pay attention to what your competitors are doing in the PPC engines. Study competition’s ad copy to determine how your own marketing voice can be different from that of your competitors.

Finding your keywords is step one. The next step is to refine your key word bids. If your clients are searching for specific terms, than those are the terms you need to bid on. Bidding for the appropriate words will allow your customers to find you easier. This is also more cost effective for you. Keep in mind that you will need to monitor those terms against click fraud.