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Date: Friday March 19, 12:01 pm

What is a Virtual Assistant?

Small and Medium size businesses form the backbone of the United States. In order to support the growth of this business sector it is important that the business owners in this circle have a good pool of people they can depend on for assistance with their daily tasks, and at a handleable cost. This is where a “virtual assistant” becomes an invaluable source. If you don’t have enough work to hire a full-time assist but that small bit of accounting,  marketing or some other specifically needed task still needs to be done virtual assistants work a variety of ways and usually by the hour or project. Work can be done off-site and not require someone to have to travel you your place of business.

It is important to check the credentials of your virtual assistant upfront to make sure they will fit your needs as a business owner. Everyone has their own specialties and talents. A virtual aassistant is a great way to farm out those unenjoyable tasks you don’t like to do. As a business owner you want to spend time on the things you enjoy doing and focused on the purpose you created your business in order to succeed. Leave the rest for someone else to handle.

Qualities you want to look for in a good virtual assistant, especially if they will be in direct contact with your customers via phone or computer, include:

  • Professional tone when representing your name and business on the phone.
  • Ability to craft a too the point email that is properly formatted and professional.
  • A satisfactory response time to your required needs without you having to continually check up on them yourself.
  • Respect of confidentiality if they are handling specialized business related tasks for you. 

If you are a small or medium size business owner who needs support do a search for virtual assistants and find your silent helping hand today!

Written By:

Jessica Keyes
Virtual Assistant Extraordinaire
Phone: 704-746-7248
Email: VAExtraordinaire@aol.com
www.virtualassistantextraordinaire.com

8 + years experience with marketing and accounting! Websites…Press Releases…Business Cards …Special Event Planner…I do it all!

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Date: Wednesday December 7, 6:55 am

This time of year is a goldmine of sales for small and medium size businesses who properly relay their terrific deals that can’t be commerially accomplished. Most of my clients have small businesses and need to get that information out there and fast. I find utilizing free social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin have proved to be effective and easy to use methods of relaying quick to the point word of mouth advertising. If you want to have results your posts need to be interesting and easy to understand. Social Media investment is not a waste of time and truely does work if implemented correctly with a solid marketing campaign.

Images Capture the Eye if it can be used!

A catchy image that relays your text information as well is key to a great social media post about your specials and services. There are some social media services that are just text based. If so, upload the image to your website and link to it as part of the text. Depending on the type of service you provide and your clientele how “funny” or how “serious” it can be will vary. But remember, this is the holiday season, and even a little bit of frivolity can go a long way. 

Don’t be Commercial

The biggest benefit of being a small and medium size business owner is the ability to market however you want without having to uphold to commercial standards large chain stores are tied to. Be unique, creative and catchy all around. The more family oriented and local the business, the more support and interest by your surrounding community you will have. The community first needs to know what it is you do and what you have available! Every social media base has a unique quality about it service. Utilize the special features that most forget about to get your message across.

Be Consistant

Most social media sites let you post up one message at a time, but it takes multiple views of your message for it to actually be read by those that need to see it. Do not be afraid to repost or utilize one of the free pre-post setting sites that will send out scheduled posts as you direct. It maximizes your efforts with little waste of time.

The bottom line….give your holiday specials constant CPR when it comes to social media and you will have results!

C…..reativity

P….rominence

R….eposting

 

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Date: Saturday January 22, 11:31 am

The other day I started to make my basic oatmeal cookie dough and realized how much making a good cookie is like building a good business. Every good cookie, as with every good business, starts with a strong and appealing base. A good cookie has the right balance of subsistancy, flavor and originality as should your business.

Having a good base for your cookie or your business is only the start. What special ingredients you add to it right before baking will make the difference. What ingredients do you need to add in order to have a successful business  on a long term basis, just as the experienced baker has the best gourmet cookie?

  • An easy to follow and understand list of services
  • Customer perks for using your service that make them come back over and over again
  • Add variety every once in awhile….holiday specials will get you in the spotlight
  • Take the time to spotlight your faithful customers in your advertising and create a win win situation
  • Offer some free samples to tempt your customers tastebuds

These are just a few suggestions to take your business from being that basic oatmeal cookie that you buy in a box to the gourmet cookie people savor and come back for more!

 

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Title:

Date: Monday August 30, 11:51 am

Social marketing has hit the world by storm, and hard hit those small and medium business size owners who are not computer savvy. Even for those who are computer savvy, they don’t know how to best utilize their “told they must create” facebook pages. After you get the page going for a business tell the world in your advertising, one your regular website and send out the information to anyone on your distribution list. You can use the facebook page to:

  • Post Deals and Service Information
  • Introduce and Familiarize your staff members to your clients virtually
  • Build up credibility by having customers post up recommendations
  • Leave useful tips that associate with the use of your business
  • Remind facebook friends how your product/services can be uniquely used

If you assume the world will just find you once you are on Facebook you are wrong, you have to bait the crowd. If you make your space dynamic on a daily basis, and updated you will quickly aquire fans.

Facebook Tip: If you are creating your page for a business make sure to sign on with a fan page not a personal page, unless you don’t mind both combined! Use a seperate email identity for both if you want them kept seperate.

 

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Date: Saturday June 12, 10:51 pm

Identifying benchmark dates for a business is  necessary in order to develop an effective marketing strategy. New businesses will have a different set of benchmark dates than an  established business.

 New Business Benchmarks

  • Identify and Get Startup Funding
  • Develop An Ongoing Financial Strategy
  • Basic Marketing Concept Identified and Initially Developed
  • Solidify and Focus Offered Services and   Products
  • Join Local Business Associations
  • Get Media Coverage
  • Develop a Full Marketing Strategy
  • Partner Up With Established Businesses

 Existing Business Benchmarks

  • Review Your Current Financial Strategy
  • Review Your Marketing Strategy
  • Create a New Twist on Existing Products and Services (If Needed)
  • Keep Up With Your Existing Contacts and Consistently Develop New Ones
  • Identify and Capitalize on Known Anniversary Dates
 

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Title:

Date: Wednesday June 2, 8:56 pm

Not all customers are easy to please whether face to face or virtual. No matter now difficult a customer may be, it is important to keep the following in mind.

 Respect:When faced with an irate customer always be sure to show respect. After the situation has defused  the customer will remember how professional and attentive you tried to be, even though, in the heat of the moment they may indicate otherwise.

 Understanding: Listen to the customers side of the story.  As the customer realizes you are trying to help solve the problem at hand, they will be calmer and more comfortable when it comes to dealing business with you in the future.

 Avoid Blame: When attempting to resolve an issue with a customer be sure to acknowledge a mistake has been made, but a resolution is already in process. Placing blame on another individual may make it difficult if the customer has to deal with them in future business transactions.

 Post Resolution Tasks: Make sure to note all important information in a central place that other pertinent employees can find. This will ensure that everyone understands the who, what, when, where and why something happened. Most important to record is how not to have it happen again.

 

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Title:

Date: Sunday May 16, 12:39 pm

It is important to keep up consistent marketing, even if your service industry is experiencing economic difficulties.  Many businesses are tempted to cut back on marketing as a first line of financial recovery, but should reconsider this as a first cost cutting category.  Marketing is not only a great way to attract new customers, but to gain the continued following of previous customers.

If your business is considering cutting back the marketing budget make sure you keep the best media’s that show sales results or brand recognition upfront. Look for free places to list your business as well. Marketing is not an option it is a necessity!

Don’t have time to search out these opportunities…..send the request to your trusted Virtual Assistant to pre-search internet sites and databases you want to list and get marketing today!

 

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