Tomorrow’s the last day for the “Done for You” Giveaway!

Don’t miss it!

Free biz & marketing services! Done For You Giveaway

If you missed the DFYG “preamble” when it all began, here’s a brief review:

It’s called the “Done for You” Giveaway of the Century, and there’s never been anything like it! This is NOT a giveaway of information downloads but instead ACTUAL WORK.

The Giveaway runs until April 30, so you’ll want to get over there now to register so that you don’t miss it.

This has been a really fun event.

Except when you’re listening to some sound that you don’t recognize!

And so it happened to me this morning.

At 4:20 a.m. I got out of the shower and heard some noise that I didn’t recognize; actually, I thought it was the furnace running in its cycle.

Not being able to figure it out, I went downstairs and into the kitchen to feed the cats.

But not before I heard another noise. That one sounded like the kitchen faucet dripping.

Since I know our kitchen faucet will sometimes drip if you don’t turn off the handle just right, I was trying to remember when I went into the kitchen who the last one was in the kitchen last night before we went to bed.

Then I turned on the kitchen light!

Uh oh!

The dripping faucet sound now became a whole lot more…like a ceiling light fixture dripping water!

Further, the kitchen ceiling had a couple of paint “bubbles” (where water collected) and there was water on the kitchen counter in several places.

In fact, water had soaked up in several cereal boxes so you could see the “high water” line!

What to do, what to do!

I woke Chuck, my husband, who called the plumber.

At 4:35 am!

Chuck said later that he didn’t realize it was that early!

The plumber did make it to our house about 10 a.m. By then, we had turned off the water, wiped up the water on the kitchen floor, popped some of the paint bubbles (with a pan underneath) and taken things out from under the vanity in the bathroom.

Now, we have a new pipe and a hole in the vanity floorboard.

Moral of the story: check the pipes under the kitchen sink and in the bathroom on a regular basis.

And what does that have to do with running a business, you ask?

For starters, I suppose you could equate it to making sure your computer is backed up regularly.

Also, keep the names and numbers of colleagues handy in case you find it necessary to call on them in an emergency.

And make sure you know what time it really is.

VA stops by a “Favorite Blog” while Promoting Online International Virtual Assistants Convention (OIVAC)

Today, I’m proud to stop by and chat with one of my favorite VAs, Karen McGreevey. You know that saying, “I remember when”? Well, I remember when Karen first became a VA, and believe me; she has really blossomed and grown her business leaps and bounds. I’m sure she will provide some tough questions – so let’s begin.

1. What are four ways a virtual assistant can market his/her business?

Only four? Let me break them down into various categories:

a) Offline marketing – attend Chamber of Commerce, and other member associations/organization networking meetings of your target audience or niche specialty.

b) Article marketing – showcase your knowledge, skills, expertise by writing and submitting articles to various article banks. Post rewritten articles to your own site/blog.

c) Postcards – mail postcards to introduce or remind clients and members of your mailing list about your services and how you can solve problems, be that 2nd pair of hands, etc.

d) Regularly post informative, helpful information on your blog, and leave comments on other blogs either related to your industry, your target audience, your niche specialty, etc; so that readers will learn about your expertise and knowledge, and will visit your blog/website to learn more about you and your business.

e) Regularly publish an ezine that shares your personality and insightful info on various topics.

f) Join various online membership and networking groups to utilize the newest social media (web 2.0) marketing techniques. A few recommended groups include LinkedIn, Twitter, Ning, and Facebook.

g) Form relationships with complementary businesses and submit posts/articles for their publication.

h) Create a pdf tips sheet or ebook as a giveaway in exchange for joining your mailing list.

I told you there were a lot – and this list only scrapes the tip of the iceberg. I could talk about marketing for the entire visit, but of course, I won’t.

Next question?

2. How important is it to write articles to market a VA business?

Article marketing is one of the most popular elements of a marketing strategy – rightly so, as it can garner continuous/increased readership and brand you as an expert in your field.

It can generate tons of traffic to your site. You can also create “spin off” products by packaging a collection of articles in an e-book format. Article marketing lets audiences know you are knowledgeable about the topic, and can provide insight and even advise on the subject. So, if you are new to your industry and have information to share, article marketing is one of the fastest ways to educate your target audience about your business.

3. How do I know if I’m making the right decision by using a Virtual Assistant?

Good question! There are a lot of factors in determining if you have made the right decision by using a virtual assistant. First, make sure you have a basic list and understanding of the tasks you want to delegate, and the reasons why. Overwhelm, fatigue, tedious tasks, not own necessary technology, unfamiliar with processes, losing your passion, etc. Then determine your comfort level with delegating responsibilities associated with growing and sustaining your business. Once you begin delegating, you will first probably feel a sense of apprehension, but eventually feel relief – ah – you’re free to handle tasks that fuel your passion, and now have time to interact with clients and prospects. Stress levels are reduced, you’ve time for family and fun – and those tasks you dreaded performing or just didn’t know how to are being handled in a professional and proficient way. Yep, you now know you’ve made that right decision. Great job!

4. What are some of the things a Virtual Assistant can do to help me in my business?

The list is so long, I’d run out of time and space. Imagine the number one task you honestly dislike, lack time, knowledge or even energy to perform, and start from there. Your list can include items as simple as monitoring and responding to emails, customer service, invoicing, article submissions, web site and blog maintenance and updating, scanning documents into pdf format, coordinating tasks with other support team members, transcription, document management, database management, coordinating seminars and follow-ups, etc.

There are so many tasks VAs can perform if you use your imagination – and of course, ask them what services they provide. Hold a meeting with your VA to brainstorm about your business and tasks they can assume or suggestions they can offer to improve your business. This process should be an important step in developing a partnering relationship.

5. You’ve been in the business for some time now, what advice do you have for someone who’s just starting out?

The first words of advice I offer all new VAs, and frankly anyone interested in starting a new business, is to develop a written business plan and marketing strategy.

I believe you should know the demographics of your target audience, identify your niche offerings for that audience, and develop strategies to understand their needs and wants, ways to touch them, and to become the “must know” and “must have” resource in their arsenal. Develop a sphere of influence and advocates who will help spread the word about your business.

Finally, I would say don’t get discouraged if you stumble a bit – it’s all a part of learning – and don’t let anyone stop you.

If you are associated with negative vibe people (which could be family and friends), don’t let them impede your progress. Share your passion, as it will become infectious amongst others – and they will help you achieve your goal.

Well Karen, I think I’ve “spread the gospel” about virtual assisting with you today and hope my responses address the issues you’ve raised.

Our next stop is Dawn Pigoni, at Be Social Worldwide.

Yesterday, we visited Janet Barclay over at Janet Barclay.com, which was a blast!

Stop by Janet’s blog and the prior stops to begin collecting puzzle clues to be in a drawing for a great prize which will be announced at the International Virtual Assistants Day Celebration during the Convention.

Oh my, your puzzle clues are: nda and usnetrpneeerr.

Don’t forget, and see you tomorrow.

Sharon Williams is the president of The 24 Hour Secretary and founder of OIVAC. Stop by Sharon’s blog, and sign up for the soon-to-be-launched “Let Your VA Handle It” Case Studies Series, where she identifies tasks and solutions VAs offer that save time and money and give clients time to handle responsibilities that fuel their passion.