After 6+ years at Capital One, I was faced with a roadblock career wise until I opted to go back to school for web and graphics design certifications. With taking both at the same time, there were not enough hours in the day for full-time employment so I started my own business, VIABLE 4 U, which slowly but surely has come together over the year. So my initial advice to anyone out there noodling the idea of starting their own business, "jump in and do it" because there are more tools and resources in existence today to steer you down the path to fulfill your entrepreneurial dreams!Have an idea but need to figure out exactly how to pull your niche together? Then this article may provide some grounding: Seek an Edge by Finding Your Niche. And, to help "noodle" yourself through what and/or your most desirable niche, the questionnaires via www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu may help.
Business Plan - general business info, plans and templates, there’s a wealth of information via www.sba.gov, www.entrepreneur.com or www.score.org.
Legal Implications - legalities of owning/running a business as well as formation, check-out www.legalzoom.com or www.nolo.com.
My personal suggestions for office tid bits:
Surviving business in hard times, may mean boosting your presence in the market. But you don't have to spend big bucks to do it! Here are some tips to get you started:
Did you know that statistics show 70% of new business is gained through referrals? Referral marketing is cost effective and infinitely powerful if done right. Build on new leads by igniting your connections today and utilize the social media marketing channels to reach a broader audience. For example, by engaging in a micro-blogging medium such as Twitter, there's opportunity to connect with hundreds to thousands of people around the world. As Pete Cashmere, CEO and founder of Mashable.com sited, "... Twitter, its inspiration, information, news, gossip, humor and remarkable personal stories. Twitter is all that we are, from our most exalted moments to our most mundane - and everything in between." If you are not already tweeting and want to join the Twittersphere, click here to learn how it works and understand the many ways Twitter is used. Not only does it pose HUGE opportunity for businesses to brand, market and monetize in a viral way over the internet, it also provides a creative means for job seekers - here's a great article that sums it up in a nutshell Using Twitter for Career Networking by Daulton West, Jr.
Never lose faith, believe in the power of one and always be a step ahead of your competitor!
How sweet is Twitter these days to power up online relationships and provide an expedient channel to communicate late breaking news, product information or just tweet out loud in the twitterverse. And even sweeter to know that it works with authoring tools and now there is Twitteriffic!
Getting engaged online is the hottest trend and it is taking shape quickly within organizations and social communities globally. How twitteriffic is that!
Why should you tweet?
Enhance your communication with friends, family and the public across the world. You can inform, collaborate and educate in this micro-blogging forum 24/7. And if you have a business you can attract a broader audience by organically building a list of followers who share common goals and interests.
How can it benefit you?
Think of it as one big chat room with the ability to post real time information on the ever growing twittersphere, reaching twillions of tweeps! Additionally it is a "free" service to use as a marketing mechanism, a social medium to establish connections and share product reviews.
Keep in mind that every social media networking medium has their own set of tips and tricks, along with terms. Before you start tweeting, be sure to check out the Twitter terms to ensure that you refrain from getting twerped off one of the most integral online social channels in existence today. In short, Facebook is known to "disband" accounts of users who step over the business promotion boundaries, LinkedIn enforces conditions on users who defy the "rules" and Twitter does monitor account activity.
What's next?
Plot out your purpose and define what your goals are to help determine if tweeting would be a good investment of your time. And see if your competitors are actively engaged online.
Still not sure?
Why not just give it a twirl!
The websphere is a growing medium to promote and grow your business online. Social media sites prove to be a dynamic and seamless path to reach family and friends in a heartbeat. However, there are precautions to take and measures to be aware of so you don't bust your online reputation which can be very damaging to you and your business. Take the time to find out the social media site limits you are active in, in particular Facebook because they tend to stick to their rules and ban accounts without warning! READ MORE
The Biggest Ideas in Strategy, Social Media, User Experience, and Code Development converged on May 30 and V4U was there!
Wasn't sure what to expect upon getting into one of the two registration lines at 8:15 a.m. with a large cup o' joe and surmising the hustle of the event staff pulling things together. But seamlessly it came together, got the entry badge, a mini-notebook and some other nifty little gadgets before turning the corner and welcomed by tables loaded with breakfast and more joe ... woohoo, they know how to get a conference starte - wired and now ready to go!
Apart from the key note speaker, Norm Cox, V4U stocked up on social media key learnings. With the first session, Ben Smithee (@spychresearch) and Elysa Rice (@Elysa), presented "Video and Social Media for Youth Markets". The duo provided great points on the evolution of marketing and brand communication strategies, how to monetize, measure ROI, how to apply conceptually and social media site tips.
The room was packed for the second session, Giovanni Gallucci's (@giovanni) "Unleashing the Power of Social Marketing"! This session was the bomb and the "bleeding" edge of social media. Trust, focus, optimize, reputation are just a few of the key words absorbed from the presentation, along with untapped tips and tricks not known before walking into the session. And the beauty of it all (there's only so much a brain can absorb), Gio offers a workshop and other resources through thesocialmediaworkshop.com to help fill in the "blanks" when the brain went "huh, how does that work"!
Phew, made it through the morning, had lunch on the patio and took in a little sunshine the day offered. And, had the opportunity to sit down with Ben Smithee for a micro-interview! Watch for the clip on YouTube!
Then it was back to it for the afternoon, waiting patiently for Erica O'Grady (@ericaogrady) to walk through "Write that down! Van Wilder's Guide to Social Media". Wasn't sure how Van Wilder played into social media but Erica's simplistic principles brought it all together. Key takeaways: make people important, stop focusing on the influences, treat everyone like a VP, promote and support clients, and build meaningful relationships. But without the presentation, these points may not seem as striking - click here to find out for yourself!
It's almost 4:00 pm and the brain tilting at full! Trying so hard to wait it out for the after party to get a taste of "El Grado Tequila Blanco" (@ElGradoTequila) before it hits the market, but body and brain were beat.
That was the defining day at Big(D)esign Conference (#bigD) and well worth the time for the nominal investment.
On May 30, The Biggest Ideas in Strategy, Social Media, User Experience, and Code Development converge and V4U will be there to take it all in.
It will be a jam packed day of intense learning with experts from across the nation to present theories, research, experiences and best practices to stay on the "bleeding edge"!
The social media edge will be the desired focus for the day but there's not to say that the Code Development, User Experience or Strategy stuff won't play into the mix as the day plays itself out.
In the end, it's all about getting engaged with the latest online trends, tactics and strategies. Or is it the after party that is most appealing! Click here to check out the line up and speakers: http://bigdesignconference.com/schedule/.
Stay tuned for V4U Meets Big(D)esign Conference defined!
Is your inbound email out of control?? And, what about all your outbound emails? Get in on the emaiquette to reach the results you planned for without sacrificing losing an email contact! Learn to craft messages that are crisp, concise and collaborative.
Ask yourself the right questions before you start composing your message - you should already know the WHO, WHY and WHAT!
Don't know the why or the what, then hold off until you are certain that the recipient of your message will understand why an inbound email is worth opening. People are inundated with email, dozens a day and thousands a week so it would only make sense for the email subject that triggers their attention will get opened. Be respectful of your contacts' time and attention - careless and precarious emails will invite the same type of response and for the most part - no response at all!
Business emails in any form should be simple and formatted for ease of reading and absorbing of the information being communicated. And subject line plays a vital role in whether or not your email will be opened so be sure that it is significant to the communication to drive the recipient of the inbound message to open it. For those who receive a ton of email appreciate senders who use identifiers in the subject line such as EOM (end of message) at the end of the subject. This conveys immediately to the recipient(s) that the whole message is in the subject without needing to open the message.
For long informational emails, you may want to parse your message out and include bullet points to make it easier for the recipient to read. Should the end result require an action, be sure that your recipient can clearly see that there's a request and specify any deadlines.
According to The Hamster Revolution Research garnered from over 20,000 surveys and interviews:
· 40% of the workday is now spent on email and related activities!
· 75% of workers feel colleagues often overuse reply to all
· 15% of workers admit that they often overuse reply to all
· Email overload costs US businesses over $300 billion per year
· 70% of workers often receive email with vague subject lines
Here are some key points to start exercising your emaiquette today:
· Get to the point
· Answer all question
· Proofread and edit for proper spelling, grammar & punctuation
· Do not attach unnecessary files
· Use proper structure and layout - consider using templates for frequent communications
· Refrain from high priority if message does not convey urgency
· Do not write in CAPITALS (all caps demonstrates shouting in email)
· Don't leave out the message thread if it is important to response
· Business security - add disclaimers to your emails
· Do not overuse Reply to All
· Use the bcc: field for mass mail distributions
· Do not forward chain letters, virus hoaxes, request delivery and read receipts
· Confidential information should not be transferred over the internet
· Be active not passive
· Don't entertain libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks
· Report spam
There's a lot of buzz around Twitter but many marketers don't know how to translate that buzz into a worthwhile marketing tool for their business. Most people's first reaction to the social media "micro-blogging" tool is that it is a waste of time, but as Twitter becomes more and more mainstream, businesses are now using Twitter to engage with customers, reach the media directly, and further establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry.
This webinar will go over all the basics for using Twitter for marketing and PR, including:
Time is of essence and each day business owners need to maximize the best of each second, minute, and hour of their day. With a Virtual Executive Assistant (VEA), who is knowledgeable in general administrative tasks, can be the right and left hands when yours are already full! A VEA is a top-notch professional who not only owns their own business but also is a master at what they do and most of all understands how to take the busyness out of your day so you can focus on the strategic elements of your business.
The most general tasks fall into administrative support, but with a VEA who has a specialty with their services such as graphics design, marketing, writing or web design can be a more rewarding experience. If you are at the brink of being bogged down by the tactical processes, check out how a VEA can make a difference in your life starting today. Here are a number of areas you can confidently delegate to a VEA:
Business Administrative Support
· A VEA will help keep your business organized, calendar where to go and when each day, provide the appropriate handouts needed for your speaking engagement or information to disseminate to your audience, help polish your presentation, and more!
ü Calendar/Scheduling
ü Database Entry
ü Edit/Proofread
ü Email Management
ü Handouts
ü Manage Promotions
ü Presentations
ü Trade Shows/Expos
Marketing and Public Relations
· Need help promoting your business? A VEA can provide the tools and resources to get you engaged and present online in all the major social media networking sites (i.e. LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, eCademy, Merchant Circle, etc.)
ü Advertising
ü BIOs
ü Blogging
ü Branding
ü Email campaigns
ü Network meetings
ü Online profiles
ü Social Media Networking
Graphics Design
· Print Material - Get your business in front of those who need your expertise! VEAs can assist with:
ü Business Cards
ü Brochures
ü Design Ads
ü Draft Text
ü Flyers
ü Manuals
ü Media Kits
ü Newsletters
ü Postcards
Personal Assistance
· Including but not limited to:
ü Gift Shopping
ü Home service appointments
ü Event Planning
ü Mail management
ü Running errands
ü Vacation Planning
The unemployment market is flooded and at record high. But this doesn't mean that opportunities are scarce. It's all about doing your research and taking the time to figure out what is right for you. Maybe this is the time to start your own business, figure out how to make your passion bring in dollars, or step into the non-profit world! Here's some tips and resources to get your motor running and help set yourself apart from the rest.
If you are fresh into your job search, take advantage of your networks and the help around you. Get online and join social media networking sites. Majority of the online networking channels are free and can open up doors to millions of connections.
Another option is to get in touch with a career coach to drill down areas in your career path you may have overlooked through the years. Read More
Now you have your job search plan mapped out, your resume is polished, and you are now online. But wait, how are you going to keep track and balanced?? Check out a new online tracking mechanism, Jibber Jobber, to seamlessly stay on top of your job search.
And here's a great article help get you recharged! A Stimulus Plan for Your Job Search by Doug White, Robert Half International
In an effort to revive the economy, Congress recently passed a $787 billion stimulus package. There are probably days when you need your own stimulus plan. Like the economy, you may feel stuck in a slump, especially if you've spent months looking for employment. But instead of losing heart, use this multifaceted plan to recharge your job search:
Build Up Your Networking Infrastructure
The road to a new job often begins with a member of your professional network. Deepen your contact list by meeting new people in any way you can. Get active on networking sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook and niche portals relevant to your industry. For instance, DesignerID is geared specifically toward graphic designers.
Supplement your online efforts by joining professional associations and regularly attending industry events where you can meet others face to face. You also might look into support groups for out-of-work professionals. As the recession has intensified, more people are gathering both online and off to commiserate and share employment leads, interviewing advice, and job-hunting war stories.
In addition, remember that you never know who might be able to offer an "in" with an employer. Spread the word about your job search and career goals to everyone, from friends and relatives to neighbors and former classmates.Invest in a Targeted Resume
Customization is king. Don't blindly blast the same one-size-fits-all resume to every employer with an opening. While it's smart and efficient to create a solid basic resume, take the time to tailor your document to the specific opportunity. The extra effort can yield huge dividends. Research each prospective employer and mirror the language from the job posting to play up your skills, qualifications and accomplishments that directly relate to the position. Reviewing the firm's website, marketing materials, and recent annual reports will give you a good sense of its mission, history and culture.
You'll gain even more of an edge by submitting a well-crafted cover letter -- a valuable sales tool that many job seekers fail to utilize. Within the letter, expand upon your biggest strengths, highlight your knowledge of the firm, and reiterate your enthusiasm about the job. Ease Anxiety Through Action
Does your self-confidence need a bailout? A protracted job search can understandably test anyone's pride and patience. But don't let fears and frustration undermine your focus. Hiring managers will want to know what you've been up to beyond just "looking for a job." Instead of wallowing in worry, turn downtime into learning time. Stay current on industry trends and expand your skills by taking a professional-development class, attending conferences, continuing to read trade publications, or even teaching yourself a new software program.
Pursuing temporary work is another smart way to show employers that you've remained engaged while on the job hunt. Many organizations that have instituted hiring freezes or laid off employees due to the recession are seeking the services of interim professionals to keep productivity and service levels high. Project work allows you to stay busy, make valuable new contacts, earn money and get your foot in the door with companies that, at some point, will again be looking to hire top-quality full-time employees.
In our last article we touched on the latest trend, social digital marketing and how to get started in the sandbox!
There's an array of social media sites out there so be sure to take stock of which sites will give you the best return on your time invested each day in social media. Additionally find out which social media environments you need to target for your business whether it be a social news site, social bookmarking or social networking.
Social news is a website wherein users submit and vote on news stories or other links. A few examples of the 50+ sites out there are Digg, Reddit and Mixx.
Social bookmarking allows users of the internet to store, organize, search, and manage bookmarks of web pages. You may have heard or browsed through Delicious which is one of the most popular bookmarking sites out there. Other ones are Faves (formerly Blue Dot) and Diigo.
Social networking we covered off in our last article. If you are still on the fence of which ones to dive into, here's an short list to help get the ball rolling.
LinkedIn - primarily referred to as the professional social network that allows you to create a profile of your expertise , current and past employment, education and achievements. It also gives you the option of joining groups of interest and add applications such as a blog. If you are looking for more professional networking check out eCademy.
Meetup.com is a portal that facilitates offline group meetings in various locations around the world. This site allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest.
Twitter - primarily referred to as a micro platform wherein you post short "tweets" of 140 characters or less to inform everyone what you are working on. It is the easiest profile to set-up. you can search topics at search.twitter.com and find out your twitter score at twitter.grader.com.
Facebook and MySpace - two of the most prevalent friendly social networks. Both created for the school/college arena but then made their way into all streams of life. One of the main differences between the two is that MySpace allows you to change the design and colors whereas Facebook does not allow you to modify the design. Here's a list of other "friendly" social sites to check out:
And one of the newest of all to break the social networking platform is Wee Web. Great site for parents-to-be, moms, families and for those who just want to enjoy some fun reading on the "little ones" of the future!
To reiterate, it is important to keep in mind, consistency in your brand and reputation across networks are equally important both online and offline.
For additional resources on social digital marketing and networking check out Mashable.com. You will find great articles, one in particular How To Develop a Social Media Plan. Good luck and look forward to meeting you online!
Your business is engaged on the Web, you’ve established your brand online, now you are thinking about diving into the digital marketing arena. Social networking is the latest trend and by showing customers that you are technically savvy leader in your industry is a competitive advantage. But playing in the social media sandbox can be very time consuming, considering on average most individuals belong to at least three social media networks.
Most wonder what is it and how can it help my business. According to Wiki, social media is information content created by people using highly accessible and scalable publishing technologies. At its most basic sense, social media is a shift in how people discover, read and share news, information and content. It's a fusion of sociology and technology, transforming monologue (one to many) into dialog (many to many) and is the democratization of information, transforming people from content readers into publishers.
As you plot out your social media strategy, you can integrate some of the tools and resources you already put into practice while engaging in local business to business networking events. For instance, you need to have your foundation in place (website), elevator speech and/or sales pitch, and a professional BIO. And always keep in mind, your reputation across networks are equally important both online and offline.
With a strategy in place, it is time to set out your goals and which social networks to join. Just like networking offline (in-person), you need to develop a presence and give back. Let’s say one of your goals is to increase brand awareness, then you need to maintain an active presence in the social media channels in order to keep your audience coming back for more. Based on your strategy and your goals as well as know who your target audience is will help determine which social media network will be the best ROT (return on time).
Here’s the short list of social media networking sites to get you started and on your way to playing in the social media sandbox: LinkedIn, Twitter, eCademy, Facebook and MySpace. Don't get them confused with the social news sites out there like Reddit, Digg, Mixx, etc. The difference between the two and how you can make the most of both will be outlined in our next update later this week ... stay tuned!
With advertising and marketing accelerating online, it is essential to have your business present on the web in some shape or form. Whether it is a designated website, blog or networking page, online presence is taking shape and growing rapidly. Studies prove that online searches influence from 20% to 30% of purchases made at retail locations--and that number is only increasing.
Additionally with the transformation of technology, search optimization has also improved to not only return results for websites but also return information from videos, images and blogs to news and shopping. If you want your business to remain competitive, you have to be certain you are receiving optimal exposure on the web. What does this mean for your business? Bolstering online advertising!
Start with finding out what your target audience is looking for and most importantly what your competitors are doing to meet the needs of today’s customers. Explore something new, be creative to promote new products and disseminate information through multiple mediums. Keep in mind that you don’t have to spend high dollars to explore how a video can augment your business and increase traffic to your site. Get a video started with Animoto or Jing then use Tubemogul’s FREE basic package to promote your video across numerous sites.
Of course video by no means replaces the consumer personal touch, but it does provide the competitive edge in driving your target audience to want to learn more. By adding a few of the latest trends such as a blog or video to your website, you are not only bringing your business into the new wave of technology but also reaching a whole new spectrum of customers online.
Don’t forget to check out our FREE resources page to find out what else you can integrate into your business without bending your budget!
to make it easier and easier to bring it all together! From sun-up to sun-down, we feverishly try to accomplish everything on our to-do list and strive for a little more in our business. But sometimes there are just not enough waking hours to get it all done before our fueled energy reaches empty. Tackle each day a little smarter by checking out some great time saving tips and resources. Here's some finds to help get you started:
Which one is better? These integrated sites are new to me so I am not the best critic to determine one over the other. Anyone out there have a preference?
Stayed tuned for more tips and resources! In the mean time, try to re-hash your to do list. Out of the list there maybe only 3 or 4 things that will give you ROYT (return on your time) but the other 6 to 7 could well be merely spinning time. That's when you need to think about a Virtual Assistant. Why? To HELP ease the busyness of your day and let you focus on the elements in life that make you happy ... strive for not only ROI but also well deserved ROYT this year!
What is a virtual assistant? Virtual Assistants (VAs) are entrepreneurs who provide professional administrative, technical, or personal assistance to an array of clientele. For the most part, they work for other small businesses and entrepreneurs who need administrative support but want to shave off the overhead that comes with hiring fulltime support staff.
Are VAs flexible in the services they offer? The most common services include data entry, desktop publishing, transcription, bookkeeping, administrative projects, database management, web design, and a variety of personal assistance including but not limited to performing concierge services. Because VAs are experienced in all aspects of business administration, if the service is not listed it does not mean they don't do it. It's best to reach out directly and find out how they can be of assistance.
Where do they work? Generally VAs work from their home, using their own equipment, software, hardware, technology, etc. to get the job done.
Who do they generally support? Because of the increasing number of entrepreneurs and small business owners taking the leap into their own practice or agency, VAs are in demand for Realtors, Doctors, Lawyers, Brokers and the list goes on.
What is the difference between hiring a VA as opposed to a full-time employee? COST - Virtual Assistants are TAX DEDUCTIBLE! And, start-up costs for a small business are a huge investment and not all business owners have the capital to hire an assistant to provide the administrative services they need. The overhead created by providing a regular salary with required deductions such as benefits, work space, equipment, not to mention managing employee paid time off (PTO) can exhaust more time and dollars than it's worth. Whereas with a VA you only pay for the work requested and completed. No overhead, no benefits or office space to pay.
Dare 2 Dream 2 day and put your mind where it really matters! Start by assessing where your time is and what you really want out of life ...
Do you want more time with family and friends?
Are you losing sleep at night because your mind is caught up in the business?
Is there too much time spent on the tactical processes of running the business?
Do you pass up on a much needed vacation because there's no one to "watch over" the office?
Are you putting off time for yourself to take care of household errands?
When was the last time you took a step forward to live out your dream?
What means the most to you in life?
Is a greater part of your day absorbed by administrative work? On average 3-4 hours a day will work out to 80-90 hours per month, with a loss in business productivity dollars adding up to the hundreds.
Are you looking to make a better return on your business investment?
Last but not least, What is your time worth?
Contact us to explore how a virtual assistant can get you on the path to a happier work/life balance today!8:28 PM GMT | Read comments(2)
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