Learn more about using a virtual service provider.

FindVirtual.com is a relatively new social networking site for virtual workers. If you are a virtual worker or are looking for one, this is the place to go.

View my page on FindVirtual.com

Become An Expert - Write An Article

If you’d like to become known as an expert in your field, writing articles is a great way to do that. Just start writing about what you know. It doesn’t have to be lengthy, but should be informative.

Your article should end with your bio with all the pertinent information such as your name, your website address, and email address. Offer your article for reprint as long as all your contact information and links are included. Then start submitting them.

Here are a few places you can submit articles at no charge:

Article Alley
Article City
Go Articles
Alumbo

If you’d like help creating and submitting articles, please contact me.

Inc. Magazines Strategies for Tough Times

We just received our October 2008 issue of Inc. magazine and the special report on page 37 is "Strategies for Tough Times". The articles points out five ways to save money. We found it interesting that a virtual assistant can help a small business implement 60% of the five strategies listed. Here are the strategies in which the services of a virtual assistant can be used.

1. The first strategy is to send your employees home. This discusses telecommuting in order to save on office space and rent. Using a virtual assistant means you don't have to pay for office space or even for taxes and benefits, since a virtual assistant is not an employee.

2. The next strategy is to share your staff. Perhaps you only need someone part-time and so that person could be shared with another company that only needs their services part-time. Again, a virtual assistant does this very thing. Several business owners can utilize their services and pay only for the time they need an assistant.

3. Do-It-Yourself Marketing. The article mentioned one company using a blog for marketing. Many virtual assistants help small businesses setup and maintain a blog.

If you are a small business owner looking for strategies to help you during these tough times and want to implement one or more of these strategies, contact me and let's see how we can work together.

Helping a Client Create a Blog

This week I was able to help a client create their very first blog. Within a very short period of time we were able to create a nice blog that reflects the look of his website, post a couple of entries, and find his blog in a Google search within the first 3 pages after only two days.

Another prospect contacted me this for help with her blog. She set it up months ago and hasn't touched it since. I hope to help her maintain regular blog entries so she can maintain contact with her client base.

Many find starting a blog to be overwhelming. If you're not sure where to start, contact me and ask about my complimentary report: Blogging - The Basics.

Coaches - Increase Your Business

Are you a coach who wants more business? The Coaches Training Institute's Co-Active Network is a universal gathering place for coaches. Here you can ask questions and get answers, network with other coaches, advertise your services.

If you are a coach who needs help marketing your services online to increase your business, I can help you with blogging, your website, email marketing campaigns, updating your networking profiles, and more. Let me know how I can help you. Call me at (916) 390-2262.

Using Linked In to Connect

Earlier this year I created a profile on LinkedIn and started answering questions. It didn't take long before someone read one of my answers, found it interesting, and wanted to connect with me. That's how I met Mindy Krueger. Mindy and I connected on LinkedIn and enjoyed each other's comments so much that we connected by phone and eventually by email and snail mail.

Mindy is a relationship building consultant and independent distributor of Send Out Cards. Her website is here. She also has a blog. The connection we made initially through LinkedIn has been very valuable to us both. We've asked each other's opinions on our businesses and received valuable feedback from each other.

When I have a new idea and want an honest opinion, I ask Mindy. She's let me email her information about new aspects of my business and her comments have helped me fine tune what I'm doing. I've been able to mail her marketing materials and get her constructive feedback so I can improve what I do. She asked me about her business and what suggestions I had. So LinkedIn has proved valuable to me just in this one connection I made.

I hope you visit Mindy's website and read her blog. Have you made a valuable business connection on LinkedIn? I'd love to hear about it!

"The cost of traditional marketing methods can be a little daunting for a start-up business. Your plan utilizes much of the free marketing available if one is just willing to commit to a consistent plan." - Mindy Krueger

Blogging Basics and Beyond

Are you intimidated by the idea of starting a blog for your small service business? I have created two reports to help you get started with the basics of blogging. After you fill out a simple two-page questionnaire about your business and what you want to achieve by creating a blog, I'll provide you with my two reports and a Blogging Basics Plan with detailed strategies to help you start, maintain, and promote your blog.

Contact me for your complimentary questionnaire (Valued at $25). Based on your answers, I will provide you with a complimentary quote for your Blogging Basics Plan. Visit my website at Awesome Assistant and fill out the contact form for more information.

Marketing During Difficult Economic Times

1. Have a written marketing plan. This is a plan to implement specific marketing strategies. Many service providers don't have a plan at all. You need specific strategies designed for connecting with new prospects and converting them into clients.

2. Accelerate your marketing. Many businesses cut back on marketing during difficult economic times. By accelerating your marketing, you will be more visible. This doesn't have to be expensive. Relatively inexpensive ideas are: networking, speaking, events and teleclasses.

3. Work on your mindset. Negative circumstances can make you panic and avoid taking action. Find a way to change your thinking so you can proceed with a positive frame of mind. Be proactive.

The key to marketing during difficult economic times is to work at adding more value. Provide proof that your services are a wise investment.

Just Do It!

Have you put off starting a blog or sending out your email newsletter because you're too busy, don't want to ask for help, or are afraid of giving someone else control? Just do it!

Sure, we think we can do it all ourselves, are afraid to give up control, are comfortable where we're at. But think of all you could get done once you make the decision and take that first step. You may need some help and guidance. Don't be afraid to ask.

What do you want to do but have held back from starting? Ask me how I can help!

Do you have a website?

Are you an independent service provider without a website? Sometimes solo professionals feel they just don't need a website: it's too expensive, too hard to maintain, they have enough business already. But in today's market, a website is an important tool to have - much like a business card.

A simple website can be easy to maintain, inexpensive, and lends credibility to your business. More and more people search for service providers online. If you don't have a website, you are losing out on business. It's also an easy way to stay in contact with clients. You can refer them to your website for your monthly specials or new information in your industry.

To find out how easy and inexpensive it can be do get a website done, just give me a call. My husband and I love to help solo professionals create an online presence at an affordable price. Call our toll-free number (877) 771-7746 to discuss how we can help you.

Self-Promotion and Your Blog

As a solo professional you are looking for an simple, inexpensive way to promote your business. That's why I encourage you to maintain a blog. It's an easy way to keep in contact with clients and prospects. You can create a blog such as this one at no cost to you but a little time.

Use your blog posts to discuss issues relevant to your industry and business. Provide valuable information your clients and prospects want to read so they'll come looking for you. Ask for comments and start an interchange of communication.

Ask me how I can help you start and maintain a blog. Then let's have some fun.!

How do you feel about hiring a virtual assistant?

Many solo professionals and small business owners feel they could use some help but can't afford to hire anyone. Is that how you feel?

Hiring a virtual assistant could be the answer. Get all your questions answered about how a virtual assistant can help you in your business, how to find the right one, and why using a virtual assistant can increase your productivity.

Attend the Organized Habits Teleseminar on Wednesday, September 17th at 4:00 pm (PST).

Sign up now at http://www.organizedhabits.com/store/seminars.htm for only $19!