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Month: July 2012

Mindset

Wil Hart on July 26, 2012

How To Develop Confidence As A Virtual Assistant

I often hear new VAs lamenting their struggle to get their first client because they are a newbie. But the fact of the matter is this: 99.9% of the time they are seasoned, savvy, well educated professionals who have worked in the corporate world for years. They are not new to doing the work, they are simply new to being an entrepreneur. There is a BIG difference between the two.  If you aren’t careful, being a new VA can quickly overshadow your many years of experience and cause your confidence to take a hit.

Another challenge I see with VAs is that because of how administrative professionals typically interact with their colleagues, you may not feel comfortable being proactive. Schedule this! Copy that! The demands that you receive as an admin are endless. Sometimes you may feel that all you do is serve others according to their beck and call. That can be damaging to your confidence. Continue Reading>>

Networking

Wil Hart on July 13, 2012

2 Easy Ways to Promote Your Business and Get More Clients

The 21st century has dealt us a pretty cool hand with regards to business. More and more people are finding ways to build a virtual business. Money is exchanging hands for services and products at an unprecedented rate.

Just a few short years ago; you didn’t see so many work-at-home moms selling things on the Internet. Neither did you see so many successful professionals in the Virtual Assistance industry.

There is another aspect of business that is also cool and exciting. Technology and the evolution of business have afforded you, a Virtual Assistant, the opportunity to tout your skills without being ashamed or embarrassed. When you look at the Internet today, almost anyone with an idea has something to sell or promote. Today, I want to share with you 2 ways to promote your business without that gut wrenching embarrassment that you used to feel when you had to give an oral report in elementary school.

1. Attend Networking Events

When you go to a networking event it is nice to know that everyone is there for pretty much the same purpose. It is to get to know other business owners, make connections and start new relationships. Does it unnerve you to talk about whom you are and what you have to offer the world?

Rest assured, you need not feel nervous. Why? It is because everyone else is doing the exact same thing that you are doing!

Sure, there can be some apprehension about approaching people that you don’t know. That is understandable. I will guarantee you one thing. When you get one to two minutes into a conversation, the shyness melts away like ice cubes on a hot stove. When your nerves have calmed down, it becomes your time to shine! Your conversation partner will certainly want to learn more about who you are and what you do.

Now, you can shamelessly talk about how you as a Virtual Assistant solve the problems of your clients. You help them with their administrative clutter by creating documents, managing their websites or caring for their customer service matters. Whatever your gift is, you are given permission to shout those gifts from the rooftops when you attend networking events.

2. Create a Blog

Many of your prospective clients will go online to find the solutions that you provide. Keep in mind they want to be educated, not sold to. They will typically make a purchasing decision based on three things:

  1. How well you educate them
  2. How well you connect with them personally (and how well you understand their problem)
  3. How well you demonstrate that you have helped others (via testimonials and social proof)

You can easily educate them and demonstrate your expertise by consistently publishing content on a blog. A blog post doesn’t have to be more than 200-400 words (which is only a few paragraphs). In each post you can highlight a particular problem, solution or resource that is relevant to your client.

If you optimize your posts, include a specific offer to help the reader with their needs and promote your posts where your ideal prospects are already hanging out online, you are guaranteed to attract interest in your work.

Implement these two strategies to promote your business easily and effectively. Your prospective clients who have yet to meet you are waiting for you to solve their problems. Your skills and talents are needed in the world. Do not allow shyness to hinder you from helping the people who need your solutions.