Life as an entrepreneur is incredibly rewarding, but there are times when it can be overwhelming. Many entrepreneurs feel pressured into being a “Jack or Jill of all trades.” However, in reality this does not exist. We all have our weaknesses and strengths; therefore, you need to focus on your strengths.
For example, if you are a lawyer you probably made the decision to start your own practice because you crave flexibility and the freedom to take on cases that you desire.
However, if you are spending the majority of your time promoting your practice by writing sales letters, designing newsletters, making sure your bookkeeping is in order—who is meeting with your prospects and
clients? Although the aforementioned tasks need to be completed it is not necessary that they be
performed by you.

According to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the average small business owner
spends up to 40% of their time on routine administrative tasks. Many small business owners may
argue that these tasks have to be completed by them because they cannot afford to hire
employees. Entrepreneurs are not aware that they can receive the help they need without the
hassle of hiring an employee or hiring a temp from a staffing agency. You can accomplish this
feat by hiring a Virtual Assistant. Virtual Assistants (aka VA’s) are highly qualified professionals dedicated to providing top notch administrative and/or creative support to small companies and solopreneurs without being located in your office. Virtual Assistants are able to support you from their own office by using various methods such as email, project management software, telephone, etc. that enable them (VirtualAssistants) to stay in contact with you. Virtual Assistants are only paid for the time it takes them
to perform the duties requested by you and the terms stipulated in the contract.

Small business owners from a variety of industries are discovering the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant due to their flexibility and range of expertise. Therapist, Lisa Claudia Briggs, has a private
practice called Intuitive Body (http://www.intuitivebody.com/ ) andis currently working with a Virtual Assistant. “My Virtual Assistant is in Canada and I am in Massachusetts. I hired her because I find the
technical challenges and details involved to stay on top of maintaining an internet business truly overwhelming. I need to spend my time writing new content, working with clients, and developing
programs—anything regarded to web design, development, or maintaining my membership site takes my Virtual Assistant so little time and saves me countless hours of intense frustration.”

Life and business coach, Theresa Swift, owner of Swift Resolve Coaching (www.swiftresolvecoaching.com), chooses to hire a Virtual Assistant for tasks that are repetitive or that she does not enjoy. Swift typically has the virtual assistants she hires to perform tasks such as responding to email, market research, creating
flyers and letters, etc. “I also use them for brainstorming (i.e. marketing methods), because
Virtual Assistants work with many business owners and have a sense of what works and new
ideas.”  Small business owners that hire Virtual Assistants often learn that a Virtual Assistant enables
them to work with someone else who also shares their desire and passion for their company to be
successful. Briggs states, “I am a big advocate of hiring the right Virtual Assistant because it has
saved me so much time and money. If I had to hire a copywriter plus a designer, and a graphics
person or a developer, it’s just too many people and too confusing. Having a central person to
oversee and perform these functions is a lifesaver. The challenges of running an online business
change constantly, the new social media scene alone can be time consuming. Having a Virtual
Assistant to manage so many aspects of my business makes it possible for me to have an online business—
there is no way I could do it all myself. She is essential to my business and wellbeing.”
Briggs is absolutely correct—there is no way you can do everything by yourself. Which is why Dr. Paul E Adams, author of Learning to Let Go and Delegate states, “It is impossible to expand unless you learn to delegate.” Delegation will help you to be more efficient in providing services to your clients and increasing your ability to expand. Some entrepreneurs become so accustomed to completing tasks on their own that they may have a hard time assigning responsibilities to others. Small business owners cite trust as the main reason why they would be hesitant in hiring a Virtual Assistant. Virtual Assistants do understand the reluctance of those who fear that the Virtual Assistant they hire may not perform the duties they assign them.

However, small business owners can take comfort in knowing that a Virtual Assistant will do
their job because in order for a Virtual Assistant to be successful, they must do everything in their
power to stress their ability to fulfill your needs. Virtual Assistants accomplish this feat by
effectively communicating with their clients based upon the client’s method of preference (i.e
telephone, email, project management software, etc.). There are many other effective ways that a
Virtual Assistant can and will customize their services to ease their client’s fears.

For example Misty Weaver, Partner of 5 Elements Design (http://www.esmallhouseplans.com),
believes another way Virtual Assistants can ease the fear of small business owner’s reluctance in
hiring Virtual Assistants is by proving themselves. “Offer to help on a project so they can see
exactly what you are capable of doing. It’s hard for a company to accept that someone they can’t
physically see is actually doing the work they are required to do. You have to be open to starting
very small and going above and beyond to gain their trust.” Swift also added that virtual
assistants need to, “Stress confidentiality and privacy with personal data, customer data customer
and marketing data. Give examples or client stories that demonstrate the trade-off between time
and money.” Not having to worry about the overhead cost of running a business is making many small
business owners increasingly eager to the idea of hiring Virtual Assistants over employees.
“Hiring an employee is not an option for me,” said Briggs. “I found my Virtual Assistant on the
Internet. I think it’s essential that their websites have enough of their voice and personality so
small business owners can assess whether the Virtual Assistant is a good match for their style of
working and communicating. When I saw my Virtual Assistant website, I knew she was creative
and original and able to write copy which was important to me. In any business, word of mouth is
the best way to promote oneself. Solopreneurs like me depend on their assistants in so many ways
and those referrals are priceless.” Although Briggs found her Virtual Assistant on the Internet, Swift suggests another way to find a Virtual Assistant is by networking with small business associations and chamber of commerce. She prefers Virtual Assistants take the direct approach in promoting their services. “State specifically what they (Virtual Assistants) can do via whatever marketing method they are using
to promote their business. Oftentimes, people do not know what tasks a Virtual Assistant will
perform. I spoke with another small business owner who was surprised that I use a Virtual
Assistant. He wondered in what capacity they’re used. Our conversation opened up some ideas for him.”
Virtual Assistants are used in various capacities and have a wide variety of flexibility which can be tailored to meet your needs(i.e. can be hired to work specific hours). Search engines and forums
such as the Virtual Assistant Forums(http://www.virtualassistantforums.com) allow you the opportunity
to submit RFPs and interact with Virtual Assistants; thus, decreasing the difficulty and time in finding a Virtual Assistant.

When entrepreneurs are ready to make the leap and hire a Virtual Assistant, there is no need to feel overwhelmed by attempting to be the “Jack or Jill of all trades.” Virtual Assistants can provide small
business owners with the help they need at an affordable price.
Briggs enjoys the help she has received from Virtual Assistants, “I have been really happy and
have encouraged my self-employed friends to also hire Virtual Assistants as it just makes sense
on every level. It’s like a good marriage—it takes time to find your best rhythms and way of
responding to each other; but, if it’s a good match to begin with and both parties are willing, it can
be an incredibly satisfying relationship.”

I am so excited this telesummit that is taking place on May1st & 2nd for 48 hours, I can not contain myself.  They will have a total of 18 guest speakers that will talk about various topics that relate to running a business, obtaining clients, marketing tips and tricks, websites, the ever popular social media, obtaining a balance between work and family life, blogging and many more.

As a business owner,wife,and mother of two children, I wear many hats. So this telesummit is going to very useful and will help me to  balance everything. This summit is jam packed with such great guests lined up that anyone with a business can truly benefit from this. As business owners we strive to do our best  under any circumstance. Please check out the link listed below and COME ON~ What are you waiting for?

http://metromom.com/

Once there it’s the brownish box at the right of the page the reads “FREE VIRTUAL EVENT”.

Having a Strong Web Presence:

The definition of web presence – being present on the Internet in multiple places to promote your name or brand in a positive way.

Times have changed and the Internet has become a vital part of our everyday lives.  Given today’s society it is imperative that your name or brand have a website.

Some tips I have discovered that build a strong web presence, these are in particular order.

1. Connect with a strong FIRST impression.

By doing so you can a positive impression with clients, before they’ve even had a chance to meet or speak with you.

2. Create buzz directly to your website.

If you promote yourself in multiple places you’ll start to create a buzz that will bring traffic to your site.

3. Create Networks.

By having a strong presence it can lead to building a relationship(connecting) and knowing the right people. Don’t be afraid to make connections outside your industry, that’s the whole point, to CONNECT!!!!!!!

4. Focus.

Determine what your focus will be to find your target market. If not then you are just throwing out blanks and possibly spreading yourself too thin. Not to mention spending lots of extra time and money that could be spent elsewhere.

5. Gain exposure through Blogs.

Blogs have become increasingly popular, why NOT try it? People want to connect with someone who is “real” not just your website. They want to know the person behind the name or brand. Use blogs to promote company updates or important events, launch a new service or product. Also link your blog to your website gain the exposure.

Finally the last point is SUPER important to remember

6. Don’t mention information you wouldn’t want your mother to know.

Everyone has skeletons in their closet but just think carefully about what you put up on your site, this goes mostly for social media sites. Your potential clients might not really want to know “everything” about you.

This blog is wonderful and something that makes me want to strive to be like it, I DO NOT want to COPY IT but I want to strive have content like they do. SO GOOD JOB!!!!!

I have a Facebook and Twitter account where I have made mention for my last post. I am hoping to drive more traffic to my blog by posting the various social networking sites. I am also reading up on various topics within the Virtual Assistant Community.

Image via CrunchBase

Image via CrunchBase

So I am on Day 2 of my Blog Challenge and today’s email explaining our assignment was about list posts. My goal today is to write a list for my readers. As you may or may not know I am a Virtual Assistant. My post today is 10 places I have found to market my business. Some of them are strictly Virtual Assistant related but others I feel anyone could use for marketing.

10 Places to Market your Virtual Assistant Business or any Business

1. LinkedIn
2. Twitter
3. Virtual Assistants Forum
4. VA Networking
5. Facebook
6. Findvirtual.com
7. Craigslist
8. VA Directories
9. Yellow Pages.com
10. Press Release

With the exception of numbers 3,4,6 and 8, which are geared towards Virtual Assistants, I have found all these sites to be very helpful in marketing. The social networking sites help get your name out and give you a chance to “mingle” with some really great people that you might not get a chance to in “real” life. As for the Press Release this can be another great way to get your business name out in front of your local market.

I am taking part in a 31-Day Blog Challenge to build a better blog. Today we all received emails challenging us to come up with our elevator pitch for our blog. So here is what I have come up with. Can’t wait to see what we will write about tomorrow.

Savvy VA

Your virtual partner every step of the way.

My name is Danielle Kubus and I am a Virtual Assistant specializing in administrative tasks, social media networking & marketing and web presence.
I provide assistance to small business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals. I help them grow their business by taking over their daily routines by managing your client files, handling emails, typing correspondence, update your website, create marketing materials, coordinate meetings and events. I help you free up your time so you can concentrate on other aspects of your business. I will save you time, money and help reduce your stress by becoming your partner.