When starting a virtual assistant business, the first item on your to do list is coming up with a business name. You should give this a lot of thought. The name you choose should reflect your products or services, because you will promote, brand and market your business under this name.
Next, decide on a niche. A niche market is a narrowly defined group of potential clients. In order to create effective advertising and/or marketing messages, you need to know who you are addressing.
One method of marketing is Internet marketing, also know as online marketing. Nowadays, because of the Internet and technology, Internet marketing is affordable and popular. Examples of Internet marketing are blogs, websites, article marketing, online networking, and e-mail marketing campaigns. For more detailed descriptions and examples of Internet marketing, click here for a copy of my e-book for only $3.98.
If you are considering starting a virtual assistant business, decide on a business name, choose a niche, as well as create and implement an Internet marketing plan.
If you’re an entrepreneur or service professional, you may be wondering “what’s next” for your business.
I want to introduce you to Maria Simone, an amazing woman who over the years has launched several businesses and has helped countless others do the same.
She’s appeared in the media in publications like Success Magazine, Business Week and many others.
Thanks to the help of her husband Michael Murdock, a 30-year technology veteran, Maria has also become an internet marketing and social media marketing expert over the past few years.
Starting July 30th, Maria will be offering a FR^EE 4-part Passionate Business teleclass.
*Instant revenue and funding strategies.
*Zero to low-cost marketing techniques that will help attract customers 24/7.
*How to create a solid online presence.
*Abundance strategies including creating multiple revenue streams.
…and so much more. Just follow the link for details and to register.
An interesting discussion was started on Twitter as to what is niche. I have seen niche used to refer to a group of consumers with shared characteristics. I have also seen niche described as a specialized service(s); for example, internet marketing.
Ten years ago, when I was in college, niche was described as a space in the market where the advertiser’s product or service will fit. Merriam-Webster online dictionary definition is a place, employment, status, or activity for which a person or thing is best fitted. Although marketing and advertising concepts and theories remain the same, the methods of delivery of advertising messages have changed.
These changes apparently have changed or gave new meaning to the word “niche” where now it can refer to a specialized service. Join the discussion by posting your comment below as to what is niche to you. I look forward to reading your thoughts.
As an entrepreneur and small business owner, you are aware of the importance of using social media networking as a marketing strategy. You also realize how much time is involved in social media networking. I can spend an entire day on Twitter alone networking with other entrepreneurs. In order to save you some valuable time, virtual assistants can help you with your networking efforts. Keep in mind, virtual assistants use the same social media networking techniques and know their way around social media sites. A virtual assistant can set up your social media profiles at various sites, as well as filter through posts for any relevant information pertaining to your business. On Twitter, a Virtual Assistant can check your DMs (direct messages) and your replies (posts directed to you) to see if there is anything you need to respond to. A Virtual Assistant can also post pertinent information about your company and products and/or services. Larger companies are starting to use Twitter to communicate with their customers about their products and/or services, in addition to getting their feedback. Another feature of Twitter is you have people following you and people you choose to follow. A Virtual Assistant can research the ones following you to see if they are viable potential clients. In addition, s/he can search for possible clients for you to follow on Twitter.
As you know, social media networking allows you to create business relationships, as well as give your prospective clients the opportunity to learn more about you; therefore, it is necessary for you to spend some time networking on these social media sites. However, virtual assistants can help you save a huge amount of valuable time; time you can use to focus on your clients. Virtual assistants can help you with social media networking also.
By now you have probably heard of Twitter, a free social networking and micro-blogging website. It may be a little overwhelming trying to figure out who you should follow and who you would like to follow you. Twitter has a search directory called Twellow, located at http://www.twellow.com/. At Twellow, you can filter out the tweeters according to your target market. All you need to do is perform a search using your target market search term(s) and research the results looking for tweeters who you can follow and maybe follow you. Hopefully, they will become your ideal clients.
Social media marketing is becoming one of the most popular online marketing tools available today for entrepreneurs and small business owners. Social networking is just one form of social media marketing, and it is one of the online marketing tools that I mention in my e-book, “Online Marketing Tools for Today’s Small Business.” Read what others are saying about this affordable, must-have e-book.
I finished my first virtual e-book tour on Tuesday, and I met some interesting readers along the way. I virtually traveled from the West Coast to the East Coast, spending the day at various bookstores (blogs) promoting my new e-book, “Online Marketing Tools for Today’s Small Business.” I also held interview sessions with the blog owners. My plans are to do another virtual e-book tour early next year. So, be on the lookout for that.
On Wednesday, it was my turn to host a virtual book tour stop for Karen M. Pina, author of “Is it the job, the boss, you . . . or are you an entrepreneur? Find your career stressors and the success that God intends.” Karen is also a coach for Christian leaders and entrepreneurs.
With the cost of airfare and gas, traveling from blog to blog is more practical. It saves time, money, and you reach a larger audience. If you don’t have time to coordinate a virtual book tour, outsource this task to your Virtual Assistant. Hope to see you on my next tour!
Today, my virtual tour stop was at Sue Canfield’s bookstores (blogs) located here in California. Sue has two locations, http://suecanfield.wordpress.com/ and http://awesomeassistant.blogspot.com/. Everyone who came by her blogs thought a virtual e-book tour was creative and cool. They also enjoyed Sue’s interview of me. Click here to read it.
My last tour stop will be Tuesday, November 4, 2008 at Karen Pina’s blog. Her address is http://www.gemnewsletter.blogspot.com/ in Connecticut. She will also interview me. If you have any questions for me, come on by and ask. Anyone who makes a comment or ask me a question will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win a free copy of my e-book. Click here to read more about my e-book. Read what others are saying, plus an excerpt. Hope to see you on the tour.
On Thursday, I spent the day with Paula Quick, owner of The Bible, Marketplace Spirituality & Business bookstore (blog). Her blog is located in Virginia at http://marketplacespirituality.blogspot.com/. I enjoyed the theme of Paula’s bookstore, which focuses on enhancing your business through the Bible and Spirituality.
On Monday, November 3, my e-book signing will be in California at Sue Canfield’s bookstores. Sue has two locations, one is located at http://awesomeassistant.blogspot.com/, and the address of her other bookstore (blog) is http://suecanfield.wordpress.com/. Sue has been hard at work promoting my upcoming tour stop, and I look forward to visiting with her and her readers. Sue is also going to interview me on Monday. So, stop by to check it out. In addition, I am giving away a free copy of my very informative e-book to a randomly selected reader. To qualify, simply post a comment or question addressed to me on one or both of Sue’s blogs. Click here to learn more about my e-book, including an excerpt, as well as testimonials. To purchase your copy now for only $3.98, click here. Hope to see you on the tour!
Today, I continued on to Wisconsin on my virtual book tour. My tour stop was at Melodee’s Virtual Assistant blog (bookstore). Her bookstore address is http://www.short-termsolutions.com/vablog/. One of her readers wanted to know how long it took me to write my newly released e-book, “Online Marketing Tools for Today’s Small Business.” It took me about a week or two. I wrote it in my spare time. I have a passion for marketing, as well as an education in marketing, and experience in operating an online business. So, it is a subject matter, which I am very familiar with.
My next tour stop will be in Virginia at Paula Quick’s bookstore, The Bible, Marketplace Spirituality & Business, on Thursday, October 30, 2008. She is located at http://marketplacespirituality.blogspot.com/. Don’t forget. I am giving away a free copy of my very informative e-book to a randomly selected participant. Stop by and post a question and/or comment to Paula’s blog, and you will instantly be entered into a drawing for my e-book. In it, I discuss online marketing tools, which costs little to no money. If you are an entrepreneur and/or a small business owner with a shoestring marketing budget, this e-book is for you. Don’t want to wait until Thursday for the drawing? Pick up your copy today for only $3.98.
Today, I traveled to Maine via the Internet for my 3rd tour stop, which was at Tina Hilton’s blog. Her blog, CAVA Conference Table, is located at http://clericaladvantage.wordpress.com/. Even though, she had to finish packing up her bookstore (blog) to move to Virginia, she was a great host. On my next tour stop, I will be traveling by way of the Internet to Wisconsin for my next book signing engagement. I will spend the day with Melodee Patterson, owner of Melodee’s Virtual Assistant Blog, located at http://www.short-termsolutions.com/vablog/. Also, I am giving away a free copy of my must-have e-book, “Online Marketing Tools for Today’s Small Business,” to a randomly selected participant. This e-book is for every entrepreneur and/or small business owner with a shoestring marketing budget. In it, I discuss online marketing tools, which costs little to no money. So, come on by and post a comment and/or question on Melodee’s blog in order to be entered into the drawing. I will contact the winner, and Melodee will announce the winner on Wednesday. If you want to start reading this very informative e-book right now, click here to purchase your copy for only $3.98. Hope to see you there!
When starting a virtual assistant business, the first item on your to do list is coming up with a business name. You should give this a lot of thought. The name you choose should reflect your products or services, because you will promote, brand and market your business under this name.
As an entrepreneur and small business owner, you are aware of the importance of using social media networking as a marketing strategy. You also realize how much time is involved in social media networking. I can spend an entire day on Twitter alone networking with other entrepreneurs. In order to save you some valuable time, virtual assistants can help you with your networking efforts. Keep in mind, virtual assistants use the same social media networking techniques and know their way around social media sites. A virtual assistant can set up your social media profiles at various sites, as well as filter through posts for any relevant information pertaining to your business. On Twitter, a Virtual Assistant can check your DMs (direct messages) and your replies (posts directed to you) to see if there is anything you need to respond to. A Virtual Assistant can also post pertinent information about your company and products and/or services. Larger companies are starting to use Twitter to communicate with their customers about their products and/or services, in addition to getting their feedback. Another feature of Twitter is you have people following you and people you choose to follow. A Virtual Assistant can research the ones following you to see if they are viable potential clients. In addition, s/he can search for possible clients for you to follow on Twitter.
Recent Comments