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Success Tips

15 Steps to a Successful Webinar

Webinars have multiple uses in today’s internet world. Here are just a few:

Webinars can simply be an informative talk or sales presentation, geared to converting interested parties into potential buyers (essentially moving them down your sales funnel)

Recorded webinars can be a time saving and passive income generating tool for speakers, and trainers and for those who lead workshops. These webinars are the main ingredient in on-line training courses.

Recorded webinars can also form an on-line library for small to large companies, effectively freeing employees time from tasks ranging from new employee orientation, to training

Common Mistakes That Stifle Entrepreneurial Success

Entrepreneurs are no different from other people in that we all make mistakes. The difference is that when an entrepreneur makes a mistake, their business suffers. The good news is, many of these mistakes can easily be avoided. Let’s take a look at the five most common mistakes that stifle entrepreneurial success and how to avoid them.

Common Mistake #1: Operating Without a Plan

Planning and having a business plan are your primary roles as an entrepreneur. In fact, business experts recommend you spend at least 25% of your time as a business owner planning. To begin a business without a plan, and to continue without analyzing and changing your plan as you grow, is a sure way to struggle to succeed. It’s like heading out for a drive and not knowing how to get where you’re going.

Get a Jump Start on a Successful New Year

gearedupIt’s the Holiday Season and 2009 is drawing to a close. It’s a time to reflect on accomplishments both big and small and to spend time with those we hold dear. Many people use the final days of the year to relax, take time off and wind down. Instead of winding down, why not use this time to gear up for 2010?

The Holidays are the perfect time to slow down, take a step back and be inspired. It’s also a great time to plan ahead for the coming year. Below are some suggestions for making the most of your vacation and turning it into your best year ever!

Team Up for Big Results!

Thomas Edison was once asked why he had a team of twenty-one assistants. He replied, “if I could solve all the problems myself, I would.”

Many entrepreneurs these days know the value of having a virtual assistant. But what about multiple VAs? Perhaps Mr. Edison was onto something. Now, I’m not suggesting you go out and get twenty-one assistants, however there is a plus side to having more than one VA.

Say It With Testimonials

Savvy marketers recognize the power of testimonials and use these to ramp up their marketing efforts. Sure you can tell someone about yourself, how good you are, how your business is THE business to meet their needs BUT it is so much more powerful when someone else tells them. Seriously.

Isn’t marketing to be about value and benefits for the client? It’s not about YOU  . . .  and that’s the magic of a good testimonial. Allow others to boast about you, your services, and your products. Allow these testimonials to tell your story when you can’t speak to the person one-on-one. And, who better to speak on your behalf than those satisfied with your services and products.

5 Ways to Get More Bang for Your Outsourcing Buck

Everyone is feeling the pinch. Even if you’re projecting more prosperous times, there remains a dilemma over how to sustain key operational and marketing activities when cash is tight. And if you have a virtual assistant or other contractor on the team, you’ve no doubt considered cutting them loose so you can breathe a little easier at month end.

This might seem like an obvious way to lighten your budgetary load, but what of those prosperous times you’re planning for? If you permit the fundamentals to deteriorate (marketing, operations, customer care, etc.), what will be left when opportunity comes knocking (and it will come knocking again)? Will you be ready? Will you be sane?

Seven Sure-Fire Ways to Make your Partnership with a Virtual Assistant a Success

So you have taken a step towards truly growing your thriving business and hired a Virtual Assistant, here are seven ways to ensure your partnership will be a success:

  1. Good Communication
    Since your Virtual Assistant will not have a physical presence in your office, it will be important to establish and follow a good communication plan. Determine whether you would like your Virtual Assistant to contact you with updates daily, weekly, monthly or as needed. When providing your Virtual Assistant with instructions ensure they are always direct, precise and understandable. Also ensure your VA is aware of your preferred method of communication (telephone, e-mail, facsimile, etc.).

The Proof is in the Proofing

Some people hunt animals, some people hunt ghosts. Me? I hunt typos. Picking typos out of a published book, newsletter or sales page is something I’ve always loved doing. It’s a twisted little habit I just can’t seem to shake. This of course, is a good occupational hazard to have in my line of work and I’m sure comes as a relief to some of my clients. I do feel bad however, for those people who are consistently putting out work that has not been properly proofread for these types of errors.

Cultivating Creativity with Your VA

“Success, or failure, very often arrives on the wings that seem mysterious to us.” ~Dr. Marcus Bach

I’m not sure if Dr. Bach ever had a virtual assistant but I like his thought process. Bach made it his purpose to increase his appreciation and understanding for those he had interactions with. This makes me think about how cultivating creativity in business allows open discussions of any and all solutions.

Let Your VA Be Your Eyes and Ears

As the old saying goes, “two heads are better than one”. There is so much great information out there today whether it’s a teleseminar, workshop or conference. You know you need to keep growing and learning if you want to stay on top of your game but who has the time? With everything you have to do on a daily basis you just can’t squeeze in one more thing right? So why not let your VA be your second set of eyes and ears?

Your VA can do more than complete projects and perform daily administrative tasks. She can also be you when you’re not available.