Tip One

Don't Fall Into The "One Size Fits All" Trap

Too many times we have a habit of trying to be all things to all people.  When it comes to servicing the needs of clients, this scenario is not the best.  Hone in on the skills that make you an expert.  

Tip Two

Network With Other Virtual Assistants

There are many great message boards, forums and professional organizations in which you can network with other VAs.  VA Training's personal favorite is VA Networking.  VA Networking is totally volunteer based under the direction of Tawnya Sutherland of Mediamage.  In the VANF forum, you will find a great VA support base and many tips, hints and tricks for growing your VA practice.

Tip Three

Find Your Niche

This tip goes along with the saying, "Do What You Love".  If what you most enjoy is doing PowerPoint Presentations and research, market your services to sales and marketing professionals, mobile professionals and speakers.  

Tip Four

Be The "Expert" For What You Know and Gain Publicity For It

Be an expert.  If you are a dynamic graphic artist, make sure that this portrayed at all times in your business.  Write articles to help you gain credibility in your field.  Submit your articles to article banks and offer to let newsletter creators and webmasters use your content in their creations (with your full by-line of course).  If you are a fabulous writer, send an article query letter to a major trade magazine highlighting what you can do for them.

Tip Five

Never Take On More Than What You Can Handle

Virtual Assistants get so excited when the first client comes along.  Then when their practice is filled to the brim, they begin to wonder, "will my practice always stay this full?"  Many times, at this point, the VA begins to take on more and more work from new clients.  When this happens burnout can happen quickly.  Remember, there is nothing wrong with saying "no" or  with having another VA assist you.

Tip Six

Do What You Love
 
Remember the daily grind, when you were constantly doing tasks that you disliked?  You are now a business owner.  You get to choose what you want to do and what you do not.  If you dislike transcription, don't do it and find another competent VA to assist you.  Do what you love.  This way, burnout will not find you.

Tip Seven

Give Prospects Reasons To Come Back To Your Website

Prospects visit your website for information.  Be sure to provide information such as free marketing tips, how-to’s, and other tips related to the services you provide.  This way your site stands out from others and is considered to be of value.

Tip Eight

Email Signature Lines Are A Powerful Marketing Tool

You’ve seen signature lines everywhere.  But do you utilize them?  How many times have your read a signature line and bookmarked a website?  Rule of thumb: keep sig lines short, but to the point.  Studies have shown that readers lose interest after 6 lines.  Depending upon where you are using your sig line, feel free to change them up a bit.  Examples:  if you are writing to fellow VAs, include the link to sign up for your newsletter, if you have one.  Or if you target realtors, offer a free report beneficial to their industry.  Anything to get the prospect to contact you and/or bookmark your website.

Tip Nine

The Essence of Great Copy

1) Familiarize yourself with common grammatical errors such as comma splices, sentence fragments, easily confused words, and faulty parallelism. 2) Be very wary of writing long sentences or using too many words. 3) Be absolutely certain that you have correct information before releasing it to the public.

Good copy is imperative for successful business. When constructing the written word always remember, “You never have a second chance to make a first impression.”

Tip Ten

Getting The Media To Notice You

Send PROPERLY formatted press releases to the local media.  However, make sure that your content is newsworthy.  Too many times press releases sound like a walking advertisement for a business.  Sit down and carefully think about what in your business is newsworthy.  Is your company new and unique?  Are you offering a new service that is unlike any other?  Are you speaking to a local civic group?  Once you have your angle nailed down and you begin to write your release, don’t forget to answer, Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?

Tip Eleven

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