Top Three

"What are your most-requested services?"

I'm asked this question alot. And mostly when discussing our services offering with a potential client. It's a fantastic question! It can completely open the door on delegation. Quite often people aren't sure where to start and feel overwhelmed just thinking about what to delegate. So here's our top three and they all fall under the umbrella of Online Marketing & Brand Management:

1. Social Media Management. Biznik. Facebook. LinkedIn. Ryze. Twitter. Online Forums. Message Boards.... ARGH! Don't know where to start? We do! We'll help you set up a profile and maintain it on the sites you need to have a presence on. We'll come up with a social networking strategy to make sure you're connected and communicating with your desired audience. We'll manage your online reputation to see what your customers are saying... and your competitors too! It's all about keeping OUR ears to the ground so you can focus on growing your business!


2. Public Relations. Have something press-worthy? (Believe me, whether you know it or not, YOU DO!) We'll work closely with you to create an online PR campaign to get the word out. Let's get a buzz going! Perhaps you've already received a press mention and don't know what to do with it? We're full believers in tooting your own horn; we'll work with you to leverage it to the max and get it out in front of your target market! Don't have a huge corporate PR budget? No worries... we'll create a guerrilla marketing campaign to work within your means. No problem. It's what we do. It's what we love.


3. Web presence. If you don't have a website... you need one. From the moment your business concept is but a sparkle in your eye, to the smallest of start-ups, to a well-established and functioning business, we've got you covered. We can customize a package for you tailored to where you are now, and where you want to be. We'll do it all starting with the domain name purchase and registration, to design and development of the site (via html or content management system), to writing the content and even the ongoing maintenance & updating. Hey... we'll even write your blog! On the flip side, we can also get you up and running and then train you on the upkeep. Are you breathing a sigh of relief yet?


4. Ok, so our Top Three has turned into Four. Honourable mention goes to our standard virtual assistant services (after all, we are a virtual assistant business!) Are the administrative aspects of your business not really your forté? That's where we come in! We love them (it's kinda what we do after all!) These services keep us very busy and can be quite quick and easy to delegate! Need some templates created, or contracts prepared? Fire the rough copies to us and we'll get it done in no time! Have a few ideas of what you need created or expanded on? A quick discussion of your thoughts and we can get a draft prepared for you. Need a PowerPoint presentation developed? Let's put our heads together and we'll get started!
   

What do you want to delegate today?

Social Media Series - Linked In Follow Up

Back in June, I wrote about Linked In and I committed to giving it a shot. Well I did, and I thought I'd share what my experiences are to date.

I uploaded my GMail address book and was astonished to find just how many of my contacts were also on Linked In. I sent them a request to add them to my network and am delighted to report that 100% accepted and added me to theirs.

So then what?

Well, next, it's a really good idea to take the time (remember... budget your time for social networking or you'll get sucked into the abyss!) to visit each and every ones' profile pages to see what they're up to these days. Also, the power of social networking lies in the "2nd tier" connections. Who your connections are connected TO. Go through their list. Is there anyone where there may be a potential business opportunity? For you OR your own connections OR someone you may know. This is important. This is how you network.

So that's where I am right now as I delve back into Linked In. I have to follow up and follow through. I have to budget my time to go through my connections to look at their connections.

And perhaps catch up with old colleagues along the way!

Care to share Linked In success stories? Leave a comment letting us know how you found success using this powerful networking tool.

Social Media Series - Linked In

LinkedIn. The first social network I joined professionally. I had such high hopes. Yet I was extremely let down.

Because I didn't use it.

LinkedIn is a wonderful tool for many reasons, I'm sure, but these three are what struck me:

• You're in a corporate setting and want to keep up with people from organizations you used to work for
• You're looking for a new job
• You're an entrepreneur and want to connect with other like-minded individuals, old colleagues, and/or potential clients.

For all of the above however, you've got to put in some leg work.

Here are some quick tips:

1. Import your address book from whichever email client you use.
2. Connect with colleagues and classmates from past jobs/organizations/schools
3. Join groups (there are TONNES!) that are in line with your goals, objectives, interests.

The power of LinkedIn lies in your connections. Don't be shy. Social networking doesn't work if you're shy or a wallflower.

Scenario #1:

You're old college classmate has a connection in the industry you are trying to break into. Great! Now what?

Simple: ask him for an introduction. See how easy that was? You'd do it in "real" life, so make sure you do it online as well. The hard part is starting a dialogue with this new contact you wanted to meet. That is up to you. I usually start with asking for a few pointers or their opinion, or perhaps checking out their profile and visiting their blog and leaving a few comments (if relevant).

BUT BE AUTHENTIC. Don't mess around. You don't need a bad online reputation. Be authentic. I can't stress this enough. You want to meet them for a reason, so let them know that, but be authentic. Play nice. Be genuine.

Scenario #2:

You've found a group that is totally your target market.

Join it!

And hang out for a bit. See how it works. See what they're talking about. And jump in! Introduce yourself. Join the conversation. Add connections this way. Engage. Discuss. Again, if relevant, ask for opinions and advice, and OFFER opinions and advice! Be the expert in your field that you are. Don't be shy. Major piece of advice for you? Don't shop your business 24/7. Not "in your face" anyway. Be subtle. Be polite. Nobody likes someone knocking on their door every day, selling their wares. So don't do it in social networking either.

If you're like me and belong to a few networks, pick and choose times/days for networking. Otherwise you could be on them all day. Perhaps you'd take 45 minutes every three days for LinkedIn and another 45 every two days for another one, etc etc. (But always have Twitter running on your desktop!) Seriously, social networking can be addictive, so budget your time accordingly!

As I'm now dedicated to increasing my LinkedIn profile, feel free to connect with me and help me build my network!

Social Media Series - Facebook

Facebook.

200 Million people can't be wrong.

Two. Hundred. Million.

200 million people that you have immediate access to. To share your business with.

Simply by building a page.

And it really is simple.

They used to be pretty much a static brochure but recent changes have helped Pages to be more interactive; to engage the user. To get people engaging each other on your page.

It's fantastic. I have alot of work to do on my own page, and alot more work to do to get fans and to get them interacting... but that's the fun part!

If you have a personal profile already, Facebook Pages has been redesigned to be more like that profile. With the Wall, Info, Photos, etc, all tabbed separately. Users can therefore find information quicker with easier access. You can also choose which tab you would like to be the landing page! You can upload video, photos, notes (my blog is automatically fed to my Facebook Page, which is a bonus! Saves me time, and gets to my fans pretty much yesterday!).

The options are endless and I'm STILL finding new ways to use the page, to update it, to make it more engaging to fans... the list really does go on. The opportunities with Facebook Pages are pretty mind boggling.

I'm only just skimming the surface myself and I can't wait to totally jump in!

Read through the stats. Read a bit of the press. Discover what Facebook Pages can do for you. Discover how it can increase your reach. Stick a button on your website. Get fans. And get them talking. About you!

Give us a jingle, let us help you out with it all!

Social Media Series - Biznik

Biznik. The little (growing) social network that could.

I love Biznik. Love Love LOVE Biznik. It's easy to navigate. It's easy to communicate with other members. And they're welcoming. And helpful. And intelligent. You can learn alot from the good folks on this one.

Biznik is great for small businesses, especially one-man operations. There are quite a few business coaches and authors, but there are also many many other professionals showcasing their businesses/professions.

Other reasons why I like Biznik:

• Search: You can easily build your profile and search for others in the same category, OR search for members you'd like to become familiar with or do business with. The search option is very intuitive.
• Articles: You can write articles and post them almost immediately. I say almost because they must be approved first, but they are very quick to approve and post. Very quick. Members are quick to comment on your articles as well, which is great to build relationships, brands, and communication. And you might learn a thing or two as well!
• Networking: You can contact people in so many ways, it's fantastic. Simply send them a message that you'd like to add them to your network, send a referral, or attend a live and in person event in your local area (live and in person? Imagine!), etc, the list goes on. I find Biznik members totally open to meeting and communicating with each other.
• Promotions: there is a place on your profile where you can list any promotions you are having. They are also listed on Biznik's main page - if you are a paid member they show up first, if you have the free membership, they are further down on the page. But they're still there.

The founders of Biznik are social media junkies who really want to see you succeed. They're here to help you out any way they can (and they even talk to you!), and to see your business grow and to help you build your network. It's an intuitive system, very user friendly and the help forums ROCK. Any time I've had a question and posted it to a forum, it's been answered in a matter of an hour or so. You don't get that anywhere else that I'm aware of.

These are only a few of the reasons I love Biznik. The possibilities are endless on how to network on this site, I've only myself scratched the surface, but it is definitely one I'd recommend - and do on an almost daily basis.

Join Biznik, and join my network!

Hope to see you there!

Social Media Series - The Start

Hold on to your Social Marketing horses!

We're about to start a six-part series on social media and how to get involved. How to use it to build your client base. How to use it to network with like-minded individuals, or the not-so-like-minded individuals.

This series will be for you if:

• You want to start a Facebook business page but are overwhelmed (or just too busy)
• You're hearing the growing buzz about Twitter but don't really get how it can be used professionally
• You'd prefer to network with professionals in the same industry as you but don't quite now how to find where they gather online
• You want to add Social Media Marketing/Management to your own list of services
• You want to add to your client base
• You simply want a quick and easy tutorial into the world of social media.

Over the next three weeks, we will be covering social sites such as Biznik, Facebook, LinkedIn, Ryze, Twitter and the concept of forums and list serves. So add us to your feed/reader below and get ready to get your feet wet in the world of social networking!

Mind Your Manners

Two words: Thank You.

They go so far and yet are so underused. Do you thank people for taking the time to chat with you? For acknowledging that you may be someone they would like to do business with? Heck, maybe they simply find you interesting and would like to get to know you better. If people are taking time out of their busy day to connect with you, that deserves recognition in itself.

Case in point? Twitter. I follow people because I find them interesting. They may say something absolutely hilarious and I'll dig their humour. They have opinions. Someone recommended them. I have something to learn from them. Or I know them. Either way, I'm following 118 people right now, and only FIVE said "Hey there, thanks for following me".

Only five.

If somebody is taking the time out of their day to acknowledge me, in any way, I'll definitely take time out of my day to say, "Hey, thanks." At a traditional networking event, you DO say, "It was nice to meet you", don't you? Or do you just pass your card and off you go? (I've seen it happen - people have done it to me).

I still see it all the time in online networking circumstances as well. I've recently joined a social networking site based in the UK who "practice" getting to know the members on a more personal level before pitching them your business. I have received message after message as soon as I signed up, with people pitching me. I mean right away. Not one "welcome to the neighbourhood" message, just pitches. And pitches that have absolutely nothing to do with my business.

And when someone comments on your blog? Send a thank you note. When someone follows you on twitter? Send a thank you note. When someone welcomes you to a forum or social networking site? Send a thank you post. Other than being polite, it's a great business move. I've got two clients just by sending a polite Thank You when they followed me on Twitter. It simply started a conversation.

There's absolutely no downside.

Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read our blog!

Success. Are you Ready?

What if, just what if, you wake up one morning to find yourself inundated with inquiries for your product. What if your inbox was full with requests for your services. What if you landed a huge client...the huge client? And your ideal client at that!

As a small business owner, are you ready? Sure, you've done well so far, business is trucking right along, you're making money, you're happy with the way things are going. And then out of the blue (or not!), you're business takes off overnight. Massively. You have more business than you could dream of. It's fantastic! It's what you had envisioned from the get go!

But are you set up for handling it? Do you have a plan for this scope of success? Are you ready to move on it now?

Can you imagine if you had to say, "Sorry, your order is just to big for my company." "Sorry, we can't handle the volume." Can you imagine?

So what's your plan for success?

This concept kept me awake all night.

I have a potential client who is interested in outsourcing various special projects and niche marketing initiatives to us. Also the majority of her administrative projects. The scope of this project is huge. I quite enjoy her, I like how she operates, I like how she does business, we have a great rapport, I can see us working very well together, it could be a wonderful partnership. I'm surprised an opportunity of this magnitude presented itself so early in the business. Pleasantly surprised, yet still surprised none the less (why do we always think we have to work ourselves almost to the bone, and slave away 25 hours a day for any sort of success? That sounds like another topic for another day!).

How am I going to handle this workload? What are my plans for this sort of success, that may very well happen ages before I had envisioned?

Well, one thing in my plan is to outsource! When I started this business, I started social networking right away and made some great connections, built some great relationships with other virtual assistants around the globe. This is the perfect opportunity for me to outsource some of my own administrative tasks that are taking up valuable time that would better be served building relationships with clients and potential clients. It will also free me up to take on more work.

Another plan is to have a multi virtual assistant (Multi-VA) business. Partner with another virtual assistant/assistants to be able to handle the workload not just of this potential client, but to continue to grow my business. To take on more clients. And again, I've made some fantastic contacts in the industry, some extremely talented virtual assistants are out there, and I'm looking forward to partnering with some of them as the need arises, to have a long-term working relationship.

Not just for my business to grow, but for their business to grow, and for your business to grow. It's all about how we can better serve our clients.

So what's your plan? Success may be closer than you think!

Blogging for Business

Are you not getting the attention you deserve? Do you need to get a new product in front of a crowd? Have an announcement to make but don't know how to tell the world? Don't even know how or where to start?

You need a blog. And we can help!

A blog is like an online dairy. It can be about, and be used for anything at all. It can be used for personal thoughts and opinions, news, reviews, keeping in touch with family... but we're talking about Blogging for Business.

Quite simply, it's a method of quickly updating content on your website. And the search engine spiders LOVE eating up fresh content! It automatically increases your exposure.

Automatically.

There are many ways to get your blog seen and read by people, not just via the search engines. There's a whole new world out there, Web 2.0, where people are collecting information and sharing it with their friends, contacts, etc. It's a digital word-of-mouth. And you know you can't pay for word of mouth.

At Scratchpad Secretaries, we can set up a Blog for you. Better yet, we can update it for you if you're too busy to write yourself. We can submit it to social bookmarking sites. We can add the RSS Feeds. We can make it happen for you.

Make sure you get noticed. Call us for your free 30-minute consultation!

Social Networking

Facebook. Ryze. Linked In.

Networking associations. Trade publication memberships. Online forums.

So much to do!

But what exactly is it? What is this buzz that is Social Networking. Social Marketing. Social Media?

It's networking.

To infinity.

Six degrees of seperation.

The concept is you know someone who knows someone who knows someone who may be interested in your services. Right from the comfort of your own home/office.

Globally!

You set up a profile, people visit, you add each other as contacts, connections, fans, friends, or whatever it may be called in that particular medium (pretty much, you're making business contacts). Next thing you know, one of their contacts peeks at your profile and adds you as a connection, friend, etc, and we're back to the basic concept of knowing someone who knows someone who knows someone!

There are also various groups you can join within the social networking group (for example, with Ryze I joined multiple groups: Women Business Owners, Small Business Owners, Small Business Think Tank... the list goes on!), and now, what do you know, you're connected to all of this particular groups' membership base. You're shopping your business, globally, from the comfort of your computer and you haven't had to balance appies, wine, business cards... you get the drift.

Perhaps it may just be that you meet alot of interesting people doing interesting things. You grow your network, in whatever way, shape or form you choose. The boundaries are simply not present that exist with traditional networking (and you don't have to suffer the embarrassment of having 1/2 of an appetizer stuck between your teeth!)

You may learn new tools, not just make new business contacts. You learn of new technology. New associations. The latest trade publication. The list goes on. Everyone is wired in. And it's global! It's 24-7. I might pop into one of the groups I belong to on a Thursday night at 11pm, and I'm online with many, many people who are plugged in, starting their day or 1/2 way through their day on the other side of the world.

It's a global marketplace. It's a global community. It's fantastic! It has unlimited potential, and we're just at the tip of the iceburg. How exciting!

I can see why there are virtual assistants who are offering Social Media Management as a service these days. It can be terrifically time-consuming. You can get lost in the networks, groups, profiles, connections.... give me a couple of weeks to delve further, and I do believe I'll be offering it as a service as well. It's not just the latest trend, it may very well be the future.

Won't you be my friend?