Virtual Assistant

Thought you might get some tips out of my latest article on Social Media Tools.  Thanks!  Diana

Social Media Tools For You – Business Just Got a Whole Lot Better

Social media is definitely hot now as a means to get clients and more exposure for your business.  But understanding it all can be a challenge. Not anymore.  This week we are going to break it down and show you the different social media tools and just what they can be used for in your business.

First the granddaddy of them all, Facebook. No need to tell you what Facebook is, but let’s concentrate on how it can drive sales to your business.  It’s important to use your Facebook page itself as marketing tool by providing information on your business and a means to connect to you on there.  It allows you to brand your business, drive more traffic to your site, post events, etc. I’ve also discovered that the advertising feature of Facebook ads works well too.

Twitter next – I for one am definitely a Twitter addict.  I love it.  Not only because I can connect with my friends and associates, but because it drives people to my site and the events that I host.  For example, I’m doing a PR class now, and being able to tweet about it gives me more signs-ups.  You just can’t beat that added exposure.

YouTube – There is no denying the power of videos.  People love to feel more connected with you personally online and this is a means to do it.  We recommend not only doing a single video about your business, but developing a whole series on tips that show your expertise.  Just make sure these add value and aren’t just an advertisement.

TubeMogul – For video uploads and syndication, this allows you to upload a single video to dozens of video sites including YouTube. Oh yes, it’s that easy!

Flickr – This allows you to download photos and easily add them to your blogs and presentations.  This is especially beneficial for real estate agents, wedding planners, event companies, etc.  When you can show what you can do for clients and have done previously, it entices people to want to know more.

There are so many more, but this should get you started.  Isn’t it amazing what’s out there today.  Until next time, happy marketing!

Diana Ennen is the President of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com where she specializes in PR and marketing and business startups.  Contact her at Diana@virtualwordpublishing.com or @dianaennen

We were thrilled to be quoted in Forbes this week. You have to scroll through the video.  It’s an article on when to logg off and on over the holidays.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/12/15/email-vacation-work-remote-forbes-woman-time-business_slide_2.html

Here’s my quote!

It’s best to keep your BlackBerry far from reach on the holiday itself, shares Diana Ennen, author of So You Want to Be a Work-At-Home Mom. One bad piece of news on Christmas morning can derail even the happiest of holidays. “Once I got an e-mail from a client stating that they would no longer need my services because of financial problems. It was a long-term client and a hard blow for my business. I couldn’t shake it all day.” Her holiday was spoiled by that e-mail, even though the client returned.

**

Thank goodness for Profnet and HARO.  It’s so great that you can connect directly with reporters who are looking for quotes.  Since I do PR, one thing too is that it’s not just getting quoted, but also letting others know that you were quoted.  With Social Bookmarketing that’s easier.  For example, you can share that link with places like ping.fm, Digg, StumbleUpon, Your Twitter, Facebook, etc.  I’m just fully finding out about these sites, but it’s really amazing.

Thanks!

Diana Ennen / Virtual Word Publishing / www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Technology is so awesome.  We finally figured out how to add a video of a TV interview to our website.  Please do take a look.

http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Jill Hart and I were interviewed on HomeKeepers for our latest book.  So You Want to Be a Work at Home Mom.  So many mompreneurs were included in this book.  Ellen and Pat, Lesley, Cher, Julie, etc.  We are so thrilled with their help!

We are also going to appear on November 4th on Cornerstone TV. Another opportunity to meet Jill.  I can’t wait.

Thanks!

Diana Ennen / VirtualWordPublishing.com / Virtual Assistant Mom

Are you celebrating Administrative Professionals Week?  For those of us virtual assistants it’s awesome to be able to work from home and no longer be someone’s admin.  The boards and Twitter are buzzing with grateful VAs.  I personally can remember working at a law firm and this week was the one time that the boss really went out of their way to be nice and show their appreciation.  It was awesome. 

Today, it’s different.  Being the boss now, I get to tweet myself to something nice today and remember how grateful I am to be able to work from home. 

I thought you might enjoy Kelly and mine’s latest article.  Wake up and Partner with a VA.  Would love your comments. Also, tell us how you are celebrating this week.

Thanks! Diana Ennen / VirtualWordPublishing.com

Wake Up and Partner With a Virtual Assistant

Is your to-do list keeping you up at night? Are you counting tasks rather than sheep to fall asleep? 

1. Wade through emails – 2. Finalize the presentation for tomorrow’s meeting -  3. Get handouts ready for Wednesday’s meeting -  4. Make follow up calls zzz  – 5. Schedule sales meeting zzzzzz – 6. Buy anniversary gift. – 7. Call my kids.zzzzzzzz

If it’s been a long time since you laid your head down on the pillow at night without a care in the world, rest assured – there is hope. You can have sanity and sleep, too.

When business worries and personal commitments get to be too much, you need to get help.  Businesses owners are faced with more and more challenges every day—finding clients, keeping clients, creating products, article and press release distribution, social networking, and the economy. So if you’re spending more of your time on administrative tasks or just plain spinning your wheels going no where fast, it’s time to make a change. It’s time to partner with a Virtual Assistant.

So what exactly is a Virtual Assistant and what can one do for you?

A virtual assistant, or VA, is an independent business professional who among many things, can help overwhelmed business owners handle administrative tasks so they can remain focused on their business. Utilizing the latest technology your Virtual Assistant can manage your social networks, write press releases and correspondence, tweak or create a presentation, make travel arrangements, be your own personal concierge, write letters, follow up on trade show leads, handle literature fulfillment, and even prepare your expense and call reports. The possibilities are endless once you start to see how many tasks you really can delegate.

“I don’t know what I’d do without my Virtual Assistant. As a sales professional who works out of my home and travels extensively I don’t have an on-site staff to keep things moving. I can rely on my VA to prepare marketing materials, organize my contacts, send out letters, and keep me on track with special projects. Delegating routine tasks and special projects to my Virtual Assistant allows me to spend more time growing the business,” says Mark Loudenslager, VP of Sales.

Partnering with a virtual assistant affords you the luxury of spending more time in front of your clients and less time behind your desk. Because virtual assistants are independent professionals they come equipped with their own office, their own equipment, the latest software programs, and the know how of running a successful business. They don’t, however, come equipped with added expenses like payroll taxes, expensive benefit packages, paid vacations, holiday pay, or “free time” (that you pay for) for talking to co-workers. They’re only there when you need them. Sometimes they’re even there when you don’t think you need them!

Virtual Assistants are also invaluable in helping to keep your business from being lost among its many competitors or overlooked because of lack of professionalism.  Amidst the Internet and Social Networking craze, millions of email exchanges, and web and teleconferencing many professionals have literally ‘lost sight’ of their clients. In a day and age where we thrive on customer relationship management, personal sales calls have taken a back seat to technology. Further, today’s economy has forced more layoffs and corporate downsizing, which has impacted the availability of internal support systems and other such resources. The lack of internal resources has forced companies to rely on already overburdened staff to pick up the slack.  Staff such as sales people who are now spending more time doing administrative tasks than they are generating sales. Where does the madness end?

It’s time to wake up and get back in the field. Get ahead of the competition and you won’t find yourself saying, “Oops, I could have had a VA!”

Kelly Poelker and Diana Ennen are successful virtual assistants and co-authors of numerous books including Virtual Assistant – The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After Virtual Assistant and accompanying Virtual Assistant the Series Workbook,  Stop by http://www.vatheseries.com for information on starting a VA business or contact authors at authors@va-theseries.com if you need a virtual assistant. Follow us on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/DianaEnnen and http://www.twitter.com/KellyPoelker
Article is free to be reprinted as long as bio remains.

My co-author Kelly Poelker started a new listserve for Virtual Assistants recently.  What a joy it has been to connect with VAs who I’ve known for years and just lost touch with.  I get the opportunity to hear how they are doing, what’s new, etc. It’s truly awesome.

It reminds me of the importance of staying in touch.

This year I resolve to really do better at it. I want to meet others offline and on. It’s a commitment that I’ve made before, but this year I’m determined to keep it.  So I committed to a monthly coffee meeting on the 3rd Saturday of each month. If anyone is interested, email me.  It’s going to be at a local restaurant and very low key.  So South Florida VA’s email me.

Also, I’m more active on twitter.  How fun can that be.  Follow me at http://twitter.com/dianaennen

Also, if you’re interested in Kelly’s group, email me too at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com

What are you doing to make your business rock in 2009?

Thanks!

Diana Ennen, Virtual Word Publishing, www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Hi

Here’s my latest release.? I believe it is so fitting.? I don’t know many who don’t know of someone who is effected by the economy and/or laid off.? Tell us what you are doing to survive?

Margate, FL (December 2008) In November alone, 533,000 jobs were lost and the unemployment rose to 6.7 percent nationwide with an estimated 10.1 million people throughout the country out of work. While here in Florida, the news is even worse as Florida hit a 15-year high unemployment rate of 7 percent in October, according to South Florida Sun-Sentinel. So what’s the answer for those people who are out looking for jobs and those companies which are cutting back, but still need work done. Simple-Virtual Assistants.

Virtual assistants are independent contractors who offer administrative support, publicity and marketing assistance, and more to companies large and small throughout the world. These tasks can include anything from typing, medical or legal transcription to website creation and marketing. And because virtual assistants work globally, they are not hindered by their local economical situation.? This is a perfect business for those who have recently been laid off, or those who just need to supplement their income.

In fact, according to a recent South Florida-based CBS4 News segment entitled “Working from Home Can Rake in Big Bucks,” the Virtual Assistant business is “one of the fastest growing home-based businesses and getting even bigger.”

Diana Ennen, President of Virtual Word Publishing, www.virtualwordpublishing.com, who was featured in the segment, stated she received a tremendous response from people out of work and looking to supplement their income. “It has been fabulous to be able to help those in my community get back on their feet,” says Ennen.

Ennen, along with Kelly Poelker, founder of the Academy for Virtual Professionals, co-authored Virtual Assistant-The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought after VA, a staple in the VA Industry for those wishing to start a business or excel in their current business. Both agree that starting a Virtual Assistant business is “one of the best ways you can survive in this gloomy economy.”

Ennen and Poelker also agree that another reason why virtual assistants are excelling today is the fact that with so many businesses cutting back, the work still needs to be done.? A virtual assistant is able to handle all those tasks from the convenience of their own office.? The work gets done, often times even better because of the extensive qualifications and experience of the virtual assistant.

For more information on starting your own business stop by www.vatheseries.com or take a look at the Academy of Virtual Professionals’ website at http://www.academyvp.com.? Times can be tough, but with the right virtual assistant, you can still survive and thrive.?
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So many today are facing unemployment.? It’s downright scary.? One of the things that I’m finding is that there is some bright news.? What we are finding is that many are using this time to start their own business.? And one business that is really growing in popularity today is starting a virtual assistant business.? As the Virtual Assistant Mom here, I want to help.?

?First, what is a virtual assistant?? Here’s a brief description

Virtual assistants are independent contractors who offer administrative support, publicity and marketing assistance, and more to companies large and small throughout the world. These tasks can include anything from typing, medical or legal transcription to website creation and marketing.

How can you start a virtual assistant business?

Easy, research, research, re

Hi

I thought you might enjoy my latest article on?marketing.? With today’s economy we need to do everything we can to generate business.? Hope this helps!?

Marketing Success Begins with a New Business Image

Many of you are already established in business with your website in place, your business cards tucked away securely awaiting the next networking opportunity, and your promotional materials printed and filed away. You are set — Or are you??

Think back, when was the last time you revisited this area?? When was the last time you recreated your promotional materials and added a new image?? Have you actually read your website lately from the prospective of a potential client? If so, did it portray you in the best light and did it convince you to utilize your services?? Did it have all your latest PR successes and latest services?? If not, it’s time to jumpstart your marketing.? The results, more clients and a new and improved you.

Here are just a few ideas:

Your Web Site

When doing your website or reviewing your website, take your time. This isn’t a race to the finish.? Take it a page at a time and give it your all.? Ask yourself:

Would it hold their interest?? You need to make sure they aren’t bored with long paragraphs or unnecessary long wordy descriptions.? They want to find what they came for quickly.?

Is it personalized?? When people come to your site, do they get to know you and your business or do they hear the same ole’ same ole’ that’s on all the websites in your Industry.? It’s important to have you in there.

Get to the point.? Go back and cut out unnecessary words, paragraphs, graphics, anything that just isn’t essential to the bottom line of providing the benefits of what you provide.?

Is it understandable?? Sounds simple, right?? Go back over your site and make sure that you’ve clearly spelled out what you do.? You know you’re the best, but have you adequately described this to your potential clients?

Can you add a few new graphics or colors or something to jazz it up?? A change of your website’s theme colors can make a big difference in adding to a fresh new look.?

Press Releases & Articles

How often do you write a press release and submit it out?? Or better yet, when was the last time you did send one out?? Ouch-that long.? If you want to fine tune and bump up your marketing, then you absolutely need to write a good press release and get it out there. The main point in that sentence is — write a good one.? How do you do that?? Easy, make it something that informs and inspires.? Make it newsworthy.? Tie it into what is happening in today’s times and then connect your business to how you can make a difference.? Did you remember the “call to action” paragraph, where you are telling them what you want them to do? And finally, just having a release isn’t enough. You need to actively submit it out and post it on your website, blogs, social networking sites, etc.? Email us at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com for our free PR informational package for tips and places you can submit your press release for free.?
Social Networking

You need to do this.? Actually you will want to do this.? Once you get started you’ll love it too.? So go ahead and do it.? Most businesses will tell you that doing this makes a considerable difference in their business.? Don’t have time to, hire a virtual assistant to do it for you.

Now, find the sites that interest you and get active and involved.? Remember to succeed you need to be committed.? You can’t just show up once every few months and expect it to work.?

Your Promotional Materials

Just think how impressed your clients or even more important, those potential new clients, will be when they receive a letter on your new letterhead, with your new business card, a matching brochure, and maybe even a matching magnet with your business information on it.? It’s time to jazz it up a bit and recreate a new image.? You have so many more years experience in your business, let it show with your new promotions.

How about changing your slogan?? When you think about it, it goes out with every e-mail, it’s on your website, all your marketing, etc.? My slogan has always been “Virtual Assisting At Its Best.”? I recently changed it to, “Our Commitment to Excellence is Our Finest Achievement.”? My clients noticed the difference right away.

Your clients have probably seen your slogan over and over and over—Give Them Something New.

?You’ll see how great you’ll feel with your new marketing image. Make it a goal to do this often.? You and your pocketbook will be glad you did.

?***************************************
Diana Ennen specializes in publicity and marketing and helping businesses get the most out of their publicity efforts.? She’s the President of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com and author of numerous books including Virtual Assistant the Series:? Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA.? Stop by for free information on starting a virtual assistant business and our free PR Informational package.? Article is free to be reprinted as long as bio remains intact.

Publicity and Marketing Seminar Today

Today is the DAY … Join me as I talk PR. As many of you know I?was on the Channel 4 News last week. Also, recently in the last few months I’ve been in Publix’s Fall Magazine (available at stores now), Miami Herald newspaper, Associated Press segment, Family Circle Magazine, etc. And I’ve gotten my clients in numerous magazines and newspapers as well. (Go to my site to see, www.virtualwordpublishing.com) Join me as I tell how I do it.

?2 Amazing Speakers per day. http://tinyurl.com/6fmzcy

August 21st – 5:00 P.M EST

Publicity and Marketing By: Diana Ennen
PR Made Easy – Sometimes businesses get so overwhelmed with the concept of having to do publicity and marketing, that they just don’t do it. They build exceptional businesses with top of line products and services, yet miss the magic because they leave out this one critical aspect. Not anymore. I’m going to show you the EASY, SIMPLE way to get PR. I’ll break it down into concise doable steps.

I’ll show you:
How to pitch
Where to pitch
Who to pitch
Why to pitch
What to pitch

Once you know these basics, simply apply them to all your publicity efforts.

I’ll outline how to create a Killer Press Release that gets results every time. I’ll also touch on the many mistakes businesses make that can jeopardize their entire PR campaign and tell you how to avoid them. I’ll also disclose some of my PR Secrets to success — the ones that help to get me and my clients into major media magazines and newspapers.

Are you ready to take your business to the next level and beyond? Then join me. You’ll learn to love PR as much as I do. And better yet, your business will grow with every new step you take. That’s when the real fun begins.

Thanks!? Diana Ennen, www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Determining a niche for your virtual assistant business can sometimes be hard to decide on.? For me, it changed through the years.? In 1985 I did mainly medical transcription.? Then ?attorneys started calling and I offered medical and legal transcription.? Then I got my paralegal degree and phased out the medical transcription part of my business, and went more with legal.?\r\n\r\nIn 1996, after a bout with carpal tunnel syndrome, I wrote my first book.? Words From Home;? Start, Run and Profit from a Home-Based Word Processing Business.? I started marketing it in addition to my business.? That\’s when the publicity bug hit.? I love marketing.? Everything about it.? The drive to write a great release.? The research … going from site to site to find more and more places to submit and then hitting on the occasional jackpot sites.? Coming up with pitches.? It just fit my personality.?\r\n\r\n?That\’s what you need to do too with your virtual assistant business.? Find the niche that fits like a glove.? There are so many niches you can choose today.?\r\n\r\nPublicity is just one niche to consider.? Here\’s my latest release?that offers some feedback on it? I\’d love to hear about your niche and how you decided on it.?So post away — Diana\r\n\r\nPublicity Virtual Assistants – The Key to a Successful PR Campaign\r\n\r\nMargate, FL – (July 2008) Self-publishers and published authors alike often need assistance with the most vital aspect of their book journey, marketing and publicity.? Successful authors know that to sell books, you need to do PR.? And even more importantly, you need to do a lot of PR.? You can’t just put your book on Amazon and send out a press release or two and hope for the masses to come.? You need do an aggressive marketing campaign and get out there and promote your hard work.? Fortunately, with the help of a Publicity Virtual Assistant it has never been easier.??\r\n\r\nPublicity Virtual Assistants are virtual assistants who specialize in publicity and marketing.? Publicity Virtual Assistants utilize all their expert talents and superb writing abilities for book marketing and promotions, thereby helping authors achieve the success they deserve by providing extensive marketing solutions, innovative publicity campaigns, proofing and editing capabilities, extensive research, administrative support, and so much more.\r\nDiana Ennen, author of Corel WordPerfect Office Ready Virtual Assistant Solution Pack and Virtual Assistant the Series: Become a Highly Successful Sought After VA states, “Today’s Internet has opened the doors to successful book marketing by Publicity Virtual Assistants. Being able to send press releases and articles to a targeted group is priceless and knowing how to effectively research to find that group is even more beneficial. The virtual assistant is already well versed on the Internet and well aware of how to find the right connections. Plus, with the increase in social networking, the virtual assistant is able to make their client known in the right places.? It’s a matter of knowing what to do and where to do it that sets us apart.”?\r\nPublicity virtual assistants are especially beneficial for those many first-time authors who are overwhelmed with the publishing process.?? By partnering with a Publicity Virtual Assistant, the stress of having to know it all is drastically reduced and the author can rely on their PVA to take over and implement much of the publicity campaign.\r\n\r\nIf you are in need of a Publicity Virtual Assistant, stop by today at http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com for additional information.? Also, if you are interested in learning more about becoming a publicity virtual assistant, contact Ennen directly at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com.? Ennen is hosting a series of teleseminars starting Wednesday? June 30th at 2:00 P.M. with Jill Hart, co-host of the highly popular MomCast Live Blog Talk Radio Show.? The first teleseminar is on press release writing and submissions and article writing, two areas that publicity virtual assistants can excel at to benefit their clients.\r\n?