by Ace Concierge | Virtual Assistant | Jun 27, 2013 | Delegation, Small Business, Virtual Assistant
Yes! I do have one too and I am not sure how I would function without her or the rest of my team. You see, I do practice what I preach. Delegating isn’t just something I recommend for you and your business. I need to do it too.
WHY? Delegating daily tasks and projects enables me to be more productive and efficient. As a solo-preneur, there are only so many hats you can wear before you become overwhelmed and burdened with too many activities on your plate.
Scale for growth: In order to continue a path toward growth, I knew I needed to function at an optimum level. This meant outsourcing to my team enabling me to focus on core tasks that only I can do.
Two Fold Project: I wanted to expand my reach both locally and in my digital universe. In my daily content curation for my client base, I discovered a few articles about RSS feed directories and local online listings. I forwarded these to my trusted virtual assistant, including a few questions, wanting additional research, a compilation of the top sites for each and I also included the approximate time to be spent on each action step.
After a few clarifying e-mails, we had formulated a plan of action. I soon received a list of directories for both queries for approval along with some well thought out details and suggestions.
Results: I am now listed on several RSS feed directories who pull my blog posts while others require manual submission. The local directories have all been updated with my business information and links. Today, I received a spreadsheet containing all of the data, logins and submissions.
“That was easy.”
I can’t tell you how excited I was to have this time consuming project moved off my plate, giving me the time to manage other client business needs as well as other Ace projects.
Outsourcing gives me such great benefits beyond just time. I know I have a team to collaborate and brainstorm ideas. There is accountability. We meet virtually as needed and fully utilize a variety of tools to enhance communications and project management.
Feel the freedom and partner with a virtual assistant. I do.
by Ace Concierge | Virtual Assistant | Jun 22, 2013 | VZWBuzz Lifestyle Blogger
Smartphones keep us linked to the digital world, enchanting us with apps, communication tools and connectedness. Almost everything is made possible at the swipe of button. Traditional cell phones have seen their demise as we continue to become more technologically advanced, wanting increased mobility, ease of use, smaller devices, fun and useful applications and more ways to stay connected.
I can remember my very first mobile phone from Verizon in the 80’s. It was a bag phone – large and cumbersome. I certainly couldn’t hide this monster in a purse or pocket. This is a far cry from today’s sleek options.
My new Nokia Lumia 928 is a Windows based phone which mirrors my laptop. Like my computer, I can arrange the live tiles and apps to my start screen. There is no searching and wasted time looking for what interests me most. There are a few features of the Lumia that have really sparked my interest.
- PODCASTS: I have now downloaded 521 podcast episodes on business, health, bodybuilding and leadership. I was so excited with this discovery, being able to have the opportunity to listen and learn at my leisure. As a virtual assistant, I am at the computer long enough, every day that having the podcasts on my phone gives me more mobility to listen anywhere, anytime. If the computer is open, I feel as though I should be working, but with the extensive list of music, podcasts and audiobooks, I am able to enjoy my time and share with others.
- THE SCREEN: How I love being able to see and read the screen when I am outdoors. It is clear, bright and visible. I don’t have to hide under a beach towel to read a client email or text message. It has been a challenge and frustration with other phones but the Lumia’s screen is “so bright, I gotta wear shades.”
- CAMERA AND VIDEO: are absolutely tops, brilliant in colors and clarity. “The Nokia Lumia 928 has the most advanced low-light smartphone camera. The unique combination of Optical Image Stabilization and a Xenon flash allows you to capture the best low-light photos.” There is also the option to add motion to your still photos with Cinemagraph. I had taken an evening photo on the deck with a candle and other background images. With a few swipes, the candle shimmered and extended its glow to other objects in the picture.
- IN-TUNE RADIO: stations from around the world live streaming via Wi-Fi!! There are so many options and genres of music. I love diversity. The other night, I found a classical station and pulled up the covers for a peaceful slumber. ZZzzzz.
What applications and features entice you to purchase a phone or help you be more productive?
If you want to learn more about Verizon, follow the hashtag #VZWBuzz. It is a great community to learn about products, stay updated on live chats and engage with other Verizon users.
Disclaimer: I do participate in the VZWBuzz Community offers and opportunities for devices from Verizon Insider.
by Ace Concierge | Virtual Assistant | Jun 17, 2013 | Customer Service, Entrepreneur, Small Business
Sure, you have a business, but whether you sell a product or a service, you must provide SERVICE. What makes you so much different from your competitor that your prospects are knocking down your door? Or are they?
Solving problems is your real product not your widget or your services. Anyone and everyone does that. It is you, your service and your ability to meet the customer/prospect needs that will drive your business.
You already know that people buy from people. You are “people” not just your brand or your company. It is your responsibility to meet needs, solve issues and instill a level of comfort and trust with your audience. The buying decision occurs in the emotional environment.
“Too many business owners and sales people try to sell their product or service, neglecting the fact that their customer is a person. In fact, the customer is a person who has feelings, influences and a mind of their own. They want to be connected with, and to trust and believe the person from which they are buying.” Rebecca Wilson
According to their findings in a Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, Brand Keys Inc, concluded that the buying decision is 70% emotional and only 30% rational. “Emotional engagement is the pivotal key to successful marketing.” It is up to you to build an emotional, personal relationship with consumers, conveying trust, comfort and understanding.
Social media affords you the platform of being personal, getting to know your audience, their drivers and their pain points. It is up to you to create your reliable brand persona instilling trust and generating a comfort level and feeling of confidence with you and your company. Georgina El Morshdy outlines 30 Ways to Build the “Know, Like, and Trust” Factor that Grows an Audience on Copyblogger. “Your audience won’t pick up real momentum until you’ve mastered the “know, like, trust” factor.”
The relationship building approach works to consistently develop trust, loyalty and a foundation for a long term partnership. It takes time to build any genuine relationship but isn’t your customer worth it? Being in business isn’t just about the sale; it is about fulfilling needs, valuing your customer and providing impeccable service.
by Ace Concierge | Virtual Assistant | Jun 12, 2013 | Small Business, Time Management
How many hours do you spend online checking email, reading posts, searching for information, checking sports scores, reviewing competitors, tweeting, sharing content or setting up reminders? These activities are necessary but also very time consuming and at points, a distraction away from business. What if there was a simple tool to help you automate some of this work, have it delivered to your communication channel of choice and was at no cost to you?
Launched in 2010, “If This, Then That” is FREE service that allows users to connect 62 different channels with “recipes” to help optimize your business, your life and your content. You create triggers “if this” happens “then that” which is the action, pushes the data to your desired channel.
Sample recipes:
- Push RSS feeds to Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Buffer
- Receive a text message, email or phone call when a particular hashtag is posted
- Have Facebook or Instagram images sent to Dropbox
- Receive a text message if there is a forecast for rain
- Star a Gmail and have it delivered to Evernote
- Add Foursquare check-in history to Google Calendar
- Receive a text message for new Gmail notifications
- Send email attachments to Dropbox
- Send an email to IFTTT to call your phone if it is missing
- Automatically create a Twitter list of new followers to review at a later date
- Twitter keyword search to your email
- Schedule tweets using Google calendar
- Have ESPN sports scores and breaking news delivered to your inbox
As you can see, the possibilities are almost limitless. By creating your recipes, you will save time and be a little more productive and organized. It is one of my favorite tools, simplifying content curation and automating a few of my daily projects.
“Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can’t afford to lose.’” – Thomas Edison
How do you use IFTTT?
Image credit: IFTTT
by Ace Concierge | Virtual Assistant | Jun 6, 2013 | Social Media, Virtual Assistant
Managing your business can take an army and you can’t do it alone, but who should you trust to help you with your business operations? Your proprietary documents? Trade secrets? Login credentials? Client lists?
An established, entrepreneurial virtual assistant. You need a vested partner who understands what it takes to run a company.
You need a “weapon of mass production.” A virtual assistant will help you to effectively manage and execute your business dealings at a great cost savings too because you only pay for project time. There are no hidden costs, insurances, training, equipment or “benefits.”
A VA can be your brainstorming partner, your sounding board for your ideas and innovations.
A VA will seek out other vendors and collaborators.
A VA is your right arm and second pair of eyes for editing, proofing and creating documents.
A VA will help manage your calendar and appointment scheduling.
A VA is your researcher for content curation.
A VA keeps your ears on social media trends and analytics for your brand.
A VA enables YOU to focus on your core genius – the tasks that you do best.
A VA is your time manager.
What are you waiting for?
Isn’t it time you stopped doing all of the low payoff activities that demand your attention but don’t generate income?
