linkVirtual Assistant Inc. Free Video Course 7: Video Course Recap
Calls to action for each of the services mentioned in previous courses (Facebook, Twitter Marketing, SEO, etc.), pitch opportunity to subscribe
o COURSE 1 - Introduction
o COURSE 2 - Most Outsourcing Ventures Are Full of Baloney
o COURSE 3 - Cheap Labor Will Cost You More
o COURSE 4 - What About My Business? How Can I Be Sure This Will Work For Me?
o COURSE 5 - How Can I Get More Business?
o COURSE 6 - Creating and Maintaining Your Audience
Hello, and welcome to the seventh and final installment of your Virtual Assistant FREE Video Course. In this video, we're going to be re-capping what we discovered and discussed in the previous 6 videos.
In video 1, I shared with you a little of my history and how I came to form Virtual Assistant Inc., my Business Process Outsourcing company that I've cultivated into an ongoing, continuously growing business. Through strategic planning and intuitive forcasting, I have been able to maintain flexible control of my time, which allows me to focus on effectively managing the here-and-now while planning for future growth.
In video 2, we looked at how choosing the wrong outsourcing ventures can put a huge burden on you and your business. I have personally experienced the woes and horror stories that many of us only read about or hear about in the news. It can be challenging to take that first step into the perceived unknown... for fear of being taken advantage of, the uncertainty of dealing with remote assistance, and the concern for quality work. Let me show you how I overcame the trials and tribulations I faced during my journey.
In video 3, we looked at the pitfalls of using cheap and non-qualified labor in your business, and how it can actually wind up costing you more in the long run. The temptation to hire based on low price point is something we all encounter, and unfortunately many of us fall into that trap; it's definitely worth researching why prospect A may charge higher rates than prospect B for the same service, because what seems like a great deal at first may leave you with empty pockets in the end.
In video 4, we looked at ways using a Virtual Assistant can and will benefit your business. What are some of the most common concerns involving remote business services?
Lack of Physical Presence?
A common myth is that one has to be physically present in order to be coached or trained effectively. That may be true for some professions - like skydiving - but we're talking about skilled personnel who are chosen to perform the work because they are already qualified to do so, and have the capacity to quickly learn the nuances of your processes.
In today's business world, we're often so engaged in telephone conversations, texts, burrowing through emails, and other general "busy work" that we barely have time to look away from our computer monitors or desks, even trying to conduct business while driving down the road… which often becomes the most ideal "workspace" for correspondence with your VA, to help remove the busywork from your day so you can focus on your main objective.
Unfamiliarity with the Service Provider?
With the growth of the Virtual Assistant industry, there are now more instances of business process outsourcing than there used to be; as trends go, becoming a virtual assistant has reached popularity among career choices for many people. Unfortunately, though, not everyone maintains the mindset or skillset required to become successful doing it; that is why it's important to make sure your Virtual Assistant is well educated, competent, and qualified to perform the tasks you assign him or her.
Concerns regarding Performance?
Can a remote or virtual assistant provide the same quality as the local employment pool in your area? Most certainly! In fact, it has been my personal experience that properly qualified and wisely chosen virtual assistants can produce higher quality and more efficient results than hiring locally in many cases.
In video 5, we looked at a couple of methods to increase your business using the power of the internet.
The only way you can realistically expect to boost your business is if your target audience is able to find you when they search for the types of products or services that you offer - this is true online or offline - if you don't make your presence known, people won't know you exist.
How do you inform people of your services? On the street, it's word-of-mouth, radio ads, tv commercials, newsprint, billboards, and other forms of traditional media; when it comes to traditional media, cash is king. It's no secret that radio and television commercials cost money to make and broadcast, and you can always tell what someone's advertising budget was by the quality (or lack thereof) of their commercial.
So, not only have you shelled out a small fortune on a commercial you're not proud of now that you've seen it about 100 times… you're only reaching the audience who watches that particular tv channel, or listens to that particular radio station… and it's difficult to track the metrics of who saw or heard your message and came to a buying decision, unless they specifically tell you.
Ahh, the power of the Internet! Advertising online can increase your exposure to a MUCH broader and accurately targeted audience, exponentially increasing your income potential and building your reputation on the web - as well as your local market. You have complete control over your advertising, site content, updates, and you can monitor your site traffic accurately.
But in order to achieve that prime visibility - at or near #1 of Google's, Yahoo's, and Bing's search results, you'll need to implement an effective Search Engine Optimization strategy; consisting of keyword research, competitive analysis, link-building, and other tactics to get your site to the top of the search results.
Another strategy that nowadays goes hand-in-hand with good SEO practices is Social Media Marketing. Social Media, such as Facebook, Twitter, blogs and forums, and other online social interaction venues, are the hot ticket to spreading the word. The Web has become more transparent, and social community interaction is a very powerful marketing tool; word-of-mouth is now digital, and media-infused… just look at how many became famous because of YouTube!
In video 6, we discussed how you can maintain the attention and the loyalty of your audience after you've acquired them.
There's a very simple yet effective formula to gaining your audience and keeping them happy - in fact, it's so simple, it consists of just 4 words:
• Listen - Firstly, listen to your audience; let THEM tell YOU what they want.
• Identify - Identify your audience's needs, their concerns… what keeps them up at night?
• Communicate - Communicate with your audience; remember to not talk to them, but with them.
• Deliver - Once you've effectively identified the needs your audience has conveyed to you, and have offered your solution to their needs, you can now provide tangible deliverables that will satisfy them and continue building your rapport with them, creating a strong relationship that will thrive as long as you maintain it.
Thank you for watching our Free Video Course, brought to you by Virtual Assistant Inc. Please feel free to check out our other videos and information materials for more tips on how you can grow your online identity, and stay current by joining our Social Media channels.
