Virtual Assistant Outsource Administration

 
 
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Heather McDonald a fellow administrator posted a blog last week 'stick to your knitting' which got me thinking...  How much do I do and how much can be outsourced and why haven't I done it!

Heather talks about her wordpress website and I too have a website I created myself using weebly.com. Why did I do it myself? I had actually outsourced this but the relationship between myself and the web company didn't gel or progress as I'd like and in sheer frustration I whipped it up myself. I do have 'outsourcing the website' on my business plan in the future though.

So I think when you are in small business you do need to take things on yourself until you are in a position to outsource. No point outsourcing to me if you haven't the funds to pay me. No point setting up a website that's going to generate 150 hours of work a week when there is only you. 

It's all in the planning and execution.

If you decide to create your own website, I suggest you use www.websitegrader.com tools and marketing papers to support your project. I also suggest you put an entry on your business plan at what point will this be outsourced and why. What are you going to achieve by outsourcing and how will you measure the performance of the site.
 
 

One of my clients asked me what Admincorp's policy was on giving away information. Basically I said we give as much as we can. That is as much as we can to get the prospect or client started. Individuals are becoming increasingly savvy at navigating themselves around the basics of functions whether it be on the internet, within software or a task that needs to be performed.

So in essence the basics of any task will get someone started. Invariably tasks become more complex and further skill is required. If you have provided the basics for free to someone it is likely that when they require further skill or the need to outsource the task, they will seek your service.

Don't rely on the fact that they will call you though. Your competitor may ring them at that moment that they do require further skill. So do keep in touch and just keep touching base to see how they are going.

 
Free CRM 12/10/2008
 

When it comes to customer relations management, ideally a software package does it best. Even better, one that is online means you can access it from anywhere.

A one stop place for all your contact with clients and prospects can make your business life much simplier. Gone are the days when these packages were too expensive, because this one is truly free.

Obviously being free, it will come with a fair share of adverts too. So if you want to customise and get rid of the adverts, you can upgrade for approximately $15 per month. A fantastic option for a small businesss that doesn't have a spare few thousand lying around.

So if you can get yourself around software with a bit of trial and error, you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll be underway. On the flip of the coin, if you are techno phobic, please get someone else to do it for you.

Click here to try for yourself.