Virtual Assistant Outsource Administration

 
 
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Have you ever been to a networking function and found yourself amongst those you wouldn't normally network with? I have and so have many of you I imagine.

So do you suffer through the time or do you work it?

If you suffer through the time or even leave, you've not only wasted your time but you've wasted an opportunity.

Remember, networking is based on 6 degrees of separation. Even though these networkers may not fit with what you were wanting, take the opportunity to educate them about your business and arm them with your business card, because, guess what! They may pass your details on. 

Jenn who trawls networking groups for sponsors may not be your ideal networking partner but what if you told her about your business and something great about your product or service and gave her your card. She will undoubtably contact you in the future for sponsorship (which by the way you can say No to), but what's more is that she may be at her next networking function and someone says in passing that they need a business to do what you do and lo and behold, but Jenn gives them your business card.

How simple is that!
 
 

Patrick McFie recently sent out a group email to all members of the Linkedin group NZ online Start-UP community regarding 'guidelines' around posts about marketing or traffic building.

Doesn't matter what you do when you pull groups in on the internet you will always be subject to spam or be inundated with masses of promotional offers (which I think is spam).

Whats worse is that one feels obliged to email everyone about it and telling all to stop it! What a waste of time. 

Those that agree will listen, but lets face it they are the ones that don't do it. And those that have done it will move on to the next group because lets face it, its the 'internet' and they've already achieved what they wanted twice over because you've now just written about it.

So what can be done? Depending on where you are, you can moderate your members and even your messages. Takes time to moderate and if your group is well set up, its worth it.

So whatever you are doing on the internet, remember;
- Once its there, it is there!
- Giving everyone a telling off doesn't achieve much so don't bother.
- Setting a guide that all can view is a great idea.
- Moderation works!

 
Don't be a Twit! 07/07/2009
 
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Ever said something online and received a not-so-nice response? Digital media (emails, blogs, tweets, online posts etc) don't carry your emotion or your expression and sometimes this means that the reader, doesn't get what we are saying.

This can be rather frustrating, so have a plan in place. 

- read your posts / emails / tweets etc before you hit send
- review your work objectively, from different aspects
- be prepared for responses; good and bad
- never retaliate, always respond, show the world your professional

And above all, when you can, moderate responses.... this way you review them before they go live... unfortunately not possible on twitter... 

 
Twitter 01/31/2009
 

When I first joined Twitter approximately 4 weeks I had no idea what I was in for ... a waste of time or not?

I believe "or not". Not only have I widened my internet knowledge but I've also come across some fantastic people and knowledge that is useful to my business.

Its been fascinating building my followers (163 now) and following others. Reading short bursts of information that mostly I've not taken any notice of but managed to find some real gems amongst them.

I'm still struggling with contributing every day although others who've been doing this for some time don't have any issue and even contribute from functions or while they are out and about.

My journey of social networking has to be one of the most fascinating things I've done in a long time.

 
 

For the last half of this year I have been testing social networking sites. I've found that you can never know too many people. I have a new division in the pipeline and suddenly thought where on earth am I going to get the people to man this service if it takes off over night... well, I know several hundred people now through business social networking sites, so I'm confident I could build a team fairly quickly.

Not only that I've had the opportunity to really showcase my business and the services we offer.

Setting up was a bit time consuming but now I spend half a day on my blog, newsletter (this takes the most time) and keeping up with the social networking sites I belong to. I ensure I contribute as much as I can too.

And now, I've gone one step further. I am the host of a new Business social network for New Zealand businesses. So if you are a NZ business, join up. The site is just starting and like any networking site it takes time to build the network. So first in first serve for the expert positions. www.vbiznz.co.nz.