Have you heard the news?
The Alliance for Virtual Businesses (A4VB) had its 1st ever “Break It Down Mini-Series” event the first part of December. And was it ever a hit! Attendance was huge and those present went away with many new tips on how to work with and how to use WordPress.
As a follow-up to our previous events, the #A4VB has scheduled February’s session, “Adding eBay Skills to your VA Services”.
In this webinar, Linda Anderson, eBay Education Specialist, will show you some things you can do to add ebay skills to your VA services. Which may help you to get new clients.
You’ll also have a chance to ask questions. You’ll even be able to share your own tips and suggestions with attendees if you want. We’re still taking names so register now.
Thursday, February 2, 4-6 pm (EDT)
I recently read an article by Robert Middleton entitled “Prove You Are the Solution”, and it struck a cord with me because many Virtual Assistants (and other virtual professionals) proclaim they are the solution to a client’s problem or promise to produce certain results, but never get the opportunity because they haven’t convinced the potential client during that initial conversation.
Proving It!!
There are some very simple tools you can use during the initial conversation or during the interview process to prove you can produce the results you promise. Mr. Middleton suggests that you be able to answer the following questions:
“How does this work?”
“Will this work for me?”
“How long will it take?”
“Is that really possible?”
“Who else has done it?”
Offering Success Stories
While these questions may not apply to your particular scenario or the problems presented, an easy way to showcase your expertise and abilities is to share success stories and offer testimonials from satisfied clients. Success stories should at a minimum include the following elements:
A description of the client’s situation or issue
The solution you provide to resolve the matter
Outcome, as a direct result of your involvement/contribution
By providing real examples, you demonstrate your expertise and skills in understanding clients issues, solving problems and contributing to the stability, growth and/or development of the entrepreneur’s business.
Testimonials
Testimonials are one of the easiest ways to document your expertise and ability to prove you get results! A simple strategy to obtain testimonials is to “ASK”!
Send your existing customers an email and let them know that their opinions are important to you. Ask them to give specific examples of ways that your company has helped them in their business.
Offer to post links to their site directly from their testimonial. They will get extra traffic to their site just for telling the truth about their experience with your company!
By showcasing success stories and testimonials, prospective customers become more confident about your ability to produce the results you promise.
What About You?
Do you have other ways you showcase your abilities to potential customers? Please share them with us here.
A popular, proven strategy that builds brand identity, increases recognition as an expert amongst peers, and helps label you as an influential source in your target market is article writing. However, if you are unsure of the topics that would resonate with your potential customers, or are unaware of resources to help develop an article marketing campaign, I have identified 5 proven strategies that can aid in creating an article writing funnel that can consistently generate topics of interest specifically for your target audience.
1. Surveys: Hidden Source of Story Ideas
3 or 5 question surveys can garner a wealth of information useful in developing new products and services, marketing opportunities, good will and feedback from current and prospective customers. Responses can be used to develop story ideas, providing relevant subject-matter information that can be used in article, service and product creation.
2. Blog Hopping
Develop ideas from other sites’ content. Frequently visit your favorite or the most popular blogs and see what people are talking about. Is it controversial? Can you offer a different perspective? Can you create an article around the topic? Once you develop your article, link back to the originating site. Don’t forget to leave a comment on the site’s blog and let the owner know you stopped by and have expanded the conversation on the topic. You will drive more traffic to your site and increase readership.
3. Analyze Your Blog
Review your own blog and determine which postings receive the most views and reader comments/feedback. Develop a short series on the topic(s) to entice return visits. Use your social media outlets/networks to promote the series and increase blog signups. By giving readers want they want, you will develop loyal readership and capture those all important email addresses.
4. Article Directory Goldmine
Running out of ideas? Visit article directories and read articles written specifically for your target audience. Develop a new “take” on the article’s theme or select an important point, and write about it from your perspective. Article directories are excellent sources for staying abreast of popular topics and you can use them as a starting point to express your opinion and share insights with your ideal audience.
5. Web 2.0: Social Media Opens Doors
Social media venues such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, etc., offer unfettered access to topics, opinions and experts on literally any conceivable topic. Search these sites for resources and various comments that stimulate your creative writing processes. Create a swipe file of ideas, so you will an ongoing repository of new potential subject matter.
It may take a few months of article writing to really benefit from these tactics, and you may be too busy to implement all of them at once. However, the more options you choose, the greater opportunity to increased visibility and nurture brand creation. As more readers visit your site or interact via social media connections, the greater your opportunity to increase traffic, leads and profits.
Relationship marketing is the process of attracting, maintaining, and enhancing relationships with key people. It is the establishment and coordination of lines of communication between two or more parties.
Recently, I had another opportunity to take charge and solidify relationships. Read more
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