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5 Easy ways to source social media content for your business

5 Easy ways to source social media content for your business

by | Jul 30, 2020 | Business, Social Media, Virtual Assistant

One of the most common headaches business owners face is what kind of content to share on social media. Or they are simply finding themselves stress because they’re putting pressure on themselves to come up with new content all the time.

Headache be gone!

When it comes to content, we fail ourselves as business owners. Why? Because we are currently spending 80% of our time creating new content, but only 20% sharing our content. We should be spending 20% creating and 80% sharing (and re-sharing) content.

Here are 5 ways you can utilise previous content you’ve created for your social media.

  1. Previous content/posts

Keep copies of content and images from previous post and don’t be afraid to reuse them. Very rarely do people go through a business’ content from 2 years ago, therefore if it’s still relevant re-use it. Even content from 6 months ago is reusable, or last week. If you have a series of images you use for people to sign up to your mailing list, then re-use it at least once a week, and more if you’re posting more than once a day.

  1. Blog content

Most blogs should have a call to action, which could be signing up to newsletters, booking in discovery calls, purchasing a product etc. Re-share your blogs, especially if relevant. Take snippets of the blog content or write an intro and add a call to action, such as click on the link for more, or you could share the whole blog. If you’re blog was an article of tips, just like this one, copy a tip and tell readers to click on the link for the more tips. Use different images for social media to re-share old blogs (if you’re not comfortable using the same image).

  1. Expertise Categories

In business, we all have niche areas, and under our niches are categories we specialise in. For example: in my coaching business, I am a coach who specialises in intuition, alignment, boundaries, balance and boundaries. Therefore, I would share content around those 5 areas.  As a virtual assistant, I specialise in social media, newsletters, blogging, productivity/systems and online management. Again, I would share expertise content around these areas.

  1. Testimonials / Feedback

Feedback sells, often when someone is searching for a new product or service, they check out what others have said about it. You might have testimonials on your website, in emails or have had awesome comments on your social media platform, use these to share with your audience. Feedback on your service are big sellers.

  1. Hints of things to come

Entice your audience with some of the projects you’re working on, or perhaps the blog you’re writing about this week. Tease them with what is to come. Perhaps if you’re making a new product take a snippet image of it and ask them what they think it is.

It is okay to share and re-share your content. Don’t be afraid to do so.  

If you’re making a branded quote for the week’s content, then why not make a whole heap of them for the next couple of weeks or months and save yourself time and effort. This is BULK acting.

Don’t be afraid to pre-plan your content, and then if additional items come up add them in. By pre-planning and scheduling your content it enables you not to feel so panicked that you haven’t posted anything or having come up with content.

If you’re struggling to create the time to manage your social media, then let’s chat about how I can help you manage this. Contact me today.

How to set up your Mailchimp Account

How to set up your Mailchimp Account

by | Jul 21, 2020 | Business, Mailchimp

Mailchimp is the All-In-One integrated marketing platform for small businesses, to grow your business on your terms. It’s free for your first 2000 subscribers, it enables you to use it’s automation functions for signs and sending welcome emails. It integrates with your website.

Some of the functions Mailchimp offers are:

• Sending Newsletter Campaigns
• Creating Automation Workflows
• Creating Landing Pages
• Creating Websites
• Posting to Social Media

It integrates with wordpress, zapier, slack and canva. And 300+ others.

It provides reporting analytics to enable you to enhance your campaigns.

You can sign up here.

Getting Started

Thing you’ll need in order to get started:

  • As Mailchimp is a web-based application. You will need to have an internet browser.
  • You'll need to provide an email address that will be associated with the account you’re setting up. As you’ll need to verify and confirm your account and URL.
  • Your Mailchimp username must be unique, and cannot be reused.
  • You will need to provide a mailing address, I would recommend using a PO Box for security purposes especially if you do not operate your business from a physical premises.
  • All accounts start on our Free plan, so you don't need a credit card to sign up.
  • If you choose to purchase add-ons or upgrade to a paid plan, you will be able to pay these via credit card or paypal. 

Sign up for an account

Click here to sign up. It’s important to note that when you sign up you are agreeing to terms of use and anti-spam regulations.

Type in your Email, Username, and Password, and click Get Started!

A confirmation message will appear advising you to check your inbox to activate your account set up .

 

 

Activate your account

When you receive your account activation email from Mailchimp Client Services, you can complete the account setup.

Click the account activation link in the email. 

 

You will need to confirm Humanity screen, check the I'm not a robot box, and click Confirm Signup.

 

 

Sign up for an account

Click here to sign up. It’s important to note that when you sign up you are agreeing to terms of use and anti-spam regulations.

Type in your Email, Username, and Password, and click Get Started!

A confirmation message will appear advising you to check your inbox to activate your account set up .

Activate your account

When you receive your account activation email from Mailchimp Client Services, you can complete the account setup.

Click the account activation link in the email.

You will need to confirm Humanity screen, check the I'm not a robot box, and click Confirm Signup.

The signup process

In setting up, Mailchimp will ask for required information. This information enables them to provide content that is relevant to you and your company's needs, as well as to help make sure your account is compliant with our Terms of Use. In this section, you'll learn how we use this information.

  • Name
  • Email Address
  • Organisation Questions
  • Organisation Name
  • Website URL
  • Physical Address

After you type in the information, follow the prompts to finish the process and log into your new Mailchimp account.

To busy to be doing all this yourself, then why not have your Mailchimp Partner assist you. Simply click here.

Learn More About My Mailchimp Services
Determining when you are ready to hire a Virtual Assistant

Determining when you are ready to hire a Virtual Assistant

by | Jul 20, 2020 | Business, Virtual Assistant

You have started your business and you are finding yourself faced with people advising you to ‘get a virtual assistant’.   I personally don’t think you should, and here is my why.   If you have not worked in your business conducting all the day to day functions, how will you determine what you love, hate, need assistance in doing or simply don’t have the time to do yourself.

Whilst having a virtual assistant on your team is a great asset. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend bringing one on board at the start of your business.

In my years in business as a virtual assistant, on many occasions I have been hired by business owners/entrepreneurs in the making, wanting me to manage various tasks from administration, social media, blogs, websites and newsletter, as they have anticipated increase volume in workload. Even though they aren’t at that stage yet. Or it may be that they have a new product or services launching and anticipate a high volume level of work for them and their virtual assistant.   Whilst I do truly wish their dream came to fruition, sadly it’s rarely been the case. As a result I have seen them have to admit they don’t have the funds or the work requirements for a virtual assistant, at this point in time.

My recommendation is to allow the work to flow in, and the demand levels increase so you can 1) learn how your business operates, and 2) clearly identify what functions would be best outsourced so you can utilise your time more effectively and efficiently in your business.

In saying the above, please note that if you don’t have the skill base or the capabilities/time to learn new programs, then of course outsource these functions to an expert. If you have the time to learn, then take the time to learn! (You’ll feel empowered conquering them.)

A virtual assistant, if available for your business, is generally ready to come on board and start immediately. You are better to get to the point in your business where you are ready to off load a higher volumes of work or the work you don’t want to be doing because you have more than enough work and the finances to fund having a virtual assistant on your team.

If you are at the point in your business where you are ready to outsource, and want to know more about what types of things you can outsource, then please sign up here for my free opt-in which is a starting guide on what to outsource.

How to clearly communicate your expectations to your Virtual Assistant

How to clearly communicate your expectations to your Virtual Assistant

by | Jul 17, 2020 | Business, Virtual Assistant

I commonly hear business owners who have used virtual assistants previously before knocking on my door, mentioned how their VA went on a tangent doing things they hadn’t asked for or failing to communicate to them.

Communication is an essential tool between any business relationships.
If you have had a failed VA relationship or keen to start working with one, but not really sure on your what, who and how, here are some tips to assist you to creating the perfect relationship with your VA.

#1 Outline the task

Don’t assume they ‘get what you mean’. Be detailed in your description, the more familiar and longer they work with you, the trust will build and a clearer understanding of how you both work will develop. When starting out with a new VA, you need to be as detailed as possible, otherwise you’ll be pulling your hair out. Don’t just ‘tell them’ what you need, follow it up with an email.

You have heard people say ‘yes I got it’ and discovered they were completely off track. The English language is very interruptive. It is better if you can give examples.
More experienced VAs will know what questions they need to ask you. But newbies will need more guidance from you.

#2 Explain your preferred communication style

Having previously worked in the corporate world for Managing Directors, Chief Financial Officers and various General Managers. No two were ever the same in how they liked their work done and communicated. Some were self-sufficient, some old school and some just confused relying on me to tell them what to do.

So it’s important you advise your VA how you like to work and how you like to be kept up to date, and this should be done in your initial phone call with your potential VA. The reason is some VA prefer to work certain ways and if you’re requiring an alternative to what they prefer, then you may find your working relationship deteriorate quickly (and that is not what you want).

Types of communication streams you may prefer;

Your VA to just run with it and advise when completed, only asking questions when needed.
Communicate every step of the way so you know exactly where tasks are. You can use programs like ASANA (which is free) to help manage this, and is beneficial if your VA is working on multiple projects.Alternatively if you have multiple team members. It’s an effective communicating tool. Other alternatives are TeamWorks and BaseCamp. There are plenty of others, some free and some paid.

Communicate a strict guideline. No work is to be done ‘outside’ the specified task, unless asked first. Or that a task must be done within a certain number of hours, if they have reached those hours then to discuss with you first before proceeding any further. This is advisable especially if you are budget conscious, however a VA should advise you if the work is exceeding the perceived time.

Ways to communicate;

You can use online software programs as mentioned above, ASANA, Basecamp & Teamworks.

You may wish to have a face-to-face meeting with your VA on a regular basis, especially if you don’t want your inbox clogged. This can be done via Skype, or if the VA is local by meeting up at a location suitable to both parties. (Note expect to pay for their time and travel, as they are in fact working for you during this time.)

You may simply prefer to receive an email from them regularly on how projects are progressing.

#3 Conduct a regular review

Whilst you may feel this is tedious, it is in fact beneficial for your business. You may find your VA, or you could be, doing something that the other party doesn’t like, is confused by, or they may have a better suggestion to improve the system. Having a regular review enables both parties to highlight any concerns, praise what they love and be clear on where they’re heading. You are effectively wanting your VA to be your life long team member, so set it up correctly from the start.

#4 When communication is breaking down

Sadly, I hear this one all the time, and it does disappointment that some (not all) business owner goes sourcing other VAs without actually communicating with their current VA what their concerns are. 9 times out of 10, the VA has no idea they’re not happy.

If you are having issues with your VA, TELL THEM! Explain what your concerns are, and how you would like to see things improve. A VA is a business owner, and isn’t going to want a client being dissatisfied with their services, they are quite likely thinking you’re happy with their performance as you haven’t made them aware of your frustrations.

And of course, if their performance doesn’t improve, move on and find a VA that suits and meets your needs.

Remember, that any experience with a VA whether good or bad, is helping you in your own business identify what works and doesn’t work. No experience is ever a waste, it is educational.

 

If you're ready to work with a virtual assistant, or online business manager (like me), contact me today. 

10 reasons why you should hire a virtual assistant

10 reasons why you should hire a virtual assistant

by | Jul 15, 2020 | Business, Virtual Assistant

We, as business owners, are always trying to manage it all, especially in our start up phrase of business. Managing it all can have a detrimental effect in the long run. Why? We can easily become consumed with doing all the backend work ourselves, in turn chewing up our valuable time that we could be focusing on our business growth. Establishing your foundations from the start is a great way to ensure as you grow and build your business, you are on solid ground.

 

Many people become consumed with money, and the ability to afford a virtual assistant. However, did you know you can hire virtual assistants to work within your budget range. If you can only afford 1 hour a week or month, that is completely okay. Just make sure you are utilize their time on important tasks you need done, rather than just any old task.

 

Here are 10 reasons why you should be hiring a virtual assistant;

 

Time – getting your time back. Whilst a virtual assistant attends to your backend requirements, you can be focusing on clients or business growth.

 

Value – it’s more cost effective for your business to hire someone to attend to your administrative or online content management, than you.

 

Cost – hiring a virtual assistant against what your charging clients is a more cost effective avenue. You may be charging say $200 an hour, and hiring a virtual assistant between $30 to $50 an hour. You are making $150, doing what you love and know your business requirements are also being attended too.

 

Budget – you can hire help at a budget amount, just determine what your budget amount is. You might start at 1 hour a month, or a week, and then as you grow your hours with your virtual assistant can grow.

Expertise – Virtual Assistant specialize in certain industry or skills, so bring to your team a valuable resource.

Manage – A virtual assistant can manage your day to day, along with specific projects or even your teams.

Growth – some virtual assistants are more than just virtual assistants. For example, I’m also a business coach and life coach, and help businesses strategies their social media and business growth opportunities. So I have more understand of what your business needs are and should be.

Reporting – a virtual assistant can update and maintain daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly report for you, no boring tasks for you to do.

Customer Care – One of the biggest downfalls business owners make is getting caught up in administration, there customer care falls down. A virtual assistant can manage your customer care so your business reputation remains prominent.

Sanity – Yes sanity. Often business owners become so overwhelmed trying to keep on top of everything that they end up feeling completely overwhelmed. Having the right virtual assistant to support them helps eliminate this.

 

Finding the right virtual assistant is vital, as your relationship with them is what will help your business and you grow. 

 

If you want to learn more about how to prepare yourself and your business to bring a virtual assistant into your team, click here and receive my free ebook outlining all you need to know.

 

 

 

60 Inspirational Australian Women Quotes

60 Inspirational Australian Women Quotes

by | Jul 2, 2020 | Business, Inspiration, Life

Be inspired by 60 Australian Women.  These ladies are from all walks of life, from stage & screen, to golf and politic. I hope you find them as inspiring as I do.

“A woman of style is a thinking woman”

Claudia Karvan

“You got to try and reach for the stars or try and achieve the unreachable.”

Cathy Freeman

“There is no monopoly on becoming a millionaire. If you’re jealous of those with more money, don’t just sit there and complain. Do something to make more money yourself – spend less time drinking, or smoking and socializing and more time working.”

Gina Rinehart

Our future growth relies on competitiveness and innovation, skills and productivity... and these in turn rely on the education of our people.

Julia Gillard

I think there is nothing sexier than laughter lines.

Isla Fisher

Be eager in your desires but humbly patient in their accomplishment.

Mary MacKillop

We are limited only by our thoughts.

Miranda Kerr

Perfection is unattainable.

Jen Daltz

When you have a dream you have to work hard to achieve that dream. Your dreams when you are young can be the force that keeps you going.

Evonne Goolagong Cawley

You have to make peace with yourself. The key is to find the harmony in what you have.

Naomi Watts

I think where men are credited for being strong, women are divas. I just think it’s such a cop out.

Natalie Imbruglia

Cooking is hard work, but when it is done with love, it really is a pleasure.

Maggie Beere

If we don’t band together as women to help each other, we won’t move forward.

Nicole Kidman

You can choose not to be interested in politics, but you can’t choose to be unaffected by it.

Penny Wong

Stop leaving and you will arrive. Stop searching and you will see. Stop running away and you will be found.

Anne Geddes

Some ideas, like what you’re going to do with your life, take time to form.

Cate Blanchette

You are free to think thoughts of worry or joy, and whatever you choose will attract the same kind back to you. Worry attracts worry. Joy attracts joy.

Rhonda Bryne

Success flows when you throw yourself in and have a go – mistakes and all!

Emma Isaacs

My life is my own and I will live it fearlessly and daringly.

Lisa Messenger

The only limitations are the ones we put on ourselves.

Ita Buttrose

It’s not vanity to feel you hae the right to be beautiful.

Elle McPherson

When you find your passion, that is the pathway to the job of your dreams.

Lisa Wilkinson

I think women out there should just be happy with the way they look, they shouldn’t really try to conform to any kind of stereotype. Just be happy and hopefully healthy.

Rebel Wilson

I used to get stressed out, but my cancer has put everything into perspective.

Deltra Goodrem

I’m not someone who thinks about the past. I’m so busy thinking about what I’m going to do today.

Maggie Tabberer

We must get to work on creating a safe and equal society for all women and children.

Natasha Stott Despoja

This journey that I’ve been on has shown me that it doesn’t matter how big your muscles are – you need to have a big heart and you need to have a strong attitude and mindset.

Turia Pitt

If I can do it, so can you, and by the way confidence is contagious.

Janine Ellis

In life, you may face hard times. But in the face of adversity, always seek to remain positive. What we think, will eventually become our life. And if we think positive, you will have a positive life.

Sarah Wilson

All I can give you is my personality, who I am, what my mum and dad have taught me, and music.

Jessica Mauboy

You should never apologize for who you are and what makes up your world and your life. You should always ask for help when you need it.

Donna Hay

If you’re good at it, you can win.

Dawn Fraser

You must stand as guard at the door of your own mind and choose to be positive.

Gail Kelly – Westpac (CEO)

I think for most people it’s hard to understand what it is about swimming – I mean it’s such a solour endeavour.

Stephanie Rice

I made a promise to myself that I would.

Kate Cebrano

Work-wise, it's been really good to have a break

Sarah Murdoch

There are so many people out there who will tell you that you can’t. What you’ve got to do is turn around and say ‘watch me’

Layne Beachley

Life with a newborn is beyond exhausting. You have no idea what to do. What I learned is that the hard times come and go.

Natalie Bassingthwaigthe

You need to work out how much you need to pay in wages and rent and have back up plans if things don't go the way you think they will.

Hayley Lewis

Everyone has determination - it's a question of how you use it. Hers is based on power and success and conquering; she doesn't care what she has to do or who gets hurt in the process. In that way we're very, very different.

Dannii Minogue

We Believe that every human being has the right to be healthy. We provide people with logical, reliable and ethical information and tools that are not constrained by society, falsehoods or damaging technology.

Cyndi O’Meara

It is better to do what you love for work, but if it is your day job that enables an unpaid passion, then your life is still sweeter. What is important is that you make time for your dreams, not whether or not you get paid for it.

Tara Moss

The body achieves what the mind believes.

Lorna Jane

I want to tell people that family violence happens to anybody, no matter how nice your house is, no matter how intelligent you are.

Rosie Batty

Dream a little dream.

Meagan Hess

You are not selfish about anything. You become selfless, if anything, and it's a love you have never felt before. Your life becomes all about them and what you do revolves around them. I love it.

Megan Gale

Loyalty, kindess and compassion are very important in friendship and business partnerships. I like to think I have those qualities, too.

Jennifer Hawkins

To be happy is, I guess, the most important thing in life.

Princess Mary

I’d sit at my computer and try to pull away from myself, because I was like, ‘My dad’s going to read this!’ I just giggled the whole way through and thought ‘maybe I’m not the best person to be writing sex scenes’. And anyway, you can imply it.

Zoe Foster

The ocean humbles you. You can go and win a world title, but you're never going to beat the ocean.

Stephanie Gilmore

I still can't believe that I've achieved what I have. It's like I've lived a dream for about five years now.

Karrie Webb

I want to get the national talking about brain cancer.

Carrie Bickmore

Yes, you can have it all, but not all at the same time. Set your own priorities, trust your gut and follow your heart.

Quentin Bryce

The silence of loss makes the noise of life music to my ears.

Jessica Watson

My most amazing discovery was becoming a mother. It changed everything. I can't imagine my life without these little beings.

Deborra-Lee Furness

To be driven by passion is more likely to bring success than to be drive by money. It's an unrealistic notion that money makes you happy.

Carolyn Creswell

It's okay to have fun in business.

Naomi Simson

It's not vanity to feel you have the right to be beautiful.

Elle McPherson

Please remember that life is precious, and you are precious and treat yourself accordingly.

Dr Libby

If I feel confident in something, I don’t care about what someone thinks.

Jesinta Campbell