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| www.itsvirtuallydone.com |
E-mail Kristy: ezine@itsvirtuallydone.com
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An ezine of invaluable business tips for independent business professionals.
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In This Issue: Welcome! |
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Welcome to the first issue of The Virtual Edge. It
contains great information you can use whether you are a home-based entrepreneur,
independent professional, small business owner, or you just like to play
on the computer. Topics will often revolve around:
- Your PC (tips and tricks)
- Software (reviews/recommendations)
- Book Reviews (reviews/recommendations)
- Marketing (networking tips, getting noticed)
- Business Management
- Web
- Free stuff and more
There just might be information about the world of virtual assistance too. If you like what you see, please subscribe below!
Does your small business need a Web site?
This article discusses factors for and for not having a Web site.
Factors not to have Web site:
- You have all the customers/clients that you can use (are you sure?)
- Your clientele doesn't use the Internet much (do they live in a cave?)
- No part of your business relates to the Internet (in this day and age?)
- The cost would eat up your marketing budget (there are options)
- All your customers are by local word of mouth referrals, drive-bys, or walk-ins (now you've got me).
Factors to have a simple Web presence:
By simple Web presence, I mean a site that is one to two pages, not fancy, but professional looking and informative that tells clients critical information such as:
1. Phone, fax, address
2. Location (including a link to MapQuest or Yahoo Maps)
3. Hours of operation
4. Expanded description of your services
A Web site like this might remain static, and just be a resource for your customers. It might make the difference between selecting you over another similar business that doesn't have a Web site. I know a few Internet snobs who will only do business with those who have Web sites.
Imagine meeting someone socially, or at a networking event, and there just isn't time, or it isn't the right venue to promote yourself. Give them your card with your Web site address, or send them an email with the link to your site.
Another factor to start a simple Web presence is that you intend to expand in the future and want to grab your domain name now. Rather than having an undesirable "under construction" sign or giving free advertisement to your domain registrar on your URL, uploading your picture and some basic information about your business is preferred. You'll be glad you did.
I'm your assistant, and I'm not here to help you
I'm not here to help you? Yes, that's what's great about having a virtual assistant (VA): she's not in your way. If you're so busy that work is falling through the cracks, you need a VA to help you with your administrative tasks. Contact me at ezine@itsvirtuallydone.com.
If you forget to open your calendar program each morning first thing, then you are not alone. Here's a free reminder program for you because it starts when you turn on your computer, so those reminders are staring you in the face. (If you don't turn off your computer each night or you are a non-Windows user, then wait till next month's tip--sorry.)
The program is called MyAlert. You can set reminders to be a one time thing, monthly, or annually. The program will remind you from 1-7 days in advance. The program shuts off after delivering your reminder thereby not using memory.
Try this handy program: www.citruscounty-fl.com/free.html
And, if you don't like the default Desktop icon of a horse's head:
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right click on the icon
- select properties
- change icon
and select the yellow clock instead!
Next month, look for the following topics:
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Keep your computer purring
- Learn about another free program that saves you typing and prevents typos