Entrepreneur Tips from IVAA’s Best – Speakers That Make a Difference

Join us at the IVAA Online Summit http://online.vasummit.org/ and learn from some of the most amazing speakers. Here are just a few of the tips you’ll hear.

Create strong but easy to remember passwords by replacing letters with numbers and symbols – use @ instead of a, 0 instead of o, and $ instead of s.” – Justin Ryan
A multi-VA business model extends your services and increases your income! You never turn away clients because of lack of skill or time with a multi-VA business model. – Cheryl Callighan
They need to feel like they are #1 on your list! Now, this isn’t about them being your only client – as most of us have multiple clients that we are “juggling” each day. However there are simple things you can do to make them feel like they are #1 on your list… one of my favs is: If it’s a quick little task, just reply to the email saying ‘this is done’. This is especially important in the earlier stages of working with a new client, where it is important to build the trust that can only happen when they see you completing tasks. This also lets the client cross things off their list, and not have to chase you down to ask ‘was this done?’ when in fact you did it a few days ago already. – Tina Forsyth
Because the Internet as a whole changes so quickly we have to think of marketing on the Internet as a new concept. So the definition of online marketing at any given moment is the NEW online marketing because it will definitely be different 1 year from now and most likely be different even 3-6 months from now. This is an important concept to be aware of and will greatly influence your marketing plan. In the IVAA summit I will talk about how as a virtual assistant you can always be on top of the ever-changing digital climate for both your business and your clients. Specifically using a key marketing technique called Hybrid Marketing. – Melinda Janicki
Rate increases are a normal process for any business. Don’t be afraid to raise your rates regularly; it’s the only way to maintain a solid, profitable business so you can be there when your clients need you! Jeannine Clontz
Whenever you create your content, always ask yourself “In how many ways can I use this?” Then ask “In how many other ways can I use this that I have not thought of until right now?” ~ Jeff Herring
Automating some aspects of your social media marketing can be a great help; but you have to use caution with automation – too much and you will appear fake. People can see through many of the auto posts. If you are not online and participating as well as the automation, then people will not be as interested in engaging with you. The # 1 item to automate when setting up your social networking profiles is your blog. Your Blog can be linked effectively to your Facebook Page, Twitter and Linked In. Doing this will save you time in the long run because every time you publish a new blog post – it will auto feed to those other networks. In order for people to read more, they will be directed back to your website – a prime goal for most people when they jump into social media marketing. – Kathy Colaiacovo
Actively participate in your ideal client’s industry forums and social media sites by thoughtfully responding to conversations, without being ‘salesy’. Adding value to the conversation will give you an opportunity to stand out and be remembered. Include a clever signature line, where possible, which works to drive people to your website. When potential clients are looking to partner with a virtual assistant, you will often come to mind. – Pam Ivey
When attending conferences, don’t try to stick to the schedule in your head. Sometimes the best things happen when you just let them happen. Candy Beauchamp
Leverage WordPress’ content management possibilities and get the most marketing mileage out of your website. Learn about how WordPress categories, tags, RSS, plugins and your chosen layout theme can be used to maximize your site’s visibility and utility. – Linda Dessau
Use the best places to get the best results in your marketing. – Spend your time and money wisely and not only will you see more results, but lots more clients as well. Keep organized and repeat things that work often. You’ll soon have a system down pat that will ensure your success. – Diana Ennen
Blogging used to be a voluntary exercise for the thick-skinned. Now
it’s mandatory. Better work up your calluses.” “In 2010, a web presence is mandatory for any business to be taken seriously. Blogging allows anyone with internet access to create and maintain their own site, though some help may be required in the detail area.”

“Back in the early days of blogging, attracting and keeping a following
was relatively easy. Now, the sheer volume of people using the medium
means that blogging your way to a huge following takes time, creativity,
and persistence, just like any other marketing venture.”

“Consider blogging the 21st century author’s albatross and shoulder it.
If given a choice between blogging and writing my novels out in
longhand, my arthritic hand and I would choose blogging without a second
thought.” – Angela Render