What Are Virtual Assistants? January 17, 2009
Posted by Laura A. Lee in Business Services, Company, Virtual Assistants.Tags: Business Services, Laura A. Lee, VAS, VASupports, Virtual Administrative Supports, Virtual Assistant
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Virtual Assistants (VAs) are becoming the wave of the future for businesses, whether they are small startup companies or large corporations. VAs are even becoming more popular for individuals planning weddings, parties or need help with their personal finances.
A VA is someone who provides office support from an off-site location. Each VA has different niches and services that they offer.
Generally, Virtual Assistants have their own business. This is a great benefit for companies who contract with them because the Virtual Assistant is vested in their company and is dedicated to your company as it directly impacts theirs.
In 2007, it was estimated that there were between 8,000 and 10,000 Virtual Assistants worldwide and they vary in costs anywhere from $20 to $75 an hour depending on services provided.
Virtual Administrative Supports charges a flat rate of $30 an hour for all services provided. Additional discounts are available on retainer contracts and for referrals.
Email Marketing January 10, 2009
Posted by Laura A. Lee in Email, Marketing.Tags: Business, Email, Email Marketing, Follow-Up, Laura A. Lee, VAS, VASupports, Virtual Administrative Supports
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Email Marketing: This requires permission. Start a sign-up where potential customers can receive email updates, discounts, and information about your company. Although you may be tempted to request a full name, company, mailing address, phone, etc, most people are extremely protective of their information and are not open to giving you all of the information. In all reality, all you really need is their first name and primary email address. Requesting piles of information turns away high numbers of potential customers, so start with just the basics.
Did you know, on average, a person needs to see something 9 times before accepting or buying into it? Wow! That’s a lot of follow-up! That is why an email marketing system is an easy way for you to keep your company in front of the prospects. It is low-cost, time-efficient, and effective. Just think, if you were to individually follow-up with each of your prospects, how much time would it take to send a personalized email, make a phone call? It would consume your day, but an email marketing tool is an automatic follow-up.
But what about the personal touch, you may ask? Well, that’s why we ask for the first name. Include the first name in the email. Tell a brief statement about you personally – people really enjoy learning about you. It gives them the sense of knowing you, which increases the probability of gaining their business. It’s the KNOW, LIKE, TRUST FACTOR.
