Be Heard, Expand Your Reach with social media

Be Heard, Expand Your Reach with social media

Mar 17, 2021 | Social Media

Communication is not just about relaying information to the receiver. The reason we take our time and speak or write down a word is that we expect it to have an impact either on us or the other party through feedback or other responses. Without feedback or seeing change, we can never be sure if our communication was effective and we were heard. Communication is effective when we listen attentively to others and in turn, they listen to us. Most importantly, it should bring relevant results to show that we were heard clearly.

But, what if you find yourself among ‘loud’ people and you find that your voice drowns in theirs? When not heard, we tend to pull back and keep to ourselves or try other ways to draw attention to ourselves. When we feel ignored, hurt and damaged relationships follow while being heard makes us feel validated and valued. However, it is also possible to be heard but not realize it because we did not get the feedback or response that matched our expectations.

The person on the other end could be trying to communicate too and is yearning to be heard. Therefore, we need to stand on neutral ground as we communicate in order to be in a position that allows us not to think only of ourselves and our interests but also the possibility of getting the unexpected, and new insights. This enriches the communication process while it helps us grow.

How can we be heard and expand our reach using social media?

 

  1. Define your target audience – understand who is likely to find your information useful and make your presence felt as you work on getting followers or building relationships. Understanding your target audience and their needs will also help you know the appropriate social media platform to use to reach them and the appropriate time to try and reach out to them. Use different ways of packaging your message to cater to the needs of various characters within your audience by using both text and multimedia.

     

  2. Build your account – you need to make yourself known. Engage with people, follow them back, and be visible. The more your followers see your content and your other activities, the more they start looking forward to seeing more of you on their timeline. Post as frequently as possible and ensure that your content is good enough to make a lasting impression. This can be confirmed by the number of shares and engagements on your posts.

     

  3. Avoid egocentrism – as a human being it is easy to feel like you have the most valid points, have achieved a lot and people have a lot to learn from you. Content that’s reflective of excessive interest in oneself and self‐praise can be a turnoff to readers. It does not add value to their lives and may feel like nothing other than going through someone’s personal diary. It is okay to share a story about your life here and there but that works better if your audience has something to benefit. Make it about your audience and their needs and wants.

     

  4. Keep your message simple but captivating – how we use language in communication is very important. The main point in communicating is ensuring that your audiences get the intended message. However, we sometimes try to show off our language skills and use jargon which may confuse our readers or cause them to lose interest especially when they do not have the time to look up the word from the dictionary. Be clear and to the point but try not to be boring.

     

  5. Let your followers know that you are listening to them too – do not just post and leave. Your followers may have questions or valuable information to share with you. Engage with them and show that you appreciate their time and efforts. Take time to follow their posts where possible and join in relevant discussions.

     

  6. Authenticity – check your facts before you share your content. People will seek to understand what you are trying to communicate and also try to verify it. False information can make people question your true intentions which can ruin your reputation if you are lucky enough to not fall victim to cyber‐attacks. It will also help you to show a willingness to learn and admit where you misunderstood some facts and correct your mistakes.

     

  7. Be patient – there are vast amounts of content screaming for attention on social media. Most people, including those who logged in to look for useful information end up looking for entertaining stories instead. It might take time for your account to be noticed especially if your focus is not entertainment. However, people will eventually give you the needed attention if you stay present, post regularly, and appreciate other people’s posts. It is also important to identify your audience’s preferences and repackage your message based on them without crossing your boundaries if things do not seem to change.

We would love to hear your thoughts on being visible. Share in the comments!

~Tracey

P.S. Join us in the She Grows Virtual Facebook group today!

 

Basic Business Attributes, Do You Have Them?

Basic Business Attributes, Do You Have Them?

Feb 22, 2021 | Marketing

How many times have we heard the saying “we learn from our mistakes”. I have to agree with this saying, and also that the lessons we learn hardest we learn best! I have learned a lot from my mistakes, sadly (for me) most of them were made before the Internet existed as the fantastic networking tool it is today. Today it is possible to read articles or join a forum and get great advice (and not so great advice) from forums. 

While it is great to learn from our mistakes, it is better to learn from the mistakes of others, or by ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’ as Newton said.

These are my ‘business mistakes’ I have learned from.

1) Keep your monthly fixed costs as low as possible, and make your number one priority to arrange an equal amount of regular income on a regular monthly basis to cover this amount.

If there was one piece of advice I would give it would be the above, as more businesses go bust due to poor cash flow than anything else!

2) Thoroughly research and bounce off other trusted people, your idea. Market test it as much as possible while keeping the idea as quiet as possible.

3) Get a business plan on paper (not the sort that the bank or enterprise agencies use as they are by and large a load of rubbish (although you will need this for the bean counters). Go to (1) above, and set in stone a solid plan for achieving this. After you hit break-even continue it on to the next target, and so on.

I just used the magic word there, ‘target’. you MUST be sales orientated in business as the owner, if you are not then you are failing in your main duty which is to ensure the continued existence of the business.

4) Do NOT care what others think about you, i.e. what car you drive, etc. ALL of this will change if you stick to the plan and keep your focus on short term targets and longer-term goals.

I just tripped another magic word in business ‘ Focus’.

5) Keep your focus, decide what the targets are, work out how to get them, and focus on doing that. If you need £1000 a month to pay the bills, then this is what you MUST do. If you lose focus of your core objective, you are going to lose out big time, and end up failing.

If you doubt the power of focus, then try this test:-
Get a friend to hold 3 tennis balls in their hand
Get the friend to throw all three at you in one go
Try to catch the balls
Repeat three times. I bet you will not catch many if any at all.

Now get them to throw them again, and this time focus on catching one ball.
Repeat three times
Now you will have caught one ball three times.

It is true in business that you must focus on the core objective, just as with the balls once you catch one, you move onto the next until you have achieved all your goals or at least your most important ones.

Of all the skills needed to succeed, I would say that focus is up there with the top 3 along with enthusiasm and determination.

7 Strategies Guaranteed to Increase Your Productivity

7 Strategies Guaranteed to Increase Your Productivity

Feb 15, 2021 | Time management

Have you ever felt exhausted at the end of the day, knowing you worked your butt off and yet wondering what the heck you actually accomplished or, worse yet, wondering why nothing has been crossed off your “to-do” list? It’s frustrating, to say the least.  What was your productivity? Did you get the important things done at least?

Here are seven strategies guaranteed to increase your productivity…and I don’t use the word “guaranteed” lightly!

1. Most “To-Do” lists are useless.

There, I’ve said it,  and those time management companies who insist we make lists and put pretty-colored “A”, “B”, and “C” identifiers after tasks, will have to deal with it.

The reason why, quite simply, is that tasks have start times, but no end times. If you make just one change, do this: Put a start and an end time for everything you do and watch how much you get done! An even better way is to use a time management system like Asana.

2. The right “tools”

You need to have a schedule – one where YOU purposefully script out those things that are your priorities for the day and you ensure that nothing “bumps” them. I have a schedule for each day, week, and for the year, so if a client asks me to attend a call or visit his office, I know what I’m doing and I’m prepared for productivity.

Your schedule should include those things that you need to do every day until you have built a routine around them. I prospect every day. Not some days, not most days, but every day and it was only by having it on my schedule that it got done. It’s now a routine that I rarely miss. Again, I use Asana to keep track of it.

Another critical tool is Evernote. When I have something I want to discuss with a client, I start a note with the client’s name and date on it. That way when we do have a meeting, I’m ready. I just open it up…..and I take notes ON that note. That way all my information is right there. And when I’m ready I can put it into Asana and map it out time-wise.

3. Ask this question.

What is the most effective use of your time RIGHT NOW? How can you increase your productivity?

For those rare times when you haven’t scheduled your time, ask yourself the above question and then follow through with working on the answer. You will dramatically increase the quality of the work you do.

4. Know your worth.

How much money do you want to make this year? If we assume that you work 8-hour workdays and you will earn $50,000 this year, then each hour is worth $25.61 and every minute is worth $0.427.

Do you intend on making $100,000 this year? Then double the above figures: every hour is worth $51.23 and every minute is worth $0.852.

So for every workday hour that you waste, you have lost $6,250 on a $50,000 income and $12,500 on a $100,000 income.

5. Delegate, don’t bow out.

As an entrepreneur (or aspiring entrepreneur) who now knows the value of his time, you recognize that it is worthwhile to delegate those activities that you either aren’t good at or dislike.

While delegating is critical to the most optimal use of your time and energies, be sure not to rfuse responsibility for those items. Keep a running list of the tasks you’ve delegated and check in with that person. You can put it on your calendar…or again, use Evernote or Asana.

6. Post your goals.

Having your goals posted provides consistent motivation on why you are doing the things you are doing. 

Want an extra kick in the pants? Post a picture of that new car, new home, or dream vacation. Seeing the reason you are working to meet your goals will provide your subconscious with extra motivation to get the job done. This helps increase your productivity.

7. Keep a success journal

Success “journals” can be done in several ways. You can simply keep a written record of all your successes or, you can follow Arnold Palmer’s method: he had a table wherein he inlaid his golf medals and, when he placed one medal in the table, he had a new hole grouted for the next, as-yet-to-be-won medal. Always looking ahead, always anticipating the next success.

Remember this: time can not be replaced. You can replace money, you can replace clients or projects. You can not replace time. Use it wisely.

If you are looking to outsource any tasks, be sure to reach out and see how my team and I can support you!

Customers: The Key To Successful Marketing

Customers: The Key To Successful Marketing

Feb 8, 2021 | Marketing

How well do you know your customers?

What is the primary reason your customers or clients come to you? Or purchase your product or service? What is the Number One problem you solve for them? Do you know? Are you certain? If you don’t, your marketing could be missing the mark, and you could be missing out on sales.

Uncovering Your “Key Selling Point”

This is the Single Marketing Message that is the central message in all of your communications about your business, product or service. It can be difficult for small business owners to determine what their single marketing message should be. Why? Because they are too close to their business. And, because they are viewing their business from their side of the desk.

Keeping your marketing customer-focused can be a challenge

Even if we know we should be looking at our business from our customers’ perspective, it’s often easier said than done. As a result, it is easy to get caught up in all the amazing features of our product or service and the reasons we THINK our clients are attracted or are buying.

But sometimes our vantage point is clouded by our own perceptions and beliefs. And those perceptions and beliefs may be inaccurate. So how do you pinpoint the real reason customers are attracted to your product or service and the true reasons they are choosing to buy?

There is an easy way to stay on track

Very simply, YOU ASK THEM! Okay, I know it seems obvious, but you’d be surprised how often we don’t think of the obvious.

Your prospects and customers (and yes, even your rejecters — those who visit but don’t buy) can provide great insights about the benefits they value most in your product or service and why they chose to buy.

Whether you have a lot of customers or only a few

You don’t have to have a large customer or prospect base to do some research to see if you are on track. Even if you only have a handful of clients or customers, contact them and ask them what they like most about your product or service.

Talk to your Clients or Customers

(1) What is the one thing that got them to purchase?

(2) Have you delivered on that promise?

(3) What do they like least about your product or service?

(4) How could you improve your product or service?

(5) What else (in your business category) do they have a need for?

(6) How else could you help them be successful, be happier, or solve whatever problem your product or service solves for them?

Talk to your Rejecters

If you choose to survey rejecters (which I have done very successfully for years for one of my clients) find out why they DIDN’T buy.

(1) Ask them what product or service they bought instead of yours? And why?

(2) Ask them what that competing product or service offered that yours did not?

(3) Ask if there is anything you could do to get their business in the future? Product or service changes, additions, deletions?

Talk to your Prospects

Do you have a list of prospects — those who have expressed an interest in your product or service but have not yet purchased it? Perhaps they have subscribed to your newsletter or ezine.

(1) Ask them for feedback on your newsletter or ezine content.

(2) What topics are they interested in learning more about?

(3) How can you help them to be more successful, happier, etc?

(4) Find out what they want and who they are

And in all three cases — Clients/Customers, Rejecters, and Prospects — if it seems appropriate, ask for a little information about who they are. Age, gender, profession, where they live, how much they typically spend in your product or service category.

This will help you get a better understanding of your target audience and you’ll know if you’re attracting the kind of people you thought would be interested in your product or service. And if you need to change your marketing strategy to reach a different audience, or to perhaps change your target audience.

It will help you better serve them

The more you can learn about your prospects and customers the better you can serve them. And the more effectively you can market to them.

You may be in for a surprise

I’ve had clients tell me they thought they knew why people were buying from them until they asked. And what they heard surprised and shocked them.

Very often what you hear can help you zero-in on a Unique Selling Proposition that you never thought of. And because it came from the mouths of your customers you know it is compelling and effective.

Don’t change everything based on a few opinions

My only caution is if you only have a handful of customers or prospects to survey, don’t make any major changes or decisions until you are able to validate your findings among a larger group of people.

Or at least test any changes you do make before making a final decision to overhaul your entire business or marketing plan. Common sense is the rule here. Just use your own good judgment and don’t over-react to comments made by only a handful of people.

You can ask in a number or ways – Choose what works for you

There are a number of ways to collect research from your prospects and customers. You can telephone them, email them, mail them a written questionnaire, or you can meet with them in a group (called a focus group) to collect their opinions.

You can be as formal or informal as you feel comfortable. Typically the larger number of clients you survey, the more formal the survey. If you have only a handful of people to talk to, simply pick up the phone and call them.

Don’t be afraid to ASK

Don’t be afraid to ask for opinions on your products or services or how you can serve your clients better. What you find out could be extremely valuable in helping you to build and grow your business.

Don’t forget to say “thank you”

You will also want to consider offering an incentive to encourage your prospects and clients to participate or respond. A bonus, such as a special report, or a discount on a future purchase is a nice way to show your appreciation for them taking the time to respond to your survey.

Without customers, you have no business. How do YOU get to know your audience? Share in the comments.  AND come join us on Facebook: She Grows Virtual.

 

How to work with a virtual assistant

How to work with a virtual assistant

Feb 1, 2021 | Outsourcing, Virtual Services

A virtual assistant: is someone who provides various services to entrepreneurs or businesses from a remote location.

I have been a virtual assistant for over 11 years. There is a lot of benefits to hiring an assistant. They work on an as needed basis. You only pay for the time you use(at least that is how my team is.) You don’t pay for vacation time, benefits, equipment, office space or bathroom breaks …lol.

Something to consider when you are working with a VA(virtual assistant) is services are not on-demand. Usually fairly quickly and efficiently, but they are working for not only you but probably several other clients as well, so they have to manage their time to be a successful VA.

This to do:

  • Make them a part of your team if you have one. If you don’t have others who work for you, then make sure they know how valuable it is when they can take the tasks you hate doing or don’t have time to do, and get them done.
  • Give them a company email. Google Domains is great for this.
  • Set boundaries. Let them know your hours and find out when theirs are as well. Share with them their decision-making power.
  • Set expectations. Be VERY clear on what you expect from them. Make sure they know when you want tasks completed. If they aren’t aware of the due date, then they may put it behind other tasks on their list.
  • Know that the first 4-6 weeks is a learning curve on both party’s account. Everyone works differently. You have to learn how to work with each other. It is not always a smooth transition, and give everyone grace as it is moving forward.
  • Always be ready to answer questions. Every entrepreneur does things differently. Some just little things, some huge things. VA’s are not mind readers. But they must feel welcome to ask the questions so that they can produce quality work.
  • Have regular meetings. OR be open to them. Maybe you won’t need them weekly. But at LEAST once per month. This keeps everyone on track. Things are less likely to slip between the cracks when you do this. Zoom is a great way to meet and have it feel personal.
  • Keep the lines of communication open at all times. (We use Slack for our team and a few clients!)
  • Be respectful of their time. If you plan a meeting with them, they have blocked that time off. So if you cancel last minute, especially repeatedly, that is not valuing their time.
  • This one is VERY important….YOUR emergency is NOT your VA’s emergency, in most cases. We try to go above and beyond as often as possible, to prevent these. But again, we are not mind-readers. Urgent things come up. And we will do our best to accommodate for them. But it doesn’t ALWAYS work out that way.

What is your biggest concern when hiring a Virtual Assistant? Share in the comments! Also, join us in our Facebook group: She Grows Virtual, where we support female entrepreneurs and help them to grow online.