Archive for the ‘Outsourcing’ Category

Outsourcing is crucial for your business success. It’s just not possible for one person to run every aspect of their business by themselves.  The problem you might be experiencing is that you just don’t know what you should be outsourcing. I can’t answer that question for you but I can tell you what business tasks are popular to outsource.

1. Graphic Design
2. Affiliate Marketing Management
3. Social Media Marketing
4. Traffic and List Building
5. Blog Scheduling
6. Publicity Management
7. Article Marketing Management
8. Speaking Engagement and Research
9. Copywriting/Ghostwriting/PLR rewriting
10. Everything!

Specifically speaking, clients come to me to manage their publicity tasks such as: article and press release marketing, blog scheduling with basic html needs, speaking engagement and research.

Isn’t it time to take your ‘do-to’ list and start writing “outsource to Buckeye V.A.” next to some tasks? Let’s talk! Please email me at: buckeyeva (at) gmail (dot)com today!

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Stephanie Fish, owner of Buckeye V.A., handles many online marketing tasks for busy women entrepreneurs, like you!

Need to learn how and what to outsource specifically? Try Nicole Dean’s Outsource Weekly

Twitter: @buckeyeva

Facebook: Buckeye V.A.

Blogging is a great way to get started making money online – BUT – it’s work. (All good things come with some effort, right?)

The absolute worst thing a business blogger can do is to do nothing. Yet, that’s what happens to many bloggers when they’re first getting started. While waiting to get their blog just perfect, they do nothing and, instead, spin their wheels – stuck in one place.

Meanwhile, they get frustrated, their dreams fade, and they end up giving up before they even had a fighting chance. It’s sad, especially since many of them are talented writers, are passionate about their topic, and have a lot to share with the world.

So, what can a business blogger do to avoid this from happening?

Simple. Outsource.

But, what, exactly is “Outsourcing“?

Outsourcing is just a fancy word for getting someone qualified to quickly and efficiently do a job for you that you

1. don’t have time for,

2. don’t want to do, or

3. don’t have the skills to do.

But what can you outsource, and how? And, can you afford to?

All great questions. Here are 4 tasks you can immediately outsource for a modest price (and boost your blogging efforts at the same time).

1. Blog Installation and Optimization.

If you’re planning to blog, the one thing you’ll need is a web host. Why not choose a multipurpose web host that will also install your blog for you? MomWebs.com will install your WordPress blog for you. Why would they jump through these hoops? They want you to succeed so that you become a customer for many years. As part of their service, this web host will also recommend and install plugins for you for a reasonable fee.

There’s no point in getting paralysis by analysis. This is an easy decision to get over your first hurdle – actually getting your WordPress blog online and ready to roll.

2. Design.

One thing I outsource gladly is graphics. When I try to do my own, they look unprofessional and, downright tacky. When I pay a more talented professional to create my graphics, they look awesome! You can find a professional designer at Shelancers.com who can make your blog look snazzy – just look around. Of course, you can also search places like eLance.com, but I’d suggest that you ask for a recommendation from a friend (or even on Twitter) before going with someone totally untested.

3. Content Management.

Keeping your blog active with fresh content can be a feat in itself. BUT – there is a big secret that bloggers use to make their lives much easier. It’s called PLR content and it’s something that I’ve also used in the past.

What is PLR content? Basically, PLR articles are written by ghostwriters and sold at a very affordable price (usually around $1-2 per article) to multiple bloggers and website owners. So, as a blogger, you can purchase these articles, and stick them on your blog. Or, as I recommend, you edit them a bit before posting them to your blog. While PLR is not totally hands-free – it can help you to get over the hurdle of having to write all of the content for your blog all by yourself.

By the way, the place I recommend you look for PLR Articles is EasyPLR.com

Of course, you can save even more time by hiring Buckeye V.A.  to add the PLR that you purchase to your blog for you so that it’s waiting in there the next time you face writer’s block (as we all do).

4. Community.

Do you ever hear the sound of crickets when you go to your blog? How do some bloggers get such a conversation going while others seem to be talking to themselves? The answer may not be what you think. Another big secret of top bloggers is that they sometimes “seed” conversations with their own assistants and friends. Yes, they have commenters who are paid to come by and leave comments to keep the conversation going. Pretty cool, isn’t it?

While you don’t have to go quite that far, it doesn’t hurt to be “comment buddies” with some friends and help keep each others blogs active with conversation.

What Next?

Learn More about Outsourcing at my Recommended Resource. Outsourcing can be a big scary thing if you’re trying to figure it out on your own. So, if you’d like to learn more about how to Outsource in your Online Business, I recommend this course: www.OutsourceWeekly.com (You’ll see a free series of lessons on the top of that page.)

Contact Stephanie Fish for your outsourcing needs!

Online events are awesome for clients and experts, alike!

1. You can attend while sitting at home, at the beach or even while you’re exercising. What a great way to be able to learn from experts around the globe.
2. They don’t always bust your budget! Some are actually free.
3. You can get quality, real life advice from the expert.
4. You might actually get to pick the experts brain for no-cost at all.
5. No matter where your located at, you can reach your global target audience, besides,  clients are drawn to free teleseminars like bees to honey!
6. Teleseminars don’t have to break your marketing budget!

I”m sure you have your own unique reason for enjoying a teleseminar. Whether your attending as a guest or hosting the event as the expert, you need to make sure you do not walk away from the event with out:

• contact names and emails from the attendees with their permission to add them to your mailing list!

When collecting names and emails, make sure you:

1. Get permission to add them to your mailing list.
2. Plan on sending them a special report, something that has value.
3. Once you add their name to your mailing list, place a note inside the ezine body stating that you received their information at the “insert teleseminar name” so they can be reminded that you had permission to contact them.
4. Create a special mailing list just for this specific teleseminar, you can use this for your marketing plan.
5. Don’t drag your feet contact them! Time goes so fast, for everyone, but especially for internet marketers. So the sooner you contact them, the more likely they are to remember you.

Do you have any other useful suggestions to add to this list?

Like I always say: “Today’s Marketing brings Tomorrows Success”. So don’t put off communicating today to your potential clients and customers. You offer them something they need, they just need help finding you!

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Stephanie Fish, owner of Buckeye V.A. enjoys helping clients manage their online marketing. Contact Stephanie today, to find out when she can help you with your online marketing.

Article marketing is the act writing and submitting quality content that will educate your target market. When writing your article there are a few tips that you will want to incorporate into your article writing to insure you have success with your article marketing campaign.

You have mere seconds to capture a prospect’s attention. One of the single most powerful tools you have to accomplish this task is your headline. There are several keys to a compelling, and selling, headline and a few tips to help you get the job done.

#1 Tap into Your Prospects’ Emotions

According to psychologists our buying decisions are based first and foremost on our emotions. Use headlines which offer your readers a strong emotional benefit or reaction. Some possible emotions are:

For example, The 20-Minute Step that Will Make You a Business Genius taps into readers’ desires to feel smart and powerful.

Other emotions you can tap into are a desire to feel:

1. Attractive
2. Sexy
3. Assertive
4. Confident
5. Energetic
6. Pampered
7. A sense of belonging
8. In control of their own destiny
9. Wealthy
10. Proud
11. Respected
12. Safe

#2 Make it Active

To compel it’s important to use active language – language that shows movement and commands attention.

For example, “Stop Your Sugar Cravings Today With This Simple Step,” is a fine headline however it doesn’t command action nor does it really tap into any emotions. However, “Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step.” Conquer is an active and emotionally powerful word. Readers receive the benefit of feeling powerful and in control and it commands action.

#3 Let Your Reader Know They’re Important

The word YOU is a very powerful word. It let’s your reader’s feel as if you’re talking to them specifically and interested in solving their problems, issues and helping them achieve their desires. Instead of using I, Me or We in your headlines, use You. Using the headline example above compare the two options
“Conquer Your Sugar Cravings With This Simple Step.
“Conquer Sugar Cravings with Our System”

People want to know what’s in it for them and when they can assess that information in the headline, they’re going to be compelled to continue reading your copy and making a purchase.

Here are three more ideas for powerful headlines:

* Make a promise – Earn $1000 a day
* Make it newsworthy – New program guarantees you’ll earn $1000 a day.
* Ask a question – Do you want to ensure your financial future?

Three Simple Steps to Write Headlines That Sell

So now you have some ideas about what types of headlines sell, how do you begin to write those powerful headlines?

Step One – Get to know your audience intimately. What are their hopes, dreams, desires, and problems? Understanding your audience will help you create an emotional and powerful headline directed specifically at your audience.

Step Two – Determine how your products or services are going to make your prospects’ lives better or solve their problems. For example if you sell fitness equipment and your audience struggles with feeling attractive then you can create a headline that highlights a specific benefit your fitness equipment offers to solve that problem.

Step Three – Write ten to twenty, yes twenty, possible headlines. Not only will this give you practice writing compelling headlines, it’ll help you hone in on that perfect headline. And if you think you have a few winners you can always test them for conversion rates to find out which headline is more effective.

Marketing and copywriting experts consider your headline to be the most import element of any effective marketing piece. Take the time to craft a compelling, and selling, headline and you’ll reap the benefits for years to come.

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Buckeye V.A. is currently booking clients that are looking to save their time and money by outsourcing to an experienced and professional Social Media Manager and Marketing Assistant. Please contact me today to see if my services are good fit for you or your clients.

PS.  If you’re looking for a copywriting course, why not try Copywriting Sweetie Course & Software

I love to sew, that is my hobby and was once a means of income for my family.  There is a local fabric shop that I love to visit whenever  I’m inspired to start sewing a new project or need a creative outlet.

Today I received their newest brochure (snail mail brochure) and they have a list of upcoming classes. The brochure designer did a great job at making the  brochure visibly appealing: simple to read, included some colorful pictures, and organized information, they left out some very important information.

• The upcoming classes to do not have a RSVP date or contact website or phone number
• The store that send the brochure did not include their contact phone number
• The store does not list their website URL
• I can not find them on any social networking website, such as Facebook!

There are all important business information that a business owner should include on any of their mailings.

To your success!

Stephanie Fish, Buckeye VA

P.S. I can create your Facebook Fan Page, Twitter Page and LinkedIn Page

If your website isn’t helping you make more money or grow your clients/customers, then contact me today to get started on your outsourcing tasks!

Have you ever taken the time to research your niche online? It’s an interesting and grounding experience when you do. Even though you are unique, when you are looking at your niche like the rest of your audience does. like through a Google search, you see that you are not so unique after all. That is, you are not “standing out in the crowd”. There may be one million returns on your niche or you may be on the first page of google, but how will you capture that potential clients attention? Better yet, how will you gain the trust of that person?

There are a few tried and true internet marketing techniques that the experts have been using to reach out to their potential clients, not only for marketing purposes but also to build a relationship. Perhaps, you may find some or all of these tips useful for your business as well.

1. Article Submission – Article marketing works. But make sure they are able to find your article by using your keywords/keyword phrases in your title, first paragraph and Author’s Box. Also, use an unique url in your Bio to invite your readers to a specific area on your website that pertains to that specific article.

2. Press Release Submission – Make sure your Press Release is newsworthy and submitted to only the specific newspapers that your target market readers read. Taking the time to research what your target market reads will bring you a ROI (return on investment).

3. Teleseminars – You have two choices; either host your own or you can send a request letter to some possible Joint Ventures.

4. Networking Online – Create a Facebook Fan Page and make a point to converse with your friends on a regular basis. Build those relationships.

5. Networking Offline – Join your local entrepreneur club, Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters. Seek speaking opportunities in your community.

6. Newsletters - Share your expertise instead of selling it. Make your newsletter something that your audience wants to read every time you send it.

7. Outsourcing – Have your virtual assistant help you with a campaign, or manage some of your business tasks to help you get and stay on schedule.

8. Podcast Radio - You can host your own podcast and seek to interview others. You can create (or outsource to a virtual assistant) a letter seeking to be interviewed.

9. Video Marketing- Give a testimonial about how your services helped a client or better yet, ask one of your clients to send you a video testimonial! An upcoming event that’s sure to be seen as a must-attend for your clients. Don’t forget to add your opt in page url and perhaps your facebook and twitter connection information.

10. Volunteering- Volunteering in your local community and online gives you an opportunity to build relationships with others that you may not have met otherwise. You may be permitted to wear your business logo attire, which is a great way to market your business.

Each of the above internet marketing techniques should have a call-to-action, meaning, you need to invite your readers to take some type of action to communicate with you. Such call-to-actions can be:

• Leave a comment on your website/blog
• Join your forum
• Share their thoughts about your newsletter
• Connect with you via Social Media
• Buy your products or use your services

The more interaction you have with your readers the more likely they will come to know and trust you enough to become a client and refer you to their colleagues.

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Stephanie Fish, owner of Buckeye V.A. is a social media marketer and online marketing assistant for small business owners who are ready to stand out in the crowd. Stephanie works with life coaches, authors, virtual assistants and work at home parents who want publicity for their online businesses. Being over worked is no fun, try outsourcing to Stephanie to know first hand how freeing it is to outsource your marketing, learn more here http://www.buckeyeva.com/services

We see all kinds of products for stretch mark removal, in the physical realm, but what about the business realm? Did you know your business has stretch marks? Maybe this isnt’ a real pretty picture to paint, but it gets the point across.

Stretch marks show growth and if your business is growing there should be proof. What steps are you taking to insure that your business is growing?Think back to the first year in your business, you didn’t really have any task to outsource. You probably didn’t have a need for a bookkeeper or an accountant.Now think to your second year in business; you feel the “time crunch” on certain tasks, you can’t keep up with your own record keeping, you don’t have time to write your own articles anymore let alone submit those articles to all of the submission directories.

Now you’re into your third year of business, you find that you really need help and NOW! But where do go to find help? What do you begin to outsource?

Besides doing your basic internet research for “virtual assistant” or “virtual assistance”, why not ask fellow entrepreneurs and online business owners for their recommendations. You can visit virtual assistant forums and see what virtual assistants are frequenting the board.

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Stephanie Fish owner of Buckeye VA www.buckeyeva.com offers a one time 30 minute consultation to new prospective clients. To request your consultation to see if my services can help your business grow, please contact me by email at buckeyeva@gmail.com

Today is Day #9 of a 10 day series entitled :

“10 Reasons to Market Your Business with Articles”

Outsourcing (delegating) a minimum of 5 hours of article marketing per month can benefit your business.  Perhaps if you have a better understanding behind the “why” you should be marketing your business with articles, then this task will never see the end of your to-do list again.

Day 9: Free Advertising Space?

Once your article is published by an article directory, it should be seen as a living piece. In other words, once a target client reads what you have to say, that person may copy it into their ezine or on their website for their readers to read, that equals to free advertising!

So basically, once you submit that article, its “out there” for all the world to see..over and over and over again! Take this one step further and let your readers know that they can use your article but they have to leave it “as is” and not change it in anyway (this info can go in your resource box.)

Oh, and if you are contacted by someone that has used one of your articles to educate their market, make sure to thank them! Virtual hand shakes can go far.

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Please contact me, today, for a free 30 minute consultation to see which service your business needs

Today is Day # 8 of a 10 day series entitled :

“10 Reasons to Market Your Business with Articles”

Outsourcing (delegating) a minimum of 5 hours of article marketing per month can benefit your business.  Perhaps if you have a better understanding behind the “why” you should be marketing your business with articles, then this task will never see the end of your to-do list again.

Day 8: Pre-Sell Your Services or Products

Article marketing allows you to pre-sell your products or services. You don’t even have to meet face-to-face in order to sell your business. By article marketing on a consistent basis, your message will be read by your potential clients. Those potential clients then follow the link in your resource box, come to your website and hopefully sign-up for your mailing list. Maybe they will also contact you for more information about your product or service and want to place an order. You never know who is going to pick-up your article!

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Please contact me, today, for a free 30 minute consultation to see which service your business needs!