Know, Like & Trust Factor

Posted on April 12, 2016 by Collette 1 Comment

business-1049272_640In the spring it will be the nine-year anniversary of starting my business, and it has me thinking about how far I’ve come. Like any other business, it’s taken time to get out of the red and into the black. Most businesses stay in the red for three years at least. The same can be said for networking and becoming known as a valuable service provider.

Many years ago, I decided to be as involved with networking as possible. At the same time, I kept my attention on a few main networks. In this way, I zoned in on the people I was building relationships with. Networking takes time and effort, and sticking to a few of them keeps that process simple and more effective in the long run.

The three primary platforms I benefit from are VA Networking, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Recently, a lot of people have been viewing my LinkedIn profile, recognizing me as a sought-after provider, and asking me more questions. The experience has been amazing!

Now that I can reflect on what’s brought me to this point, I can share my advice with you. Focus on your networking but keep it minimal at the same time. Don’t join so many that you spread yourself too thin and can’t truly concentrate on the individual people. You’re building connections, using personal attention. It’s better to be a great asset in a couple networks than be barely heard or known in many of them.

I’ve discussed in previous articles how vital it is to have an accountability partner. I connected with mine through VA Networking, and it’s a big reason I enjoy interacting there. That’s where my audience is. You need to be where your audience is. A web designer, or a manufacturer, wouldn’t benefit from VA Networking. They would need to find their own appropriate network. Don’t just go where everyone else goes. Facebook works well for many people, but I’ve never had much luck there. With Twitter, however, I’m starting to make more connections. Again, be sure the ones you choose relate to the purpose of your business.

It’s pretty cool when you realize you’re becoming known in your industry! Are you becoming known? What are you sought after for? Feel free to share your comments!

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Team Creating More Than Just a Website: Virtual Team 360-004

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Collette Leave a comment

MaAnna Stephenson is a geek who can still speak in plain English and helps non-geeks create sites that get noticed by search engines and readers, are secure, plus convert, and perform well.

As an old coder, she  enjoys keeping on top of site security and performance. And  delights in hearing the relief in a site owner’s voice when they put her qualified set of eyes on their site to make it safe and running at max with a Site Audit.

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Website

BlogAid https://www.blogaid.net

Social Media

 

 

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Lost My Mojo On A Roller Coaster

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Collette Leave a comment

abendstimmung-937403_640I just returned from my trip to Disney World and the time I spent with my family was wonderful! It was especially nice connecting with my two teenagers and how they still appreciate being with their parents. During my time away, I tried to soak in the memories and enjoy things in the moment. It was a great trip that I’ll treasure, and I’m glad that my business helped make it possible.

Speaking of, now it’s time to get back to business! As I’m trying to adjust and get back into the swing of things, I’m realizing that I am still on a roller coaster. It takes time to establish a routine and to create processes that keep things running smoothly. I want my business to be run as efficiently as possible, something I’m sure that the rest of you want as well. I do apologize that I haven’t kept up on my blog posts the way I want to. I’m getting there!

So, for the next few weeks I’ll be focusing on one goal. I’ve always been very goal-oriented. It keeps me focused and motivated. It’s so important to set up something I can look forward to. I’m taking my time deciding what the right goal is. It needs to be within my reach, but not too easy to attain. The challenge is vital. I encourage you to do the same. Brainstorm ideas, write down several goals, then choose a small one to start with. Work your way up from there. Even though we have big ideas for our businesses, we have to be willing to take small steps. Patience and consistency is key.

Success is not about how much money you make. It’s about deciding what you want from your business, setting goals, achieving them, and being able to say you reached exactly what you wanted to. You’ll gain momentum from the sense of pride you feel.

Now I want to ask for help in getting off the roller coaster. Together, we can figure out how to become more effective. I’ll be here, continuing to help you grow your service business with subcontracting. As always, I want to hear from you. Leave a note or send an email if there’s something in particular you want to hear about, whether it’s contract pay, the bidding process, how to find projects, useful tools, etc. I appreciate your feedback. Send me a message at info@old.virtualteam360.com. I look forward to connecting with you!

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GMR Transcription – Virtual Team 360 -003

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Collette Leave a comment

Virtual GMR TranscriptionAjay Prasad is a serial entrepreneur, successful business strategist and an adept marketing expert who before laying the foundation of his various successful entrepreneurial ventures, served organizations ranked among the top 10 of Fortune 500 companies. His areas of expertise include marketing management, business development, consumer research, market analysis and strategic planning within industries such as consumer electronics, GPS-based navigation systems, enterprise software and consumer marketing.

The founder and president of GMR Web Team – a leading Orange County digital marketing agency dedicated to helping businesses maximize revenue from the Internet – Ajay also owns and operates GMR Transcription, a seven-figure web-based business and award-winning transcription and translation company which he founded in 2004 to fill a void in affordable and accurate transcription and translation services for writers, students, professors and businesses. In the short span of a decade, the company has expanded its reach to include government institutions and non-profit organizations and has become a trusted partner to more than 9,000 clients across the globe.

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Disney Travel Agent Taps Into Subcontracting – 003

Posted on February 9, 2016 by Collette Leave a comment

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In this week’s podcast interview. A former Disney Fairy Tale Wedding Planner, Shannon Bonadurer.

Shannon worked with The Disney Company in its Fairy Tale Weddings Department for 12 years and Celebrity Wedding Planner David Tutera for 3 years. Shannon has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and innumerable visits to the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Shannon has also been published numerous times in national news articles, in such notable publications as The Knot Bridal Magazine®, and Modern Bride Magazine® as an expert on the Walt Disney World® Resort and Disney Weddings and Honeymoons. She curently owns and operates Destinations To Travel, LLC© and contributes regular articles to the WDW Magazine®.

Shannon offers personalized travel consultation and planning. Her invaluable advice and priceless insider tips, combined with her unprecedented knowledge and personalized approach result in the delivery of a truly one-of-a-kind, dream vacation experience. Shannon offers personal expertise in travel to all destination options including cruises, Caribbean destinations, Hawaii, and other locations around the world.

Those with disabilities will find a friend in Shannon. Having a child with multiple disabilities provides unique knowledge and insight for persons traveling with special needs. Shannon has been contracted to write a series of books about traveling with special needs.

Whether you desire a romantic getaway, a fun-filled family trip, or just a break from the everyday, let Shannon and Destinations To Travel, LLC© be your guide to your Dream Vacation

www.d2travel.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wdwgurushannon/

Twitter: @destinations2tvl

 

Podcast

Virtual Team 360 Social Media Team – 002

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Collette Leave a comment

Sue L Canfield is a Social Media Consultant and operates Chief Virtual Officer, a social media marketing business primarily for business authors. Sue has been working with social media since 2005. She blogs regularly about how to use social media and consults on best social media practices. She specializes in helping authors create and maintain their online presence. Currently she manages a team of four social media account managers and works with about a dozen clients. Sue is also a mother, enjoys reading, writing poetry, and Ireland. She lives in Rice Lake, Wisconsin with her husband and business partner, Joel.

ChiefVirtualOfficer.com

 

Podcast, Subcontracting Tips

Turning Subcontracting Into Profits

Posted on January 13, 2016 by Collette Leave a comment

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Subcontracting is a simple but powerful concept. It can expand your business exponentially. How can you use it to double your available time, enlarge your skill set, and increase profits? Let’s consider an example of how easy and effective it can be.

Imagine your virtual assistant business focuses on event coordination. That’s your specialty, and currently the only service offered. A client then asks for a WordPress site. You know how to do this but don’t have the time for it. Now, this is an established relationship. They trust you and would prefer not to search for someone else for the job. Hence, finding a way to provide this service is key. What can you do?

This is where subcontracting comes in. Hire a candidate proficient with WordPress who can work under you. In addition to providing a regular 40-hour workweek for event planning, you’ve added 10 hours for WordPress management. The client’s satisfaction has greatly increased, and you’ve doubled your time!

Soon after, the client asks for website content as well. This isn’t your area of expertise, though, so normally you’d need to turn them away. Don’t do that! Add a subcontractor to your team who can create excellent copy. You now provide event planning, WordPress services, and content creation.

Look at how much your business has changed—each member of the team, including yourself, has a specialty. Everyone plays a role in a growing company that offers quality work. You couldn’t have accomplished this on your own. Current clients stay loyal and potential ones are drawn to you. Building a team with a variety of strengths allows you to triple your skill set.

You’ll have the capability to bring on more clients than you would’ve been able to alone. The fee you charge should factor in the percentage given to the subcontracting team. Your clients are busy, and are willing to pay more in order to get everything they need from one company. They won’t need to search for someone else to fill in—time and effort that most of them can’t spare. Depending on how many team members you bring on, your revenue can double or even triple.

Many small business owners, especially virtual assistants, gain new clients through referrals from current ones. Implementing the subcontracting concept greatly increases their satisfaction with you, making it very likely that they’ll recommend you to others. Making a business work isn’t about doing it solo—it’s about building success through collaboration.

So, when are you going to build your own team?

Business Growth, How & What To Subcontract, Subcontracting Tips

The Story Behind Virtual Team 360, A Subcontracting Concept – Episode 001

Posted on January 9, 2016 by Collette Leave a comment

1400 x 1400 podcast imageI have been listening to podcasts for a very long time. I started with Kelly McCausey, a podcast I believe was called work at home moms (WAHM). Then I listened to the podcast with Denise Griffitts, Your Partner in Success and followed Nicole Dean. At one point I even flirted with the idea of producing my own podcast but quickly dismissed the idea then  getting busy with subcontracting projects. My time was turning into profits.

Fast forward a few years and once again I began flirting with the idea of creating my own podcast and began researching why virtual assistants and service providers weren’t using a team to turn their own business into profits. In my research I found that there really isn’t another podcast that addresses and educates about this topic. So, I contacted one of the original role models, Denise Griffitts and asked for some coaching. She agreed. That’s how Virtual Team 360 podcast was born.

Now that you know a little of the back story, In the first interview, I wanted to share with you why I think going forward with the podcast on the subcontracting concept will be an important tool for team members, virtual service providers and multi-VAs.

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The Struggle For Accountability

Posted on December 30, 2015 by Collette Leave a comment

ConnectionThings are not always easy in business.  One of the things I found to be a struggle is finding someone to help me become accountable in my virtual assistant business.

It’s been two years now since my parents passed away.  Little did I know it would have such an impact on focus in business and family.  With that said I knew I had to set out to find someone to help me keep on track so my VA business could continue to grow.

I had a difficult time trying to figure out whether someone should be on the same business level I was, one step ahead in business or if I should be sharing my experiences.  I did research got onto different groups.  The one I finally came across was VA Networking.  It’s a forum and mastermind group for virtual assistants.  Each month the owner, Tawnya Sutherland offers free training.

This fall, I got on a training call.  During the call the topic of accountability came up.  It happened another person on the call was also looking for the same type of thing.  We direct messaged our contact information and when we could get together.  Her name is Irene Chambers of It’s About Time Virtual Assistant.  She provides different kinds of virtual assistant services then I do.  It was so much we didn’t provide the same services but we were trying to reach the same goal.  Move our business forward with the help of someone else.

It’s been two months her and I have been calling back and forth.  Every two weeks we speak on the phone and brainstorm what needs to be done before our next call.  Between those calls we communicate with a project manage program, check in and share any ideas that come up.

So who’s going to be your accountability partner?

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My Biz Won’t Be Where It Is Without Podcasts

Posted on August 22, 2015 by Collette Leave a comment

Without podcasts my business won’t be where it is today.  I’ve learned from many of the top notch experts and want to share some suggestions with you to help you continue to grow your business.   Whatever development arises from this technological advancement, it just goes to show how much technology has affected how people learn.

Imagine a mobile classroom that’s accessible to the student wherever he or she may be, and that holds lectures whenever he or she is in the mood for it. This is the kind of learning scenario that those with the knowledge to share are able to provide through Podcasts. With these downloadable files from different learning sources, portable digital audio and video players now offer the anytime, anywhere option to learning.

Before the iPod and other portable media players became popular not so long ago, on-demand learning was possible through audiotapes and compact discs primarily featuring audio versions of books. Now that more advanced technology has made it possible for more people to make podcasts at a smaller cost, more and more of these audio lectures are turning up, thus more information in this format has become available to just about anyone.

Aside from being able to choose the time and venue for your learning experience, as a podcast user, you are also able to dictate the pace, as well as be able to better retain the information by replaying, or learning by repetition.  At the same time it provides students a convenient means of preparing for class discussions and quizzes, even while on the commute to school.

Visiting podcast directories aimed to answer your learning needs, one will find podcasts on business, project management, entrepreneur’s journeys and biz ideas, to name a few subject groups . There are also podcasts on the topics of spirituality, self-development, and professional advice.

 

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