Why Should You Set Goals?
Wonder why some people could not even achieve an inch of what they dream of becoming? Blame it on pure dreaming and lack of setting goals for achieving their dreams.
Setting goals is a very significant part of success and positive accomplishments. It is like scaling a 20 feet building and marking early on what feet you would like to reach at this specific period.
People who set goals literally create a map of their target achievements in life, marking where they should begin, where to pause, where to delve a bit, and where and when to stop. Once this map is created, it allows the map drawer to check where he is in the scheme of things and whether or not he is making some achievements that will take him closer to his/her goals.
By setting goals, people will know how they are doing and what they should be doing to achieve their targets or dreams in life. They will know if they can relax or if they have to double their efforts when they are falling short of what is expected of them.
Goal setting means a person is proactive in dealing with challenges that may affect his/her plans. Being proactive means one is able to outline possible difficulties that may occur as well as the solutions to these difficulties. By doing this, a person is not easily scared or defeated when challenges occur because he has already prepared for them. He knows they can happen and he has prepared a solution or strategy when that time comes.
Setting goals will enable people to track their progress in whatever endeavor they have set out to do. It will help people become more confident in themselves and more motivated to achieve their plans.
However, goal setting is not enough, as this should be accompanied by a positive outlook and self-discipline. A person may have a blueprint of where he wants to go, but if he does not have the necessary discipline to carry out the plan, then nothing will come out of it.
To be successful in goal setting, the goals that one has set for himself should be realistic and based on his/her capabilities, as well as selected and important external factors. Being too ambitious in setting up goals can make the goals unrealistic and difficult to achieve. However, do not also set goals that are too low because this might discourage one’s vision instead of achieving it.
It is also necessary that the person setting the blueprint for his/her direction should also include a time frame within which the goal will be achieved. This way, he is able to determine if he has to fast track his/her strategies or to slow down a bit. Goal setting will also help a person check if he is performing within his/her plans or if he is doing things towards the achievement of his/her plans.
Once you have achieved something, even a little of what you hoped to achieve, then you should always give yourself a pat in the back to keep you motivated. But do not be too complacent with any little achievement, as this may cause you to backslide.
Setting goals can be used in any aspect of one’s life - from one’s personal or family life, to his/her career and finances. Goal setting can be as simple as setting a target weight when you wish to lose pounds or something big, like earning your first million.
When setting goals, it is always important to set standards that would suit your present situation, your capabilities, and other factors that may influence the achievement of your goal.
Your Elevator Speech
You’re driving down the road. You’ve been talking to yourself all the way. You’ve been telling yourself you can do this. You keep running your “elevator speech” through your head. You keep saying “I can talk to these people. I can explain my business if they ask me what I do. I can walk up to people and introduce myself.”
Then, you get to your destination. You’re pumped and ready to go! You walk in the room and there’s 50 other people there. You either freeze and wait to see if someone comes up to you, look around to see if you know someone so you’re a little more comfortable, or you give up and leave. Why?
Don’t you chit-chat with people when you’re waiting in line at the grocery store? Do you “pipe in” a conversation at a store if you know you have the answer to what someone is asking? Why, then, can’t we talk to 50 other people about our business? Is it because it’s 50 people we don’t know or because we’re just not sure what we should say?
Put a smile on your face and feel confident. You are good at what you do and your business is worthwhile. Be excited about that! Don’t be afraid. If you show your afraid or have a problem explaining what your Virtual Assistant business is about, it will show. Clients aren’t going to come knocking on your door or calling you if you show you’re afraid and can’t explain your business to them. They want to give their business to people that are confident so feel confident.
When they ask you about your business, explain to them what you can do….PowerPoint presentations, spreadsheets, Websites, SEO, newsletters, article submissions, press release submissions, article and/or press release writing, logo’s, cold-calling, etc. Whatever it is, tell them. Hold your head up high when you tell them too. Don’t mumble.
Just remember that it’s up to you. If you think positive and show them you can assist their business, they will call. They will beat down your door to be your next client. They will, in turn, recommend you to others. If you fumble with your words or freeze at the door, how are they going to know you and your business? How are you going to gain those clients?
It’s your decision. It’s your destiny. It’s your choice as to which fork in the road you’re going to take.
THE BAND WAGON JUST GOT FULLER
It did!
As a small business owner, entrepreneur, et al, you’re like a lot us—looking for ways to market your business and, in the process, gain new prospects and customers.
The latest “fad,” a good one at that, is to “use video” to promote your business. After all, the “spiders” like Google love to feast on them and are inclined to place video highly in their analytics rankings.
So with that incentive alone, you decide to “jump on the bandwagon,” too.
But wait just a minute!
Because marketing with video has become the new “Rubik’s Cube,” or the new “Cabbage Patch” doll, or the new “t-shirt that says ‘I Google myself regularly,’” if you actually do intend to get on the bandwagon, there are a few things to consider.
What is your plan? (It seems everything leads back to a plan.)
Getting your video ready and “taking it to market” is one of the latest Internet trends. Many entrepreneurs, marketers, and even large business owners will focus on the “how-tos;” the how-to of what to say, the how-to of how-to upload the video, or the how-to of where to place your upload.
The important thing is to not just toss some video shots together; the end product will be disappointing to your visitors and to you. Just like your Web site, your video presentation is a reflection of you and how you do business. Thus, it’s better to take your time to produce quality work. Someone has already been first, so now it really doesn’t matter if you come later with better.
Like putting together any worthwhile efforts, you first come up with a list of things to do when producing a video. However, there are also several things to NOT do in your video marketing. And they are the focus of this piece. Such as:
Forget about “safety in numbers” this one time
If you want to attain the most success with your video efforts, you have to go it alone. Sometimes when a person is going to be in a photo or a video, they may be camera shy or feel “more is better;” suddenly, they want someone in the show with them. This is a really HUGE error! The point of your video is to acquaint your visitors and customers with YOU, perhaps your product or service, and with what you represent. Your brand! In fact, in the video you become your brand.
So when your pals are in your video, they are distracting and take the viewer’s eyes away from your product or service, your message, and you. And unintentionally, they may show you up!
In essence, then, your fireworks just fizzled!
It’s time for your commercial
Have you ever wondered why or how sponsors of TV shows pack so much information about their product into 30 seconds of more often than not annoyance? It’s because they realize they have so little time to grab the viewers’ attention before they’re off to the kitchen or otherwise taking a break. Or worse, changing the channel!
Internet frequenters are somewhat infamous for running away from Web sites
How often have you gone to a Web site then quickly scooted away because the page loaded slowly? Your distraction meter kicked in and impatience got the best of you? This seems to happen more and more as Internet surfers tend to lose their tolerance to wait, or they’ve found other diversions that steer them away from what they thought they wanted in the first place.
This means you’ve got to have a video or graphics and audio that will capture your visitors’ attention. NOW! But it’s not good enough to just grab them; you’ve got to have something to keep them there long enough that they realize what you have is something they can’t live without.
You need a P-O-W!
So that as your video begins the first words out of their mouth or the first visual they see must be something concise and compelling. You know, what’s it in it for them?
Do you know the “who” for your marketing
Since you have a target market, it’s best to market your video to that particular audience. Of course, others will navigate to your site and may even stay to view your video. Or maybe not! Those who stay will be interested in learning about your product or service. How you dress, your narrative, your language, how you present yourself in the video should all be geared to the audience you want to pull towards you, the niche you’ve identified for your service.
You can be a star
With a little bit of practice, this reminder and the “how not tos” outlined here will be enough incentive and encouragement for you to be the star of the show as you were really meant to be.
Register for the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention
If you are unable to attend industry conferences and forums this year, don’t fret! OIVAC is right around the corner. For 3 days, Thursday, May 15 through Saturday, May 17, 2008 (US), 8 a.m. to 12 midnight EDT, we’ve scheduled 38 seminars, conducted by professional VA and non-industry experts. Convention attendees can network with friends and even make new acquaintances; participate in the annual industry workshop and browse the exhibitor halls. In addition, visitors can join in the International Virtual Assistants Day(IVAD) celebration, witness the awarding of the Thomas Leonard Virtual Assistant of Distinction and Janet Jordan Achievement awards, and be eligible to win enough prizes and giveaways to fill a suitcase (if we were traveling, that is).
OIVAC 2008’s theme, “Pathways to Successful VA Practices: Using Communication & Technology to Enhance Business”, highlights various communication and technology resources virtual assistants can use to enhance productivity and increase profits.
This “live” yet virtual environment can be experienced from the comfort of your own home via any Internet connected computer. Imagine attending a world class event without incurring travel/ airport hassles, airfare costs, hotel bills, fatigue or exorbitant registration fees or most important, precious time away from your home, family and business!
And everyone is invited!
This year’s schedule includes topics both emerging and veteran VAs can benefit from. We’ve assembled experienced and knowledgeable speakers, offering informative presentations that can positively impact productivity and increase business. For example:
Jonathan Bailey ~ Dealing with Plagiarism: A Realistic Guide to Fighting Content Theft. An overview of how to protect your writing, images and other media on the Web including techniques for preventing, detecting and stopping copyright infringement.
David Beard ~ Insurance Guide for the VA. Participants will receive a how to guide to the essential insurance coverages required by professional VAs to make sure they stay in business and maintain their incomes when faced with the unexpected.
Anita Bruton ~ Creating a Company & Personal Profile that Attracts Clients. Learn five important points that will help create an engaging and polished profile as an effective, attention-grabbing marketing tool.
Jeff Herring ~ The Article Solution - Endless Waves of Prospects, Publicity and Profits. Discover how to write, submit and market your articles for endless streams of prospects, publicity and profits.
Christina Hills ~ How to Automate Your Business (or Your Client’s) with Autoresponders. Learn how using email marketing with Autoresponders and Broadcasting can help you automate your business by letting the computers do your follow up for you.
Annie Jennings ~ Create A Website To Showcase Your Talent, Land BIG New Clients & Build A Powerful Community. Annie Jennings shares the secrets of creating a website designed to propel you to the next level of success.
Andrea Kalli ~ Offering Podcasting and Audio Services to Your Clients. Learn why you should offer podcasting and audio services to clients for business marketing purposes and the various ways clients can use podcasting for their business.
Paul Wagner ~ 7 Smart Ways that Outlook Can Save You 4 Hours. This webinar will show you how to better serve your client by using more of the amazing power of Outlook to build and grow both your businesses.
Kathryn Williams ~ Providing Virtual Assistance to Corporate Clients. Participants will learn how to access the lucrative corporate market and practical strategies that they can apply in they own businesses.
And many, many more.
Visit the Speaker’s List for a complete breakdown of presenters and topics. Visit the OIVAC Seminar Schedule for dates and times.
OIVAC 2008 is right around the corner. Register now, you won’t want to miss it!
Virtual Assistants: Are You On Facebook?
Businesses and individuals, from all walks of life, enjoy meeting and communicating with other business and personal internet users. Despite the fact that people of all ages use the internet to socialize, there are certain groups of individuals that do more than others. Those groups of individuals include students, both high school students and college, as well as business people who know how to harness the power of web 2.0. One of the most popular and powerful social networking sites available today is Facebook.
Facebook may not be as well known to some as MySpace, but it is gaining in popularity each and every day. That popularity is mostly among high school students, college students and businesses who understand the concepts of social networking. With Facebook, you are required to register for a specific network. That network can include the high school or college which you attended or are currently attending or locale. Once you have joined Facebook, you should easily be able to make contact with others who are in the same network. Keep in mind that you can only join one “main” network at a time, however there are a ton of sub-groups that cater to varied interests.
The network in which you join can be considered an advantage of Facebook, as well as a disadvantage. Facebook does not work like most other social networking websites. Instead of being able to communicate with all site members, you are limited to contact with those that are in your particular network, the high school, college or locale that you selected. There are search features available with Facebook which will allow you to search for friends, both personal and business.
Although a large amount of focus is placed on high school and college students, Facebook has added another popular feature to their website. That feature is workplace networks. By joining a specific workplace network, you will be granted access to other community members who work for the same company as you. This feature is nice, especially since many companies have become large corporations or expanded across the country. You may be able to make contact and become friends with a long-distance coworker that you never knew you had. This feature is also great for small businesses to gather and network and share new ideas.
Side note: If you are interested in joining the Facebook community,you should do with all other social networking websites, research. By taking the time to research and examine everything that Facebook has to offer, you should be able to decide whether or not this popular networking community is what you were looking for.
Facebook has so many benefits and features that are unable to be described in one short blog post. If you are intestested in honing in on the power of Facebook, I suggest getting a copy of: I’m on Facebook…Now What?: How to GET Business and Professional Value from Facebook by: Jason Alba and Jesse Stay
Turn your radio on…
Guglielmo Marconi!
What do you suppose Guglielmo Marconi and all those other guys attributed to having had a hand in inventing the radio would say now if they came back and saw how their little old “radio” has advanced since their time?
I say “other guys” because while Marconi is commonly attributed to having “invented the radio,” there were one or two others who “got his wires” crossed before Marconi, and managed to provide some semblance of air wave communication as a result. (And the rest of that history lesson is for another time!)
Actually, when you think about it, turning this the other way, wouldn’t it be an eye opener for us to be able to sit around the table or wherever it was they did their inventing, to see how any of them decided to research and go forward with their ideas.
Can you imagine the snickers behind their backs?
The real, ongoing revelation, though, is for many of us right here, right now!
It’s a given that for you, as a “virtual” business owner, to gain new clients, you need a way for them to be able to find you. One of those techniques, which has become somewhat “ho hum” and out-of-date of late has been to put up a Web site.
Okay, so you’ve got your Web site. Now what?
Since it seems “everybody’s doing it,” you want to be somewhat unique. You want some way to draw clients to you.
It was at the “turn of the century” (hee), early 2000-2001, actually, that the concept of using audio files in web pages was first introduced. And we’ve all seen how that has evolved over the subsequent years. So much so that it now includes not just music, but the “spoken word,” too—audio messaging–and even video!
And to build upon that, Internet trends now include an explosion of podcasting and Internet radio shows along with the imbedded audio files. They’re even being “transported” via email.
All are methods designed to get your name, your products and services out there to increase your business, your sales and profits, and give you name recognition.
The “why” and the “how” you use audio on your Web site or in your email depends upon factors that best benefit you; they’re usually as varied as flavors of ice cream, tv channels, or fish in the sea, and might include communication in the format of regular radio, audio file, or podcasting.
This is a terrific way to establish a relationship with your visitors. Once you do that, all the rest can follow.
So, turn yourself on to “radio” and, turn “your radio” on.
How can you keep up with everyone?
It’s no secret, I have a Facebook account, but I have no earthly idea what to do with it. I have a MySpace account as well, and I have no problem navigating that.
And I hear all about how MySpace is “stealing” Facebook’s applications, but the reality is still that I know how to use them on MySpace and not on Facebook.
Social networking isn’t just MySpace and Facebook anymore. With new sites popping up all over such as Joe Popular, Shoutlife, and Twitter, how can you keep up?
What happens when clients are on one networking site and you’re not? When does joining all of these groups become detrimental to your business because it’s sucking up all your time? Are these sites really adding to the value of your business? Do you NEED an account everywhere?
Here’s the problem that I see; the trap that I fall into.
Someone tells me of a new site and I just HAVE to check it out. I like new. I like innovative. I like to be the first to try something. So I sign up. I fiddle with the site. Two hours later when I’ve done everything that I can within the new site, I do one of two things… I either decide that it’s a waste of time or I tell all my friends and colleagues about it so that they can go and waste two hours of their time setting it up, if they listen to me about another site.. again.
And then what normally happens? Within two months, I can’t even remember my username and password for the site, let alone that that site exists or how to get there.
So how do you determine which sites are beneficial for your business?
First, I would see where the majority of your client base is. If it’s a new site, traffic is low and chances are, you’ll be doing the marketing for your circle… scrap it. Wait it out and see if it takes off.
Secondly, evaluate the sites that you currently belong to. How many of them can you attribute business success to? Have you been contacted through them, made sales through them, received new subscribers through them? If the answer is no for all of the above, place that site on the backburner and focus your attention on the sites that have proven successful for you.
I can’t tell you which sites these are. Some have phenominal success with Facebook but none with MySpace. Others see success with LinkedIn but not with the aforementioned.
Finally, set goals for your social and online networking efforts. What do you want to see happen through your networking time? Is it more clients? Is it recognition? Is it sales? Only you can answer that question, but once you do, set goals to go with it and then strive to achieve that goal.
Online networking is a very powerful and effective venture for most virtual assistants, but it can be a huge time waster as well.
Happy Networking.
Until next time…
Heather
The Food Network - For Business?
I am a devout fan of the Food Network. I love it. Deep down inside there is a chef just dying to get out. Sadly, my television rests on the pre-school show stations these days, but late in the evening I get my fix.
One of my favorite chefs on the Food Network is Gordon Ramsay. Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares, if you’re not familiar with the show, features a different failing restaurant each episode. Ramsay comes in, examines the way the restaurant is run - from the cleanliness of the kitchen to the abilities of the wait staff and everything in between. He identifies where the problems are and helps the restaurant to turn around.
I think everyone in business should watch this show. There is always a great lesson than can be applied to any business, not just a restaurant.
The last episode I saw featured a restaurant that had a carvery set up for the twenty years prior. The first-time restaurateur who had recently taken the restaurant over was advertising two-for-one deals (2 meals for $10) in the papers and the only people that went to the restaurant had white hair and walkers. The restaurant was losing thousands of dollars a month. It was in a breathtaking building, but the menu was tired and the food was actually kind of disgustingly unsanitary.
First of all, Ramsay pointed out to the restaurant owner that when he looked at his dining room, half the people there were eating for free. He went on and on (the restaurant was very troubled) but his advice was falling on deaf ears. He told them they had to do away with the carvery and try something new. He had scoped out the neighborhood and saw that the area was missing a good grill. He proposed that this restaurant basically niche itself and become the “go-to grill”, if you will.
The owner was distraught and resistant to the idea. He thought the community would miss their carvery. His customers would be disappointed. Ramsay pointed out that he needed to breathe some fresh life into the business. It was so frustrating to watch this. The viewer knows the grill would work. Come on, it’s Gordon Ramsay. But the staff was not wanting any part of it. Even though they were losing money every day, they did not want to change what they were doing. They became very set in their ways and afraid to change. They did make the changes Ramsay suggested (reluctantly) and it was extremely popular (of course). The restaurant was making a comeback.
I came away from that show with a handful of lessons:
- No matter how pretty your building (branding) is, when it comes down to it, you need the food (services) to make people come back and tell their friends.
- Niche-ing is important.
- If something is not working in your business - don’t be so defensive. Even though you love your business, if it’s not making you money, be open to change.
I love to find a business lesson in my entertainment.
Oh…at the end of the episode, when they revisited the restaurant after Ramsay did his thing, they had revived the carvery on the weekends. Can you imagine?
Bees do it!
Yeah, they do!
Have you ever really watched them, and how they buzz their way from flower to flower? They may seem somewhat fickle to the observer but the flitting about is really just the bee’s way of “doing her job” of collecting the flower nectar.
Some of us do it, too. Marketing that is! Going from idea to idea; trying to find the ideal solution to getting customers to our “virtual” door!
But in order for your marketing to work, unlike bees, you must find one, or two, or a few more really effective ideas to use to build trust with prospective clients. And then stick with them.
How often have you thought, if only I had more clients…? Or, how can I get more clients? What about…how can my prospects know I can help them?
Well, what do you do? Do you have a way to capture names of new visitors to your Web site? Do you keep in touch on a regular basis? Do you have an offer they can’t refuse? Can they find you easily if all of a sudden they decide they want you?
Let’s look at these points individually:
How often do you think about getting more clients?
To some, thinking about finding clients is much like thinking about chocolate or cigarettes; you do it everyday and sometimes more than once. Especially, if you’re low on them at the time; you’re just starting out, or if you want to shore up your current list.
How will they know you can help them?
You have to tell them, and do it again and again. Think…how many times did your mother have to tell you to do something before you finally did it? Unless it was with a threat to your life or limb, more often than not, it took more than four or five times before you finally “heard” your momma’s admonitions!
To put this into perspective; initially, your message is at your Web site. But prospects don’t usually keep coming back to your Web site…so it’s necessary to figure out a way to either lure them back to your site or get you to stay in front of the interested prospects. This is commonly accomplished by a newsletter, ezine, blog, email campaign or direct mail.
Are you able to capture names of visitors to your web site?
Once you get prospective clients anywhere near your “door”, so to speak, you want a means to know who is “visiting”. Think of how you communicate with those around you in “real” time…think outside of the “box”.
No, really…outside the box!
Like, how do you interact with those at the grocery store? Or with a young woman or a guy at school or church, or the office, who’s caught your attention? Sooner or later, your conversation turns to the exchange of names, addresses or telephone numbers.
Do you keep in touch with prospects on a regular basis?
Going back to the “bees” thing, we know bees flit around the countryside, going from flower to flower. Of course, they get their business done, but we can’t do it quite like that.
If we jump from one thing to another and never stick with a specific direction or plan, always looking for something new but not “cultivating” what we already have, we’ll never know the true value of our list of visitors or potential clients.
And, conversely, they won’t be able to know our value either!
Do you have an offer they can’t refuse?
This can be something as simple as a complimentary report to lure your target market, or perhaps you’d offer a bonus of a free hour of service.
Can they find you easily?
What if, on the spur of the moment, they want to contact you to do some work for them? Is your contact information, including your full name, prominently listed and easily and quickly found on your Web site or in your email signature.
How many times have you been at a Web site that caught your interest but for the life you you could not find an email address or even a telephone number. So you were unable to contact the person who offered the service.
Instead, your course of action was to jump back to Google; that business lost your business, and in all probability will never know why!
Okay, so they’ve read your ezines, and your “staying in touch” email. But they can’t use your services after all.
Now’s the time to make lemonade! Particularly, if you routinely include in your “marketing” email the suggestion that your prospects consider working with you on a referral basis.
Above all, no matter what marketing methods you choose, the effectiveness will come most easily when your “PC” shows; that is, you are “persistent and consistent.”
6 Ways to Get Your Articles Read
There are many people who dread having to write white papers, articles, actually any type of content. Many feel like it seems to be too much work and a waste when no one reads it anyway. To some people, reading articles seems like work to, especially if the article is boring and very bland. Well, articles are supposed to be read, that’s their purpose to impart your message and information. If it is not read then it is a waste of time and effort.
But all the same, articles have to be written to be read. It’s just a matter of making them good. Making a good article doesn’t have to be strenuous and straining. There are just some points needed to be reminded of, and some guides to follow. Once you get the hang of it, writing articles could be fun, as well as profitable for you and your site.
Of course, when writing articles, you need to write about something you know or are an expert in. When you write about it, you won’t have a hard time because you already know what it is and what it’s about. It’s just a matter of making your articles creative and interesting.
To make sure that your articles get read and enjoyed, here are six red hot tips to get your articles read. These tips will make your articles readable and interesting.
1) Use short paragraphs.
When the paragraphs are very long, the words get jumbled in the mind of the reader. The person reading will quickly disregard the paragraph and move on to other articles that are both eye catching as well as a good read. Paragraphs can be a single sentence or even…gasp…a single word.
2) Make use of numbers or bullets.
As each point is stressed, numbers and bullets can quickly make the points easy to remember and digest. As each point, tip, guide or method is started with a bullet or point, readers will know that this is where the tips start. Format your bullets and numbers with indentations so your article will not look like a single block of square paragraphs. Add a little bit of flair and pizzazz to your articles shape.
3) Use Sub-headings to sub-divide your paragraphs in the page.
Doing this will break each point into sections but would still be incorporated into one whole article. It would also be easy for the reader to move on from one point to another. The transition would be smooth and easy and if this happens, you will not lose your reader’s attention.
4) Provide a good attention-grabbing title or header.
If your title can entice a person’s curiosity you are already halfway there in terms of getting a person to read your article. Use statements and questions that utilize keywords that people are looking for. Provide titles or headers that describe your article’s content.
Use titles like, “Tips On Marketing Your Business Effectively”, or “Tips For Marketing Inexpensively” .You could also use titles that can command people, for example, “6 Ways To Get More Business”. These types of titles reach out to a person’s emotions and makes them interested.
5) Keep them interested from the start to the finish.
From your opening paragraph, use real life situations that can be adopted by the reader. Use good descriptions and metaphors to drive in your point, just don’t over do it. Driving your examples with graphic metaphors and similes would make it easy for them to imagine what you are talking about. Making the experience pleasurable and enjoyable for them.
6) Utilize figures when necessary and not just ordinary and insipid statements.
Using specific facts and figures can heighten your article because it makes it authoritative. But do not make it too formal, it should be light and easy in them and flow. Like a friendly teacher having a little chat with an eager student.
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