A GREAT Social Media Resource

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I found a great resource for those starting out in social media, those who have their feet wet, and anyone who just needs a shove in the right direction down the social media path. John Jantsch, the author of Duct Tape Marketing, wrote an ebook that highlights the different aspects of social media useful to small businesses. What impressed me most is that he also set up a road map of how small businesses can build their social media presence for maximum effectiveness. A must-read for any entrepreneur and small business who wants to stay on top of the social media movement, and can be found here:Let’s Talk – Social Media for Small Business

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Stepping out of my comfort zone

You know those insurance company commercials where someone describes a moment in their life and then says “Yeah, I’m there?” Here’s mine:

You’re stuck. You feel as if a roadblock or brick wall is in front of you. It’s difficult for you to take the first step. Your fear is getting the best of you.

Yeah, I’m there.

In the spirit of my last post, I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and becoming radically transparent. I’ve always been authentic, but it’s been difficult for me to reveal all of myself to the entire world through my writing. So, I’ve decided I’m just going to follow my own advice and do it – here I am!

I have this little thing called fear, something that everyone has. I’m scared of such things as tornadoes, especially since I live in Tornado Alley, and spiders, at least any that are bigger than a nickel. Those are the same types of fears that everyone has and isn’t afraid to share with others. But I also have a larger fear, one that isn’t talked about much outside of private conversations. It’s one that many people don’t share because they are afraid to admit to themselves or don’t realize they have it. It’s called “fear of the unknown.”

See, I’m a planner – I like to know what’s coming my way, how it’s going to work and what the end result will be, no surprises. In starting my business though, I don’t have the luxury of knowing how it will all turn out. I’ve waited on things in the hopes that the answers will come to me, but they haven’t. Because I’ve waited, I’ve missed out on opportunities that were right in front of me. I’ve become frustrated, especially with myself. But I haven’t wanted to give up, so I’ve had to try to figure out what’s holding me back. The answer is fear.

So now I am on a mission to get myself out there and let the world get to know me. It’s time for me to concur my fear and, in the words of Nike, “just do it.” And hopefully by posting my fear to the world, it will encourage others to look at what might be holding them back from what they want and figure out a way to overcome it.

So, what about you? What holds you back? How do you get past it?

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Is there really such a thing as TMI?

At a meeting I attended a couple weeks ago, Web site content was a topic of discussion. Some believed that a sense of mystique is needed and that not everything about the members of the group should be revealed. Others believed that more should be revealed so others can get a feel for what the members are like. This got me thinking – are we revealing too much information about ourselves on our Web sites? Or not enough?

I have been interested lately in Generation Y and how they are affecting the way businesses are run. As a member of Generation Y, I can relate to the definitions that have been placed up on us – we are hard-working, but we value living and enjoying our lives first rather than working. This opposes generations before us who believed in hard work first and enjoying life second. We are changing the way business is done, from the way offices are set up, both in physical offices and virtually, and in how we relate to one another.

Something that has come about, I believe at least partially because of the beliefs of Generation Y, that my business coach introduced me to is the term “radical transparency.” In my research on this subject, I have gathered that it is being open about oneself and one’s business entirely, from the highs to the lows. Why not be completely transparent? In today’s Internet age, if you don’t reveal everything, someone else will. Therefore, it is determined that revealing everything is best.

I have also been reading the book Duct Tape Marketing by John Jantsch, which teaches that the goal of marketing is to get people to “know, like and trust” you and your business. In looking at the businesses that I have chosen to work with, many times it is because through their Web copy, blog, or other form of communication, I got to know them on a more personal level than just what they could do for me. These businesses were also authentic in what they said – I knew they were not “putting on airs” just to get my business.

So is there such a thing as TMI? I don’t think so…in fact, the more we can know about you, the better! So be more transparent and authentic in what you reveal and reap the rewards of being yourself.

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Tips on Getting Through a Temporary Setback

You finally figured out what you want to do in life. You’ve realized that you don’t want to work for others anymore, you want to work for you. So you opened your own Virtual Assistant business. You jumped through all the legal hoops to register your business, got your Web site up and running and may have even had a few clients come through your door.

Then life happened.

Whether it was a spouse’s job change, family crisis, health concerns – whatever the case, you need to head back out into the corporate world to find a job. You try to avoid it at all costs by pushing yourself to get more and more clients, but it’s not happening fast enough. Luckily, you are able to find employment but want to make sure it’s as temporary as possible to get back to your business full-time. But how do you keep going with your business when you’re working 40 hours or more a week for someone else and taking care of a family?

It’s doable – very doable in fact. But you need to be prepared for some seriously hard work and long hours.

The first thing you absolutely need to make sure you do is take care of yourself. Yes, you are going to be putting in some very long days and most likely working quite a bit on weekends as well. However, you need to make sure you are still getting some sleep each night and making time for your family. Be aware of how you are feeling each day and take some time for yourself when you begin to feel stressed and overwhelmed. It’s okay to take a day off for yourself now and then to rest and re-energize – it will help keep you healthy and motivated. It’s not easy to work long hours to set up a business when you are sick and not feeling well!

Set up a schedule and daily to-do list for yourself. Include not only the hours you work at your job, but also the times you are going to work on your business and even write in time to spend with family and relaxing. Many VAs’ schedules revolve around their families, which means they work during children’s naps, after everyone is in bed and before everyone else gets up in the morning. Getting yourself organized each day, right down to scheduling what item on your to-do list is completed when, will ensure you are much more productive while you are working on your business.

Also, make sure that you do not quit your job before you are truly ready. Make sure that you have a good-sized safety net in place for just in case (many recommend at least three months’ worth of your current salary) and wait until you have a few definite clients in place to take the leap. After all, you are going back to work because you need the income; you don’t want to find yourself in this situation all over again after another few months. Making sure all your ducks are in a row before you quit will ensure that you do not find yourself struggling and needing to find a new job yet again in the near future.

Most importantly, do not be hard on yourself. You have not failed as a business owner, as it can be sometimes easy to think. It is simply a temporary setback in plans, and it has happened to many VAs and other business owners. There is absolutely nothing wrong with needing to find employment while you are working on your business. Things come up in life that are unavoidable and not finding a way to support your family would be worse than getting a job. The important thing is to make the most out of the opportunities you are given and learn from this experience. You will not only come out stronger, but you will appreciate your future business success that much more.

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My First Blog Carnival!

I was featured in my first blog carnival!! It can be found here: Virtual Assistant/Home Business Blog Carnival #6

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I’ve Got Spirit…How ‘Bout You?

I was asked a while ago why I wanted to be a Virtual Assistant and if being a VA is truly where my passion lies. While I have interests in many areas, I reflected on why, when looking for ways to work from home, I settled on the daunting task of opening my own business rather than going to the work-from-home Web sites to look for a “job.” Why would I go out on such a big limb and take a huge chance when I could easily do the same thing for someone else for a steady paycheck?

My answer? I’ve got spirit.

Entrepreneurial spirit, that is. I didn’t really know it though until that conversation. When I was working in the corporate world, I always felt as if there was something more for me. I enjoyed what I was doing, but never felt completely settled and, therefore, I moved around quite a bit. I used to think that I was hurting myself because employers would not see longevity on my resume. I now realize, however, that I was merely setting myself up to own my own VA business. By working in many different environments and industries, I gained a lot of experience that helps me offer varying services and adapt to numerous industries. What a positive spin on something the corporate world considers negative!

I know there are others of you out there that are like me and countless other VAs out there. You’re at your desk each day, wondering why you’re doing what you’re doing…besides that it’s a steady paycheck. You want something more for yourself. You’ve got the spirit, too. I can’t lie to you, there will be resistance, either from your own fear or others telling you it can’t be done. Don’t let fear or others get in your way. Part of the spirit is knowing not to listen to them but to listen to yourself. You know you can do it, so give yourself a chance.

I’ve got spirit. Yes, I do! I’ve got spirit…how ’bout you?

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