Getting Started: How a Virtual Assistant can Boost your Business

Some of my favorite people in the world are small business owners. There is something I just love about an entrepreneurial spirit and a drive to succeed. I admire them for starting out with nothing but a dream, building that dream into a plan, and that plan into a successful business.

The big question that I’m asked the most by new small business owners is, “How do I get started?” Well, I can help with that! Hiring a virtual assistant in the early days of your new small business can give you a huge advantage, getting things started in the best possible way.

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Getting Systems Set Up Early
Having opened a small business myself, once upon a time, I remember how insanely busy the first several months of creating a business can be. Everything is on your shoulders. You have to do everything yourself because, well, there is no one else yet. To be honest, it can be very stressful.

In retrospect, I can pinpoint one of the major reasons why I had so much trouble getting things under control at the start of my business. I was working off a basic to-do list, but when you have that many balls in the air, a basic to-do list isn’t enough. What you need is a professional project management system where you can put every single task and project that you need to complete in order to get your business up and running.

Using a project management system, you can create entire workflows, detailing complex tasks by breaking them down into their component parts. This kind of system can help you keep everything straight and make sure that you don’t miss any steps, and nothing falls through the cracks. Setting up and learning to use a project management system can be a daunting task, especially when you are already swamped with work, but that’s a great reason to hire a virtual assistant. I can set up your project management system for you, ensuring that all of your tasks and projects will be available on any of your devices, including your PC, smartphone, or tablet.

Another great benefit of a virtual assistant setting up a project management system for you in the early days is that you can continue to use it once your business is up and running. It might require a little bit of a transition to add new customers, clients, and projects, but again, that’s what I’m here for!

Early Marketing
In the earliest days of your small business, your advertising budget is likely to be fairly small and you are going to want the best bang for your buck. So, let’s just break this down to the essentials.

If you want your business to succeed, you are going to need a professionally designed webpage. If you’ve never designed a website before, then your first try shouldn’t be your business’ sole web presence. Instead, hire someone who has designed hundreds of websites for businesses around the country: me! Using a platform like WordPress, not only will you end up with a website that looks fantastic on both computers and smartphones, but you will also have access to professional graphics and copywriting, resulting in a polished website that will give your business credibility right out of the gate.

A close second in terms of importance to a website is for your company to have a robust social media presence. We aren’t even talking about social media posts or Facebook ads yet. Before any of that, you need to make sure you have profiles set up on all of the most popular social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more.

It’s vitally important that your branding be consistent across all of these platforms. If you are using a photo of yourself in your marketing, then it needs to be a high-quality photo that is used on EVERY profile. When someone lands on your Twitter page, it should look as close to your Facebook page as possible. This kind of consistent branding through your social media covers is key to marketing your business online.

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A Final Bit of Advice
Look, starting a business from scratch isn’t easy! I know how difficult it can be and I know the work can seem insurmountable sometimes, but if I could give you one piece of advice, it’s this: be kind to yourself. You are doing a remarkable thing. Not everyone can start a small business. It takes a certain kind of person to drive forward and make their mark in the world. There will always be incredible pressures on you as the owner of a small business, that’s why you’re the boss. So please, don’t beat yourself up when things seem overwhelming. There is a good chance that all you need is a little bit of help. That’s why I do what I do.

In fact, let me do you a favor, download my free workbook that walks you through partnering with a virtual assistant! If you need help getting your marketing strategy in place, collaborating with a virtual assistant can be a huge help!

If you want an extra hand to get your business started, I am here for you. Just contact me today and book a free consultation. We can talk about your small business and figure out exactly how we can take some of the pressure off so you can again focus on the big picture of making your newly created enterprise a huge success!