Communication is key for delegation
Communication is the key to an effective relationship with those you delegate work to and is a two way process. Remember to treat people how you would like to be treated!
You need to be clear with your instructions and information to avoid any misunderstandings.
When delegating tasks, set deadlines and prioritise tasks for the person doing the work.
Back up system
It is imperative to have a back up system and regularly back up your work. You could make use of online solutions, external drive or memory stick.
Championship team
A championship team are people you can use to delegate some aspects of your business and personal life. They could include a virtual assistant, cleaner, gardener or child care. Who could you have on your championship team?
Have set times to check emails
Establish set times to check and respond to your emails as this will really focus your time more effectively. Checking your messages twice a day is enough – try 11.00 am and 2.00 pm.
For more free advice from two of the UKs leading virtual assistants, visit: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-freebies/
Networking is the most effective way to grow your business and there are now a variety of opportunities available for you to meet new people.
The key thing to remember about networking is that it is all about building relationships so you will benefit from attending events regularly to get to know people as well as for them to get to know you.
To get the best results from your networking activities, I recommend you follow these 6 top tips.
1. Know what you want to achieve from each event
Do you want to meet new customers, suppliers, potential referral partners, strategic alliance partners or support from like minded people?
Take a few minutes before attending any event to ask what you want to take away from that event so you are focused on the right result.
2. Participate in different types of events available regularly
There are 3 main types of events you can attend and it is best to go to at least one event from each type.
Structured: membership based groups who have 1 person per category and opportunity to present your business for one minute at each meeting (The Athena Network, BNI, BRX etc).
Open Networking: open to anyone to attend and you are left to yourself to mingle and talk to others (Circle Events, Chamber, business club etc).
Online Networking: can network at time to suit you but is often overlooked (Ecademy, Twitter, Facebook etc).
3. Have a contacts database
Once you attend networking events, you are going to collect a lot of business cards so you need to do something with them…and not put them on a shelf or in a drawer to gather dust!
Have a simple database that is easy and quick to maintain so you can input all the relevant information for use when following up or mail shots.
4. No point attending events if you don’t follow up
This is such an important point that I will say it again… there is no point attending any event if you don’t follow up!
Diary time to follow up with contacts after each event so you don’t forget. Call or email them within 24 hours to reintroduce yourself and mention anything that you agreed or discussed.
It is also really important that you do whatever you say you will do…send information pack, details of event, contact details of someone they should contact etc.
5. 1 – 1 meetings are key to successful networking
Meeting people outside of the events is vital as you really get to know each other and it ensures the best results. It shouldn’t be anything formal, just arrange to meet up for coffee and don’t do any selling, it is a getting to know you chat!
6. Be yourself and have fun!
If you are nervous about networking, remember that everyone is in the room for the same reason so approach people and talk to them. Look for people on their own or go to get yourself a drink as you will meet others who have the same idea.
But most importantly, relax and don’t pretend to be anyone other than yourself!
For more information about networking, have a look at our Networking for Virtual Assistants Online Course at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-online-courses/networking-for-virtual-assistants/
Are You Interested?
As well as having the opportunity to speak about yourself and your business, it is equally important to show interest in your prospect and their business activities. You will create a great first impression if you listen carefully and ask questions. By doing this you will be able to find common points of connection as well as identify areas where you will be able to help them professionally.
Make Yourself Clear
Make sure you are prepared for the specific situation. If you are attending a networking group, make sure you have perfected your one minute presentation and are prepared to speak to prospects on a one-to-one basis and have a ready answer to the inevitable question ‘What do you do’. If meeting a prospect who knows a little more about you and your business, make sure you are clear on what you are offering and how your service works and be prepared to explain this in simple terms with out jargon.
What Else Can You Add of Value?
When you are meeting a prospect or attending a networking event you will understandably be focused on what you can get out of the experience. But be prepared to give a little too. It could simply be making an introduction to another of your contacts that could be useful to your prospect or offering a free piece of advice or your expert opinion. Small helpful acts like this will create a great impression and ensure you are memorable to your prospect.
For more information about networking, have a look at our Networking for Virtual Assistants Online Course at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-online-courses/networking-for-virtual-assistants/
Networking is a great way to build your VA business with clients and suppliers. However, some VAs are nervous about attending networking events for a variety of reasons.
One way you can overcome this fear is to be prepared in advance. Check out this great article about Virtual Assistant Networking Preparation Tips.
Visit http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-freebies/articles
There is no point attending any networking event if you don’t follow up on any of the contacts that you make. This is one frustration I have with fellow networkers when they don’t bother to follow up – why attend if you don’t want to build a relationship?
After speaking with someone, write down details of your conversation on their business card so that you can record the information on your database for future use.
This is where you can take the initiative and be proactive with your networking. Take the lead and call or email the people you connected with.
As a starting point to the follow up, look at your database for information on common interests or the conversation you had so that you can use this to continue to build your relationship.
Contact Database / Management
Once you start attending networking events, you are going to start collecting a lot of business cards. You need to make sure you have some sort of database that you can store all this information on.
I receive a lot of business cards on my travels but I don’t have any in my office apart from my own. That’s because all the information has been put onto my contacts database.
Top tip: Record all details from the business card on your database including the postal address (Christmas cards, thank you notes etc).
There are a variety of different databases that you can use and include:
Excel
A spreadsheet is nice and easy to use for a database. I use a spreadsheet for both my businesses as a ‘flat database’ as I have different worksheets for different aspects.
CRM software
Dedicated CRM software like ACT is fully integrated and is something that can record every contact you have with people.
Outlook
Depending on which version you use, you can use the contacts section or Business Contact Manager to store the information. Outlook can also link all your contact with people.
Access
This is the traditional database but many people aren’t sure how to use it to its full capacity. If you are not familiar with this software, I would recommend you use something simpler.
Just remember to choose something that is easy to maintain as it is something that needs to be up to date in order for it to be used effectively.
Want to learn how to use networking effectively to build your Virtual Assistant business? Check out our practical Networking for Virtual Assistants Online Course.
As the old saying goes, you only get one chance to create a good first impression. When you are running your own business, it’s imperative that within the first few seconds of meeting you or being introduced to your business, you create a great first impression. In the following series, we’ll give you some simple tips that will have the prospects that you meet being impressed by you, liking you and, critically, wanting to do business with you.
Looking Good?
Is your blouse ironed or are your shoes in need of a polish? It may sound immaterial but in the eyes of your potential client the care you take over your appearance symbolises the level of care and attention to detail you would take over their work. If you turn up with chipped nail polish and lipstick on your teeth they may wonder if you going to send out their letters with spelling mistakes or send emails to the wrong people. Make time to check your appearance before meeting your prospects.
Oozing Confidence?
Now you’re sure you look the part you can walk into any room with your head held high and confidence intact. Arrive in plenty of time for any appointment as you don’t want to be rushed. Stand up straight and tall and look the other person in the eye when introducing yourself, and don’t forget to shake hands firmly – no-one likes a limp lettuce handshake!
For more information about networking, have a look at our Networking for Virtual Assistants Online Course at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-online-courses/networking-for-virtual-assistants/
Disable email notifications
Make sure that you disable the notification sign and noise so that you won’t get distracted and just see what has come through – this allows you time to spend on tasks you need to complete without distractions.
Unsubscribe from newsletters
Think about all the newsletters that you have subscribed to and never read. If you haven’t read a newsletter within a month, you are never going to read it – why not unsubscribe.
Simple Email filing system
You need to make sure that your inbox doesn’t get cluttered. Again, this should mirror your paper and electronic filing system.
For more free advice from two of the UKs leading virtual assistants, visit: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-freebies/
There is no point attending any networking event if you don’t follow up on any of the contacts that you make. This is one frustration I have with fellow networkers when they don’t bother to follow up – why attend if you don’t want to build a relationship?
However, a lot of people don’t follow up with contacts for a number of reasons but this is something you need to get in the habit of doing so that you can become a great networker.
You must contact people as soon as possible after any event to be effective so a good rule is to contact within 24 hours.
If you really got on with the person you met and felt a connection, call them to reintroduce yourself. If you don’t like using the phone, email them to say it was great to meet them. This is your opportunity to do anything you said you were going to do e.g. send information, a contact etc so make sure you do it.
Making contact is one thing that will make you stand out from all the other people they met at the event and means you are now top of mind if they come across a contact who needs your services!
Another way to make contact is to arrange to meet up for what is known in networking circles as a 1 – 1 meeting. This should be an informal chat, perhaps over coffee, where you learn about each other and start building a business relationship.
1 – 1 meetings should not be about sales, so keep it relaxed and just ask questions to learn more about the person and the business. This gets the best results
So, to maximise the results from your networking activities, make sure you contact people after each event and start getting together for informal 1 – 1 meetings.
If up until now you’ve been an employee, you might never have been to a networking event before. The whole idea is that everyone who goes along is a business owner or key decision maker in their business and is there, like everyone else, to promote their product or service. The beauty of networking is that if you attend groups regularly, people get to know and trust you and are happy to work with you if they need a virtual assistant or refer business your way.
Now I could write a whole series on the subject of networking alone but these are the basics. If it is your first time networking I would initially go to an informal group as this will help you get your confidence and see how they work. Do an Internet search on networking and you town and you should find a whole range of groups in your area. Have a look for one that takes your fancy and book on. Most groups will let you attend one or two meetings before asking you to take out a membership so make full use of all the free trails until you find a group that you like. Some groups are free but you will find that those that charge a membership fee are often more formal business networking groups and produce more clients and referrals.
Again don’t forget that anyone you speak to may know someone who needs a virtual assistant so don’t dismiss anyone on first impressions and also remember that networking is two way so if you can put those you meet in touch with anyone they would be interested in, do it. You will be remembered for it and that’s the first step in getting referrals.
For more information about networking, have a look at our Networking for Virtual Assistants Online Course at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-online-courses/networking-for-virtual-assistants/
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