We have all heard the phrase social media, but what actually are social media and how can you use them to help your business?

In short, social media is a term that encapsulates a number of online communication platforms, which make it easy for people not only to publish their own news and views but also to comment on those posted by others. It is a form of online networking.

Why Are Social Media Important?
Social media have provided a platform upon which people can share their opinions, views and grievances with anyone around the world. Those who use social media often become highly influential, are seen as experts in their own spheres, and can attract large audiences of people who share an interest in their particular areas of expertise.

Communities of like-minded people are forming around common interests over the web, regardless of where they are based in the world, because the regular restrictions of geographical locations do not apply.

How Can Social Media Help My Business?
There are various social media platforms you can use to deliver messages to your readers and followers, which we will look at through the remainder of this series. But before embarking on any marketing activity, it is important to know why it is useful.

Social media are instant, so your messages can be delivered as they happen. And, most importantly, it is interactive – you are actually inviting comment, reaction and suggestion. Of course, the most important point to remember is that the search engines love social media because its content is current and fresh. So, your comments will be picked up by the search engines… How exciting that is!

For about networking online and offline take a look at the Networking for Virtual Assistants Online Course here: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-online-courses/networking-for-virtual-assistants/
 

We all need to fill our marketing funnel with the contact details of potential clients and referrers of our business services. The following tips give you some ideas about how to collect contact details – and, in particular, email addresses – so that you can begin to build relationships with your prospects.

11. Collect business cards from people you meet, and then email each of them asking if you can add them to your newsletter list. Do not add them without their permission, as this will not win you any friends.

12. Host back copies of your newsletter on your website as an archive. At the foot of each article, include a link to your sign up page with a message to ‘sign up to our newsletter for more articles like these’.

13. When you have added previous newsletters to your website, Twitter the link to the article page. Make sure there is a link to ‘sign up for more articles like these’ at the bottom of the article page.

14. When you have added previous newsletters to your website, add the page address to your Facebook status. Make sure there is a link to ‘sign up for more articles like these’ at the bottom of the article page.

15. Include a link to your newsletter sign up page on your Facebook profile and from time to time include it in your status. The day that you have sent out your latest issue is a great time to do this.

We have written a whole load of articles that you can reproduce in your newsletter. Download them today for free at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-freebies/articles/
 

For part 1 of the article, please see the post on 18th August.

To give a great impression straight away, it is important to ask the right questions at the first meeting with your potential client, before they sign up. You need to ascertain where you can be most useful to them. What are their weak points? What work do they continually put off, either because there is no time or because they do not enjoy it? Find out what their plans are for their business. What do they want to achieve?

Once the client has come onboard, you need to maintain the momentum with scheduled meetings as an ongoing process. This applies to both regular and ad-hoc clients. By having detailed monthly ‘catch-up’ meetings, either in person or by telephone, you can identify how much of their forthcoming work you can help them with.

For some really great documents to help you both with initial client consultations and ongoing client reviews, take a look at New Client Pack and Client Management Pack at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-document-templates/

For help with your Client Consultation, check out the podcast at: http://vasuccessgroup.co.uk/virtual-assistant-teleseminars-webinars/