This month...

• Growing Your Online List
• Delegating Your Workload
• Thought for the Day

Growing Your Online List

In business we're all keen to grow our lists and have a larger audience to promote to and demonstrate our abilities to, but I feel there is some etiquette involved in developing these lists and I find people time and again, not taking what I consider to be an appropriate approach.

I am on lots and lots and lots of lists - many are not of my choosing. I've had my email address for a long time, long before spam became a problem, and long before many businesses were on the web, so I'm reluctant to change my email address or domain and have put filters in place instead, which at least keeps the majority of spammers at bay.

But it's those who want to genuinely promote a business service or product that tend to annoy me at times and I'll tell you why. Recently over a two day period I had Australian businesses send me emails that indicate I've been put on a list. No introduction, no "are you interested?", just straight out emails sent to their lists. I've emailed one of them twice now making it quite clear that I am not interested and that they are contravening the spam legislation - as yet I've had no response. The other one emailed me back quickly to say that she thought I'd be interested in what she had to offer and that a mutual acquaintance gave her my details.

Now, I get lots of people giving me other people's contact details but I don't add them to my email lists - although they might be added to my computer based database in case I want to find out more about what they do. However I do make initial contact, usually via one email (but sometimes phone or mailed letter), and introduce myself, explain how I came to know of them and then let them know why I'm contacting them, i.e. “Joe Smith told me you'd be interested in my services so I'd like to know if that is the case, and how may I help you?” Something of that nature. If they don't respond I don't chase and if they do respond but say they're not interested, I don't pursue it. I do get back to the mutual contact and advise the outcome of that contact attempt so they're kept in the loop.

Perhaps this has something to do with the training I've had over the years in various networking groups, but I feel there is an etiquette involved, and especially with the spam legislation in place, I don't feel it appropriate to just add people to a list if I have not met them personally in the first place, had some connection through business or a networking event, or if they haven't personally self-subscribed to my online list. How do others feel about this?

By the way, this list is double opt-in which means when you subscribe, you need to confirm your subscription via an email link, to prevent others from subscribing you without your knowledge. I note that not everyone does this with their lists but it does help prevent people being added to lists they don't want to be on.

Delegating Your Workload

When you establish a business, it becomes your baby and you want to nurture it and see it grow, and be in the midst of it. But there comes a time when there's too much to do for one person and you have to forego some of the things that need doing, or consider engaging someone else to help you. What then? Employing someone can be a scary step and there's no one-stop-shop for becoming an employer. You need to make sure you register with the tax office as an employer, and get the relevant tax forms filled out by your employee. You also need to work out whether they're going to be part-time or full-time, casual or permanent. Then there's WorkCover, Superannuation, annual leave and so on. Or... there is another option.

Enter the Virtual Assistant. VAs are usually experienced admin support people and many specialise in different areas such as secretarial, bookkeeping, transcription work, web based work and so on. Some have a legal background, some medical, engineering, IT, human resources, public relations and almost anything else from the corporate world.

The biggest hurdle for you is the acceptance of work being done off your premises and out of your sight. Some people need to have control and have everything close by, but it is amazing how it can release you to go on with other things, if you can just hand something over to your VA to do so you can get on with the business of growing your business.

If the VA has an extensive background in the type of support he/she is going to provide you, they will know what questions to ask, and how to set systems in place to get things happening for you in the best possible way. And you'll find they'll get through things in a fraction of the time that you were spending because they have the experience, skills and knowledge to get the job done. Imagine what you could do if you were no longer doing the admin in your business and had someone else doing it for you. What would you do with that time?

Have a great month everyone!

Kathie M. Thomas

Thought for the day:

"There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative." - W. Clement Stone

About Our Organisation…

What is a Virtual Assistant?
It's a term for home-based secretaries, administrative and secretarial support, and others who supply remote or virtual support.

We are as close to you as your computer and can do almost anything traditional support staff do - except virtually. You don't need to provide office space, equipment, software or furniture - we have our own!

Location no issue as the work is carried out 'virtually' no matter where you are!  See our newest members listed at VA Directory