Archive for the ‘Business Research’ Category

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Is It a Browser Add-on, Extension or Plug-In?

Friday, July 9th, 2010

When it comes to your Internet browser, do you know the difference between an add-on, an extension, and a plug-in?  Now before I put anyone to sleep, understanding the difference will speed up your computer and make your online surfing much faster and more enjoyable.

My choice of browser is Firefox, and I do have the 3.6 version.  I know others of you are equally as passionate about Internet Explorer 8, Safari or Opera, and that is fine.

While I thought that I did understand the difference between the an add-on, extension, and a plug-in, I found myself getting confused in an online class that I was taking.  I was hesitant to raise my hand or press the Raise Your Hand button as one would do in a Web-ex.  Everyone else seemed to be following along, and I didn’t want to interrupt this knowledgeable and technically fluent group.

So, I waited until after the class was over, and did my research on the subject.  Then I turned to two other team members in my virtual assistant consulting company.  I am blessed to be surrounded by a team of “cream of the crop” experts in my consulting business.  (I have a network of remote professionals that are phenomenal.)

Now after speaking to those two team members, I am completely clear on what the difference between an add-on, an extension, and a plug-in is, and when and why to use them.

An add-on can be a theme (what YOUR browser’s homepage looks like), plug-in or extension all used for better, faster, and safer browsing.  An example from Firebox would be the WOT-Safe Browsing Tool.  Add-ins are found on the main men under Tools under Add-ons.

Now plug-ins are used to link to external programs such as audio, flash or Java, which may not be supported by the current browser, or supported but slow to load.  An example would be the QuickTime plug-in.  It is found under Tools, Add-ons, then Plug-Ins in Firefox.

Last but not least, extensions offer one-click solutions to a program currently supported but needing the extension to support an upgrade to the actual program itself.  An example would be Microsoft .NET.  And of course, extensions are found under Tools, Add-ons, then Extensions in Firefox.

The great thing about Firefox is that a list of what each add-on, plug-in, and extensions are for is listed right next to the tool itself.  You only have to check the box to add or disable or uninstall if you ever choose to do that.  It is very easy to do.

I am so relieved that I now understand the difference between an add-on, plug-in, and extension.

So why would anyone care about all of this?  Well, when you are self-employed and your own computer guru as well as the other hats you have to wear for your business — you’ll care.

The good thing for me is that I have a team of experts at Gemstone Business Solutions that I can ask.  I never really have to worry about who I’ll ask or whether or not I can find my answer somewhere online.  This has taken a tremendous amount of stress out of my life and business.

Do you have a team of experts for your business that you can regularly rely upon?  What do you do if you have a technology-related question?

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Posted in Business Research, small businesses, technology, virtual assistance, virtual assistant consulting practice | 16 Comments »

In Business, One is a Scary Number

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

Dan Kennedy, the famed copywriter, once said that “the worst number in business is one.” 

If your a freelancer, solo business or sole proprietor you know how scary the number one can be.  Especially if you are down to just one client or one paid assignment this month.  Yes, one client.  One paid assignment.  And if that isn’t frightening enough I would also like to add, one virtual assistant (really any freelancer!) trying to offer too many services to specialize or serve a niche.

Now ask yourself, am I offering more than three or four services?  Am I also finding it hard to keep up with the trends, certifications, updates, and technology linked to all of my offered services?  Then maybe you should either narrow your offerings by specializing in only three or four services needed in your niche or become a multiple practice.

Recently I chose the later.  I am now part of an ongoing network of remote professionals that can offer the services and talents of other VAs and service providers creating a more “total” solution to my clients.  However, the best part is that I can focus on what I do best.  No more buying all of the books and CDs then fretting over the learning curve needed to offer too many services. 

If you are struggling as a freelancer, solo business, sole proprietor or even a virtual assistant to find the services that you need to outsource, then I invite you to visit our main site, Gemstone Business Solutions.  There you will find a list of services to boost your online prescence and bottom line.

Let me hear from you.  Are you trying to offer too many services and be everything to everyone?  What steps have you taken towards reducing your number of offered services and specializing in only a few?

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Posted in Business Research, copywriting, freelance writing, virtual assistance | 9 Comments »

When Should You Change Your Business Name?

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

Clients and potential clients come to me constantly asking, “Should I change my business name? I mean I am not even sure if I have the right business name. And how can I tell if the name ‘sticks’?”
 
Choosing a business name is a serious step in becoming a business owner. Why? Because it will become how you build your online presence as well as how you build your brand. This is not a time to become sentimental and name it after your favorite cousin. This is the time to find a business name, which will connect well with your target market.
 
A good place to begin is http://www.thomasnet.com. This is the Thomas Registry online, the same one attorneys have been using offline for years. I recommend that you begin here first before going to Google. Why? Because a business owner may hold on to a business name for many years before going public or building a web site.
 
Look in the local Yellow Pages, on the Internet or even on Amazon for a book about what your business does. You will be surprised as to what ideas may come out or no where.
 
Don’t forget to ask trusted friends or family members for ideas. Then by all means go to the Thomas Registry online and search in that industry to be certain that there are no companies with that same name. Yes, you can still search Google as an added precautionary.
 
I have also heard of entrepreneurs and small business owners having online contests to name their businesses. There are plenty of web site owners who would probably help you out as well as using your favorite forums or your Twitter, LinkedIn or Facebook discussion groups for help.
 
There are four ways to know that you do NOT have a good business name:

  1. Your target market cannot remember how to spell your business name.
  2. Your target market constantly (not just once) struggles to pronounce your business name.
  3. Your target market cannot remember what your business does.
  4. Your target market continues to confuse your business name with a similar business name.

Sometimes even how much money you can charge will be determined by your business name. For example, if you have the word “economy” or “budget” in your business name, your clients will not expect to pay full price for your products or services.

Now if changing your business name is not an option, consider changing your tag line. A good rule of thumb is the more generic your business name is, the more exact your your tag line needs to be. I had to do this with my own business,

Gemstone Business Solutions. While my company name is generic, my tag line is more exact about what I do: Virtual assistance polished to perfection.

You may also want to split your business into two or three smaller businesses if your business has become too diverse. Again, I had to do this. Gemstone Resume Service grew out of Gemstone Business Solutions. I found it too confusing to try to sell resumes and entrepreneurial services to the same target market.

So, with good research and planning, the right business name will come to your business.

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Posted in Business Research, business names, freelance coaches, freelance writing, marketing, virtual assistance | 52 Comments »

Getting Business From Volunteering

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

One of the many ways you can get clients for your business is from volunteering. Volunteering is a great way to get out in the community and have others learn about you and what you do. However, there is a downside to volunteering.

As a small business or freelancer, you may be limited to the amount of time that you can donate to volunteering, so make it count. Don’t let it become overwhelming, but limit it, enjoy it, and use it to promote your business and your services.

Make sure that the skills you want to showcase are the skills that you will be using in your volunteering. While most organizations will gladly welcome your volunteer services for typing, envelope stuffing, and answering the phones, do these sparingly. By all means, enjoy these activities and know that you are offering a great service in the community. However, as soon as you can, offer higher-level services.

Offer to organize the fundraisers and activities of the organization. Also offer speaking on behalf of the organization or writing and designing the marketing and informational materials. Offer to introduce the organization to social networks such as Facebook and help them build their fan page. Offering to train other volunteers is also a great way to showcase any of your management skills.

Just remember to enjoy the volunteering while making contacts. Also remember to do a great job no matter what. You, your business, and your skills are now on display.

Good luck!

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Posted in Business Research, marketing, networking | 4 Comments »

3 Traits of a Successful Entrepreneur

Thursday, September 24th, 2009

Someone once said, “A selective memory is the road to sanity for long-term parenting.”

While all of us who are parents can definitely relate to that this, I think that some of us entrepreneurs can also relate to this. In their book, Good Luck: Create the Conditions for Success in Life & Business, both Alex Rovira and Fernando Trias de Bes explain three characteristics which separate successful entrepreneurs from unsuccessful entrepreneurs. For more information, the book is now on Amazon.

The three principles are:

1) Responsibility. Business owners who feel that they have had good luck also feel responsible for their own actions. When things go wrong or the outcome of any given situation is other than intended, they never blame others or the current circumstances. They look inwardly and ask, “What have I done for this to occur?” Then they act accordingly and solve the problem.

2) Learning from Mistakes. Creators of “good luck” don’t see a mistake as a failure. Instead, a mistake is an opportunity for learning. Thomas Edison is the classic example. More than 1,000 attempts to invent the first long-lasting electric light bulb led to bulbs that only stayed lit for a few minutes.

When asked if he felt like a failure, Edison answered, “Not at all. Now, I definitely know more than a thousand ways how NOT to make a light bulb.”

Sure enough, just a few days later, he turned his inspiration into a practical concept. Originally, the very first light bulb was invented by Sir Joseph Wilson Swan, who demonstrated the theoretical concept but gave up trying to develop a practical application after only three attempts. Instead, Edison made his own good luck by designing a working light bulb.

3. Perseverance. Creators of good luck never give up or postpone. When a problem or situation arises, they act immediately to solve it without delay. These business people don’t carry a list of “to-do list” in their brain. Instead, they resolve problems and situations as quickly as possible. This enables their energy to be fully focused on their work and avoid distractions, which only generate inefficiency.

Do you have selective memory when it comes to your entrepreneurial mistakes? Do you think that it just may be time to develop one?

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Posted in Business Research, business names, lifestyle | 3 Comments »

How a Book Will Keep You Booked–Full

Friday, August 28th, 2009

It’s been rumored that there are writers at my writer’s group, www.americanindependentwriters.org, (still love you guys!) who when asked for a business card just give the requester a copy of their book. I have heard of this happening in other professions as well.

Why? Because when someone writes a book, it gives them that special level of expertise. While many are writing e-books these days and selling those on their web sites, ClickBank or even Amazon, there is still something distinguished about a traditionally published book.
 
Not there is anything wrong with e-books, I have purchased several over the years and remain happy with them. But there again, is just something about having a hardcover or softcover book published under your name.

Not only are you an expert in your field who has been able to write and publish a book, but you have also successfully worked with an editor, a copy editor, a publisher, and possibly an agent. Everyone is looking for people who are not only an expert in his/her field but also able to work well with others.

In his book, Become a Recognized Authority In Your Field, Bob Bly at www.bly.com accredits much of his freelance success to the 50+ books that he has written. He is considered an expert in the field of copywriting. Fabrienne Frederickson of www.clientattraction.com also mentions how publishing a book will set you apart from your competition.

In researching the subject, I found the perfect quote by Bob Green, a syndicated columnist and author:

“A good book remains one of life’s true miracles…a remarkable value. What you are getting for the money is the result of several years of work on an author’s part, and a lifetime of learning. In some cases, a man or woman struggles for most of his or her life to produce one book. All the experiences of that lifetime, all the encounters and conversations, may have gone into the wisdom that produced the book.”

Read any good books lately? Then you must know a few experts.

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Posted in Business Research, marketing | No Comments »

8 Tactics That Grow Your Business–Despite the Economy

Saturday, August 22nd, 2009

Last week I had lunch with a former colleague, and she asked me how I had managed to continue building my business in one of the worse recessions next to the Great Depression. I thought about it, and realized that I wasn’t doing anything different than I had done before.

See, I have learned to use these eight tactics for business growth which work in good times and bad times. When my husband and I had our real estate business, we did these. When I had my jewelry business, I did these. Now in my virtual assistant practice, I am still doing these. I’ve learned that these eight tactics will grow your business no matter what the economy is doing.

They are:

1) Create multiple income streams to help your business during the months when cash flow is slow. These multiple income streams can be as diverse as a second business, an investment property, an e-book on ClickBank, affiliate marketing programs, and/or royalties on your own books or artwork. You may even want to set up an ongoing referral program or sell your unwanted items on eBay. A great book to get ideas is Barbara Winter’s book, Making a Living Without a Job.

2) Before you leave your employer to go out on your own, have at least three months’ salary saved. I know that this isn’t easy, but at least try.

3) Don’t go into business with too much debt. Get out of debt as much as you can before going into business. As a three-time entrepreneur, I’ve done it both ways. This way is much less stress. Plus you always want to be in a position to walk away from work. Enough said.

4) Be willing to make the sacrifices to go into business. If this means eating out less–do it. You may even find that all of those little “extras” that you enjoyed don’t mean as much as they once did. You are more fulfilled being your own boss and doing the work you love.

5) As your business grows, continue to invest your money in it. While it may be tempting to splurge on other luxuries or wants, continue to invest in your business.

6) If serendipity should happen, let it. If you find that the business you once started is now becoming something else, pay attention. There is probably a reason why this is happening. Another good book to read on discovering your life’s work and business is Barbara Sher’s book, I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was.

7) Figure out ways to operate your business in a cost-effective way. This includes both the selling of your services and the selling of your products. Usually I get on my soap box here and remind everyone NOT to buy every gadget and gizmo imaginable when you first start your business. Operating in the red every month in an attempt to impress potential clients, doesn’t impress anyone. Especially the IRS. Clients will be more impressed with your innovation and will ask your help with how they may also save money and shave costs.

8) Enjoy the journey. Again I like what Barbara Winter says, “Enjoy your spaghetti days.”

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Posted in Business Research, business economics | 1 Comment »

What is Your Motivational DNA?

Monday, August 10th, 2009

If you are having problems, getting motivated then maybe it’s how you are “wired” and need to be motivated. It goes without saying that different people are motivated by different things and need to see different results. In other words, there are no cookie-cutter solutions.

Like a fingerprint, everyone is unique in how they need to be motivated. In this case, DNA stands for Desires, Needs, and Achievements.

After listening to Tamara Lowe, author of Get Motivated on a Life Today program, I decided to visit her web site and take the Motivational DNA test. Tamara and her husband, Peter, conduct sold-out motivational seminars throughout the United States, which frequently have celebrity speakers.

Go ahead and do what I did and take the test:

http://www.getmotivatedbook.com/Test.aspx

If you would like to share, I would be interested in hearing everyone’s test results.

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Posted in Business Research, lifestyle | 2 Comments »

Making Your Business Card Your #1 Marketing Strategy

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

Think it takes longer than 30-seconds to grab the attention of a new prospect? Not with the right kind of business card.

Read below to learn the 10 strategies for marketing with your business card.

10 Strategies to Make Your Business Card Work Harder

A business card is one of the most cost-effective marketing tools you have at your disposal. It will be handed out at networking events, put into business correspondence, and placed in presentations. Next to a web site, a business card is something no business owner should be without.

When was the last time anyone complimented you on your business card? Is it visually appealing? Does it clearly identify what you do? Are you proud when you hand it out?

If you answered “no” or “can’t remember” to any of the above questions, then let’s take a closer look at 10 strategies to improve this powerful marketing tool.

1. Your business card should stand out in the crowd. Having a business card that is a plain/text only card will get put in the stack with the rest of the cards. It must stand out.

2. Your business card should be good quality. This sounds obvious, but you would be surprised how many business cards that I receive with that homemade ink jet look. You can still see the perforations around the edges and the ink is even smudged on certain words. With so many affordable printing options available, you can easily afford to have a stack of about 250 business cards printed. Vistaprint.com is the one that I use.

3. Your business card should be double-sided. One the backside you need to have either an appointment reminder, a map or information about a referral bonus. What happens many times at networking events is the potential client will become so excited that they will begin writing questions on the back of the card. Then they hand it back to YOU defeating the purpose you handed it to them. A double-sided business card will make it impossible for them to use your business card as scratch paper.

4. Your business card should be in plentiful supply. Don’t make the mistake of just handing out one business card. Hand out several. Tell the potential client that you would appreciate he/she handing these out to staff members or other colleagues.

5. Your business card should not be oversized. It should be the standard size (3.5″ X 2″) to easily fit in a wallet. If it is oversized it will either end up in the trash can or in some other “fitting” place.

6. Your business card should not be an unsolved riddle. Potential clients should be able to glance at your card and figure out what you do either by the name, tagline, logo or brief description.

7. Your business card business card should declare one benefit of doing business with you. Wording such as “all work guaranteed” “insured and bonded” or “20 years in business” are good examples.

8. Your business card should not be cluttered. This is another reason to use the backside of the business card. It will keep the clutter down. Your company name, contact information, logo, and tagline are vital. Remember if a client is truly interested in your services, they will contact you.
 
Don’t try to squeeze too much contact information on the card. If you must choose between your post office box and street address to keep the clutter down–do so. The same is true for your cell phone and office phone.

9. Your business card should not have print that is too small. With 90% of the age 35+ population using reading glasses, try not to use below a point 9 font. If they can’t read it, they probably won’t call either.

10. Your business card should not be an afterthought. Nothing is worse than to have someone fumbling for his/her business card only to find out that he/she didn’t bring them. Always carry a stack with you.

If you can begin applying these 10 principles to your business cards then your business card will become one of your best strategies in your marketing plan. It certainly will be one of the most affordable in these tough times.

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Posted in Business Research, marketing, networking | 2 Comments »

Improving My Tweets

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Ever want to know more about Twitter, but don’t know who to ask? Well, I did just that– sorta. On April 29, I attended a social networks workshop at my local Chamber of Commerce.

The speaker was Beth Bates from Web Strategies, and I walked away with more knowledge and a great handout resource. While I can’t share my handout with you (Chamber members only–sorry), I can give you her URL www.BethJBates.com. It contains information on how to use the tools and applications on Twitter as well as helpful information on LinkedIn and Facebook. I’m having a ball using Twello.

Again, check out all of the great resources for maximizing Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook at www.BethJBates.com.

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Posted in Business Research, marketing | 8 Comments »

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