Learn a New Skill

learn to use photoshopOne of your goals for this coming year could be to learn a new skill that you can offer to your clients.

Here are just a few:

  • Learn all you can about Pinterest. Create Pinterest boards for your clients.
  • Create photo memes for clients and post on Pinterest and other social networks.
  • Create and manage your client’s newsletter using a tool such as Constant Contact.
  • Learn how to add plugins to WordPress sites.
  • Learn how to use Photoshop to create images.

What new skill would you like to learn this year and offer to your clients? I want to hear from you!

 

Constant Contact Newsletter Service

Constant Contact is my first choice in newsletter services and email marketing programs. I’ve been using Constant Contact’s service since January 2008. I originally signed up for their free 60-day trial in order to become familiar with their tool so I could assist a client with their Constant Contact newsletter. After the 60-day trial I was hooked and signed up for their $15 per month version and have since upgraded.

My virtual assistant business Awesome Assistant received a 2009 Constant Contact All–Star Award for commitment to best practices in email marketing.

Constant Contact 2009 All Star Award
Constant Contact is affordable and easy to use, provides a wide variety of templates to choose from, and has great customer service. They are continually improving their product and adding new features. After attending a local free seminar hosted by Constant Contacts I became even more familiar with the product and how best to use it effectively in my marketing strategies.

They also have autoresponders, online survey features, event marketing, stock images, the ability to create several lists in your account and much more. If you’re looking for an affordable, easy to use newsletter service and email marketing tool, give it a free 60-day trial. Just click on “Try it Free for 60 Days” below and use my referral account. Once you become a paying customer, we both get a $30 credit – which is like you getting your first 2 months free!

Constant Contact

Free 60-Day Trial

Do You Invest in Your Business?

Everyone wants more clients and more money and they are looking for ways to get that without spending a lot of money or even time. Instead of thinking of marketing as an expense, view it as an investment.

New virtual assistants struggle with this concept. Before they have any clients, they don’t want to spend any money. Yet investing in their business can help them get new clients.

It doesn’t have to be a large investment. Let’s say you decide to invest just $20 per month to build your business. There are still many ways to market without spending much money. A small monthly investment of just $20 though can have great returns. So what can you invest in for $20 per month to grow your virtual assistant business? Here are a few ideas:

1. Set up an account at Constant Contact that includes the additional images option. The first 60 days are free and after that it’s $20 per month for up to 500 subscribers. You can sign up here. Then create your newsletter, start building your list, provide valuable information, and start developing leads.

2. Participate in a monthly coaching call. There are lots of free calls out there and other affordable ones. We offer a call for $20 that provides the recorded call, free reports, drawings for free product, and a forum area to get additional assistance. These calls provide valuable tools to help you market your business. Learn more at our website.

3. Create and distribute fliers or brochures at local networking events or mail to local business owners. Include some tips on how they can grow their business using your services. For $20 or less you can create and mail at least 20 fliers or brochures each month.

These are just a few ideas on how to affordably invest in your business. What other ideas can you think of?