APRIL 13, 2009
ISSN 1947-105X | Vol. 3, No. 15

Don't forget to add "newsletter@virtualassistantnetworking.com" to your email friends list so you won't miss future issues!

MARKETING & NETWORKING ISSUE

In This Issue:

• From the Editor
• FEATURE ARTICLE: Business Vitality—A Web Presence that Counts
• TELESEMINAR: Take Charge of the Delegation Process
• Marketplace
• Find a Qualified Virtual Assistant Today
• About the VACOC

From the Editor

In this day and age of business, a website is simply a must. No ifs, ands or buts about it. But slapping up any ol' thing isn't going to do you any good either. Dawn Olinek is here this week to get you to think about three of the predominant factors in creating something more magnetic.

Yours in goodness and success!

Danielle Keister
Founder & CVO Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce

- FEATURE ARTICLE -

Business Vitality—A Web Presence that Counts

No doubt by now you recognize the need for a strong Web presence; not having one is taboo. But what defines a strong Web presence versus just putting a site up and selling your services or goods?

There are several factors to consider when going public with your Website. First impressions are everything, in person and in the virtual community. A Website that is incomplete or “under construction” is a Website that may never get a second look. Visitors who come to your Website want to be educated and captivated by what you are saying and selling. They want a reason to stick around and check out all of your pages. With a willing party on the other end who wants to see what you have to sell, why wouldn’t you give them what they want?

• Page layout. Your pages should contain content that can be read from left to right and top to bottom. It should flow. There should be a header at the top that includes your company logo and business name. Consider adding a visual interest at the top, one that is eye-catching to your target market. Text size should be no smaller than 10 to 12 pt. (I prefer 10 pt. font myself) in a font such as Verdana, Arial, or Helvetica. Headings should only be slightly larger. Have you ever visited a Website that had a giant heading that dominated the page? Poor readability (too large or too small fonts; too much scrolling; too much eye movement; too much busy-ness) will wear out your visitors and they'll navigate away from your site.
  
  
• Color usage. Color is a very tricky thing. There are many color combinations out there and a whole gamut of Websites that utilize these colors. I learned in my art classes that everything had to be completed in black and white until you took a color theory class. In the beginning I couldn’t figure out for the life of me why I needed to take a semester long class on color. I get it now. There’s a real understanding in how color works. If you lack an eye for color, you might consult one of the many Websites that address this topic. That said, you should consider colors that are appealing to your target market and set the appropriate mood and tone. For example, if you specialize in gentle baby products, you might want to consider soft pastel-like colors to give your customers a soothing feeling.
  
  
• Content. This is without a doubt the most important component to your Website. If your site boasts fluff and talk, well, then that’s not content, that’s just “stuff." People don’t want to read a bunch of gibberish; they want to be informed and learn something from you. If you’re looking for a place to spout off your thoughts and such, then start a blog. Don’t use your business Website for anything other than business. Your Website should be rich with content that is of interest to your visitors and would-be clients. The information should be interesting, relevant and fact-based. How you write your copy is everything. Search engines will pick up your keyword-rich content which will determine your rankings. If in doubt of your ability to meet this criteria, you should consider hiring a consummate professional to assist you with the writing portion of your Website.

RESOURCE: Need a Website or a blog? OnSugar provides you with a free site where your only limitation is your imagination.

About the Author: Dawn Olinek is principal of Egghead Virtual Assistance. Her passion for business and the environment led her to create a virtual enterprise with green entrepreneurs in mind. She authors the blog, sustain-ability: read it, which features topics like small business, Virtual Assistance, and green awareness. She also publishes a monthly newsletter, soGreen Biz, giving her subscribers an angle on growing their business plus eco-friendly tips. Her latest endeavor includes writing "The Bigger Picture," a column for GenGreen Life's Vision newsletter.

© Copyright 2009, The Portable Business™. All U.S. and International rights reserved. You are granted permission to republish this article only if used in its entirety with this copyright notice, title, article content, resource, author's bio and links left intact.

Let's Connect!

Reader Raves

"Your (newsletters) are great. I almost always find something of value in them"

— Tom Mullooly, 401kExpert.

Hey! Send us your feedback. Did you find an article insightful, helpful and informative? Have topic ideas you'd like to see covered in future issues? Let us know! We'd love to hear from you.

No-Cost Teleseminar: Take Charge of the Delegation Process (and Make More Money, Too!)

Many clients (maybe even most) struggle when it comes to delegation. When they hire a Virtual Assistant, they expect her to be the expert and to guide them in this process. But many Virtual Assistants aren't taking that proactive, professional role in their own businesses. In the process, not only are they creating a burden on their own clients and not supporting them as fully and professionally as they could, but they are also missing out on opportunities to make more money.

If you are a Virtual Assistant, join us for this special, no-cost session on Thursday, April 16, for the next VACOC Guest Expert Teleseminar: "Take Charge of the Delegation Process (and Make More Money, Too!)" with Danielle Keister, Virtual Assistant business expert and founder of the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT>>

Download the VACOC Toolbar

Marketplace

EmailCenterPro.com, brought to you by Palo Alto Software, is the BEST web-based tool to enhance your business and help you more efficiently answer your client’s email with a secure tool. Analytics and collaboration tools help you increase your effectiveness. Set-up in 15 minutes – IT knowledge not required. NO-COST TRIAL.

Do you have an accurate financial picture of your business? Would you rather focus on your business and not your books? Hire a virtual bookkeeper. Accounting and bookkeeping services on an as-needed or on-going basis. Specializing in QuickBooks clean-up. Give Us Your Books, Focus On Your Business™. Call: 301-668-8284, info@thefinancialboutique.net

SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD? Have you been wondering what this administrative solution called Virtual Assistance is all about? Not to worry! The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce has written an online guide to answer all your questions: The Client's Guide to Virtual Assistants.

TIRED OF WADING through the thousands of Virtual Assistant sites on the Internet? Would you like qualified, competent and reputable Virtual Assistants to come to you instead? Simply submit your Request for Partnership at the VACOC RFP Center.

MAKE 25% IN AFFILIATE EARNINGS! Join the VACOC Affiliate Program and earn extra money simply by referring people to our website. Monthly payouts with no minimums required. Sign Up Today!

Are You Reading This? Place your ad and get in front of 5,500+ subscribers! Great rates & price breaks for multiple ads >> 

Find a Qualified Virtual Assistant Today!

You don't have to live in overwhelm. You CAN get just the help you need without having to hire in-house staff. Find yourself a great Virtual Assistant today, and go from struggling by yourself to getting things done and thriving on the road to success.

See Your Ad Here!

ABOUT THE VACOC: Founded by industry veteran Danielle Keister in 2006, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™ is the Virtual Assistant professional association specifically for solopreneurs. Our passion is helping Virtual Assistants run smarter, more successful businesses that bring them more money and greater personal happiness, freedom and client satisfaction.

To change your subscription, see link at the bottom of email notification.

DISCLAIMER: Neither Danielle Keister nor the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™ endorses the accuracy or reliability of any of the paid advertisers above nor the quality of any products, information or other materials displayed, purchased or obtained by you as result of an offer in connection with any ad. Please do your own due diligence BEFORE purchasing any product.

© 2007-09 Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™. All U.S. & International rights reserved. The Portable Business is a trademark of the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce. All logos and names are the copyrights of their respective owners.