Helpful Hints for the New Year

by | Jan 1, 2024 | Business Essentials

Clean up your Inbox – We all go through different phases in life. Over the years our interests change; we gain new interests, or lose old ones. There are times when we are job hunting or starting a new business. Many times we will join a new email list or a newsletter list and those can take up a lot of space in our inboxes over the years. This is a great time to go thru and clean out old things we don’t need or unsubscribe from content that is no longer pertinent to our day to day life. 

Organize your finances – Do you use spreadsheets to keep track of your business expenses throughout the year? Now is great time to prepare new sheets for the new year. Tax season is around the corner getting your documents in order now so you’re not struggling in a couple months can be extremely helpful.

Organize your files – I like to take time each month and organize my folders, both paper in my office and the digital on my computer. Now is great time to get those cleaned up so you can start fresh. I find that it really helps when things are already in order to keep them in order throughout the year.

Taking care of these things now will give you a great start to 2024. 

I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to see where this year takes us! 

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Virtual Assistant vs Employee

by | Dec 1, 2023 | Business Essentials

Someone recently asked me why they should hire a virtual assistant instead of a full-time employee, so I thought I’d take the time to share the benefits with you in this edition of my newsletter. So let’s start with the basics. What is a virtual assistant? A virtual assistant is an independent contractor who provides administrative services to clients working outside the client’s office. 

There are many benefits to hiring a virtual assistant (VA). Here are just a few of the most compelling benefits:

Improved productivity and efficiency: VAs can handle a wide range of administrative tasks, freeing your time to focus on more strategic and revenue-generating activities. This can lead to a significant boost in your productivity and overall business success.

Reduced costs: Hiring a VA is often more cost-effective than hiring a traditional employee. You don’t have to pay for office space, equipment, or benefits. You also save by only paying for the hours that you need.

Access to a global talent pool: With the rise of remote work, you can now hire VAs from all over, giving you access to a wider range of skills and experience. This can be especially beneficial if you need someone with specialized expertise.

Increased flexibility: VAs can work on a variety of projects, from one-off tasks to ongoing projects, and they can be easily scaled up or down as your needs change. This gives you a lot of flexibility in how you manage your workload.

Enhanced work-life balance: Delegating tasks to a VA can help you achieve a better work-life balance by reducing stress and allowing you to free up time for personal pursuits.

Here are some specific examples of how VAs can help businesses grow:

  • Managing email and scheduling appointments: This can free up your time to focus on more important tasks, such as sales and marketing.
  • Handling social media: VAs can create and manage social media accounts, post content, and engage with followers.
  • Conducting research: VAs can research market trends, competitor information, and other topics relevant to your business.
  • Creating presentations: VAs can create professional presentations for sales pitches, investor meetings, and other events.
  • Managing customer service: VAs can respond to customer inquiries, resolve issues, and provide customer support.

If you are looking for a way to improve your productivity, reduce costs, and gain more flexibility, then hiring a virtual assistant is a great option. With the right VA, you can take your business to the new heights.

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Black Bottom Cupcakes

by | Dec 1, 2023 | A Few Of My Favorite Things

Since one of my favorite holiday traditions is baking. I thought I would share one of my favorite treats, Black Bottom Cupcakes. A chocolate cupcake with a cream cheese & chocolate chip drop. 

*Bonus* – – Another favorite thing, especially when I make these cupcakes, is this handy gadget, a batter dispenser. It really helps with getting the batter in the little cupcake holes and not all over the pan. 

Disclaimer: The articles on this page may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. 

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Networking… easy as 1-2-3

by | Nov 1, 2023 | Networking

Networking can be a scary word, especially for an introvert like myself, but it is key to being successful in any business. So let’s break it down to be a bit less overwhelming. After all, networking is just a fancy word for building relationships. 

There are many different ways to network. This can be done in person, online or through a combination of both. You can attend industry events, join online communities, or reach out to people directly. When networking, it is important to be genuine in getting to know the other person.

Networking is the process of building and maintaining relationships with other people. Networking is important for both personal and professional reasons. It can help you to learn new things, find new opportunities, and advance your career. Building collaborative relationships should be personable and shouldn’t have that icky, “salesy” feeling. 

Networking is not about selling yourself. It is about building relationships and finding ways to help others. When you network, focus on learning about the other person’s interests and goals. Look for ways to collaborate and help them to achieve their goals.

Networking takes time and effort. It is important to be patient and consistent with your networking efforts. Don’t expect to see results overnight. Just keep building relationships and eventually, you will see the benefits.

I’d love to have a conversation with you about your favorite ways to network or what has worked best for your business. 

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The One Thing by Gary Keller with Jay Papasan

by | Nov 1, 2023 | A Few Of My Favorite Things, Books

This is one of the many books I’ve been recommended as I’ve embarked on my journey as a virtual assistant. If you are struggling to get your goals accomplished, I highly recommend ordering a copy of this book! I started this book and ended up reading a chapter a day. I’m planning to pick it back up again to read a second time because there are just so many good nuggets in there. I know I did not grasp it all the first time around.

If you are interested in ordering a copy click the affiliate link HERE to order, then send me a message and let me know what you think. I’d love to discuss it with you!

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