It seems that Facebook is constantly changing something. Well, this week has been much different. Different in that, they have implemented and announced so many changes that I’m beginning to lose track.
Thanks to a couple of awesome blogs, it’s all beginning to make sense (somewhat), and I can at least keep up with what’s next in the world of Facebook. Check out these five blogs to see what’s new and upcoming for Facebook.
If for some reason you’re unable to find the answers that you need after visiting any of these sites, please feel free to post your question below in the comments’ section, and I’ll try my best to answer it for you. If you have additional Facebook resources, please feel free to add them below in the comments. Thank you and good luck!
Everyone wants to grow! I am referring to growing your team. Does your business plan have “team” in it? If you have any plans of growing your business, your business plan should have a “Future Expansion” roadmap in it. If you haven’t done so already, right now is the time to put those plans in place.
As with marriage, having kids and retirement, the best time to think about expanding your business is before it actually happens. Then, you can put your plan into action much more quickly and seamlessly. As a business owner, part of the future expansion includes outsourcing.
Recently, during a weekly seminar that I attend called, ActionWEDNESDAY, someone asked my business coach, “When do you know it’s the right time to add team members?” His answer was, “Your time to expand is probably already past due”. He began to tell us some success stories of local business owners who created a team, and their business grew tremendously because it freed up time for them to do the really, really profit-generating things in their business like getting new clients.
So, now you’re ready to build your team. It was a team of one, but now you are happily getting too big for a one-man or one-woman show. To keep moving upward, you’ll need others to help you make it happen while keeping your clients happy.
Choosing your Team
The team may be comprised of a Bookkeeper, Accountant, Business Coach and a Virtual Assistant. The main thing to keep in mind is that you want to outsource those things that make you squeal – those things that you are “least” passionate about, but you know have to get done for you and your business to be successful and grow. For example, if you’re adding a Virtual Assistant, you want to make sure that you’re adding someone to the team that is a partner and you feel have a interest in seeing you grow. Some other characteristics that you can look for in a Virtual Assistant would be that they think like you do and have a similar work ethic. Just like your clients did with you, you’ll want to do some research and interviewing to find just the right people.
When you think of outsourcing, keeping it simple is a great way to start until you get a feel for how the team will work together. Interviewing is the first step, followed by checking out their website, their testimonials’ and Social Media sites. You want to make sure that this person will not disrupt the “culture” that you’ve created for your company. Once you’ve built trust with your new team members, you may want to outsource more delicate matters. Look for a variety of skills in the people that you choose for your team. The more skills that they have, the more useful they will turn out to be for you and your business.
Starting off on the Right Foot
Get all of your ducks in a row from the beginning. This includes contracts, agreements and instructions. Each team member will need a contract that spells out, but is not limited to: pay per hour, retainer hours, pay schedule, job description. Agreements between you and your team stipulating confidentiality and non-compete clauses are essential. You don’t want to be fleeced for your client list right under your nose.
Written instructions about how to do what you ask avoids as many mistakes as possible later. For example, even though your team members know how to write a report, they don’t know how you write reports for your clients. Pleasing your clients is the important part here.
Crossing all the Ts
One “T” in particular is taxes. You are not just responsible for yourself, but others who work for you. Partnering with subcontractors is considered freelancing. This is another area that needs to be specified in any contracts with your team. As a subcontractor, they will be responsible for their own taxes and insurance. What you will provide (for US workers) is a 1099-MISC form for them that specify what you pay them so that they can use it to file their taxes.
The cost of subcontracting will figure into your hourly or per project rate for your clients. The last thing you want to do is undercut yourself because you are paying your contractors more than you are getting paid yourself. Planning ahead for business growth will make you healthy, wealthy and wise.
Paula Belyeu, founder of Integrity Virtual Solutions, announced that they have successfully completed the Virtual Event Specialist Certification Program, a 4-week training program that equips Virtual Assistants and Online Professionals with the key skills and tools necessary to offer their clients important Virtual Event Management services.
In these tough economic times, more and more companies and small businesses are choosing to hold Virtual Events rather than the more expensive offline events and conferences. In fact, “Virtual Meetings and Events [will] replace 2.1 million airline seats by 2012” (Gartner, Feb. 2009). 76% of businesses say they had begun using or plan to start using Virtual Events in 2009, while 70% of Corporate Event Organizers predict a reduction in live events in 2010 and forecast significant growth in virtual conferences and webinars. Consequently, it is vital that Virtual Assistants and Online Professionals offer skills in Virtual Event Management to fulfill their clients’ needs.
That is why Integrity Virtual Solutions is excited to be adding Virtual Event Specialist Services to their business, including the setting up and delivering of Tele-events featuring one or many speakers, Webinars and Webcasts, Online Radio Shows, Live Weekly Podcasts and Live Streaming TV Shows.
In VAClassroom’s Virtual Event Specialist Certification Program, Integrity Virtual Solutions learned strategies, best practices, tips and techniques for efficiently and effectively creating great events for their clients using the leading technologies like Instant Teleseminar, GoToWebinar, Camtasia, Ustream and more.
Integrity Virtual Solutions is a Virtual Assistant and Marketing Consulting company offering a wide range of niche services, including Social Media, Online and Relationship Marketing Services and Website Solutions. Having received the Virtual Event Specialist Certification, they are pleased to add key Virtual Event services and tools to their business. This certification also entitles them to ongoing training as technology develops so they will continue to offer quality up-to-date Virtual Event Specialist skills to their clients. For more information, visit Integrity Virtual Solutions.
I am not sure if you were aware but the Virtual Event Industry is actually one of those markets that has GROWN in leaps and bounds during this economic downturn. 67% of professionals responsible for physical events report that overall attendance has dropped, and 76% of businesses say have already begun using or plan to start using Virtual Events in 2009.
In fact, 70% of Corporate Event Organizers predict a reduction in live events in 2010, and forecast major growth in virtual conferences and webinars. There is no better time than now to position yourself as a Virtual Event Specialist!
The popular training center, VAClassroom.com has just unveiled the first ever Virtual Event Specialist Certification Program.
This training course has been about 12 months in the making and is being launched at an opportune time, when Virtual Events are growing at a rapid rate! VAClassroom has a knack for providing the right niche training opportunities at the right time.
This 4 week live training program will cover the key set-up, implementation and management activities for the 5 most popular virtual events in 2009, including tele-events, webinars, live podcasts, online radio and webTV.
Just click on the below link to get all the course details and enroll today:
Plus, VAClassroom is offering some cool bonuses just for this first live program including a 60 day membership to Leesa Barnes’ Association of Virtual Event Managers, Organizers and Hosts. This bonus will essentially connect you with the clients that are in great need of Virtual Event Specialist services!
With the rapid growth and popularity of Virtual Events, this training will give you a competitive edge and ultimately increase your client and income opportunities here in 2009 and beyond!
Integrity Virtual Solutions celebrated it’s one-year anniversary on April 24, 2009. I decided that I wanted to do something special since this was the first year – a monumental year! A wine tasting event sounded like the perfect idea to include my local clients and close friends that supported and encouraged me over the past year.
Despite the event being pushed back twice, we had a great time! The Twisted Vine, formerly known as Tony’s Wine and Warehouse, were in the process of moving to a new location. So the first date that it was scheduled, there were renovation issues so it was rescheduled. The second date, June 12th, there were inspection issues so it was rescheduled again. After working out a deal to move it and to get an even better quality of wines plus four additional wines to taste, July 18th was the final slated date.
I was on pins and needles the week leading to the Wine Tasting to make sure that everything was in order. On Saturday, July 18th, all those that RSVP’ed attended. Some of the guests already knew each other and some did not, but by the end of the night, it was like we all had known each other forever. We had a blast learning about different wines, the best types of glasses for wine and the best storage and temperature for each type of wine. It was extremely informational, and we had many, many laughable moments! After the wine tasting, we moved the party to Dave and Buster’s to eat, fellowship and celebrate more. It was an awesome time!
During and after the Wine Tasting, we tried to take pictures of all of the attendees. I sent “Thank You” cards using Send Out Cards to each attendee. The Thank You card had a personalized, heartfelt message, and a picture of them from the wine tasting. I received so many “Thank You” and “I Appreciate You” phone calls and e-mails back about the wine tasting event and the cards as well.
My plan is to always show the ultimate appreciation for my clients – including them in on the celebrations of Integrity Virtual Solutions and letting them know that I appreciate them! My clients are not entitled to work with me because there are tons of other Virtual Professionals out there, but they chose Integrity Virtual Solutions so I want to always and most importantly, give them the very best service and to show my sincere appreciation. When you do something “genuinely” good for someone, it makes you feel great. It’s an awesome feeling!
Once again, thanks to God, my family, friends and clients for a wonderful first year in business!
I have to say… I was super thrilled to see the July 7th article in the popular online magazine, Entrepreneur, which highlighted the value and power of outsourcing Social Media Services to a talented Virtual Professional.
Check out this quote from the beginning of the article..
“Between blogging, tweeting, Facebooking and updating a LinkedIn profile, it’s a wonder how a business owner has any time to answer e-mails and phone calls, much less run a company. But the time invested in social networking is well spent in this age where maintaining a social media presence can be a necessary piece of a successful marketing strategy.
Trouble is, as the number of platforms grows, so does the time it takes to feed and groom each account. Not to mention the front-end investment of setting everything up.
For those caught up in a social media blitz–and those contemplating taking the plunge–why not consider outsourcing? A virtual assistant can tackle those time-consuming tasks.”
Entrepreneur.com, July 7, 2009
The opportunity for Social Marketing VAs and Specialists is overwhelming. Almost daily, VAClassroom.com is receiving new requests for Social Media VAs. In the last two days, they have received requests for as many as 10 Social Media VAs – amazing!
The timing is perfect to consider taking the Social Marketing Specialist Program (if you haven’t already).
VAClassroom is still running a $100 summer discount special for the training program for just a short time longer. Check out the link below and the coupon code to access this popular program today:
It seems that Facebook is constantly changing something. Well, this week has been much different. Different in that, they have implemented and announced so many changes that I’m beginning to lose track.
