7 Tasks that Decrease Your Productivity

By Connie Cantillo

Having your own business is an experience that many feel very excited to go through; however, few are those that actually succeed. The difference between one who succeeds and one who fails is having the ability to actually perform ONLY those tasks that increase your productivity. Here is a list of 7 typical tasks that are NOT revenue generating however, many business owners tend to spend a lot of time on them or simply ignore them missing out on possible business opportunities.

1. Business Cards Management:

All the business cards you receive during networking events need to be responded to via e-mail and entered into a follow up system. Thanking those you met builds relationships that will turn into business or referrals in the future. Following up with these new contacts and adding them into your e-mail/contact system will keep these new relationships strong.

2. Translations:

More and more people from other nationalities are very anxious to learn from others around the world. If part of your target market speaks a language other than yours or you want to expand your target market, you want to make sure your original message reaches them in their native language in the same tone and the same ideas you are speaking to them in.

3. Proofreading:

Business owners today are realizing that you can write your content on your own, however, it is wise to have someone else proofread your writing. While conversational writing is the most modern and best way to communicate to your target market, it is just as important to make sure there are no typos in your content. Even if you read and reread what you wrote, typos are most likely missed by the writer, but easily caught by a pair of fresh eyes.

4. Agenda Management:

Even though managing your agenda seems to be very easy to do, it can become very time consuming. For example, if you are a speaker, getting your speaking engagement contracts signed, payments received and finally confirming the event on your agenda takes up precious time you can be using to prepare for the engagement or to get more engagements on your agenda.

5. Travel Arrangements:

Today it seems to be very easy to get your travel arrangements done, however, searching for the best options available and coordinating hotel arrangements, ground transportation, car rentals, etc. uses up a good chunk of your time.

6. Teleseminar Set Ups:

Setting up teleseminars is easy, but time consuming when you add up all the bells and whistles that need to fall into place for a successful teleseminar.

7. Blog and Web Site Maintenance/Updating:
The only thing you should do as a business owner for your blog and website is write your content.

This is just a small list of tasks that can be outsourced or taken cared of by someone different from the owner of a business. Outsourcing is one of the essential systems or strategies that every business should have in place if it is serious about being successful.

8 Ways to Boost Your Business Using the Internet

By Connie Cantillo

Did you know that one of the most powerful business boosters is the internet, whether you have an online or offline business? Well, it is. It is a proven fact that if you market your business strategically on the internet, your business will boost. But just having a website is not enough. Strategically implementing several online marketing methods will provide you the exposure you need before your target marketing allowing them to get to know, like and trust you. And you know that when someone knows, likes and trusts you, they will have no problem buying from you and recommending your products or services.

1. Search Engine Marketing:
When in the process of designing and creating content for your website, it is vital that you keep in mind 3 important components of Search Engine Marketing:
· SEO (search engine optimization): Write your ads and content so search engines and humans find your site. Using the appropriate keywords or key phrases, optimizes your site allowing crawlers to find what humans are looking for.
· Pay Per Click: With appropriate keywords and content you can easily place ads via this option which drives traffic to your website or blog site.
· Link-building attracts high quality websites and/or blog sites to link to your website or blog site. This process improves your search rankings and listings.

2. Viral Marketing:
Creating credibility and belief among your followers will instinctively lead to referrals. Remember the old saying “Happy customers bring more customers?” Using periodic and strategic e-mail campaigns, newsletters or e-zines, maintain your presence and increase your exposure which ultimately convert in sales when you present them with a new product. Other means of viral marketing are publishing podcasts, videos, participating in networks, publishing press releases, etc.

3. Affiliate Marketing:
This is a mutual beneficial partnership that creates exposure and passive income. Partnering up with online businesses that are willing to promote your products and services and you promote theirs creates an ongoing revenue-sharing, commission-based relationship.

4. Blogging & Social Marketing:
Business blogging and Social Media Marketing are one of the fastest growing trends in online marketing today. There is nothing like keeping in touch. Allowing others to comment on your blogs and commenting on others increases your exposure and creates credibility. And Social Marketing is in full blast. Participating in forums, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. once again creates exposure, credibility and referrals.

5. Mobile Marketing:
Staying connected with your target marketing through different mobile devices such as cell phones, PDA’s and iPods allows you to keep up with them and learn what their needs and wants are. You can immediately resolve them creating that so much wanted exposure and credibility.

6. Online Lead Generation:
Your business is not your website or store. Your business is your customers, whether online or offline. Without them you do not have a business. Therefore, when marketing online you need to have a list that allows you to communicate with them at their request. That means that your website or blog site should include an “opt in” page which allows your visitors to sign up and become part of your list.

7. RSS:
A powerful web based tool known as RSS (Real Simple Syndication) allows your list to receive immediate updates of your website, videos, content, blogs, forums, etc. through an RSS feed.

8. Email Marketing:
Given that spam filters are now so sophisticated, e-mailing is still a very powerful communication tool. Providing your visitors the opportunity to subscribe to your e-mails gives you automatic permission to include them in your e-mail campaigns and newsletters through which you will send them informative solutions, and offers of products or services.

© 2009 Connie, The Executive Virtual Assistant