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Thursday, October 22, 2009

Do you need to be doing everything yourself? 

Or could you grow your business and get back to doing what you love?  One of the discoveries I find when talking with an entrepreneur about their business is that they are having a tough time spending enough time marketing and growing their business.  They understand the value of marketing and want to make the time.  However, they are simply trying to do it “ALL”  by themselves.  They are busy running their business and are not working ON their business.

Do you spend all of your time on the little stuff? 

I understand owning your own business requires wearing a lot of hats.  When leaving behind the “job” working for someone else, most small business entrepreneurs think they must work completely solo.  The business owner feels they must do everything, including the tasks they aren’t really good at completing.

How much time does it take a professional to design a website?  How much time does it take a small business owner who has no experience with website design?  What about designing brochures, writing sales copy, processing orders, managing mailing lists, responding to every email and phone call and so much more.  Before they know it, they are spending all of their time taking care of daily tasks and not out pursuing new business or talking with current customers to get additional business. 

What eventually happens is their love for their work, the reason they started their own business in the first place, drowns in a flood of administrative tasks.  One morning they wake up and they have lost that passion and positive creative energy. 

When this happens a true entrepreneur looks for someone to take care of all that “busy work” so they can get back to doing what they love!    This is where a Virtual Assistant can come to the rescue! 

The official description of a Virtual Assistant is:

Virtual Assistants (VAs) are independent entrepreneurs providing professional administrative, creative, managerial, technical, business office and/or personal support services. Virtual office assistants use the most advanced means of communication, and the newest and most efficient and time-saving office products and work delivery, regardless of geographic boundaries. Virtual Assistants work from their own offices, on a contractual basis, and abide by an established Code of Ethics requiring integrity, honesty and due diligence.”
~The Alliance for Virtual Business

In our next blog post, we will explain:

1)  What Can Be Delegated to a VA?

2)  Are you worried you don’t have the budget for VA?  A description of how a VA works for you and only get’s paid for their actual time.

3)  How to find a VA that matches your needs and style.

Here is a suggestion for the next few days:  Keep a log of all of your activities.  After our next blog post, you can review the list and determine what truly needs to be done by you and what tasks you can delegate.

Thank you for following the blog!  Here are ways you can contact me directly:

Email: jodicrosby@smartvaforu.com
Phone: 503-597-VA4U (8248)
http://companies.to/smartvaforu
http://smartvaforu.com/Blog/

Here are  9 tips to get your finances in shape for Fall and the Holiday Season: 

TAXES:  If you have not filed your taxes, Oh no, you are late.  What? Didn’t we do that back in April? Not so if you got an extension.  Your return was due on Wednesday, October 15.  If you are self employed you need to get this done. 

FSA:  Use remaining flexible spending account money.  Spend it now instead of waiting until the end of the year.  It is one less thing you’ll need to do around the end of the year. 

RETIREMENT:   Increase retirement contributions.  We are all seeing our retirements take a dip.  Why not add some more money while the market is on sale?  Increase your savings rate by 1% and it will help offset some of the losses. 

HOLIDAY GIFTS:  Make your gift giving list now.  Get a jump start on your holiday shopping.  Watch for items on sale. 

HOLIDAY BUDGET:  Make a budget for the holidays.  Enjoy a simple Holiday with a well planned budget.  You’ll save yourself money and stress. 

VEHICLES:   Winterize your motors.  Take care of any motors that won’t be used… boats, cycles, etc.  Look into insurance savings options if the vehicle will not be driven and placed in storage for the winter.

FRUGAL FUN:  Enjoy frugal activities for fall.  Apple orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes and harvest festivals at farms are fun, frugal, fall activities for the family. 

YARD & GARDEN SALES:   Hit the lawn sales.  Not actual yard sales, but end of season sales on stuff for your yard: lawn equipment, patio furniture, pool toys, and other summer merchandise on deep discount.

PLAN FOR 2010: Plan ahead for the new year.  Will you be one of millions to sign up for a gym membership or weight-loss plan in January?  See if you can get a cheaper price to sign up now.  In addition, the exercise will help you with holiday stress.

Thank you for following the blog!  Here are ways you can contact me directly:

Email: jodicrosby@smartvaforu.com
Phone: 503-597-VA4U (8248)
http://companies.to/smartvaforu
http://smartvaforu.com/Blog/