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Volume III, Issue 3
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Important Announcement

 

It’s March….and with March comes the age old phrase “In like a lion, out like a lamb”.  For many across the United States, you’ve seen the roar of the lion…between tornados and blizzards. We’ve all seen our fair share of weather.  I hope this message finds you (and your business) in good shape! 

Not only has destruction fallen on areas of the US, it has to a very well-known Virtual Assistant Community as well.  Many have pitched in to volunteer their time to help rebuild this community.  To learn more about VANA and how you can help please visit http://www.vanetworking.com/support.htm

Now is a great time to think about your business’ contingency plans.  How do you rebuild?  Where do you turn for help?  What if you’re not there to lead it?  We always think that it won’t happen to us, but what if it does?  Have a plan in place!

I highly recommend “The Ultimate Guide to Creating a Thriving Business” by Yvonne Weld to start the process of creating a manual that will make sure that you have a back up plan no matter what happens to you or your business!

Until next time…

 

Featured Article

Podcasting (a mini-101) 

I don’t claim to be an expert in podcasting. What I do know is it’s a very powerful (and somewhat inexpensive) method to drive traffic to your site. As of 2006 there were 60+ different iPods and MP3 players...and podcasting is a growing trend. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions I hear regarding podcasting:

What is Podcasting?

Podcasting is simply the act of broadcasting audio via RSS feeds. Oh, did I lose you with the RSS feed? Basically, this means that someone regularly records audios and has them fed via RSS (really simple syndication) to subscribers who are waiting for updated audios. Like a newspaper subscription, you can have podcasts delivered directly to your computer whenever a new one comes out. Did you know you don't have to have an iPod to listen to podcasts? That's right! You can listen on your computer! You can even produce your own easily. It’s not as complicated as it sounds. Do a joint podcast with a business partner to lessen the learning curve – or have a Virtual Assistant set up everything so all you need to do is record the audio and forget about it. (More on who can help you with this in a bit.)

How can Podcasting help me get traffic?

Podcasting can establish you as an expert in your field. If you want to be known as THE person people think of when they think of Pasta, then start a Pasta Podcast. If you want to be known as the Diabetes Expert then start a podcast about Diabetes. Of course you’ll need to promote your podcast in order to get a regular following. It’s a marketing venture just like everything else you do – your business, your blog, your newsletter, etc.

You’ll get traffic from your podcast by starting each podcast with “This is (name) the (topic) Expert from (URL)”. You'll also want your website in the podcast tags which will be picked up by search engines. You can also insert advertisements into the meat of the podcast to send your listeners to other websites. This might be jumping ahead a bit because most won’t pay for advertising until you have a regular following, however, as you grow, your podcast could become a revenue stream in itself!

How can I start Podcasting?

To begin podcasting, you first need a vision. (Heard this one before? It’s no different than any other venture that you have!) What exactly is your message that you wish to share? Who would you like to share it with?

If your message or your target market is unclear, your podcast won’t be clear. Focus on a target. If your target market is “everyone” then it’s too broad. Unless you actually believe you are an expert in everyone and everything, then go back to the drawing board. Come back with a precise plan to have a podcast that is fantabulous!

From there, you’ll need a way to record your voice whether on your computer or through a teleconference line. You'll also need a way to publish those audio files in RSS feeds. Many podcasters prefer to use a blog format as their publishing tool. Setting up an RSS feed with a blog is quite standard. I highly recommend Wordpress and podPress, the podcast plugin makes publishing a piece of cake.

How Can I Make My Podcast Interesting?

What are your listeners looking for? Involve your listeners and ask them!  They’ll tell you what they like and don’t like about your show. Invite special guests to be on your podcast so your listeners get some variety and added interest.

Podcasting isn’t for everyone or every business but it is a great traffic generating method if you can apply it. I know the podcasting expert! Her name is Penny Haynes and she’s hosting the International Podcasting Expo April 20th and 21st!  If you can’t make it to the expo, check out Penny’s site at www.1stpod.com and see what she has to offer.  You could have your first podcast as early as this weekend! Not sure you're ready to publish your own podcast? Attend the International Podcasting Expo and meet some podcasters. Learn about different podcasts, subscribe to some and start listening!

For more information on podcasting please visit the International Podcasting Expo

If you want to post this on your website or blog you can! (You just need to include the following)

Heather Jacobson is the author of Making Dollars Out of Cents: 101 Tips for the Frugal Marketer, and is also the publisher of the popular ezine, Marketing Made Simple, a bi-weekly publication filled with simple marketing tactics designed to enhance one's marketing efforts. An expert in implementing marketing campaigns for companies on a budget, Heather thrives on coaching others to achieve financial success. For more information, visit http://www.HeatherJacobson.com

Humor

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To view past issues of Marketing
Made Simple, visit http://www.valleyva.net/Marketing-Made-Simple/

 

NEW RELEASE

from Heather Jacobson and Laurie Dart

Just released this week, The Everyday Guide to Writing and Marketing Your e-Book covers everything from idea to income! Get yours now at the introductory price of $19.95!

www.PenAndPublisheBooks.com

Marketing Q & A

Q: Everyone keeps talking about determining my target market, but I don't want to turn people away if they don't fit within this "target". Why is the target market important?

A: Have you ever played darts? (I'm hoping you say yes, or at least have some knowledge of the game.)

When playing darts you have a target and the whole purpose is to hit the target. But where do we always aim? The bullseye becasue that's where we get the most points.

But if our dart lands on a space surrounding the bullseye are we going to give up the points simply because it didn't stick where we were aiming?

Of course not!

Determing your target market is simply determining your bullseye.

Determining your target market simply gives you a place to aim...with your website copy, your marketing efforts, and your attention.

If darts aren't your thing, we can make the same analogy with horse shoes or skee ball.

Ready. Aim. Fire.

Inexpensive Marketing Ideas

Heather Recommends

As a coach and marketing geek, I recommend to everyone I come in contact with that follow up is key. The biggest objection I hear is they are unsure of how to go about the follow up without seeming pushy or overbearing. The Art of Follow Up is a great tool for any VA that leaves no stone unturned when it comes to dealing with the various scenarios out there. Even I was able to pick up some tips I will be implementing in my own business. If you're looking for that kick in the pants to follow up, this is where to find it!

What's Up?

We want to hear from you!

Do you have a marketing article that you'd like to share? Are you struggling with aspects of your marketing plan and just want some advice?

To submit your article, email me and make sure you include a bio with a link back to your site. (After all, this is free and simple marketing!)

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Valley Virtual Assistants welcomes articles and suggestions from our readers. If you have information that you feel will be a benefit to our readers, drop us an email . We cannot guarantee that all submissions will be accepted for print. Valley Virtual Assistants will notify you via email if and when your article will appear.

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