KeyNotes Newsletter
April 2007
Greetings,
I hope this finds you well. I have had a busy end of winter and spring looks even busier - but filled with exciting events. I was in Boston for a 2-day conference - The Women's Congress - in late March. I was invited to be a blogging "Featured Contributor" for The Business Image Journal for the month of April. I will be heading north to Vermont in May for the Vermont Expo.
Additionally, in May is the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention. And last week, my blog played host to the Podcasting and Blog Hopping VA Tour! Whew - a busy time for me and 1st VA!
Oh - and how could I forget - it was my birthday last week, too! Happy Birthday to me!
I noticed something interesting at a recent high-profile, professional event I went to - some 'questionable' appearances of some supposedly professional women. I just had to write about it in one of this month's posts at the Business Image Journal. I've attached it here, as well. Enjoy!
~ Donna
Leaving the office? Don't forget to take your professional image with you!
by Donna Toothaker
As a Virtual Assistant, I am often alone in my office, for days at a time, without seeing anyone in person. It's easy to get into a routine of wearing sweat pants or jeans, to maybe take a shower certain mornings - or maybe not. It's easy to work in comfort and know that no one will be knocking on my door. Too easy!
However, I recently attended a 2-day networking event in Boston called The Women's Congress. This was slated as the largest business to business event in the country targeted to the women professionals who drive today's economy. There were amazing keynote speakers, and panelists, and many exhibitors. And it was, for me, an actual chance to meet people, talk to other like-minded business women and learn from the great line up of speakers. In the weeks leading up to the event I made appointments to get my hair and nails done. I made sure I had some professional outfits that fit well. I know that my professional work speaks for itself, but if I set an initial 'bad' first impression, I might not get the chance to let people know more about me and my company.
It may be unfortunate, but it is the hard truth that we will sometimes judge people (and be judged ourselves) on first appearances, so it is important to acknowledge this and not use the excuse that "I want to be me and I don't care what other people think".
I'll admit it - I'm occasionally guilty of judging on first impressions. At a large conference there are going to be 'all kinds' of people, and this conference was no exception. There were polished, put together professional women and there were, sadly, some women who looked like they rolled out of bed, grabbed the first thing they saw in the closet and ran out the door. Now, if I'm going to do business with someone, I would be inclined to think (whether true or not) that the polished, put together woman is more organized and professional, and I would clearly want to do business with her over the disorganized, disheveled woman.
Just because I have an online business doesn't mean that I don't care about my appearance when I am out of the office and meeting people who might have interest in working with me. So, while, yes, it's extremely important that I have a professional website and that I communicate professionally by email and on the telephone, it's also equally important that when I am out meeting people, that I exhibit that same professionalism - that my personal physical image match my professional business image.
I'm all for being ones self, being different, and not following the trends. But there is a way to do this, and yet still be professional. One of my favorite speakers at the conference was Trish Karter, founder of Dancing Deer Baking Company. Now, most of the speakers wore business suits, yet Trish wore jeans and a casual jacket, and she was no less professional. She was being herself, was being real when she spoke and the image she projected fit right along with her business. Impressive. Trish stood out - as does her business, yet she was professional, looked professional and had an amazing story to tell.
The conference may be a very obvious example of knowing that you need to create your image there to match your business, but when I go anywhere in public I know there may be a chance to talk about my business, even the grocery store. I don't want to lose a potential 'sale' because I look disorganized which could give the impression that I am - not such a great quality for a VA. So, though, we, as virtual assistants, and other online service professionals may not typically get out often from behind our desks - it's important to remember that when we do - a professional image is just as important in person as it is on our websites, marketing materials, and our communication and service to our clients.
Donna Toothaker is an expert Virtual Assistant and founder of www.1stVA.com. Donna specializes in providing marketing and administrative support and services to Professional Speakers and Life and Business Coaches. To discover how 1st VA can help your business – visit http://www.1stva.com .
Resource of the Month
Have you checked out Google Docs and Spreadsheets? It's a great way for you to share and manipulate documents and spreadsheets with others - without having to give total control of your pc or send files back and forth. Best of all, it's free.
More from Google.com:
If you've ever struggled to keep track of different versions of spreadsheet or word processor files sent over email, Google Docs & Spreadsheets may be right for you. Google Docs & Spreadsheets is a free web-based word processing and spreadsheet program that keeps documents current and lets the people you choose update files from their own computers. You can, for example, coordinate your student group's homework assignments, access your family to-do list from work or home, or collaborate with remote colleagues on a new business plan.
Business Building Article of the Month
Multiple Streams of Income for Service Professionals
by Michelle Huse
As coaches, speakers, and high-level service professionals, we charge a premium for our time (and rightly so!). The upside is: our fees convey expertise and value; the downside is: they make us inaccessible to the majority of prospective clients. It means we have to work extra hard at marketing, just to get people to take a look at us, let alone agree to hire us for hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of services. That's why it's important to turn your services into products and programs and develop a "marketing funnel" that leverages your unique offerings across many price points.
- Every service professional should have something of value they give for free, such as: a short report, a booklet, a blog, a teleclass, or an e-course.
- The next layer of the funnel is $15-$25. This could be an ebook, print book, or an audio cd.
- The next layer is $50-$200. This could be a short group coaching program (4-6 weeks) or a larger CD/DVD set.
- The $200-$500 level can be individual coaching packages, an 8-12 week coaching program, or weekend workshops.
- The $500+ level (up to thousands) can be for higher level clients needing more customized services, such as keynote addresses, retreats, and ongoing coaching for private groups and teams.
By having a funnel with multiple products and services, you are "meeting the customer" where they are at and opening yourself up to many more prospective customers and clients. If people can get to know you and your work in risk-free and inexpensive ways, they are more likely to purchase your higher-end offerings. You'll make more money overall this way, and you won't have to work as hard to get the higher end clients. In addition, having all of these offerings boosts your credibility and marketability, and you'll be able to increase your prices on your high ticket services.
Developing multiple streams of income can take your 5-figure business and catapult it into the 6 and 7-figure range in a short period of time.
Michelle Huse, MBA is a mentor business coach, teaching visionary women business owners offline and online success strategies for building 5, 6, and 7 figure businesses. Michelle takes a holistic approach to business and believes a "fit business requires a fit owner." She created Total Business Fitness, a learning and networking community for women in business. In May 2007, Michelle will be launching both the Business Building Gym and the Whole Life Spa to teach women the essentials of building successful businesses and healthy lives. For more information, or to join her free community, visit www.TotalBusinessFitness.com.
We had a few inches of snow yesterday, and torrential rain today, but Spring has GOT to be on the way!
Until next month...
Warmly,
Donna Toothaker
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