But isn’t a VA just admin??

Published on 15th July 202115th July 2021 by ABSS

I am normally quite a calm puppy but this morning I read something that REALLY irritated me. I don’t know whether it is my hormones being all screwy (thank you baby number 2) or if I am just sick of the assumption that the work that I do is ‘just’.

I was going through my daily check of networking groups, and I saw a post from somebody asking what a good ‘side hustle’ would be. Several people replied, ‘you can be a VA’. The steam started to come out of the ears a little bit… without knowing this person, how they are with technology or how up to date they are with social media, CRM systems, website development, copy writing… ‘you can be a VA’.

The response to this was, I don’t think I could be a VA. I am not very organised…

Then it happened… the sentence that made my blood boil and the trickle of steam turn into a full-blown dragon response… ‘but it’s JUST admin’…

Are you kidding me??? Really??? JUST admin???

So, when I am the first point of contact for a client’s customers, providing outstanding customer service, it’s JUST admin…

When I am painstakingly going through a website, checking for errors, making sure SEO is optimised, making sure it is a pleasant user experience, it is JUST admin…
When I am proofreading a book before it goes to print. Making sure that there are no errors, checking spelling, grammar and that it makes sense, it is JUST admin…
When I am transcribing a legal document or a medical report that will be used as evidence in a court of law, it is JUST admin…
When I am creating engaging social media copy and graphics to raise my clients profiles
Creating a social media strategy to make sure that they are showing the world how amazing they are
Advising what software will help them to stay on top of their customer’s journeys
Creating course materials
Writing blogs
Maintaining client records
Ensuring that they have enough time to get to meetings and that their diary allows time to breathe

It is all JUST admin huh?

So… if you are struggling to stay on top of any of the above please do give me a shout. I have an amazing team of VA’s who are highly educated, keep up to date with the latest trends and software, are fully insured and ICO registered but remember – we are admin specialists and there is nothing JUST about the service and care that we provide!

For more information on how we could help your business to move forward, pop us a message to arrange a call.

How to create closed captions on your video’s – a quick guide

Published on 24th January 202124th March 2021 by ABSS

Do you use video in your marketing strategy? If you do, are you adding closed captions?

Closed captions are a great way to make sure that your video’s are inclusive AND it can be a really good boost for your SEO. If you have not started using closed captions because you are unsure about how to get them on to your video, this little video will help.

Ask the Expert – Branding with Natasha Holland

Published on 29th October 202017th April 2021 by ABSS

Branding – nice to have or essential for a growing business?

Have you ever wondered about branding and if you should be doing something about it?
I had a recent branding shoot with Natasha Holland of Natasha Holland Photography and since that shoot, I have recieved loads of compliments about my branding and lots of enquiries from my ideal client...

No matter what you may think – branding works and this is what Tash had to say about it…

If you would like to know more about branding, you can contact Tash at;
https://natashahollandphotography.zenfolio.com/about.html
https://www.facebook.com/natashahollandphotography/

What does your branding say about you? Are you happy with the story that it tells?

If you would like a second pair of eyes to proof read your website and social media providing honest and constructive feedback,
you can contact us via the button below to arrange a chat.

When motivation goes into hiding…

Published on 25th September 202017th April 2021 by ABSS

Has your get up and go, got up and gone?

I have had to work really hard to keep my motivation going over the last few weeks.

I don’t know whether it has been the change in the weather, the fact that we are in a local lockdown or just the fact that I haven’t had a real break (I was supposed to go to Florida last month and I may be sulking a little).

The funny thing is, I have had no such problems with my client work. In fact, I have really been in my flow for my clients. So, what’s a girl to do about it? Why am I fine with somebody else’s work but when it comes to my own business, I am struggling?

The answer is actually very simple. I lost my direction, and because I had no direction, I wasted a lot of time going round in circles and never felt like I was achieving anything and that had to stop.

So, I revisited my top tips for staying productive (the ones that I hadn’t been using myself… bad babba!) and I thought I would share some of them with you.

See if they can help you

Write yourself a list and check off each task when you have completed it.

Not only will you be able to see where you are at, it will give you a sense of satisfaction checking off the items that you have already actioned. Simple, but effective!

I couldn’t find a to do list that worked for me (not too big so I get overwhelmed, not too small so I don’t feel like I have achieved anything) so I crated my own!
If you would like one of our to do lists, you can get one here:

Buy

Stay focussed on your tasks for THIS week.

It is really easy to get distracted on an upcoming project but try to remain focussed on the tasks that need your attention this week.

Get rid.

Go through your emails, your software and your documents in your quiet times and get rid of anything that you do not need. It will make it far easier to find everything that you do need and free up clutter from your drives.

Turn off your email and phone notifications.

If they are distracting you from the task that you are doing it will take you far longer to complete and lets face it, notifications are ALWAYS a distraction!

Turn off notifications until you are ready to go through them properly.

If you have a big to-do list, break it down into bite sized chunks.

What do you have to achieve to move on to the next task? Complete each bit and move on to the next.

Hold fewer meetings.

If isolation has taught us anything, it is that we have too many meetings where we don’t really achieve a great deal.

Go through your meeting schedule and work out what meetings you need to have and what could be dealt with by a quick call. Out of those meetings, which ones can be done online so that you don’t have to add the travelling time?

Give yourself a break.

Keep your workspace tidy.

When I am working on a major project, my desk usually looks like a bomb site BUT it is organised chaos! I can put my hands on every piece of paper that I need instantly because every night I clear my desk and set my to-do list ready for my next working day. Most people are far more productive when they have a clear working area and a cluttered area can make it difficult to concentrate.

Without time to rest, you cannot be productive. It is a simple fact.

If you are on the edge of burn out, you are not giving your best to anyone so make sure that you schedule time to do things that you enjoy. For me, it is time to do my nails or read a good book, or to snuggle and watch cartoons with my boy! No matter what it is, make sure that you make time for you. One of the sayings that I hear quite regularly within my network of wellbeing professionals is that you cannot pour from an empty cup…

Are your customers still feeling feels valued?

Are you getting all of your messages answered quickly?

Are you maintaining networking relationships?

Is your customer experience as good as it could be?

If you are struggling to keep up with everything, it is time to consider outsourcing.

A happy customer is much more likely to return and recommend you to their friends and family.

So, am I practising what I preach? Absolutely!

I now schedule 1 full day off per week (this may not seem like a lot but it is a baby step in the right direction whilst I am building the business).

Do something for you! It sounds simple, but it is one of the things that I struggled with the most. I currently have lots of little creative things going on including singing, painting and sewing. So pick something that isn’t work or family related, to help you wind down.

I am spending time with my family doing the things that I love. Playing with the terror tot at the park… Speding some real, quality time with my family…

So, if you are losing the battle with motivation, try some of these tips out and come back and let me know how you got on.

If you would like to know more about how we could help to take the pressure off and give you an extra pair of hands with your admin, you can contact us here.