Small Business Practical Times
Hey I Need a Vacation
July 22, 2010
- Image by Kenzoka [Insearch for a new cam] via Flickr
Being a small business owner, it is tough to completely break away. Even though I do vacation, I really do not stop working. Part of my luggage includes the laptop, the air card, the portable scanner, headphone and mic and some other little goodies. Can you hear my husband’s sigh? Does this sound familiar?
Just recently I was attending an event and this very subject came up. Most of us had not had a non-working vacation in years. Some attended conferences and took the family, instant vacation. Some where like myself bringing the whole office with them. And other just simply did not take the time to break away.
One of the women at the table very boldly stated, “Everyone needs a vacation whether it be 3 days or 3 weeks. You need time to recharge, rejuvenate and recharge. This will make you more productive. Disconnect and be aware of your surroundings.”
Wait did she just say disconnect. Was I hearing her correctly? Now I do disconnect at least one day a week, usually on the weekend. Well not really disconnect as I do at least check emails and my Google Reader. So this weekend I am actually going to go away, sans computer and cell phone (not that this is a biggy since I am forever forgetting it).
Could you do the same? Will I survive? Stay tuned.
All the best,
Lee Drozak, Owner My Office Assistant
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Virtual Events – Five things
July 13, 2010
One of my new service offerings is Virtual Events, mostly webinars and video presentations/recordings. Running events gives you a new perspective on what works and what does not. With any technology, you need to be prepared and here are some tips I have garnered as I provide more clients with this service.
Now keep in mind that you need to have the basics: a good program (I prefer GoToWebinar), a good headset and mic (I use an USB plug in) and an presentation. So here we go:
Ums, aahs and okays are okay. These can be edited out and you need a few in there here and there to keep you sounding more conversational and less stiff.
Practice without notes. You need to know what you are going to talk about and be able to field questions, side thoughts and comments. Also, you are less likely to read from the notes and speak as if you are in front of a crowd and not a computer.
Share what you know, not what you do. I have attended lots of webinars and teleseminars. The quickest way to get rid of me is making it all about you and your product/service. Now I am not saying not to soft sell but remember when we attend these events, we want the WIIFM factor.
Talk to the audience. This goes back to the first two tips. Talk like you are in front of a room of 100 instead of a screen or phone. Remember to smile, because believe it or not, we can hear that.
Close all computer applications. First they are a distraction and you have enough going on with your presentation. Open programs also each up resources and affect your audio quality. And finally when I see your instant message or email notices popping up during your presentation I stop to see who wants to connect with you. It becomes a total distraction for a multi-tasker such as myself.
Do you have a good tip for presenting at virtual events? Or better yet as an attendee what are your pet peeves?
All the best,
Here I Go Again…
July 1, 2010
Blogging has always been that proverbial thorn in my side. I have a love/hate relationship with my blog. You see I love to share and provide information and resources to make your life just a little easier. On the flip side however, I hate to write. Well not really hate, but being grammatically correct and proper has never been a strong suit. I can write business correspondence until the cows come home, but writing to engage sometimes just does me in.
I originally planned to add some audio and video posts to take some of the burden of writing and this is still in the game plan. I have loads of tips, resources and tricks to “show” you. And I also feel that sometimes it is nice just to hear another voice. Especially if you are an at home office worker.
So it is here that I pledge to finally get it together. I have amassed information to post based on articles I have read, questions I am asked and resources I have found. I have a schedule of postings so that it will not be months before I post again. Now I have a great strategy and game plan and most importantly I am going to take my own advice. I am going to concentrate on my business, my clients and those who I can help.
Thanks for sticking with me as I continue on this journey. Please let me know if there is something you would like to see, a questions that you have or any comments to join in the conversation.
All the best,
How is your 60-second commercial?
March 21, 2010
I belong to Virtual Assistant Forums, who is ready to begin celebrating their 3rd year of virtual existence. To celebrate a week of activities and special happenings will be going on at the forums. One such event is a contest for the best 60-second commercial or as properly known, VAF Bash Elevator Speech Contest. As one of the committee members, we had decided to produce videos to get the party started and give some inspiration to the other members. I was a little reluctant at first. Not because it was my commercial, which I have given tons of times, but because it was on film. For the world to see!
After completing the video I posted to the Forums. I was challenged to live outside my comfort level and share myself with others. While I got over my being on film fears, I was also inspired to make additional videos. For these reasons I am thankful that I took up the challenge. It allowed me to use my creativity to get my message across, tweak my speech and think of new ways to present myself to the world.
Even if you have a rock solid commercial, you should make a little recording to see how others view your speech. Doing this exercise may help and it may not, but it will certainly give you insight on how you are viewed by others as you present your business. Feel free to post you links should you too decide to take up this small challenge. In the meantime, here is my elevator speech so that you can see how I did.
All the best,
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Creating a Facebook Page
February 27, 2010
I have been asked lately to present to some local groups on creating a Facebook fan page and why you would need one. So instead of writing out all the step by step directions, I put together this handy 5 minute video that will walk you through the beginning steps of creating a fan page. Keep in mind that you can create as many pages as you would like however you need to be able to maintain them so do not go crazy just because you can. Also, this is just a how to on creating. Look for future video shorts on administration, custom profile pictures, creating a custom tab using FBML and some other uses of your fan page.
Click on the ScreenCast to start the video
Good luck on creating your own Facebook Fan Page.
All the best,
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