Basic Sales Page Layout

With completing a sales page layout, there are a  few things to consider. We will discuss what a sales page layout is, basics when creating a sales page and some tips.

A sales page layout is a tool that will help visitors that are browsing to become clients that buy. The sales page should show what exactly you have on sale or special discounts. This is why it is important to get a few of the basics down when you decide to create one for your business.

To begin, I wanted to point out a few things about page layout. A compelling headline will draw attention. I like to keep things to the point and that would mean making it short and precise. You may want to have some sort of banner at the top of sales page. For visual impact, the pictures you decide to use must show the services/product in a good light. Copy on the sales page should be clear and concise. Short sentences and paragraphs keep interest. Adding the contact information at the end of the sales page will tell the buyer where to find the item they want.

If you plan to place the page on a website, include a continue button so they visitor will get more details. Consideration to page size and color are important because you want to welcome your visitors not give them seizures. Keep it warm with some oranges and blues.

Video is always a good enhancement for a sales page. However, you want to make sure that you can make a reasonable looking video. Again, keep it simple and precise. Don’t blast the visitors the second they hit your page. Let viewing the video be their choice.

A few things to think about are:

• Adding testimonials
• Using subheadings
• Having good content
• Branding will make your items and services appear unique, which is always good for marketing.

About AGD Business Services: Angelic Davila has spent 10 years finding solutions to business problems. AGDBS is a remote provider of administrative and clerical services provided to people who need a simple solution.I hope that todays discussion gives you a few things to think about.

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Resources:

http://virtuallyachieved.com/2011/06/basic-layout-of-a-sales-page/

http://desktoppub.about.com/od/ads/ss/ogilvy_2.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Tips-on-Creating-A-Powerful-Product-Sales-Page:-Part-One&id=6296017,

Networking: Both Locally and Socially

Networking is a recent item that I have done some research on. There are two ways to do networking either locally, or socially (or online). Today we will look at what is networking is and briefly discover some of networking details, and see if having a plan of action will help your business.

Networking defined is a support system of and for sharing information, services, and interests among people. They can be in groups, individuals, associations, and even strangers. It can be with your family, local community, and even people you meet while chatting online.

When you consider that whether you want to network locally or socially, there are a few things to keep in mind. Networking is something small business owners should do regularly. This helps you build a profile in the community. As a rule of thumb, most business would like to keep the networking local. The one on one intermingling helps them have the personal contact.

When you decide to do the social networking online, you will find some of the same principles from personal networking apply. A social network usually starts with the website services that focuses on building and maintaining friend. This is where you make friends and keep in touch based on interests or activities. Though most are web based, some have events where networks can meet up in real settings.

Having a  plan of action can help you get the most of networking. If you choose to do it locally:

• Find a local group that you can participate in
• Attend meeting/events regularly
• Make 60 seconds count with a good first impression

If you plan to do it online:

• Pick your site
• Find a passion
• Make Friends
• Start blogging about your passion

In then end, a simple plan of action can help you with marketing and prospecting. Gather your information on your market and choose if your networking preference. Don’t hesitate with implementation. This will help you with the jitters that come with talking about yourself with strangers.

 

About AGD Business Services: Angelic Davila has spent 10 years finding solutions to business problems. AGDBS is a remote provider of administrative and clerical services provided to people who need a simple solution.

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Resources:

http://robo82.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-network-locally-like-a-pro

http://wikipedia.org/wiki/social_networking_services

 

What do you do?

In a nutshell, I am a virtual assistant. I own my own business and can be defined as an independent contractor. What is a virtual assistant? What do I actually do? How can I help people? What are the benefits? All good questions. Let’s answer some of them.

A virtual assistant is provider of administrative and clerical services from a remote office. What exactly is that? The internet is my main line of communication for clients, work and delivery of services. Wiki defines a VA as  “… generally self-employed and provides professional administrative, technical, or creative (social) assistance to clients from a home office.^”

What can a virtual assistant do? To put it simply, a virtual assistant can do what a secretary or clerical assistant does. A short list is:

• Faxing
• Phones
• Emails
• Anything Microsoft Office related
• Correspondences
• Website maintenance and design

That does not include some of the more specialized duties.

The next questions is how this can help people. People should be defined as the entrepreneur, small business owner, and/or independent contractors just starting out. I believe there is a vast sea of many that need some kind of help from a virtual assistant. When you are a sole business owner or just starting out, it can be hard to remember to send the email to the client about the project. It becomes increasingly difficult to research markets and new ways to do something when your client base begins to grow. Even when you are not busy with clients, there are always times that help is needed. The presentation that you finished a week ago has to be changed to include an unexpected client change. That is not a big deal unless your stuck in an airport with no office.

The conclusion is this:

1. Independent contractors like a virtual assistant save you money and conveniently available.
2. Employees cost you money upfront  and in the long run.
3. Virtual assistant pick up the slack for a business when needed.
4. A virtual assistant is as mobile as you need to be and only lasts as long as needed.

 

About AGD Business Services: Angelic Davila has spent 10 years finding solutions to business problems. AGDBS is a remote provider of administrative and clerical services provided to people who need a simple solution.

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Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_assistant
http://www.pa-as-you-go.com/what-exactly-can-a-virtual-assistant-do/
http://www.pa-as-you-go.com/what-exactly-can-a-virtual-assistant-do/

Buffett helping Obama…Starbucks saying veto to campaign contributions….Oh my!

Buffett saving Obama? Starbucks vetoing political supporting? WOW! It was too much to take in. When I did process it though, I begin to understand. It is crazy. Let me walk you through my conclusions.

Here goes the summary, ready? Starbucks CEO decides to help Washington to refocus on relevant matters that will help America become better. He decided to hit them in their bank books. No more contributions till they basically ‘grow up’.  To make sure everyone was listening, he started to recruit other CEOs for the band wagon. So the stakes go up? Of course they do. However, his cause is noble because he wants to help the American public.

Now, we have another respectable businessman trying to help as well. Warren Buffett is a man I have come to respect, which says a lot considering I am so particular. He is basically begging to be taxed by the Government. He is saying stop with the special treatment and relieve the tax burden on regular American folks. He went as far as to call Congress ‘billionaire friendly’. How can you argue at this point? Well, let me give you a little bit more of the story.

Buffett wants the income and investment taxes increased on individuals that are making more than $1 million annually. Uh oh Scooby! This means wealthy individuals would carry more of the burden tax wise. When Buffett explained that he only paid 17% of his taxable income in taxes, it seemed like quite a bit of change. However, he states that people in his company are paying 30% or more of their taxable income. I begin to see what he means.

Here is the more interesting part of the stories lately. Obama is getting a fundraiser sponsored by Buffett himself. Without emotion I can say this, is that really wise? I can understand having Obama around for another term would help with the leadership stability. However, would it no be better to have someone else that could do a better job?

So will higher taxes for the wealthy make our recovery even slower? I believe that the need for money to be spent to survive and make more money would not hinder economic growth. Money is a necessary evil that you can't do without.

Will Starbuck’s CEO rallying for stronger leadership be heard? Oh I think having a 100 CEO’s behind you may get someone’s attention in Washington.

I can conclude this:

• Having big business show they care about what is happening with America’s economy is encouraging.
• Having Washington do something other than argue makes me hopeful.
• Having Warren Buffet host fundraiser for Obama makes want to wait and see what happens with their relationship.

Overall, we are all in the same boat. I know that there are some out there that don’t have life jackets if our boat does a Titanic. So I think I will make sure to have my life jacket and two more, just incase someone floats by.

Graphic Design: Passion or Insanity?

Well, I have to say that graphic design is something I have been studying a lot lately. I started it because I thought I had no sense of structure when I did desktop publishing or web design. Now, I know that in some ways I was right. What I wanted to discuss today is what graphic design is and maybe how it has application in virtual assistance.

Briefly, graphic design is a ‘creative process’. It begins with a want/need for an idea to be put in physical form. After some consultation with client and designer, a plan of action comes into existence.  During the process stage, sketches are drawn up and another consultation about the final look for the project is agreed upon. The end result is a picture, sign, letterhead, business card or even a website.

Pretty involved process, right? What seems to be left out are the artistic content that goes with the process. There are always so many things to consider when doing a project. The actual putting the idea on paper deals with so much more.

Some of the artistic principles deal with shape, spacing, coloring, and even typography. Being able to see how something can be pleasing to the eye, it is a definite plus in graphic design. Keeping this in mind we begin to see how involved this is.

When a virtual assistant is fulfilling roles through different projects, being a graphic designer is one of the hats we wear. We have to have a process to accomplish the wishes of our client,

The following is a brief look at how graphic design is incorporated to a virtual assistants duties:

• Research and brainstorming—consultation with clients, who present their ideas and what they are expecting. We look at the history of business, market trends, and the product/service in question.
• Sketching—put some ideas of what the client presented. Here is where we apply the principles of design. Strong representations of the project begin to emerge.
• Rendering—transfer the sketches into actual end products. Using software like Adobe, Photoshop or Inkscape helps produce a presentable product.
• Presenting product and finishing—after meeting with the client, they will either like it as is, or have revisions.

The virtual assistant not only has to have some concepts of design, but be able to present a workable product. Just one of many hats that a virtual assistant can and does wear.

Blogging: Basics and practice

Blogging essentially is where people can share commentary with regular entries via video, written word or audio. Translation, anyone who wants to shout can be heard via the internet. There is more to this process. Blogging is also a legitimate tool for your business because you are able to share your knowledge and market your skills. So we plan to look at how you can do this successfully and provide tips on how to find inspiration.

There are many sources of information about blogging. They can say the same things, but in different ways. So lets get you started first.

To begin, you have to start with a subject that will be of interest to you. This will always give you inspiration to write about. Once you have the topic, you need to find a home for your blog. I personally can say I use Wordpress and Blogger. Set up an account with a free or paid service, its up to you. From there, we get creative. You can step through some tutorials for designing your blog and get to writing rather quickly.

Now that you are staring at your scree, you are thinking of what to write, correct? Well, before you start your blog, let us consider a few things. To be successful you want to make sure your entry will be relevant and give something to the reader. By doing this, you avoid the blog being about you and the details of your life. It will become more of a sharing of things you have learned and current events. This is where a little brain storming and research will help you have good content for your blog.

Now that you have your blog set up and have content for your first blog, here are a few things to remember:

• Grammar and punctuation—they are auto featured in most word processing programs
• Spell Check—a must to fight those typo demons.
• Blog consistently
• Market your blog by being socially active online. Leave comments and join discussions.
• Take time to read other peoples blogs.
• Be patient and they will come
• Remember everyone has an opinion, so allow a little leeway.
• Have fun.

These are just a few tips for you to remember. Happy blogging.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

http://www.chicagonow.com/the-life-and-times-of-a-young-republican/2011/06/how-to-be-successful-at-blogging-lesson-1-the-basics/

http://www.positivityblog.com/index.php/2007/09/24/how-to-build-a-somewhat-successful-blog-16-lessons-i-have-learned/

The tools of a Virtual Assistant…smartphone or superphones?

As I process more tasks for starting my VA business, I am relying more and more on my cell phone. When I got the phone, the sales person described it as a computer in my hand. I knew it was meant to be, and I bought it.

I can do many things on my phone. I can check emails. I can scan a document (once I figure out the application ) I can use messenger and text. I can check my Twitter account, Linkedin, and Facebook accounts. I have a reliable extension of my office. As a virtual assistant, being able to keep in touch, market my business, and network is not just a benefit. It is the life blood of my business.

On the horizon, it is a ‘superphone’. It is the smartphone, but it can run the world with this thing. Superphones have up to 2GHtz of processing speed and can handle HD video. It sounds like a laptop that can dial. Physically, the phones have larger screens, better recording mikes, and 8 megapixel cameras. In fact, superphones have the physical hardware of a good computer. I know that means software and applications to go with it.

It is because of these phones that new chips and new software are needed. If there is a need, there has to be ways to fulfill it, right? If that is the case, jobs and growth are the results. Economically, it is a good thing.

The economy gets a shot in the arm, and I get new tools that make me more efficient as a virtual