That may be the longest title I’ve ever written for a blog post. However, this is an exciting post and a big announcement.  You may have recently heard me promote my Relationship Marketing Basics Program.  It was a 4 Week Action group where I walked the participants step by step through 4 sections: ACT, ATTRACT, ADVERTISE and ACCOUNT.  We just wrapped up the class last night in fact.  These ladies learned fast and are implementing fast!  However, if you think you’re too late to benefit, you’re wrong.

I have a huge treat for you!  The Relationship Marketing Basics program is now a DOWNLOADABLE product and this is just the first Track we’re calling Free Offer Creation & Implementation.  There will be more tracks in the future because in relationship marketing theirs one thing that will keep it from working, if you stop building relationships so you want your relationships to continue right?  New tracks will be announced soon.

However let’s get to the big news, besides the fact that the program is now available for DOWNLOAD instantly.  You can PIN IT to WIN IT.  That’s right if you’re on Pinterest you can pin this post to win your FREE copy of the Downloadable Track 1 of Relationship Marketing Basics – a $47 Value!

This Downloadable Program will guide you to

Here’s what you will get INSTANT Access to, Even at 2 am.  

	3 60 Minute Webinar Replays & 1 Audio Packed Full of Step by Step Information (value $47 each)
	10 + Downloadable Handouts with more guides and how to’s. (value $247)
	Bonus How To Video (value $27)

By working step by step through this program you will take action to:

• create your free offer
• attract others through your squeeze page
• advertise your free offer at no cost to you

The way you enter is simple:

1. Sign in to Pinterest.
2. Come here to the blog.
3. Click on this post.  
4. Click the Pin it button at the bottom of the post and you’re instantly entered.  
5. Make sure your pin links back to this post for the entry to be valid.  Leave a comment below with a link to your pin. Thanks

Outsource the Rest

Over the past few months, I have truly began to embrace the following phrase, “Do what you do best, outsource the rest.”  I encourage you to do the same.  Not just because I’m the CEO of an outsourcing firm and can service your needs, but also because I want you to experience the freedom, security and power that it gives you.  I have always been a person whose first thought when it came to investing in something new for my business whether it be a new software, a new business tool, or outsourcing, was, “Can I afford it?”  I have since learned that sometimes, “I can’t NOT afford it” is a better description for the things I would often question investing in.

Let me just share with you my experience with outsourcing.  Late in 2011 I built up my confidence, took a deep breath and began outsourcing some of the tasks in my business that are not my strong points.  These have included for me: bookkeeping, copywriting and I have continued to outsource graphic work, which I mostly outsourced from day one.

The bookkeeping piece of my business was a huge weight to lift off my shoulders.  My bookkeeper is amazing and the reports and results that she delivered to me in time for me to file my taxes early like my husband and I like to do each year were an additional plus. In addition, she has created for me reports that show my results financially this year versus this time last year and I am able to see my real growth in black and white.

The copywriting piece for me is one that I have always struggled with, I am a writer, but when it came to “selling” it wasn’t something that came easy to me.  Outsourcing this task instead has allowed me to know it was done and done well, without having to rack my brain and stare at a blank screen for hours with little results.

There are likely similar tasks in your business that drive you crazy or that you just plain hate.  I encourage you to invest in outsourcing those tasks to someone who loves it as much as you love what you do best.  If some of those tasks are technical you’ll want to check out our services.

Alyssa Avant is a published author, professional speaker, and tech coach. Alyssa has been working virtually since 2007. She has years of experience working with online professionals and business owners.

She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others so they can avoid the years of trial and error that she experienced as a new online business owner. Alyssa takes special pride in teaching entrepreneurs how to begin and handle all of their technology needs. Alyssa has gone from being a solopreneur to building a team of professionals who help meet all her client’s technical needs.

Time Management Tips

One of the most common questions I receive from entrepreneurs is about how to have enough time to do it all.  How to squeeze in to their already overflowing schedule a new tool, time to blog, time for social media, time to market.  They are trying to fit just one more thing into their day  Unfortunately, we all have the same exact number of hours in a day and if we are going to keep our sanity and truly succeed we must remember to give ourselves time to breath.

I have learned this the hard way, I have tried everything imaginable to get more done and I have found a few things that work well.  My set of “systems” for keeping reign of my time and my tasks is in the video below.  I will admit in additional to this I also allow others to help me.  I accept the help of my in-laws when they agree to take the kids for a few hours, I outsource or delegate tasks to my interns and team members.  Some times getting help costs me, other times it is free, but it is ALWAYS beneficial to me.  So I encourage you to get help as well.

But for now. . . see if you can glean some system ideas from this short video:

Alyssa Avant is a published author, professional speaker, and tech coach. Alyssa has been working virtually since 2007. She has years of experience working with online professionals and business owners.

She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others so they can avoid the years of trial and error that she experienced as a new online business owner. Alyssa takes special pride in teaching entrepreneurs how to begin and handle all of their technology needs. Alyssa has gone from being a solopreneur to building a team of professionals who help meet all her client’s technical needs.

Need to fit more into your day, delegate some items off your plate.  We offer support services in many areas of online business.  Schedule a consult with us today to see how our team can help you!  http://tungle.me/alyssaavant 

Business Basics: Don’t Skip A Step

Being in business involves a great deal of set up. Many people, myself included tend to want to “rush” into business and often skip many important steps along the way on their road to business success. In fact, success may never indeed be found if you skip too many important steps in the foundation of your business.

The following are just a couple of the important pre-steps to establishing your business. Think of this as prep-work. You’ll want to get these questions answered before you can lay the foundation of your business down. You will basically be taking the time to answer some important questions.

Your Business Mission

What is your mission?  Knowing the ultimate purpose or mission of your business is a key question to have answered in your mind and heart before you ever get started.  You will want to consider, how you want your mission to be conveyed.

Who is your market? You will want to know all about your market.  To truly get to know your market answer the following questions about them:

• How old are they?
• What do they spend money on?
• Where do they live?
• Are they parents, single, divorced?
• What is their problem and how can they help you?
• What traits does your typical client have?
• Is there a need for your product or service in this market? Or is the market already
  saturated?
• If the market is saturated, how will you stand out? What will you offer different than
  the rest?
• Are you marketing to businesses, consumers, or both?

Finally, you will want to test your market. This is where a free offer comes in.  A high quality valuable offer can help you to test your market and truly be able to see if they need or even want what you have to offer.  You can test your market through a variety of ways, including:

• Surveys
• Ebooks
• Audios
• Teleseminars

Alyssa Avant is a published author, professional speaker, and tech coach.  Alyssa has been working virtually since 2007. She has years of experience working with online professionals and business owners.

She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others so they can avoid the years of trial and error that she experienced as a new online business owner. Alyssa takes special pride in teaching entrepreneurs how to begin and handle all of their technology needs.  Alyssa has gone from being a solopreneur to building a team of professionals who help meet all her client’s technical needs.

Creating an Organized System for Client Information 

If you’re in a business that serves people then I am 99% sure that you deal with a great deal of information daily.  Client information, financial information, to do lists, schedules, user names, passwords, the list is long I’m quite certain.  Let me share a little secret with you, I deal with it too.  It is amazing how much information can be stored in a person’s brain.

My husband and I were just joking over the weekend about the fact that we believe that we shared a brain.  My oldest son got the craziest look on his face when he heard me say it and asked, “So if I open up your head momma you only have half a brain.”  Of course not!  However, my husband and I do find ourselves thinking the same thoughts, at the same time often.  It is a little scary sometimes, but refreshing at others to know that we know each other so well.

Regardless, you and I both know that it is difficult for us to retain too much information at one time.  So, if you’re a business owner dealing with a good number of clients, then you are going to have to have a system to use to manage that information or something is going to definitely slip through the cracks.  If you don’t want to lose clients or money then I would suggest creating an organized system for client information now rather than later.

You are going to want to have a system that includes the following:

A permanent paper copy.  I know, we live in a society that is filled with lots of people who are begging us to GO GREEN and while I believe in that initiative to an extent I also believe in being better safe than sorry.  If I were to lose all the data and information on my computer(s) then I would not have my client’s phone numbers or other contact information that is necessary to contact them.

My solution was to print out a one page information sheet on each of my clients and save it in a three ring binder.  This was not only economical, but a way of organizing it as well.  It is divided into present clients, past clients, and one time clients.  Even if I just did a website for them last year and nothing else I still have their information.  You never know when that information might pay off.

A database backup.  I make sure to have a backup of all my important computer files so that if something were to happen to my computer(s) I can restore my files.  I have been using Carbonite as my backup system for years and it has saved me more than once.  My computer crashed in June 2010 and again in April 2011.  Both times I was able to retrieve the information and files from my main desktop computer and use it on my laptop until my desktop was repaired.

An accessible system.  In the age of the cloud it is important to utilize the tools that are available to you.  Whether you choose iCloud, Amazon Cloud or my personal favorite, Dropbox you want to be able to access your files where ever you are.  These systems can allow you to access your files on the go.  Dropbox also allows me to share files with my clients, team members and colleagues.  It is the perfect tool for organizing and you wouldn’t believe how much I use it daily.

If you want to save yourself time, headache and money you will choose to create a system for your client information sooner than later.  Don’t wait until disaster strikes to prepare.

Alyssa Avant is a published author, professional speaker, and tech coach.  Alyssa has been working virtually since 2007. She has years of experience working with online professionals and business owners.

She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others so they can avoid the years of trial and error that she experienced as a new online business owner. Alyssa takes special pride in teaching entrepreneurs how to begin and handle all of their technology needs.  Alyssa has gone from being a solopreneur to building a team of professionals who help meet all her client’s technical needs.

Attract – What It Means in Business

Attracting means different things in different areas of life.  But when it comes to business we want to attract good things, people in our target market, and repel all else.  If you're going to be a magnet for those you are seeking to serve you must make sure you are doing what is necessary to attract them to you.  This can be done in a variety of ways, many of which work together to finally have your target market react to you.  They must feel that they know you, like you and trust you before they will do business with you.

How to Attract Your Target Market Like a Magnet

Have a Irresistible FREE offer - As you've probably heard me mention before, it is important that you have an irresistible free offer on your website that visitors can pick up in exchange for their name and email address.  This can be in the form of a FREE report, ebook, audio, teleseminar, or any number of other ideas, but it must be high quality and of value.  Make it worthwhile for your visitors to share with you their name and email address.  

Engage in Social Media – When it comes to social media it is not just about being on social media, it is also about engaging in social media.  It is one thing to say you have a Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn account but it is quite another thing to claim that you are involved on those sites.  True commitment to and engagement on social media takes effort, time and commitment.  You must make it part of your daily or at least weekly routine and you must be genuine and sincere with your efforts in order to see any return on the investment of time that you put into it.  

Have a Recognizable Brand – This is the one area where attraction even in business may have some physical elements to it.  You need to have a brand that is attractive and most of all recognizable.  You want to build a brand that others will resonate with and ultimately recognize as being YOURS.  Choose colors that fit your business and yourself, use the same professional images of yourself as well as your logo everywhere you go, in all your social media, on your business cards, and on your website.  You want others to think, "I've seen that before."  The more often they see it the better so that they will remember it.  You want to be memorable.  

By now your wheels in your brain should be turning, maybe questioning whether your free offer is irresistible, or if you don't have one how you can create one, about your commitment to social media as well as if you have a recognizable brand.  Put some thought and effort into these areas and you will be attracting your target market like a magnet.  

Alyssa Avant is a professional speaker, trainer, and business owner. Alyssa has been working virtually since 2007. She has years of experience working with online professionals and business owners. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others so they can avoid the years of trial and error that she experienced as a new online business owner.

Attract is the 2nd step in my new Relationship Marketing Basic Program: Creating Your Irresistible Free Offer to Grow Your Business will you join us?  Early Bird Price is available for a LIMITED TIME –  Take action – Sign up now! 

As a Business Owner, Do You Take Action?

As a business owner, do you take action?  One of the most important lessons I have learned about being a business owner is that I am the only one who can make things happen.  It is like that old saying, "If it's to be it's up to me."  This is so true in the life of a business owner.  If we want our businesses to succeed we must take action.  There are many areas of business where we as business owners are required to take action.  Some of these include:

Creating Products or Services.  When it comes to bringing a profit in business, we as business owners must do one of two things, create a product or create a service from which we can profit.  This requires taking action, anything worth doing requires a little hard work.  

Networking.  The same is true in the area of networking.  We as business owners must take action to connect and communicate with our colleagues as well as our target audience. Networking is important to business, but it too requires that we act.  

Marketing.  Yet another important area of business that can make or break a business owner is the area of marketing.  This too requires taking action.  As Carrie Wilkerson, business coach and the Barefoot Executive always says, "take massive action to completion."  In even the simplest of terms this means just do something.  You cannot attract business without first putting yourself out there.  

Owning a business is a huge responsibility with a constant need to take action, to do the next thing, to take the next step, to meet the next goal, but after all isn't that why you got into business in the first place?  Most likely, if you are a business owner at heart you have the drive, determination and the will to act deep inside.  Just be sure you are taking the actions that you need to take in your business and you will indeed succeed.  

Alyssa Avant is a professional speaker, trainer, and business owner. Alyssa has been working virtually since 2007. She has years of experience working with online professionals and business owners. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others so they can avoid the years of trial and error that she experienced as a new online business owner.

Taking action is the first step in my new Relationship Marketing Basic Program: Creating Your Irresistible Free Offer to Grow Your Business will you join us?  Early Bird Price is available for a LIMITED TIME –  Take action – Sign up now! 

Be Real:  Using Relationship Marketing to Promote Your Business

There are any number of ways to cook an egg, right?  Scrambled, over easy, fried, poached, which do you prefer?  I know, I know this article isn't about cooking eggs, but just as there are any number of ways to cook an egg, there are any number of ways to market ones business.  How do you prefer to market your business?  A better question might be, how do you prefer to be marketed to? This is something important to consider: "How does your target market prefer to be marketed to?" Your results would be much great if you know the answer to this important question.  I believe that people don't just want to be sold to.  People want to be understood, people want to be helped, people want to feel valued.  This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what people truly want. The truth is people ASK for what they want.  You see it everyday on Facebook, on Twitter, people asking questions, seeking information, seeking to be understood.  If we pay attention to our surroundings we can easily see what it is that people want.  This is why being REAL and using relationship marketing in your business works. Relationship marketing involves putting people first.  It means getting to know those whom you are seeking to serve instead of just merely seeking to sell first and foremost.  We've all seen it those spammy sales message that invade our Twitter streams and Facebook newsfeeds.  Do they make you want to purchase, of course not, but when someone goes out of their way to answer your questions, get to know you and then offer their help via their services we are more likely to pull out our credit cards.

Relationship marketing works.  Here's why:

People want to feel important. They aren't worried about what you have to offer, but they are worried about the problems that they have on their shoulders, the issues they need to solve in their own lives and businesses.  By giving your audience the attention they crave they will in turn come to trust you and will show their appreciation in return. Credibility can be established. By building a relationship with your audience you are able to get to know them over time and vice versa.  As a result they are able to see your knowledge and expertise and will come to know you, like you and trust you.  They will see your reliability and will put their trust in you. Loyalty is established.  The longer a person gets to know you the great sense of loyalty they will feel for you.  As you share valuable information with your readers and audience you are able to show your loyalty to them, they in return will be loyal to you for the wealth of information you shared with them. Alyssa Avant is a professional speaker, trainer, and business owner. Alyssa has been working virtually since 2007. She has years of experience working with online professionals and business owners. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others so they can avoid the years of trial and error that she experienced as a new online business owner. Connect with your target market, establish a relationship – learn how to take the first step by creating your free offer – attend this free webinar.  

3 Proven Methods to Build Your List

A doctor needs patients, a grocery store needs shoppers, a business owner marketing their business online needs readers who will become clients. List building is a proven strategy that will help a business owner to create a flow of clients coming into his or her business.

List building allows you to continue to communicate with your website visitors. It gives you permission to stay in contact with them. It all starts with them giving you their email address and their name in exchange for something of value – an ebook, an audio, a special report, a free call or some other valuable information that the person wants enough to share their information with you.

I’ve been building a list for years, and I’ve watched my clients do the same, many of them I’ve even assisted in the process of list building. I’ve witnessed clients who used different methods to build their list and I’ve noticed a trend in what works and what doesn’t. I’m guessing you don’t care to hear about what doesn’t work, right?

So let me share with you what works.

Hosting a free call.  A free call gives you a chance to share your expertise with those who join you on the call.  It can be done on any number of topics that you’re knowledgeable about and gives those listening confidence in you.  They will in turn want to hear more from you or do business with you.  Free calls are easy to set up and hold and are even low cost or no cost for you, the business owner.

Creating an audio series.  Don’t want to share your information and expertise live, why not record the information and share it as an audio series.  Save the audios as mp3s and set them up in an autoresponder to automatically deliver them to your sign ups.  People who like to listen on the go will appreciate this option.

An ebook.  One of the simplest forms of free offers out there is an ebook.  An ebook can be any length that you choose and can give your readers the opportunity to see your work and what you have to offer before they invest in your other products or services.

These methods have been used again and again by business owners who want to grow their lists and market their business to those who are most interested in what they have to offer.  Those on your list are what you can consider to be a “qualified lead” or someone who has an interest in your offers, products and services.  As you build your list you’re building your leads and the potential for sales increases.

Why not create your list building strategy today?  Not sure how to get started.  I’m hosting a FREE webinar that will show you HOW – The Other Experts Tell You WHAT to DO, Let me show you HOW – on Monday, January 10 - sign up here.  

Alyssa Avant is a professional speaker, trainer, and business owner. Alyssa has been working virtually since 2007. She has years of experience working with online professionals and business owners. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with others so they can avoid the years of trial and error that she experienced as a new online business owner.