| Starting any small business is, for lack of a better | | | | newsletter or other publication that could use |
| term, a challenge. You can't just jump into it | | | | some content. It works for me :-) |
| without plenty of thought and research. Running | | | | Speaking of articles, this is one of the best ways |
| your business is a never-ending roller coaster of | | | | to market your business. It is a process of |
| good days and bad; ups and downs; rewards and | | | | writing, locating areas where you can have them |
| failures; all from which we learn. | | | | published, and then waiting for people to take |
| An even bigger challenge is starting a business in | | | | notice. It then starts all over again. But, writing |
| an industry that is still very young and filled with | | | | articles helps to establish yourself as an expert in |
| competitors who have similar skill sets and who | | | | your field. I wrote my first article about 4 years |
| are vying for clients in the same target market | | | | ago and I wrote about what I knew.... what it was |
| as you. The Virtual Assistance industry is an | | | | like to be in the startup phase of running a |
| example of this. It is still trying to make a name | | | | business. As I experienced different and new |
| for itself and the entrepreneurs that make up the | | | | aspects of my business and my industry, I wrote |
| industry have similar professional experience and | | | | about those too. I then offered my articles to |
| similar prospective clients. | | | | editors of online and print publications. After 4 |
| But, that doesn't mean that this type of business | | | | years, I look back at my writing and see that it |
| can't be viable and successful. It takes a lot of | | | | has gotten better (IMHO) and I still see some of |
| work but the opportunities are endless. Think | | | | my earlier articles show up in publications. |
| about it... as VIRTUAL workers, and with so many | | | | And don't forget to make a page on your |
| advancements in technology, it is much easier to | | | | website where you can highlight your articles. |
| offer our services to a wider market. We are no | | | | So, pick up your pen or warm up your mouse |
| longer limited to advertising to local markets. The | | | | and write about what you know. If database |
| Internet makes it possible to expand our markets | | | | design and management is your specialty, write |
| and our creativity. | | | | about the capabilities that most database |
| So, what can we do as entrepreneurs to ensure | | | | programs offer. I bet you that a lot of people |
| our businesses are successful and to stop the | | | | have no idea how much a good database system |
| doubts we have any time business is slow | | | | could help streamline their business. If newsletter |
| whether this business is viable? | | | | design is what you do best, write about the |
| Tops on the list is ... MARKET, MARKET, MARKET. | | | | benefits and the options that people have for |
| As small business owners we need to be in | | | | offering an online newsletter. Be creative! |
| "marketing mode" all the time, no matter where | | | | Another great way of marketing yourself and |
| we are or what we are doing (well, almost ALL | | | | your business it to "toot your own horn", cause if |
| the time :-). Our brains need to be trained to | | | | you don't, who will? The big companies have PR |
| make us think like we aren't in business mode but | | | | departments but as a small business owner, that |
| if we spot something or hear something that may | | | | is just another one of the hats we have to wear. |
| help our business to build and succeed, a light bulb | | | | If you win an award or obtained a certification or |
| should go off. An idea should start building and our | | | | any other newsworthy accomplishment, let others |
| creative juices should start flowing. | | | | know. Announce it on your email discussion lists... |
| We also need to be shameless self-promoters. If | | | | share your good news. |
| the chance comes up to mention your business, | | | | You can also toot your own horn by putting |
| go for it. And, as shameless self-promoters, we | | | | announcements on your website. Find a spot on |
| can't be afraid to ask. When you are talking to | | | | your homepage and make a special box or |
| people, be sure to mention something special that | | | | graphic to highlight the achievement. If it requires |
| you do or offer. For example, let them know | | | | more of a description, make a page that your |
| where they can read your articles and that they | | | | homepage special links to and put all the |
| are free to re-publish them if they have a | | | | information there. |