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Karen

WINTER WELLNESS CHALLENGES –

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Winter Wellness Challenges

Winter can be a wonderful time of year, but for many people it can mean several months of misery, if they live in a part of the world that experiences severe cold weather during the winter months. Here are some Winter Wellness Tips to help you get through.

On the positive side, there are all sorts of exciting winter activities:

 

·       downhill skiing

·       cross-country skiing

·       snowboarding

·       snowshoeing

·       snowmobiling

among other fun, outdoor winter activities.

 

On the negative side, there is a temptation to pretend we are a bear and just hibernate until the spring thaw comes!

The truth is, becoming inactive during the winter season, can be one of the worst things you can do for your health. It might seem tough to enjoy the short days and long nights of winter, but, spending time outside during each winter’s day offers several health benefits.

Fresh Air

Being cooped up indoors leaves you more prone to colds and flu, since you will be surrounded by other people who may be coughing and sneezing. 

Exercise

Exercise boosts your energy levels and mood.  It also helps you burn calories, which is very useful, if you tend to gain weight during the end of the year holidays.

 

More Vitamin D

Vitamin D is produced by our body, as a direct result of exposure to the sun. We can take supplements, but, just 30 minutes of sunshine per day (wearing sunscreen, of course), can give us our daily recommended requirement of Vitamin D.

Light Therapy for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Winter can cause many to get “the blues”. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, affects millions of people around the world. It is caused by the lack of daylight during the short winter days, especially when the weather is bad and the sunlight is in short supply! 

 

SAD can trigger depression, illness and weight gain. Colds and flu can make people (and their immune systems) even more depressed. Getting out in the sun is the best way to combat SAD and live life to the full each winter.

 

Eating Issues

Many people pack on the pounds in the winter. They crave hot “comfort foods” to warm up on a cold day. Holidays such as; Thanksgiving and Christmas, can be a diet disaster. Eating more and working out less, if at all, because of the cold weather, is a recipe for weight gain and getting out of shape.  By the time spring rolls around, you’ll be a couch potato, and look like a spud in your swimsuit, if you’re not careful.

Skin and Hair Issues in Winter

Winter weather is a lot colder and drier than summer weather, which means it takes its toll on your skin. Your hair might start to look dry and brittle. Your skin might become chapped, red and flaky. If you already have dry skin, winter can make it much worst. Paying attention to moisturizing your hair, face and skin can keep you looking and feeling great.

Dressing for Safety in Winter

Last, but not least, you need to dress for safety in winter. Cold kills. A hat, scarf, gloves and proper footwear, to match the weather conditions, are all essential.

 

Here’s to your Health this Winter!

 

Stay healthy and safe and we’ll see you outside soon!

 

Karen

Founder

Lotus Business Resources LLC

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IMPORTANT FACTS SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BRANDING

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Branding for small businesses
Small Business Branding Image
Small Business Branding

IMPORTANT FACTS SMALL BUSINESSES SHOULD KNOW ABOUT BRANDING

Posted by IVAA Webteam on  September 10, 2018 

Are you a small business owner that believes Branding is only for multi-million-dollar businesses? Do you believe BRANDING is important to your small business but, you run out of time at the end of your day?

This article will outline some basic Branding concepts that can make your business memorable, and it will also explain how a Virtual Assistant can help you achieve your Branding goals.

WHAT IS BRANDING?

  • Branding is the art of aligning what you want people to think about your company with what people actually do think about your company – Jay Baer
  • Brand is the image people have of your company or product. It’s who people think you are – Ann Handley
  • A brand is a singular idea or concept that you own inside the mind of a prospect – Al Ries

WHERE DO I START WHEN BRANDING MY SMALL BUSINESS?

Before creating logos, fonts, and slogans, you must first:

1.    Identify your target audience

2.    Identify your target audience’s burning pains

3.    Identify how you can solve your target audience’s burning pains

4.    Create the smallest audience you can that has a specific need. It sounds counterintuitive, but shrinking your audience often lets you target them better.

A Virtual Assistant or Virtual Business Specialist can help you accomplish the three steps above by:

1.    Setting up your marketing funnels (to build your email list).

2.    Use the email list for client surveys, to find out where their ‘pain points’ lie.

1.    NOTE: Your Virtual Assistant can assure that your emails contain an “opt-in”; to make sure that your list includes the people that have requested to be on your list!

3.    Create and post good, solid content that describes HOW you will solve your audience’s ‘pain points’.

You can learn more about how to ask good customer research questions in this blog post from Active Campaign.

 

YOUR NEXT STEPS IN BRANDING: Positioning, Tone and Personality and Logos

Now that you have a strong understanding of your target audience – CONGRATULATIONS — you are ahead of most of your competitors!

You have now arrived at the point that most people call BRANDING: your positioning, personality, and logo.

Three important aspects of your BRANDING are:

  1. The POSITIONING of your business—your “why”
  2. Your TONE and PERSONALITY
  3. Your LOGO, COLORS, and SLOGAN

Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why, argues that “People don’t buy what you do. They buy why you do it.”

POSITIONING

As you work on your positioning, ask yourself what values you’d like to have associated with your brand. Ask yourself:

  • What do you stand for?
  • What are you trying to accomplish in your business?
  • What makes you different from other people in your industry?
  • What are your core values?

When you have a sense of your core values, it’s easier to incorporate them into your actual business.

TONE and PERSONALITY

Positioning helps you get a strong sense of your core message. Your tone and personality are how you communicate that message to clients.

The tone you choose depends on your industry and the service you offer. It’s often easier for a small business to use a lighter tone.

LOGO, COLORS, AND SLOGANS

Finally, we are at the “fun and creative” part of BRANDING. The steps that you have taken to this point, will help you create a brand that actually speaks to your target audience. Think back on those steps as you work on your logo, colors, and slogan (aka tagline).

  • How do your logo, company name, and tagline reflect what your customers need?
  • How do they differentiate you from your competitors?
  • How does your brand highlight your personality?

Here is a link to an article from Active Campaign, that shows some examples of amazing small business branding Logos, colors, and slogans.

CONCLUSION:

Branding your small business shows the world how you are different from your competitors. Branding is the true essence of your small business and THE VALUE your business provides for your clients!

If you have not yet branded your small business and would like to collaborate with a professional Virtual Assistant, Lotus Business Resources LLC can help. We offer a complimentary (no-obligation) 30-minute discovery call.  Contact us at:  732-707-5307 or via email to: karen@LotusBusinessResources.com or via website: https://www.LotusBusinessResources.com/contact 

Click for more Resources!

Owner of Lotus Business Resources, Karen Kannegiesser
Karen Kannegiesser, Owner of Lotus Business Resources, your virtual business specialist

Karen Kannegiesser is an online business resource assistant, specializing in Social Media Management and Content Creation/Writing for Small Businesses and Non-Profits. Karen has over three decades of C-suite level executive administrative and supply chain expertise. She has many years as a strategic MRO buyer for a large specialty chemical manufacturer, as well as an extensive background in database management, project management, contract administration and business continuity/disaster recovery preparedness.  www.LotusBusinessResources.com

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Ann Handley’s Writing GPS-A How-To Infographic on Writing Content

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Ann Handley’s Writing GPS – a How-To Infographic on Writing Content

The one thing I would add to this excellent infographic by Ann Hadley, would be to always keep an eye on YOUR SEO (i.e., tags, headings,  keywords, meta descriptions, etc.).

If you have an article that you are stressing over, give us a call!

Let us be YOUR go-to Virtual Business Resource for all of your Social Media Management and Content Writing “pain points”!

Lotus Business Resources – 732-707-5307 or via email: Karen@LotusBusinessResources.com 

Have a SUCCESSFUL Content Creation Day!

Ann Handley
HOW TO INFOGRAPHIC ON WRITING CONTENT BY ANN HANDLEY

by visually. From Visually.

 

FIVE KEY ONLINE MARKETING STRATEGIES A VA CAN DO FOR YOUR BUSINESS

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Posted by IVAA Webteam on

 August 6, 2018 

picture of a finger pressing the FB logo on cell phone

5 Key Online Marketing Strategies a VA Can Do For Your Business

Congratulations!  You have a fantastic product or service! Now, how are you going to turn that fantastic product or service into a profitable business?

Enter, Marketing Strategies! Marketing isn’t just an important part of a successful business – it IS the business.  Everything else you do in your business depends on how effective your marketing strategies are in driving clients to your business!

But like most business owners, you have run out of time. There are many tasks a Virtual Assistant can do to help you. Often this is the best way a business can do more and turn that product or service into one with more sales and bring in that profit you desire. Hiring a Virtual Assistant.

Many VAs offer social media and online marketing as a specialty. If you need help with your marketing, bring in a Virtual Assistant and then they can help you with some of the marketing strategies that will help drive more clients and more sales.

  1. Use social media.

Be yourself! Don’t just post “salesy” content, post thoughts and anything you feel that your target audience/ideal client will find relevant. Do research to find out which platforms your ideal client uses; you can then determine the best times and dates to share your knowledge.

A J.D. Powers study found that sixty-seven percent of consumers use social media for customer service inquiries, so make sure you become a part of that community! Don’t forget to engage with your audience by starting conversations and responding to their comments (both good AND bad). You wouldn’t ignore someone who reaches out to you in person, so don’t ignore them online. Building relationships is one of the most important parts of your social media marketing success, so always acknowledge every person who reaches out to you.

  1. Blog, Blog, Blog

Entrepreneur.com found that marketers who blog are 13 times more likely to experience a positive ROI.  Demand Metrics determined that businesses who blog, generate 67 percent more leads than those who don’t!

However, don’t just blog for the sake of blogging. Use platforms like Medium.com to research suitable content to post. Also, visit sites like Quora and Reddit and be seen as an authority, by answering questions in your area of expertise.

  1. Build a great lead magnet.

The right lead magnet, when presented to your ideal client, can bring unbelievable results. To qualify as a great lead magnet, it needs to:

  • Address known “pain points” in your ideal client’s business
  • Present a solution that will take their ‘pain points’ away

What type of lead magnet should you build? You can create an ebook, a cheat sheet, a checklist or a how-to video. Be creative! Think about the lead magnets you’ve seen that drew you in. What was it about them that peeked your curiosity to want to learn more about the offering?

  1. Take advantage of email distribution (a.k.a. build that list!)

Now that you have created an AMAZING lead magnet, the next step in your funnel is Email marketing.  Part of any good sales funnel is going to be an email marketing sequence. These are the automated messages that go out to users once they subscribe to your list. Use your email sequence to build a relationship with your subscribers. Be authentic and transparent. Email marketing is still one of the best ways to reach your audience, and the fact that it costs next to nothing to execute makes it one of the best tools to add to your marketing toolkit.

  1. Keep an eye on your SEO

Okay, you’re visible on social media, you are building a “know, like and trust” factor with your ideal clients, you’re blogging valuable content, you’ve built an incredible lead magnet and you have your email distribution set up.  How do you determine whether these steps are getting you the greatest return on your investment and reaching your ideal clients?

Enter:  Search engine optimization!  SEO can significantly help your brand reach the people who want what you’re offering.

Industry experts recommend updating your SEO once a quarter; after all, Google updates its algorithm more than 500 times a year, according to Moz.com. Find the keywords that are making your business gain or lose traction in the search engine cycle, to make your brand as discoverable and searchable as possible.

Many new business owners may want to jump right in and market their business before focusing on a clear target audience/ideal client. Doing some upfront work to clarify your target market and then committing to it, will make your marketing efforts that much easier in the long run.  Find more customers like your best customer and stop selling to those that aren’t in that group.

If you know that you need to devote more time to your marketing efforts, but your time is limited, collaborate with a professional Virtual Assistant!  IVAA offers a free RFP system for you to post your VA needs and our members can reply to you with a proposal.

If you are looking to hire a virtual assistant to implement your marketing strategies like these five, click here:  We Can Help You

picture of Owner of Lotus Business Resources LLC

Karen Kannegiesser is an online business resource assistant with over three decades of C-suite level executive administrative and supply chain expertise. She has many years as a strategic MRO buyer for a large specialty chemical manufacturer, as well as an extensive background in database management, project management, contract administration and business continuity/disaster recovery preparedness.www.LotusBusinessResources.com

HIRE A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT AND START DELEGATING – PART 3

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If you would like further information on how to Hire a Virtual Assistant, contact us at: https://www.LotusBusinessResources.com/contact

Thanks for watching our video.

Have a great day.

Hire a Virtual Assistant and Start Delegating – Part I

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There comes a time in every small business owner’s life when they look at their to-do list and realize they simply can’t get it all done. Do not despair! Help is just a call or email away!

We are here when you are ready!

Fill out the short form below and someone will contact you within 24 hours. Thanks for viewing!

 

Hire a Virtual Assistant and Start Delegating – Part 3

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hiring a virtual assistant pricing
Hiring a Virtual Assistant – Part 3

 

By Tracking Your Time, ZAPIER

July 12, 2018

What can you expect to pay for a virtual assistant?

As with most professions, rates for VAs are all over the map.  So, what can you expect to pay for a virtual assistant?

Here are a few things to keep in mind while you’re looking at virtual assistants and their rates:

Type of Work:  

  • If you’re looking at entry-level administrative work (email management, basic customer service, etc.), you’ll probably be paying $15-25/hour.
  • If you’re looking for higher-level tasks (project management, content strategy, etc.), you could be looking at $50/hour or more. Upwork has posted their average rates for various tasks, which can help you get a better estimate.

Speed: 

  • Keep in mind when looking at hourly rates that some people work faster than others. Someone who charges $50/hour might complete a project three times faster—and with the same quality—as someone who charges $25/hour, making it more financially beneficial for you. Don’t be fooled by ultra-low hourly rates.

Pro tip: Paying hourly can be dicey. If possible, we suggest paying per completed project. Quick workers will benefit, and you will know exactly what it’s going to cost you before you start.

Experience level: 

  • Take into account the VA’s experience level. It might be tempting to go for the cheapest option you find, but extensive experience can be the difference between quality work and work that you end up having to redo yourself.

Client testimonials: 

  • Look at client testimonials on the VA’s website and/or their LinkedIn recommendations, and ask for a few client references to reach out to via email.
  • If someone isn’t able to put you in touch with at least two or three people who they’ve worked for before, it might mean that they know they wouldn’t receive any glowing recommendations.

Many cost-conscious business owners work with international assistants—through marketplaces like Virtual Valley and outsourced, largely because the hourly rates tend to be cheaper.

The decision is up to you, but keep in mind that major time zone differences and any language barriers can slow down the process and cost you more than the cheaper price is saving you, to begin with.

If your business is ready to work with a virtual business assistant, feel free to contact Lotus Business Resources for a complimentary discovery call.

Click the link below to schedule a no-obligation call:

CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A 30 MINUTE DISCOVERY CALL

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If you’d rather call us direct:  732-707-5307

www.LotusBusinessResources.com – YOUR virtual business support specialist!