Are you a Serious Business Owner?

Are you a serious business owner? Or are you playing at being a business owner? There’s a big difference and here’s a few tips I’d like to share.

How many times have we heard people talk about this great business they own, yet they don’t come across as serious business owners? They may have no website yet; maybe they just decided one day, “I think I’ll become a virtual assistant”; they join forums yet hang back in the shadows, never “meeting” anyone, just hanging around.

People will not take you seriously if you do not present a professional image. In today’s world, if you’re going to be doing Internet business, you must have a static website or a blog-platform website. Forums are for networking – which is a two-way street. Yes, you want to learn all that you can about the different aspects of business. But you must put yourself out there also – share your expertise. No matter if you’ve been in business 5 years or 5 days, life has given you plenty of experiences. You never know when one of those will help someone else who has been searching for an answer.

When you speak, use proper grammar. When you write, spell-check your words. Don’t gossip and talk about others. Always present yourself as a professional and you will be treated as a professional. Then the clients will come to you. They will be impressed by the way you present yourself – whether it be in person, on the Internet, during a social networking event – they will see that you are a serious business owner.

Vickie

Referrals – Key to your Business Growth

Where have your clients come from?

I’ve found that the best source for new clients is from referrals – word-of-mouth. There is nothing like a glowing report from someone you’ve worked with and who are happy with your services. Referrals are the key to your business growth and that should not surprise us.

Look at how we live our daily lives. How do we find accountants, bankers, car dealers? Most of the time it’s through someone we know who have used their services. And we decide to try them out because we trust our colleague or friend or family member. We want to get the same service they received.

Referring should be a two-way street. If there is someone you deal with, or have dealt with, and they were professional, accurate, quick, thorough, tell your friends and business associates about them. They will be excited that their services are sought after – but they will also think of you the next time someone needs what you provide. It’s a win-win situation.

So the next time you talk to someone and it sounds as if they’re searching for a service provider, maybe a life coach, maybe a marketing coach, maybe a consultant, or maybe a virtual assistant (that’s me!), be sure to spread the word about those you’ve come in contact with, those who made your life easier, those who helped your business grow. You’ll see that it will come back to you!

That old saying, “What goes around, comes around,” is true. Try it out!

And one last thing – be very careful about referring people or services you haven’t tried. How can you make a referral when you don’t know how their service is? Your name is the one they will remember, so make sure you know what you’re talking about.

Vickie