What is a Virtual Assistant worth?

by: Susan Sheehan

I read this great blog post today about what Virtual Assistants charge and why.  I was going to write a blog post about this but this one did it for me.  It's a great post, How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Charge?

If you have any thoughts about the article please let me know!

Virtual Assistant / Cape Cod Social Media Links

by: Susan Sheehan

Find us on Social Media.  Please like us, follow us, friend us, tweet with us!

Facebook

Twitter

LinkedIn

Quick Advertising Ideas...

by: Susan Sheehan

Here is a really quick rundown on some ways (new and old) to advertising your business:

• your local paper
• direct mail
• direct targeted email
• newsletters
• write an article about your business/industry
• sponsor a local event
• sponsor a local team
• coupons
• flyers
• placemats (popular on Cape Cod)
• business cards
• local professional and business organizations
• vehicle signs
• trade shows
• Twitter
• Facebook
• website
• Happy Birthday coupons
• get an mailing list
• networking events
• local radio ads
• ask customers for a referral and reward them
• teach an adult ed class in your field
• partner with another business
• door hangers on door knobs
• t shirts
• airplane banner ads (often done in beach communities like Cape Cod)

We can help you with any of these ideas, either get you started or do them all for you.  

Basics for Small Business Owners

by: Susan Sheehan

I owned my first small business, a flower store, when I was in my 20's.  I was a great florist and felt I'd make more money running my own business.  Wrong (at least at first).  I had no idea how to run a business and I found out the hard way.

This time around I'm a little smarter.  I'm keeping books, records, and customers.  I actually have a business plan.  I can promise you this, the effort involved in keeping books is worth the payoff at tax time (or when the IRS comes knocking).  However, around here we have a lot of seasonal businesses.  And if your business is seasonal you need to work like crazy "in season."  And that leaves very little time for anything else.  

You can't put off accounts receivable / payable and payroll.  You must keep your current customers and  you'll need to spend some time developing new ones.  This is exactly where a VA comes in handy.  Give us the jobs you hate doing, the busy work, so you can concentrate on the parts of your job you like and are good at.  We can help you an hour a week or 20.  Try us and you'll be convinced.  

While you are at it take a quick read of this article, "7 Things a Small Business Owner Should Know" it sums up the basics.  

Taxes... Ugh!

by: Susan Sheehan

I know a lot of small business people feel that way at tax time..... I use to until I started keeping really good records.   That really saves a lot of blood, sweat, and tears.

This might be a good year to start doing some basic bookkeeping (which we offer to clients).  I recommend taking a look at QuickBooks or Freshbooks (which I use).

Here is an article from Bloomberg Business Week about Tax Prep Basics for Small Businesses.  Give it a read.

And remember we can help you make this task far easier with some record keeping!

Virtual Assistant Cape Cod is open for business!

by: Susan Sheehan


I've been helping small businesses for years; doing advertising, posting to blogs, redesigning websites, taking care of typical office work and even contacting their customers for year now.  All my clients have come to me via recommendations.  I'm very lucky to have such great people to work with.  However, I'm taking it to the next level now and I'm going to start to advertise, join local networking groups, and generally "take care of my own business." 

I hope if you are falling behind, or being swamped with routine paperwork you'll give us a try.  We can take away the drudgery from your business and make it fun again!