The variety of social media platforms available can leave you feeling overwhelmed and possibly wasting valuable time sharing the right type of content, to the wrong audience. 
The platform that you choose to use, will largely come down to what you aim to achieve, the type of content you wish to share and who you are targeting. 
There are 5 major players, all with very unique factors, some of which can drive more business to your website and ultimately increase sales or just create brand awareness which in turn can lead to sales. 
Below, I have listed some key points to take into consideration when creating an online presence.  

• .Over 1 Billion daily users
• Pages, groups and personal profiles
• Targeted marketing using paid ads
• All types of content
• Requires interaction from likers to increase reach to a wider audience
• Great for Brand awareness and promotional material
• Perfect for all types of businesses

Check out GroSocial's infographic for why every business should be using Facebook.

• Over 100 Million members
• Business or Personal accounts
• Targeted marketing via paid ads
• 140 characters or less text, links, images, videos
• Hashtags to widen your audience
• Perfect for short snappy intros

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GroSocial goes deeper into the pro's and con's of Twitter, so read before making a decision if Twitter is right for you.

• 400 million + monthly users
• 3.5 billion likes daily
• 80 million photos shared daily
• Business and personal accounts
• Mainly for Images, GIFs and Short Video's
• Paid advertising for targeted audiences
• Hashtags to increase reach

Instagram is perfect for brand awareness, behind the scene shots and a more casual/personal feel.

• All varieties of content is suitable
• Business,personal profiles and communities
• Helps your business with SEO, local listings, adwords, google analytics, google maps
• Hashtags can be used

Google + hasn't done as well as other social media platforms in terms of popularity, however it certainly does have its advantages and depending on your business, it will either be lucrative or lost.

• All types of content for business purposes
• Personal, Business and community groups
• Paid targeted advertising
• Great for Headhunters, Job seekers
• Acts as an online CV
• Publish blogs on LinkedIn pulse for a wider audience

LinkedIn is a great social platform for business owners to reach other professionals. This allows you to check credentials and form working relationships.
If your ideal target market is other business owners, then LinkedIn is for you.

When you first turn to online media, start off by using one platform and test the waters. Try different types of content, at different times of day.
Gradually increase your platform base and see which works for your business and which ones don't.

​Look out for the next blog: How to Read Facebook Insights for Newbies

​This blog will show you the dos and don'ts of making conversation. People generally love to talk about themselves but you don’t want to put them off having conversation by offending them by accident. 

I was recently at an Optometrist appointment and the optometrist asked me some questions that made me feel slightly uncomfortable, suspicious and whether they were appropriate to ask a stranger.
They started off harmless but I soon found that it began to cross over from general interest to interrogation type questions.

He asked about what I do for a living, do I work from home etc.
The next one was if I had always lived in Dunedin. ? When I replied that I grew up in several places in Central Otago, he followed it up with why we moved to Dunedin? Then what did my father do?
I politely replied that he worked as an engineer on the Clyde Dam before he went to Beaurepairs before his premature death from a motorcycle accident at the age of 29.
He quickly back tracked and apologised and then moved onto checking my eyes.

This got me thinking about where the line gets drawn when asking questions in a business atmosphere.
There are certainly topics to avoid such as religion and politics as they can easily turn from being a polite discussion if the beliefs are shared into an ugly war of words if opinions differ.
It can be treacherous territory if you ask the wrong questions.

1. Do ask how their day is going and listen for cues for other questions regarding the original question. Such as “Have you had a very busy day?" Yes, I have been flat out working on client projects before the Christmas break" "Oh, what is it that you do?" (Safe question as it won't be opinion based) "I am a virtual assistant" "What does that involve?" "I undertake administration tasks for other business owners....."
Don’t get to personal in asking information about clients or employees. This could be a potential client and if you are spilling the beans on one client, you may do it to them too!
 
2. Do ask if they have any plans for the holidays. This is a safe question as they can either describe partially or in full their plans or say nothing and then you can move on.
Do not ask how long they will be away for. This can be seen as a ruse to find out how long their home will be unoccupied for.
 
3. Do ask if they are into a particular sport and if so, did they happen to catch the game?
Do not ask if they saw the news regarding a recent murder or suicide. This could be too close to home and the person may even be related to a victim.
 
 
The other thing you need to be cautious of is the fact that you may not know who you are talking to; they may know you or someone you know.

Avoid asking questions that could be dark, gloomy or negative.
You want your clients and customers to walk away feeling happy and positive. Not reminded of a horrible event or having debated with someone regarding a political belief.
​
Keep questions that involve opinion out of it and you should be safe.  

​Ever since the internet began, users have been determined to bring the real world into a virtual, digital form of life.
Giving your business an online presence also gives your business an advantage.
Discover the reasons why it is so important to be part of the digital movement and have a web presence. 

​Retailers have noticed a decrease in foot traffic to their brick and mortar stores because the ability to browse, compare, purchase and receive products has become so much easier for the consumer to shop from the comfort of their own home.
Think of all the people who may not have visited your store because they haven’t had the means to get there. You may not be located in their town, or even their country. These people now don’t have that limitation placed on them and are free to shop where and whenever they want.
You may even find that people will stumble cross your business on the web. It widens the audience potential and there may even be people who didn’t know you exist. 

​This term is usually used only for Social Media platforms but it can also apply to physical stores.
If something was to happen tomorrow to your store, would you be able to continue selling your products? The same can be said about Social Media pages like Facebook. You don’t own the platform, you just borrow it and at any point, the whole thing could just fall apart and you have no control over that. Having a website, means that if anything should happen, you have a back up in place. Measures can be taken to ensure that the security used is paramount, updates and maintenance is done in compliance with your needs. You have far more control over owning your own website. 

​We have all done it. We have seen something in store and bought it without much thought.
I bet you have also spotted something in store, contemplated it and after awhile, changed your mind and put it back.
Having a website increases the chances of Impulse shopping. If the consumer is given the opportunity to purchase from your company, they will do it without a lot of thinking and once that button is clicked, there is no going back!
We live in a world where we need instant gratification. We see something that we want and we want it right there and then.
Your business can be open 24/7 to meet the needs of your varying customers. Your store can also be accessible to the entire world if you wish, Time zones make no difference.

​By having a website, you can use Social Media and Google Adwords to advertise your products and services with a CTA (Call to Action) that leads them to your website with a click of a button.
Print media can easily be discarded and there is no way of measuring how many consumers have engaged with your advertising in some shape or form. Link your website up to services like Google Analytics and watch your website visitors browse your website, gain information about your customers and use it to your advantage.
You can also use your website to accumulate email subscribers, giving you yet another means of advertising. Have a lead page with an opt-in form to collect email addresses. 

​Word of mouth is a powerful source of advertising. Honest feedback from your customers can build or break your reputation and by providing an easy to use eCommerce website with excellent customer service, you can create a positive experience for your customers.
Sharing information that is relevant to your business in the form of blogs and articles will show that you are an expert in your field and your customers are likely to keep coming back. 

A system or software program that allows you to store, recall and use information about your customers and clients.

Think of it as a library and each book is designated for each customer or client. 
This book contains information specific to your clients habits, purchases, demographics and interactions with your business. 

Every phone call, email, purchase can be recalled easily to help track sales and if you are looking to find customers who live in a certain location or meet a certain criteria, you can easily bring this information to the forefront.
Analyze this information to help narrow down your target market or create campaigns based on a specific criteria. 
Automate responses when your customers interact with your website therefore creating a stronger sales funnel.

There are a wide range of CRM software available and it will depend on the size of your business, specific needs and future goals as to which one will suit you best.

A cloud based solution is a more cost effective solution where the user pays on a subscription basis. The downside to this is that you are more vulnerable to security issues as you have no physical control over the storage of the data, maintenance and security systems.
On-site systems are available however they tend to be higher in cost and the onus is on the business to maintain the software, updates, security and administration. These types of programs are available by purchasing the licence upfront with no on-going costs.  

Prices range start at $0 - $199 USD per month and will increase depending on your level of need. 
Popular CRM's are Zoho, Insightly, Sales Force and Infusion Soft.

The question that most new business owners ask is "where do I start?" when it comes to building a website.
Regardless of whether you plan on building it yourself or having a professional website developer and designer, you need to have a clear vision on what your end product to be. 
Use the following tips to plan your website.

List the main headings you would like on your website.

Then think about your sub categories

What images would you like on the home page?
Will you be using images of your products on the other pages?
Do you want a large header across the top of the page? 

What colours would you like to have? Select one main background colour, and one to two other colours. Try and tie your logo into the overall colour scheme.

What would you like your website to do? Drive sales? Inform the customer? Be a space to share thoughts and feelings? 
Do you want slideshows or videos?
Will you require payment options? Newsletter sign ups?
Will you require Social Media icons leading to your other platforms? 

If you would like help building your website, we have a range of packages available. You can also save this document for future reference.

Working from home is such a fun idea! You can wear what you want, you can sleep in, you will have more time for friends and family, heck you can even pull a sicky, head to the beach and not worry about someone catching you!

You want this to be a successful business don’t you? In order for your customers and clients to take you seriously, you need to take your business seriously too. The earlier you implement the following habits and tips to run a business efficiently, the sooner you can reap the rewards. 

Do you have any other tips for working from home? What works for you?

For tips on starting a home business, please read So, You Want to be Self-employed? 

Being an employee or a self-employed business owner each has benefits and pitfalls so you really need to be prepared for what is about to occur!
Owning your own business is hard work and will involve long days for the first month or two if you plan on doing it alone.

A profitable business doesn't just happen, it can take time to build a customer base, cover expenses and start putting money into your pocket but with a great idea and work ethic, you can achieve your goal.

Your idea needs to be a product or service that is currently not available and meeting the needs of your ideal customer. If you can provide it, then you are off to a great start. 

I have compiled a list of eight area's that you need to implement BEFORE you start trading. 

You must research your competition. These are the other businesses that may be providing the product or service you wish to offer. Where are their strengths? What could you do better? 
Check the internet for both local and International markets.
Will you be the only one selling this idea? 

You will need a name to trade under. This name will need to be catchy and memorable, while telling your consumer what it is that you do or sell. 
If you were to search Google for this product or service, what word (s) would you look for? 
As above, research and make sure that no-one else has this or a similar name to avoid possible trademark and copyright infringements. 
You should also consider whether you may expand in the future and if that name will still fit. 
Check the companies register to see if the name has already been used. 
Check to see if your business name URL is also available. Don't forget to check the .com, .co.nz or .nz versions. 

A business plan is imperative to all businesses especially start-ups.
This is where you assess where you are currently at, your end goal and how you plan on getting there. 
Your business plan will need to be reviewed every 3-6 months initially and then at least once per year after the first year or so. Use these times to reflect on where you started and how far you have come. 
Download your free business plan template here. 

The first step is to have funds in a business bank account right from day one. Setting up a business cannot be done completely free. 
Plan ahead and create a financial forecast. How much will you be selling your product for? What are your expenses? How and when will you pay for certain things? 
Keep all of your receipts from the very first cent spent. 
You are technically in business as soon as you spend money on the business so discuss your tax obligations with the Inland Revenue Department. They are actually quite helpful and have a specialist that you can have an "In Person" conversation with. 
Decide whether you will become a Sole-trader, partnership, company or a non-profit organisation. each one has it's own tax rules.
To register as a company, see the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment website. 
Have a bookkeeping system or software setup that can record your income, expenses and create invoices or alternatively hire an accountant.

Design or have your Logo designed by a Graphic Designer.
The logo, like your name, will represent your business and you will also need to research this to ensure that you are not copying someone else's design. 
Check Iponz for further trademark information.
Your logo is a very powerful tool in marketing as if well known, you will remain at the forefront of your consumers mind. Take Coca Cola and Google for example. 

Make sure that if your idea's, logo's and names are original, that you have them trademarked. This prevents other people using those same idea's and legally being allowed to.
Do this as early on in the process as possible. The Iponz website has the information regarding copyright law, legal obligations and the process if you believe someone has stolen your Intellectual property. 

If your business will be relying on product sales, then you will need to have plenty of stock on hand. 
Make sure there is enough to meet initial demand, more on the way and if the supplier or manufacturer can also meet the demand. 
Take note of any potential Custom Duties if importing from overseas and also check to make sure your product is not on the prohibited list.

The most important revenue gathering tool you will have. 
Set up focus groups to test your product. Avoid using family and friends as they are not always comfortable being totally honest with you. 
Think about where you will advertise. Will it be on Social Media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram? Set these up in order to begin advertising.
For the point of sale, direct your traffic to a website where you have all of your products, information about you and your company and methods of contacting you. 
Ensure that you have an ongoing marketing plan. The saying "You need to spend money to make money" rings true here. 
Know who your target market is and where to find them. Know what information they are looking for and use it to your advantage. 

Having a solid plan of attack, knowing your ideal consumer and being able to meet the needs of that consumer will set you on the right path in building your business. 
The option of doing it all yourself is possible however there are some areas that should be done by a professional.
If done right the first time, your plans will work in your favour. 

If you need a hand with any of the above tasks, Alleviate Virtual Assistance can tailor a package to suit your needs. Get in touch to discuss your options.

Check back in to see the latest articles, resources and instructions sheets. 
If you need help in a particular area and would like an easy to follow guide, please comment below. 

Being a virtual assistant has lead me down many paths and I am forever learning new programs, tips and tricks and the best methods to get the job done.
Gone are the days where you have to trawl the internet looking for How-To guides or the answers to very simple questions. My aim is to alleviate the stress and time pressures that arise from reading and trying to understand lengthy blog posts. I hope that all you need to do is think of Alleviate Virtual Assistance when you need help with your task.

Bye for now,
Melissa