Motivated Monday

I am seriously motivated today.

Not only have I completed a few paying pieces of work, I'm energized by feedback from complete strangers and they are affirming for me what my passion is: assisting.

@GaryVee's address to the web2.0 conference (thanks to post from Perry Belcher) is amazing. Find your passion and quit whining. Just do it.



As I learn about Social Media so too am I discovering that some things just don't change. Treat people as you want to be treated, live truthfully, transparently...and HUSTLE just as Gary put it.

Here's another way to look at your work week. Scott tweeted this last week and well, here we are on Monday. So if you're slumpy, grumpy or frumpy today, listen to this:





What's your passion? If you don't have one, you better hang with people who do...you'll catch up!

As for me, how can I assist YOU?

Opportunity Networks

"May I assist? It's what I do."

If I could bill $5 for every time I say that I would have a nice vacation planned for next week. Truth is, it's a nice way of showing, actually doing, what I do for other people. Most times, when in a social setting or networking event, I take every chance I get to speak up, step forward and get involved in what is happening around me.

People usually chuckle, some groan since it's so direct to what I do. Regardless, I see the opportunity and take it. Sometimes it's simply helping a presenter handout materials or holding a door. Regardless, the comment is noted and recognized. Direct association with me and jumping in to get a job done which is what I'm about. If people are lighthearted and enjoy the scene unfolding then all the better for all of us.

I'm learning how true to my core helping, assisting, contributing to other people's lives is to me. It's even happening online now that I'm using Twitter (@nimbleassistant). I'm noticing what people are requesting and if I can add something positive, even it it's a referral to someone I'm following or being followed by, I can't help but pass it on! I'm really there to learn from others, share with others and develop the best resources for those within the Nimble Neighbourhood.

I am learning a lot indeed. It really doesn't take long before you can sort out the people who are there for #1 and not the collective. They won't be around for long. I'm glad I can unfollow people and block others. It's all about creating the network and attracting people who can support you in your goals.

Sometimes, it's the simple stuff that makes the biggest difference. May I assist? It's what I do.

Nimbly,
JCM

Are You a Twi-Trick or Twi-Treat?

Top Five Business Criteria For Twitter Following:

1. Have a real picture of you somewhere. I want to see who I'm talking to. Cariacatures are okay since it is a representation of you. Avoid pet photos unless it's a representation of your business. Put your company logo on the background image and a link to the company on the profile to show you mean business.
   
   
2. Be clever with your online name. I realize most people don't change their real name to reflect their business but your online name can be a little fun and should reflect what you do. Having numbers at the end send a "spammer" signal by the way. Plain old names can work if your picture speaks of your style.
   
   
3. Tell us what's real for you in the description. The purpose of this is to develop relationships first and sell later. People will connect with you two-fold if they like what your business does and can relate with your quirk too.
   
   
4. Do your own commenting. If you want to have someone do the research then great, I highly recommend a VA to do that kind of task. The followers, who have chosen to do so, have connected with you and your brain, not someone else's. There's plenty of information out there and now people are looking to connect with the interpretation of that information. In particular, they are interested in yours!
   
   
5. Comment. Set a schedule and just do it. You'll get out of it what you put into it. Find new people, visit their blogs/websites/squidoo and leave your tweetprint. Just as you wouldn't ignore someone at the punch bowl, account for where you go and what you do. Let people know what has moved you...wouldn't you like to know?

So what do you think of that? Twi-Trick or Twi-Treat?

Nimbly,
JCM

Last week vs. This week

Last week I dove into the world of social marketing. Now that I'm coming back up for air, I thought I would share where I'm at.

Twitter: this is a great way to get quick links to things the experts (aka: those who have been doing this and sorting through the not-as-good stuff for a while) Yes, there is some superfluous information but those worth following aren't telling you about brushing their teeth.

Facebook: I created the Nimble Neighbourhood so join! There are links to stuff I've come across on the other sites you may be interested in. Please contribute and post to build this together!

Linkedin: This week's adventure...anyone with any tips for me?

Have a great week everyone...here's to moving mountains!

Learning Isn't Always Easy. Unlearning Almost Never Is.

Have you ever unlearned something? Try it with something little like an expression you always use. I was told that I always ask "so what's new in your world?". I thought that was great way to get in touch with what was real for whomever I was talking with. Their answer could be about whatever they wanted to share, business or personal. It's no longer fun when it's predictable though so I endeavoured to find another way to open that conversation. It wasn't easy.

Likewise, it is difficult to change other physical habits like using the mouse on the left or right side of your computer. It's advisable to switch every now and again to circumvent repetitive strain on whichever wrist you're used to. Try it for a day and if you're willing, share your experience here. Again, it isn't easy.

I was inspired to write about this when a friend of mine told me about www.unlearn.com

unlearn: A process of removing barriers that blind us to our authentic selves, questioning our classical conditioning, deconstructing and re-ordering our identities, identifying and discarding negative values, repeatedly focusing awareness towards one’s state of being. – Steve D’Amico

This is going way beyond our general conversations and actions, or is it? Being the change you want to see is not as lofty as most think. More and more people are taking a leadership role in ensuring a respectful, accepting, and encouraging environment; one where are differences bring us together not apart. We have a choice to unlearn what has been acceptable in the past and to make our current reality something we can stand strong in.

The connections we bring to our business appears in subtle ways as well. Consider the diversity of your client base and question any patterns you may have created by the services you provide or the customers you have attracted: intentionally or not. Are you limiting your prospects by keeping old beliefs?

I encourage you to support unlearn in their plight to initiate positive change and conversation in whichever way you feel comfortable. This isn't about adopting all of their practices and beliefs; simply which ones you feel you can really stand behind anywhere you go. If nothing else, just giving it some thought is better than none.

Thank you for the insight Michael and Chris.

Nimbly,
JCM

Be Brave

Headshots are important to keep up to date. You are representing your company and for some of us, our company represents us so why not keep that up to date. I happen to love photography. People in particular since we're all so unique.

There's a place though for serious shots and business representation is one of them. I enjoyed hosting a Headshot H-event yesterday morning. Not only is Fred Hunsberger totally awesome in photography but he let me assist him; it's what I do: I assist. It's very hard for me to sit aside when I know I can help. I digress...

It's good to have a variety of pictures so not only do you need the serious, business photo you should be able to have some fun ones too. More and more, our customers want to know what's we're all about. Frankly, I like to have a little fun and make people smile so it came in handy yesterday as I assisted. This also explains the silly headshot to the right. My mentor dared me to put it on my website. This is easier and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to comment. Now that I have scoffed at the dare, what's next? Anybody know?

Be brave folks! Don't be afraid to show your fun side too! You might be surprised to see what you get in return.

Nimbly,
JCM

What Alexandra K. Brown Has to Say about VA's

Thank you to Alexandria K. Brown (CEO of Alexandria Brown International Inc., a company devoted to empowering women around the world with the tools to live the freedom-based lives of their dreams) for sharing her experience with VA's. See her article below....


"Why Are You Doing Everything Yourself?"
By Alexandria Brown

One problem I often see with solo entrepreneurs is that their businesses aren't growing because they're simply not making enough time to do it!

It's not that they don't understand the value of those efforts, or they don't WANT to make the time. It's that they're simply trying to do too much by themselves. They're so busy running their business that they're not working ON their business.

Are You Spending All Your Time on the Little Stuff?

Owning your own business requires wearing a lot of hats. But it seems that when many people leave their jobs to "go solo," they think they must work completely solo as well. They insist on doing everything themselves -- even tasks they know darn well they're not good at.

They try in vain to design their own Web sites and brochures, write their own sales copy, process their own orders, manage their own mailing list, personally respond to every customer call and e-mail, ship their own products, and more. Pretty soon they're running around like that proverbial headless chicken.

What eventually happens is their love for their work -- the reason they started their own business in the first place -- drowns in a flood of administrative trivia. Suddenly one morning they wake up feeling burnt out and without that positive, creative energy they used to have.

When this happened to me a few years ago, I was lucky to learn about virtual assistants (VAs). VAs are freelancers who take care of all that "busy work" for entrepreneurs like us. Because VAs are independent themselves, they work on an as-needed basis from their own homes or offices, saving you the cost and hassle of hiring a regular office assistant.

I now have six VAs -- Liz, who lives in Boston, Julie, who lives in Iowa, and a few others scattered all over the country. And I can't live without them!

What Could YOU Delegate to a VA?

During next week, keep a log of all your activities. Then sit down and review it. Decide which activities are truly ones that only you can do and which you can delegate.

For example, here are some of the tasks I delegate to my VAs:
* Responding to customer e-mails and phone calls
* Scheduling business and personal appointments and interviews
* Bookkeeping: invoicing clients, receiving and paying bills, reconciling bank statements, tracking expenses and tax records, working with my accountant (This was my favorite to delegate!)
* Internet research and fact checking
* Planning my travel for speaking engagements and seminars
* Maintaining my e-zine and customer mailing lists
* Managing my e-zine ad sales
* Handling registrations for my teleclasses/workshops
* Maintaining my Web site (copy edits, additions)
* Creating sales reports
* Shipping customer orders and shipping products to anywhere I'm speaking.
* Submitting my articles to other publishers and article sites
* Placing ads in publications and at Web sites.
* Formatting e-books, creating PDF files, and sending out for printing.
* Designing PowerPoint presentations

And I don't stop there. My VAs have also been happy to help me with personal stuff like researching vacations, shopping around for car insurance, and reminding me of birthdays and other important dates. Thanks to these amazing gals, I save my time and energy only for my "genius work."

Worried You Don't Have the Budget?

The good news is you're not hiring your VA full time. A VA only charges you for the hours she actually works. Although VA rates may be more than you'd pay an administrative employee (usually $30-50 per hour), you don't have the added expenses of employee benefits, office space, and equipment. You're also getting someone who has years of experience, who loves what she does, who already has her own desk, chair, computer, software, fax, phone, stapler, and pens, and who's ready to leap in and start work as soon as you are.

Keep in mind that having a VA will IMMENSELY free up your time to focus on the stuff that matters: marketing and growing your business, developing bold new product ideas and income streams, and servicing your larger clients. You'll think much bigger and will have much more creative energy. I guarantee it!

Look for a VA That Matches Your Needs

If you're looking for a long-term partner who is committed to helping you succeed (and I was), look for someone who's graduated from a VA training program such as AssistU. Another resource is the International Virtual Assistants Association.

Don't wait until it's too late! Most people put off hiring a VA until they "hit the wall." Things like overdue bills, a messy office, late projects, and unreturned phone calls add up until their business almost collapses.

Take action NOW and at least learn more about getting some help. It will be a big relief, I promise!

If you'd like some guidance in getting started, I also highly recommend my friend Melanie Benson Strick's Virtual Team Building Secrets program.

© 2003-2008 Alexandria Brown International Inc.

Online entrepreneur Alexandria K. Brown publishes the award-winning 'Highlights on Marketing & Success' weekly ezine with 30,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.AlexandriaBrown.com

So who works 9 to 5 anyway?

I love to sing this beloved Dolly Parton tribute to the working folk. Anyone catching the tune at the intersection usually bob their heads along with me.

You may be wondering why I love to sing it. It's not a happy song really; and it reminds me of why I do what I do. According to the song, there aren't too many people out there working for the man, who are very happy. They're restricted to the hours, restricted to the pay and restricted to whom they work with. Not me!

I realize we're no longer in the 80's and thank goodness for that! Times have changed. This virtual thing allows me the flexibility to grow in all kinds of directions including both professional and personal aspects of my life. I work when the work needs to be done and I'm compensated as such. There are many with their noses to the grindstone who start work before 9:00 a.m. and go well beyond 5:00 p.m. I am grateful for being able to provide an extra hand, arm, leg or brain to my customers when and where they need it.

So, who really works 9 to 5 anyway?