Google is one of the go-to search engines for people looking for a solution.
As a business owner – and potential problem-solver – your business needs to be among the results of that search.
To increase the likelihood of being “found” – your business should have a Google Places profile. The profile is a free marketing tool available to all business owners.
Here are 3 tips to enhance your Google Places profile:
- Add one – two keywords to your company’s name if none exists
- Ensure that your business address is consistent – mirror the address on your website
- Add pictures, videos and offer coupons that showcase the product or service your business provides
For more tips on maximizing your Google Places profile join my mailing list @ http://www.setufreeva.com.
April is Stress Awareness Month. During this month healthcare professionals and health promotion experts will join forces to increase public awareness about the dangers of stress and provide coping strategies.
Stress permeates our daily lives. It may be more prevalent for business owners as they navigate the many roles and responsibilities needed to run a successful business.
Are you stressing about maintaining your blog, updating your status on Facebook, monitoring your online reputation or distributing articles to online directories? Relieve yourself of these stressors by hiring a virtual assistant!
Perhaps the thought of engaging in a virtual relationship causes you more stress. Here’s a stress-free opportunity to experience the support of a virtual assistant. Simply complete this short survey for a chance to win 2 free hours of virtual service. The lucky winners will be announced on April 16th, National Stress Awareness Day.
Stress relief is in your reach!
This week, April 18th to 24th, is National Volunteer week. People volunteer for various reasons, some may be – hands-on learning experience, filling a temporary need or for the give back/pay forward feeling.
Are you contemplating a major life change like opening a business? Perhaps you are considering becoming a virtual service provider…you may be wondering – “how can I apply my skills to this new venture?” Test the waters by volunteering. Volunteering is a win/win situation – you gain hands on experience, increased confidence and other warm and fuzzy intangible feels while providing a needed service or task to a cause, organization or individual.
I volunteer virtually and on-site – it’s time-consuming but extremely gratifying. So I’m encouraging you to seek out a need, identify a cause, offer yourself in the form of volunteerism – it pays!
You can try these sites for opportunities: volunteermatch.org or Volunteers of America or countless others.
If you decide to volunteer – please tell me about it! I’m looking forward to your comments.
I was recently summoned for jury duty. Part of me wanted to just do it and get it over with; the other part of me feared a long, drawn out trial with possibility of being sequestered (an experience I did not want to repeat). I reported to court as requested, really demanded, and was chosen to participate in a robbery trial. We were assured it would be a short trial, 2-3 days, and it was. When we, the jury, gathered to deliberate, one of the issues discussed was the credibility of the witness. Did we believe her? A weighty decision given that none of us knew her previously. We had to base our decision on the brief interaction in the court room. That made me think – how is credibility assessed?
As a business owner, especially in the virtual world, your word is your bond – “under promise and over deliver”. The highest form of praise and acknowledgement is a word-of-mouth referral. A personal testimony to your credibility! A simple concept but a major tenet of any business.
My credibility sustains not only my business – executing projects in a timely-fashion to the satisfaction of the client – but all aspects of my life – promises made to family and friends. Once lost or even slightly tainted, this intangible attribute is hard to restore.
Safeguard your credibility – it speaks volumes about you when you can’t speak for yourself.
