If you’ve been on the proverbial fence about starting a blog for your small business, it’s time to jump off that fence and do it!
Blogging might seem like an extra task on your already long to-do list, but trust me, it’s a game changer for any business looking to grow its presence online.
Let’s break down why your small business should embrace the blog life.
Let Your Business’s Personality Shine Through Your Blog
Your website is where you get down to business, showcasing your products or services with a professional touch.
But your blog?
That’s where your business gets to let its hair down.
This is the space to give your audience a peek behind the curtain and show them just what makes your business tick.
From highlighting team achievements to sharing your thoughts on industry news or giving a sneak peek into upcoming products, your blog breathes life into your brand.
It’s about creating a connection that goes beyond transactions.
Think of it as building a community around your brand.
Blogging Allows You to Establish Yourself as the Go-To Expert
We live in the age of information, and people are constantly in search of answers to their burning questions.
By posting blogs that tackle these subjects, you position your small business as an expert in your field.
Imagine a potential customer searching for advice on a problem that your business solves.
When they stumble upon your well-crafted blog post that not only answers their questions but also showcases your expertise, who do you think they’ll turn to when they’re ready to purchase?
81% of U.S. online consumers trust the information they get from blogs.
61% of those consumers have made a purchase based on a blog’s recommendation.
Blogs can increase your indexed pages by 434%, massively boosting your SEO.
Frequent blogging can lead to a 70% increase in leads.
If these stats don’t make you want to start blogging yesterday, I don’t know what will!
Take the Plunge and Start Blogging
It’s an investment in your business that can pay off in spades.
There are plenty of resources available online to help you get started, and many blogging platforms offer user-friendly interfaces.
Here are a few key tips to keep in mind:
Focus on creating high-quality content that is relevant to your target audience.
Be consistent with your posting schedule.
Promote your blog posts on social media and other channels.
Blogging can be a powerful tool for small businesses, so don’t wait any longer to get started!
Feeling Overwhelmed by the Idea of Starting a Blog?
Don’t worry, you don’t have to go it alone!
We specialize in helping small businesses create engaging and impactful content that helps connect with their audience and drives results.
Whether you’re new to the blogosphere or looking to ramp up your existing efforts, we’ve got the skills and know-how to help your blog—and your small business—thrive.
We can assist with everything from brainstorming content ideas to crafting compelling posts and optimizing them for search engines.
Get in touch today for a free consultation and let’s start this blogging adventure together and build your small business’ online presence!
As a business owner, you know somewhere in a conversation with a new acquaintance, they are going to ask, “So what do you do?”
And we all have our “elevator pitch” as they are known by.
When I give mine, which is:
I make social media easy for small business owners.
I get this question:
Why is social media so important to my business?
That’s a tough question to answer because, honestly…it’s NOT for everyone!
And a lot of business owners, who are NOT on social media, think that it is all about posting pictures of what someone had for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Or my personal favorite…using it as a journal. I went here today, had lunch with this friend, bought that or that…
And while this is true for individuals on social media, it’s not true for business owners. Unless, of course, you’re a food blogger. Or fashion designer.
Social media for business owners comes down to posting for YOUR audience, so that they can find you, contact you, and hopefully do business with you.
It’s about boosting your brand to connect with your audience.
With that said, let’s chat about why it’s a big deal.
Social media lets you connect with the whole world from your office
Imagine reaching millions of potential customers without leaving your office.
That’s the beauty of platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
They give you a worldwide stage.
That stage allows you to share your brand story and products with a global audience instantly.
And it’s not just about reaching more people.
Social media is about reaching the RIGHT people through targeted ads and content that speak directly to your ideal customer.
What’s working with your social media? Just check the stats!
Another big plus? Instant feedback.
Thanks to built-in analytics tools, you can see stats like who’s viewing your posts, clicking your links, and buzzing about your brand.
This makes it super easy to tweak your strategy on the fly and do more of what works and less of what doesn’t.
SEO BFFs
Yep, social media and search engines like Google can be the best of friends.
Sharing content from your website to your social channels can boost your site’s traffic, which can help your search engine rankings climb.
It’s a win-win: more visibility on social media and search engines.
Let’s talk money (or the lack of)
Marketing budgets are tight, right?
Well, social media can be a wallet-friendly way to get your message out there.
Many platforms are free to use, and even paid advertising won’t drain your bank account like traditional media can.
You can start small, test the waters with a few ads, and scale up as you see what works.
All without hiring a big advertising firm.
But Here’s the Scoop: Social Media is Not for Everyone
Real talk? Social media isn’t for every single business owner out there.
If you’re in a niche industry or your customers aren’t hanging out on Instagram or LinkedIn, your time might be better spent elsewhere, like networking in industry groups or focusing on SEO.
A mentor of mine, Cindy Bidar…not on social media.
Yet she runs an extremely successful business through her membership and email lists.
The key is knowing your audience and where they spend their time.
So, there you have it.
Social media offers a ton of perks for businesses: it’s flexible, it’s cost-effective, and it really lets you engage with your audience.
But it’s not a cure-all. It’s about finding the right fit for your business goals and your customers.
If you are a business owner who struggles with social media, let’s chat.
I will show you exactly how I give business owners freedom by turning their social media chaos into a well-oiled machine.
P.S. If you do not have an intro or struggle with telling people what exactly your business is about, check out Paula Calise’s book, “The Art of Hello, Be Remembered In a Noisy World”. You won’t be sorry you did!
Your content creator isn’t just a creative whiz, they’re a data ninja too.
They will track your posts’ performance like a hawk, analyzing clicks, comments, and shares to see what is working and what is not.
This data becomes your roadmap to social media success, guiding you towards content that truly connects with your customers.
4. Freeing Up Your Precious Time.
Remember that social media beast we mentioned?
Consider it tamed, leashed, and maybe even purring contentedly in the corner.
A social media content creator takes the reins of your online presence, freeing you up to focus on what you do best.
Running your amazing business.
More time for baking delicious cookies, crafting beautiful jewelry, or whatever magic you work!
5. A Content Dream Team.
Working with a content creator is not about handing over the keys and watching your brand drive off into the sunset.
It is all about building a partnership.
A creative content creation force field where your ideas and theirs collide and spark into something truly special.
Think of it like peanut butter and chocolate.
Two great things that come together to make something even better.
So, how can we help you, fellow small business owners?
We are more than just content creators.
We are your social media therapists.
Your engagement whisperers.
Your data-driven allies.
A social media content creator will help you tell your brand’s story, connect with your audience, and finally tame that social media beast once and for all!
Ready to ditch the chaos and embrace the calm?
Let’s chat about YOUR content creation!
We’d love to hear about your business and show you how we can help you thrive online.
And remember, a thriving social media presence is not just about likes and followers.
It is about building relationships, boosting sales, and letting your unique brand shine.
As a small business owner, you know that time is money. And there never seems to be enough of either.
That’s where outsourcing can be a game-changer for your productivity and bottom line.
Imagine having someone to take care of those time-consuming social media tasks, like creating content and posting it.
By outsourcing these tasks to a Social Media VA, you free up precious hours in your day to focus on what you do best – growing your business.
But why choose a Social Media VA over hiring in-house?
Benefits of Outsourcing Social Media Tasks
Outsourcing social media tasks to a Social Media VA can bring numerous benefits to your small business.
Social Media VAs offer flexibility – you can hire them for specific projects or on an as-needed basis.
They allow you to delegate time-consuming tasks, reduce overhead costs, and access specialized skills.
They also bring a wealth of experience to the table, as many have worked with a variety of businesses and industries.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about the expenses associated with hiring and training a new employee!
Types of Tasks That Can Be Outsourced
There are countless tasks that you can pass on to a Social Media VA.
The best thing to do is sit down and figure out what tasks you currently complete yourself that if you had someone else do them would save you time!
Blogs
A Social Media VA can either write or help you write your blogs for your site.
SEO
A Social Media VA can make sure that your blog posts and your social media posts are optimized for search engine optimization.
This ensures that your target market can find you!
Posts and Scheduling
You Social Media VA and write your posts AND schedule them, saving you HOURS!
How to Find and Hire a Social Media VA
Here are some tips for helping you interview and hire your Social Media VA.
Step 1: Define Your Needs
Determine the specific tasks and skills you require in a Social Media VA.
Step 2: Explore Platforms
Research reputable freelance platforms and browse profiles to find potential candidates.
Step 3: Evaluate Experience & Reviews
Check your candidate’s experience, reviews, and sample work to assess their suitability.
It’s a daunting task to think about hiring someone that you don’t physically meet.
However, a video interview will allow you to see the person and gauge their skills and whether they are a fit for your company.
Effective Communication and Collaboration
Because you don’t have a Social Media VA sitting right in your office to communicate at will with, it is very important to make sure that you have open communication lines with them.
Here are some thoughts on how you can avoid any confusion and ensure that you work well with your Freelance Admin.
Clear Communication
Establish open lines of communication, set expectations, and provide clear instructions for seamless collaboration.
Regular Check-Ins
Schedule regular check-ins to ensure progress, address any concerns, and provide feedback.
Collaboration Tools
Use collaboration tools like project management software or communication platforms to stay organized and facilitate collaboration.
Cost Considerations of a Social Media VA
Outsourcing social media tasks can lead to significant cost savings.
You only pay for the specific services you require, eliminating the need for employee benefits, office space, and equipment expenses.
This cost-effective approach allows you to maximize your budget and allocate resources more efficiently.
A Social Media VA offers numerous advantages for small businesses.
It allows you to focus on core business activities, save time and money, access specialized skills, and enhance overall efficiency.
By leveraging the expertise of a Social Media VA, you can propel your business towards growth and success.
So, if you’re ready to boost your small business productivity and take your time back, it’s time to discover the power of outsourcing to a Social Media VA!
Most small business owners today know that they need administrative help but are not sure whether they should hire an employee or a Freelance Admin.
Welcome back to the GinAdmin blog. My name is Gina Koran, and I will be your hostess today as we talk about the differences between hiring an employee and working with a Freelance Admin.
So grab your favorite beverage and enjoy…
You know you need help for your small business, but…
Would it be faster to do it yourself versus having to train someone to do the tasks?
Where do you even start?
And really… do you even have ENOUGH work to keep someone busy?
Most small business owners eventually get to this point – they KNOW they need help, but is it really worth it?
And how do they know whether they should hire an employee or a Freelance Admin for their small business…or even if they need either?
Employee or Freelancer Admin?
You need help, but not sure if you should hire an employee or a Freelance Admin?
One of the questions I get asked a lot is “What is the difference between hiring an employee and working with a Virtual Assistant?”
Check out these differences:
A Freelancer or Virtual Assistant already has their own equipment; you must provide equipment for an employee.
Freelance Admins have their own office space; you will need to provide the space and furniture for an employee.
Freelancers provide their own insurance and retirement; you (if you are going to provide them) will need to find and (at least partially) pay for these benefits for an employee.
You only pay a Freelance Admin for tasks completed or for the time they worked to complete your tasks; with an employee, you’re going to pay them for the fixed number of hours you hire them for.
Freelancers do not waste time as they have other clients that they are supporting; employees tend to take restroom breaks, lunch breaks, checking social media, texting…all on YOUR time.
Most Freelance Admins have specialized skills and will pay for enhancing those skills themselves; with an employee, you are going to pay for those additional trainings through either actually paying for courses and/or the time it takes the employee to go through that training.
Another benefit of having a Freelancer is that they can provide extra support during your busy times, as well as while others are out of the office, on vacation, etc.
So, now that you know the difference, let’s take a look at how a Freelance Admin can help you and your small business.
Time
A Freelance Admin can work as many or as little hours as you need them to.
You can also “purchase” a block of a Freelancers time for the work you need done.
One key is that finding an admin that is already familiar with your industry means less training time.
Simply show them how YOU like things done, and voila…training done.
Where do small business owners find Freelance Admins?
Today, there are SO many sites you can go to to find your perfect match.
My friend and mentor, Tawnya Sutherland over at VA Networking has a truly kick-butt Job Board where you can post your opening(s).
Tawnya also recently started a board for her massive network of VAs to list their skills, allowing business owners to search for that perfect VA!
I encourage you to head to VA Networking and see if Tawnya’s network has your match!
What can small business owners delegate to a Freelancer?
When you consider whether or not you have enough to keep someone busy, I suggest a quick test.
Take a look at your day today.
How much time are you spending…
Answering emails that ask the same questions every day.
Keeping tabs on similar businesses to see how you stack up.
Researching your industry’s standards and what’s new.
Determine the tasks you can delegate when your small business hires a Freelance Admin.
Writing a blog post to keep your clients updated on what’s going on with your small business.
Figuring out what to post on Social Media…
Then creating the wording…
And finding the perfect image.
Track your time for ONE day. One day of admin tasks.
Then figure out how much money you lose every day by focusing on those admin tasks versus your true money-making tasks.
I have a small business owner that hired me, well for many things, but one was to schedule his business’ social media posts each week.
This task takes me approximately two hours every Friday – just to schedule the posts.
That doesn’t include the additional time each week that I spend looking at his competitor’s websites and social media,
Coming up with new ideas for him to get new customers,
And creating new, exciting, eye-catching and scroll-stopping images and posts.
The literal HOURS I’ve saved him every week have allowed him to focus on expanding his marketing.
As well as other money-making areas that require his attention.
It has also allowed him to take some much-needed down-time with his family.
All because he knows he can rely on me to take care of those tasks each week.
Still not sure which, if either, is the right path for your small business?
Maybe you do not actually need an assistant yet?
You may just need to adjust a few things you are already doing to make them more efficient.
Just doing this alone may assist in saving time.
I would love to help you make the decision…
I can help you decide IF your small business should hire an employee or a Freelance Admin!
The decision on whether you should hire an employee or a Freelance Admin.
Head over to my contact page and let’s see if a Freelance Admin is the right fit for you!
As always, thanks for taking time to read my coffee-induced words.
And as a personal P.S., I want to thank those of you who have reached out and kept in touch with me about the “Life Happens” events going on here.
I appreciate all of you more than you can possibly imagine!
Until next time, my friends, stay happy, healthy and safe!
If you are like me, you struggle to keep up with everything and always feel like you are running behind. I have found some super helpful time management tips for you, my fellow busy small business owners!
Welcome to, or back to the GinAdmin Blog. My name is Gina Koran and I will be your host today as I share with you some of my coffee-induced thoughts and ideas.
So grab your mug…this is a good one!
Managing your time
There are only so many hours in any given day.
You cannot store it.
You cannot borrow more for later.
And depending on where you are in your life cycle, you may have other responsibilities as well.
Family, housework, yardwork, kids’ activities…maybe you’re even still working a 9 to 5, so your time is spread thin.
The good news?
You can decide what you spend your time on.
Naturally, you want to spend your time on things that add value to your life.
But life is so busy today, how can you possibly have time for those things that matter the most to you?
Luckily, there are loads of time management techniques that are tailor-made for busy people, especially small business owners!
Ideas that will help simplify how you work, ensuring that you get tasks done more efficiently and giving you more time for whatever you choose.
Now, obviously not all of these will work for you. But I hope that at least one gives you time back in your busy schedule!
1. Organize your small business time around your energy levels.
Your productivity levels are directly related to your energy levels, so schedule your hardest tasks for when your energy levels are at their highest.
Any low-value tasks that require little energy, such as responding to emails, can be scheduled for the times when your energy levels are lower.
I know that my most productive time is first thing. Well, first thing AFTER my first cup of coffee.
So any hard task I may have for the day, I do that first (after the coffee).
Plus, when you start the day off by completing your most important tasks, you will give yourself a boost of momentum and a real sense of accomplishment.
2. Prioritize tasks by days or times.
Time management tip: write down the 3-5 most important tasks you must complete tomorrow.
When every task is a priority, nothing is.
Maybe start by trying to do one task per day.
As you get more consistent and start getting that one thing done faster, you can try adding another task each day.
You can also use a calendar app like Google Calendar to track your daily activities.
I’ve talked before about my calendar – it looks like a kindergartner took their crayons to it.
All I have to do is glance at my calendar, and I know what task is next!
Make a plan for the day.
Before you go to bed, write a to-do list for the next day.
I know I’ve talked about this before as well. Before I head to bed each night, I make a list of my top 3 or 5 tasks that MUST be done tomorrow.
When you plan ahead, you are mentally preparing yourself for any challenges you may face.
This will also help to limit procrastination at the start of the day and ensure that you work faster and more efficiently.
3. Don’t try to do too much at once.
If you try to do too much, you will end up doing nothing well.
Instead, try focusing on one thing at a time.
This will help you stay organized and avoid getting overwhelmed.
What I found was that I was constantly jumping from one task to another, taking longer to accomplish anything at all.
Now, I start a task, finish a task, move on to the next.
This doesn’t always work, naturally.
There may be information I’m waiting for from a client.
Or I may have to stop for an appointment.
The point is, try to finish a task once you start it.
4. Break down your small business projects into smaller chunks.
Breaking bigger projects down into small chunks will allow you to accomplish more in less time.
It is easier to complete a task when it is broken down into smaller parts.
It also helps you to avoid overwhelm at the beginning of a project.
5. Outsource smaller business tasks.
You don’t have to complete every task yourself.
Especially those low-priority tasks.
Sometimes it is better to outsource these tasks, so you can focus your attention on the more pressing tasks.
I have a client that CAN do social media. And has done them herself since starting her business.
But as any small business owner knows, there are so many tasks that need taken care of every single day.
And they can start to take over your day.
My client who CAN do them—she looked at what she was doing and found that so much of her time was spent on social media that she was neglecting the money-making tasks that also needed done.
Today, she does some of the social media tasks – the ones that require her to personally take care of.
The rest? She’s outsourced to a Freelancer – that would be me!
Win-win for both of us. She focuses on the business she loves and I happily swim through those social media tasks each day.
6. Cut out distractions.
When you are distracted, it can take a while to get your focus back.
This can greatly limit your productivity.
Consider turning off the notifications on your phone.
Time management tip for small business owners: cut out distractions.
Invest in a pair of headphones.
I LOVE mine!
I can put them on, whether I’m listening to anything at all or not – and they block out all outside noise, allowing me to focus much better.
Because, of course I love shiny objects and am easily distracted by them!
Browsing social media is a big distraction and should really be avoided if you want to increase productivity.
For social media, I usually only check my own at the end of the day.
And even then, I set the timer on my phone. Otherwise…shiny objects!
7. Realize that things don’t need to be perfect.
It’s easy to get caught up in trying to make everything perfect.
However, perfectionism will slow you down and could result in deadlines being missed.
If so, absolutely focus your energy on ensuring it is right.
If not, give yourself a bit of a break. Not one single person walking the Earth today is perfect!
8. Take regular breaks throughout the day.
Time management tip for small business owners: take regular breaks.
If you work at a desk job, take frequent breaks throughout the day.
This allows your body to relax and rejuvenate.
Taking short walks during lunchtime or taking a quick nap after lunch can help too.
I go walkabout with the pupper.
He, in fact, insists on going walkabout.
Sometimes I have to remind myself that going walkabout benefits both of us – especially if I am right in the middle of a project and have been sitting far too long when I get that nudge!
So, those are my time management tips for small business owners.
Again, not ALL of these will work for you.
Maybe none will.
But I hope you will find at least one that does.
Once you find those that work best for your situation, I encourage you to use them daily.
Your productivity will increase, and you will save precious time in your busy life, giving you the time to do what matters most to you.
Do you have some time management tips for small business owners to share?
Feel free to drop them below – I’d love to hear more ideas!
And if you need to free up some time in your day, consider working with a Freelancer!
Until next time, my friends…stay happy, healthy and safe!
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