Entries by Jeanette Hunter

,

2023’s Top Software for Media, Journalist and Influencer Targeting

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, effective media, journalist, and influencer targeting is essential for businesses to reach their target audience and amplify their brand presence. Here at JH Virtual Assistant, we’re finding ourselves supporting clients more and more with media and influencer outreach in order to keep their profiles high, diaries full and leads consistent.

To streamline this process and enhance outreach efforts, a plethora of software solutions are available. In this blog, we hope to save you some time by exploring the best software options available in 2023, their features, costs, and the benefits they offer to businesses in managing their media and influencer relationships.

  1. Mention Mention is a powerful media monitoring and influencer tracking tool that helps businesses stay informed about brand mentions and relevant topics across various platforms. This software allows users to track conversations and topics related to your business on social media, blogs, news articles, and more. Mention offers real-time notifications, enabling timely engagement with journalists and influencers. The software’s user-friendly interface makes searching easy. It’s not a complete tool for managing the outreach process, but may be hugely helpful in your research. With Mention, you can learn who is talking about topics related to your business, what’s being said and where these conversations are happening.

Positives: Real-time monitoring ensures prompt responses and opportunities for quick interactions with journalists and influencers. Mention offers a 14-day free trial, allowing users to experience its features before committing to a subscription plan.

Negatives: The free trial is time-limited, and the premium plans can be relatively expensive for small businesses or startups.

  1. BuzzStream BuzzStream is a comprehensive outreach platform that aids businesses in building relationships with media professionals and influencers. The software facilitates personalised email outreach and enables efficient tracking of responses and interactions. BuzzStream also offers insights into influencers’ demographics, allowing businesses to target their campaigns effectively.

Positives: The software’s personalised email templates and automated follow-ups save time and improve response rates. Additionally, BuzzStream provides a 14-day free trial, which allows users to gauge its suitability for their needs.

Negatives: The pricing can be a deterrent for smaller businesses, and the interface might feel overwhelming for new users.

  1. Cision Cision is a well-established media database that offers a vast network of journalists, bloggers, and influencers to help businesses amplify their media presence. The software boasts advanced search filters to find the most relevant contacts and track responses effectively. Cision provides detailed demographic data, allowing businesses to make informed targeting decisions. We’ve mentioned it for completeness, but it’s probably less suitable for smaller businesses.

Positives: Cision’s extensive database provides access to a wide range of media professionals and influencers, increasing outreach opportunities. They might offer a limited free trial or demo to showcase their features, but this depends on what’s on offer at the time.

Negatives: The subscription costs can be high, especially for smaller businesses or startups. Additionally, the vast number of features might be overwhelming for some users, leading to a steep learning curve.

  1. NinjaOutreach NinjaOutreach is a versatile influencer marketing and media outreach tool that assists businesses in finding and contacting influencers within their niche. The software streamlines the outreach process with customisable email templates and automated follow-ups. NinjaOutreach also provides analytics to measure the success of outreach campaigns.

Positives: NinjaOutreach’s focus on influencer marketing makes it ideal for businesses looking to collaborate with influencers. The software offers a 7-day free trial, allowing users to test its capabilities.

Negatives: The software’s emphasis on influencers might limit its usefulness for traditional media outreach. NinjaOutreach is fairly expensive, meaning that it’s probably only suitable for reasonably established businesses that rely on working with influencers. Also, the free trial period might be too short for some users to fully evaluate its potential.

  1. Muck Rack Muck Rack is a PR software platform designed to help businesses find and connect with journalists and media outlets. The software offers a media database with comprehensive journalist profiles, enabling users to target specific industries. Muck Rack also provides a media monitoring feature to track brand mentions, relevant topics and competitor coverage.

Positives: Muck Rack’s journalist database is one of its main strengths, making it easy to find relevant contacts quickly. They might offer a limited free plan or a free trial to explore the platform, but like Cision, it depends on the time when you connect with them and what’s on offer.

Negatives: The pricing might be a concern for smaller businesses, and some users may find the interface less intuitive compared to other options.

Conclusion In today’s highly competitive digital landscape, successful media, journalist, and influencer targeting can make a significant difference in a business’ success. Each software mentioned above has its unique set of features, catering to various business needs. While Mention is excellent for real-time monitoring, BuzzStream stands out with its personalised email outreach. Cision’s extensive database offers a vast array of contacts, and NinjaOutreach excels in influencer marketing. Finally, Muck Rack’s comprehensive journalist database provides easy access to media professionals.

As a business, it is crucial to evaluate your requirements, budget, and preferred features before choosing the best software for your media and influencer targeting needs. Many of these platforms offer free trials or limited free plans, providing businesses with an opportunity to test their capabilities before making a commitment. Investing in the right software can significantly enhance outreach efforts, foster media relationships, and drive impactful influencer campaigns, leading to a successful and thriving brand presence in the digital world of 2023. It’s also important to choose software that works for both yourself and your virtual assistant. Evaluating the options with your virtual assistant, right from the start, can be helpful if you’re looking for a long-term solution and smooth transition process.

Need help some virtual assistant help for your influencer outreach? Get in touch for an informal chat and we can see if JH Virtual Assistant can add value and help organise the process.

August 3, 2023 by

Virtual Assistants: Your Shortcut to a Smooth Business Startup Journey

Introduction:

Starting a new business can be an exhilarating but challenging endeavour. As an entrepreneur, you’re responsible for wearing multiple hats, juggling various tasks, and making critical decisions. You want to set up your business in the most efficient way possible and also in a manner that allows for growth. In the midst of this chaotic journey, one powerful resource can serve as your secret weapon: a virtual assistant (VA). A virtual assistant is a remote professional who can support you in numerous administrative, operational, and technical tasks. By hiring a virtual assistant right from the start, you can benefit from their experience and expertise in handling different business software and setting up admin systems, paving the way for a seamless business startup journey.

Expertise in Business Software:

Navigating through the myriad of business software available can be overwhelming, especially for new entrepreneurs (although we hear this often from seasoned entrepreneurs). However, our virtual assistants, at JH Virtual Assistant, are skilled in a wide range of tools and software commonly used in business operations. From customer relationship management (CRM) systems to invoicing systems to project management platforms, we can offer guidance and support in choosing, setting up, and utilising the most suitable software for your specific needs. By leveraging our expertise, you can streamline your business processes, automate tasks, and optimise productivity from day one. Don’t know whether to choose Xero or FreeAgent? It’s likely we can help you make the best decision for your business.

Time and Cost Efficiency:

Time is a precious resource, particularly in the early stages of a business startup. By delegating time-heavy tasks to your virtual assistant, you free up your time to concentrate on other business activities. Whether it’s managing emails, scheduling appointments, conducting research, or data entry, a virtual assistant can handle these administrative duties efficiently, leaving you with more time to concentrate on strategic planning and growth-oriented initiatives. Moreover, hiring a virtual assistant is often more cost-effective than hiring a full-time employee. You can avail their services on a more flexible basis, without the additional costs associated with employee benefits, office space, or equipment.

Flexibility and Scalability:

Virtual assistants offer unparalleled flexibility to adapt to your changing business needs. They can provide support on a part-time, full-time, or project basis, allowing you to scale their involvement as your business grows. We know that many business startups have the longer term goal of being able to scale up their business, perhaps by hiring more staff, offering more services, moving into new geographical areas or even offering courses and training. Not only is the volume of work higher, but time is taken up in navigating the implementation of all these new services and offerings. Here at JH Virtual Assistant, we have experience of assisting with the scaling up of businesses and helping ensure the journey is smooth and stress free. Our packages are flexible, meaning that you can increase the hours that you book with us whenever you need.

Expert Support and Guidance:

Virtual assistants often bring a wealth of experience from working with diverse clients and industries. Their exposure to various business challenges equips them with valuable insights and problem-solving skills. By leveraging their expertise, you can gain a fresh perspective on your business strategy, identify potential pitfalls, and discover innovative solutions. Virtual assistants can act as a sounding board, offering guidance and support based on their knowledge and industry best practices. Their objective viewpoint can help you make informed decisions, mitigating risks and maximising opportunities.

Increased Productivity and Focus:

Starting a business requires immense focus and determination. By offloading routine tasks to a virtual assistant, you can eliminate distractions and concentrate on high-value activities that drive business growth. With administrative and operational tasks taken care of, you can allocate your energy towards strategic planning, building relationships, and refining your products or services. This enhanced focus leads to increased productivity, improved decision-making, and ultimately, a smoother journey towards achieving your business goals.

In Conclusion:

In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, time is of the essence. Hiring a virtual assistant right from the start can be the key to a smooth business startup journey. Their expertise in business software, cost efficiency, flexibility, and expert support can make a significant difference in streamlining your operations, freeing up your time, and allowing you to focus on what truly matters. Embrace the power of a virtual assistant, and let them become your trusted ally in navigating the challenges and seizing the opportunities that lie ahead. With their assistance, you can embark on your entrepreneurial journey with confidence and drive towards long-term success.

At JH Virtual Assistant we’re very happy to hear from entrepreneurs who are just starting on their business start up journey. Our UK based Virtual Assistants really enjoy growing with your business and feeling like an integral part of your business, right from the start. With our assistance, we hope to set you up with a business that you can love and enjoy for many years.

July 13, 2023 by
,

Why You Should Use Lead Nurturing Email Sequences

Why You Should Use Lead Nurturing Email Sequences

Email marketing has been around for decades, and it remains one of the most effective channels for reaching out to customers and prospects. However, it’s not enough to simply send out a newsletter or promotional email and hope for the best. Instead, you should consider taking a more strategic approach by implementing lead nurturing email sequences.

What is lead nurturing, and why is it important?

Lead nurturing is the process of building relationships with prospects at every stage of the sales funnel, from the initial awareness phase to the decision-making phase. The goal is to guide them towards making a purchase or taking some other desired action, by providing them with the information and resources they need to make an informed decision.

You may ask, why lead nurturing is so important? For one, it can help your business generate more revenue by converting more prospects into customers. According to HubSpot, businesses that implement a lead nurturing strategy can see a 50% increase in sales-ready leads and a 33% reduction in the cost of acquiring new customers.

Additionally, lead nurturing can help you and your business become established as a thought leader and expert in your field. By providing valuable content and resources, you can position yourself as a trusted advisor, which can lead to more long-term relationships and repeat business.

What are lead nurturing email sequences?

Lead nurturing email sequences are a series of emails that are designed to guide prospects through the sales funnel. Each email is sent at a specific time, based on the prospect’s behaviour or stage in the funnel, and is designed to provide them with the information and resources they need to move to the next stage.

For example, a lead nurturing sequence might begin with a welcome email that provides a brief introduction to the company and its products or services. The next email might provide more detailed information about a particular product or service, while the third email might include a case study or customer testimonial.

As the prospect moves further down the funnel, the emails might become more focused on addressing objections or concerns. For example, an email might provide a comparison of the company’s product or service to that of a competitor, or address common misconceptions or myths about the industry.

How do lead nurturing email sequences work?

Lead nurturing email sequences work by providing prospects with the information and resources they need to make an informed decision. By providing value in each email, you can build trust, establish yourself as an expert and form relationships with the people on your email list.

Additionally, you can automate your lead nurturing email sequences, which makes them more efficient and cost-effective than traditional sales methods. Once the sequence is set up, the emails can be sent automatically, based on the prospect’s behaviour or stage in the funnel. Think of the time you will save, whilst also ensuring that your prospects are receiving the information they need to make a decision and perhaps buy your product or service.

What are the benefits of lead nurturing email sequences?

There are several benefits to using lead nurturing email sequences, including:

  1. Increased sales and revenue: By providing prospects with the information and resources they need to make an informed decision, you can increase your conversion rates and generate more revenue.
  2. Improved customer engagement, loyalty and trust: By providing value in each email, you can build trust and establish yourself as a leader and expert in your field. This can spark responses and conversations, and also lead to more long-term relationships and repeat business.
  3. More efficient and cost-effective: Lead nurturing email sequences can be automated, which makes them more efficient and cost-effective than traditional sales methods. This frees up your time to run your business and concentrate on other tasks.
  4. Better targeting and personalisation: Lead nurturing email sequences can be tailored to each prospect’s behaviour and interests, which makes them more targeted and personalised. This can result in higher engagement and better conversion rates.
  5. Increased brand awareness: By sending a series of emails, you can increase your brand awareness and visibility. This can lead to more referrals and word-of-mouth marketing as you stay at the forefront of people’s minds.

How do I get started with lead nurturing email sequences?

Start with considering the types of clients or customers that you have and if they have different needs, or tend to purchase different products or services. You may need to ensure that your email list is segmented so that you can have different types of customers on different email lead nurturing sequences.

Next, you need to identify the types of lead nurturing email sequences that you want to set up and plan them accordingly. Remember, you want to slowly build a relationship with the people on your email list, so it’s important to space out information between emails.

If you’re looking for inspiration, consider using anecdotes, case studies, industry news or perhaps even share something personal that’s happened to you. As you share information, your prospects will build an image of you and your business in their mind, which can then lead to forming a relationship and even sales.

 

At JH Virtual Assistant, we know that embarking on new email marketing methods can be daunting. We’re always on hand for a chat to see if we can assist potential clients with their email marketing. Our virtual assistants are UK based and experienced in email marketing and automated email sequences through a variety of software such as Mailchimp, Active Campaign and Woodpecker.

March 28, 2023 by

How Virtual Assistants are Helping Life Coaches Transform Their Practices

So, you’ve made the leap into your new career as a Life Coach, full of enthusiasm and excitement for your new life – doing something that you love and helping others. After some time, you gain a decent client base, which likely feels great but also comes with some challenges. You have less time to book in clients, manage finances and develop your Life Coaching business into the new areas that you’ve had on your mind. You have the skills to develop your business but your time is finite. This is where a virtual assistant can help.

What are virtual assistants and how can they help life coaches?

In short, a virtual assistant is an individual that carries out admin, bookkeeping, social media management and other business related tasks. You can engage them to work for you ad hoc, or for a set number of hours each month without all the obligations of hiring an actual employee (PAYE, payslips, pension contributions, equipment and software). The general idea is that they can save you time, so you can concentrate more on your clients, coaching and strategy, rather than admin.

What tasks can a life coach delegate to a virtual assistant?

When you first start out with your new virtual assistant, often it’s best to slowly delegate the most time consuming admin tasks. These could be answering emails and enquiries, booking in clients, sending invoices, creating social media posts and updating your website. Having these tasks covered will certainly free up some of your time, but would you really be utilising the full potential of your virtual assistant? We want to give you a few ideas to really boost your life coaching business.

Ideas to transform your life coaching business with the help of a virtual assistant

Course Creation and Course Management

If you’re interested in running courses as an addition to your life coaching business, then asking your virtual assistant to help with content creation, image editing, setting up online courses and managing the bookings and intake can be a great help. If they have previous experience with online course platforms, such as Kajabi or Thinkific, then starting your course provider journey will be much easier.

Paid Advertising and PPC Advertising

Your virtual assistant may be experienced in running paid advertising and PPC advertising campaigns. Another stream for enquiries and bookings can help the longevity of your business and make it feel more secure.

Automated Email Sequences and Email Marketing

Do you have an email list? Your virtual assistant can ensure it’s segmented correctly and set up automated email sequences to help slowly build a relationship with your potential clients. Your emails will be sent out at the correct times to match your new course launch, new client intake dates or events related to your business.

Connect Your Business Workflow Using Automation Software Such As Zapier

Finally, our personal favourite when it comes to freeing up time for our clients, setting up business automation software like Zapier. Imagine having your lead management software, client booking system and invoicing system directly connected, so you don’t need to input data multiple times and so that certain tasks are automated. Or, having your lead magnet directly connected to your email marketing software, ensuring different types of leads are tagged correctly and new leads are entered into the correct email welcome sequence. An experienced virtual assistant will be able to look at your current processes and find the best way to streamline things through the use of automation software and connector apps.

What to look for when choosing the best virtual assistant for your life coaching business

Hiring the perfect virtual assistant for your life coaching business can be tricky. Location and availability are primary considerations, as you’ll want your virtual assistant to be in the same (or similar) time zone and to be available at the times during the day when you need them most. Keep in mind that life coaching is the type of business where your virtual assistant will be communicating with people needing help and potentially vulnerable people. Ensure your virtual assistant has the right communication style to match yours. They should be experienced in a range of small business software and preferably have worked as a virtual assistant for other clients previously (even better if they have experience of working with life coaches). To check their professionality, you can ask them about confidentiality, data security and their terms of service. The most experienced virtual assistants will provide you with terms, a contract and information regarding confidentiality.

If you’re looking to grow your business, you may want to hire a more experienced virtual assistant that is confident in automation, marketing, course creation etc. The best place to hire a confident and experienced virtual assistant is from a virtual assistant company or agency. With these, you will also usually have cover in case of absence and the ability to change virtual assistants or add further assistants to your team.

JH Virtual Assistant welcomes all enquiries from life coaches who are looking to hire a UK based virtual assistant with experience working with life coaches and growing their businesses. Email info@jhvirtualassistant.co.uk and we will answer all your queries and provide pricing and information.

March 21, 2023 by

How to scale your Airbnb business with the help of a virtual assistant

Scaling your Airbnb business can be a daunting task, but with the help of a virtual assistant, it can become a lot more manageable. In this blog post, we’ll explore how you can use a virtual assistant to help grow your Airbnb business, and how to find the right person for the job.

The benefits of using a virtual assistant

First, let’s talk about the benefits of using a virtual assistant. It’s well known that as you increase the number of listings on Airbnb, your time quickly evaporates with too many bookings, enquiries and expenses to manage. This is where a virtual assistant comes in to help you with a variety of tasks, such as managing your calendar, responding to messages, and handling bookings. This can free up a lot of your time, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.

Managing listings

When it comes to scaling your Airbnb business, there are a few key areas where a virtual assistant can be particularly helpful. One of the most important is managing your listings. Your virtual assistant can help you with tasks such as creating listings, editing listings and updating pricing. They can also help you with listing optimisation, which can increase your visibility on the platform and help you attract more bookings.

Communication

Another area where a virtual assistant can be helpful, and is crucial to your overall Airbnb success, is communication. It’s a good idea to hand over a training document with common questions and answers to your new virtual assistant. However, an experienced virtual assistant will be up and running quickly. They can respond to messages, answer questions, send welcome messages and be available to your guests throughout their stay. In time, your virtual assistant will become an expert on the local area and be able to provide information with ease. They can also help you with managing reviews, which is crucial for building trust and attracting new guests.

Bookkeeping

Regardless of how may properties you have listed on Airbnb, it’s necessary to keep good financial records. Very quickly, your virtual assistant will become aware of the regular expenses such as cleaning, energy bills, and property taxes. Any ad hoc expenses can simply be sent to your virtual assistant, to be added to your bookkeeping system. Since experienced virtual assistants are familiar with the different accounting software available, they can make suggestions on how best to manage your financial records. They may also be able to provide you with an overview, in financial terms, of which properties are performing well, and which are not.

Managing your booking calendar

It’s important to keep in mind that as your Airbnb business grows, your Airbnb business becomes more complicated. Keeping track of when guests in different locations are checking in and checking out, when cleaners need to arrive, laundry, and letting in any trades people, can be a headache. Having a virtual assistant, or a team of virtual assistants to help manage this, can prevent a lot of stress. 

Hiring a suitable virtual assistant for your Airbnb business

When it comes to finding the right virtual assistant for your business, there are a few things to keep in mind. One of the most important is to find someone who is experienced and knowledgeable on the Airbnb platform. You’ll want someone who is familiar with the platform’s features and can help you navigate it effectively. Additionally, it’s important to find someone who is reliable, readily available, responsive, and able to communicate effectively.

Another important consideration is to find someone who has the skills and expertise you need to help you scale your business. For example, if you’re looking to grow your Airbnb business, you’ll want to find a virtual assistant who has experience with marketing and social media because it’s important to drive more traffic to your Airbnb listings. You may also look for someone with a good property head, that can research new potential properties for your Airbnb business. They can then provide a breakdown of potential properties in terms of location, local amenities, expected revenue, taxes etc. 

When it comes to hiring a virtual assistant, there are a few different options to consider. One of the most popular is to use a platform such as Upwork or Fiverr, where you can find a variety of virtual assistants with different skills and experience. Another option is to use an agency, which can be a good choice if you’re looking for a more experienced virtual assistant.

By hiring from a virtual assistant company or agency, like JH Virtual Assistant, you have more security as you will be hiring an experienced UK based virtual assistant. You also have the option to add more team members to your virtual assistant team as your Airbnb business grows and there will be cover in case of any absences. 

So, we know that a virtual assistant can be a valuable asset when it comes to scaling your Airbnb business and they can help you with a wide variety of tasks. When it comes to finding the right virtual assistant for your business, it’s important to look for someone who is experienced, reliable, and has the skills and expertise you need to help you grow your business. With the right virtual assistant, you can take your Airbnb business to the next level.

February 21, 2023 by

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Virtual Assistant

Hiring a virtual assistant can be a great way to save time and increase productivity, but it’s important to make sure you’re hiring the right person for the job. Here are some important questions to ask before making a decision:

What are your qualifications and experience? Do you have specific areas of expertise?

You want to make sure your virtual assistant has the skills and experience needed to handle the tasks you’ll be assigning them. Ask about their education, previous work experience, and any relevant certifications or training. Many VAs only work in specific areas, so it’s best to check and ensure that the virtual assistant you’re hiring can provide the support that you need. Sometimes, virtual assistants have experience in tasks that you may not need right now, but could be useful in the future. By hiring a virtual assistant that can cover your tasks, and perhaps some useful ones later one, you’re future-proofing your business.

What’s your availability and time zone?

One of the main benefits of hiring a virtual assistant is the ability to work with someone in a different location, meaning that you don’t need to provide desk space, a computer, software etc. However, it’s important to make sure your virtual assistant will be available during the hours you need them. Ask about their availability and time zone to ensure there won’t be any scheduling conflicts. Think about your business and if it’s better to hire someone based in the UK that shares the same time zone.

What happens when they’re off sick or on holiday? Sometimes, hiring from a larger virtual assistant company or agency can be more reliable as you should have cover when your virtual assistant is absent from work. 

How do you communicate and stay organised?

Effective communication and organisation are key to the success of any working relationship. Ask your virtual assistant about their preferred methods of communication (e.g., email, instant messaging, video conferencing) and how they stay organised. At JH Virtual Assistant, our virtual assistants are happy to use your methods and software for organisation and communication. We have experience using most small business software including Slack, Trello, Xero, Microsoft Office, Pipedrive, Calendly, Mailchimp, Zapier and Canva.

What are your rates?

It’s important to have a clear understanding of the virtual assistant’s rates and what services are included. Ask about their hourly rate, any additional fees, and if they offer any package deals. It’s best to get a clear idea, right from the start, of the payment terms and if you’ll be paying by bank transfer or card.

Can you provide examples of similar work you’ve done in the past?

Ask for examples of similar work that the virtual assistant has done in the past. This will give you an idea of their experience and skill level, as well as how they approach similar tasks to the ones you will be giving them. This is especially useful if your virtual assistant will be creating content, images, social media posts or blogs. Keep in mind that they may need to anonymise any example work they send across due to the confidentiality agreements they have with past and current clients.

Can you sign a non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement?

Given the nature of the work, it’s important to protect your confidential information and trade secrets. Ask the virtual assistant if they are willing to sign a non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement to ensure that your information is protected. Most experienced virtual assistants will send you a non-disclosure and confidentiality agreement as part of the course of signing up a new client. It may even be part of their general contract or engagement letter.

How will you handle security and data privacy?

Virtual assistants have access to sensitive information, so it’s important to make sure they have adequate security measures in place to protect your data. Ask about the virtual assistant’s security protocols and how they ensure the privacy of your information. Will they be following GDPR regulations if handling personal data related to your business? Make sure that the virtual assistant that you hire is up-to-date on their obligations surrounding data and privacy.

How will you handle deadlines and deliverables?

Ask the virtual assistant about their process for meeting deadlines and delivering work. Establish clear expectations and milestones so that both parties are on the same page.

How will you handle any issues or problems that may arise?

Despite the best planning, issues and problems can still arise. Ask the virtual assistant how they will handle any issues or problems that may come up and how they will communicate with you to keep you informed. If you’re hiring from a larger virtual assistant company or agency, there may be a supervisor or manager available that can make the resolution of problems much easier.

By asking these questions, you can gain a better understanding of the virtual assistant’s qualifications, availability, communication style, and rates. This will help you make a more informed decision when hiring a virtual assistant, and ensure that you have a successful working relationship. Remember to take your time and consider all your options.

JH Virtual Assistant welcomes any enquiries regarding our team of UK based virtual assistants. If you would like to get in touch and ask these questions and more, please contact info@jhvirtualassistant.co.uk or call 01383 231 599.

February 14, 2023 by

How Property Surveyors Can Make More Profit by Hiring a Virtual Assistant

Have you noticed that some small Property Surveying businesses (sometimes even one-man bands) are managing to carry out a large number of surveys per week? The most likely reason that they’re able to achieve more is that they’ve hired a virtual assistant to help with their admin. It’s something that you could do too, if you want to work with more clients and be more productive, whilst also achieving a better work-life balance. If you hire the right virtual assistant, you will be working with a highly skilled professional that can help you with admin, research and social media, for example.

What tasks can a RICS Property Surveyor delegate to a virtual assistant?

The best way to figure out which tasks to delegate to your virtual assistant is to think about the tasks that you do repeatedly, that are time consuming, but don’t need any special long term training. UK based virtual assistants that work with Property Surveyors often find themselves assisting with emails, admin, online filing, sending out contracts and invoices to clients, following up on enquiries, chasing payments, booking property inspections and carrying out property research.

Stand out more and know more

When you’re busy carrying out property inspections and writing up home surveys and building surveys, it’s understandable that you may have neglected your website, blog or social media platforms. Here’s where you can let your virtual assistant take charge. Many virtual assistants are experienced content writers and social media assistants. They know how to create SEO Google friendly content and the benefits of maintaining a Google Business listing with posts and images. 

It’s also a great idea to allow your virtual assistant to carry out market research on housing prices, population trends, industry changes and other factors that can affect property values and sales. Not only will this keep you up-to-date, but this data can be repurposed into blogs and social media posts. The end result is that your business will be more prominent online and you will appear as the expert in your local area. It’s well known that gaining the trust of potential clients is the first step towards booking a client. This means that your online image is key.

Bill more, earn more and have more free time

The way you work with your Property Surveying Virtual Assistant depends on your business, but very quickly your virtual assistant can be handling a large portion of your administrative tasks leaving you free to book in more clients and bill for more surveys. The monetary profit from billing for more surveys usually far outweighs the cost of hiring a virtual assistant. In addition, if you were struggling to spend time with family and friends (or perhaps struggling to get any time off at all), hiring a virtual assistant can greatly improve your work-life balance.  

How to hire the right virtual assistant for your Property Surveying business

There are so many virtual assistants advertising their services online and it can be daunting when trying to choose the right one. Your best bet is to hire someone that has previous experience of working with a Property Surveyor. They may advertise themselves as a Virtual Assistant for Property Surveyors or as a Virtual Assistant for Property Surveying Businesses. You also may find the right VA within a larger virtual assistant company. Ideally, you want a virtual assistant that’s based in the UK with knowledge of the different levels of RICS surveys and perhaps with experience of software that you use for your reports, such as GoReport. They should also have general experience of working with small businesses and using small business software.

Hire a Virtual Assistant for your Property Surveying business with JH Virtual Assistant

At JH Virtual Assistant, we have virtual assistants that are experienced with working with Property Surveyors and Property Surveying businesses. Our UK based experience spans different parts of the UK meaning that we know the differences in markets, buying processes and reports. So, you can rest assured that you’re hiring a virtual assistant that will make a positive influence on your business.

To speak with us, please call 01383 231 599 or email info@jhvirtualassistant.co.uk We’re not salesy or pushy, and only work with clients where we can provide value.

February 3, 2023 by

Why Outsourcing Tasks to a Virtual Assistant is Important For Your Business

Have you ever wondered how the stars of the entrepreneurial world seem to skyrocket their success in such a short period of time? There’s no doubt that running a business can be overwhelming and requires taking on many tasks and responsibilities. But how do they do it? As your business grows, it requires greater efforts and overloading yourself seems inevitable. 

There’s no secret ingredient – it’s all about outsourcing tasks and hiring virtual assistants!

What Is the Definition of a Virtual Assistant?

A virtual assistant is a self-employed professional who works remotely and helps with a diverse array of functions to support a company. Virtual assistants can handle anything from managing your schedule and database to invoicing and social media management etc.

Outsourcing specific administrative tasks to a virtual assistant can help both large and small businesses improve their overall performance by saving time and money. 

Why is a Virtual Assistant important?

Firstly, hiring a virtual assistant is important because you have access to working with people who have work experience in a variety of administrative tasks and offer the flexibility to multi-task. Also, they have valuable experience working for different companies and can easily adapt to different work environments.

Every successful business recognises that time is the most important asset and money comes in second. Business owners need time for new ideas and strategies, networking and regaining perspective on what’s going on – business and personal-wise. 

That’s another reason why a virtual assistant is important for your business. Hiring a VA can free up the time and energy you spend on carrying out tasks that are time-consuming,  or have become a burden. Additionally, a virtual assistant is already experienced so you don’t need to spend too much time on training. Not only will it improve business productivity and efficiency, but also you will finally have time to work on the things you enjoy, and focus on business growth. 

When hiring a virtual assistant you only pay for the time you use. No equipment, no office space, no employer’s national insurance contributions or benefits. Pay only for the hours that are worked and save your business money. 

Working with a virtual assistant requires solid communication, efficient processes and the use of technology in more creative ways. Once you find your rhythm and tasks can be easily delegated, you have created a valuable asset that can help you grow your business.

Have you thought of hiring a VA?

This is probably one of the best business decisions you can make. Hiring a virtual assistant will help you get some much-needed peace of mind and allow you to start working effectively. 

Stay in love with your business by hiring one of our UK virtual assistants. You can get to know us, ask questions and find out if we’re a good fit to support your business. It only takes 30 minutes and could be the start of a brighter future for you and your business.

No sales techniques and no pressure, just a simple open discussion. 

 

Book your free consultation here.

June 3, 2022 by