New software installation

I mentioned last time that I had decided to switch my blog over to Wordpress and was trying to install it.

Luckily I have the fantastic help of Crystal, fellow VA colleague and Rev member to sort this out for me as it is proving rather difficult to get my host to co-operate.

I am hoping to have it sorted soon and then I can get on and move everything across - hopefully the next post will be using Wordpress!

Until next time,

Emma Walker
CKPA Office Solutions

Finally decided the time has come

I have decided that I want to start using Wordpress as my blog software and am biting the bullet to try to install it - I will let you know how I get on.

Would appreciate any tips.

Wish me luck,

Emma Walker
CKPA Office Solutions

Improving my email marketing

At the beginning of the year I set myself various targets that I wanted to achieve in my business and one of them was to improve my email marketing campaign.

I decided that I wanted to take my newsletter to the next level and start using a paid subscription service to distribute it. I set a timescale of achieving this goal in April so that my May newsletter will go out with the new service.

So far I have signed up with AWeber as they seem the best 'fit' with what I want to achieve and I know a few colleagues who use it and recommend its service. I would be interested to hear other people's comments on AWeber - please post a comment.

Are you utilising this important marketing facility in your business? If not, I suggest you consider it to see how this can improve your sales. Concerned that you don't have time to manage and maintain a newsletter - hire a Virtual Assistant.

Until next time,

Emma Walker
CKPA Office Solutions

Microsoft Vista

Well I am really excited as last night, I purchased Microsoft Vista and Office 2007 Ultimate software and now can't wait for it to be delivered so that I can install it.

I decided to bite the bullet and get it now as I want to benefit immediately from the new features which should save me time running my business.

As a Virtual Assistant, I am especially looking forward to working with:

• Groove - as an online collaboration tool with my clients
• Outlook - utilising the added functionality to help me manage both mine and my clients time more efficiently

I will do a review of Vista and the different Office 2007 software at a later date.

Until next time,

Emma Walker
CKPA Office Solutions

Email frustrations

I'm afraid today's post is about a pet peeve of mine but also a very important business tool, so bear with me.

We are in the 21st Century and technology is a daily part of our personal and business lives - whether we like it or not. Nearly all businesses use email as one of their communication tools with their customers, associates and suppliers and advertise this fact on marketing material, websites, business cards etc.

I belong to a networking group and am a member of the Leadership Team. I regularly send out communications to our members via email so that everyone receives the information. What frustrates me though is that a good number of these members don't even look at their emails - even though they advertise a personalised email address on their business cards!

The other annoyance I have is when I specifically ask for information, normally to the benefit of everyone and THEIR business, and I get a big fat zero response.

Well if they can't be bothered to check or respond to my emails, why should I refer business to them? After all, I am one of their potential customers and if they treat me this way, how are they going to treat a paying customer!

I was having a talk with another member of this group who has the same frustrations as me and he said that our members are supposed to be mature business people who are serious about their business. I question whether they are serious business owners as their behaviour and actions speak differently - why should I have confidence and trust in them to be the specialists they are supposed to be?

Please remember that customers can include people who don't actually spend money with you, but they know and refer your future customers!

What is your communication like with all your customers and suppliers? Now might be the perfect opportunity to review your processes and train your staff. To see how CKPA and a Virtual Assistant can help improve communications within your business, contact us now.

Until next time,

Emma Walker
CKPA Office Solutions

PLEASE back up your PC

Within the last couple of weeks, I have had two colleagues contact me asking for an email to be sent to them again as their PC's had crashed and they had lost all their work because they hadn't backed up recently. Can you imagine the disruption that this will have caused to their business? How long would it take them to get back up and running?

At the moment, I have a recurring appointment scheduled in my Outlook tasks every Friday afternoon to do a full back up of all my work for that week onto an external data storage device. If anything should happen to my PC, it won't take long to restore all of my work.

You don't need to spend a fortune on your back up device, have a look at EBay for some bargains.

Also remember that you can back up your Outlook! Follow these simple instructions to make sure you don't lose any important emails or contacts.

• Select File - Import and Export
• Select Export to a file
• Select Personal Folder File (.pst)
• Select items you want to export (e.g. inbox) and tick the include subfolders box
• Select Browse to find location of your back up device. TIP: Choose a file name giving reference to date of back up for ease if having to do a restore (e.g. Inbox 22.02.06)
• Select Finish

By backing up regularly, you will minimise disruption to yourself, your business and most importantly, your clients.

Until next time,

Emma Walker
CKPA Office Solutions

What is a Lens?

I have recently come across the concept of lens' provided by squidoo. The idea behind it is great as it is like a one stop shop for something that you are passionate about giving useful information and links. Some examples of a lens could include:

• Your hobby
• Your business / industry
• Favourite celebrity
• Favourite recipes

The list really is endless, you talk about what you are you want to and it is opportunity to educate people!

I have created a lens all about the VA industry. Check it out and let me know what you think, any suggested links or articles.

Until next week.

Emma Walker
CKPA Office Solutions