Trying to Decide What Email Marketing Service to Use?

This wonderful resource was shared with me by another virtual assistant.

With so many options out there, sometimes its hard to know which product would best meet the needs of your business. Attached is a link to an email marketing comparison chart. I found it helpful in just checking if I was using the right product for my business. I hope you will find it helpful as well.

http://email-marketing-service-review.toptenreviews.com/

Networking Opportunity in Detroit....

Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo: where deals are made.

Black Enterprise • March, 2009 • All Access: Your Monthly Pass to B.E. Events, TV & Radio
MEET US IN THE MOTOR CITY! Further compounding on the success of over 13 years, the Black Enterprise Entrepreneurs Conference + Expo is back--taking place May 17th-20th, 2009 at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance & COBO Convention Center in Detroit, Michigan. This event is definitively the nation's largest black business conference. Bring your best ideas, big and small, because you never know just who you might meet. Registration is now open! For more information go to www.blackenterprise.com/events.

Networking and Recognizing Those Making a Difference

Yesterday I was honored to attend one of my clients events - Pretty in Pinstripes - produced by A Jarrett Affairs & Productions, LLC. Judge Glenda Hatchett was the Keynote Speaker and brought such realness and fire to the luncheon.. adding to the title "A 2009 Power Luncheon". AND if you have not heard Kersten Stevens (an AMAZING VIOLINIST) you must look her up. Her music is indescribable.

It was a great experience to network and meet exceptional women in business and government. This was a most appropriate event during Women's History Month. We must continue to support each others effort in business, government, community and in any areas difference are being made.

Congratulations to the honorees.... They were truly exceptional women and I hope to be like them when I grow up.

For more information about the event you can visit www.prettyinpinstripes.com.

See you next year.

Managing During Times of Uncertainty

Last night, my wonderful photographers and friends at EyeWonder Photography invited me a business meeting for photographers. They though the topic was relevant to any business owner, and I couldn't agree more. The topic was Managing During Times of Uncertainty, the speaker was Asher Epstein, who is the Director of the Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship at University of Maryland, Smith School.

There was great information shared, but in the end the speaker wanted us to remember the "8 Takes", so I thought I'd share with others.

1. Cut fixed costs - allow for variables
2. Preserve cash
3. Change proposition - Focus on expertise, what differentiates you.
4. Focus on core servicers
5. Generate revenue from exisiting customers.
6. Be opportunistic.
7. Don't blame the macro economics for the micro economics
8. Don't assume that old patterns will return.

*** Be honest with trends that affect your business ****

As the Business Turns...

Is your business always evolving? When was the last time you looked at your business plan? Is it totally different now? Did you think you want to offer a specific service only to find out that it isn’t quite where you want to end up.

As business owners we may often find ourselves in that state of mind. This isn’t all bad because typically that innovative thinking and ability to create is what made us small business owners to begin with.

I believe I’m experiencing a metamorphosis of my business. Being an executive assistant is what I know, but acting more as productivity, efficiency consultant for my clients is what I enjoy more. Thinking about those years of basically running the operations for Vice Presidents for many years, I’m finding that the more in depth avenues of business is what I enjoy – perhaps that’s why I got a business degree – go figure. I enjoy helping them brainstorm for a new marketing tag lines, helping them put together a request for proposal, apply for government certifications and just basically anything that will improve the operations of their business, while they continue working on it.

Because of that I’m looking deeper into online business management services for my new, existing and future clients, who want to go beyond what they are doing but don’t have the time to give to doing to. I’m looking forward to sharing more about these plans in the next month or two.. in the meantime, I guess I had better update my business plan.

Who Has the Time for Social Media?

I know I know, its all the rage. Business owners are finding clients using it and its quite effective. But seriously, who has time to update status all day. I'm really struggling with the idea that its worth my time. I know that any marketing avenue takes time and consistency before you can see any real results. But is my target market really online in social media outlets? Is that where I'm going to find them.

No offense to those who think twitter/facebook/linked in are fun, but I'm looking for people who are looking to concentrate on spending their time servicing their clients not updating on what they are doing, reading, thinking all day.

Most of my frustration might be due to the fact that I personally don't have time to truly explore the wonderfulness of these marketing avenues. But I just felt like venting today..

BTW, check me out on facebook/linked in/ and twitter (virtualbizmger)