Brianna's Biz Talk posts

WANTED: Naturopathic Advice! OFFERED: Virtual Assistant Services!

I'd like some advice from a Naturopathic doctor (we don't have many in Tulsa!) and will trade dollar-for-dollar VA services. The advice I need would probably take less than an hour.

Keep in mind I'm in Oklahoma so I probably can't come in to your office! Someone who knows about headaches, migraines, and eye problems is a plus!

Thanks,

Bri

Banner Advertising Campaign?

Hi all!

I'm gathering information about banner advertising strategies and their effectiveness. Can anyone offer any resources (books, websites, etc.) that offer tips for launching a banner campaign? Has anyone had experiences they would like to share? Anyone have any details on the effectiveness of different strategies?

Thanks in advance!!

Bri

Vector Illustrations?

Anyone know a vector artist/illustrator that can create "trendy" looking women illustrations? I need two for sure, possibly three.

I am on a budget, so I need a reasonable price...and I will also barter.

I haven't been able to find anything on stock photo sites, so I just need to have them created!

Thank you!

Computers and Eye Health

Just thought I'd help everyone avoid this problem...

I had to get glasses today (Not that it's a bad thing...they look cute on me!) because of the close-up work I do on my 'puter all day.

Some tips from the Opti-Doc:

Look up from the screen frequently, and glance around the room.

Make an effort to blink at every period typed.

Use tinted glasses. (This only works if you don't have to know what colors you're working with!)

Sit ergonomically.

Get up and stretch at least every hour.

Also, if you have frequent headaches after using the computer, get an eye exam! :)

Bri

WANTED: A few vector illustrations of moms OFFERED: VA services or at this point I'm willing to pay for it!

I need a few (2 or 3) vector illustrations of moms doing various activities. I haven't been able to find any I like on any of the stock sites, so I'm ready to get this done! If you can do it, let me know!!

I'm willing to trade (preferred) but I am also willing to pay for this!

Thanks!!!

NEEDED: Life Coaching (one or two sessions) OFFERED: Virtual Assistant Services

I'd like to trade someone dollar-for-dollar for a couple of life coaching sessions. I think I could really benefit from someone helping me think through a few things.

I can offer Virtual Assistant services, including any of the services listed on my website.

If you don't think you could use a VA, you probably just don't realize what all you can actually outsource. Shoot me a message if you want to work it out!

Thanks!

Bri

Green Shopping Bags! - As part of our Sustainability Discussion!

These are very cool! Enjoy!

http://www.besmartbegreen.com/

I love the "Recycle or Die" design!

Need a Marketing Guru to help plan a workshop!

Ok, I have this crazy idea to plan an online (maybe offline!) workshop for my Mommy's Company readers to help them market their online businesses. I'd like for it to be a paid workshop, and I'd like their fees to include advertising on mommyscompany.com. I'll probably also need help marketing the actual workshop.

If anyone has any ideas or is interested in being involved, please let me know!

Thanks!

Web Stats - What do they mean?

Ok, so my newsletter for Mommy's Company went out, so I decided to check my stats.

According to my hosting provider, in the last 7 days, I've had 794 visitors, 604 unique visitors, 3125 page views, 12, 561 hits, and my total bandwidth was 286 MB, the largest being my podcast file.

So what the heck does that all mean? Which stats are most important to advertisers? I've never sold advertising for a site, so this is all new to me!

Thanks!!

Need a few moms to interview!

Ok, if you need some good exposure for your business, I'd love to interview a mom (or two, or three) who has a good story to share. If you have something uplifting, interesting, or even idea-challenging to say, I'd love to interview for a Mommy's Company Podcast! Email me at brianna@mommyscompany.com if you're interested!!

Thanks!!

Abundance and Desperation

I've been bombarded with people who are in the Desperation Mindset lately, and I am curious if anyone else has gone through this. They bring me down and make me feel like I can't earn much more than I do. They try to make me think that I shouldn't have to pay for information, coaching, or assistance in my business, that people should be willing to speak or coach for free.

Personally, I want to always operate with the Abundance and Choice Mindset. I choose my clients because I like them, and I am willing to pay for information that has value to me. It's hard to stay focused on this when times are tough, or I know they soon will be, but I don't want to lose sight of it.

Just my thoughts. I'd love to know what others think.

Bri

Offered: Exposure for your mom-relevant biz. Wanted: Writers!

I am looking for regular writers for www.mommyscompany.com.

Tech Mama: Is a mom, Tech Savvy, loves gadgets, knows how to make technology work for your business.

Style Mama: Is a mom, knows fashion, can offer practical wardrobe tips, and keeps up with trends for moms and kids.

Business Mama: Is a mom, owns one or more businesses, considers herself successful, can offer tips to other mom business owners and/or startups.

Marketing Mama: Is a mom, knows how to get the word out, can offer practical marketing advice for moms.

These writers will answer questions asked by readers, or will submit articles once a month for publication. Must be comfortable with deadlines, and willing to work for exposure and possible advertising on www.mommyscompany.com.

I am also seeking products to feature, and other business and mom-related articles to feature monthly.

Email brianna@virtualsolutionsadmin.com with samples if you're interested!

Thanks!

Bri

How do you purchase a business?

I have the opportunity to purchase a fantastic online magazine for a VERY low price. I once worked at a virtual assistant for this business and I've loved it since I first saw it.

The price includes the website, mailing list, forum, newsletter, logos, and banners. This business has been featured on Clever Parents and ABC and has a great reputation. My question is, how in the hell do you buy a business? I haven't the foggiest how to talk money, get started, take care of legal stuff, etc.

Thanks!!

Bri

Someone stole my copy!

I know it's good and everything...but it's mine! :)

I use CopyScape to check every once in a while, but I've never had it happen! Any advice on how to handle it? The website that the offense is on doesn't look completed, and I'm not sure the contact form even works.

Thoughts?

Bri

Help!!! Advice on asking for payment?

Ok, some background to my question...

I posted an announcement not long ago that I partnered with an organization (a fairly new one) to offer a Virtual Assistant Training Course.

The course has well over 300 hours of research put into it, as well as countless hours of writing, editing, revising, formatting, etc. In other words, I've done a crapload of work in a short time so we could get this thing going.

My problem is that the organization I've partnered with is quite comfortable making payment arrangements with the participants in this course. Before the course began, I asked each participant to sign a T and C with one of the statements being, "Paying for the VSI course will not cause financial strain or hardship for myself or my family." To me, that means that they can afford this course. (Which is not cheap, but not outrageously expensive.)

The reason I put that statement in the T and C is to ensure that the participants are financially ready to start and launch a business. My thinking? If they can't afford the class, they can't afford to start a business. Is that wrong of me?

My other issue: My partner has not required one cent from these people. NOT ONE! And the second week of class starts this evening. Tonight's class is all about business planning, and the information is invaluable. I don't feel comfortable sharing this information without being paid for it! Even if I had a deposit, I'd be okay.

I've already told these people that we're requiring a deposit, but no one is paying up. I've expressed my concerns to my partner, but he doesn't seem to be getting how important this is to me and is still letting these people participate.

Any advice? Thoughts? Am I crazy for letting this go so long?

Thanks for the help! I think I'm losing my mind!

Spreading the love...

I know I've talked about this in the past, but now that I've experienced the power of Biznik first hand, I'm really anxious to see Biznik grow in Tulsa. I crave that face-to-face interaction in my virtual world!

So, I tell EVERYONE I know...and I do mean everyone...about Biznik and what it's doing for me. Still, no one bites. Maybe I get way to excited and my voice gets all high-pitched and they think I'm part of a crazed religious group?

There are only two other members (that I've found) in Tulsa. How can I help it grow!? Biznik is fan-flippin'-tastic it's time that I get serious about this. Where are all the Tulsa Indies? I can't do this alone!

Continuing Education

I'm curious if any of you budget continuing education into your business finances. Did anyone plan for this or spend money on this during the start-up phase? If so, how did you come up with numbers? What type of continuing education are you involved in?

Thanks!

Bri

Podcasting?

I've wanted to do this for a while now, but I have NO CLUE how to get started. I have recorded my own music in my home studio in the past, so I have some great equipment (mic, preamp, etc.) to get me started, and I do have GarageBand on my MBP that I can use to record.

So...I record my podcast...where do I go from there? I have no idea how to incorporate that into my blog and website, how to get it onto my site, etc. Any tips? Anyone doing this already that can offer how-to's or advice?

Thanks in advance!

Story on MSNBC Promoting my Industry! Score!!!

See what all the fuss is about! What a GREAT piece!!!

http://video.msn.com/v/us/fv/msnbc/fv.htm??g=fda5aec6-5250-43c2-936f-dfac1ec2033d&f=00&fg=

Looking for Inexpensive Web Conferencing

Anyone know of a company that offers desktop sharing and phone conferencing all together? It doesn't have to be free, but free is good! I don't want to spend much more than $10 a month for this service.

Thank you!!

Bri