One of my favorite calls was yesterday with Kim De Young – How to Leap Your List by Creating a High Traffic Blog.   There were three golden nuggets that I pulled from this call that I feel is important to share with my Online Business Manager clients and audience.

Why does every business owner need a blog?

1. to get your message out
2. build your list
3. educate your audience
4. establish your credibility and your expertise

Thank you Kim DeYoung for sharing.

PS: Copyblogger.com is a great resource to come up with great headlines.

http://ow.ly/16H5jM

There’s a new kid on the block in the world of Social Networks, and if you use Gmail, he’s already living on your street! Google recently unveiled Google Buzz, a Social Network that’s built right into Gmail. If you have a Gmail account, you might have noticed a colorful balloon that showed up on the left-hand side of the page – that’s Buzz!

Google had some great ideas when they unveiled Buzz. Check out this YouTube video posted on the Official Google Blog to introduce Buzz:

Unfortunately, despite these good intentions, Buzz has caused some frustration among loyal Gmail users. For example, the blog post “Buzz off, Google: Social networks should always be opt-in, not opt-out” highlights the fact that all Gmail users were enrolled in Buzz without being asked first. Furthermore, Google automatically made a social graph of your most-emailed people and made sharing of that graph opt-out instead of opt-in. As this article explains, “it’s super easy to miss the check box, and the default should always be the safest choice.”

In Google’s defense, they listened to users’ feedback and have introduced some improvements. The Official Gmail Blog reports that the following changes have been made to Buzz:

1. There is a more visible option to not show followers/people you follow on your public profile.

2. You have the ability to block anyone who starts following you.

3. There is more clarity on which of your followers/people you follow can appear on your public profile.

Given Google’s popularity and history of creating quality products, there is definitely the possibility that Google Buzz could someday rival Facebook and Twitter.

What do you think? Are you ready to tell Google Buzz to buzz off, or do you think Google can rise to the challenge of making Buzz the best Social Network around?

Posted by Craig Canning, VA Classroom

Though you may feel you are doing and saying everything the right way, it does not guarantee your success. If people don’t respond to your approach, you may not have as many business opportunities, and may find yourself struggling to gain clients. You may begin to wonder why your competitors have an advantage – the fact that people respond positively to their approach.

The truth is that most successful business owners understand the importance of building relationships. Your relationship with your clients needs to be nurtured. You will discover that your clients, just as any other relationship in your personal life, desire the respect that comes with caring for and about others.

You can begin your self evaluation by taking a quick inventory of yourself and honestly answer the following questions:

• Do people respond to you in a positive nature?
• Are you a good listener?
• Do people have confidence in you and your ability to deliver superior service?
• Do your services compliment their vision for their business?
• Do you personify integrity?
• Do others value your input and guidance?
• Are you able to receive constructive criticism?

If you answered yes to most of these questions, it is possible that you are on the right track. However, pay close attention to the feedback that you receive from your clients. Often we receive feedback from our clients and fail to notice what they are actually telling us. Customer feedback is essential to understanding how your clients respond to you and your approach. This will ultimately decide whether or not they will continue to do business with you. Start by paying close attention to the messages, tone of your conversations, and your clients’ body language and find ways to connect with them in a sincere manner.

When you make an effort to show your clients that they are valued, they will value you. Show your clients that you are a pleasure to do business with and make them feel good about themselves, you then have an advantage. Recognize the potential in others and help them bring out their best attributes. Develop the habit of being positive and enthusiastic, this will go a long way in developing a strong relationship with your clients. Being positive is contagious and the rewards will be abundant and ultimately, you will enjoy what you do and your business will continue to thrive.

Brenda M. Violette

Professional Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager

VBS Virtual Assist, LLC