We all have our own perceptions when it comes to certain advertized products, companies or
services. The famous brands we all know and recognise have  marketing teams that spent many hours analyzing the market and
its needs. They knew what they wanted to reflect, to begin with, but they also molded
after the needs of the customers. And that’s the light that they shine under
our eyes.  You say a name, or show an image and most people have a quite similar perception about the brand…

       This is exactly why even a small business owner, a speaker or a consultant must be very careful when it comes to the light that shines from his brand. In the very
first steps of the business creation, one should build a clear plan of what the business should become.  Branding is not just for celebrities and famous companies; it is for every public entity. More so if you are using the social media platform to connect with the
public.

      There are a few steps to considered in this process and a very important one is to have a good and well-defined idea about your brand in order to succeed. At the base of this step is RESEARCH. One might hope that enthusiasm and hard work is enough to succeed, but if you don’t convey all that into an entity that is appealing and on demand for your niche, all the enthusiasm and hard work will burn out soon if there are no visible results.

      Additionally, create a good OUTLINE of the path you want to pursue. A solid foundation for this step is a written business plan. Just by going through this process, you can brainstorm, define and write a lot of the basic strategies of the brand creation. Start expanding them. Sketch and then follow through. Try to keep your brand under your control, not the vice versa.

    When using SOCIAL MEDIA it is important to follow the same outline on all channels. I discovered that it creates a great sense of confusion to use some of the social media platforms for business and others for personal matters when you interconnect them.
There is no need to link them if they are not sending the same message.  Be unique and charismatic when connecting to your followers, but not unprofessional. A look at all your social media pages, business card, business etiquette and your physical presence has to be harmonious and unilateral.

     If these tasks become a burden or if they transform into an overwhelming process, don’t hesitate to contact a professional or your preferred virtual assistant. Do not underestimate the power of building a consistent brand.

     You are the master of your brand. Make sure you have it under control.

Starting a new business might be quite a challenge in itself. From figuring out the financial details, to creating contracts and agreements, the task of creating a business plan in the beginning feels like a task that can be postponed for later days or cancel it altogether. However, a business plan is nothing else but the brainstorming that should take place in the first steps of any creation, being the guide that can keep you on the track of your vision. It is the structure that will sustain your business when you lose sight of your goals.

The great thing about a business plan is that it can be as simple or as detailed as you want it to be. It should definitely have a structure and an outline. In the United States there are multiple counseling centers and libraries that can offer assistance, being at the same time a good place to research information and facts.

In its most basic form and structure, here is what a business plan should include:

I.  COVER LETTER ( containing the name of the business,the logo,  the name of owner(s)

or partners, and the address, phone number, email(s) and other

contact information). Be creative and make it attractive.

II.  CONTENTS

• STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (should answer the and what, who, why,

where, and when of the business)

• THE BUSINESS – 1. Description of business (sole proprietorship, partnership,

limited partnership, limited liability partnership, limited

liability company, corporation)

2. Study of the market & competition (study by product or

service, industry, season, or area of coverage)

3. Location (analyze the demographics, demands or trends of

your business)

4. Management and personnel (list names, duties, strengths

and weaknesses, needs and demands)

5. Financial resources (funding or loans, buys or leases)

6. Sales and Marketing strategy / Production

and Development methods (explain how the business will

bring and keep customers, bringing sales and profit)

• FINANCIAL ANALYSIS  – depending on the type of business, this part of the business plan is the most challenging. It should report income projections by month and years, explain cash flow and investments and forecast profit or losses in different scenarios.
• DOCUMENTATION – all the legal paperwork to have a good standing and functioning of the business: contracts,licenses,  statements, agreements, leases or letters of intent.

III.  APPENDIX / TABLE OF CONTENTS

Even if the business plan is written mainly for you, it can always be used to apply for a loan or presented when in search of investment. A business plan is a statement of what your business is all about, being a mean of communication , a map and a guide at the same time. Even the process of writing it is an excercise of discovery and learning about the process of being an entrepreneur.  It is not a waste of time and you will only benefit from writing it as soon as possible.

There are multiple names that define the profession of a secretary. In the last few years, a new niche has developed complementing the demand for it: a virtual assistant. The fast development of the internet has made us all expect things done on the moment. From checking the status of our friends’ life on the internet, to checking bank accounts online, or shopping online, to virtually transferring information, sending data and collecting it, inform and perform to an audience of millions of people, our life is more virtual than ever before…. So, why not also having a personal assistant that takes care of some of your dreaded tasks…virtually?!?

One can find a series of definitions for virtual assistant, but in essence, a virtual assistant specializes in providing an ongoing, collaborative-style administrative support, mostly utilizing varying technological means of communication and data delivery, on a contractual basis.  This is it! You have administrative tasks that need addressed, decide to contact your virtual assistant, explain your demands, sign a contract (per project or as a monthly retainer option), and tasks are checked off from your “to do list”.

There are a few great benefits from having an ongoing relationship with your virtual assistant. first of all, they will understand you business, your personality and your demands – this is an only an experienced professional, but also a business owner: their success is only gaged by your satisfaction. Second, you only pay for the time that is actually productive, don’t have to pay for the cost of health insurance, sick leave or vacation. That translates into saving money and time. Not convinced yet? Then consider that there are so many specialized virtual assistants that can address your needs as there are the administrative needs on your business.

If I have stirred your curiosity to further venture into the world and services of a virtual assistant, you can start with me, your virtual assistant at Boost Solutions LLC.

To your boost,

Boost Solutions LLC