When I say the word split test it reminds me of my high school days watching my older sister do the splits on the wall outside the school office with throngs of onlookers (mostly teenage boys) cringed with agony at the thought. It was the splits and it was a test, just not the kind we’re about to discuss! Actually, a split test is a “method to track the results from several different web pages to see which is converting leads or customers better.” For instance, if you have a new product to market but are questioning the price, whether to add a video or change the copy of the webpage, then a split test is for them. Here’s What Your Virtual Assistant can Do it Make it Happen 1.

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What’s the “To Do” about Split Testing

Anne Johnson (our Northern England Virtual PA) has been doing some great work with local businesses and has recently received these testimonials… well done Anne! “Anne stepped in to assist with the travel and accommodation requirements for my recent trip abroad.  As time constraints limit my administration capacity, Anne’s input was invaluable!” Matthew Marshall, Managing Director, Fielden Engineering Limited “Anne’s help with the administration during the recent company set-up has been a great help and I would absolutely recommend her services.” Stephen Liversidge, Director, Yorkshire Film and TV Solutions Limited “Anne stepped in at short notice and quickly made herself familiar with the diverse range of organisations and individuals involved in the project.  She demonstrated a consistenly high level of professionalism, efficiency and commitment and was a great support to the team.  I would have no hesitation in recommending Anne’s services.” Kate Auld, Manager, Yorkshire Gold (Yorkshire’s Regional Olympic Committee) “Running a very busy Retail Communications Agency for the last 7 years and finding myself disorganised and surrounded by piles of ‘very important’ documents that I didn’t have time to file or put into any form of structure – I realised I now needed to bring in professional help.  That’s where Anne Johnson entered my business.  After looking at the website and the exchanging of a couple of emails and phone calls during which I described my very ‘messy’ world and what I needed from a Versatile Assistant, Anne came in and took control.  After two and a half days she’d shredded years of confidential documentation, restructured my paper documents and even organised the furniture in my office.  During this time she also structured my email filing – which entailed researching some ‘easy to use’ software which helps me file the incoming and outgoing emails instantly – so no longer do I have heaps of flagged up and unread emails awaiting my attention. The result – a great working environment for me; I know where everything is and I can focus on running my business.  I would highly recommend Anne to anyone who needs high calibre, professional help.” Barbara Boyes, Managing Director, Fourninety Ltd If you are based in Northern England please contact Anne on 0845 299 0408 to find out how she can help you.

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Recent Testimonials

Transcription has come a long way over the past 5 years – there is no longer a need for tapes to be used as modern transcription machines enable recordings to be made into digital files.  These digital files can then be emailed to your virtual PA .  Virtual PAs use special transcription software which allows the files to play on their computer while they type.  The Virtual PA still has a headset and possibly even foot controls but these work with the computer rather than the old fashioned tape deck.  Once the PA has completed the typing the completed document can be emailed back to you.

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Save Your Sanity: Weekly Outsource Tips – Digital Transcription

If you need to advertise a vacancy within your company your virtual assistant will be able to help you target appropriate publications/websites and place advertisements on your behalf.  Your virtual assistant can also assist you in writing the job specification and presenting it professionally.  You can also give your virtual assistant some guidelines for screening CVs, providing responses to candidates and scheduling interviews on your behalf.  Recruitment can be a very time consuming process so it makes sense to delegate tasks when you can. Start delegating today!

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Save Your Sanity: Weekly Outsource Tips – Recruitment Support

Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant Virtual Book Tour Stop #1 My VA colleague, Jessica Maes , has just launched her book Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant and she is currently on virtual tour to promote it! Jessica operates a busy Virtual Assistance practice from her home office in Madison, WI. Additionally, Jessica has taught a class at the University of Wisconsin through the Minicourse department called “Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant” since early 2009.

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Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant

Direct Mail can be an important marketing strategy for small businesses but finding the time to formulate the mailing list, merge the letters, collate flyers and envelopes can take up your valuable time.  If you struggle to find the time or lack the expertise this is a great task to delegate to your virtual assistant .  Mailing lists can be purchased or you may decide to formulate a more specific, researched list from available data.  You may also hold your own valuable database which you can include in your direct mail campaign. Your virtual assistant will be able to assist you in formulating a cover letter and merging the data with your database of contacts.  They will then be able to print the letters, collate envelopes and any promotional materials, and finally arrange for posting of the letters.  Your virtual assistant can also help you with tracking the results of your direct mail campaign so you can evaluate the success of the campaign.

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Save Your Sanity: Weekly Outsource Tips – Direct Mail Campaigns

Bookkeeping is one of those essential tasks for every small business but it is often neglected creating a nightmare at the end of the financial year.  Regular and up to date financial reporting is important as it will help you gain a snapshot of your businesses financial position.  Do you know how many of your sales invoices are overdue or when your purchases need to be paid for?  An effective financial system will help you track every transaction ensuring that you are always on top of your books. A Virtual PA can help you choose and set up your financial management system.  It is then possible for your Virtual PA to keep the system up to date with all of your sales and purchases meaning there is very little work for you to do in keeping your business in the best financial shape.   You can even ask your Virtual PA to assist with calling or chasing your outstanding payments. If you’re ready to take the next step and find a Virtual PA to assist you with your bookkeeping, contact us today.

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Save Your Sanity: Weekly Outsource Tips – Bookkeeping/financial reporting

Planning an event can take a great deal of preparation and research.  Your Virtual Assistant can take care of most of the details for you, leaving you to focus on what you need to so that the event is a success.  Organising an event takes a great deal of planning – from researching venues, obtaining quotations, booking the venue, compiling the guest list, sending invites, promoting the event, co-ordinating replies, noting dietary requirements, decorating the venue, arranging catering, sending information prior to the event, meeting and greeting at the event and post event follow-up.  All of these tasks can take up a great deal of your time particularly if you aren’t experienced in organising events.  Thankfully most Virtual Assistants have a lot of experience in organising events whether it be experience gained as a VA or in their previous employment as a PA and most importantly your VA can help your dream event become a reality.

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Save Your Sanity: Weekly Outsource Tips – Event organisation

It always seems to be the end of the month, doesn’t it?  If you have a large client base that require individual invoices you may find invoicing to be a time consuming and dreaded task.  A virtual assistant will be able to help you distribute your invoices even if they aren’t assisting you with book-keeping.  Your VA can write up your invoices based on your directions (often a simple Excel spreadsheet works well), convert them to pdf format for emailing and then email the invoices on your behalf.  One of the main benefits of having your VA involved in your invoicing is that your invoices will always be sent out on a particular date which should improve your cash-flow situation.

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Save Your Sanity: Weekly Outsource Tips – Sending Invoices

WOAH! I’ve been a Virtual Assistant for 11 years now and I’ve seen a lot of “discussions” on the value of Virtual Assistants and how they can bring sanity back into the life of their clients. Now some of these discussions have gone on in forums, yahoogroups, between VAs, blogs and VAs… But for the first time ever, that I’ve seen anyways, I’ve found a blogger who has a Neanderthal approach on how to look for a Virtual Assistant and two VAs slinging mud back and forth at each other and another using profanity in his comments section on the blog

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What Not To Do