Newsletters… The Importance of One!
August 2, 2011 by Christina Littrell-Williams
Filed under Biz Development, Featured, Tools
~Email Marketing ~ Newsletters ~ Communication~
Now that you have your database together and building larger daily – let’s focus on why a newsletter…
Having a newsletter is a valuable tool for your business –
• It assists in the ROI on marketing investments
• Increases your customer loyalty (based on offers you give)
• Gives you the ability to do “split testing” to see what kind of campaigns are more successful
• Gives you an outlet to “touch” your customers/clients/prospects on a regular basis
Creating a clear purpose for your newsletter is important – you should not send a newsletter that is solely based on “selling” to your people – you need to GIVE to your people!
Some companies feel newsletters should be once a month – the frequency is important and once a month is not frequent enough to maintain and build a relationship with your “peeps”. Marketing is stronger when you have a “relationship” with your peeps.
Suggestions for your newsletter – with this frequent sending mix up the topics of your blasts – things like This Week’s How To Tips, This Week’s Hot or Controversial or Good news in your market, This Week’s Time Sensitive Offers, This Week’s Question from a reader and so on – you want to feed the interest of all of your readers!
Be sure to keep eyes on the stats for opens and replies back in regards to the email topics you send – which are received better, which ones receive “action” from your readers and which ones bomb? Take that information and continue to build your messages! More next week…
Don’t forget productivity is the way to propel you forward professionally and personally… Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
Communication, Increase Your Reach!
July 28, 2011 by Christina Littrell-Williams
Filed under Biz Development, Featured
Communication, The Way To Reach Your Clients
Having a large list of clients/customers/prospects you regularly communicate is a VALUABLE ASSET you’re your company and its revenue. It is a well known saying “The Money is in The List”. One of the first things you need to put into place, if you do not have it already, is a program for collecting names, email addresses, mailing addresses, and phone numbers to every customer/client/prospect you have come across over the years along with new ones.
Setting up a program to do this can be a combination of several things, here are a few:
- 1. You should have a website – Create a section to host the registration box. Give them a reason to register here something like you are going to “Solve Their Problems” or “Answer All Of Their Questions”. This code will come from your newsletter platform you use. See www.vaagogo.com on the tools page for some suggestions of wonderful platforms to use.
- 2. Another GREAT way to increase your sign-ups is to You should have a Facebook Fan Page for your business – you have the opportunity to use an application called FBML static page – you will set this up and use the same code you used on your website.
- 3. Write a blog post, article, flyer or direct mailer explaining the benefits to joining your newsletter list! Include an incentive or an offer as a “reward” for joining. Offer a “Free Report” (visit www.vaagogo.com and see I have the free report offer) Offer a discount or a birthday club – a lot of large restaurants are successfully using this method – Red Robin, Denny’s, Chi-Chi’s and so many others!
- 4. The most important way is to ASK!!!
Building a strong and sizeable database will help the strength of your marketing efforts More next week…
Don’t forget productivity is the way to propel you forward professionally and personally… Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!
Welcome Wealth And Abundance Today!
July 26, 2011 by Christina Littrell-Williams
Filed under Biz Development, Featured, Finish It Friday, Recommended Readings, Tools, VA Tips, Why VA's
New Site, New News, New Educations
I would like to introduce you to Wealth And Abundance Today!
Having a site like this has been a passion of mine! You see after working with several clients over the years it became more apparent that most business crave to know more. They want to be empowered working in their business regarding tools, programs, and website add-ons that will better their business. They don’t like feeling at the mercy of tech teams, webmasters, and even virtual assistant teams. This is not to be confused with wanting to do it all, they just want to know in case something happens and they need to go in and “do something” or even be able to see if they are being taken advantage of. Business owners are usually in a sense of overwhelm – on Wealth and Abundance Today we have put into action The Weekly Productivity Program – set up to have direct focus everyday on getting things done and learning/implementing something new! Increase Productivity Decrease Overwhelm and Stress!
Wealth And Abundance Today is a site where we will be reviewing different products, giving directions (in detail) on how to use certain programs, guest bloggers of great trainers and speakers along with interviews. This site is set up for ALL business owners – small businesses, network marketers, and direct sellers. The purpose is to EMPOWER, EDUCATE, TRAIN, SHARE, and have fun doing it! By setting up a site with all of this information the productivity will double if not triple – more getting done in the same time frame leads to more revenue and more free time! (that’s where the fun comes in)
We would like you to check it out, bookmark it and visit ofter. Register to be on the newsletter and receive a free report on Building Lists!
Branding…Are You Paying Attention to Your Branding & Marketing? Part Seven
April 5, 2011 by Christina Littrell-Williams
Filed under Biz Development, Featured, VA Tips
Most people use electronic mailers to keep their clients/prospects updated throughout the year. Some are sent weekly, monthly or even quarterly. Popular programs are Constant Contact (very user friendly), their shopping cart program (helps keep their list together in one place), aWeber (offers the ability to have a structured autoresponder created) – if you have any questions about these feel free to call me. BUT what I want to talk to you about is Old Fashion Letters and Cards.. do you do that too or not at all?
• Old Fashion Mailings still work!: Now that I have said that – let me clarify, I am not speaking of the old fashion advertising mailers that just promote your business but the old fashion connecting mailings – letters and cards! There is a service that I have found to be a viable tool in my (and several client’s businesses too), SendOutCards. It allows you to pick from over 15,000 cards or create your own with your own logo or pictures! Reach out and touch your clients/prospects just because – touch them and ask about them do not advertise! Rebuild or Continue that relationship. We are all overwhelmed by emails and they are not personal! We are all guaranteed bills in the mail – why not send someone a smile in the mail and give them a card to brighten their day!! It makes a HUGE difference. Check it out and send 4 cards on me for free! Promise no hassles just an introduction to a great tool!! – click on the banner SEND FREE BRANDING/MARKETING messages and set up your free account!
Personal touches are so important – we need to get back into the habit of reminding people (friends, family, business connections) how important they are. We need to get back to “Relationships” with our clients and prospects! I hope you have gotten some nuggets out of this series!
Branding…Are You Paying Attention to Your Branding & Marketing? Part Six
March 31, 2011 by Christina Littrell-Williams
Filed under Biz Development, Featured, VA Tips
Now that you are getting all of your branding and materials together with BIG in
mind, start working on image – remember when you were going to review your website? Do you have testimonials on it? These can be done in written form (add a pic), audio form (add a pic) as well as video form! Testimonials or Endorsements are the BEST way to gain credibility! People do business with people they can trust – by having recommendations and endorsements from your community members makes you one someone can trust!
• Don’t be shy, just ask!: I am sure you know of people that have or are using your product or services. Are they happy with what they get? I am sure they are if they are coming back for more. Ask a few of them for testimonials, be sure to show them some samples of other ones so that they know what you are looking for.. change it up and do one in writing, do one on a conference call line so you can download the mp3, and meet someone for a coffee and take your “flip” camera and record one – it will be fun and you will also get to see the fruits of your efforts!
Branding Branding Branding – just remember if people are doing testimonials for you, take a moment and create a testimonial for them as well!
Branding…Are You Paying Attention to Your Branding & Marketing? Part Five
March 29, 2011 by Christina Littrell-Williams
Filed under Biz Development, Featured, VA Tips
Planning for BIG in your business is not just about getting your vision in-line, your logo set, and your visibility out there it also has to do with getting rid of bad habits! Most of us know all about the clients we take on that are our friends, or referrals that came to us from special connections and we feel obligated to do our services at a lower price that what we advertise…no to mention what big businesses are doing in their marketing of products and services: businesses have set it up as a whole by inflating prices just to in turn offer a discounted price (which really is the actual price they wanted in the first place) and we the consumer feel like we are getting a deal.. wrong! And by doing this everyone now expects to get a “deal” on the posted price – scary! Stay consistent with your pricing and do not under-value your services or products!
• Discontinue to Service the “Break Even” Customers: While you are out there increasing your sales or client intake with these types of clients/customers you are NOT increasing your profits. You need to stop marketing to unprofitable clients/customers and you will have more time and resources for clients/customers that actually grow your business. Pay attention and keep strong about the value you offer you will attract those that truly respect and appreciate you and your services!
Need help with your marketing? Find a Virtual Assistant that specializes in Marketing…
Branding… Are You Paying Attention to Your Branding & Marketing? Part Four
March 24, 2011 by Christina Littrell-Williams
Filed under Biz Development, Featured, VA Tips
Now that we are planning BIG.. do not let your past (or any future) failures stop you from launching new things. All companies, small and LARGE have had failures in a launch they have done.. if you let anything you have tried in the past that did not work out so great stop you from tying something new again OR the fear of failure stop you from trying something new you will not be growing BIG!!! Just a side note, do not launch too many things at the same time – one at a time and even one every 6 months should be your limit – you do not want to confuse your market, you don’t want to overload them and you defiantly do not want to not have enough time to evaluate the “success” rate of your product/service launch.
• Use Failures for Knowledge and Growth Using Coke as anexample, remember when they launched “New Coke” in 1985.. what a bomb. It was quickly removed from the market and the old formula returned as “Classic Coke”. Sales for them increased and that failure has turned into a HUGE success for them.
Marketing niched Virtual Assistants are a great way to have support and to have a support person focusing on this area!
Branding…Are You Paying Attention to Your Branding & Marketing? Part Three
March 22, 2011 by Christina Littrell-Williams
Filed under Biz Development, Featured, VA Tips

While focusing on your message and your plans.. how BIG are you planning for? Your dream of what you become should not be limited! A lot of times we limit ourselves and our growth simply by fear, fear of success. We are all warned of the “nay sayers” that run in our circles but we do not normally get warned to watch out for ourselves. We can single handedly crush our own dreams and plans.. do not stop yourself! GO BIG!
• Go Big or Don’t Show Up! Start small with a single mission – one that can be built on! Get your first product, line of service or store open and begin to firm up the foundation up. Once you have a following begin to venture out with another product, service or another store – remember large corporations like Coke started with one product and grew to over 450 brands – again look at Campbell, General Mills, McDonalds and so on – it all starts with one product but also with one BIG Dream!
There are Virtual Assistants that are niched in marketing and branding, if you are interested in meeting a VA in the niche please feel free to contact me and I am happy to make some connections.
Branding… Are You Paying Attention to Your Branding & Marketing? Part Two
March 17, 2011 by Christina Littrell-Williams
Filed under Biz Development, Featured, VA Tips
So following up from last week, I hope you have your “first impression” down on
paper.. does it fall in line with what you want your message and business to be all about? If not I will give you some information on branding and marketing I have found to be useful tips in hopes to help you get where you want to be ~ if it was right on the money, maybe some of these tips will add to your process you have out there already..
• Keep your Branding Strong! Define what your message is, what is it people will get from your product of services. Something like Coca Cola, it is built around fun, youthful times and carefree days.. Campbell’s Soup is built around comfort and health. It is clear by the slogan and their promotions what they are branding. Work on your slogan – come up with a few today. Post them on your wall, bathroom mirror or in your car where you can revisit them until one sticks out. Share with someone you trust and get their opinion.. see where this guides you.
There are Virtual Assistants that work with marketing and branding as their primary field of assistance, if you are interested in meeting a VA in the niche please feel free to contact me and I am happy to make some connections.
Branding…Are You Paying Attention to Your Branding & Marketing?
March 15, 2011 by Christina Littrell-Williams
Filed under Biz Development, Featured, VA Tips
Large successful corporations know how important branding is to their business. As small businesses, either wanting to stay small or wanting to go huge, we know how important branding is but do we give it enough focus, time and weight in how we build our structure and marketing plans? I say no.. what do you say? I am going to go over some key tools to Branding and Marketing over the next few weeks.. since we are at the end of 2009 it is a great time to review what you have and if you see the need to launch something more solid, cleaner, and maybe even more focused in the new year…
Let’s begin by taking inventory of what you have – get out an image of your logo if you have one, print the home page of your website, collect your advertisements and promotions together and type up your slogan – on liner (if you network also type out your “elevator speech”. With all of these in one location review each one and write out your first impression after you look at it or listen to it. It helps to get a couple other people to give you feed back AND also read your info to you so you HEAR it not go over what you wrote – pin pointing your impressions is the first start.
There are Virtual Assistants that work with marketing and branding as their primary field of assistance, if you are interested in meeting a VA in the niche please feel free to contact me and I am happy to introduce you to them.






