Diligent Assistant is a virtual assistant company that specializes in helping clients with their operational processes. Owner, Jackie Appleby, has helped me with business strategy planning, managing my social media and implementing a CRM (customer relationship management) that works well for my unique needs.
This is the first in a series of small business-focussed profiles coming to this blog. Diligent Assistant shares insights based on her small business journey; speaking to what marketing strategies and forms of advertising have worked for her business, and which brands that inspire her business decisions.
Tell us how you help your clients.
Not only can I relieve my clients administration pain points by completing work for them but I also offer consultations to help clients understand critical internal processes that should be in place to aid maximum business growth. I then assist in designing and developing those processes with my client.
Share your favourite type of project and why you enjoyed it.
Usually anything that involves implementing some kind of software to assist in managing processes such as CRMs. I just love being able to take an existing (or non-existing ) process and cut the users time requirement down!
What brand(s) have inspired some of your entrepreneurial decisions to date, and why?
I have learned much through the likes of Amy Porterfield and Marie Forleo of late and been able to implement some of their strategies in my business.
What marketing strategies have you tried this past year that have worked well for your business?
- Joining several Facebook groups where other small business owners are looking to grow or develop.
- Finding a client champion for your business who tells everyone how great you are!
- Joining some associations where RFPs are posted.
Based on your experience as a small business owner, what is the ONE most important piece of marketing advice you can offer to your entrepreneurial peers?
Planning and brainstorming. I have seen many business owners who think they have to do certain marketing tasks like building a list or being active on social media, but this is not necessarily the case.
The important thing is for you to understand your desired clients; their personas, demographics and psychographics, and then build your marketing around them.
What are 1-3 most effective forms of advertising that work for your business. How do you measure success? (new leads, new subscribers, engagement on social media or other)
I track all of my leads to know where they come from so that I have continuous information about what is working and what isn’t. Facebook has been a great source of engagement for me, but within groups, not through advertising.
Discover the many ways that Diligent Assistant can help you streamline your business processes. You may also download Jackie’s handy checklist of must-do operational tasks to ensure your back-of-house is running smoothly!
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to learn more about small business branding or need help sorting out how and where to promote your awesome business, post your question in the comments here or connect with me directly.
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