Are Your Outgoing Links on the Right Side of the Law?

Since we're talking about the importance of links...

A few years ago, I took a course in managing web content for small business websites. One of the recommendations was that, whenever you link to an outside page, it's polite to request permission from the website's owner.

I don't know many people who follow that advice, and I hardly ever do either - unless it's to start building a relationship with the owner of that website.

But, did you know, that some of your outbound links may not be legal? Here's a good article that explains what could be an illegal link.

And a few days ago I was writing about Tawyna Sutherland, the creator of the Virtual Business Startup System. I was at her site the other day, and I found this page that explains link popularity better than I ever could. Enjoy!

Oh yeah, and if you want to take a closer look at Tawnya's Virtual Business Startup System, here's the link for that too.

Your Most Valuable Virtual Business Resource

You already know what your most valuable Virtual Assistant Resource is, don't you?

I didn't take care of mine today, and now I'm running low.

It's TIME!

What I try to do is plan my day before I log on to my computer, so I know what I have to get done, and don't get caught up surfing, or chatting in forums, or tweeting on twitter...

That's one of my favorite things about the Virtual Business Startup System. Tawnya Sutherland, the creator of the system, is a super-successful VA, so she knows exactly how valuable your time is. Everyday is broken into "tasks" for you to do, which helps keep you focused and on time... so you don't run out like I just did!

Choosing the "Write" Words for Your Links

Now that you know what your link popularity is (or isn't, as the case may be) you're ready to begin a link building a campaign.

Or are you?

It's not just the links that matter. The specific words you use in those links count too.

Your incoming links should include your keywords in the anchor text (the words that are actually linked to you) or in the words around the anchor text. That helps tell the search engines what your site is actually about.

When you choose keywords for your links, you need to make sure you're using keywords that people are actually searching for. What good will it do to use a bunch of keywords that no one ever looks for? You might have a great site, but no one will ever find it if they're not looking for it!

It's not at all difficult to find out what people are really searching for. Sign up for an account at Wordtracker and take their free trial. While you're there, you can also subscribe to Wordtracker's Keyword Expert Newsletter and get articles, case studies and tips to help grow your new business with keyword research.

Training Your Clients - Teach Your Clients to Help You Do a Better Job

When asked to list the most difficult thing about working with clients, most Virtual Assistants will say, "Unclear instructions."

Learning to give good instructions comes with experience, and if your client has never used a VA before, he might not know what kind of information you need to do the work he's asked you to.

In situations like this, it might be time to "manage the client."

Some VA clients make checklists for their VAs. Here is one example, and here's another.

Why not turn the tables and give your clients checklists of information YOU need? Think of the details you need to know for the particular work you do, and create a list for your client.

Clear communication is of the utmost importance when you're working virtually. Any tool that will help lay the groundwork for clear understanding is worth the time it takes to create.

Find Out How Popular Your Website Is - Free Link Popularity Tool

Search engines are the gateway to the Internet, and to the success of your Virtual Assistant business. They are the first tool your potential clients will use to find your service when they need you.

That's why link popularity is so important. If prospects can't find your website, you can't convert them into paying customers!

What is link popularity, anyways? Link popularity refers to the ranking assigned to your website by the search engines, and it determines the ranking your page gets when keywords and phrases are entered into a search engine.

A good example of a search engine that ranks your importance by your links is Google. You can learn more about their ranking system here.

So, just how popular are you? Here is a free tool to help you check your link popularity. You can also check your competition's link popularity, and find out who's linking to them.

Next time, I'll tell you some easy ways to boost your popularity, and get more links to your website.

Finding a Good Fit - "Trying On" New Clients First

Retainer packages are appealing for both Virtual Assistants and their clients. (1) They're usually cost-effective for the client. (2) Done right, they can provide the VA with a steady income flow.

Before you let a client sign up for a retainer package, it's a good idea to make sure you're a good fit for each other first.

Try each other out first with a small, one-time project to see how well you work together. Trials like this are key to finding clients you will work well with.

Sometimes you'll hit it off with a client instantly. Sometimes it will take an effort from both of you to make it work. Sometimes, it just isn't a good fit.

Don't be afraid to turn down a potential client if you don't feel good about working with them. Remember, you started your business so you could be in control and enjoy your work.

Using Twitter to Find New Clients

I haven't done a lot of social networking, but I'm really enjoying Twitter.

Twitter is a service that lets you stay in touch with friends, colleagues, and clients, and helps you find more.

It helps you stay connected by your responses to a very simple question: "What are you doing?"

It's important that you and your potential clients get along well, and "following" each other on Twitter is an easy way to see what the other person is like.

You can find people to follow by searching for users by keywords. For example, my target market is work-at-home-moms, so I search for "work at home mom" or the acronym "WAHM."

When you begin to follow someone, they receive a notification that they have a new follower. Most of the time, they'll start to follow you too.

By the way, I follow most of the people who follow me... unless they just post their links and have nothing real to say. You're welcome to follow me by clicking here.

If you want to know more, here are five reasons why Twitter is an essential social media tool.