How to Convert Articles into Audio Recordings

Here is a nifty way to help your clients get more exposure from content they've already written: Convert it into audio! Courtney Chowing has written an easy to follow procedure for converting written content into audio. While she writes specifically about PLR, this technique can be applied to any written content.

Courtney recommends using Audacity, an open-source software for recording and editing sounds. It's very easy to figure out... even for a non-techie like me... but if you're going to be doing a lot of recording, you should consider investing in a good microphone. This is the one I've been using, and I've been happy with the sound. I just position the microphone a bit below my mouth when I talk so I don't sound like Darth Vader. Although... that would probably impress the kids.

Convert Your PLR into Audio by Courtney Chowning

When purchasing PLR, or private label rights, content you are not limited to just using that content for writing purposes. You can use it for audio as well. By recording the PLR content you can offer your readers something new and really catch their attention.

To record your PLR content all you need is a PLR article, computer microphone, and the free program Audacity. Audacity will allow you to record and edit your audio file. Before you start recording your audio file you should practice a couple times. You don't want to sound like you are reading from a script. You want your speech to be clear and to sound friendly and welcoming.

The audio you can create can be used in a number of different situations. You can add it to your blog as a blog post, add into an existing podcast, use the audio as your podcast, offer it as a freebie for your mailing list, etc. If you create a series of audio on a particular subject you could even sell the audios as an information product. The list could really go on and on. The point is that by using audio files you can add a new and exciting element to your blog or online business.

Creating audio files is just one example of using PLR content in a form other than writing. You can even use your chosen PLR content in a video. The concept is the same as using the PLR content for an audio but you are recording an image of yourself speaking instead of just your voice.

By re-purposing the PLR content you purchase you are making the most out of the money spent and also adding value to your blog or online business. Purchasing PLR content can help grow your business in more than one way.



Courtney Chowning is a Christian entrepreneur who runs a Christian PLR site and affiliate program, http://christianmomplr.com. She also blogs at http://courtneyspeaks.com about putting God first in your blog and online business.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Setting Up Your Virtual Assistant Newsletter

For your Virtual Assistant business, a regular newsletter can be one of your most valuable marketing tools. Your newsletter gives you a way to keep in touch with people who are interested in your services or products, but are not yet ready to become a customer. And for current customers or clients, your newsletter gives you an easy and affordable way to keep them updated with your business news and sell them even more products or services.

For my own businesses, regular newsletters have been invaluable for educating members, building relationships with potential clients, and even making sales from affiliate products.

When you're first setting up your newsletter, there are basically three newsletter formats you can choose from. Here's a brief summary.

An HTML newsletter. These are the pretty newsletters you get that are nicely formatted and include pictures or graphics. They are created in HTML code, but you don't necessarily need to be a coder to create them. If you want to send out HTML newsletters you can use a newsletter service that offers HTML templates you can customize, like Constant Contact or AWeber. Or you can hire another virtual assistant to create a template for you to customize for each issue.

A text newsletter. These are the newsletters you get that don't really look like newsletters; they look like regular emails. These are easy to create... all you have to do is type in the text. While text newsletters aren't as pretty as HTML newsletters, they are easier to read for some people, depending on how they pick up their email. Plus, these look like messages from friends, which could mean more people actually read them.

A PDF newsletter. These are created in a Portable Document Format (PDF) and uploaded to your website. Then you send out a link to the newsletter. You will need a program that creates PDF documents to send out your newsletter this way. If you're graphically inclined, or work with another virtual assistant who is, you can do a lot of nice formatting with these. Also, it's one way to send a print newsletter without the cost of printing. Your subscribers can just print it out for themselves. Or save paper and read it online. :-)

One thing to remember with PDF newsletters is that it's nice to include a friendly note in the email you send out to announce your newsletter is ready. An email with just a link saying, "Hi, here's your newsletter," could easily be ignored by your subscribers on a busy email day.

Which Newsletter Format is Right for Your Virtual Assistant Biz?

For one thing, it depends on which you're most comfortable using. If you don't know any HTML and you're not prepared to hire someone for help, you might not want to start out with an HTML newsletter.

Do a little digging and see what other businesses are sending out to your target market. That will give you some insight into what your subscribers like to get and what they're used to receiving.

Finally, choose a format you'll be willing to work with on a regular basis. Can't stand the monotony of a black and white text email? You probably won't look forward to putting your newsletter together each month or each week if you don't like looking at it. Choose a format you will send out regularly so you can stay in touch with your valued subscribers.

Whatever format you do choose, remember it's not set in stone. As your Virtual Assistant business grows and your skills develop, it's natural that your newsletter will evolve too. If you start out with a text newsletter, you can redesign and change to an HTML format when you're more skilled. Or if you start out with a PDF version and want to simplify later on, you can always revamp and move to a text newsletter.

The most important thing is that you actually do start a newsletter - it's one of the best business building tools there is. The rest will fall into place over time.

Speaking of newsletters, you can subscribe to mine over at http://CassidarInk.com

Do you have a newsletter? Please share it below! Which format do you use?

Do You Need a Virtual Assistant Newsletter?

Virtual Assistants (VAs) just starting out with a new business have a lot of questions to answer...

How will you make money? (Will you ever make money?)
Do you need a website? (Yes, you do. Welcome to the virtual world!)
Who will you be a Virtual Assistant for? (That's called knowing your niche.)

And...

Do you REALLY need a newsletter? (And the follow up question to that is... Who's going to read your newsletter?)

No matter what type of services your offering, or which niche you want to serve, it would be helpful for you to have a newsletter.

For one thing, a newsletter or an ezine people can subscribe to gives you a way to keep in touch with people who are interested in your services, but are not ready to hire you just yet.

And once you do have customers or clients, your newsletter gives you a way to keep them updated with your news and to keep you top of mind. The easiest person to sell to is someone who's already purchased from you.

Even if you don't have any subscribers, there are still worthwhile reasons to start a newsletter now. Posting your archived newsletters or e-zines on your website is one way to add new content regularly, and potential clients might be interested in reading your previous issues. No one but you needs to know they were never sent out to actual subscribers!

To get subscribers for your newsletter, you can begin writing articles on your area of expertise and posting them in forums, article directories, and popular websites for your target market. In your author's resource box, include a link to the sign up page for your newsletter and invite the reader to subscribe.

One place where you can learn more about writing articles and getting newsletter subscribers is at my article marketing forum. It's free to join, and I'd love to see you there!

Why Trust Matters in Your Virtual Assistant Business

As you can tell from my last post, and the title of this one, I've been thinking a lot about trust lately...

Part of the reason for that is I've been reading a book by Stephen M.R. Covey called The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything. Covey's premise is that when you earn trust, everything in a business relationship runs more smoothly and quickly.

When things go wrong, you're more apt to give the other party the benefit of the doubt when you trust them. You will listen to their advice more closely, and be more willing to tell them what you're really thinking.

Covey cites several real-life, big business examples of how trust has sped up contract negotiations and mergers compared to expected timelines. Even though he writes about large corporations, everything he says can also be applied to small business - and, in fact, to almost every personal and professional relationship you have.

According to Covey, trust is built one small step at a time.

Earning credibility with others begins with trusting yourself, and believing you're deserving of other people's trust. He offers several practical examples of small steps you can take to learn to trust yourself (which might be why I found this book under the Self-Help, not Business, section of my local bookstore - his points hit a little close to home at times. Speaking of which... did you know, when you push that snooze button every morning, you might be undermining your credibility with yourself?).

In your virtual assistant business, that small step could be as simple inviting someone to sign up for a free gift on your website, and then actually sending it to them. Most of us do that anyway, for various reasons, but what you're really doing is building trust.

You build trust by showing up at your blog once in a while, if you have one.

By responding to an email inquiry in a timely fashion.

By having a resource box in your article, with a link that is related to the topic of your article.

By participating in a forum, offering solutions to your target market's problems.

By publishing your newsletter when you say you will.

Each thing very small in itself, but all leading towards the ultimate goal of creating trust with your client.

Here's a link to The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything if you want to check it out for yourself.

How to Gain Client Trust for Your Virtual Assistant Business

For the past year, I've been learning how to outsource many of my own routine tasks.

I say "learning how" because I've discovered that outsourcing is not as easy as I've frequently told my own clients it is.

For example, I contracted a Virtual Assistant to look after one of my email accounts for my WAHM article directory. From a Virtual Assistant's perspective, it's a no-brainer. These particular emails don't need my personal touch and they distract me from my revenue-producing activities.

But the thing is, I LIKE adding the personal touch. I LIKE meeting the people who are using my article directory. However, my bank account tells me I can no longer afford to dilly dally over email messages that make me feel good without making me money. (My VA now puts them into a monthly report for me, so I can still get that yummy feeling without wasting my time.)

The other thing I've discovered is that it's a lot harder than I expected to find people I can trust to help with my business.

So many service providers have literally vanished on me this past year, I am almost ready to join the chorus of many other entrepreneurs I've met, singing the "Never Hire a Virtual Assistant Again" song. Except, I know for a fact these incidents are the exception to the rule.

Since you're still reading this, I'm quite sure you don't fall into that group. And you're probably wondering what you can do to make it easier for potential clients to trust you.

Well, I can tell you one thing that always helps. I've started using this technique as well, and it really does help convert inquiries into customers.

Don't be afraid to give information away for free. I'm not talking about giving away the farm, or sharing your expert knowledge with just any Joe.

Here's an example of what I mean.When I go to someone for help, I've discovered the people who really are interested in helping me will tell me the steps I can take to solve my problem on my own. They will then offer to help me, or do it for me, if I would like.

This does two things:

1. It convinces me they know what they're doing.

2. It convinces me that they could do a better job than I would.

But most importantly, it helps me believe they are sincerely interested in helping me meet my goals.

How do you help your clients learn to trust you?

Starting a Virtual Assistant Business during a Recession

There's a rumor going around that it's a bad time to be a small business owner. To that, I say… please keep your rumor mongering to yourself. This could be the perfect time to start a virtual assistant business.

I've been working as a virtual assistant since 2004, almost 5 years, and this month I'm bringing in my biggest monthly paycheque yet.

I'm not the only one experiencing this phenomenon either. As business owners have to find ways to get more done with less money, many more of them are turning to virtual assistants to help them out.

If you're considering starting a virtual assistant business, don't let the media reports put you off. Instead, do your own research. Talk to other VAs. Research your market. Discover what services you could offer that would make their lives a lot easier right now. Then make your own decision about whether or not this is a good time to start a virtual assistant business.

Even though it's a good time to start a virtual assistant business, it's not a good time to waste your time and money figuring out how to do so. If you want to cover all your bases, and get your Virtual Assistant business going quickly, I would recommend you find a mentor to get you on the right track, and keep you there. Otherwise you could make a lot of costly mistakes.

Another affordable alternative is to purchase a virtual assistant training program, like the Virtual Business Startup System. This program walks you through all the steps of researching your market, writing your business plan, and even getting your first clients. It's the same system I used when I started my business, and I still follow the principles I learned from the program, so you know it really works.

Best of luck on making your virtual business a reality!

How Do I Find a Virtual Assistant for My Business?

I received a dm today from one of my Twitter pals, wanting to know if a VA could help her. She had realized that it would save her time and money to outsource some of her marketing tasks, but she wasn't sure how a VA could help - or how to go about finding the right VA for her business.

If you've been thinking about working with a VA, but haven't been sure where to start, you might find my response helpful as well:

Hello,

I know what you mean… I outsource some of my own business tasks to other VAs and it’s frustrating when I have to track down my projects, or get them back only to find out they were done incorrectly.

From what you described, a virtual assistant could definitely be a good choice for you. I’m a member of VAnetworking.com and they offer a free resource that might help you. It’s called Finding the Ultimate Virtual Assistant for Your Business and you can download it on their blog.

It’s also a very good idea to ask for references, and I would be very reluctant to work with any VA who isn’t prepared to provide them.

In my own virtual assistant business, I specialize in article and press release marketing. So, I help my clients get targeting web traffic for their businesses by writing and submitting articles and press releases for them. That’s one type of online marketing that’s very effective and can get good results quickly.


I hope this helps you begin thinking about the possibilities!