Author: Laura Hilmi

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You do You!

December has started, the end of the year is coming closer.

Now is the ideal time to make sure you’ll start 2022 of in the strongest position possible.

‘How do I do that?’ I hear you think.

Well, first of all, be YOU. Dare to stand out.

Uniqueness sells and by being yourself you’ll attract the clients you want.

Which also makes it way easier to build a real connection with your clients.

Second, be confident. Have confidence in yourself and what you have to offer.

To do that you have to find out your strengths and also your weaknesses.

Build your offers on your strengths while in the meantime you work on your weaknesses.

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Networking

We all know that networking is crucial when it comes to building your business, yet it’s so easy to overlook how often we should be doing it. Especially if you just started, enhancing your network can be a real challenge.

Some people just seem to randomly walk into the right connections, the right people at the right time. If you don’t consider yourself that lucky, here are some ways to get you started:

Join online communities to meet people in the same industry. Meet people who share your interests, add them to your network and share information.

Grow a professional social media following. Improve your engagement and encourage your readers to start a conversation.

Join speed networking events for professionals. This is probably the fastest way to build as you connect to lots of people at the same time and allows you to quickly connect with people that can provide you with actual business opportunities.

Apart from your professional network, it’s also worth it to take a look at your personal tribe.

Surround yourself with people who support you and have a positive influence in your life.

The relationships we have, form who we are as a person, determine or moods, contribute in how we see the world and most important, how we see ourselves.

Let your social circle consist of positive, open-minded people who care about you and your well-being. Because there is definitely no room for toxic relationships in 2022!

I hope this will help you make more meaningful connections that will help you with your personal and professional growth.

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National Encouragement Day

It is National Encouragement Day in the US today. Take a moment to encourage those around you as you never know when your words may provide a much needed boost.

https://buffer.com/resources/why-positive-encouragement-works-better-than-criticism-according-to-science

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Who Knows What You Do?

I don’t know if you caught my Facebook Live this week – I jumped on to Facebook ad-hoc – in the middle of Bounce X and shared a little story with my VA Networking and Support group. (if you’re not from Dubai, it’s a Trampoline and Parkour park from hell – my opinion, not the kids obviously – they LOVED it)

Why the urgency I hear you ask?

Well, I had spoken to a friend on the phone and SHOCK HORROR they didn’t know what I do for a living! I know – I couldn’t believe it either- don’t they see my social media posts? Don’t they read my insights on Linkedin? What do you mean they aren’t watching my Insta stories diligently throughout the day?!?!

Seriously – in the age of social media (and I use SM A LOT!) I was shocked that there was someone in my circle who didn’t know or didn’t understand what I do. I needed to share this as I felt it was a great learning opportunity. If my friend had been a potential client – I would have potentially lost them!

The fact is that, on average, potential clients need to hear from you or connect with you in some way a whopping 27 times before they feel confident enough to buy from you. This means that you need to be consistent with your messaging and blow your own trumpet, so to speak, and let the world know that you’re ready for business.

Post on social media platforms, speak to local businesses, attend networking events, tell your friends, ask them to tell their friends and word will spread.

I’d love to hear where you are in the world and where you are on your VA journey? Drop me a reply to this email and I’ll get back to you 🙂

If you have any questions or want further information, feel free to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. Book a 1-1 Strategy call here. Join The VA Networking and Support Group and download The VA Start Up Checklist.

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What can a VA do?

Q) Why am I so passionate about helping others succeed with their Virtual Assistant business?

A) Because it is so versatile, you literally mould your VA business to suit your life, your desires, your availability and your skills. There are not many businesses where you can do that. You can earn as little or as much as you wish – with the right processes in place. Only want to work a couple of days a week when you have childcare? No problem! Want to earn as much as you possibly can and build a team of staff? Also no problem!

Every single member of my VA Business Academy course and every single coaching client that I have ever worked with has a different reason for wanting to be a VA. They have all had different skills and made different lifestyle choices and their businesses have all been very different with hugely differing goals – yet they were all Virtual Assistants.

If you’re not sure where to start – think of a task that you enjoy or have enjoyed, this is also usually something that you are good at. I’m pretty certain that whatever it is you will be able to make a business out of it. That is the beauty of the VA world. There are individuals and businesses who will pay for all sorts of weird and wonderful support! Luckily for them, we are here to help them!

I’d love to hear what you come up with – please drop me a line to let me know.

The next intake of The VA Business Academy will be this Autumn, so if you want to get ahead with your VA business, keep your eyes open!

If you have any questions or want further information, feel free to follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin. Book a 1-1 Strategy call here. Join The VA Networking and Support Group and download The VA Start Up Checklist.