I am really torn about my blog right now. I really like doing it and the idea of having one. However, I am feeling a general lack of confidence in being taken seriously. I don't know if this is a general confidence issue or a valid concern. I am very worried that people will not take meseriously because who I am? I've only been a VA for 2 years and I've only been specializing in Real Estate for the past 6 months. I was licensed in Real Estate in the 90s but will poeple care aobut any of that or will they just read and enjoy because the information is good?

I think everyone struggles with this from time to time. A blog can be a very useful and effective (and CHEAP) marketing tool. You just can't burn yourself out.

Did anything happen to make you feel this way or is it a lack of readership? Or is it just a general feeling? I'm telling you it take a lot of time to build readership for a blog...but focus on what you think your clients and potential clients want to read. you may not have 2000 readers, but those who do read it will be impressed!

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Brianna Young, VA and Graphic Artist
www.virtualsolutionsadmin.com
"It's not the piano that makes beautiful music. It's the person sitting AT the piano!"

I started my VA business blog within months of opening my practice - I've not been a VA that much longer than you and I started up *this* site - I did worry at first 'Well what if people decide I don't have all the answers?' but I shoved that aside and put my attention instead on my goals....so don't let your history stand in your way! Your capabilities, knowledge and professionalism in communicating through your blog will certainly have far more impact than any outside opinion on how long you've been a VE or RE VA.

And really, your blog gives you an opportunity to overcome any 'objections' anyone may have - focus on blogging what you know and are interested in and you'll be just fine!

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check out business and blogging. It might help you. Blog

Another thought. I just started my business and blog. How do I get readers to it, marketing, commenting? I'm at a loss of how to get traffic.

Commenting will help, but posting content that people are dying to read is absolutely key. If you offer something that your target market wants to read, they have a better chance of finding you.

For the technical side of things, here's an article: http://nextlevelpartner.typepad.com/...s_to_driv.html

I think I may have posted it before, but it's a good one! VA's are also mentioned and the profession is explained a bit if you read further down! Cool!

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Brianna Young, VA and Graphic Artist
www.virtualsolutionsadmin.com
"It's not the piano that makes beautiful music. It's the person sitting AT the piano!"

I can relate to how your feeling about your blog. I am still in the learning process - and will be for a while.

I have written a couple of posts, though I am not sure how good they are. I want to have a blog that talks about "this and that" so that is what I have created. I have had a few comments on some of posts. I find that they are most posting comments on the posts where I teach them something or provide further reading.

For example my one post "Marketing On A Dime" I talk about different marketing tools one can use that doesn't cost much. I also search for different "unknown" holiday's and relate it to Virtual Assistants or business in general. I wrote about Single Tasking Day and the essential steps needed to learn single tasking Vs. Multi-tasking.

I find that if you can teach someone something new, or perhaps provide insight - this is what people what to read about. Maybe there is something that you can do that would make things easier? Can you provide suggestions on how to get things done? Do you have any tips, hints or suggestions for real estate agents? Or perhaps their assistants?

I would first focus on writing one post. Something that *you* would want to read/learn about. Then wait a few days and start the next post. See where it takes you.

You can even post your blog right here on this site, ask for feedback from your fellow VA's!!

Hope it helps!

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Ness, REPA
www.NessLindsay.com

Originally Posted by GFVA

I have written a couple of posts, though I am not sure how good they are. I want to have a blog that talks about "this and that" so that is what I have created. I have had a few comments on some of posts. I find that they are most posting comments on the posts where I teach them something or provide further reading.

Have those posts been from potential clients, other VAs or just random people? I have also only writtena couple of posts, but feel that until my business is devloped I am almost taking to myself

They have not been from clients (perhaps potential) they have been from random people. I believe that we all have to start somewhere, and it only takes one "random" person to read a blog and pass the word along to another before the ball starts rolling.
I am not exactly sure who the people are or where they are in the business world. I should probably check that out!

I too feel like I am talking to myself half the time, and for the most part I probably am...I guess I just keep holding on to the thought "If I keep talking, eventually SOMEBODY will listen."

SHOOT FOR THE MOON AND LAND IN THE STARS!!

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Ness, REPA
www.NessLindsay.com

That's the thing about blogs though - at first you ARE Just talking to yourself. It takes time to build up enough good content that people will come to you via search engine results, or by accident - and it takes even longer to start getting people to *return* to your blog time and again.

Keep writing, *don't* let your blog languish, and know that it is an investment - count it among your mandatory marketing hours each week - if you've got a blog on your site you can't afford to let it go silent (it looks unprofessional).

And if you're not sure you can commit yourself to a blog then by all means, remove it and devote that time and energy to something that does work for you

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