First...let me say that it is going to be very hard to write in this post my true meaning behind the question for this post. So...up front I have to make it totally clear that my philosophy is one of giving and seed planting.

In this question I am truly only trying to learn something - and I hesitated even posting because I did not want to appear to be coming at this question from a negative perspective - so please, please take this in the spirit in which I mean it.

So - deep breath...here's my question. Awhile back someone had posted asking for other VA's to help with her newsletter. Providing content, etc. - She did say that she would provide spotlights and other recognition.

I'm just having a little trouble wrapping my head around how this works and why 1) she would want to promote other VA's in her newsletter (unless what she would be doing is only highlighting those who are compliment to her services and/or power partners)...and 2) why would another VA want to take the time to write for another VA who is using her newsletter for her marketing and where she is trying to get clients for herself?

Told you it might sound snarky - but really - I'm just trying to learn something and I'm sure I'm just missing the concept.

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Pam Blackman - The Process Coach
Get more done in less time by streamlining!

Pam, I had wondered the same thing myself, so you are not alone in your thinking. I'm in the "I'm sure I'm just missing the concept" crowd.

I have seen newsletters where excerpts to other VA's blogs or other media that complemented, or brought more meaning to, the newsletter are sometimes included, but not full-on content or articles. I've also seen advertising (affiliate links) as spotlights in newsletters, but more for software, training, or other things helpful for VAs that were included.

I hear you on not coming across as snarky...or hurtful. This/these is/are not my intention(s) either. Just curious, I guess.

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Jules - Thank you! It would make me so sad if anything I ever said caused any hurt feelings, so it is good to hear that I'm not totally alone.

I'm sure there is a win-win that I'm just not seeing...but that those that are more experienced than I am can shed light on.

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Pam Blackman - The Process Coach
Get more done in less time by streamlining!

Pam - I understand your questioning, but it's not that weird, really. The VA is saying- Look, I have a newsletter, and if you publish something in it, your link will help get you traffic. Right?

Cross-promotions among VAs are not so strange, really. We are small businesses who provide essential services, and there are enough clients to go around. By promoting one another, we promote the VA industry as a whole.

Admittedly, the offer pertains to VAs who are at very beginning levels, because more established ones will have their own newsletters and other instruments for customer service and lead nurturing. For them to take such an offer seriously, it would have to come from a major league player.

Make sense?

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

I agree with Mary. I've contributed to another VAs newsletter when I was just starting out to help get some visibility for my business. Now, I'd probably do it more as a guest post perhaps highlighting skills or a knowledge area that I specialize in that perhaps the other VA does not. It makes sense really to do both, contribute to other newsletters and to have your own.

However, it really only makes sense to do it with another VA who has a good size email database. If its someone else who's just starting out, then there probably really isn't much value you in it for you and you would do better to focus your marketing time and efforts on something else.

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Kimberly
Facebook Marketing Magic!

Mary and Kimberly, thank you so much. You clarified this for me and got me to thinking about this in a much more positive way. It's another way to market our business! Duh.

How 'bout you, Pam?

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Jules, SunRise Virtual Solutions - WordPress Customization & XHTML/CSS Web Sites

Hey ladies - Absolutely! Put it into a perspective for me that I didn't think of. Especially the part about promoting our industry! Lord knows we need more of that!!! I'm always all for things that help everyone. I was groomed in corporate world in strategic alliances - and I was looking for the strategic-ness of it. Now I see it a little better.

Thanks a bunch!!

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Pam Blackman - The Process Coach
Get more done in less time by streamlining!

Hey!! I am a newbie and only know about half of what you are talking about - but PLEASE sign me up too!!

Hey Deb-

Actually this was just kinda general based on what someone was doing a few months ago. :-). I love your enthusiasm!

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Pam Blackman - The Process Coach
Get more done in less time by streamlining!

Today I had been given some great information from my local SBDC on this topic. (I now have a free marketing coach!!!! I'm soooooo excited!!!! ))

He answered my question like this - in case it is helpful to others. He said the key is that if we collaborate and make contributions to newsletters with other VA's...we only give teasers in our articles with links back to our site.

Here's how the win-win-win comes in. They get additional valuable content to add to their newsletters - which adds value to their prospect/cllient base, we get traffic and exposure and hope their traffic decides something we write is also of value and clicks for the "rest of the story" or the "special deal" we'll offer. And very important - our industry wins!

It is finally totally clear!!! YES!!! Whoo hoo!!

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Pam Blackman - The Process Coach
Get more done in less time by streamlining!