It’s Show & Tell Day: What story does your business tell?

When it comes to the story of our lives, we often go off in a frenzy complaining the entire way about how much more we want. As business owners, our continuous complaint tends to surround the desire for more revenue. “What else could we do to increase our revenue? We have a website, filled with information. Our inventory is well-stocked with great items! I personally hand out business cards and flyers at least 5 times a week. What else is there? Hmmm, we could add more pages and products to our site…that should work, right?”

Wrong! Simply doing more of the same thing that’s not working isn’t effective for your success. As the times change, the way of doing business should follow suit. We have to upgrade our systems, enhance our presentation and modernize our way of thinking. As a business owner you must realize that things don’t necessarily decrease but increase. Technology is ever increasing. For instance, if you are using a Windows version below 98, you’re missing out on a lot as your business documents and systems created using this version may not be viewable or workable for others. It’s time for an upgrade.

So the question remains, what story does your business tell? When a potential consumer is your company’s presence, what story do they get? Is it convincing? Is it a full book with connecting chapters? How about a snippet? Is your company immediately visible or does the consumer have to dig further to get the gist? Well, whatever story you decide to deliver at show and tell, make sure its one that is designed to instantly captivate your listening or viewing audience. It should be filled with vibrate visuals, stellar scenes and believable characters.
A potential customer inquires about your company because they feel that you may have what they need. So if you’ve ever done a show and tell in elementary school this should be familiar.

YOUR ELEVATOR SPEECH
An elevator speech is appropriate in all stages of your business. Before your doors open, your speech should have reached at least 50 people. These same people are going to become a cornerstone in your business as they are the ones who made that first connection with your company. Once a connection is made with a live person about something, for some reason, it tends to hold more power. Consumers need to know you exist. They need to put a service with a face. It makes them more comfortable. It holds more significance and truth!

With your elevator speech you will be allowed 15-60 seconds to give a believable, descriptive, jaw-dropping introduction on who you are, what your company offers, and how they can benefit from what you offer. Remember, you don’t sell the product, you sell the benefits of the product. Keep in mind that an elevator speech is only an introduction. For you, that means that it shouldn’t consist of operating hours, why you’re in this business, etc. Time is truly of the essence during an elevator speech. If you get the customer that enthused about the benefits, they should at that point continue to ask you more questions. This is your chance to spill the beans. Remember, you literally have one chance to whew a customer. Make sound observations from the start and you can never go wrong.

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Michelle Hill-Smith
www.OnTaskAssistants.com

Nicely written article Michelle, thanks so much for sharing this here

I'm curious, relative to the statement: Before your doors open, your speech should have reached at least 50 people. I know for a lot of aspiring VAs it can be hard to imagine where they'll find those 50 people to introduce their business to - when you were starting out, who did you reach out to?

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That's a great question Tess. I found that when being so excited about your idea for business it's not that hard to share it with people who will listen. In my personal experience, I made myself known locally, which then turned into virtually. I was at networking events, parties, any social scene where there were professional people. I spoke to people who cared about how they looked and presented themselves. These are people that live a focused lifestyle. Hence, those who are always busy...

For virtual assistance, we tend to teach that it's 100% virtual. I just find this to not be true. I believe that you will do a lot better in reaching your potential clients by first "showing your face in the place" (for a lack of better words). Yes, we as human beings are a little couchy and lap-toppy, therefore since our business is displayed as primarly "virtual" my potential client is one whom find it easier to click a mouse to get what they want...Right? We spend months believing that this is the way they will come. I have just found this to not be true.

So, to answer your question, as far as the first 50 goes, we all know at least 50 level-headed adults with regular jobs, aspirations for business or an urgency to enhance their lifestyle. In the beginning, in casual conversation, I would let people know what I do and simply hand them a card (at the end of the conversation) and say "...Hey, if you know of anyone who may be looking for assistance or creative design work just send them our way." It may sound short and numb, but believe me it works. I have had more people contact me from referrals and direct interactions than from virtual marketing.

I have tried a few things to reach people, but for us this method has proven over and over again to be more effective.

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Michelle Hill-Smith
www.OnTaskAssistants.com

Thanks for the tips. And yes, though our work may be virtual, I beleive that most of our business will come from face-to-face contacts. I'm spending time on networking and haven't put any time or money into a website. My business card has my name and phone and email while I settle on a business name (ugh). And I have one client already!
Vicky

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Vicky A Stein

Wow Vicki! That's a beautiful thing. That's what it's about. After all we are running a real business. "Everyone's" not on the internet! I've found that people are most comfortable with real contact. Then there are the others that are comfortable with a virtual contact. It's a win, win situation. However, if we want serious clients, we have to get serious about our business and get out there and become a walking billboard!

Many blessings in all you do Vickie!

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Michelle Hill-Smith
www.OnTaskAssistants.com

...if we want serious clients, we have to get serious about our business and get out there...

That says it all right there. So often I am asked why some aspiring and newbie VAs pop on the boards and then shortly disappear, never to be heard from again while others flourish and seem to land clients 'easily' - well, there's nothing 'easy' about it. It takes a serious perspective and dedicated attitude to make a business like this happen - and that right there is the difference.

Great conversation - thanks ladies!

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Yes ma'am! That is the difference. We have to want it. Some of us threw in the Corporate America towel thinking this Virtual thing would be easy. It's actually a little harder when you think about it. This is a brand new industry to the majority. What do you actually say when you get out there? It's all about being comfortable and confident in what you are presenting. The rest is smoothe sailing from there.

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Michelle Hill-Smith
www.OnTaskAssistants.com