Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

cwilson79 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008

How does everyone come up with the content, words, paragraphs that you place on your websites? I just am not as creative as all of you? Help.

dawndmd · #2 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

First, come up with the objective of your business. What services are you aiming to sell, your experience and target market. Detail on the first page of your site, with keywords, your description of your business and include some of the services and your experience. Then you should at least break down your web site into different categories listing your experience in one, services you provide, and contact information. One suggestion is to put your resume on your site, but don't list your former employers. Break it down in sections and just list your experiences. See my site at www.thevirtualparalegal.com to view what I did.

Prime Admin Solutions · #3 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

Dawn has given you very good advice. Personally I wouldn't put my resume on my site, but that's a personal preferance - if you want to do it, go for it.

If you don't feel that you are up to writing your own content, you might want to consider having someone do it for you. I believe that there are VAs on this forum who could help you with that. You'll have to pay for it, but your website is your face on the world and it would be money well spent.

Kerans VA · #4 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

Casey,

It is tough coming up with our website content and Dawn has given some great advice as to some starting points. By focusing in on the objective of your business and who your target market is, you can narrow down what your website should say. Think about what your special skills are and what kinds of clients you are looking for. Then you can start crafting what your website will say because you are targeting that specific group of people.

When I was working on my website content, the first thing I did was list all the pages I wanted on my website, e.g., Home Page, About Page, Contact Us, Services, etc. That made it easier to decide what to write on each page. I then listed all the things I wanted to say and started to figure out which page worked best for each item.

Remember, too, that what you write isn't written in stone and you will no doubt continue to tweak your pages and content as time goes by, so you're not stuck with what you start with. It is a work in progress, so don't be afraid to write down everything you want to say and whittle it down as you go.

Good luck!

Dawn At Your Service · #5 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

I did the same thing as Kate. I decided on the pages I wanted. I completed the easy ones first (Contact & Services) LOL. Did you do one of those sheets Tess has for beginning VA's? That helped me narrow down my thoughts. I had a girlfriend help me with my "About" page because I find it hard to write things that make myself sound great. I Chose not to go with the professional or resume style bio because I wanted my "About" page to scream ME. I even put a sunflower at the end because I LOVE sunflowers. The VA page is pretty much what you understand a VA to be. What would you tell someone you do if they didn't understand what a VA was? Mine is pretty short and to the point. The hardest part is probably the home page. If you can't come up with anything, then maybe contract someone to just create the home page content which will be less expensive than having ALL of the content composed.

All of us VA's have our own creative content on our websites, but at the end of the day, they all pretty much say the same thing!

Best wishes and good luck!
Dawn

On My Wings · #6 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

I agree with Dawn about the "scream ME" approach. While looking around at other VA's websites - and then having others give you feedback once you complete and before you launch is great - it still needs to represent YOU. Your like, personality, etc. If it doesn't you'll be working with people who are not a fit for how you want to work.

Being a VA isn't going to be just about working and making a buck - but it will be about building relationships and partnering with your client...so while you want your site to be professional be sure you have the "scream ME" factor as part of it.

That's just my humble 2 cents. :0) Pam

Dawn At Your Service · #7 (**permalink**) 11-07-2008

Thanks Pam, not a lot of people agree with that theory. But you're exactly right about building relationships that are the right fit.

I think the best thing I can give my clients is who I am. I work hard at everything I do, I LOVE helping others, I'm honest and I always put others best interest in mind. Granted professional experience is important as well because a potential client finds it reassuring. I found my about me page to be a combination of both.