By Brooke Elder
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The podcast currently has 178 episodes available.
Are you considering a career as a virtual assistant (VA) or looking to scale your existing VA business? Alyssa Avant joins Brooke Elder to share her journey from starting her business 17 years ago to launching her own VA agency just recently. They discuss the importance of identifying your marketable skills and the value of niching down to connect with your ideal clients. Alyssa emphasizes the significance of creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) to streamline operations and enhance efficiency when building a team. If you’re curious about what a day in the life of a VA looks like or want to explore practical tips for entering this field, you won’t want to miss this insightful conversation. For more information on tasks that a VA can handle, check out the link provided.
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Takeaways:
Brooke Elder and Alyssa Avant engage in a vibrant discussion about the world of virtual assistance, drawing from Alyssa's rich experience of over 17 years in the industry. Alyssa shares her journey of starting her business while managing a busy household with three young children, illustrating the challenges and rewards of balancing family life with professional ambitions. She recounts how her initial foray into virtual assistance began with ghostwriting and evolved into a full-fledged business, highlighting the organic growth that comes from pursuing one’s passions and recognizing marketable skills. Alyssa emphasizes the critical importance of identifying what one enjoys doing and matching those skills with potential clients, laying the groundwork for a fulfilling career in virtual assistance.
The episode dives deep into the practical aspects of being a virtual assistant, with Alyssa offering a detailed look at what a typical day might entail. She discusses the various tasks that VAs can perform, from administrative duties to specialized services like content marketing and social media management. Alyssa encourages aspiring VAs to reflect on their own skills, suggesting that even the simplest abilities, such as data entry or email organization, can be leveraged into a successful business. By focusing on a niche that resonates with personal interests, VAs can create more meaningful connections with clients and enjoy their work more fully.
Towards the conclusion of the podcast, the conversation shifts to the topic of scaling a VA business into an agency. Alyssa shares her recent experiences in this area, detailing the strategies she employed to maintain her service quality while expanding her team. She stresses the necessity of developing standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and efficiency, which is crucial as the business grows. The episode wraps up with Alyssa's insights into the tools and resources available to streamline operations, making it clear that organization and preparation are key to success in the world of virtual assistance. With actionable advice and inspiring stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone considering or already navigating the path of a virtual assistant.
Feeling like an imposter in your own business? You're not alone, and it's a sign that you're on the path to growth. Brooke Elder dives deep into the concept of imposter syndrome, sharing insights on how to recognize it and strategies to overcome it. With practical tips like keeping a brag book to remind you of your achievements, and encouraging you to take that next step despite your fears, Brooke empowers you to push past self-doubt. Embrace the discomfort of up-leveling your life and business, and remember that progress often comes hand-in-hand with feeling inadequate. Get ready to transform your mindset and take actionable steps towards your goals!
Embarking on the journey of entrepreneurship often brings along a companion that no one really talks about: imposter syndrome. Brooke Elder dives into this prevalent issue that plagues many business owners, revealing that it's a universal experience rather than a solitary affliction. By acknowledging that feeling like an imposter is a sign of growth, she encourages listeners to view these moments of self-doubt as indicators that they are stepping outside their comfort zones and reaching for bigger dreams. The discussion highlights the importance of recognizing these feelings for what they are and using them as a catalyst for personal and professional development.
Through practical tips and heartfelt insights, Brooke shares actionable strategies to combat imposter syndrome. She emphasizes the power of self-reflection and encourages listeners to document their successes and the positive feedback they receive—creating a 'brag book' as a tool to counteract negative self-talk. This approach not only validates their worth but also provides concrete proof of their capabilities when self-doubt creeps in. By the end of the conversation, listeners are left with a renewed sense of confidence and a clearer path forward in their business endeavors, armed with the knowledge that everyone faces this challenge and that they are indeed more than capable of overcoming it.
Takeaways:
Mentioned in this episode:
Become a Member of the Ops Yacht Club
I've created a free community where we are posting job opportunities for people just like you!
Jade Smith shares her inspiring journey from a project management role in the film industry to becoming a successful entrepreneur and certified Dubsado specialist. She emphasizes the importance of finding a niche that aligns with personal passions, highlighting how her initial role as a general virtual assistant evolved into a focus on systems and automation. Jade discusses the challenges and successes she encountered while building her agency, Misses Smith Assist, and the significance of collaboration within a supportive community. She also introduces her training program, the Learned VA, designed to help aspiring virtual assistants gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the online space. Listeners will appreciate Jade's insights on scaling a business by leveraging the strengths of others and the power of pursuing what you love.
Brooke Elder converses with Jade Smith, a dynamic entrepreneur whose journey from a project management role in the film industry to becoming a certified Dubsado specialist is both inspiring and instructive. Jade discusses her transition into virtual assistance after realizing that traditional employment did not align with her long-term goals of working from home and being present for her children. This pivotal moment in her life led her to discover the concept of virtual assistance, a role that allowed her the flexibility and fulfillment she was seeking. With her background in project management, she leveraged her skills to build a successful business centered around client management and organization.
Throughout the conversation, Jade emphasizes the significance of niche specialization and the power of following one’s passions. Initially, she took on a variety of tasks as a general virtual assistant, but as she explored her interests, she found her passion for systems management, particularly with Dubsado. By focusing on this niche, Jade was able to differentiate herself in a competitive market, which not only boosted her confidence but also attracted a steady stream of clients who valued her expertise. She encourages listeners to explore various opportunities within their fields and to not shy away from pivoting toward what truly excites them.
Jade’s agency model reflects a shift towards collaboration in the virtual assistance community. As her client base expanded, she recognized the necessity of building a team. Jade implemented an internship program that evolved into a comprehensive training course for aspiring virtual assistants. This initiative demonstrates her commitment to empowering others while also fostering a supportive network. The podcast concludes with Jade’s insights on the importance of community and collaboration in entrepreneurship, stressing that success is often achieved through shared efforts and mutual support, rather than solitary endeavors.
Takeaways:
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Mentioned in this episode:
Become a Member of the Ops Yacht Club
I've created a free community where we are posting job opportunities for people just like you!
Teagan Hintze shares her inspiring journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and adaptability in overcoming challenges. After facing a demotion while managing the demands of new motherhood, she took a leap of faith to create her own business, which has now flourished for nearly a decade. Teagan’s mission goes beyond her success; she is dedicated to empowering other women, especially single moms, to find their own paths in the virtual assistant space. By teaching essential skills and providing support, she helps them balance work and family, ensuring they don’t miss precious moments with their children. Tune in to discover valuable insights on lead generation, client acquisition, and the importance of creating a business that reflects your personality and passions.
Brooke Elder welcomes Teagan Hintze to the Align Your True North podcast, where they discuss Teagan's inspiring journey from the corporate world to becoming a successful entrepreneur and advocate for women. Teagan shares her experiences as a director of marketing who found herself unexpectedly demoted after returning from maternity leave. This pivotal moment forced her to reconsider her career path and led her to create a business that allowed her to prioritize her family while achieving her professional goals. Teagan emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and the necessity of taking risks to find happiness and fulfillment. Her story is not just about personal growth but also about empowering other women to find their own paths in life, especially mothers who struggle to balance work and family responsibilities.
The conversation takes a turn towards practical advice as Teagan shares her insights on client acquisition and lead generation strategies that have proven successful in her business. She highlights the significance of building a reliable system for attracting clients and nurturing relationships within various platforms, particularly Facebook groups and LinkedIn. Teagan's approach is refreshing; she encourages listeners to actively engage in communities where their ideal clients reside, offering value and expertise without the pressure of direct promotion. This strategy not only positions them as trusted resources but also opens doors to potential client relationships. Teagan's enthusiasm for helping others shines through as she emphasizes that anyone can become a virtual assistant with the right mindset and determination, regardless of their background.
As the episode progresses, Teagan delves deeper into her mission to assist single mothers and women looking to transition into the virtual assistant field. After experiencing her own challenges as a single mom, Teagan developed a strong desire to guide others in similar situations. She discusses the importance of financial independence and how her training programs empower women to monetize their skills and create flexible careers that allow them to be present for their families. The episode concludes with Teagan sharing her heartwarming vision of a community where women support one another, ensuring that no one has to face the burdens of financial insecurity alone. Her passion for helping others is palpable, making this podcast a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration and practical tips for navigating their own business journey.
Takeaways:
Mentioned in this episode:
Become a Member of the Ops Yacht Club
I've created a free community where we are posting job opportunities for people just like you!
In this episode, host Brooke Elder interviews Paige Clark, an entrepreneur and mindset coach. They discuss effective goal-setting techniques, particularly for women, and the importance of aligning one's vision with daily actions. Paige shares insights on the differences between male and female goal-setting approaches, emphasizing the power of shorter-term goals for women. The conversation also covers methods for tapping into intuition, including guided meditation, intuitive writing, and stillness practices. Paige draws parallels between her experiences in business and Brooke's time living on a sailboat, highlighting the importance of being in a flow state and adapting to changing circumstances.
The episode provides practical advice on setting and achieving goals, emphasizing the need for flexibility and alignment with one's true purpose. Paige introduces the concept of focusing on three main goals and identifying three key actions each day to move towards those goals. This approach allows for a balance between planning and remaining open to opportunities, which is particularly beneficial for women entrepreneurs.
Notable Quotes:
Keywords:
Episode Outline:
00:00 - Introduction and welcome
03:30 - Paige's entrepreneurial journey
07:00 - Goal setting differences between men and women
12:00 - Techniques for tapping into intuition
18:00 - Lessons from living on a sailboat and applying them to business
25:00 - The importance of being in flow state
30:00 - Conclusion and contact information for Paige
To learn more about Paige Clark and her services:
Follow Brooke Elder on Facebook at facebook.com/therealbrookeelder. If you want to find the hidden money in your business, take the invisible money quiz at www.invisiblemoneyquiz.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Become a Member of the Ops Yacht Club
I've created a free community where we are posting job opportunities for people just like you!
Summary:
In this episode, Brooke Elder shares her experiences of living on a sailboat for a year with her family and the valuable lessons she learned as a mom and business owner. She introduces the concept of "Align Your True North," which focuses on aligning all aspects of life, including business, family, friends, social, physical, and spiritual goals. Brooke emphasizes the importance of creating systems and automations in business that don't rely solely on people, as this can lead to increased profits and more free time.
Notable Quotes:
1. "When you really have your True North aligned, it makes it so much easier to make decisions."
2. "By systematizing my business, I went from a team of 27 people down to a team of six. Now just imagine what that did to my profit margins because our revenue stayed the same."
Keywords:
- Align Your True North
- sailboat living
- business systems
- automation
- family time
- profit margins
Episode Outline:
00:00 - Introduction and updates on Brooke's life
03:30 - Lessons learned from living on a sailboat
06:00 - Introducing the concept of "Align Your True North"
10:00 - The importance of systems and automation in business
14:00 - How systematizing can increase profit margins and free up time
16:30 - Introducing True North Strategies and its mission
18:00 - Conclusion and call to action
Follow Brooke Elder on Facebook at facebook.com/therealbrookeelder. If you want to find the hidden money in your business, take the invisible money quiz at www.invisiblemoneyquiz.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
Become a Member of the Ops Yacht Club
I've created a free community where we are posting job opportunities for people just like you!
Final Episode
Mentioned in this episode:
Become a Member of the Ops Yacht Club
I've created a free community where we are posting job opportunities for people just like you!
Choosing the Right MLM company
“In a lot of Network Marketing companies you've got a couple people that feel like they're making a lot of money and then the masses that just aren't making anything.”
Zane Gray
So many people ask Brooke questions like, “what company should I join? I don't know if I'm with the right company, how do I choose the right company?” In today’s Podcast, 171, Brooke talks about where network marketing is going, how to choose a company and what things to look for.
Brooke’s guest is Zane Gray who has created a very different company from everything else that's out there. His company looks differently at the industry and he’s creating something that is really for the 21st century.
“Sometimes network marketing is like a dirty word .” Zane Gray
Zane explains that when he was looking at network marketing companies the reason people join is they want to get the product, maybe the discount, but they aren't really wanting to go out selling it.
There's a couple reasons for that. In Zane’s opinion the number one reason is oftentimes the product isn't priced right. Second thing is you have a product or something that people would buy.
Zane created a company where if you refer people and they buy, you're gonna make a really good income, a really good commission basically. But he also said, if you do wanna build a team, I wanna pay you to build a team as well. And he just tried to marry those two worlds together.
His philosophy is to give customers a reason to come back. His company gives them an opportunity just if they'll share, they actually can get cash back too. That is theirs. And they don't have to sign up to be a rep.
Zane has a training course that teaches his reps to be endo coaches to help their customers live an endo balanced life.
“An important thing in business as well is being able to target your specific people.” - Zane Gray
If you would like to know more about Zane’s new company and what it is all about, check out www.sucavu.com.
How to get involved
If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word!
Mentioned in this episode:
Become a Member of the Ops Yacht Club
I've created a free community where we are posting job opportunities for people just like you!
Building a Personal Brand is easier than you think
“A personal brand is so much more than trying to sell yourself.”
Tacie Avedikian
In Podcast 169 Brooke has a conversation with Tacie Avedikian on a topic that is something that so many network marketers need. That topic is personal branding.
Tacie has always been interested in people and marketing and wanted to help people build their business brand, advertisements and do media buys. When she got into the marketing field she started doing more market research. She loved understanding the why behind the marketing that we were actually choosing for our clients
“Having your brand really changes the whole dynamic of how you do business.” Tacie Avedikian
Having an understanding of your personal brand paints a nice picture for everybody that you're working with.
It also provides a comfort for you and knowing that you know exactly what you're doing and how you want to help people.
Building a personal brand is not as hard as people think. It’s really just having an idea of what it is that you are doing, how you want to do it, who you want to be able to work with and who you want to help.
It’s important to create a digital presence. Find those platforms that your ideal audiences are on and just show them a piece of who you are and how that has led to where you are and what you're doing today.
You want to be engaging. You don't want everything to be about you or just what’s happening on your page. You want to show that you are in fact a good connection to be networking with and a good connection to have.
“Putting yourself out there and also giving back to those who are willing to connect with you is definitely key and it changes the whole dynamic of a relationship.” - Tacie Avedikian
If you would like to connect with Tacie and find out more of her tips on how to build your personal brand, you can reach out to her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tavedikian/. You can also visit her website www.littlebirtdmarketing.com.
How to get involved
If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word!
Mentioned in this episode:
Become a Member of the Ops Yacht Club
I've created a free community where we are posting job opportunities for people just like you!
How to Cold Message People Properly
“Create real relationships rather than just copy and paste and spam people. ”
Brooke Elder
Today’s Podcast 168 brings another episode of The Spam Squad where Brooke takes spammy messages that other people have sent and breaks them down and talks about why they are spammy.
After she dissects the message Brooke shows a better way to send messages, because you don't need to be spammy to grow your business. Today she talks about how to cold message people.
“Cold reach-outs are still good, but you have to find something in common.” Brooke Elder
Having something in common is more than jus, “Oh, I see you have a dog. I have a dog too. You want to buy my stuff?”
You need to find people that have a problem that you have that solution for - your products, your opportunity. They also a problem. So you are only going to talk to people who have the problem that you solve.
When you market to everyone, you market to no one, remember that your company is not for everyone with skin or everyone with a nose or everyone that is breathing. That's not who it's for. It's for what problem do you solve that you can help people with that is who you market to.
Once you understand that, then you can start looking for those people and you can start looking for them in other Facebook groups and add them as friends.
Then when you start posting on your personal page about how someone had this problem and you help them solve it, and that's the nature of your posts, they're going to see that and reach out to you to solve their problem!
“The basics of arrows out marketing is looking at how you can serve people and how you can solve problems.” - Brooke Elder
Check out some of Brooke’s other Spam Squad episodes to learn more tips on how to not be Spammy when you are posting...and remember…. Spam belongs in the cupboard, not on Social Media!!!
How to get involved
If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we’d love for you to help us spread the word!
Mentioned in this episode:
Become a Member of the Ops Yacht Club
I've created a free community where we are posting job opportunities for people just like you!
The podcast currently has 178 episodes available.