#Arranging and putting together my design system (last image) for this product right now - which means the project is nearly finished
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"Hey Michelle, what have you been up to?" ☝️
#Do not want to reveal too much of my work prior portfolio launch. But yeah here's a peek!#I designed and drew everything myself by hand#I hadn't ever created art in Adobe or made any fucking app frame before July. But look at how it pops :)#Arranging and putting together my design system (last image) for this product right now - which means the project is nearly finished#Planned a last feedback loop with the target users for this week. Then translating the research trajectory into a smooth portfolio narrativ#Then it's a wrappp
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The Arrangement, Fluff 42 while Red is working on moving out?
Prompt meme 42. “For (her/him/them), (I’ll do) anything.”
I went with the moment of because i was listening to the Shrek 2 soundtrack and got really excited during ‘Ever Fallen In Love’
--
He had to be fast. He couldn't afford to pause for anything. But if he used his teleportation every magical being within a half a kilometer would be able to sense it with his nerves as frayed as they were. This had to be on foot if he wanted to do this without confrontation.
He had two bags on either shoulder, one full of the essentials, the other with his clothes and hygiene products and things. Of the Bull Clones an approximate twenty of them wished to remain with him and he had their AI's saved in separate hard drives in his bag, ready for new bodies once the ones they'd been recently using were destroyed to cover his escape. The last message he made on his home setup played in the back of his mind, repeating the words he'd spoken and hoping they sounded right.
“Start Recording....Hello Mother. Hello Father. I'm half sure you're going to destroy everything I left behind in retribution for my departure, but if you did decide to try and keep my files for whatever use you may be able to glean from them—doubtful, I've been working on a purging bug that should get rid of 90% of my old blueprints and research into any artifacts of power—Then consider this my farewell.”
The security system was shorting out, all the traps and precautions he'd spent decades setting up were going out in flames, making a clear exit through the Bull Clone's passageways just big enough for one fire demon to slip his way through. His parents likely distracted with a large majority of what kept them comfortable in their underground lair all acting up and going on the fritz at once. And if that was all resolved with a resounding 'break every piece of tech around them' then the handful of favors he'd called in would come in handy and he had a small yet aggravating set of demons ready to cause some distractions (and leave before they were actually in any danger, they weren't there to fight after all) until Red Son was long gone.
“Surely this must have come as a shock, to think that your ever loyal son would decide he'd rather run away and join Team Good Guy. Well... I suppose that makes sense, granted the five hundred years of pointedly ignoring I've been basically singlehandedly keeping this family afloat one might forget that I might be capable of making my own decisions, but I digress.”
One more turn, slide past the charging station he'd put up here, hope beyond hope when he undid the secret exit into the streets that there'd be no one waiting for him. He had one clone shell, AI gone running on simple manual commands, set up to explode right as he left to cover the exit as he left so he couldn't be tracked as easily.
Sure enough the charging station and the secret exit beside it were only guarded by one robot. The one he'd set up there. He punched in the exit code and the secret door slid open. He glanced at the panel again and shrugged, might as well. He lit up his fist into a flame and punched the panel, it cracked beneath his knuckles. The street was right before him. He nodded at the clone. “Self Destruct, access code 'Clean Getaway'” The Clone beeped once and he had three seconds to clear it.
-Or not.
The explosion just barely grazed him, and it wouldn't have hurt at all if it were just the flame of the explosion, but with the explosion came the shrapnel, and with a stinging sensation and the warm feeling of blood creeping down his hand, Red Son realized he'd been nicked with some stray metal.
He had a garage nearby with a stealth truck—just as tricked out as his more iconic truck, just designed to blend into the city traffic easily—and he had to get there before he was in the clear.
“See, the truth of the matter is, I've been doing a lot of thinking about my life and what I want out of it lately, I'd thought that all I desired was the three of us together again. If our family was complete then everything would slot into place, but it didn't. And I realized I'd spent half of a millennia chasing after ideals and blurry memories. And I came to the conclusion that... I don't really know much about myself outside of the context of the family. But I used to know, And as it turned out, it was when I wasn't trying to plunge the world into darkness, so I figured I could probably do that again, see if it sticks this time.”
He heard a roar behind him, and his blood turned to ice. He didn't care if it would alert his parents to his presence nearby as his equipment went to shit around them, he teleported, a flash of fire zipping through familiar roads and ending in the hidden garage, The wind was howling outside amplifying his father's rage, but his parents didn't know which garage was the one he kept his personal vehicles in.
It was just the injury making his hands shake as he slid into his stealth truck he was sure—the purple one with red flames painted on the hood and sides, but to the outside observer simply a normal truck owned by a normal person who simply liked flames and purple—and quickly shed his more distinctive clothes and pulling a nondescript coat from the camping bag in which he'd shoved as much of his clothes as he could fit. Quick as he could he bundled his hair into a hat and replaced his trademark sunglasses with a big pair that covered most of his face—both of which he already had in this truck for this exact purpose.
He started the car and drove out as calmly as he could possibly make it look.
“So take this as my formal declaration: I'm moving out. Now, You're still my parents of course, so I'll avoid confrontations if I can, but I'm not playing this game anymore. I'm not being manipulated or tricked or forced into this. This is my decision. About time I made one for myself, right?”
Though after the explosions of rage went off, the city was not laid waste to, and the people in this area were used to threatening noises anyway so nobody seemed to care.
He'd probably change back into his normal clothes once he could ensure he'd driven in enough circles around the city he would be virtually untraceable and could made the trip to Xiaotian's home.
Xiaotian...
Only hours away now.
Four months, five days. And not a single one of those days went by without thinking about him. Without reminding himself why he was doing this, reminding himself why it was worth it. To have a future with Xiaotian. To be able to be with him without constantly looking over their shoulders for prying eyes. To have that smile, that laugh, that stupid sense of humor and that dumb thing he does when he's working on a picture where he scrunches all of his face up at once and twitches his nose like a rabbit.
“You're my parents, and I still love you. And I hope, by the end of this you'll understand why I had to do what I have done. If not, then at least you can understand this: doing anything for the person you love has turned out to be a genetic trait. And for him, I'll do anything.”
Five hours of driving around aimlessly. He grabbed a snack and saw one of the bull clones whom decided to stay loyal to his parents from the corner of his eye
Four. He saw the delivery cart dart through an intersection and leaned forward to try and grab a glance, unfortunately it was already gone by the time he could.
Three. He could sense his mother laying out a searching enchantment and rolled up his window, the protection charm on the truck keeping him from prying eyes.
Two. The sun had set and twilight blanketed the sky
One. He changed back into his normal clothes and fixed his hair as best as he could. His wound had mostly stopped bleeding, but that would likely change if jostled. He wanted to make a nice first image after four months, but he couldn't look anything better than driving around for almost six hours would do to a person. Though he wouldn't care if Xiaotian looked a little more rugged than usual, so he consoled himself with the idea that he would have a similar mindset and simply be happy that the waiting was over.
And now, a future.
“I’ll see you soon, but I doubt it will be on good terms. Goodbye for now. End Recording.”
--
Send me stuff!
#I got Hm. Excited#Really brings the Ending Stuff full circle I think#Hell yes some of the Bull CLones that Red MADE would be like 'nah we wanna stay with you'#Letters to vega#vega writes stories too#the arrangement AU#Holy shit this is the last prompt i've got you guys#i'm free i can work on other things again lol#spicynoodleshipping#Anonymous
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Status: Illegal, Chapter 2
Clary/Izzy, Space AU
This chapter has a fight scene and some of the same themes of chapter 1. This chapter also has some sexual content.
I was asked to credit a mysterious dark stranger for the information on Alec's aiming eye/where the contact lens would be. So here we go. Thanks to a mysterious dark stranger for the information!
Shoot me an ask or a DM on my tumblr @enkelimagnus, or reach me on my Twitter @enkelimagnus! I have anons on and curiouscat so don't be shy!
Read on AO3
“Welcome on board, Izzy, Alec.”
“Good morning Tessa!” They both replied in unison as they walked into the cargo of their ship.
Izzy knew that Alec and Magnus had been up early in the morning before to clean it, which made her slightly anxious as to exactly what had been in her brother’s warrant. She didn’t like when he took dangerous warrants. She didn’t want him to disappear as well.
The ship was relatively small. Designed for a team of 3, it left for a lot of extra space to the two siblings. They each had their own rooms, with the extra room left empty for important passengers or friends. There was an extra bed in the small medical bay, and cots could be arranged in the cargo hold, as well as in the cockpit. Fortunately, they’d never had to come to this.
It was the place that Izzy considered her home, despite the fact that it was just a ship. She slept there almost every night, even when Alec slept in Magnus’ bed. There was something comforting to her about this place. It was theirs, and it would never be taken away. The Clave did not have ownership over what they had.
Alec left her to go directly to the cockpit, while she stopped by her room to change and shower. She selected dark leathery pants and a black tank top, something she knew she would feel good in.
She slipped out of her clothing from the day before and put her hair up in a ponytail, and stepped into the shower cabin. She selected a simple shower and her usual body wash on the panel and sighed happily as the hot water hit her.
She’d been tense lately, she realized as the hot spray massaged her back. It was probably due to the fact that the Rec was now abhorring a terrorist, fugitive from the Clave, who was actively hunted by the Clave forces.
Clary was interesting, and she was attractive, two things that didn’t negate the fact that she was a danger to everyone that stepped into the Rec, and something that could cost Alec and Izzy a lot. Thankfully, she seemed to understand that she had nothing to do in the main room of the bar when it was open.
Izzy stepped out of the shower rather quickly, and checked the levels of body wash and other cosmetics products on the monitor. They needed to go do some shopping. She got dressed, sliding on the pants over some shorts, a black bra under the tank top, and grabbed a blue jacket she’d put on later. She re-attached her holster to her thigh and added a knife to her boot.
“We need to get to the Supplier soon,” she called as she walked into the cockpit. While she showered, Alec had taken off. “We’re low on cosmetics.”
“And on fuel as well,” Alec nodded. “We can do that after the warrant, before coming home. We’ll just have to keep an eye on how much they are filling her up.”
He sat at the pilot’s seat, looking serene as he always did when he flew. Alec liked flying their ship. He’d told her once that it made him feel free. That made her heart ache a little. Alec didn’t often talk about his freedom status, but when he did, it showed how utterly miserable he was.
“Where are we on money?” Izzy asked after a moment, knowing it was why Alec didn’t want the ship to be filled up completely.
“We’ll have enough in a couple of warrants,” Alec replied, and his voice denoted how hard he was trying not to hope. “Enough for the both of us, enough to get all of this -” he shifted his head to make the earring dangle, “-off.”
Izzy sighed happily, sitting down onto the copilot chair and settling in it. “Good. Then we’ll finally be free.” She whispered.
Alec slid his hand towards the space in between their chairs, and Izzy reached to take it. They exchanged a look for a moment, before looking back at the void they were crossing, the landscape of their journey to their new warrant.
“Are you going to still drive me when you’ll be free, Alec?” Tessa asked in the silence.
Izzy had a bit of a chuckle. Their ship had a bit of a preference for Alec’s driving, and Izzy understood. Alec was the one who piloted her more often. And he was also much more interested in the mechanics. Izzy did sleep here more often, and she had good conversations with the AI, and she was her favorite.
Alec smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere,” he promised.
“What are we going to do once we’ll be free?” Izzy asked. She’d been wondering that sometimes, but she never let her mind wander too far. She didn’t want to give herself the hope for a life that she might not get to.
“Maybe we could leave the SHA,” Alec shrugged. “All I know is that I want to wed Magnus.”
Izzy watched him with a smirk. “Will that be the first thing you do once they take off your earring and chip? Run to the Rec and ask to wed him?”
Alec chuckled, looking down at his hand. “Maybe. That wouldn’t be an unusual thing to do.”
Izzy smiled. Alec and Magnus were something else. She’d never seen two people that fit together as well as they did. There were many people in love, but they felt different to her. Maybe because she knew them personally. Alec looked happy when he was at the Rec with Magnus, much happier than when he was on a mission.
“The SHA isn’t that bad. I know we didn’t choose it, but it gives us some freedom,” Izzy hummed.
“It gives us some, maybe, but what will it feel like when we’ll be Freed? Maybe it will just feel like a reminder of the past,” Alec pointed out. “But it’s true that this has been our job for years now. We’re good at this, and I don’t really know what else we can be this good at.”
“I’m not becoming a Clave soldier for anything,” she muttered. “Or an Arapheli Priestess.”
Alec chuckled. “Really? You wouldn’t enjoy living in a sauna?”
“I only like bathhouses occasionally, thank you very much,” she laughed. “And come on, you’d really see me as an Arapheli? Walking around repeating Praise Araphel, the Star that Warms our World ?” She asked.
Alec shrugged. “Maybe you would enjoy the uniforms? I heard the Temple garb shows a lot of skin,” he teased her. “And Araphelim aren’t supposed to stay chaste.”
“Join a religious order just to bang all the priestesses? Not in my ten-year plan, Alec,” she shook her head, a smile playing on her lips.
They settled into a comfortable silence, but Tessa seemed to think it was annoying because she started playing some music in a low volume over the coms, providing a nice background to their way.
They were leaving Sham to get to another system, not far from theirs. Izzy couldn’t see the planets disappearing, since they were behind them, but she would be able to observe them as they went back. She loved the sight of the six planets and the star in the dark emptiness.
Usually, when the ship was taking them away from Maon, she felt her worries being left behind, but not this time. Clary Fray stayed in the forefront of her mind, sitting there asking for attention that Izzy didn’t want to give.
She didn’t know how to deal with this woman. She was glad she hadn’t had to keep sharing a bed and a room with her, because she was attractive, and it seemed that she had no qualms about being mostly naked in front of strangers.
There was also the staggering revelation that she’d been the perpetrator of the bombing of the Clave. What Izzy had started to see in the woman’s eyes as she interacted with her in the last day was the spark of brilliance. She was lethally intelligent. And that was probably how she’d managed to do something like the Circle bombing.
Izzy had seen the news report. The screens that were set up in the streets of Old Town Idris had shown the images over and over again, the fire and smoke coming out of the high window in the Hall of the Circle. They’d shown the families of the Circle Councilmembers, in their white clothing, still perfect and unmoving, even in mourning. Izzy had been supposed to see emotions in their eyes, but she hadn’t seen any.
They’d shown Valentine Morgenstern, and he’d threatened to find and kill the terrorist and everyone that had ever met them.
Izzy shuddered. That now included her.
“So what’s it gonna be today?” She asked, shaking the morbid thoughts out of her mind.
Alec hummed, moving his head to try and relax it. “Well, Level 3-DL. Named Heidi McKenzie. Human, woman, Free.”
Izzy grabbed her tablet and opened the warrant. “Heidi McKenzie.” She was a blonde-haired woman with something wicked in her eyes. Izzy read the information under the picture. “Several accounts of murder, conspiring to commit mass murder over a Clave-colonized planet in the J-W system.”
Alec nodded. “I’m almost surprised it’s Dead or Live, and not a Kill warrant.”
“You wouldn’t have let me come with you if it was a Kill warrant,” Izzy replied, putting down the tablet and reaching for the bottle of water that rested on the middle console.
“I don’t like you killing, Izzy, we’ve talked about this.”
Izzy rolled her eyes. “Yes, we have. And I still have the same thing to say. I’ve killed before, I’ll kill again, and it would be safer for you if I was on your side. Besides, I’m 26, I can take care of myself.”
Alec sighed, closing his eyes for a second. “What’s the point in having the same argument again? In a couple of warrants, we’ll be done with this. We’ll be done with having to kill people.”
Izzy swallowed. “I don’t believe that. The world of the Clave is made in a way that we’ll have to kill again one day. We’ve started, we can’t stop now. When we’ll drop out of the SHA, some might want to target us, as revenge for the warrants we took against them or their families.”
Alec stayed silent for a moment. They both knew she was right, but they were both willing to take the chance. Freedom was worth killing for, they’d decided that years ago, when they’d first been given to the SHA. They’d had a choice, kill or get killed.
They’d chosen to kill.
“It’s over, Izzy. There’s no use to us fighting about this anymore.” Alec whispered. “Soon, we’ll be free.”
Izzy sighed and stood up, walking out of the cockpit and down the stairs to the cargo hold. There, she grabbed a pair of knives and hit play on her training playlist, turning towards the large pair of targets. She grabbed a blindfold and slid it over her eyes. That made the entire exercise more interesting.
-------------------
Magnus stood in the calm of an early morning in the Rec. Alec and Izzy had left at sunrise, Alec leaving a warm empty spot in Magnus’ bed. He’d woken him up for a kiss goodbye and had trusted him to go back to sleep. Magnus hadn’t gone back to sleep. He never did.
He was not a big sleeper. There were too many things happening, too many people to watch out for, and he’d been used to short nights and small naps during the day for a long time now. Many people thought it was because of the bar, and his supposed history with nightlife. Magnus never denied that story.
The place was still empty, so after tidying around the counter and putting everything back in place, he walked downstairs to room number 6, where Clary Fray had taken residence.
The day before, he’d given her some Old Town-appropriate clothing. The dress she’d been wearing had been painfully obviously from New Town. New Towners had a way of dressing, expensive fabrics, simple cuts, thin and made for the comfort of warm houses.
The dress had been dirty, but it had been a Clave official’s dress. Magnus hadn’t asked questions. He never did, but he had the feeling there was so much more to this story than he expected. Clary Fray was unpredictable.
He knocked at the door. The door was unlocked soon after, and she let him in. “Good morning, Mister Bane.” She said with a smile.
“Please call me Magnus. No one calls me Mister Bane,” he replied, one hand up.
Clary Fray nodded, and moved back, holding her arms straight on her sides. There was Clave upbringing was still obvious in the way she looked at him, the stillness in her entire body and the stillness of her face.
“Thank you for helping me,” she said softly. “I know it’s dangerous for you and the people around you.”
Magnus had a small sigh. “I cannot ignore the Clave’s behavior towards the population,” he explained. “I’m perfectly aware of the risks, and I will never ask you to thank me for something I consider entirely normal.”
Clary bit her lip for a moment. “I wouldn’t. If I was in your place, I wouldn’t do it.”
“I don’t believe that. After all, you’re here.”
“I’m here because I’m running away,” Clary replied, crossing her arms and moving from her previously still and emotionless posture. “Not because I want to fight.”
Magnus chuckled. “In that case, you shouldn’t asked me to contact the Rebellion and help smuggle you to them. You should have asked for an escape to another system.” He pointed out, watching her with a smirk. “I get you’re lying to keep yourself safe, but it’s not good to lie to someone who already knows enough.”
“I’m not that used to Old Town. Or to being on the run.”
That was quite obvious. Magnus didn’t remark on that, he just went to sit down on the bed. He crossed his legs. “I contacted them. The smugglers will be here as soon as possible. In the meantime, you will be staying here, you will stay in this room as much as possible, and if you go outside, it will be during the night, and hidden. And never, ever, alone.”
Clary nodded. “I can accept that.”
“You do not have the choice of accepting it or not. That is it,” Magnus said simply. “I do not joke with this kind of situation.”
The young woman nodded again, staying silent this one. She watched him differently now and he could feel it. People did not know who he’d been. Magnus had been so much more than a bar owner. It was a fine profession, but his past was much more complex and much more… bloody.
Magnus smoothed over a wrinkle in the gown he was wearing. It was a knee-length grey and blue gown with a wide piece of blue fabric wrapped around his waist tightly. Underneath, he wore black pants. It was quite comfortable. And hid a knife in the folds of the garment. Magnus had always loved a good knife.
Clary was still stuck in her rigid posture and Magnus had a little bit of a smile. “You can relax, now. You’re not with the Clave anymore.” He patted down the bed next to him.
Clary walked over and sat down. At first, she kept her back completely straight, but she started slumping lightly. She had a small smile. “Thank you,” she said. Her voice was full of unspoken relief.
Magnus gently patted her knee. “You can breathe. You’re going to be okay.”
Clary sighed and nodded. She let herself fall back, laying on the bed with a happy huff. “It’s comfortable, for a cheap bar room rental.”
Magnus raised an eyebrow. “You make it sound as if you’ve been to a lot of cheap bar room rentals.” He teased and she chuckled.
She looked young then, like the kid she probably was. He could not resist the urge to ask that question. “How old are you?”
“I’m 24,” she replied.
So she was just a kid. Magnus was not much older - if he converted his age in human years - but he could feel the child spirit that wanted to desperately get out of the woman’s stoic upbringing.
“I apologize for fucking up something between you and the woman that had the room. I could feel she was mad at you when she left. And when she came back.”
Magnus shot her a look. Clary was looking up at the ceiling. He swallowed and sighed. "You did not fuck anything up," he reassured her. "You were a catalyst, maybe, but I would have told her what I had to tell her one day. Hopefully she will keep the information to herself."
"Are you worried she’ll rat you out?"
Magnus chuckled. "No. Izzy is many things, but she’s not a snitch. I’m afraid she’ll tell her brother. I love him very much, dear. I do not want him to be mad at me."
Clary licked her lips. "I think he’ll be, whether she tells him now or you tell him later."
Magnus laid down by her side, closing his eyes for a second. Yes, Alec would be mad at him, but at least he would hear the truth from Magnus himself, and not from his angry sister. That was an important difference. Izzy had some hyperbolic tendencies when she was emotional.
"Who are they?"
"They are bounty hunters with the Shadow Hunting Agency."
"I’ve heard of the SHA. They have deep ties with the Clave, even up to the Circle," Clary whispered. "Though I don’t know if they have them still, I think the terrorist killed the council member that dealt with the SHA."
Magnus shot her another glance. She said those things with certainty and he didn’t doubt for a second that she was right. "You know a whole deal of things about the Circle, don’t you?"
"My family was employed as assistants to the Councilmembers. I have personally worked with them since my 14th birthday."
"Ten years."
"Yes. Ten years, the day of the explosion. I very much enjoyed that birthday present."
-------------------
Alec and Izzy walked through the streets of the coastal metropolis of the planet of Qora where Heidi McKenzie had last been spotted. Alec’s wrists were encased in the fingerless bow gloves he was wearing, his favorite ranged weapon. When he turned to check on her, Izzy could see the silvery cloud of his visor lens over his left eye.
The streets were not very crowded for the time of day and they were both a bit annoyed about that. It was easier to hide themselves in a crowd. Right now, they really looked like two SHA agents, dressed in leather. Around them, the Qorani people wore cotton fabrics.
“We’re not really blending in,” Izzy muttered, as people around them turned to watch them.
Alec sighed. “Well, as long as we get the target, we’ll be fine.” He shrugged.
Izzy hummed and steadied her grip on the handle of her phaser. She could feel the steady weight of her sword in its sheath on her back. They turned into a smaller street, and there again, the people got rarer. Izzy frowned. It was high season for tourism on Qora, and usually, the commercial streets would be full of Sham visitors or Clave officials enjoying the heat of the sun, and the sweetness of the local cuisine.
Alec had noticed the same thing. “This city was crowded the last time we were here.” He whispered. “Something’s changed.”
“Maybe someone was made aware of McKenzie’s threats over the community,” Izzy pointed out.
“That sure would keep some people from coming around, but not this many.”
He was right. Izzy swallowed. “Let’s just go to her lair.”
They turned again into an even smaller street. The sky was obscured by long pieces of green fabric, stretched in between the building tops. It doused the street in a strange light yellow-green light, and… Stars, it looked like a bad filter on a movie from a small producing agency. Izzy did not want to be in this movie.
“I don’t like this, Alec,” Izzy whispered.
Just as she was saying that, a metal door banged open in front of them. Izzy felt them all immediately. The people that came through the door were not the only ones there, some had snuck up behind them as well. She shot a glance behind her and saw them, three tall people, with short hair and weapons in their hands. She heard Alec grumble a ‘fuck’ under his breath.
Out of the open door came another three people, and behind these three was Heidi McKenzie. Her hair was just as blonde as in the picture, her eyes just as wicked, and she held her hands behind her back.
Alec grabbed his tablet out of his pocket and held it up. “SHA agents. We have a warrant out for Heidi McKenzie. We ask that you come with no fight.”
The woman raised an eyebrow and laughed at them. “That’s so cute. Two Owned SHAs coming to try and capture me.” She looked at them. “Really adorable.”
“We don’t want any trouble, Heidi,” Izzy said calmly. “We just want to serve justice.”
Heidi walked towards them, stepping in front of her goons and looking at Izzy. She looked at her from head to toe. Izzy swallowed. The woman was a bit taller than her. She was always way less muscular. Way less ready to fight.
Heidi smiled at her and spat at her. It hit her jacket and started sliding down the leather. Izzy ground her teeth.
“Listen, Owned girl,” Heidi said. “The SHA doesn’t serve justice. We do. We are Clave citizens. The Qorani do not belong on our planet. You’re going to leave us alone now.”
There were a thousand things in Izzy’s head, on Izzy’s tongue, ready to be thrown back in her face. Qora was still the planet of the Qorani, and it was far from being Heidi’s.
“Please do not push us to use force,” Izzy replied, looking back at the woman. “That would be quite unfortunate for you.”
Heidi shrugged and took a step back. “Don’t worry, you won’t have to. You’ll already be dead.” She snapped her fingers, and in a second, the people that were surrounding Alec and Izzy attacked.
“Fuuuuuuuck,” Izzy groaned as she dodged a fist that was flying towards her face. She dropped to the ground, swatting her leg out to sweep the guy in front of her down. She grabbed her phaser in one fluid motion, the shot barely missing Heidi.
She could register Alec’s motions at the corner of her eyes, a flurry of black leather and shining white earring, white phaser shots and the blood red of the arrows his bow-gloves shot. Her own phaser shot a hole in the second man’s face.
She suddenly felt a flash of pain against her arm and cursed again. Blade, she guessed, wielded by someone that had gotten up. The someone had long hair and an arrow in the leg, but it didn’t seem to deter them.
Devoted to their queen, huh, Izzy thought.
Izzy changed positions, using one hand to gather herself on the ground and sending her foot first in the person’s knee, then right into their face. There was a loud crack but she didn’t give it any more thoughts. She rolled out and got back on her feet.
She made sure this one was dead too, with a phaser shot to the head. She ignored the pain of her arm and gathered herself, finishing another opponent rather quickly, even if he managed to punch her in the face.
Alec was busy with the remaining goons so Izzy moved forward. This time, it was going to be a bit more fun. Heidi was just not someone Izzy enjoyed having on the face of the universe.
Heidi was armed with a blade too, and Izzy almost rolled her eyes at how typical that was. Of course some Clave-obsessed supremacist would be using blades. At least it wasn’t an electrosword.
That thought brought the image of Clary, with her red hair and her hazel eyes and the chilling quality of her smile back, and Izzy missed Heidi’s first move. The blade shot towards her and Izzy felt it slice through her jacket, top and a bit of her skin as she scrambled out of the way.
She would have a nice horizontal scar above her left breast, but she would be fine. However, she was now quite mad. Izzy put her phaser back in its holster and slid the sword out of its sheath, the metal clashing against Heidi’s second try at killing her.
This time, Izzy could fight back. She’d trained herself for hours. She’d made sure she knew how to fight with every weapon she could get her hands on, she’d sliced her hands open on sharp blades when she was 13, mere months after her parents’ death, when she’d realized her survival didn’t hold to much.
Heidi sneered at her and Izzy almost rolled her eyes, pretending to surrender control to her and sliding her sword down. The blade caught right under the blonde woman’s breasts and sliced her there. Heidi howled.
Izzy moved back, avoiding the sword in Heidi’s hand that threatened to hit her as her opponent withdrew on herself from the pain and injury.
Izzy’s chest and arm were burning, there was blood trickling from her split lip, and she was starting to get a little tired. Guess she just needed some more training.
Heidi stumbled forward again but Izzy had the upper hand, and stabbed her sword into her heart this time. She fell to the ground. Izzy pulled her weapon out of the body and wiped it on the dead woman’s clothing.
Alec had been injured as well, and he looked over at her, panting. He always talked about how he didn’t want her to kill. Izzy knew he meant well, but she also knew it was unavoidable.
“So that went smoothly,” Izzy grumbled, unzipping her jacket to look at the wound. Great. Her jacket would need some stitches, and her top would need to be re-vamped to be wearable without straps, but it would be fine.
“We only need her,” he pointed out. She nodded.
The wound on Heidi’s stomach was deeper than expected and it was starting to gush out some things that would be better left inside of the body.
“You know, next time, we’ll just lure them into Tessa. Worst case, we’ll have to clean the cargo hold, but it’s just much better than having to carry that,” Izzy chuckled.
“Do you want to flip a coin on who’s gonna carry it, or are you gonna pull your weight?” Alec teased.
“Fuck off,” she rolled her eyes and closed her jacket again, and went to grab the feet. “Just take your side and let’s go.”
Heidi’s body was much heavier than it had looked when she was still alive, Izzy noted as she and Alec carried it through the streets towards where they had parked Tessa. They should have just taken her head and left the rest behind. The warrant had requested full proof of death though, and with the tourist species on planets like Qora, you never knew whether decapitation was really lethal or not.
Thankfully for them, they weren’t that far from the ship, and were able to put down the body in a freezing bag. Izzy huffed and walked towards the med area, stretching out her back. Heidi had just been too heavy.
She pushed open the door and walked in, opened a cabinet and looked over the boxes for the alcohol, some gauze and bandages. All the boxes were empty, and no matter how many times she looked through them, she could not find.
“Ah fuck this,” she grumbled and walked out of the med bay. “Alec!” she screamed, “we’re out of medical supplies!”
Alec cursed as well, loudly. “It’s fine. We’ll just ask Magnus.”
That’s great, Alec, but we need to go to the Supplier. Izzy didn’t reply, she just sighed and hoped they would get to the Supplier soon. This was all worrying. Alec was acting strangely and she didn’t like it. They could take more warrants if they had to, but they also needed to fill their ship with…. Everything.
Izzy closed her eyes for a second and shook her head. They had a whole flying back to do and then delivering the body to the SHA.
She took another shower, and took care of her wounds however she could, and it wasn’t long until they were standing outside of the prison part of the SHA base, a space station just off of Maon. They quickly delivered body and warrant, checked their bank accounts to see that the money had been added and left.
Then, it was only a few minutes until they were walking into the Rec.
It was, as usual for this hour, packed full of various people. The music was playing, loud as ever, the dancers were dancing, and Izzy was starting to feel a headache. She loved the Rec, it was basically one of the few places she felt comfortable in in the galaxy, but right now it was too much.
Magnus looked up as they approached the bar, and sighed softly. “Bad day?”
“Combative warrant,” Alec replied. “Would you please have something for us?”
Magnus hummed, caressing his fingers against one another as he thought. “I probably have some scarring helper bandages upstairs. Catarina always leaves some in the room. I’ll be right back.” He walked away, not without gently tapping Alec’s hand.
Izzy sat down heavily on one of the tools. She needed scarring helpers now. Those were basically miracle workers, and she had two big gashes that she needed closed as soon as possible.
Alec sat down next to her and they asked for some whiskey. The bartender served the both of them, and soon after Magnus was back. He led them upstairs, to a big room with obvious medical use. Izzy took a sip of the drink she still had in hand and started looking through what Magnus had pulled out of various furniture.
She immediately grabbed the bandages she needed. Unfortunately, there was no rubbing alcohol to go with it. “It’s fine,” she mumbled, “I’ll just get it from the bar.”
She walked down the stairs and into the Rec, paid for a full bottle of the strongest they had, and went back upstairs. She hesitated, in front of the door. There was this knowledge that if Alec and Magnus were left alone in a room, you should not even think of going back in, because then you would walk in on something much too intimate.
So she took a deep breath, pushed open the door, and made a beeline for the bandages. She shot them a glance. Neither of them was naked, yet, but the way Alec was holding Magnus was definitely sign that that was not gonna last.
“Please take care of your wounds before you do anything,” she pointed out.
Magnus smiled. “Don’t worry, Izzy. I’ll make sure he’s all bandaged up.”
Izzy rolled her eyes and walked out of the room, and back to the main bar. She sat down at an empty table in the corner and slid off her jacket and rolled down her shirt. Some people looked at her but she didn’t care.
Back in the room she’d just left, Alec looked up at his boyfriend, smiling softly. Magnus watched him tenderly. “You need to get to the Supplier, love.”
Alec sighed, hands caressing Magnus’ clothed sides. “I don’t want to. I just want to do the next few warrants and go to the Clave for our freedom,” he whispered. “We’re so close.”
Magnus nodded. He understood perfectly what Alec meant but… “You won’t be able to be Freed if you die beforehand because of a lack of supplies.” He grabbed the various things and started helping Alec get clean and bandaged up.
As he’d told Izzy, he made sure that Alec was all fixed up before he put away the supplies and walked back to his boyfriend. Alec did look good when he was all scratched up. Hint of blood still on his face, disheveled and looking every ounce the rugged bounty hunter he was.
“I know that look,” Alec whispered, licking his lips.
“Well you’re all bandaged up, and looking absolutely gorgeous,” Magnus shrugged, going to lock the door.
Alec stood up and let his eyes roam over him. “And you do love when I get dirty like this, don’t you?” He asked, taking a few steps towards him.
Magnus tilted his chin up, raising an eyebrow. “I do.”
Alec pulled him towards him, pulled him up in his arms, and quickly carried him over to the small bed in the middle of the room. Magnus opened his legs, letting Alec settle in between them.
“I love when you’re wearing something like this,” Alec pointed out. “So easy to access,” he smiled, sliding his hands under the hem of Magnus’ gown and starting to slowly slide up.
Magnus was a bit ticklish, and it wasn’t long until he started giggling. Alec’s smile was wide and luminous, as he looked at him like he was the most beautiful person on Maon, before leaning in to kiss him deeply.
Magnus wrapped his arms around Alec’s neck, keeping him close as he kissed him back. Alec’s hands travelled upwards again, sending goosebumps and light giggles up his skin.
Alec kissed him back for a moment before he let go of his lips and started kissing down his neck to the crook of Magnus’ throat, kissing and licking and sucking marks there until Magnus was making soft moans against him, and the giggling was forgotten as Alec’s hands reached his hips.
“You’re not wearing underwear,” Alec whispered against Magnus’ ear, the low grumble sending shivers down Magnus’ spine.
“Discarded them when I heard you were coming home,” Magnus shrugged. “Thought it’d be much easier for both of us that way.”
Alec bit his lip and grabbed his hips a little harder, moving to pull Magnus closer to the edge and to move in closer too. Magnus’ hands left his hair and travelled down to undo his belt and take down his pants. He felt Alec’s erection and smirked.
“Told you it would be easier,” he whispered.
“I don’t need you going commando to get hard, baby,” Alec replied. “Don’t you dare imply that,” he teased.
Magnus batted his eyelashes, looking up at him. “I guess you’re gonna have to show me how you don’t need anything to get you going.” He shrugged.
Alec’s smirk was wide and wicked when he dived in to kiss Magnus again, stealing his breath away and moving a hand to start preparing him for what was to come.
Back in the Rec, Izzy was now alternating drinking alcohol and dousing her wounds and scratches in it. She knew perfectly well that Alec wouldn’t come out of the upstairs room before the morning. Whatever they were doing now, they would probably follow it up with going to bed.
Izzy smiled. Magnus and Alec almost succeeded in fooling everyone into thinking that they were just together for the sex. Almost. She knew better. She knew the way they looked at each other. It was almost sickening how in love they were.
Well, she thought, seeing as a tall Seelie woman was looking at her bare cleavage with sure hunger, she guessed she could definitely follow her brother’s example and get some tonight. She took another gulp of alcohol, and walked towards the Seelie’s chair.
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Jess Works as a Virtual Assistant
Travel Jobs
Are you good with computers, following instructions, and social media? You might be the perfect fit to work as a virtual assistant making money online remotely.
Today, my friend (and my own VA) Jess shares her experience becoming a virutal assistant, along with tips for how to find jobs while traveling. Here’s Jess:
The Best Travel Jobs
Hi guys! My name is Jess, and I work as Matt’s virtual assistant for this blog.
After traveling around the world full time for 9-months, my savings were starting to run out, and I was determined to find a travel job that would allow me to earn an income on the road.
I was already “living the dream”, now I just needed to figure out how to afford that dream!
After many trials and errors, I finally figured out how to make extra money traveling the world while working as a virtual assistant (VA).
In this article, I’m going to share how to start working as a virtual assistant, where to find virtual assistant jobs online, what skills are important to know, and tips for working remotely.
Searching For A Travel-Friendly Job
I remember the moment I decided to become a virtual assistant. I thought to myself “If other people are doing this, why can’t I?”.
It all started when I wrote out a list of all the skills I had picked up from studying and working in digital marketing, photography & video throughout the years prior to my gap year.
I knew what I was good at, but I had no idea how I was going to find someone who needed my skills.
Somewhere along the way, I figured it all out – and now it’s time for me to pass this wisdom onto you my young Padawan. ;-)
How to Work as a VA
What Is A Virtual Assistant?
This will change from client to client, but essentially a Virtual Assistant can do any digital task you need them to!
Most virtual assistants provide support to their clients by answering customer emails, updating websites, organizing files, bookkeeping, coordinating schedules, social media management, research, or even photo & video editing.
Basically, any small task that your client doesn’t want to do or doesn’t have time for. Freeing up valuable time that can be used on his or her primary business objectives.
In modern times, the need for an executive assistant to work in the same physical office space as their clients has reduced dramatically with the power of the internet, online tools, and new software.
Virtual Assistant Duties & Tasks
Virtual assistants can work as executive assistants, administrative assistants, or personal assistants depending on the client. Tasks may include things like:
Email Management
Answering customer support emails, highlighting promising business opportunities for the client to follow up on, declining unattractive offers, clearing out spam messages, or putting together a monthly newsletter.
Social Media Management
Scheduling posts on social media accounts like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. Designing graphics to use. Crafting descriptions. Researching hashtags. Maybe even responding to comments, updating profiles, and more.
Website Management
Formatting, editing, drafting, and scheduling blog posts on WordPress or another CMS (Content Management System) for the client’s website. Moderating the comments section. Fixing broken links and other general website maintenance tasks.
Administrative Tasks
Managing a client’s calendar, setting schedules, booking travel arrangements, creating spreadsheets, answering phone calls, etc.
Computer skills are also very important, as is knowledge of certain common software programs like:
Word Processors (Microsoft Word, Google Documents)
Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets)
Blogging Platforms (WordPress)
Image Editors (Adobe Photoshop, Canva)
Social Media Tools (Tailwind, Buffer)
Just Another Day at the Office!
My Typical Day Working As Matt’s VA
While I’m going to share what my day looks like, there are all kinds of variations to this. Because virtual assistants can do all sorts of different tasks.
9 AM: Email Management Rise and shine! Time to check in on Slack (our team collaboration tool for organizing tasks, sending files and chatting about projects) to see if there’s anything to add to my to-do list for the week.
Next, I respond to and organize emails as well as approve blog comments — which can start to pile up overnight.
Matt receives a lot of similar questions & comments via email, so we have some standard replies for saving time. I save them as drafts and Matt adds his own personalizations before hitting “send”.
10 AM: Content Research & Blog Post Formatting I review Matt’s upcoming blog content, maybe do some extra research, or format unfinished blog posts so they’re ready to publish.
We are constantly working to improve Expert Vagabond content, updating older blog posts with more relevant information, plus adding maps or additional imagery to enhance the reader experience.
12 PM: Social Media Management Over the past few months, I’ve worked on creating Matt’s Pinterest ‘brand’, to ensure that there is a consistent look and feel between all of his pins. Creating some eye-catching pins using his images.
Once the Pinterest images are ready to go, it’s time to open up Tailwind to schedule the pins to go out for the next week. I create, source and schedule 15 – 20 pins per day.
Matt recently decided to try out Flipboard as another platform for sourcing and sharing content, so I usually spend 30-minutes updating our online Flipboard ‘magazines’ for the week.
Benefits Of Working As A Virtual Assistant
1. Work From Anywhere In The World
For me, this cancels out ALL of the disadvantages of VA work. I found out about this position when I was traveling through Asia earlier this year.
My bank account was telling me it was time to go home, but I wasn’t ready to stop traveling yet.
Having the opportunity to work from anywhere gave me the freedom to live life on my own terms. I can work from home, from a coffee shop, from a different city, or even a foreign country!
2. Cut Costs On Your Commute
When I worked in a typical office in Dublin, I would spend €11 and 2.5 hours on my commute every day.
Working from home allows me to save €220 every month – that’s €2,640 every year. That’s the price of a new camera or an incredible holiday abroad. I’ll take that over commuting any day!
3. Set Your Own Hours
If working the 9 – 5 grind works for you, stick at it! But if not, how about finding a job that allows you to work at a time that suits you.
Not much a morning person? Do the late shift. Not much of a night owl either? Not a problem, working from 11am to 7pm solves that problem. This is the kind of flexibility you just don’t find in a typical office environment.
4. Spend More Time With Your Family
What would you do if someone gave you an extra 2.5 hours in your day? I spend mine with the people I love, doing the things I used to have to save for the weekends.
Coffee Shops & Coworking Spots
The Downside Of Virtual Assistant Jobs
1. Loneliness
If you are thinking of getting into the digital nomad world, you’re going to have to get used to the idea of being alone.
There’s no one sitting beside you to support you or even just have a little chat with over lunch. If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you should look into co-working spaces or networking events that you can go to in the evenings to get some human interaction in your day.
2. Distractions
I’m learning how to master this slowly but surely…
When there is no one looking over your shoulder all day, making sure you are focused on the task at hand, it is easy to become distracted by anything and everything!
You have to remember that you will only get paid for the hours you actually complete, not the 40 minutes you spend daydreaming out the window.
3. Self Discipline
Tying in nicely with the last point, self-discipline is a skill. Technically, you are your own boss now, so you have to make sure that you get the task done on time.
If you lack in self-discipline, you will lag in productivity. Set yourself boundaries, time frames and rules – then stick to them.
How Much Money Can You Earn?
Virtual assistants can usually make between $10 to $35 an hour with a median hourly rate of about $16. It will really depend on your skills, qualifications, and experience level.
If you’re just doing data entry, the pay might not be that great.
But if you’ve built up some basic graphic design skills, understand WordPress, know how to edit videos and photography, have in-depth experience with social media platforms, or other specialized knowledge, you can earn more.
Where To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
If you’re ready to start making extra money on the side with a virtual assistant business, here are a few places to get started.
Freelancer Websites
FlexJobs
Upwork
People Per Hour
Social Media
Let your family and friends know you’re looking for a virtual assistant job by posting it on social media. Networking is a powerful tool. You may be surprised who knows someone that may be able to help you up with a job.
In fact, this is how I got my job! By posting on social media that I was looking for VA work.
Reach Out To Potential Clients
I’m sure you follow some professional bloggers, YouTube video creators, or social media influencers who you’d love to work with. It doesn’t hurt to send them all a quick message via email offering your services.
Be friendly, don’t be pushy, and if they aren’t hiring — maybe they know someone who is?
Tips For Landing Your First VA Position
Step 1: Work On Your Skills
The first step is to define the skills that you can use as a Virtual Assistant. Not sure if you have the right skills for the job? No problem!
Put some hours aside every week to learn skills and within a few months, you will be ready to put your new knowledge to the test.
There are millions of Youtube videos you can watch that will teach you how to run a successful social media campaign, manage calendar appointments, edit video on Final Cut Pro, create social media images using Adobe Photoshop and more.
You can also sign up to Skillshare (2 months free with that link!) to get unlimited access to over 23,000 classes.
This is exactly what I did to improve my organizational skills, digital marketing, video editing and photography before I started to look for jobs online.
Step 2: Find The Right Industry
For me, I knew that I wanted to work in the travel industry so that immediately narrowed down my options.
A lot of people go straight to the internet to search for a job. I decided to start my job search using the “networking” route by telling everyone I knew what I wanted to do.
I told my family and friends “I’m looking for a Virtual Assisting role in the travel industry. If you know someone who might be able to help me, could you give them my details?”
Then I put the message out to my connections on Facebook and Instagram.
Within a week, a friend of mine posted that Matt from ExpertVagabond.com was looking for a virtual assistant! Moral of the story – put it out into the world, and the world will often support you.
Step 3: Create A CV & Cover Letter
Throw away that boring Microsoft Word CV that you created when you were 16 in computer class! It’s time for a modern upgrade.
My go-to tool for CV creation is Canva.com. Not only does it have a tonne of templates for you to use, but you can also customize them to really showcase your top skills and highlight the many reasons why someone should hire you.
Don’t be afraid to add a little bit of personality to your CV. Keep in mind that your potential employer is probably sifting through a hundred CV’s, so you want them to open yours and say “Ooooh, what’s this?”. Leave them feeling intrigued.
Please remember that your CV should only be 1 – 2 pages long and your cover letter should be 2 – 3 paragraphs maximum. Employers usually don’t have a lot of time to look at them, so you need to present the information as concisely as possible.
Step 4: Interview Prep
Now that you have nailed the CV & Cover Letter, it’s time to prepare for the interview stage.
It is almost 100% guaranteed that they are going to ask you to tell them more about yourself, so make sure to have a little elevator speech worked out in advance.
Remember you don’t have to solely focus on the business side of life. Give them an insight into your hobbies, where you get inspiration from and how your life has lead you to this new role.
This is your moment to show them exactly why you are perfect for their virtual assistant position, so take the time to discuss your skills, your experience, your education (even if it is just from Youtube and Skillshare!).
They will love to hear that you are constantly learning and improving your knowledge of the key skills needed for the role.
ALWAYS have 2 – 3 questions prepared to ask them at the end of the interview. If you don’t, it can look like you are not interested in finding out more about them or their business.
If they have already answered all of your questions throughout the interview, you can tell them the question you wanted to ask, and thank them for already answering it in so much detail.
Step 5: Go Above & Beyond
If you want to really knock their socks off, why not create an example of the work you will create for them.
Show them your social media image designs, or write out a sample travel blog post to show them how serious you are about taking these tasks off their hands.
Not only will you stand out from the crowd, but it will instantly build trust that you can get the job done.
In the past, I’ve created video CV’s for clients who have a background in Youtube and have even created a brand new CV in the style of my favorite book for a position to work with the book’s author.
You have to do whatever it takes to stand out from the hundreds of other candidates.
The truth is there are many advantages and disadvantages to this type of job, but if you can master the art of virtual assisting, the world is your oyster!
It takes dedication, drive and an enormous amount of self-discipline, but it is definitely a dream job that will give you the freedom to live life on your own terms (and travel if you want to).
If you are attempting to find a VA job at the moment, just remember that the first client is the hardest. If you can land that first client, the next 50 clients should be no problem.
So keep on trying, keep improving your skills, and don’t stop learning until you’re living it up swinging from a hammock somewhere with your laptop in one hand and a cocktail in the other! ★
BIO
Jess Glynn is the author of The Gap Year Guru and has worked in digital marketing for over 5 years, specializing in Social Media and Content Creation. In 2017, she decided to quit her job and write about her travels through Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines for 9 months. Follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter!
Virtual Assistant Job Resources
Remote Job Listing Websites
FlexJobs.com
Guavabean Facebook Group
Remote.co
Freelancer.com
Useful Tools & Software For VAs
Canva
Slack
Trello
WordPress
Ultimate Travel-Friendly Job Guide.
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READ MORE DIGITAL NOMAD ARTICLES
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Have any questions for Jess about working as a virtual assistant or landing your first job? Drop her a message in the comments below!
This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
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How To Become A Virtual Assistant
Jess Works as a Virtual Assistant
Travel Jobs
Are you good with computers, following instructions, and social media? You might be the perfect fit to work as a virtual assistant making money online remotely.
Today, my friend (and my own VA) Jess shares her experience becoming a virutal assistant, along with tips for how to find jobs while traveling. Here’s Jess:
For more travel friendly job ideas, check out my ultimate guide: The Best Travel Jobs
Hi guys! My name is Jess, and I work as Matt’s virtual assistant for this blog.
After traveling around the world full time for 9-months, my savings were starting to run out, and I was determined to find a travel job that would allow me to earn an income on the road.
I was already “living the dream”, now I just needed to figure out how to afford that dream!
After many trials and errors, I finally figured out how to make extra money traveling the world while working as a virtual assistant (VA).
In this article, I’m going to share how to start working as a virtual assistant, where to find virtual assistant jobs online, what skills are important to know, and tips for working remotely.
Searching For A Travel-Friendly Job
I remember the moment I decided to become a virtual assistant. I thought to myself “If other people are doing this, why can’t I?”.
It all started when I wrote out a list of all the skills I had picked up from studying and working in digital marketing, photography & video throughout the years prior to my gap year.
I knew what I was good at, but I had no idea how I was going to find someone who needed my skills.
Somewhere along the way, I figured it all out – and now it’s time for me to pass this wisdom onto you my young Padawan. ;-)
How to Work as a VA
What Is A Virtual Assistant?
This will change from client to client, but essentially a Virtual Assistant can do any digital task you need them to!
Most virtual assistants provide support to their clients by answering customer emails, updating websites, organizing files, bookkeeping, coordinating schedules, social media management, research, or even photo & video editing.
Basically, any small task that your client doesn’t want to do or doesn’t have time for. Freeing up valuable time that can be used on his or her primary business objectives.
In modern times, the need for an executive assistant to work in the same physical office space as their clients has reduced dramatically with the power of the internet, online tools, and new software.
Virtual Assistant Duties & Tasks
Virtual assistants can work as executive assistants, administrative assistants, or personal assistants depending on the client. Tasks may include things like:
Email Management
Answering customer support emails, highlighting promising business opportunities for the client to follow up on, declining unattractive offers, clearing out spam messages, or putting together a monthly newsletter.
Social Media Management
Scheduling posts on social media accounts like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. Designing graphics to use. Crafting descriptions. Researching hashtags. Maybe even responding to comments, updating profiles, and more.
Website Management
Formatting, editing, drafting, and scheduling blog posts on WordPress or another CMS (Content Management System) for the client’s website. Moderating the comments section. Fixing broken links and other general website maintenance tasks.
Administrative Tasks
Managing a client’s calendar, setting schedules, booking travel arrangements, creating spreadsheets, answering phone calls, etc.
Computer skills are also very important, as is knowledge of certain common software programs like:
Word Processors (Microsoft Word, Google Documents)
Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets)
Blogging Platforms (WordPress)
Image Editors (Adobe Photoshop, Canva)
Social Media Tools (Tailwind, Buffer)
Just Another Day at the Office!
My Typical Day Working As Matt’s VA
While I’m going to share what my day looks like, there are all kinds of variations to this. Because virtual assistants can do all sorts of different tasks.
9 AM: Email Management Rise and shine! Time to check in on Slack.com (our team collaboration tool for organizing tasks, sending files and chatting about projects) to see if there’s anything to add to my to-do list for the week.
Next, I respond to and organize emails as well as approve blog comments — which can start to pile up overnight.
Matt receives a lot of similar questions & comments via email, so we have some standard replies for saving time. I save them as drafts and Matt adds his own personalizations before hitting “send”.
10 AM: Content Research & Blog Post Formatting I review Matt’s upcoming blog content, maybe do some extra research, or format unfinished blog posts so they’re ready to publish.
We are constantly working to improve Expert Vagabond content, updating older blog posts with more relevant information, plus adding maps or additional imagery to enhance the reader experience.
12 PM: Social Media Management Over the past few months, I’ve worked on creating Matt’s Pinterest ‘brand’, to ensure that there is a consistent look and feel between all of his pins. Creating some eye-catching pins using his images.
Once the Pinterest images are ready to go, it’s time to open up Tailwind to schedule the pins to go out for the next week. I create, source and schedule 15 – 20 pins per day.
Matt recently decided to try out Flipboard as another platform for sourcing and sharing content, so I usually spend 30-minutes updating our online Flipboard ‘magazines’ for the week.
Benefits Of Working As A Virtual Assistant
1. Work From Anywhere In The World
For me, this cancels out ALL of the disadvantages of VA work. I found out about this position when I was traveling through Asia earlier this year.
My bank account was telling me it was time to go home, but I wasn’t ready to stop traveling yet.
Having the opportunity to work from anywhere gave me the freedom to live life on my own terms. I can work from home, from a coffee shop, from a different city, or even a foreign country!
2. Cut Costs On Your Commute
When I worked in a typical office in Dublin, I would spend €11 and 2.5 hours on my commute every day.
Working from home allows me to save €220 every month – that’s €2,640 every year. That’s the price of a new camera or an incredible holiday abroad. I’ll take that over commuting any day!
3. Set Your Own Hours
If working the 9 – 5 grind works for you, stick at it! But if not, how about finding a job that allows you to work at a time that suits you.
Not much a morning person? Do the late shift. Not much of a night owl either? Not a problem, working from 11am to 7pm solves that problem. This is the kind of flexibility you just don’t find in a typical office environment.
4. Spend More Time With Your Family
What would you do if someone gave you an extra 2.5 hours in your day? I spend mine with the people I love, doing the things I used to have to save for the weekends.
I Often Work from Coffee Shops
The Downside Of Virtual Assistant Jobs
1. Loneliness
If you are thinking of getting into the digital nomad world, you’re going to have to get used to the idea of being alone.
There’s no one sitting beside you to support you or even just have a little chat with over lunch. If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you should look into co-working spaces or networking events that you can go to in the evenings to get some human interaction in your day.
2. Distractions
I’m learning how to master this slowly but surely…
When there is no one looking over your shoulder all day, making sure you are focused on the task at hand, it is easy to become distracted by anything and everything!
You have to remember that you will only get paid for the hours you actually complete, not the 40 minutes you spend daydreaming out the window.
3. Self Discipline
Tying in nicely with the last point, self-discipline is a skill. Technically, you are your own boss now, so you have to make sure that you get the task done on time.
If you lack in self-discipline, you will lag in productivity. Set yourself boundaries, time frames and rules – then stick to them.
How Much Money Can You Earn?
Virtual assistants can usually make between $10 to $35 an hour with a median hourly rate of about $16. It will really depend on your skills, qualifications, and experience level.
If you’re just doing data entry, the pay might not be that great.
But if you’ve built up some basic graphic design skills, understand WordPress, know how to edit videos and photography, have in-depth experience with social media platforms, or other specialized knowledge, you can earn more.
Where To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
If you’re ready to start making extra money on the side with a virtual assistant business, here are a few places to get started.
Freelancer Websites
FlexJobs
Upwork
People Per Hour
Social Media
Let your family and friends know you’re looking for a virtual assistant job by posting it on social media. Networking is a powerful tool. You may be surprised who knows someone that may be able to help you up with a job.
In fact, this is how I got my job! By posting on social media that I was looking for VA work.
Reach Out To Potential Clients
I’m sure you follow some professional bloggers, YouTube video creators, or social media influencers who you’d love to work with. It doesn’t hurt to send them all a quick message via email offering your services.
Be friendly, don’t be pushy, and if they aren’t hiring — maybe they know someone who is?
Tips For Landing Your First VA Position
Step 1: Work On Your Skills
The first step is to define the skills that you can use as a Virtual Assistant. Not sure if you have the right skills for the job? No problem!
Put some hours aside every week to learn skills and within a few months, you will be ready to put your new knowledge to the test.
There are millions of Youtube videos you can watch that will teach you how to run a successful social media campaign, manage calendar appointments, edit video on Final Cut Pro, create social media images using Adobe Photoshop and more.
You can also sign up to Skillshare to get unlimited access to over 23,000 classes.
Click here to sign up for a 2-month free trial, which is exactly what I did to improve my organizational skills, digital marketing, video editing and photography before I started to look for jobs online.
Step 2: Find The Right Industry
For me, I knew that I wanted to work in the travel industry so that immediately narrowed down my options.
A lot of people go straight to the internet to search for a job. I decided to start my job search using the “networking” route by telling everyone I knew what I wanted to do.
I told my family and friends “I’m looking for a Virtual Assisting role in the travel industry. If you know someone who might be able to help me, could you give them my details?”
Then I put the message out to my connections on Facebook and Instagram.
Within a week, a friend of mine posted that Matt from ExpertVagabond.com was looking for a virtual assistant! Moral of the story – put it out into the world, and the world will often support you.
Step 3: Create A CV & Cover Letter
Throw away that boring Microsoft Word CV that you created when you were 16 in computer class! It’s time for a modern upgrade.
My go-to tool for CV creation is Canva.com. Not only does it have a tonne of templates for you to use, but you can also customize them to really showcase your top skills and highlight the many reasons why someone should hire you.
Don’t be afraid to add a little bit of personality to your CV. Keep in mind that your potential employer is probably sifting through a hundred CV’s, so you want them to open yours and say “Ooooh, what’s this?”. Leave them feeling intrigued.
Please remember that your CV should only be 1 – 2 pages long and your cover letter should be 2 – 3 paragraphs maximum. Employers usually don’t have a lot of time to look at them, so you need to present the information as concisely as possible.
Step 4: Interview Prep
Now that you have nailed the CV & Cover Letter, it’s time to prepare for the interview stage.
It is almost 100% guaranteed that they are going to ask you to tell them more about yourself, so make sure to have a little elevator speech worked out in advance.
Remember you don’t have to solely focus on the business side of life. Give them an insight into your hobbies, where you get inspiration from and how your life has lead you to this new role.
This is your moment to show them exactly why you are perfect for their virtual assistant position, so take the time to discuss your skills, your experience, your education (even if it is just from Youtube and Skillshare!).
They will love to hear that you are constantly learning and improving your knowledge of the key skills needed for the role.
ALWAYS have 2 – 3 questions prepared to ask them at the end of the interview. If you don’t, it can look like you are not interested in finding out more about them or their business.
If they have already answered all of your questions throughout the interview, you can tell them the question you wanted to ask, and thank them for already answering it in so much detail.
Step 5: Go Above & Beyond
If you want to really knock their socks off, why not create an example of the work you will create for them.
Show them your social media image designs, or write out a sample travel blog post to show them how serious you are about taking these tasks off their hands.
Not only will you stand out from the crowd, but it will instantly build trust that you can get the job done.
In the past, I’ve created video CV’s for clients who have a background in Youtube and have even created a brand new CV in the style of my favorite book for a position to work with the book’s author.
You have to do whatever it takes to stand out from the hundreds of other candidates.
The truth is there are many advantages and disadvantages to this type of job, but if you can master the art of virtual assisting, the world is your oyster!
It takes dedication, drive and an enormous amount of self-discipline, but it is definitely a dream job that will give you the freedom to live life on your own terms (and travel if you want to).
If you are attempting to find a VA job at the moment, just remember that the first client is the hardest. If you can land that first client, the next 50 clients should be no problem.
So keep on trying, keep improving your skills, and don’t stop learning until you’re living it up swinging from a hammock somewhere with your laptop in one hand and a cocktail in the other! ★
BIO
Jess Glynn is the author of The Gap Year Guru and has worked in digital marketing for over 5 years, specializing in Social Media and Content Creation. In 2017, she decided to quit her job and write about her travels through Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines for 9 months. Follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter!
Virtual Assistant Job Resources
Remote Job Listing Websites
FlexJobs.com
Guavabean Facebook Group
Remote.co
Freelancer.com
Useful Tools & Software For VAs
Canva
Slack
Trello
WordPress
For more ways to make money while traveling, check out my Ultimate Travel-Friendly Job Guide.
Enjoy This Post? Pin It!
READ MORE TRAVEL TIPS
How To Find Online Translation Jobs Working On Sailing Yachts How I Make Money While Traveling Side Income Ideas: Earning Money From Home
Have any questions for Jess about working as a virtual assistant or landing your first job? Drop her a message in the comments below!
This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
from Tips For Traveling https://expertvagabond.com/become-virtual-assistant/
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The best way to Raise Reservations & Conversions in addition to The search engines Blogposts:
Are you presently looking at all the actual methods you would possibly use Google Content articles to set and satisfy brand name targets?
Odds are excellent you' ve heard of Google and yahoo Content at this time: the micro-operating a blog Search engines My Company dashboard feature which instantaneously populates articles in your Know-how Board and man or woman itemizing. We' re still just many weeks within the launch of this excellent MIami SEO expert functionality, application of which is certainly theorized considering that having a possibilities effect on neighborhood pack hunt locations. Whenever I recently heard Joel Headley detailing his incredibly artistic usage of Yahoo and google Content to enhance healthcare provider concerns , it' s anything I was previously excited to express while using Moz local community right here.
Joel Headley been working in excess of 10 years on regional and net look for from Google and yahoo. He' s now the particular Director of Local Search Engine Optimization as well as Advertising at health-related process development system PatientPop . He' s thoroughly consented to speak to me about how exactly their organization improved appointment reservations may be 11% for a lot of customer results through Yahoo Content articles.
How PatientPop made use of The search engines Articles to increase a reservation by 11Per cent
Miriam: So , Fran, The search engines supplies a proper reserving operate in their own product or service, but it isn' t easy to sign up within that will method, and it keeps individuals inside of " Google' s walled garden" rather than leading those to brand name-governed sources. While I lately mastered, PatientPop electrical energy costs quickly when Google and yahoo Content was ended up in 2017. Are you able to sum up personally what your organization created for the buyers like a reservation auto that didn' t will depend on Google' s booking process?
Fran: PatientPop wants to offer you sufferers a chance to make engagements right with regards to their doctor. By doing so, we're the Miami SEO Expert services. Search engines has already identified a small number of booking products. Inside of a just before iteration, there is a less complicated merchandise that was powered by schema and microforms, which often can have scaled to any person willing to put the schema.
Currently, these are adding their unique efforts regarding Hold with Yahoo , which requires a considerably more intense API incorporation. Whilst PatientPop would gladly provide even more services on yahoo, Hold in addition to Yahoo doesn't yet enable many our prospects, as outlined by their own guidelines . (Even so, the reservation services will probably be advertised by means of Yahoo and google My Corporation to those groups, that is a little complex. )
On top of that , any time you start the reserving widget, the reality is two trademarks: G Pay along with the scheduling software company. I'd prefer to see a merchandise that permits a doctor being entrance and middle throughout the total approach. An individual-health practitioner link is personal, and we'd choose to highlight you're arranging your health care provider, not PatientPop.
Mainly because we nevertheless could not obtain the CTAs exceptional to support with Yahoo, we saw that Engines like google Content can be a terrific vehicle for all of us to generally get the identical result.
When Google Content material very first started, I analyzed several approaches. The interaction price was decreased when compared to other elements in the major search engines listing. But , supplied there had been pregressive gain in traffic, it came out advantageous, if we could degree the item. It seemed like a practical solution to give arranging with Yahoo and google without needing to check out the hoops of the Charts Reserving (set aside with) API .
Miriam: Is practical! Now, I' ve launched a make believe illustration showing just what it resembles to work with Search engine listings Articles to punctual reservations, subsequent your testimonials to use a easy coloration being the picture background to linked to picture textual content really exposed. Truly does this appearance the same as what PatientPop does due to its customers and will you are offering strategies for the image dimensions and font dimension you' ve observed function very best?
Fran: Yes, that's rather just like the sorts of Articles we're posting in our purchaser entries. I evaluated a few photo forms, styles as well as service providers, some without a textual content, as well as the a lot less hectic photo with achievable written text is just what conducted the best. I came across that producing the photo look considerably more much like a button, with key-like textual content, improved upon just click-through fees way too - CTR tripled when compared with photos without a written text .
The image sizing we use is 750x750 with 48-factor font measurements. If one employs all the API, the image needs to be square popped when building the submit. Or else, Blogposts with the Search engines My Business user interface gives you an alternative to crop. The sole problem I actually have along with the posted edition in the photo: the cropping is normally unequal - it is sometimes centre-cropped, nevertheless in other cases, the bottom is stop. Rendering it not easy to forecast when on-appearance textual content material will appear. But we make it throughout the facility which commonly performs just about.
Miriam: And, when clicked on with, the The search engines Article takes you the client' s own web site, in which PatientPop software is being used to manage consultations - is always that appropriate?
Joel: Sure, the website is built by PatientPop. When picking Reserve, the affected person is often undertaken instantly to the provider's internet site the spot that the reserving widget is made available along with an session is usually preferred coming from the schedule. These consultations can be synced back in the practice's automated details program.
Miriam: Extremely neat! Once i understand it, PatientPop controls a huge number of buyer entries, necessitating the desire to deal with this usage of Yahoo Articles. Without having presenting any tips out, would you talk about a hyperlink to your API an individual utilised and let you know that you templatized the process of creating Blogposts at array?
Joel: Certainly! We were looking forward to Search engine listings to give Articles using the Search engines This Business API, because we desired to scale. As I possessed a bit of a heads-up that the API was emerging - Yahoo and google provided this function employing their GMB Very best Contributor party - we however was required to look forward to this to launch to find out the documents and give it a try. So , after the discharge news went on October eleven , with a few creators, i could implement the perfect solution for all those within our methods our next night. It was subsequently a pleasant, rapid gain for many people, however it had been a bit of a extended moment.: )
To acheive a little something out designed to promptly, we built web templates that may use data coming from the itemizing by itself just like the company name, category, in addition position. Like this, we had the ability to build a remain-all alone Python set of scripts that snapped up results from Google. When receiving the results, all of the itemizing written content features it, as well as brand, handle, furthermore classification. These figures are recommended from the listing to create Content articles then are sent to Yahoo and google. All of us host the pictures on AWS and reuse them by releasing the whole picture Web address with the submit. Which is a Python set of scripts which runs as a cron job on a frequent plan. If you're fresh to the API, the specific tough component is authorization, but the GMB area might help solution inquiries there.
Miriam: Seriously impressive execution! 1 query: Yahoo Posts expire immediately after 7 days except if they could be activities, so might be you fundamentally automating re-publishing of the reservation element for each and every listing just about every seven days?
Joel: Most of us create Content articles each and every seven days for virtually every our techniques. Like that, we will blend in the information and images put on any given practice. We're also together with a second weekly publish for approaches that supply artistic products and services. We'll possibly be establishing far more Blog posts for unique apply forms going forward, too.
Miriam: Now for fascinating part, Joel! What might you tell me concerning the increase in appointments this application of Search engines like yahoo Content articles has provided for the customers? And, will you also be sure to summarize what parameters and products you happen to be utilizing to follow this development?
Joel: To monitor clicks from item listings on search engines like google, we use UTM parameters. We will be able to then path the authority website page, the skills (food list) Link, the take a look at Website, and also the Blogposts URL.
While I being a miami SEO expert primary managed this kind of investigation, I considered the common out of the last 3 weeks of periods compared to the 4 days or weeks after discharge. Through that time, I spotted practically an 8% boost in online concerns. I've because incorporated the full 1st 7-day period of introduction. It shows an 11Per cent regular boost in on-line reservations. Additionally , for the reason that we're following each individual Hyperlink inside the awareness board independently, I was able to with confidence say there's no cannibalization connected to mouse clicks using their company Web addresses as a consequence of like Blogposts. Even though guru website page CTR stayed constant, services lost in excess of ten percent of the click throughs and reserved scheduled visit Web addresses received ten percent. That signifies to me that does not only are classified as the Posts good at driving a car sessions while using Content articles CTA, it focuses on the current appointment CTA also. That was inside the situation of no added piece modifications on our aspect.
Miriam: Perfect, as a result , a lot of our subscribers will likely be employing Google' s Small Business Web addresses (commonly used for connecting to be able to food list) to supply an " Appointments" weblink. Among the most thrilling takeaways away from the application is the fact that making use of Yahoo Blogposts to aid bookings didn' t pick up interest outside the consultation hyperlink, which seems higher up within the Knowledge Panel. Will you describe las vegas dui lawyer see the The search engines Blog posts click throughs are additive as opposed to subtractive?
Joel: The specific " make appointment" weblink will get a bigger CTR than Content articles, therefore it shouldn't be prevented. Nonetheless , given that
Content articles include an appearance, I actually suspect it could be drawing in another form of consumer, which happens to be a lot more primed so as to talk with pictures. And furthermore, as we're therefore distinct on the particular connection we may like (scheduled appointment reservation), both using the CTA along with the appearance, it appears to be to transform nicely. And, as I reported around, it appears to help you the session Internet addresses far too.
Miriam: I became genuinely for that reason satisfied with all your creative thinking within this, Fran. It' s just fantastic to look at simple things like this small amount of Search engines display properties and ask, " At this stage, how could I take advantage of this to the best possible impact? " The search engines Content articles permits entrepreneurs to include web links marked Tutorial, Get Internet, Get, Get More Information, Sign-up, to get Deliver. The " Book" characteristic is certainly an ideal match for the company' s health care provider clients, yet given your obvious skills created for wondering beyond the container, will you have virtually any innovative suggestions for other types of provider versions while using the other pre-established website link alternatives?
Fran: I' m truly interested in the gatherings aspect, in truth. Because you can create a very long-resided article while putting a feeling of urgency by using a time-certain situation. Activities consist of restricted-time gives, much like a purchase on the unique product or service, or signups for that e-newsletter designed to have a coupon code. You may use most of the website link brands you've in the over list for any given function. And, I believe using the image-as-button vision can really crank out success. I'd want to see an image along with words Use promotion code XYZ546 now ! together with the Receive Supply button. I picture quite a few business kinds, in particular store, might showcase their short time gives without paying others to promote your discount coupons furthermore specials by way of Blogposts.
Miriam: Predetermined, Joel, there are several truly exciting options for imaginative utilize on this page. Thanks a lot for those inspiring comprehension you' ve shared with our local community these days!
In a position to make the most of Google and yahoo Content?
Testimonials is usually a problem to take care of . The search engines Q& A could be a combined a fact good thing . But so far as I will find out, Content material are an unalloyed current from The search engines. Here' s what you just need to do to begin making use of them now to get a sole spot within your enterprise:
Log inside your Search engines My Business dash board and select the " Posts" tab on the outstanding food selection.
Decide which typically from the alternatives, labeled " Control tactics, " is definitely the proper physically fit to the business. It might be " Guide, " or it can be another thing, like " Warning sign up" or " Buy. " Go through the " Put a Button" alternative from the Search engines Blogposts sorcerer. Be certain the Web link you receive into involves an UTM parameter for observing reasons.
Submit the 750x750 appearance. Joel suggests by using a uncomplicated-colored background highly visible 42-issue font measurements for transitioning this impression right into a CTA switch-design graphical. You might need to try cropping the.
Otherwise, you possibly can make a conference, that may bring about your content to remain survive through the day out of the occasion.
Textual content includes a minimum 100-character and highest possible 300-identity restriction. I would suggest publishing an item that would most likely entice end users to just click to obtain past the minimize-off position, precisely because it appears to me there presently exists numerous screen measures on various products. It' s also recommended that you make message of that Yahoo Content articles are mentioned written content. Original tests are uncovering that simply using Articles might develop local prepare rankings, yet still there is also a fascinating theory that they are an individual for too long-tail key word optimization tests being a Miami SEO Expert. As outlined by Mike Blumenthal :
"... If there are actually truly prolonged-tail terms, where by the power to enrich relevance isn't up against a great number of headwinds, then this is the alert that Search engines may understand and support enhance the fishing boat to the longer-tail manifestation. My exposure to it absolutely was it failed to work effectively on mind key phrases, and it also may necessitate some number of communication just for this to totally effectively work. To put it differently, I'm uncertain merely the term alone however the term with please click-throughs for the Content may be the actual induce to this. It's not totally clear nevertheless. "
You could analyze your submit before you decide to attack the actual share button.
Your personal publish will remain stay for seven days. From then on, it will be enough time to post a completely new one particular.
When you have to accomplish at scale all over various items, re-browse Joel' s description through the API and coding PatientPop will be using. It will need some accomplishing, but an 11% rise in visits would likely cause it to really worth the expenditure! Furthermore obviously, if however you be marketing and advertising medical treatment service providers, exploring PatientPop' s prepared-produced remedy can be practical.
Nobody takes pleasure in a soccer ball-hog
I' m enjoying the growth of Yahoo Articles and reviews with rapt attraction. At the moment, they can reside on Awareness Individual panels in addition listings, but granted that they are discovered, it' s not difficult they are able to inevitably result in the natural SERPs. No matter if that possibly occurs, whatever we have at the moment in this aspect is one area which provides prompt newsletter on the buyer community in turn for really humble efforts.
Perhaps even most of all, Articles and reviews give ways to bring consumers by Search engines to your particular website , the place where you have total power over online messaging. That sole pleasure has become significantly challenging as abundant-aspect SERPs (and even solo benefits ) maintain searchers Yahoo and google-sure. We wonder if school kids nevertheless yell " golf ball-hog" whenever a classmate do not relinquish ball control and grow they competitor. In the meantime, for in the area companies, Google Content articles could be a precious opportunity for your model to handle specific tennis ball.
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Tips on how to Supercharge Reservations & Conversions alongside The search engines Content articles:
Are you looking into all the specific means you may use Google and yahoo Posts to create and meet up with product goals?
Chances are fantastic you' ve come across Google and yahoo Blog posts at the moment: the small-blogging and site-building Google My Provider dash board feature which immediately populates content on your Understanding Board and person listing. We' re nevertheless just a few months into your discharge of this excellent MIami SEO expert ability, utilization of and that is theorized because using a likely influence over local prepare look for opportunities. When I lately heard Joel Headley talking about his incredibly innovative using Google Posts to help increase healthcare provider a reservation , it' s anything I was once ecstatic to discuss with all the Moz neighborhood below.
Joel Headley proved helpful more than 10 years on neighborhood and website hunt from Yahoo. He' s the particular Director of Local Search Engine Optimization and also Advertising and marketing at medical care perform improvement system PatientPop . He' s meticulously consented to chat with me regarding how their provider improved visit reservations can be 11Percent for numerous customer entries by means of Yahoo Content.
How PatientPop utilised Google Content to enhance a reservation by 11Per cent
Miriam: So , Fran, Google provides a proper reservation function in their possess solution, however it isn' t always easy to participate in because will process, and it also maintains end users on the inside " Google' s walled garden" instead of guiding these phones manufacturer-governed assets. Because I lately acquired, PatientPop electricity charges quickly when Yahoo Blogposts was proved in 2017. Are you able to review personally what your small business created for your clients to be a making your reservation for automobile that didn' t rely on Google' s reserving program?
Fran: PatientPop wants to deliver affected individuals a chance to make meetings direct using their healthcare provider. In that way, we're the Miami SEO Expert services. Google and yahoo has founded some arranging goods. Inside of a right before iteration, there had been a simpler product which was run by schema and microforms, which may have scaled to everyone happy to increase the schema.
These days, they are placing their distinct work powering Reserve with Google and yahoo , which needs a much further API incorporation. Even though PatientPop would be happy to provide much more services on yahoo, Hold along with Yahoo doesn't nevertheless enable the vast majority of our consumers, based on their particular procedures . (However, the booking services shall be promoted through Search engines My Provider to those groups, which is actually little complicated. )
Moreover , in the event you open the arranging widget, the simple truth is two trademarks: G Shell out as well as the making your reservation for software supplier. I'd want to go to a product that permits the doctor to always be entry and middle from the overall operation. A patient-doctor link is individual, and we'd love to highlight you're reserving your physician, not PatientPop.
For the reason that we even now could not get the CTAs exceptional to hold on to with Search engines, we pointed out that The major search engines Content articles may be a good automobile for people to essentially receive the very same consequence.
When The search engines Material initially introduced, I examined a small number of strategies. The connections fee was reduced compared to other components in the various search engines itemizing. But , granted there seemed to be pregressive gain in targeted traffic, it sprang out advantageous, whenever we could degree an item. It looked like a invaluable approach to provide booking with Yahoo and google without the need to go through the hoops of your Charts Scheduling (reserve with) API .
Miriam: Is smart! Now, I' ve resulted in a make feel demonstration of exactly what resembles to make use of The major search engines Posts to punctual reservations, following your suggestions try using a uncomplicated shade as being the photo background to linked to picture text very apparent. Really does this seem comparable to what PatientPop does to its consumers and can you offer tips for the image dimensions and typeface sizing you' ve found purpose ideal?
Fran: Yes, that's quite exactly like the sorts of Articles we're posting for our shopper listings. I reviewed several appearance sorts, types along with services, some without wording, in addition to the significantly less hectic picture with doable text message is just what carried out the most effective. I discovered that helping to make the graphic appear considerably more much like a switch, with key-like textual information, increased click on-through charges too - CTR tripled in comparison with pictures without wording .
The whole picture size we employ is 750x750 with 48-position typeface measurements. If one employs the specific API, the whole picture need to be square popped when building the posting. In any other case, Blogposts while using the Google My Business interface provides you with a possibility to crop. Really the only matter I actually have together with the published model from the picture: the cropping is often unequal - sometimes it is middle-cropped, but in other cases, the bottom is stop. Which makes it challenging to anticipate when on-impression textual content material can look. But we keeping it around the middle which usually works just about.
Miriam: And, when clicked with, the Google Blog post takes you the client' s own web site, where by PatientPop application is being used to stop appointments - is always that correct?
Joel: Without a doubt, your website is made by PatientPop. When deciding on Publication, the sufferer might be used on to the provider's webpage where the making your reservation for widget is opened along with an session is often chosen in the schedule. These sessions is usually synced directly back to the practice's automated info program.
Miriam: Very tidy! Whenever i comprehend it, PatientPop manages numerous customer postings, necessitating the call to cope with this using of Google Content. Without presenting any secrets away, could you discuss the link towards the API somebody utilised and let you know that you templatized the procedure of generating Content at collection?
Joel: Certain! We were waiting for Search engines to provide Blog posts through the Search engines The Business Enterprise API, due to the fact we desirable to level. As I had somewhat of a heads-up which the API was returning - Yahoo and google embraced this element employing their GMB Top rated Contributor party - we nevertheless was required to look forward to this to launch to discover the paperwork and give it a try. So , when the launch announcement proceeded to go on October 11 , with a few makers, i was able to carry out the remedy for those in our strategies our next nighttime. It was subsequently an enjoyable, quick get for us, despite the fact that it was somewhat of a prolonged working day.: )
To obtain a thing out that can swiftly, we designed web themes which might use information from the itemizing itself similar to the company name, grouping, plus position. Doing this, we were able to create a stay-by itself Python script that snapped up item listings from Google and yahoo. When receiving the results, every one of the listing written content comes along with it, such as brand, address, and also category. These valuations are being used from the listing to make Blogposts then are published to Yahoo and google. All of us run the images on AWS and reuse them by distributing the image Website using the article. Which is a Python script which operates like a cron task over a frequent program. If you're a newcomer to the API, the specific challenging component is authorization, nevertheless the GMB local community can certainly help option problems there.
Miriam: Really incredible rendering! A single query: Google and yahoo Content end after 1 week except in cases where they could be situations, so may be you generally automating re-posting of your booking element for every itemizing each a week?
Joel: Everyone produce Content every a week for every our practices. Doing this, we are able to put together up the material and images put on any perform. We're also together with a next per week article for solutions that supply visual products and services. We'll possibly be releasing additional Blog posts for specific practice sorts going forward, also.
Miriam: Now for the most enjoyable factor, Joel! What else could you let me know pertaining to the rise in appointments this use of Search engines like yahoo Blogposts has supplied for your personal clientele? And, would you also you need to explain what guidelines and merchandise you are utilizing to trace this expansion?
Joel: To track mouse clicks from listings on various search engines, we use UTM parameters. We can then monitor the authority webpage, the support (menus) Web link, the pay a visit to Web link, along with the Blog posts Link.
Once I being a miami SEO expert first managed this specific assessment, I considered the average coming from the last 3 weeks of consultations in comparison to the 4 times following launch. Through that time, I found just about an 8Percent surge in on the net concerns. I've given that added the whole 1st week of release. It screens an 11Percent average boost in on-line bookings. Moreover , due to the fact we're keeping track of each individual Website link within the expertise panel individually, I was able to confidently say there's no cannibalization related to mouse clicks off their Web addresses as a result of such as Blogposts. Though expert website page CTR stayed constant, professional services lost much more than ten percent of your mouse clicks and planned session URLs gained 10%. That implies in my opinion that not only are classified as the Content effective in driving consultations with the Content articles CTA, it highlights the current visit CTA far too. It was throughout the framework of no more piece adjustments on our side.
Miriam: Right, consequently , some of our followers will probably be using Google' s Local Business Web addresses (frequently used for connecting in an effort to menus) to supply an " Appointments" weblink. One of the more exhilarating takeaways from your rendering is employing Search engines Blogposts to aid bookings didn' t pick up interest beyond the appointment hyperlink, which appears to be larger up within the Know-how Solar panel. Are you able to talk about las vegas dui lawyer feel the The search engines Content articles click throughs are ingredient as opposed to subtractive?
Joel: The particular " make appointment" web page link will get a greater CTR than Blog posts, thus it shouldn't be ignored. Having said that , considering the fact that
Blog posts feature an graphic, I actually think it could be drawing in another variety of individual, which can be a lot more primed to be able to connect to visuals. And furthermore, as we're thus specific on the level of connections we may like (consultation arranging), either with all the CTA as well as the impression, this indicates to transform properly. And, once i explained in excess of, it seems to help you the appointment Web handles very.
Miriam: I had been actually therefore impressed along with your creative thinking in this, Fran. It' s just fantastic to look into something as simple as this small amount of Search engines screen real estate investment and get, " After all this, how could I personally use this to ideal impact? " The search engines Posts enables company owners to add back links tagged Tutorial, Purchase On the internet, Buy, Gather More Information, Sign-up, to get Offer. The " Book" characteristic is certainly the perfect complement for those company' s medical doctor clientele, nevertheless supplied your clear natural talent designed for wondering beyond your pack, would you have any type of inventive tips on other sorts of corporation styles making use of the other pre-establish website link solutions?
Fran: I' m truly serious about the activities characteristic, the truth is. Because you can create a longer-lived publish while including a sense of urgency simply by using a time-limited perspective. Activities include minimal-time delivers, for instance a selling about the particular system, or signups for the e-zine which will add a discount code. You might use all the url labels you've on the earlier mentioned checklist for virtually any supplied occurrence. And, I believe with the appearance-as-switch school of thought can truly create effects. I'd want to see a picture as well as text message Use promotion policy XYZ546 now ! while using Receive Provide option. I visualize many small business forms, specially retail industry, can emphasize their short time provides without paying other manufacturers to advertise your discount codes and also discounts by way of Blogposts.
Miriam: Agreed, Joel, there are numerous in fact thrilling business opportunities for artistic make full use of here. Thank you so much for those striking realizing you' ve given to our local community nowadays!
Able to make the most of Google and yahoo Blogposts?
Evaluations can be quite a problem to look after . Search engines QAndamp; A could be a combined real true blessing . But as far as I will learn, Articles are an unalloyed current from The search engines. Here' s what you simply need to do to begin using them right this moment to secure a sole position of your own organization:
Log in your Engines like google My Company dashboard and click the " Posts" tab inside the staying menus.
Select which often with the solutions, labeled " Command secrets, " will be the appropriate healthy for the company. It could be " Guide, " or it could be another thing, like " Signal up" or " Get. " Select the " Incorporate a Button" selection within the Google and yahoo Content articles sorcerer. Be certain the Web address you obtain into features an UTM parameter for checking purposes.
Submit the 750x750 impression. Joel advocates utilizing a simple-decorated background and exceptionally visible 42-level font dimensions for changing this photo in to a CTA option-design and style image. You may want to try out cropping the.
Otherwise, you possibly can make a celebration, that will bring about your article to remain survive throughout the time frame through the celebration.
Text incorporates a the bare minimum 100-persona and highest possible 300-character restriction. I would recommend writing an issue that would certainly attract end users to simply click to obtain past the lower-out of level, exclusively since it seems to me that you have numerous display screen lengths on diverse products and solutions. It' s also smart to make notice of the Google and yahoo Posts are mentioned content material. Primary testing is uncovering that only implementing Blog posts may improve neighborhood pack rankings, however additionally there is an appealing hypothesis they are an candidate for very long-tail key word search engine optimization assessments as being a Miami SEO Expert. In accordance with Mike Blumenthal :
"... If there are actually actually very long-tail terms, where the capability to enhance importance isn't up against countless headwinds, then this is a transmission that Search engines may well identify and aid increase the fishing boat for that extended-tail term. My knowledge about it was actually it did not effectively work on top of your head words, and it likewise may require some level of relationship because of this to totally effectively work. Put simply, I'm uncertain only the key phrase itself even so the term with click-throughs around the Articles may be the specific trigger to this very. It's not entirely distinct however. "
You can actually analyze your publish prior to strike all the submit key.
Your personal publish will remain stay for a week. From then on, it will be time for you to submit a new one.
If you wish to execute at scale across a number of items, re-browse Joel' s information coming from the API and programming PatientPop are going to be employing. It should take some performing, yet still an 11Per cent surge in sessions could very well make it really worth the investment decision! Additionally definitely, in the event you be advertising and marketing health care companies, exploring PatientPop' s prepared-manufactured option could be clever.
No person really likes a baseball-hog
I' m viewing the roll-out of Google and yahoo Posts with rapt curiosity. Right this moment, they will likely are living on Know-how Individual panels plus results, but supplied they are observed, it' s not impossible they could gradually finish up in the natural SERPs. Regardless of whether that ever before occurs, everything we have right now with this characteristic is something that provides instant distribution to the shopper average person in exchange for quite humble time and effort.
Perhaps even more to the point, Content articles give ways to provide end users by way of Google and yahoo on your private website , in places you have total command over text messaging. That solo pleasure is now extremely tough as rich-aspect SERPs (and perhaps sole outcomes ) hold visitors Google-bound. We speculate if institution little ones nonetheless yell " tennis ball-hog" if a classmate will not likely relinquish golf ball handle and grow the team competitor. At the moment, for in close proximity corporations, Search engines Posts might be a beneficial opportunity for your product to handle the selected golf ball.
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Restaurant Design - A Involving Green Living Has To Attempt To Do With Common Sense
Restaurant Design - A Involving Green Living Has To Attempt To Do With Common Sense
By: Daniel Wilson
Image Source: Dezeen
If you're studying on restaurant design, then possible a good understanding of what's out there on the. Perhaps you could havefigured out that not all you understand will apply to you. With regards to about this that you need to think about linked topicsthat will have a direct touching on you. The maddening aspect about you could discover you in order to perform paydayloans no fax research. The net is massive, indeed, may well be really irritating if you cannot quite nail down focus of thefinal pieces for the puzzle. This really is some extra, and important, clues about restaurant design that question will be beneficial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llGRSqtQeyk
Youtube Source: trickPics
Now Restaurant City is just like its name. You build a restaurant, design it, keep it clean, all that good clothes. For those whichare into simulation games regarding example Simcity, the Sims, that a good game get rid of. I'm obsessed over those games,I can play them for several hours. Which explains all of the time I've wasted on Restaurant Site. I would seriously turnit on the actual world morning and then suddenly thing I know, it's 6 nufactured.m. Where'd the day go?? The overall gameitself is reasonably boring, very little so much you construct.
Restaurant Kitchen Design - Convert Car To Electric And Help Preserve The Environment
Restaurant Design an area that includes many nuances and more specific pores and skin information. For anybody who is operatingfrom their sound base of information that is accurate, you will subsequently be happier with your results. The good newsfor you is in which a substantial associated with the time and energy has been done Best Design Restaurant.
As for my fiance's General Tso's chicken, it had been fried just right, drenched in a dark rich General Tso's sauce. The cuts werehuge -- I could barely fit it into my mouth -- and it was sweet, rich, and slightly hot. The chicken was so moist and the twoof us loved who's. He couldn't finish his plate either.
Playing Barbie games is among the most popular items featured here. Anyone haven't tested out such games and like to playthem want must possess a tryout in these websites. Play games like 'Restaurant Design', 'Room Decoration' 'Party TimeBarbie' and lots of other interesting games. Many of these games vary in different websites and will never get dreary.
I am certain you have heard of the three R' ings. Reuse, recycle and reduce. Few lot of household items do not belong globetrash can, like glass and paper and even metals are recyclable, as well as thus recycle these individuals. Simply gatherthem and bring them to be able to recycling center or even place them into the recycling bins. If you find stuff throughoutyour home which perhaps you may use over and over again, do it, dissimilar to tossing it away as well as becomingnew supplements.
Fruits and vegetable leftovers make wonderful composting material, as extremely an associated with carbon and nitrogen. Othertable leftovers work well also, except insects and animals tend to be attracted when left over bones are part of your scraps.There are a bunch several other products, though that will work, including eggshells, pine needles, seaweed and kelp,grass or shrub clippings, together with coffee grounds. Other things could possibly be used also are sawdust, wood chips,corn stalks, wood ash, tea leaves, and cardboard or shredded magazines. It's usually the often most successful idea wheneverpests are not the compost pile covered to keep bugs away like fruit flies. When you've got add new materials, greatestto include lime or calcium in the top of one's compost. With doing this will help eliminate scent coming from your ownpersonal pile.
Design the exterior: You should definitely have a fine paint on the lateral side walls of one's restaurant that plays an awesomerole in inviting invitees. Hire professionals to landscape the exterior space (if you have some). Attach an awning onoutside wall will certainly provide shade and also protect from passing bath areas. You can also use them as accessories toboost your workers versatility and usefulness of your outside position. How about having a dining arrangement under the shadefrom the awning. Couples will love it.
Every company needs to look professional and much more particularly true when it comes down to meals is industry. Chef uniformsand formal wear for leading of the home can make or break a fine restaurant and need to be selected with considerablelook after. You want in order to a good impression, whether your chefs are visible or not to the front of your property.
The efficiency of both alternative energy systems banks on the environment where might put by using. While they get little suninside year, Japan and Germany are the leaders due to concerns improving solar strength. The wind turbines, while clean,can produce a landscape look ugly and are noisy. It is going to take a large amount of solar arrays or turbines, in orderto a great number of an electrical source. It is essential that the dimensions these renewable power systems satisfy theneeds on the particular discipline. Some regions can make the most of power during day time and use wind power at nights.
Ideally, simply like with a lot of other areas regarding Restaurant Design, you will require to pay more attention to some thingsthan some other. What is more important for it's possible you'll be less so for others, anyone have think about your uniqueconditions. Of course there pretty an a lot more to be learned. Extinguish half for this article offer you more solid informationabout this. May all about offering information that builds on itself, and think you will value which unfortunately.
Tile last forever you shouldn't be trendy. Within the life a good eaterie ceramic tile will final a long time, so strategy on living utilizingit an extended time. Inside the event choose a fashionable tile is usually going to go to out of favor prior going withoutrunning shoes wears out. Many restaurateurs find a cafe a great old coffee shop. The design work might be to a little re-brandingwhile space with fresh concepts to maintain your owners costs down. Bear in mind restaurants can company. If yourtile was the hot and trendy thing 5yrs ago in your to rip it out if today's bistro. It is not wrong to comply making use of restauranttrends, the challenge for the talented design expert is going to be do it wisely with finishes which can be effortlesslychanged like paint and garment.
Finally, the quality of the vinyl one more crucial factor because it must have to be versus oils, grease, and other types of sweat.You will want to make without it functions scrim supported backing and is of sufficient thickness to supply high impact strengthand prevent possible tearing or cracking. Clear vinyl want to lay flat and be fairly thick, as top quality imported vinyl normallygets wavy occasion.
The Kung Pao chicken looked delicate. It was rich brown, layered in a spicy sauce with nuts and pears. My mouth burned whenI ate it (Kung Pao's allowed to be spicy) horrifying than loved the software. 3/4 of my plate was filled with Kung Pao chicken,and i also had trouble finishing the product. Now I'm a big eater, very first pretty exceptional. I ended up asking for atake-out box and ate the rest later.
One of the areas for you exists huge wastage is inside paper items. We need to ask ourselves how many trees were broughtdown in order to reports our whims. There is more carbon dioxide in the air now keeps growing trees living off the carbondioxide are gradually being wiped out. It's difficult to ascertain the associated with having fewer trees style of an impactnevertheless. To help this situation, there are many ways to scale back the associated with paper products, not just athome, but work too.
In mere seconds you can discover several possibly surprising pieces of data concerning restaurant design that all of us thinkrealizing what's good really similar to that of. But by no means think the reason all there is, quite the contrary we have gotto say that. It is just that folks make honest slipups merely are misinformed, but day-to-day activities help you avoid that pitfall,overall.
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Mobile No:- +1 917-668-8461
For More Information: https://www.sprakdesign.com/restaurant-interior-designers
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Perfect For Your Family By Jessica Thomson
"Last September was my daughter's birthday, so I gave her a motorcycle as my gift. They have limitless special order capibilities and have been recognized to supply a last minute marriage ceremony (of 178 individuals) with matching custom-made Havaianas in 6 days. Should you've ever wanted to discover what it felt wish to be an Egyptian pharaoh, Roman warrior or a Greek thinker, a Mediterranean cruise may give you simply that opportunity.. Places like Acropolis of Athens, Tower of the Winds, Hadrian's Library, Temple of Athena Nike, Propylaea, Agios Eleftherios Church, Jewish Museum of Greece, National Museum of Modern Art, Tzistarakis Mosque, Kaisariani Monastery, Outdated Parliament Home, Athens Warfare Museum, Herakleidon Art Museum, Omonoia Sq., Arch of Hadrian, Theatre of Dionysus, Nationwide Garden, Odeon of Herodes Atticus, Temple of Hephaestus and plenty of extra websites are the most superb locations the place yow will discover the true spirits of Athens. The black raspberry, Rubus occidentalis, also called the wild black raspberries or the black cap raspberry was launched in America within the 1840s by Nicholas Longworth of Ohio and was an amazing addition to cultivated fruit to be grown everywhere. In that case, you'll be able to organize a seven day cruise which includes three nights on this beautiful metropolis and then your cruise begins. Kos is an island with beaches, agriculture and archaeology. Recognized for its excessive-quality products and wonderful, rich taste, Greek food is some of the greatest on this planet. Physicians and nurses are in demand in each nation on the earth and it's easy to search out work abroad. It was partially reconstructed over eighty years ago. He believed that sports upsurge peace and convey folks all over the world, collectively. Locri, population thirteen thousand, was founded about twenty-seven hundred years in the past by a Greek tribe. The wood walnut columns (and later, marble) on the Acropolis that stand above town had been transformed into her human image (catyatides) that at this time might be seen by vacationers in Athens, Greece. Italians, in any case, have gained the prize for essentially the most outgoing folks in Europe. Several boats leave Pothia to visit neighboring islands comparable to Pserimos and Nera. You can see many different types of birds on the island since hunting was banned sixteen years in the past. Once the games concluded, there was a general consensus that developers had overbuilt apartments in Greece, once more particularly in and around the capital metropolis. An excellent proposal kit will embody a whole bunch of templates that you can use in any proposal, together with all of the subjects mentioned above. It takes a little bit effort on the part of the journey nurse to cut back expectations based mostly on time. That is an ancient Minoan Palace that attracts a number of guests yearly. The town has this wonderful range of theaters and art galleries that provide not just massive amount of data to its visitors, but also is succesful to entertain with an interactive and zealous way. Once more, in the aftermath of the Olympic Games, many real estate analysts keep that the nation - particularly in and round Athens - has been overbuilt, at the least to some degree. First of all, and as was famous, Greece is a very fashionable journey and vacationer destination. It's said that your sweat should begin to take on a sweet scent much like that of maple syrup when the fenugreek is starting to work. There is also an unofficial gay seaside area at Limanakia, which is south of Athens and a preferred hangout for men. This text will talk about a number of of probably the most famous sites in Athens, so that you can be properly acquainted with them earlier than you embark on a visit to the town of Athens, Greece. There are a few retailers in these markets which can be pioneer in the metropolis to sell out distinctive and vintage items including furniture, books, previous digital objects, gadgets, music data, household items and much more. Keep at the Hilton Athens Resort and enjoy the fabulous view of the Acropolis earlier than leaving in your cruise. Beaches and the ocean should not exempt. It's advisable to do test patch behind the cantle where it cannot be seen prior to any use of a cleaning product. Anticipate to get misplaced as you wander the town streets on foot - a cab will bail you out once you're finished exploring for the day. In those historic instances it was a traditional follow to chill out and luxuriate in lengthy hot soaks, not only was it a ritual but indeed greater than that as it was recognized to convey aid from the aches and pains of life. If you want to see some Egyptian artifacts, there's also some on exhibit right here. It is dwelling to the Nationwide Museum of Better Greece, a very important archeological museum. It's simply that Paul was being very specific by citing explicit folks concerned in a selected relationship. Might and June are among the greatest months to go to most European nations. Different minor species of walnuts include the Heartnut walnut tree,” ‘Juglans ailantifolia,' that's as hardy because the American black walnut, simply grown, very productive, particularly after the timber grow older. The well-known poet Gabriele D'Annunzio known as the Falcomata promenade by the sea the most lovely kilometer in Italy, and, imagine me, it has a lot of competitors. You have in all probability noticed how a lot food costs have gone up in simply the last year alone, they usually're certain to maintain going up. It's only a sensible idea to retailer up now earlier than costs get a lot larger. Although, the revival of Athens' financial system was majorly played by the tourism, but for those who still need to save lots of a fortune in your voyage, you'll be able to try dwelling in the native hostels, use the public transport and get 24-hour ticket available in lower than EUR 5. Eating in Athens is absolutely various and for those who can stay with consuming at the meals joints somewhat than those fancy restaurants, you can save a good fortune. By the ownership of this sort of real estate, people - including prolonged families -can get pleasure from extended holidays in Greece. Little Venice is in style for its Venetian houses and brightly-colored balconies that reach right to the water's edge. In comparing the food pyramid of the United States in opposition to the Mediterranean food regimen, folks of the Mediterranean consumed fruits, greens and grain simply as Individuals do. The main distinction lies in the fact that Americans devour more pink meat. Numerous smaller islands that are not heavily advertised, and island satellites to famous ones usually fall under this class and can be ultimate places for those that wish to explore the choice Greece. Cruise ships have nice travel choices and a flight package that has been put together very well will also embody wonderful funds touring alternatives. If you are traveling domestically and have plans to discover as a lot places as attainable, avoid native transport options because the routes may confuse you and take much more time in city site visitors; as a substitute, take a moped on rent and discover the local streets for food, buying and different actions in mainland cities. As with any nation you're touring in, or settling in, in case you at least make an attempt to speak the language then the native folks shall be most appreciative and welcome you with open arms. The raisins could be stored for months to be eaten at a later time, centuries earlier than advanced civilizations discovered the way to preserve meals artificially by canning and freezing. Fenugreek remains to be used for this goal to this present day, and you might be surprised to learn how it truly works. Day excursions are in style as a result of they can help you see the preferred websites in an space when you are strapped for time or plan to spend nearly all of your trip in a different space. So if you're planning on utilizing a automotive arranging it forward of time is all the time good choice. Distinctive pottery that ranks as artwork was produced on a few of the Aegean islands, in Crete, and in the rich Greek colonies of southern Italy and Sicily. See Parthenon and admire each handmade sculpted design on the marble. Hiring a car can be cost effective and will make your life and your vacation easier in some ways; it is possible for you to to enjoy the view of the island, and not solely plan your travels to the websites you need to see however, most significantly, your on a regular basis go to to the seashore! The assumption generally expressed however which I do not accept is that it is only pure sizzling springs which have any useful healing effect as the chemical substances in these swimming pools are alleged to have magical cures, however it's in truth simply simply the warm water that does the trick! The nation of Greece is dotted with a few of the most extraordinary resort, trip and holiday locations to be found anyplace on this planet. The garden is full of yellow weaver birds busy building nests on the thorn bushes and Maya is busy building sand castles on the seaside. The island makes an incredible getaway if it's peace and quiet you want. It dates back to Ancient Greece and it has a seating capacity of 5,000 - 6,000 people. There are scores of people who select these seashore resorts as a result of it offers them a super atmosphere to spend time with your loved ones. Whereas ninety% of its vacationers come from different European countries, in recent years there have been growing numbers of holiday makers from different elements of the world too. To soak in somewhat culture, the island of Mykonos has many museums in your enjoyment. From 1994, the video games of various seasons were held in separate years. Allowing households the power to take lengthy walks, tan, go sailing and snorkeling, go to the volcano on Santorini Island and stop by the hot springs. Many of the instances, these spending are primarily performed on things like flight charges, meals and accommodation costs, different extra costs, to call just a few. Several beautiful islands where individuals can have enjoyable throughout their vacations are current with in the nation. cheap flights jet Only components in and around Athens had democratically elected councils to look after their people. Crete, Dodecanese, Naxos, Santorini and Mykonos are some great islands that are common amongst visitors in Greece. Traveling Greece by prepare is a wonderful expertise for the foreign tourists and most of those trains' tickets are available on 90 days advance booking. I've the pleasure of working with Larry Gluck, Founding father of Mission: Renaissance, the world's largest fantastic artwork program, who has himself been in the effective arts for fairly a while. Third, some persons are just curious and need to expend their data about Greeks tradition. The Nice Sphinx that stands at Giza near the Nice Pyramid in Egypt is 240 feet lengthy and approximately sixty six ft excessive and is among the most famous monuments on the planet.
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162: A system for your marketing and promotion
When you’re creating systems for your business, it’s likely you’re creating those systems around specific tasks and projects you’re working on rather than something bigger, like marketing and promotion.
For example, rather than creating a system for your social media, which is this big massive thing you do in your business, you’re creating smaller, more specific systems for each social media platform you use – like Facebook, Twitter, etc.
This is how I’ve always broken down systems when I share the way we do it here at EOFire, sort of as a way to give more in-depth examples.
However, when I saw this comment on the post that accompanies Season 2, Episode 1, it got me thinking: Why haven’t I talked about systems as it relates to the bigger picture things we do in our business?
I love Casey’s question, but initially, all that was going through my head was, “How am I ever going to explain a system for something so massive?”
The bigger system
Then I realized there is a bigger system at work here – one that we follow every time we market and promote something in our business, regardless of what it is.
That said, ultimately, the smaller, individual system that is born from following the 5 steps I’m about to cover is going to be different based on the thing you’re marketing and promoting (as Casey mentioned, she’s juggling her podcast, her website, her videos, her mentoring…), and it will also be different based on how your business is set up.
Let’s take a look at the 5 steps that make up the bigger marketing and promotion system, and then I’ll share some specifics based on Casey’s current situation.
Marketing and promotion system
Step 1: Who / what / why
The first step we always take when we’re sitting down to figure out how we’re going to market or promote something is to write out who it is we want to market or promote to.
This may or may not end up being your avatar, so make sure you spend some time figuring out who your ideal audience member, customer or consumer is.
Figuring this out is going to be based on what it is you’ve created, and putting these two things together – the who and the what – should result in you understanding and being able to communicate why it is they want what you have to offer.
Question to ask yourself: Who will find value in what it is I’ve created and have to offer, and why?
Step 2: Where
Now that you know who you’re going to market and promote to and why they want what it is you’ve created, it’s time to start a list of the places you can find them.
These places will ultimately be the platforms you’ll use to market and promote what you’ve created.
Question to ask yourself: Given who will find value in what it is I’ve created and have to offer, where can I find them?
Step 3: When
Now you know who you’re going to market and promote to, why they’re going to want it, and where you’re going to reach them.
Next comes when: a timeline.
This is going to include both the prep time and the actual marketing and promotion time, and therefore, it’s really going to depend on the specific thing you’re marketing and promoting.
For example, if it’s a one-time bigger launch for a product or service, then the time you spend preparing for the launch is going to be a lot greater than, say, if you were preparing to market and promote something like a new opt-in giveaway.
For the one-time bigger launches, I would recommend setting aside at least 6 weeks for your preparation and marketing and promotion, with a solid 4 weeks just for the marketing and promotion piece.
Question to as yourself: When am I going to start marketing and promoting what I’ve created (give yourself an actual hard date as a sort of deadline), and based on that, how long in advance should I start preparing?
Step 4: Assets
Once you know all the details around the who, what, when, where and why, it’s time to create the actual assets you’ll use to market and promote what you’ve created.
This will vary depending on how many places you’ll be marketing and promoting, and the specific types of marketing and promoting you’ll be doing.
For example, if you’re going to be spending a day handing out flyers, or you’ve sponsored an event and have a booth to help you market and promote what you’ve created, then you’ll need physical assets like handouts, cards, maybe a banner, and so on.
But if you’re only doing online marketing and promotion, then you’ll likely be creating several design options for social media, your landing pages, and your sales page, along with a few opt-in giveaways or freebies that will logically lead up to your thing. These opt-in giveaways or freebies could be put on the backend of a blog post or a live video you’re doing, or simply on your homepage.
Question to ask yourself: What types of assets will I need based on the platforms I’ll be using to market and promote what I’ve created?
Step 5: Action
The last step is taking all the information you’ve gathered and all the assets you’ve created and putting it into action.
Question to ask yourself: What will my marketing and promotion plan consist of based on everything I’ve learned, and what timeline will I put in place to ensure I accomplish that plan?
Breaking down the bigger system
Pretty simple, right?
Hopefully several of the 5 steps listed above will be answered just in the pure creation of whatever it is you’re looking to market and promote, so going through these 5 steps shouldn’t be too difficult – but it will take time.
If you do find that going through these 5 steps is difficult, then you might revisit and focus on why you’re creating it in the first place.
One system at a time
In order to break this bigger system down so you can see how each individual system that is born from it will be different, let’s apply the 5 steps to Casey’s situation specifically.
Before I dive into one thing Casey mentioned she’s trying to marketing and promote, I will say this:
Creating systems for marketing and promotion, especially when it comes to things you’ll be marketing and promoting on a consistent, ongoing basis for your business (i.e. you’re not just prepping for a big, one-time launch), should be implemented individually and one at a time.
So, Casey, I think that arranging your marketing and promotion systems in order of priority for your business is your first step to making this work.
Of the things you mention (your podcast, your website, your videos and your mentoring), which holds priority in terms of impact for you and your business right now?
Remember, when we put systems in place we’re putting a recurring set of steps in order that we’re going to follow every single time we do something for our business to make doing that thing most efficient.
Once you have one system in place, you’re going to be freeing up time that you can now spend working ON your business, and eventually on creating another system for something else.
Marketing and promotion for your podcast
You’re getting ready to launch a podcast – this is exciting!
Launch day is an exciting time, and just like any launch in your business, it should be treated like an event.
And what happens when we put on events? We talk about them leading up to the date, we invite people to participate and we plan out what will happen at the actual event.
Your podcast launch should be prepared for in the same way.
Just through the act of creating your podcast, you should already know the who / what / why and when.
That is: you’re creating your podcast for your avatar, X, that will help them solve their pain point, Y, and you’re going to launch on [enter your date here] – let’s say August 1st.
What about the where, the assets and the action?
For your podcast launch, you’re going to want to put together a list of where you can find your perfect listener. That might be on Facebook in a niche group, at a local in-person meet up or at a conference that is coming up.
Given where you can find your perfect listener, your assets are likely going to consist of:
A banner for your Facebook Page and/or profile sharing news about your upcoming podcast;
4 or 5 images and Facebook post text you can use to talk about your upcoming launch and where people can go to learn more about it;
A blog post and/or live videos where you consistently talk about what you’re working on;
some type of card or handout you can bring with you to the local in-person meet up and/or conference you’re attending;
an official ‘launched’ announcement you can post on social media and send out to your email list (if you have one).
Based on all the information you know about your podcast launch and the assets you’re going to need to create in order to ‘throw an event’ around your launch, what does your marketing and promotion plan look like?
Here’s an example of what your action plan might look like based on the example here:
Once you have your plan in place, then it becomes a matter of creating a process around each of the tasks and projects within your plan based on your timeline.
Create your plan, schedule specific times to work on the items you’ve listed as to-do’s, and stick to it!
The post 162: A system for your marketing and promotion appeared first on EOFire Business Podcasts.
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Jess Works as a Virtual Assistant
Travel Jobs
Are you good with computers, following instructions, and social media? You might be the perfect fit to work as a virtual assistant making money online remotely.
Today, my friend (and my own VA) Jess shares her experience becoming a virutal assistant, along with tips for how to find jobs while traveling. Here’s Jess:
The Best Travel Jobs
Hi guys! My name is Jess, and I work as Matt’s virtual assistant for this blog.
After traveling around the world full time for 9-months, my savings were starting to run out, and I was determined to find a travel job that would allow me to earn an income on the road.
I was already “living the dream”, now I just needed to figure out how to afford that dream!
After many trials and errors, I finally figured out how to make extra money traveling the world while working as a virtual assistant (VA).
In this article, I’m going to share how to start working as a virtual assistant, where to find virtual assistant jobs online, what skills are important to know, and tips for working remotely.
Searching For A Travel-Friendly Job
I remember the moment I decided to become a virtual assistant. I thought to myself “If other people are doing this, why can’t I?”.
It all started when I wrote out a list of all the skills I had picked up from studying and working in digital marketing, photography & video throughout the years prior to my gap year.
I knew what I was good at, but I had no idea how I was going to find someone who needed my skills.
Somewhere along the way, I figured it all out – and now it’s time for me to pass this wisdom onto you my young Padawan. ;-)
How to Work as a VA
What Is A Virtual Assistant?
This will change from client to client, but essentially a Virtual Assistant can do any digital task you need them to!
Most virtual assistants provide support to their clients by answering customer emails, updating websites, organizing files, bookkeeping, coordinating schedules, social media management, research, or even photo & video editing.
Basically, any small task that your client doesn’t want to do or doesn’t have time for. Freeing up valuable time that can be used on his or her primary business objectives.
In modern times, the need for an executive assistant to work in the same physical office space as their clients has reduced dramatically with the power of the internet, online tools, and new software.
Virtual Assistant Duties & Tasks
Virtual assistants can work as executive assistants, administrative assistants, or personal assistants depending on the client. Tasks may include things like:
Email Management
Answering customer support emails, highlighting promising business opportunities for the client to follow up on, declining unattractive offers, clearing out spam messages, or putting together a monthly newsletter.
Social Media Management
Scheduling posts on social media accounts like Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube. Designing graphics to use. Crafting descriptions. Researching hashtags. Maybe even responding to comments, updating profiles, and more.
Website Management
Formatting, editing, drafting, and scheduling blog posts on WordPress or another CMS (Content Management System) for the client’s website. Moderating the comments section. Fixing broken links and other general website maintenance tasks.
Administrative Tasks
Managing a client’s calendar, setting schedules, booking travel arrangements, creating spreadsheets, answering phone calls, etc.
Computer skills are also very important, as is knowledge of certain common software programs like:
Word Processors (Microsoft Word, Google Documents)
Spreadsheets (Excel, Google Sheets)
Blogging Platforms (WordPress)
Image Editors (Adobe Photoshop, Canva)
Social Media Tools (Tailwind, Buffer)
Just Another Day at the Office!
My Typical Day Working As Matt’s VA
While I’m going to share what my day looks like, there are all kinds of variations to this. Because virtual assistants can do all sorts of different tasks.
9 AM: Email Management Rise and shine! Time to check in on Slack.com (our team collaboration tool for organizing tasks, sending files and chatting about projects) to see if there’s anything to add to my to-do list for the week.
Next, I respond to and organize emails as well as approve blog comments — which can start to pile up overnight.
Matt receives a lot of similar questions & comments via email, so we have some standard replies for saving time. I save them as drafts and Matt adds his own personalizations before hitting “send”.
10 AM: Content Research & Blog Post Formatting I review Matt’s upcoming blog content, maybe do some extra research, or format unfinished blog posts so they’re ready to publish.
We are constantly working to improve Expert Vagabond content, updating older blog posts with more relevant information, plus adding maps or additional imagery to enhance the reader experience.
12 PM: Social Media Management Over the past few months, I’ve worked on creating Matt’s Pinterest ‘brand’, to ensure that there is a consistent look and feel between all of his pins. Creating some eye-catching pins using his images.
Once the Pinterest images are ready to go, it’s time to open up Tailwind to schedule the pins to go out for the next week. I create, source and schedule 15 – 20 pins per day.
Matt recently decided to try out Flipboard as another platform for sourcing and sharing content, so I usually spend 30-minutes updating our online Flipboard ‘magazines’ for the week.
Benefits Of Working As A Virtual Assistant
1. Work From Anywhere In The World
For me, this cancels out ALL of the disadvantages of VA work. I found out about this position when I was traveling through Asia earlier this year.
My bank account was telling me it was time to go home, but I wasn’t ready to stop traveling yet.
Having the opportunity to work from anywhere gave me the freedom to live life on my own terms. I can work from home, from a coffee shop, from a different city, or even a foreign country!
2. Cut Costs On Your Commute
When I worked in a typical office in Dublin, I would spend €11 and 2.5 hours on my commute every day.
Working from home allows me to save €220 every month – that’s €2,640 every year. That’s the price of a new camera or an incredible holiday abroad. I’ll take that over commuting any day!
3. Set Your Own Hours
If working the 9 – 5 grind works for you, stick at it! But if not, how about finding a job that allows you to work at a time that suits you.
Not much a morning person? Do the late shift. Not much of a night owl either? Not a problem, working from 11am to 7pm solves that problem. This is the kind of flexibility you just don’t find in a typical office environment.
4. Spend More Time With Your Family
What would you do if someone gave you an extra 2.5 hours in your day? I spend mine with the people I love, doing the things I used to have to save for the weekends.
Coffee Shops & Coworking Spots
The Downside Of Virtual Assistant Jobs
1. Loneliness
If you are thinking of getting into the digital nomad world, you’re going to have to get used to the idea of being alone.
There’s no one sitting beside you to support you or even just have a little chat with over lunch. If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you should look into co-working spaces or networking events that you can go to in the evenings to get some human interaction in your day.
2. Distractions
I’m learning how to master this slowly but surely…
When there is no one looking over your shoulder all day, making sure you are focused on the task at hand, it is easy to become distracted by anything and everything!
You have to remember that you will only get paid for the hours you actually complete, not the 40 minutes you spend daydreaming out the window.
3. Self Discipline
Tying in nicely with the last point, self-discipline is a skill. Technically, you are your own boss now, so you have to make sure that you get the task done on time.
If you lack in self-discipline, you will lag in productivity. Set yourself boundaries, time frames and rules – then stick to them.
How Much Money Can You Earn?
Virtual assistants can usually make between $10 to $35 an hour with a median hourly rate of about $16. It will really depend on your skills, qualifications, and experience level.
If you’re just doing data entry, the pay might not be that great.
But if you’ve built up some basic graphic design skills, understand WordPress, know how to edit videos and photography, have in-depth experience with social media platforms, or other specialized knowledge, you can earn more.
Where To Find Virtual Assistant Jobs
If you’re ready to start making extra money on the side with a virtual assistant business, here are a few places to get started.
Freelancer Websites
FlexJobs
Upwork
People Per Hour
Social Media
Let your family and friends know you’re looking for a virtual assistant job by posting it on social media. Networking is a powerful tool. You may be surprised who knows someone that may be able to help you up with a job.
In fact, this is how I got my job! By posting on social media that I was looking for VA work.
Reach Out To Potential Clients
I’m sure you follow some professional bloggers, YouTube video creators, or social media influencers who you’d love to work with. It doesn’t hurt to send them all a quick message via email offering your services.
Be friendly, don’t be pushy, and if they aren’t hiring — maybe they know someone who is?
Tips For Landing Your First VA Position
Step 1: Work On Your Skills
The first step is to define the skills that you can use as a Virtual Assistant. Not sure if you have the right skills for the job? No problem!
Put some hours aside every week to learn skills and within a few months, you will be ready to put your new knowledge to the test.
There are millions of Youtube videos you can watch that will teach you how to run a successful social media campaign, manage calendar appointments, edit video on Final Cut Pro, create social media images using Adobe Photoshop and more.
You can also sign up to Skillshare to get unlimited access to over 23,000 classes.
This is exactly what I did to improve my organizational skills, digital marketing, video editing and photography before I started to look for jobs online.
Step 2: Find The Right Industry
For me, I knew that I wanted to work in the travel industry so that immediately narrowed down my options.
A lot of people go straight to the internet to search for a job. I decided to start my job search using the “networking” route by telling everyone I knew what I wanted to do.
I told my family and friends “I’m looking for a Virtual Assisting role in the travel industry. If you know someone who might be able to help me, could you give them my details?”
Then I put the message out to my connections on Facebook and Instagram.
Within a week, a friend of mine posted that Matt from ExpertVagabond.com was looking for a virtual assistant! Moral of the story – put it out into the world, and the world will often support you.
Step 3: Create A CV & Cover Letter
Throw away that boring Microsoft Word CV that you created when you were 16 in computer class! It’s time for a modern upgrade.
My go-to tool for CV creation is Canva.com. Not only does it have a tonne of templates for you to use, but you can also customize them to really showcase your top skills and highlight the many reasons why someone should hire you.
Don’t be afraid to add a little bit of personality to your CV. Keep in mind that your potential employer is probably sifting through a hundred CV’s, so you want them to open yours and say “Ooooh, what’s this?”. Leave them feeling intrigued.
Please remember that your CV should only be 1 – 2 pages long and your cover letter should be 2 – 3 paragraphs maximum. Employers usually don’t have a lot of time to look at them, so you need to present the information as concisely as possible.
Step 4: Interview Prep
Now that you have nailed the CV & Cover Letter, it’s time to prepare for the interview stage.
It is almost 100% guaranteed that they are going to ask you to tell them more about yourself, so make sure to have a little elevator speech worked out in advance.
Remember you don’t have to solely focus on the business side of life. Give them an insight into your hobbies, where you get inspiration from and how your life has lead you to this new role.
This is your moment to show them exactly why you are perfect for their virtual assistant position, so take the time to discuss your skills, your experience, your education (even if it is just from Youtube and Skillshare!).
They will love to hear that you are constantly learning and improving your knowledge of the key skills needed for the role.
ALWAYS have 2 – 3 questions prepared to ask them at the end of the interview. If you don’t, it can look like you are not interested in finding out more about them or their business.
If they have already answered all of your questions throughout the interview, you can tell them the question you wanted to ask, and thank them for already answering it in so much detail.
Step 5: Go Above & Beyond
If you want to really knock their socks off, why not create an example of the work you will create for them.
Show them your social media image designs, or write out a sample travel blog post to show them how serious you are about taking these tasks off their hands.
Not only will you stand out from the crowd, but it will instantly build trust that you can get the job done.
In the past, I’ve created video CV’s for clients who have a background in Youtube and have even created a brand new CV in the style of my favorite book for a position to work with the book’s author.
You have to do whatever it takes to stand out from the hundreds of other candidates.
The truth is there are many advantages and disadvantages to this type of job, but if you can master the art of virtual assisting, the world is your oyster!
It takes dedication, drive and an enormous amount of self-discipline, but it is definitely a dream job that will give you the freedom to live life on your own terms (and travel if you want to).
If you are attempting to find a VA job at the moment, just remember that the first client is the hardest. If you can land that first client, the next 50 clients should be no problem.
So keep on trying, keep improving your skills, and don’t stop learning until you’re living it up swinging from a hammock somewhere with your laptop in one hand and a cocktail in the other! ★
BIO
Jess Glynn is the author of The Gap Year Guru and has worked in digital marketing for over 5 years, specializing in Social Media and Content Creation. In 2017, she decided to quit her job and write about her travels through Brazil, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines for 9 months. Follow her on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter!
Virtual Assistant Job Resources
Remote Job Listing Websites
FlexJobs.com
Guavabean Facebook Group
Remote.co
Freelancer.com
Useful Tools & Software For VAs
Canva
Slack
Trello
WordPress
Ultimate Travel-Friendly Job Guide.
Enjoy This Post? Pin It!
READ MORE TRAVEL TIPS
How To Find Online Translation Jobs Working On Sailing Yachts How I Make Money While Traveling Side Income Ideas: Earning Money From Home
Have any questions for Jess about working as a virtual assistant or landing your first job? Drop her a message in the comments below!
This is a post from The Expert Vagabond adventure blog.
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162: A system for your marketing and promotion
When you’re creating systems for your business, it’s likely you’re creating those systems around specific tasks and projects you’re working on rather than something bigger, like marketing and promotion.
For example, rather than creating a system for your social media, which is this big massive thing you do in your business, you’re creating smaller, more specific systems for each social media platform you use – like Facebook, Twitter, etc.
This is how I’ve always broken down systems when I share the way we do it here at EOFire, sort of as a way to give more in-depth examples.
However, when I saw this comment on the post that accompanies Season 2, Episode 1, it got me thinking: Why haven’t I talked about systems as it relates to the bigger picture things we do in our business?
I love Casey’s question, but initially, all that was going through my head was, “How am I ever going to explain a system for something so massive?”
The bigger system
Then I realized there is a bigger system at work here – one that we follow every time we market and promote something in our business, regardless of what it is.
That said, ultimately, the smaller, individual system that is born from following the 5 steps I’m about to cover is going to be different based on the thing you’re marketing and promoting (as Casey mentioned, she’s juggling her podcast, her website, her videos, her mentoring…), and it will also be different based on how your business is set up.
Let’s take a look at the 5 steps that make up the bigger marketing and promotion system, and then I’ll share some specifics based on Casey’s current situation.
Marketing and promotion system
Step 1: Who / what / why
The first step we always take when we’re sitting down to figure out how we’re going to market or promote something is to write out who it is we want to market or promote to.
This may or may not end up being your avatar, so make sure you spend some time figuring out who your ideal audience member, customer or consumer is.
Figuring this out is going to be based on what it is you’ve created, and putting these two things together – the who and the what – should result in you understanding and being able to communicate why it is they want what you have to offer.
Question to ask yourself: Who will find value in what it is I’ve created and have to offer, and why?
Step 2: Where
Now that you know who you’re going to market and promote to and why they want what it is you’ve created, it’s time to start a list of the places you can find them.
These places will ultimately be the platforms you’ll use to market and promote what you’ve created.
Question to ask yourself: Given who will find value in what it is I’ve created and have to offer, where can I find them?
Step 3: When
Now you know who you’re going to market and promote to, why they’re going to want it, and where you’re going to reach them.
Next comes when: a timeline.
This is going to include both the prep time and the actual marketing and promotion time, and therefore, it’s really going to depend on the specific thing you’re marketing and promoting.
For example, if it’s a one-time bigger launch for a product or service, then the time you spend preparing for the launch is going to be a lot greater than, say, if you were preparing to market and promote something like a new opt-in giveaway.
For the one-time bigger launches, I would recommend setting aside at least 6 weeks for your preparation and marketing and promotion, with a solid 4 weeks just for the marketing and promotion piece.
Question to as yourself: When am I going to start marketing and promoting what I’ve created (give yourself an actual hard date as a sort of deadline), and based on that, how long in advance should I start preparing?
Step 4: Assets
Once you know all the details around the who, what, when, where and why, it’s time to create the actual assets you’ll use to market and promote what you’ve created.
This will vary depending on how many places you’ll be marketing and promoting, and the specific types of marketing and promoting you’ll be doing.
For example, if you’re going to be spending a day handing out flyers, or you’ve sponsored an event and have a booth to help you market and promote what you’ve created, then you’ll need physical assets like handouts, cards, maybe a banner, and so on.
But if you’re only doing online marketing and promotion, then you’ll likely be creating several design options for social media, your landing pages, and your sales page, along with a few opt-in giveaways or freebies that will logically lead up to your thing. These opt-in giveaways or freebies could be put on the backend of a blog post or a live video you’re doing, or simply on your homepage.
Question to ask yourself: What types of assets will I need based on the platforms I’ll be using to market and promote what I’ve created?
Step 5: Action
The last step is taking all the information you’ve gathered and all the assets you’ve created and putting it into action.
Question to ask yourself: What will my marketing and promotion plan consist of based on everything I’ve learned, and what timeline will I put in place to ensure I accomplish that plan?
Breaking down the bigger system
Pretty simple, right?
Hopefully several of the 5 steps listed above will be answered just in the pure creation of whatever it is you’re looking to market and promote, so going through these 5 steps shouldn’t be too difficult – but it will take time.
If you do find that going through these 5 steps is difficult, then you might revisit and focus on why you’re creating it in the first place.
One system at a time
In order to break this bigger system down so you can see how each individual system that is born from it will be different, let’s apply the 5 steps to Casey’s situation specifically.
Before I dive into one thing Casey mentioned she’s trying to marketing and promote, I will say this:
Creating systems for marketing and promotion, especially when it comes to things you’ll be marketing and promoting on a consistent, ongoing basis for your business (i.e. you’re not just prepping for a big, one-time launch), should be implemented individually and one at a time.
So, Casey, I think that arranging your marketing and promotion systems in order of priority for your business is your first step to making this work.
Of the things you mention (your podcast, your website, your videos and your mentoring), which holds priority in terms of impact for you and your business right now?
Remember, when we put systems in place we’re putting a recurring set of steps in order that we’re going to follow every single time we do something for our business to make doing that thing most efficient.
Once you have one system in place, you’re going to be freeing up time that you can now spend working ON your business, and eventually on creating another system for something else.
Marketing and promotion for your podcast
You’re getting ready to launch a podcast – this is exciting!
Launch day is an exciting time, and just like any launch in your business, it should be treated like an event.
And what happens when we put on events? We talk about them leading up to the date, we invite people to participate and we plan out what will happen at the actual event.
Your podcast launch should be prepared for in the same way.
Just through the act of creating your podcast, you should already know the who / what / why and when.
That is: you’re creating your podcast for your avatar, X, that will help them solve their pain point, Y, and you’re going to launch on [enter your date here] – let’s say August 1st.
What about the where, the assets and the action?
For your podcast launch, you’re going to want to put together a list of where you can find your perfect listener. That might be on Facebook in a niche group, at a local in-person meet up or at a conference that is coming up.
Given where you can find your perfect listener, your assets are likely going to consist of:
A banner for your Facebook Page and/or profile sharing news about your upcoming podcast;
4 or 5 images and Facebook post text you can use to talk about your upcoming launch and where people can go to learn more about it;
A blog post and/or live videos where you consistently talk about what you’re working on;
some type of card or handout you can bring with you to the local in-person meet up and/or conference you’re attending;
an official ‘launched’ announcement you can post on social media and send out to your email list (if you have one).
Based on all the information you know about your podcast launch and the assets you’re going to need to create in order to ‘throw an event’ around your launch, what does your marketing and promotion plan look like?
Here’s an example of what your action plan might look like based on the example here:
Once you have your plan in place, then it becomes a matter of creating a process around each of the tasks and projects within your plan based on your timeline.
Create your plan, schedule specific times to work on the items you’ve listed as to-do’s, and stick to it!
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