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Is a Virtual Assistant retainer the same as an attorney’s retainer?

I recently spoke with a potential client and the conversation turned to my retainer option.  The PC noted that she had heard the term from other VAs but was not completely clear on what that was and asked if it was similar to the retainer for an attorney.  This question has also come up between virtual assistants on various VA forums.

A Virtual Assistant retainer is not quite the same as a retainer for an attorney.  Almost every VA I’ve come in contact with has the same definition for a virtual assistant retainer.  A VA retainer is pre-purchased hours (generally each calendar month) and they are ‘use or loose’.  Some VAs give a discount to retainer clients and some do not.

So, why would you even consider a retainer with a virtual assistant?  Other than a potential discount, the major reason is that if you have a retainer agreement with a virtual assistant, that VA has budgeted his/her time for your tasks.  “Hourly” clients are not guaranteed a VAs time.  If he/she has scheduled his/her time for the week and an hourly client contacts them with a project, the VA is not obligated to accept that project.

Does having a bio get you more Twitter followers?

Does having a bio get you more Twitter followers?  According to a study done by HubSpot, the answer is overwhelmingly “yes”.  Personally, I’m very hesitant to follow someone with no bio unless I know them outside of Twitter.

Social Media Marketing Industry Report

I just received my download copy of the Social Media Marketing Industry Report. I haven’t had a chance to read the whole thing yet, just skimming over it so far, and it seems to be a good read. I feel another blog post coming on soon.

Give new social media tools a shot

Research and try a new social media tool first before writing it off as not worthy of your time. Give yourself time to learn how to use it and understand it before you decide whether or not it’s worth your time and effort.

Check your spelling

Check and double check the spelling and grammar in all content you publish in social media. You may never know who you may have lost (or never got in the first place) as a dream client or valuable connection due to the unprofessional image you left from poor grammar and spelling.

Don’t forget to be social

Remember – social media starts with “social”. Successful participants in the social media realm will tell you that you are making a HUGE mistake if you go in to the social media arena with guns blazing trying to sell your product or service. That’s like walking straight in to a party and trying to push your product on everyone in the room.

Don’t spread yourself too thin

Focus your social networking on a handful of strategically chosen networks – and stay active in them. Don’t spread yourself too thin. A few selectively chosen networks will be more beneficial than dozens of networks you rarely, if ever, participate in.

Use a service to simplify updates

Use a service such as Ping.fm to update multiple social networks at the same time.  Using tools to streamline your updates saves time and ensures consistency of information across your social media platforms.