What methods are you currently implementing to build your business? Do you rely on marketing and advertising? Are you networking? What about staying on top of the latest news and trends in the small business world or in the legal field?

(Note: if you’re not doing any of these things because you don’t think you have the time or the money, contact me! That’s what AVA is here for!)

Here are a few suggestions on what you should be doing to help keep your business growing:

Marketing/advertising

At the very least, your business should have a website. Even if you prefer to do business the old-fashioned way, the Internet is one of the quickest and least expensive ways to reach potential customers and keep current customers informed. Domain names, web hosting and website design can all be purchased at extremely affordable rates.

If you have a website already, attracting visitors is essential. The way to accomplish this is to analyze and monitor your traffic and use those results to improve upon your current approach. Become familiar with SEO (search engine optimization) and making the most of your keywords.

Many Virtual Assistants, including Advantage VA, can assist you with setting up and maintaining websites. Your website can also be the source of your mailing list for newsletters, another service Advantage VA can provide.

Networking

Social networking, WoM (word-of-mouth), Web 2.0….welcome to modern networking. Many business owners are using online groups and services to get the word out about their company. Whether its joining Facebook and Linked In or posting updates on Twitter and Plurk, entrepreneurs have found many effective platforms for networking without limiting themselves to a local or regional area.

Again, this is an area where your VA can help you. Advantage Virtual Assistant can keep your profiles updated, manage your correspondence, find new contacts and keep you in touch with your clients and customers.

News and Updates

Staying on top of what’s happening in your industry is important to the growth and success of your business. Signing up for newsletters offered by organizations and associations in which you’re a member is a good way to stay informed. An even better suggestion is subscribing blogs relative to your business or region, or industries that may affect your business. For example, small law firms or solo attorneys may be interested in MyShingle, a blog about marketing and management for solo and small firms. Small business owners working from a home office will find useful and insightful articles at Sparkplugging.

When subscribing to feeds, you have the option to subscribe via email or through various services like Google Reader or My Yahoo. My personal preference is Google Reader. For me, its the equivalent of reading the morning paper yet having the control over which sections are included in my “newspaper”. If you prefer having posts delivered to your email, I would recommend setting up filters or even a separate email address just for newsletters or blog subscriptions to reduce inbox clutter.

These are all just a few quick examples of using the Internet to help your business grow. If you’re uncomfortable navigating the World Wide Web or if you just don’t have the time, Advantage Virtual Assistant is available to assist you with any of the services mentioned above or we can help you free up some time so that you can tackle these on your own.