Introduction | Word of Encouragement
The Importance of Good Copy
Making Friends With The Media - 5 Ways To Get Your Story Told

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Introduction
By: Becki Jaspin-Noles

Thank you so much for reading the “Accuracy Report” for the month of March. We hope that you walk away with fresh ideas for your business.

The month of February has been an extremely busy month. With Dale being downsized and being pushed head first into the VA river, we had to begin an aggressive marketing campaign. I am pleased and excited to say that our efforts are paying off. In addition to our current client load, in the last month, we have signed new clients and have proposals on the table with other organizations.

I believe that our efforts are paying off because we have our target market and demographics in black and white. Our business and marketing plan is at our finger tips at all times and serves as a daily reminder of what we want our company to be, both now and in the future.

Let 2004 be the year of business plan development. If you do not yet have one, let me encourage you to develop one. Also, if you require assistance with business plan writing, please contact Virtual Accuracy and I will send you a list of Virtual Assistants who specialize in business plan writing for both VA’s and corporations.

Our new motto: "Marketing takes time and persistence." In the last month, we have devoted at least 3 full hours to marketing each day. While not every marketing piece or telephone call reels in a client, we are educating organizations about the benefits of virtual assistance. So when you come in contact with businesses and individuals and they don’t seem to grasp the concept of virtual assistance right now, don’t get down. Walk away (or hang up) feeling great about the conversation. You just educated a FUTURE client about the industry.

Warmly,

Becki Jaspin-Noles

Word of Encouragement
By: Dale Noles

Dear Friends and Guests,

Another month has passed by and I almost can’t believe it. Life is wonderful as a Virtual Assistant. Isn’t it? My life is continually blessed and I attribute it all to my Lord and Savior, Jesus. I get to spend each and every day with my wife and son. My little boy is growing up so fast. I am happy that I am not missing it.

I think that too many parents, men especially, miss the true meaning of parenthood because they spend the majority of their day working in someone else’s office. I am not writing this to lay a guilt trip, trust me. I was in that office!

In fact, working for yourself ‘Full-Time’ is a difficult pill to swallow when you are accustomed to working for someone else. I was a part-time VA for a long time before I was pushed out of my full-time job comfort zone. I was laid-off. A shocking realization is that you are only as important as someone else thinks you are. Sure there were other things that I could do, but if I went full-time for me, there would be no snooze alarm and no boss! Wrong!

Working full-time for yourself is a brave step, as most of you know. Fortunately, I had the luxury of being pushed off my step. Most people will tell you that you have to work for someone else to make it. Or they will tell you that you are crazy for starting your own VA practice. Of course, I was already a little ‘touched’ and it was just a matter of time before someone else thought so too.

But let me remind you that you are your own boss and you better wake up or your new 20-hour per month client will pack his bags and set someone else’s alarm at 7 am. It is a tough marketplace. You have to be and remain cutting edge to stay ahead of the next wave, but it is well worth it! So strap yourself in.

Warmly,

Dale Noles

We all know that first impressions are drastically important. In the world of business, this truth is intensified. The opinions that a client or customer forms of a business will ultimately determine its future. That first impression is sometimes based solely upon the written word. Copy, as it is placed upon websites, brochures, letters, and other forms of advertisement is the bullhorn that announces a company’s credibility and capability. Without proper grammar, solid and concise sentence structure, strong organization, and informative, reliable facts – a single piece of copy can result in a huge loss of potential revenue.

Here are a few ways to ensure you have a tight, impressive piece to release to the public:

• Familiarize yourself with common grammatical errors such as comma splices, sentence fragments, easily confused words, and faulty parallelism. It is helpful to have an English handbook, dictionary, and thesaurus nearby when you are writing. If you have a question, look it up. Also, never release a piece of work without proofreading it silently, reading it aloud, and then having someone else proofread it for you.
  
• Be very wary of writing long sentences or using too many words. Sometimes sentences can be grammatically correct but are so long that the reader loses interest or becomes confused as to the meaning. Try reading your sentence aloud to yourself. If you have to stop in the middle and catch your breath, it’s too long. Try breaking sentences up into smaller, complete thoughts. Also, be creative but don’t allow your meaning to be hidden or diluted by the use of unnecessary words. This is especially true when writing for the media. Include the 5 W’s - “who”, “what”, “when”, “where”, and “why” using as few words as possible.
  
• Be absolutely certain that you have correct information before releasing it to the public. When writing for the public, whether it is via press releases, articles or advertisements, you must be certain that you are presenting factual information. If there’s a question in your mind concerning your content, you have only two choices – research it further or leave it out all together.
  
• Make sure your information is newsworthy as well as interesting. What may be interesting to you may not be interesting to your readers. And just because you think it’s newsworthy, definitely doesn’t mean that the media will. PR Web presents the following example: Let's assume that you have just spent a lot of effort to launch a new online store. Announcing your company's opening is always an exciting time for any business, but the last thing the media wants to write about is another online store. This is old news and uninteresting. Instead, focus on the features of your online shopping experience, unique products and services. Answer the question – “Why should anyone care?” (Avoid clichés such as "customers save money" or "great customer service".) Focus on the aspects of your news item that truly set you apart from everyone else.

Good copy is imperative for successful business. When constructing the written word always remember, “You never have a second chance to make a first impression.”

About the Author:
Danielle N. Lamson is a dynamic copywriter and editor with Virtual Accuracy. Her areas of expertise include copywriting, editing, proofreading and writing press releases. For more information see her write up.

Making Friends With The Media
5 Ways To Get Your Story Told
By: Megan C. Wallgren

If you own your own business, the media can be your best friend. Media stories can provide invaluable publicity reaching people you wouldn't reach in other ways - for free. Here are 5 tips on getting on the media's good side and getting your news noticed.

1. Cultivate Relationships

Find out the name of the person who would cover your story. If you own a restaurant, get the name of the food editor. A press release addressed to "Jane Smith" is more likely to get read than one to "editor". If you can find an e-mail address or phone number, contact them personally and say you are available for more information or original quotes.

2. Target specific media in your area or field

Industry publications will often print stories about new products or companies that other news agencies wouldn't look at. A small community newspaper may be interested in doing a feature on what you do and how you got started.

3. Use events and holidays to your advantage

The media is always looking for an interesting angle on the holidays. Have a party with the Easter Bunny or customize packaging for the 4th of July. Invite the media and public to come join the fun.

4. Connect to the latest trends

Media people have their pet topics. If you tie your story into a hot issue you'll get publicity. Donate time or services to keeping kids out of trouble. Tell how your product is environment friendly or give tips. Editors will use stories they think will help their readers.

5. Get straight to the punch

News stories give the most important information in the first paragraph. Make sure your press releases do the same. Editors don't have time to read everything that comes across their desk so they use stories that interest them in the title or first paragraph. Use short paragraphs and sentences and get all the information on one page.

About the Author:
Megan Wallgren is an expert on media relations. See her big collection of free tips that can boost your business NOW! Or, e-mail Megan.