Web Conversion Tips – Sneak Preview

Young entrepreneur Fred Schebesta has provided us with a sneak preview of his upcoming Workshop – The Real Basics of Online Marketing.

This snippet is all about converting your online visitors to your site to take action in some way.

It is a perfect lunch time listen!

Download here and listen now for your dose of Web Conversion Tips.

The Real Basics of Online Marketing – Workshop

The Frank Team is proud to present its first workshop in its new “SHOW ME HOW” series; our workshops that are presented by young entrepreneurs for young entrepreneurs that are only about stuff you need to know about and focus on showing you HOW TO DO IT YOURSELF.

We have noticed that many young entrepreneurs with websites are unsure of some of the basics of online marketing. That is anything from key words, search engine optimisation, landing pages and good web page structure. As such they are not getting the most out of their website or web development team.
Young Entrepreneur Fred Schebesta, an online marketing gun, is here to save the day! We have an awesome 3 hour practical workshop that will cover the basics of online marketing in a really fun, simple & highly practical way. Low on jargon and high on usefulness is what we can guarantee.
When: 27th April 4.30 – 7.30pm in Sydney CBD How Much: $66 per person

Book in for this event with jessica@frankteam.com.au

More info here http://www.youngentrepreneurs.net.au/online-marketing-secrets-presented-by-a-young-entrepreneur-for-young-entrepreneurs.html

Also, if you have a skill that you would like to SHOW other young entrepreneurs HOW TO DO then please contact us for inclusion in our SHOW ME HOW series.

REGISTER NOW

Calling all Student Entrepreneurs

COMPETITION FOR AUSTRALIA’S TOP STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS

The Entrepreneurs’ Organization, the world’s most influential community of entrepreneurs, is pleased to announce the launch of the 2009 Australian regional competition of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, supported by Mercedes-Benz Financial.
The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards recognize the world’s top undergraduate student entrepreneur who is juggling the demands of a full course load with running a business.
Similar to American icon Dell Computer founder Michael Dell, a former member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization who started his company in his dorm room at school, these students have a passion for entrepreneurship — which is a leading driver of economies worldwide.
This year’s Australia competition will recognize Australia’s best university entrepreneurs, with the top two national Australian winners going on to represent Australia in Chicago on the 21st and 22nd of October at the 2009 GSEA Global Finals competition.
Each student entrepreneur qualifies to compete by having a company which has been in existence for at least six months as a for-profit company, the student entrepreneur is principally responsible for its operation, and they are attending a recognized college or university as an undergraduate during time of nomination.

The successful applicants will present in front of a panel of members of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and the local business community.

The winners are announced and prizes are awarded the evening of the competition.
The 2008 GSEA Global Champion award winner, Dominic Coryell of the Northeastern University in Boston, USA, and CEO of Garment Valet Inc., had this to say about last year’s contest: “Its justification for all of the hard work that you constantly forget about day to day and to have this many vetted individuals stand out there and award you and clap for you means a whole lot and beyond that, all of the fellow entrepreneurs, its amazing!”
Melbourne Entrepreneurs’ Organization member Carlo Santoro, Managing Director of RetailCare.com and a member of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization Global Board of Directors, was a judge at the Melbourne competition last year, “These student entrepreneurs represent the future of Australian business. It was motivating to see them present their businesses and understand how they juggle running their companies with attending school full time,” Santoro said.
Australia’s finalists last year were Natasha Wood from The Kitchen Guys, a student from Macquarie University, Trent Kirk from South Brisbane Grass Cutters, a student from Griffith University, and Damian Panozza from Balance Psychology, a student from Swinburne University.

Know a Student Entrepreneur? Nominate them now for the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards and you could win $1,000. Check www.gsea.org!

Other finalists in last year’s Global competition included:
– Joseph Pascaretta from the University of Michigan, who created Alps International, an American $6+ million dollar landscaping company
—Marcus Anzengruber from Stockholm School of Economics, who created Constant, which provides internet advertising and optimization services to client internationally
Nomination and Application Deadlines:
Global – Tuesday, 30 June 2009

Regional Competition Dates:
Sydney – Thursday, 20 August 2009

Go to www.gsea.org to register and get yourself IN THE COMPETITION!
People can watch YouTube videos, join us on Facebook and MySpace, and follow us on twitter – all available from the web site.

More info here as well – download now

About GSEA
For 20 years, the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA) program has recognized students who are successfully building businesses while pursuing academic degrees. The program, which is currently active in five countries, encourages students to pursue their passions while building the foundation for a solid economic future through regional and global cash awards competitions. The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is the facilitator of the GSEA program, in part through the support of Mercedes-Benz Financial. This connection allows student entrepreneurs to tap into the collective knowledge and experience of EO members, gaining access to global networks and to a community that understands passion, struggle, drive and success. GSEA was founded at St. Louis University in the USA in 1988.

Carlo Santoro

Global Board Member of Entrepreneurs’ Organization

Selling to Baby Boomers & Gen X

Bridging the Generation Gap

Young entrepreneur Amanda Jephtha recently attended a workshop with social researcher Mark McCrindle and is here to share the knowledge from that session.

Fact: everyone loves to hate Gen Y.
Fact: the future is not created by an economy, but a demography.
Fact: Gen Y is here to stay – and rule!

So how can we shake off our bad rep as demanding, fast-moving, selfish kids and get our message across?

How can we more effectively work with and sell to the older generations?

The key is to first UNDERSTAND them, and then modify your actions.

Check out these insights and tips on how to bridge the generation gap.

Why there are SO many oldies…

Since we’re not having as many babies and we’re all getting older (and living longer), soon there will be an explosion of older people. Actually, by 2020, there will be more than 3 times the amount of 65-69 year olds compared to 1978! A staggering statistic.
So whether we like it or not, we have to learn to communicate effectively with the older generations if we’re going to run successful businesses.

Thinking with the head versus thinking with the heart.

Typically, Gen Y decides with their emotions. Never mind reason; if we’ve absolutely fallen in love with something because of it’s looks or how it makes us feel, we simply buy it.

Gen Y engages emotionally as:
Seekers – someone who doesn’t know too much about a product, but is blindingly faithful, and
Embracers – someone who will trumpet your horn with full product knowledge and is in lurve with your product.
However, the older generations will first rationalise the purchase. Does this fit my needs? Is it value for (my heard-earned) money? Is the product guaranteed?

Generation X and the Baby Boomers engage cognitively as:

Hecklers – someone who doesn’t really understand the product and isn’t particularly attracted to it, and
Agree-ers – someone who understands the product is a good fit to their needs, but feels indifferent to the product.
Our aim is to convert all clients in to Embracers.

Image thanks to McCrindle Research

How to Sell to the Older Generation

Firstly, we need to satisfy the older generation’s need to rationalise. Answer their questions, even if you think they’re basic or repetitive – but don’t make them feel stupid!

Slow the pace down if you’re discussing new concepts.
Once we’ve ticked this box, only then can we successfully move them to the emotional quadrants, ultimately ending up as Embracers.
By then, the older generation will be your most powerful sales force. And considering the Baby Boomers own the majority of the wealth and spend more on technology than any other generation, who wouldn’t strive to achieve this?
What NOT to say
Generation X and the Baby Boomers just don’t use our vocab. Some even blame us for the downfall of the English language! But what do they particularly dislike?
Clichés.
We all love to hate clichés! So much so, McCrindle Research set out to find the top 10 clichés Gen Y use that Generation X and the Baby Boomers hate. So when you’re chatting with the oldies, avoid using:
1. My bad
2. Random
3. So hot right now
4. Fully sick
5. So over that
6. Oh my gosh
7. Whatever
8. Totally
9. Chillout
10. Whassup
Check out this full list of clichés that should best be avoided, no matter who you’re communicating with.
Remember…
Each generation operates differently. By being mindful of these differences, not only can we grow our businesses – we can make the richest and most abundant generation our biggest advocate!

Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs – 3rd April Installment

Here is the latest in awesome opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

Sink your teeth into these opportunities below and action them ASAP to start reaping the rewards for you and your business!

If you want to receive these opportunities as an email update then please send an email with SUBSCRIBE TO YTREP OPPORTUNITIES to jessica@frankteam.com.au . We send them out every fortnight.

If you have an opportunity that you want promoted here then contact us and we will see what we can do for ya!

The Real Basics of Online Marketing – Workshop

The Frank Team is proud to present its first workshop in its new “SHOW ME HOW” series; our workshops that are presented by young entrepreneurs for young entrepreneurs that are only about stuff you need to know about and focus on showing you HOW TO DO IT YOURSELF.
We have noticed that many young entrepreneurs with websites are unsure of some of the basics of online marketing. That is anything from key words, search engine optimisation, landing pages and good web page structure. As such they are not getting the most out of their website or web development team.
Young Entrepreneur Fred Schebesta, an online marketing gun, is here to save the day! We have an awesome 3 hour practical workshop that will cover the basics of online marketing in a really fun, simple & highly practical way. Low on jargon and high on usefulness is what we can guarantee.
When: 27th April 4.30 – 7.30pm in Sydney CBD How Much: $66 per person
Book in for this event with jessica@frankteam.com.au
More info here about the online marketing event is here.
Also, if you have a skill that you would like to SHOW other young entrepreneurs HOW TO DO then please contact us for inclusion in our SHOW ME HOW series.

How to Raise Capital in 2009; SEMINAR – 2 FREE tickets still available

This seminar is highly valuable for our young entrepreneurs who are looking at raising capital for their business ideas or want to learn more about raising capital. It has very hands-on information and is delivered in plain English; just how we like it here at The Frank Team! This 3-hour seminar will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing all companies seeking to raise capital in today’s challenging economic climate, in particular unlisted companies.
This seminar comes highly recommended to us.
You will learn what investors are looking for right now, how to value your business, strategies to increase your success in raising capital and be given real life examples. There is detailed analysis of successes & failures (warts & all approach), low cost business development strategies and much more. And all for only $195. TO register go to http://assobsydney.eventbrite.com/
We are lucky enough, thanks to the support of ASSOB, to offer 2 free tickets to this seminar on 21st April in Sydney. In order to be considered for one of these tickets you need to contact The Frank Team and tell us about you, your business and why you desperately need to have a free ticket to “How To Raise Capital in 2009”. From these entries, with ASSOB, we will select the 2 winners. Get your entries in.

Highly Practical Cashflow Management Workshop – 2 FREE tickets available.

Getting your cashflow under control is the key to keeping your doors open, especially in these times where getting money from your customers is proving to be harder!
The first session of the Let’s Talk Business series from City of Sydney is all about cashflow management. At the workshop you will learn the tools you need to identify early warning signs of low cashflow, managing your profit ups and downs, creating a system to keep track of cashflow up to 3 months ahead, ways to monitor those who owe you money and understand the cash cycle. It will be interactive and is presented by Greg Hayes of Hayes Knight.
When: 6 – 8pm Tuesday 7th April (next week!) How Much: tickets are $45 each.
We have 2 FREE TICKETS to give away to our lucky Frank Team readers, thanks to City of Sydney. So the first 2 people to contact us and tell us in their own words “what is cashflow?” will each win ONE ticket.
More info about this workshop and the others in the series is at www.letstalkbusiness.nsw.gov.au

IGNITE enewsletter – Subscribe NOW

The Frank Team produces a monthly enewsletter called IGNITE which is packed with heaps of opportunities for young people as well as a practical article and profile of a young entrepreneur. It is FREE and is very popular with our readers.
Join the fun and subscribe today (You will also find back copies there too!)
If you would like to be profiled or provide an article for IGNITE just ask us!

Tell Your Friends

Spread the love and tell your friends about The Frank Team and our Opportunities for Young Entrepreneurs info we send out each fortnight. Tell em to subscribe by emailing jessica@frankteam.com.au and saying SIGN ME UP TO YTREP OPPS!

Money Magazine – Opportunities to get profiled

Money Magazine as 2 opportunities that would be great to help you get profile
1. They are looking for people who need help getting their finances in shape. They are particularly interested in people who in the long term want to reach te $1million target! Contact Frank Team for the journalists contact details.
2. They are also trying to track down the best online deals for their readers. If you use (or run!) a particular website that saves people money please contact Frank Team for the journalists contact details.

Some Great Business Ideas…from around the Globe

I got my latest Springwise enewsletter the other day and just had to share with you some innovative and great business ideas from around the globe…..cos I reckon some of you could replicate these ideas here in Australia!
1. Neighbourhood pickup spots for deliveries: Pickup Zone is a Boston based business that is a network of local neighbourhood pick up points that let consumers get their packages when it’s convenient for them. A variety of partner convenience stores, hardware stores, dry cleaners and others serve as pickup locations, offering safe and secure storage of packages and convenient hours of operation
2. Rent our your spare desk space at your office: Desk Space Genie is a new website that advertises vacant desk space. It helps businesses make a bit of money from their unused office space and enables cash strapped freelancers and other small businesses to become more established. You can search for desk space by postal code or town.
3. Camp for laid off professionals: Laid Off Camps organises free, ad-hoc gatherings of unemployed and non traditionally employed people who wantto share ideas and learn from each other. They do sessions on living on an extreme budget, building a personal brand, how to be a freelance consultant and more. Potential employers are also invited along as well, and they get sponsors to cover the costs of the events.
Now – PROMOTION OPPORTUNITY – if you business is innovative and worth of inclusion in Springwise they are always looking for new content, and you get some global promotion from being included. Contact liesbeth@springwise.com to get included!

Find us on Twitter

Find us on Facebook – The Frank Team

Have an awesome weekend.
Yours in entrepreneurial spirit

THE FRANK TEAM

www.frankteam.com.au

What is a Virtual Assistant (VA) & How can they really help you?

So you have all of your paper work piling up, your databases have contact details that are all wrong for your contacts, you have a presentation you have to prepare for tomorrow, and you need to organize that business trip to Perth today……as well as of course actually doing the thing you get paid for in your business!
Perhaps you should consider using a VIRTUAL ASSISTANT to take over some of your non-paying to-do’s.

I was feeling this way just the other day in fact. But when I thought of using a virtual assistant, for the very first time I was like “just what do they do” and of course the most important questions “just how much am I going to have to pay for this help!”.  Bet you have wondered that aswell.

Well we got a VA friend of ours to spill the details on all that is VA’s……..cos we are pretty sure they are the answer to many of our young entrepreneur prayers! Over to you Leigh

Welllll………

A Virtual Assistant or “VA” as they are commonly known, is a self employed professional Administrative / Personal Assistant. A Virtual Assistant works from their own remote office to provide a range of virtual business support services, using technology such as phone, fax, internet and email to communicate with their clients.
Most Virtual Assistant’s have a minimum of five (5) years experience in Executive or Personal Assistant roles in traditional work environments.

Just what can you ask a virtual assistant to do?
A Virtual Assistant can provide most of the same services as an onsite employee, but without the added expense to employers. You can also work with a virtual assistant on just a job-by-job basis, rather than ongoing, which is perfect in those busier times.
Some common services a Virtual Assistant can provide include;
• Data Entry
• Word Processing
• PowerPoint Presentations
• Travel Arrangements
• Diary Management
• Customer Service / Reception /Answering Calls
• Event Planning
• Writing, Editing & Researching Services
• Desktop Publishing – creating your flyers and brochures and organising to get them printed if required
• Transcription
• Website Maintenance and Updates
• Database Management
• Online and Offline Marketing and Promotion
• Bookkeeping
• Mail outs
Not all Virtual Assistant’s offer all of these services. Some may specialise in just a few whilst others may specialise in additional services such as; Real Estate, Legal, Marketing Assistance etc.
No many VA’s will do cold calling or telemarketing.

The benefits of using a Virtual Assistant
There are a heap of benefits of using a Virtual Assistant and include such things as;
• Saving valuable time and money, allowing you time to work on your business (you get to focus on the stuff that brings in the money!).
• No office space, equipment or software required.
• No payroll tax.
• No super, sick and holiday pay.
• Only pay for time on task or per project, so only time actually spent working.
• Support on an “as needed” basis. You can use a Virtual Assistant on a full time, part time, casual basis or for a one off special project.

Ok, so just how much should you expect to pay for this kind of help?
The cost of using a Virtual Assistant can vary depending on the service required and the particular Virtual Assistant’s skills and experience. Virtual Assistants are generally paid by the hour and most Virtual Assistants have a 1 hour minimum.
Rates for services such as general data entry or word processing may be charged at a slightly cheaper rate than say website maintenance or desktop publishing. A general rate scale for a Virtual Assistant in Australia could range from $25 through to $45 per hour. Most Virtual Assistants will offer established clients a “retainer rate”, which is a discounted rate for a regular nominated amount of time. For example if a client uses the Virtual Assistant’s services for 20 hours each month the discount may be a percentage off the normal hourly rate.
But when you consider that you only pay for the time they are actually working on your job, which may only be 3 – 4 hours a week or even a month, to take off your hands the tedious tasks that have been bugging you for ages, and you think about how much you could make per hour if you were just working on what you love and are good at, then it is a definite option to consider.
You can expect to be required to sign a Virtual Assistant Project Agreement or Virtual Assistant Retainer Agreement and some Virtual Assistant’s may even require you to sign a Confidentiality Agreement.

Who can use a Virtual Assistant?

Almost any kind of business can benefit from using a Virtual Assistant. At this point they are most commonly used by small to medium business. Some industries or businesses that currently work with Virtual Assistant’s include;
• Contractors (Electricians, Plumbers, Handyman etc)
• Real Estate Consultants
• Marketing Consultants
• Physicians
• Web Based businesses
• Personal Coaching Consultants
• Online Store owners
• Online Network owners

How to work really effectively with a Virtual Assistant:

As you and your Virtual Assistant will be in different locations, (sometimes as remote as the other side of the country or even the world!) communication is the key factor in any Virtual Assistant / Client relationship. You will need to discuss things such as;
• What is expected for the project – timing, deadlines etc. So a really good and clear brief (explanation of what the job is that you want done) is essential.
• When both you and the Virtual Assistant are available to discuss amendments, progress of the project.
• What sort of communication is best suited to you both eg; phone, fax, email, instant messaging.
• Computer programs and versions to be used.
• And don’t forget the most important; tracking of their results and outcomes.

To find yourself a VA you can do a google search, check out LinkedIn & Twitter for profiles of VA’s and of course ask your networks for referrals.
The majority of VA’s are members of a Virtual Assistant Network. So if for instance your VA couldn’t do a particular task or needed extra assistance to complete a project they could call on one of the other members of their network for help. The 2 big ones in Australia are:
www.virtuallyyours.com.au
www.vadirectory.net
Hope that has been helpful. Goodluck in finding the VA to ease your business to-do list worries!

Article contributed by:
Leigh Pendergast – Director – Butterfly Virtual Assistant Services
If you would like more information about the services provided by Butterfly Virtual Assistant Services please do not hesitate to visit the website www.butterflyvirtualassistant.com.au or email leigh@butterflyvirtualassistant.com.au

You will also find some other helpful articles about Virtual Assistants on the Flying Solo website:
Five tips for working with a virtual assistant.
Where should virtual assistants be based.
Working virtually – a definition.