There’s a whole world of online communities waiting to welcome you

Working as a sole trader can often feel like a sole-journey, a sole-challenge, a sole-marathon. Being registered as a sole-trader can instantly set the feeling that you are, indeed, on your own.

You aren’t. Oh boy, you so aren’t.

Although there are so many things I don’t like about our internet-dependent world, (even though it’s my bread and butter), the one thing I absolutely love about our internet-dependent world is that it makes collaboration and support so much easier than our pre-internet days.

You may not know it, but I used to work in Disability and Aged Care support, with the main mission being to reduce social isolation. So it comes as no surprise that I now run an online community for Virtual Assistants, helping them learn, share, support and collaborate with each other.

The beauty is that this online, virtual, but very real community is there for you too – you aren’t just a sole trader anymore.

So how do you get help in your business?

You do need to reach out. As scary as that is for some – you need to say “Hi, I’m here and I need some help” or “I’m here and I don’t want to work alone.”

To get help in your business you can join online communities –search for communities that support businesses like yours and/or people like you. You can ask for support from groups you network in or you can access sites like www.virtuallyyours.com.au and put in a request for support.

You may be finding that your business needs a strong social media presence, or website presence to succeed but that’s not your passion – find someone whose passion it is and work with them!

You may find that you are good at Bookkeeping but it’s not the most effective way to spend your time – get a virtual bookkeeper and start working on the stuff that really makes your business shine!

The online world, especially social media and social media groups really allow you to feel more a part of a business community than a single sole trader.

But there are, as always, a couple of tips I can provide to make sure this does work for you:

1.      Don’t sell sell sell – people who hop onto social media groups and simply pop up an advert or a “this is me, like my page” instantly put people off. Don’t do it. It’s better to be silent than to irritate people!

2.      Don’t be afraid to share your knowledge. The most useful and effective thing you can do in social media is to be social. In a business community, you need to be “business social” – so ask questions, appreciate advice, and help others. This showcases who you are and what your skills are. It means you get help and can help others.

3.      Be nice – always write as if your Grandmother is going to read what you’ve written. If you wouldn’t let her read it – don’t post it. And obviously I’m assuming your Grandmother doesn’t closely resemble “Catherine Tate’s Nan”

So don’t feel alone. Don’t do it alone – get out there and collaborate! A Virtual Assistant can be the most amazing business asset ever. So don’t miss out.

Find your amazing VA here: https://www.virtuallyyours.com.au