It must be something in the air because in the last few weeks I’ve had numerous people ask what it is that I do.
Seriously. While there’s too many to mention, from the top of my head Paula Henry (who I’m guessing found out after subscribing to my newsletter) just found out I built sites.
Earlier I was in the office of Norma Flaskerud and she asked what exactly it was that I do (besides ride my mountain bike) and how I could help her business, while almost at the exact moment Jay Valento was calling me inquiring much the same thing!
Immediately I thought “what’s my elevator pitch“? I guess you could say that armed with just wifi, a wee bit of grey matter and a bit more of caffeine, I am a technical virtual assistant. If there’s something you can’t or don’t want to do, I bet I can… technically speaking. 😉
I guess I suck at getting the word out so let’s fix that.
As it pertains to business, I do a few different things. In no particular order, here’s the Top 10 things I do can do for you and your business.
1. I hand build Custom WordPress Websites
Unlike most developers I build sites differently. My clients own everything from the domain name to the hosting, to every single bit of code. While that might not sound special, believe me, it is. In building sites I offer up a variety of options and have an a la carte style menu of options so the client can have exactly what they need without paying for what they don’t need. You can see more about that HERE.
2. I build Custom Landing Pages
Landing pages, squeeze pages or whatever you want to call them, if you are running ad campaigns when the visitor clicks on your ad you want them to go to a highly targeted landing page that speaks directly to the reason they clicked on the ad. That is what a Landing Page is for and how you can dramatically increase conversion rates. These can be inside your existing WordPress website or built as a stand alone. Some people will use my single page website offer to do. Hey, that’s ok too.
3. I build Custom Google Maps
Yes, anyone can build custom maps. There are a number of ways to build custom Google Maps, some are easy, others are harder. Let’s say you want a map showing 200+ points and when you click on a point you want that bubble to show certain details with a link. That’s when I start. Instead of the way you might do it, I build a custom KML file, upload it to a server and then use the Google Map Engine API to pull the data dynamically to create each point. That just got a little more complicated, eh? Yes, you can hire me to do that.
4. I build Custom Newsletters
If and when a potential client get’s to your site the very real truth is that they are probably not ready to take action. No matter what your business is, there’s something called a ‘sales cycle’ involved. Chances are they were doing their preliminary research. Like when you reply to that store clerk with, “Just looking…” – you want that time and space to look around. When they leave your site are you just hoping they’ll remember to come back? That’s why a Newsletter system is vital. Capture their email and gently remind them that you are still there when you are ready.
5. I manage community based website(s)
As a community manager, I build the site and then hire and schedule the authors. Before each post goes live they are edited for better SEO. Posts originate on the site but also go up in Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets. Fan contests encourage user generated content. Of course it all stays together with a comprehensive newsletter. Not for everyone but if you are interested (and have a budget) maybe we should talk.
6. I build custom Facebook Page Applications
If you have a Facebook Page for your business (and you should) you can also have a custom App for that page. You could use this for a “Welcome” tab or what a lot of clients today are doing is using them as targeted landing pages within Facebook for the FB ads. Did you know you could do that?
7. I modify existing WordPress Websites
Not necessarily what I like to do, but sometimes it’s the best thing. If you have an existing site that needs an overhaul – I can do that. You won’t lose the content but the site will look new and updated. That’s the good part. The bad part is that old sites usually have so many code skeletons lurking deep within them that we sometimes run into problems. Sometimes it takes even more work to get everything to work properly than it does for a fresh build. Sometimes I get called in to pick up when someone got over their head. WordPress is easy, until it’s not – know what I mean?
8. Public Speaking
I love speaking to groups large and small. Meeting new people with different challenges and different goals. I speak on all things social media, technology, blogging (of course), SEO, and even ad campaign strategies. Each session is always fresh and new with no hidden agenda. I’ve flown all over the country to speak to various audiences and relish each new opportunity.
9. One on One Consultation
First of all… I am not a coach. That said, I love consulting with the small business owner. There’s something about that light bulb that goes off when I share the things that they could implement themselves to achieve their goals. Want to pick my brain? That sounds like a One on One Consultation to me. You can purchase an hour of my time, or even setup a weekly meeting.
10. Workshops
I’m one of those people who need directions once to get somewhere, once I’ve driven there it’s permanently ingrained in my brain and I’ll never forget again. The same goes for doing things. Telling someone how to do something is one thing – teaching them to do it and having them doit themselves is entirely another! I love holding 2 hour workshops to small groups where the attendees walk out having actually done something besides just sit and listen.
BONUS: I Shoot, Edit and Produce Commercial High Def Video:
Chances are you are not local to me. If you were we could be talking about producing your next video. Of course, if you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, maybe we should be?
That’s a whole bunch more than an elevator speech, eh? But I hope that answers a bunch of questions about how and what I can do for your business. Moving on, looking at your business – is it crystal clear what you do? Should you have a post like this? Just thinking…
Mike Mueller
He's an avid hockey fan, rides a mountain bike, a few motorcycles (he had a really fast one,bought a cool orange one, and still rides a really slow one), he loves strong beer and good red wine.
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