| "A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no | | | | just because you're not in their office or around the |
| match for me at kick boxing." -Emo PhilipsFor those of | | | | corner, you're just as available to them.Now this may |
| us who have moved our businesses into the virtual | | | | sound obvious, but just having all of those |
| world, it's sometimes easy to forget that our | | | | communication tools isn't enough. You must make it |
| customers are real, live breathing human beings. Some | | | | priority number one to be accessible. None of those |
| of us may even have moved into this area to avoid all | | | | handy devices are any good if they don't help get you |
| the human interactions. However, it is imperative that | | | | on the line for that customer. You must always put |
| we don't forget the importance of the human | | | | answering messages, replying to e-mails and simply |
| component of sales, even online.It's easy for us to just | | | | checking in from time to time at the top of your priority |
| see our clients as a number or an e-mail address | | | | list!Making the decision to hire online companies can be |
| because we don't actually see them on a daily basis | | | | a major step to business owners who have never |
| or in some cases, ever. But, it is important to realize | | | | ventured into this new world, and it is your job to make |
| that the majority of people are still not one hundred | | | | sure they have a positive experience.There is no |
| percent comfortable doing business with a faceless | | | | question that computers have made all of lives easier |
| entity over a DSL line. It can be very hard for a client | | | | and are growing the global economy at an astonishing |
| to put their trust and more importantly their money into | | | | rate, but let us never forget the importance of the |
| someone or something they can't see.This is where | | | | "human touch!"Dana Wallert is the owner of an online |
| communication comes into play. We all know that in | | | | virtual assistance company. She has many years |
| business communication is key. However, in the virtual | | | | experience in sales and marketing, as well as office |
| world, it is all-powerful. No matter what your product or | | | | management. Find more about Dana and sign up to |
| service, if you expect to make a living in an online | | | | receive her free monthly newsletter at DW Office |
| venture, you must be accessible to your existing clients | | | | Solutions - Virtual Assistant Services Dana has also |
| and potential customers.It is crucial that you offer as | | | | ridden horses her entire life. She currently provides |
| many avenues of reaching you as possible. You must | | | | several barns with virtual assistance. She also runs a |
| give them e-mail addresses, physical addresses, phone | | | | new horse information website called Horse Topics |
| numbers, fax numbers and as many different instant | | | | offering information on all aspects of horsecare, riding, |
| messenger options as you have. They must feel that | | | | etc. |