"Virtually News" June 2014 magazine for Small Businesses

VIR EDITION #2: June 2014VIRTUALLY NEWS
Promoting, Assisting & Supporting
UK Small Businesses

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Virtuoso Assistant | www.virtuosoassistant.co.uk | 0118 324 0197
EDITION #2: June 2014
Contents
Page No. Article
2 - 3 Since We Last Met
4 Flaming June
5 - 7 Small Business Showcase
8 - 9 The UK Outsourcing Centre
Business News & Events
10 - 11 Financing for Small Business
11 - 13 Co-Working Spaces for Entrepreneurs ... and More
13 How Regional Cities can Match London’s Success
14 What to Expect as a Start-Up
14 Mistakes? A Positive Learning Curve
14 Business Interview: “My Business Plan was Worthless”
Social Media & Marketing
15 - 17 Web Page, Slideshare, Podcast, App of the Month, Blog Article
18 - 20 Getting Started on Pinterest with Anna Bennett, “White Glove
Social Media”
21 LinkedIn Training with Tom Mallens
Offers, Fun & Competition Time!
22 Offers
23 - 24 A bit of fun
25 Competition time
26 - 27 Last Word

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A big “THANK YOU” to everyone who took the time to read the first edition
of “Virtually News”; I was absolutely delighted to hear and read your lovely
comments which were so encouraging.
It seems the most popular articles were from the “Business News & Events” section so
thanks to all of you who took the time to give me your feedback. Please do continue
to send me your views so that I can identify which articles you’d like to read for future
editions (please do fill in the quick, 7-question survey on pg. 26)
A special “Thank you” goes out to Jonathan Rose who emailed me to say that a couple
of my links weren’t working last month. In the words of Captain Mainwaring,
“I was wondering who’d be the first to spot that!”
SINCE WE LAST MET

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As the months go on I’m hoping that “Virtually News” will get bigger and better with
more offers and freebies, so make sure you don’t miss out.
Sign up and have each issue delivered to your Inbox!

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Next up?
TENNIS (not football!)
The first of this year’s summer Grand Slams is the French Open, Roland Garros, with
it’s beautiful red clay courts and turquoise décor. Will Rafa Nadal retain his “King of
Clay” title?
After Roland Garros it’s Queen’s and then wonderful Wimbledon!
For any of you who haven’t been to Wimbledon, please do go.
You don’t need to buy seats on the show courts in order to
have a fabulous day; queue up (it’s all part of the fun), buy a
ground ticket and see who you can see.
The best time to make the most of a ground ticket is on the
first few days of the first week. Although you won’t see any of
the top seeds playing on the outside Courts, you’re in with a
very good chance of seeing some of the next best players. The
atmosphere itself is worth going for. The grounds are absolutely stunning; walkways
are festooned with trailing flowers and hanging baskets.
Sit on a bench, enjoy a large glass of Pimms and do a bit of celebrity watching!
Flaming June
The end of May and start of June are the most wonderful times of the
year for me.
As I’m writing, RHS Chelsea Flower Show has just begun (best of luck to
all the exhibitors - I hope you receive the awards you deserve).
I’m always sad to see the beautiful Show Gardens dismantled, pulled apart
and sold off during the last frenetic Saturday afternoon but the feeling is
only short-lived as I watch show-goers making their way home with
armfuls of plants, trees sticking out of car sun roofs and bus windows!
English, Eccentric and Loving it!

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The Parlour, London: Hair-Raisingly Fabulous!
Without any shadow of a doubt our Small Business of the Month is awarded to
“The Parlour”, London
Based in Chiswick, London, The Parlour is a hair salon with a difference.
I don’t know about you, ladies, but I’ve so often watched a ‘golden oldie’ film and
wondered how women managed to keep themselves looking so well dressed and
groomed in the 1940s, given the restrictions they faced.
My grandmothers often told me stories about how they would “make do and mend”
and there was definitely a lot of improvisation going on. Stockings, for example, were
scarce (unless you knew an American GI) so women would save up old tea leaves and
use them to colour their legs brown. They’d even use an eye pencil to draw a line up
the backs of their legs for an improvised ‘seam’!
Jacqueline, founder of The Parlour, says,
Small Business Showcase
“Vintage styling is making a comeback!
We’ll show you how to achieve perfectly formed S-
curls, victory rolls, or any other retro look you like…
Time to let that inner minx out, ladies!”

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The Parlour ticks a lot of boxes for me.
They’ve given the hair salon a unique twist by offering a different range of services.
Book a workshop and learn how to style your own hair - enjoy cake and cocktails
whilst you’re there!
Trim those eyebrows at Natasha’s Brow Bar (available Thursdays and Fridays, 9am -
2pm).
Book a “Bombshell Blow Out” that will last for days!
The Parlour also offers a braiding service. Take a look at some of the beautiful styles
their artists have created:

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Have a Party!
If you’re looking for an alternative idea to celebrate your birthday, book a party at The
Parlour. You’ll also be treated to their special afternoon tea menu whilst you beautify
yourselves.
Bridal Service
It goes without saying that every bride wants to look beautiful on her Big Day BUT it
can be an expensive business.
Jacqueline and her team understand this and offer two incredible bridal packages:
 Bridal Hair: including one trial run @ £95.00
 Bridal Breakfast at The Parlour (I just love this): Jacqueline will open a back
room at The Parlour for you and your bridesmaids to get ready at your leisure. She’ll
ply you with tea, cakes and pastries to keep you going whilst her artists make you look
fabulous.
Your Chance to Win a Month in the Spotlight!
For details of how you can put your business in the spotlight and be a part of our
“Small Business Showcase” for a month, see pg. 25
Reader Offer
See pg. 22 for an offer you really can’t refuse from The Parlour!

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19th
May 2014
The UK Outsourcing Centre went live!
CONGRATULATIONS TO KERRY.
If you didn’t see May’s edition of “Virtually News” you’ll have missed the article we ran
about Kerry Field’s new company, “The UK Outsourcing Centre”.
Just to re-cap, some of the aims of the UK Outsourcing Centre are to:-
 Raise your business profile;
 Grow your business;
 Build credibility and reputation.
You’ll also have access as a Gold & Silver member to a fabulous selection of documents
and helpful information via the ‘hub’.
THE UK OUTSOURCING CENTRE
“The UK Outsourcing
Centre is the UK's fastest
growing and most
effective online business
community.”

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Hello from “Virtually News”
We’ll also be helping out by:
 welcoming new members of the
UK Outsourcing Centre with a ‘hello’
each month;
 providing a summary of what
your business is about in our
newsletter;
 adding a link to your profile so
that readers can find you.
#myUKbiz
So far it’s been wonderful to see you all
tweeting the UK Outsourcing Centre’s new
Twitter hashtag - #myUKbiz. Please keep it
up!
The more we repeat and retweet #myUKbiz
the more interest is generated and the
more traffic it will attract. This is
beneficial for you so please do join in as
much as you can and, if your business is
promoted, make sure you engage in a little
chit-chat and thank others for any retweets.
The same goes for Facebook, LinkedIn and
Google Plus!
For details of how you can join The UK Outsourcing Centre, contact Kerry:
www.theukoutsourcingcentre.com

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1. Financing for Small Businesses
Finding a loan to support you during the first year or so of a new business scheme
is becoming easier as the Government launches new schemes to support
entrepreneurs and SMEs. According to the latest Bank of England figures, lending
to small businesses had increased by 27% compared with the same time last year.
The Government first set up their “Funding for Lending” scheme in 2012, allowing
banks and building societies to borrow money from the Bank of England at a
cheaper market rate and passing on the benefits to SMEs.
The Government also set up a new British Business Bank to assist small
businesses set up and finance their projects,
Find out how you can finance your business with the British Business Bank by
clicking on the link.
Alternative Funding
Why not take a look at what Funding Circle are doing with regards to lending to
small businesses? Use their simple online calculator to find out how much you
would expect to pay back on a lump sum, including Funding Circle’s own fees.
Business News & Events

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Funding Circle were winners of Credit Today Awards 2013 as Alternative
Lender of the Year.
Funding Circle is supported by the British Business Bank.
2. Co-Working Spaces for Entrepreneurs ... and More
I first came across “Bathtub2Boardroom” late last year, thought it was a fabulous
idea, cursed my bad luck because I no longer lived in London, and that was that.
I’m delighted that I now have the opportunity to share details of this fabulous charity
with you.
“Bathtub2Boardroom” became a registered charity in October 2011 and now provide
entrepreneurs in the early stages of business with an extremely cost-effective and
beautiful office space in which to work and the opportunity to network with like-minded
people.
In addition, they will provide the following resources:
 A supportive, collaborative environment that positively encourages sharing of
knowledge, experience and ideas
 A mentor with whom they will be able to establish a one-one relationship
 Access to expert advice surgeries on a broad range of related topics
● ● ●
“We’re a charity that fills empty commercial space with
early stage entrepreneurs who have limited capital but
unlimited ideas.”
● ● ●

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 Access to a communal database of business knowledge
 Regular group workshops and evening speaking events
“Bathtub2Boardroom” currently have two locations or ‘bathtubs’ in London: Bethnal
Green and the ‘Tub in the City’. The ‘tub’ at Bethnal Green is a converted church
with 70 dedicated work desks and, I have to say, the most beautiful décor. It’s
conveniently located just 10 minutes’ walk from Bethnal Green Tube station.
Marketing & Events Manager, Yohanna Best, explained to me that the City tub was
used mostly by entrepreneurs who travel to London a few times a month and need a
dedicated desk space or a meeting room in which to see clients, for example. The site
has been loaned to “Bathtub2Boardroom” by the Mercers’ Company, the premier
livery company of the City of London.
Paddy Willis, one of Bathtub’s Trustees, said in a recent press release,
“This is a great opportunity for London’s keen new entrepreneurs to
take their business ideas to the next level, made possible by one of
the City's oldest institutions. The Mercers’ Company has a rich
history of patronage dating back to the 16th century.
Most of our entrepreneurs come from working alone at their kitchen
table, so we are delighted to be able to welcome them to the
financial heart of London.”

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2nd
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
Whilst writing we’d like to take the
opportunity to wish
Bathtub2Boardroom’s Bethnal Green ‘tub’ a
VERY HAPPY 2nd
BIRTHDAY!
Yohanna has kindly invited you to join their
birthday celebrations on 11th
June at:
Bethnal Green Bathtub, The Church,
33a Wadeson Street, Bethnal Green,
London E2.
In addition, the team are offering half-price membership during the month of
June. You only pay £100.00 + VAT in return for your own designated work space, a
fabulous network of entrepreneurs to hob-nob with, mentoring for your start-up and
loads of other free educational & social events.
What’s not to like?
Just contact Johanna for a chat: yohanna@bathtub2boardroom.com or find her at the
Bethnal Green birthday party!
Please do take a moment to look at their website, find out what this fabulous charity
can do for you and how you might support them.
Why not also get in touch with them via their social media channels:-
Facebook Twitter
3. How Regional Cities can Match London’s Success
Jim O’Neill, writing for City A.M., is former chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset
Management and chair of City Growth Commission.
He discusses what needs to be done to unlock latent potential in cities outside London.

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4. What to Expect as a Start-Up
If you’re thinking of starting up your own small business have a look at this article in
the UK Huffington Post by Jack Kershaw, an entrepreneur based in Essex - “Got a Good
Idea? Want to Start your Own Business?”
Jack pretty much sums up what you need to expect when you first start out in business
and offers some sound advice.
Speaking from experience, I’d most definitely agree that you’ll need to be a ‘Jack / Jill
of All Trades’ and be good at them all before you’re in the enviable position of being
able to outsource at least some of them.
And a sense of humour is VITAL!
5. Mistakes? A Positive Learning Curve
It seems that we’re all terrified of making mistakes - I guess there are mistakes and
there are MISTAKES!
I’m currently thinking of the difference between a small typo in a document and the
mistake made by France’s national rail company, SNCF, which has built 2,000 new trains
only to realise that they are too wide for the majority of stations. What a blooper!
For the most part, however, mistakes are a learning curve and we shouldn’t beat
ourselves up about them. To put a positive spin on it, some ground-breaking
discoveries have been made on the back of past mistakes, including the humble crisp or
potato chip. Have a look for yourselves in Prof. Nick Clements’ article, “Making Mistakes
is Good for You”.
6. Business Interview: Justine Roberts of “Mumsnet”
I found this article fascinating, inspirational and well worth a read, “My Business Plan
was Worthless”.

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This Month’s Recommendations
This month’s recommendations
SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING
Web page
“How to Increase your Twitter Engagement by 324%”
By Neil Patel, QuickSprout
Slideshare
The Small Business Playbook
- By LinkedIn

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APP OF THE MONTH
Fabulous accounting software specifically for small businesses and
freelancers. FreeAgent has just been listed in FinTech50 2014
(Europe’s top 50 companies).
A trial is available free for 30 days.
In 2013 FreeAgent introduced, “‘Fast File’ ... giving sole traders the
ability to submit Self-Assessment tax returns directly with HMRC from
within FreeAgent - becoming the first online accounting system to
provide this functionality”. [Find out more: The Startup Magazine]
PODCAST
“What to do when your Business makes a Public Mistake?”
Via Social Media Examiner, with Michael Stelzner & Gini Dietrich
from Arment Dietrich

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Blog Article
“The 10 Best Facebook Campaigns”
By Jeff Bullas
Find out how top companies, from Bing to FarmVille to Domino’s Pizzas, use their
Facebook status updates for fabulous marketing initiatives.
“The marketing goals for the Facebook pages vary but quite
often the simple goal of just increasing their fan count to
their Facebook page seems to be top of the list as brands
have worked out very quickly that being able to
communicate to 1,000′s or even millions of fans via a simple
status update is very efficient highly leveraged marketing.”

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Getting Started on Pinterest
Although you can’t be active on every
single social media platform there is,
by now you really ought to be
making the most of the fabulous
marketing opportunities Pinterest
offers you.
Take a look at some of these
statistics to whet your marketing
appetite:-
Pinterest drives more web
traffic than Google+, LinkedIn and
YouTube combined [Shareaholic]
Constant Contact, email
marketing software, has grown their
following to 18,000 in just 2 years
Pins on Pinterest have a longer
‘shelf life’, i.e. people continue to
engage with content longer than on
Twitter, for example.
The key to success on Pinterest is an IMAGE which is eye-catching and
‘shareable’ and links back to your blog or website.
It’s that straightforward!
As I did last month, I’m going to introduce you to an expert who knows all about
Pinterest - Anna Bennett from White Glove Social Media.

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White Glove Social Media
Anna and her team are based in Vancouver, Canada, and are Pinterest marketing
experts.
Take a look at Anna’s Pinterest boards and see how she cleverly markets what is
essentially a service as opposed to a product. She uses an eye-catching image (a bit
like waving a flag in a crowd) to grab your attention and encourage you to read
what she has to say.

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Anna has some great courses available via her website.
She advised me that, “... if you really want to master Pinterest, take my
course”.
The course consists of 12 chapters and you can work your way through them
entirely at your own speed. Take a look at the course list.
You can expect to receive:-
1) Weekly assignments
2) 3 months email support from me
3) 1 year access to 12 chapters with over 60 video lessons
4) Several PDF’s, worksheets, and resource guides
5) Pinterest Time Management To Do List Template (daily, weekly, monthly,
quarterly)
6) Included are lots of examples so that you can actually see what works on
Pinterest and then model that in your own business
7) 1yr free Pinterest updates and news (priceless!)
8) 7 Deadly Pinterest Mistakes Report ($29 value)
9) Entitled to a *50% discount on coaching sessions and Pinterest page review
*subject to change without notice
At the end of this course your account is set up correctly and you are operating it
properly.
Who is this training for?
Entrepreneurs, online marketers, coaches, consultants or local businesses with a
product, program or service to sell who don’t have a Pinterest Marketing plan that’s
working for them.
Both tech savvy and non-tech savvy people who want to learn how to scale their
Pinterest marketing to get bigger results more consistently.
People who are ready to take action, but know they do best when they can model
someone who has already seen the success they’re after, and know they will find
value in my feedback, insight and personal resources along the way.
So why not get in touch with Anna: anna@whiteglovesocialmedia.com
She’d be more than happy to advise you!

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LinkedIn Training
I’m sure many of you have profiles on LinkedIn; it’s one of the best networking sites
for businesses who fall into the B2B category.
Are you making the most of what LinkedIn has to offer, however?
Tom Mallens, who is based in Leamington Spa, is a LinkedIn Marketing expert.
If you have any questions regarding how to optimise your own LinkedIn profile, build
a loyal network of connections and generate more business leads without the need
for old-style ‘cold calling’, just get in touch with Tom and he’ll be happy to point you
in the right direction.
Tom updates his blog on a weekly basis and is regularly sending out helpful business
tips via Twitter and LinkedIn so why not introduce yourselves to him.
LinkedIn Training Schedule
If you’re based in or around Leamington Spa, why not make the most of two
fabulous training sessions Tom is running:
 Friday 13th
June, 9.00am - 12.30pm
 Friday 18th
July, 9.00am - 12.30pm
You can find out further details & book tickets via Tom’s Eventbrite page.

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This Month’s Offer
So, I’ve saved the best news until last!
Jacqueline, owner of The Parlour, has been incredibly generous and is offering you,
ladies, a 15% discount at her salon on week days and ... wait ... unlimited cocktails
from her beautiful bar at weekends when you make a booking.
What better way to kick-start your evening out on the razzle?
[Now why don’t I live closer to London?!]
Make sure that, when you make a booking at The Parlour, you quote “PARLOUR-
NEWS14” to take advantage of this fabulous offer.
Thank you so much, Jacqueline and your wonderful team!
Tea & Cocktails at The Parlour
Offers, Fun & Competitions

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A Bit of Fun

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Competition Time!
Don’t forget our monthly competition continues.
WIN a month in the spotlight as part of our “Small
Business Showcase” article and have your business
promoted on Twitter for a week by the lovely team at
Bizitalk.
Details
All you have to do is send me:
 The reasons why you feel you deserve to be promoted in “Small Business
Showcase”;
 Your answer in no more than 500 characters;
 Your Twitter handle & website URL.
Please send your entries to me at hello@virtuosoassistant.co.uk, including the
subject heading, “Small Business Showcase”.
The cut-off date for entries will be the 26th
of each month.
Winning entries will be announced via Twitter and your business will be promoted in
the following month’s “Virtually News”.

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LAST WORD
Have your Say!
The main purpose of this newsletter is to provide you with content which is useful
and hopefully interesting.
In order for me to find out if I’m on the right tracks or if I’ve completely lost sight of
the goal posts I’d be grateful if you’d take the time to give me your feedback with
this fun, 7-question survey (it’ll take just a minute to fill in).
Don’t forget!
You can win a chance of putting your business in the spotlight with “Small Business
Showcase” and being promoted for a whole week on Twitter with the team at
Bizitalk (see pg. 25)

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All that remains for me to say is ...
If you want to receive regular copies of “Virtually News” before anyone else,
just provide me with your details: Sign up

"Virtually News" June 2014 magazine for Small Businesses

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