Bookkeeping

• Online banking or bill paying

• Use an online bookkeeping service such as QuickBooks Online

• Send invoices traditionally or via email

Brainstorming

• Ask questions to help reevaluate workload

• Listen to your ideas and give real feedback

Communication

Email

• Email follow up, sorting, and forwarding

• Set up spam filters, folders, flags, and more

• Set up auto-responders

• Maintain multiple identities/aliases

• Merge multiple emails into a single text file

• Create professional email signatures

• Create bulk mailing programs

• Send electronic greeting cards

• Maintain email folders

• Assist you with backing up your email data

• Maintain list of email contacts

• Maintain an email address book program

Fax

• Send or accept faxes for you

• Maintain an e-fax account

• Convert e-faxes to PDF documents

  • Forward to you via e-mail

Internet & World Wide Web

• Use video conferencing technology

• Set up and maintain a virtual office or intranet

• Join, participate and upload files to an online community or e-group

• Participate in an online meeting or chat

• Request customer service through a company’s chat room

• Create and maintain blogs

• Use several types of instant messengers like Yahoo!, ICQ, and AOL

Postal Mail & Package Services

• Use the US Postal Service web site to lookup a zip codes, calculate shipping

• Create and implement bulk mailing programs

• Create and implement special occasion mailings

• Accept and sort portions of your mail via a PO Box

• Ship packages for you via your FedEx account

Telephone

• Manage your v-mail and recorded message(s)

• Have a dedicated telephone line in home office for your business

• Set up teleconferences via the use of bridge lines

• Audio tape a conference call

• Use the Yellow or White Pages online

  • Do an online reverse lookup on a telephone number

Data Management

Database Maintenance

• Design and maintain Access databases

• Design and maintain contact managers such as ACT!, Goldmine, Maximizer

• Design and maintain Excel spreadsheets

• Apply web site form data to a database

Contact Management

• Track all contacts

  • business associates

  • clients/customers

  • independent contractors

  • salespeople

  • vendors

• Scheduling and maintaining the calendar (including recurring items)

  • appointments

  • bills

  • business meetings

  • deadlines

  • follow-up calls & reminders

  • personal occasions: anniversaries, birthdays, etc.

  • important events

  • interviews

• Create tasks and to-do lists

• prepare follow up/call back lists

• review sales histories

• report on marketing campaigns

• compile commissions

• plan future mailings

• Work simultaneously online …

  • or synchronize via e-mail (*prohibited by some ISPs spam filters)

File Management

• Capture images using SnagIt

• Create RealAudio files

• Organize and sort files on your desktop via a program such as PC Anywhere

• Save and forward web pages and/or web sites

• Scan hard copy files and store them electronically

• Type dictation or set up a telephone dictation service for you

• Upload files via FTP

• Zip and unzip files

Graphics and Presentations

Desktop Publishing

• Booklets

• Brochures and fliers

• Business cards

• Business reply cards

• Event programs

• Restaurant menus, drink lists, and table tents

• Media Kits

• Monthly calendars

• Newsletters

• Office forms

• Promotional items

• Questionnaires

• Self-mailers

• Special projects

Graphic Images

• Create special effects and collages in PhotoShop

• Create a logo or business cards

• Create a brochure or newsletter

• Edit GIF and JPG image files

• Change an image type

• Scan photographs and other images

• Take, download & edit pictures or video with digital camera

Presentation Preparation

• Design agendas and programs

• Design handouts and booklets

• Create overhead sheets

• Design training manuals

• Create PowerPoint slide shows

• Add multimedia to a PowerPoint presentation

• Design feedback cards

• Design give-away items

Marketing

Advertising Assistance

• Obtain media kits

• Assist with advertising budget and schedule

• Critique your advertising copy

• Contact editors

• Deal with salespeople

• Place advertisements

• Create a banner ad exchange program

Create, track, and maintain affiliate programs

• Maintain Google AdWords or AdSense accounts

E-zines and Online Bulletin Boards

• Create an HTML e-zine

• Create a subscriber list with specific administrative options

• Assist with building subscriber list/bulletin board

• Send email to subscriber list/bulletin board

• Maintain subscriber list's bounced deliveries

• Monitor list, tend to moderator functions

Marketing Assistance

• Design marketing plans

• Create special promotions

• Track campaigns and report ROI

• Track industry events such as conferences

Internet Research

• Research competition

• Find potential customers

• Find potential outside business support

• Research business trends

• Track news and events

• Set-up and track Google Alerts

Internet & World Wide Web Promotion

• Research tools, directories, and web sites that offer web promotion

• Submit to search engines and on-line directories

• Create and/or submit to web rings

• Promote your site in online mailing lists and newsgroups

• Issue electronic press releases

• Post articles to online article banks or submit to editors via email

• Submit your profile to membership directories

• Create and maintain a link exchange program

Publicity

• Prepare and format promotional materials

• Prepare and distribute press releases

• Prepare and maintain your web site and subscriber list

• Research advertising opportunities

• Request book reviews, endorsements, and testimonials

• Research interview opportunities

• Prepare and distribute hard copy and/or electronic newsletters

• Pursue direct marketing through traditional or electronic mailings

• Research freelance opportunities and other outlets for your work

• Research speaking opportunities and make travel arrangements

• Schedule book signings

• Research unique opportunities such as book awards, clubs, and contests

• Obtain materials and items from display and promotional providers, as well as production services

• Research print and electronic catalog and directory listings

• Work with your marketing specialist or publicist

Writing

• Abstracts

• Articles

• Brochures

• Consumer book review requests

• Contracts

• E-letters and e-zines

• Handouts

• Media kit content

• Memos

• Personal biographies

• Promotional materials

• Proposals

• Query letters

• Synopsis'

• Web site copy

Networking

• Arrange e-mail and telephone interviews for you

• Research associations and organizations to join

• Research e-groups and newsgroups to join

• Make meeting arrangements

• Research agents, coaches, and publicists to further assist you

Organization & Systems Consulting

• Recommend efficient and cost effective new technology, equipment, and services

• Develop and implement routine systems

• Set-up electronic or traditional paper filing system

• Design inter-office forms

• Set-up an online bookmark/favorites service

• Maintain an online backup service

• Maintain an online virtual office

Personal Attention

• Develop time management systems that alleviate the amount of time owner spends on business

• Assist and offer suggestion’s for owner’s personal occasions and events

• Maintain an online grocery (or similar) service

Purchasing Advice

• Research product reviews

• Research other freelancers & vendors

• Obtain product information

• Track sales and inventory

• Obtain price quotes

• Order office supplies

• Order & keep track of subscriptions

• Obtain warranty and contract agreements

Quality Assurance

• Provide customer service via phone or e-mail

• Design inter-office checklists

• Analyze and report on feedback

• Draft written responses to complaints

• Design and send customer questionnaires

• Make recommendations for improvement