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12 Common Small Business Challenges and How to Fix it with the Help of VAs

Common-small-Business-Challenges

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There is great potential for success when you launch and manage your own business, but there are also many obstacles to overcome. 

There are many challenges that businesses must overcome. These range from customer acquisition and brand promotion to the administration of daily operations and the acquisition of funding. The good news is that with the right resources, time, and effort, these obstacles can be conquered.

We’ll discuss 12 of the most widespread problems that companies face, and offer advice on how to address them with the help of well trained and equipped Virtual Assistants. 

Whether you are an established business owner or just getting your feet wet, you will find useful information and practical guidance that will propel your enterprise forward. If you think you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur, then let’s get to work!

Here are the top common business challenges a business owner faces with fixes through the help of trained Filipino virtual assistants:

common small business challenges - finding customers

(1) Finding Customer

One of the hardest things for a business to do, especially at the outset, is to find customers. A company cannot survive without customers because customer spending directly correlates to revenue. Customers can be found through a variety of channels, such as print and online ads, social media promotions, content and referral networks, and search engine optimization.

Solution and Action Plan on Finding Customers:

Step 1: Define your target audience. The first thing you need to do when trying to find customers is to develop a profile of your ideal client. Think about demographics like age, location, interests, and spending habits.

Step 2: Identify your marketing channels. Once you have a firm grasp on who you’re trying to reach, you can begin zeroing in on the best methods of communication. Advertising can take many forms, including social media, email, content, and paid placements.

Step 3: Create a content marketing strategy. Create a content marketing plan that will interest and captivate your niche audience with the assistance of your virtual assistant. Making blog posts, videos, or whatever else will also help you reach your audience and establish your company as a leader in your field is one way to do this.

Step 4: Optimize your website for search engines. Optimizing your site for search engines is the fourth step. Your virtual assistant can also assist you in SEO, or search engine optimization, which will increase your website’s visibility in the event that a potential client performs a search using terms related to your business. Conducting keyword research, tweaking your website’s content and structure, and constructing high-quality backlinks are all potential steps in this process.

Step 5: Launch an email marketing campaign. Your virtual assistant can also help you start an email marketing campaign that will interest and retain your target customers. To do this, you may need to develop a content calendar, segment your email list, and make use of premade email templates.

Step 6: Monitor your results. Your VA can assist you in tracking your progress so that you can determine whether or not your efforts are bearing fruit. This could involve monitoring things like how many people visit your site, how many emails are opened, and how many of those people end up making a purchase. You can also use this data to fine-tune your marketing efforts and boost your returns.

Finding customers is essential to the success of any business, and a virtual assistant can help you do it more efficiently and effectively. But, if you follow these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to creating a successful customer acquisition strategy that will propel your company to new heights.

common small business challenges - 
 Increase Brand Awareness

(2) Increase Brand Awareness

Regardless of a company’s size, increasing brand recognition among potential customers is crucial for success. Customers are more likely to think of your company when they have a need for your goods or services if they are familiar with your brand.

Solution and Action Plan in Increasing Brand Awareness

A virtual assistant (VA) can be a valuable asset in increasing brand awareness. Here are some specific ways a VA can help:

  1. Content creation and management: Your virtual assistant (VA) can help you create and also manage brand-promoting content like blog posts, videos, and social media updates to expand your reach and increase your customer base.
  2. Social media management: Your virtual assistant (VA) can assist you in all aspects of social media management, from content creation and scheduling to following up with followers and analyzing data.
  3. Influencer outreach: Reaching out to influential people in your field can greatly expand your brand’s exposure, and your virtual assistant can help you do just that.
  4. Advertising campaigns: Your virtual assistant can also help you reach your target demographic and build brand awareness by creating and directing advertising campaigns on social media and search engines like Google AdWords and Facebook.
  5. Email marketing: When it comes to email marketing, your virtual assistant can be of great assistance in creating and managing campaigns that effectively reach your target audience and spread awareness of your brand.
  6. Analytics and tracking: Your virtual assistant can help you set up tracking and analytics systems to measure the success of your brand awareness campaigns as well as to give you the information you need to make educated, evidence-based decisions.

Brand awareness and customer engagement can be improved by tapping into the expertise of a virtual assistant.

common small business challenges - Building an Email List

(3) Building an Email List

The success of any advertising campaign relies heavily on the size and quality of its email list. It’s also a great way to reach out to potential customers, strengthen existing ones, and spread the word about what you’re selling. Providing useful content to your subscribers is essential if you want to grow a large and engaged email list. Furthermore, keep them interested in your brand by providing them with relevant content, special offers, and other value.

Building an Email List Solution and Action Plan

 Any effective marketing campaign should include growing an email list, and a virtual assistant (VA) can make this process simpler and more effective. Some of a virtual assistant’s most useful contributions to email list growth include the following:

  1. Landing page creation: Your virtual assistant can help you make landing pages that persuade visitors to join your email list by doing things like testing out different designs and layouts as well as optimizing the page for conversions.
  2. Lead generation: Using strategies like social media advertising, search engine optimization (SEO), and also guest blogging, your virtual assistant (VA) can help you find and contact prospective customers.
  3. Email capture forms: Your virtual assistant can help you design and code email capture forms for your website, connect them to your email marketing platform, and monitor how effective they are.
  4. Email list segmentation: To send more relevant and useful emails to each subscriber, your virtual assistant can help you segment your email list based on factors like demographics, interests, and behavior.
  5. Email marketing campaign management: When it comes to email marketing, your virtual assistant can help with everything from creating the campaign’s template and content to scheduling and sending out emails.

Using a virtual assistant’s knowledge and experience, you can grow your email list quickly and efficiently, expanding your reach to the people most interested in your brand’s offerings.

common small business challenges - 
 Lead and Sales Generation

(4) Lead and Sales Generation

Any company worth its salt will go to great lengths to increase its prospecting, lead and sales generation efforts. A company can’t stay in business in the long run if it isn’t generating leads and sales. Achieving success in lead and sales generation begins with pinpointing your ideal customer. Who are they, what are their demographics, where do they live, what do they care about, and what problems do they face? Your marketing efforts will also be more successful if you take the time to identify and learn about your target demographic. But most of the business owners are spread too thin on this.

This is where a VA can help.

Lead and Sales Generation Solution and Action Plan

A virtual assistant (VA) with experience in prospecting, lead and sales generation, can also help in resolving this problem. A VA with this set of expertise may know how to do:

  1. Lead generation: Your virtual assistant can help you generate leads through strategies like social media advertising, SEO, and guest blogging.
  2. Lead qualification: To ensure that your sales team is focusing on the most promising opportunities, your virtual assistant can help you identify and qualify leads based on factors like interest level, budget, and decision-making authority.
  3. Sales pipeline management: Your virtual assistant can help you manage your sales pipeline by keeping tabs on leads and customers, recording updates to their profiles, and setting reminders for when to follow up.
  4. Marketing automation: Lead scoring, email marketing, and lead nurturing are all examples of marketing automation that your virtual assistant (VA) can help you set up and manage to speed up the sales cycle.
  5. Sales support: Your virtual assistant (VA) can provide invaluable support to your sales team by conducting prospect research, developing sales collateral, and following up on leads, among other tasks.

The important part is you need to customize and fit the expertise of each of the Filipino VA assigned to this based on your requirement.

common small business challenges - 
 Delighting Customers

(5) Delighting Customers

It’s impossible to grow a prosperous company without first satisfying its customers. Moreover, customers who have a positive experience are more likely to come back, tell their friends, and post positive reviews online. Knowing what your customers want and need is the first step to exceeding their expectations. Pay attention to customer comments and tweak your offerings accordingly.

How to Delight Customers with the Help of VAs?

There is a lot that virtual assistants (VAs) can do to help businesses provide excellent service and make their customers happy. In this regard, VAs can assist in the following ways:

  1. Improved response time: Speedier responses to customer needs thanks to virtual assistants’ ability to take on repetitive support tasks so that more complex problems can be addressed. This has the potential to shorten response times and enhance users’ overall satisfaction.
  2. Personalized support: Virtual assistants (VAs) can be taught to tailor their assistance to each individual client, which in turn boosts client satisfaction.
  3. Increased availability: Virtual assistants can also work beyond regular business hours, increasing your company’s availability by helping you support customers for longer.
  4. Scalability: As your company expands, you can easily hire more virtual assistants (VAs) to keep up with customer demand.
  5. Cost savings: The money you save by not having to pay a full-time employee to do the work of a virtual assistant can be put to better use elsewhere in your business, such as customer service.

Virtual assistants can play a significant role in enhancing a company’s ability to provide customer satisfaction through faster response times, more individualized support, greater availability, and lower operational costs. Furthermore, businesses can boost growth and success by enhancing the customer experience with the help of virtual assistants (VAs).

Hiring Talented People

(6) Hiring Talented People

Employing top-notch workers is a major challenge for companies of all sizes. A company’s success depends on the caliber of its management team, which can be undermined by the presence of incompetent workers. It is important to identify your ideal candidate before beginning the hiring process. What qualifications and experience are required, what sort of character does the candidate need, and what exactly are their aims?

how can VAs help in hiring talented people?

Employing  virtual assistants (VA) to help with the many administrative tasks involved in the hiring process can be a great asset. How virtual assistants can help with finding and recruiting top talent.

  1. Resume screening: Virtual assistants can be useful for sifting through resumes and cover letters to find the best candidates for open positions.
  2. Scheduling interviews: Virtual assistants can help you organize meetings with prospective employees so that you can devote more time to other duties.
  3. Background checks: VAs can assist with running checks, checking references, and gathering all required data.
  4. Communication with candidates: with applicants, including responding to their questions and giving them status updates on the hiring process.
  5. Data management:  Assisting with data management, virtual assistants can help keep track of applications and other candidate information and make sure it’s easy to find when needed.

Businesses can save time and effort on the recruitment and selection of top talent by utilizing the knowledge and experience of virtual assistants. Doing so can boost the caliber of your hiring efforts and set your company up for success.

Managing Business Workflow

(7) Managing Workflow

Workflow management is difficult for businesses of any size, but it becomes increasingly important as companies expand. When you have a lot on your plate, it’s not always easy to keep track of everything and get it done on time and to spec. Asana and Trello are two examples of project management software that can be used as a starting point for handling workflow management. You can organize your team’s work, make sure everyone is on the same page, and meet their deadlines with this.

How can VAs help managing workflow?

Virtual assistants (VAs) can play a significant role in helping manage businesses if the said VA has work background in business operations. Here are some ways that VAs can assist in this regard:

  1. Task delegation: Delegating work to a virtual assistant (VA) allows you to focus on higher-priority tasks.
  2. Scheduling and reminders: Appointment setting, reminder creation, and due date monitoring are all areas in which a virtual assistant can be useful.
  3. Data management: Information management and organization Virtual assistants (VAs) can be useful tools for managing data and making information more accessible.
  4. Email management: Assisting with email is one of the many tasks that virtual assistants can help with.
  5. Project management: Virtual assistants can be useful in managing projects by setting and monitoring deadlines and checking off completed tasks.

Businesses can boost efficiency and output by employing VAs due to their expertise and experience. The use of virtual assistants (VAs) can aid businesses in maintaining efficiency and order, freeing up time and resources to concentrate on what they do best (and thus, grow and succeed).

Creating a Diverse Team

(8) Creating a Diverse Team

To  boost innovation, enhance problem solving, and enrich the company culture it is important that business at some point need to adopt a “diverse team” environment. If you want a team that reflects society at large, you need to make it comfortable for people from all backgrounds to apply. To achieve this goal, discriminatory hiring practices must be eliminated, and a welcoming workplace must be established.

How VA’s can help in creating a Diverse Team?

There is a lot that virtual assistants (VAs) can do to help companies build more diverse and inclusive teams. Virtual assistants can help in the following ways:

  1. Global Talent Pool: When companies use virtual assistants, they gain access to a large pool of qualified people from all over the world.
  2. Remote Work: Virtual assistants (VAs) can work remotely, giving companies access to a wider pool of qualified candidates.
  3. Inclusivity: Businesses can foster a more accepting and welcoming environment by hiring virtual assistants (VAs) from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures.
  4. Work-Life Balance: Hiring a virtual assistant (VA) can improve employees’ work-life balance, which in turn can help businesses attract and retain a more diverse pool of talent.
  5. Cost Savings: Employing a virtual assistant (VA) saves money that can be put toward other company goals, such as increasing diversity and inclusion.

Virtual assistants (VAs) can be instrumental in assisting businesses in building more welcoming and diverse workplace environments. Businesses can benefit from having a diverse team by taking advantage of the worldwide pool of talent, encouraging employees to work remotely, and encouraging an open and accepting work environment. Businesses with wide range of perspectives and experiences are more poised to drive growth and success.

common small business challenges - Monitoring Team Performance

(9) Monitoring Team Performance

Keeping tabs on how well your team is performing is an important part of managing any kind of organization or business. This task largely fall to the business owner in the absence of an operations manager or a human resource manager. Monitoring team performance provides real-time insights on how the team is performing and how we can optimize operations. This is an essential task that should be done regularly. With all the work that the Business owner is doing, this is one of the common problems that is neglected.

How VA’s help in Monitoring Team Performance?

The use of virtual assistants (VAs) can be extremely useful for keeping tabs on how well your team is performing. Virtual assistants, with these competencies and experiences can help in the following ways:

  1. Data collection: Virtual assistants can help compile metrics and data on team performance, allowing businesses to make more informed decisions.
  2. Report generation: Generate reports and dashboards that offer insights into team performance to help businesses spot patterns and opportunities for growth.
  3. Tracking progress: Virtual assistants can keep tabs on teams’ progress and make sure they’re on track to complete their projects.
  4. Feedback collection: To help businesses understand their team’s strengths and weaknesses and make data-driven decisions, VAs can collect feedback from team members and stakeholders.
  5. Performance review: Virtual assistants can be useful in conducting performance reviews, as they can offer valuable insight into team performance and point out areas for growth.

Businesses can improve their growth and success by using virtual assistants’ abilities to track and analyze data about team performance. Employing a VA can help businesses focus on what they do best while also ensuring that they have the information and resources they need to run efficient operations.

common small business challenges - Financial Planning and Management

(10) Financial Planning and Management

Businesses of all sizes face the formidable challenge of managing and planning their finances on a day-to-day basis. Business success will always be about how well finances are managed. When money is tight,  you still need to schedule the payables. A good financial plan is essential. Establishing financial objectives, such as expanding revenue and decreasing costs, is the first step in developing a budget. This administrative tasks, though important, can be best assigned to a Virtual Assistant.

How VA’s help in Financial Planning and Management?

When it comes to managing and planning a company’s finances, hiring virtual assistants (VAs) can be invaluable. Virtual assistants can help in the following ways:

Budgeting and forecasting: Developing a budget and predicting future financial performance are two areas where virtual assistants can be invaluable to businesses looking to make strategic decisions and set goals for expansion.

Invoicing and payments:  VAs can manage invoicing and payments, lowering the likelihood of late payments and ensuring that bills are paid on time.

Bookkeeping: Virtual assistants can be a great asset in keeping financial records up to date and accurate.

Financial reporting: Virtual assistants can aid in the creation of financial reports, which can then be used to gain insight into financial performance and inform data-driven business decisions.

Cost control: Virtual assistants can be of assistance in this area, allowing businesses to make better use of their money.

Virtual assistants with prior experience in finance or have the makings of a good finance staff, can be a valuable asset to businesses in the areas of financial planning and management. Incorporating their knowledge and experience into the company’s operations can boost profits, facilitate strategic planning, and fuel expansion and success.

common small business challenges - 
 Business Scaling

(11) Business Scaling

Expanding and scaling a business is a dream for any business owner. However, doing so is difficult especially if you are spreading business operations. If you want to expand your business, one must allocate time in introducing new products, penetrating untapped markets, or ramping up advertising campaigns. This is where a trained and guided Virtual Assistant can help you scale your business.

How VA’s help in Scaling Your Business?

When properly guided and trained, virtual assistants (VAs) can be a huge boon to a company’s expansion and growth. Virtual assistants can help in the following ways:

  1. Process Automation: Virtual Assistants can aid in this area, freeing up time and resources for more strategic endeavors and allowing businesses to expand.
  2. Increased Efficiency: As a result of the increased efficiency brought about by the use of virtual assistants, businesses are now able to take on more work and expand their operations.
  3. Expansion into new markets: Access to new customers and growth opportunities by entering into untapped markets is facilitated by virtual assistants as their services are leveraged in such expansion.
  4. Cost savings: Businesses can save money by making use of VAs’ knowledge and abilities, which then allows them to reinvest those savings and expand their operations.
  5. Access to new skill sets: Virtual assistants (VAs) can facilitate access to a wide range of specialized skills and knowledge, allowing businesses to expand their operations and increase their competitive edge.

Virtual Assistants  can be an instrumental part of a company’s success and expansion. Growth, competitiveness, and success in today’s fast-paced business environment can be fueled by leveraging process automation, increased efficiency, expansion into new markets, cost savings, and access to new skill sets.

common small business challenges - 
 Raising Capital for Business

(12) Raising Capital for the Business

Business owners, no matter how large or small, face the constant challenge of raising capital to grow and scale the business. Constraints on capital and the imperative to expand call for careful financial planning. And this is a full-time thing. A properly trained Virtual Assistant can provide assistance on all administrative tasks related to this concern.

How VA’s help in Raising Capital for Your Business?

Fundraising is a crucial part of any business, and virtual assistants (VAs) can be a great asset in this regard. Virtual assistants can help in the following ways:

  1. Research: Assisting with research, finding investors, and learning about potential funding sources are all tasks that a virtual assistant (VA) can help with.
  2. Preparation of pitch materials: To help put the company’s best foot forward in front of potential investors, virtual assistants (VAs) can assist in the creation of pitch materials such as investor presentations, pitch decks, and executive summaries.
  3. Communication and scheduling: Virtual assistants can be of great assistance in facilitating communication and setting up meetings with potential investors so that the business can present its funding proposal.
  4. Follow-up: Virtual assistants can be of assistance in following up with potential investors to keep the company fresh in their minds and to keep the funding process moving forward.
  5. Data management: VAs can help keep records and files current, accessible, and well-organized for all funding-related documentation.

Businesses can improve their chances of success, manage the funding process more efficiently, and obtain the necessary capital by employing the services of virtual assistants. Virtual assistants can help businesses maintain efficiency, make a good impression on potential backers, and raise the money they need to expand and thrive.

In Conclusion…

Virtual assistants (VAs) can play an important role in addressing many of the most pressing issues that face business owners today with all the perks and benefits of hiring one.

Virtual assistants (VAs) can also help in many ways, from freeing up time and boosting productivity to aiding in budgeting and other financial management tasks. With the proper education and direction, virtual assistants (VAs) can be a powerful tool in the expansion and development of businesses, freeing up time and money for more important tasks and allowing business owners to focus on what they do best. 

Virtual assistants (VAs) can provide the support and resources that businesses need to succeed in today’s rapidly changing business environment. This includes helping to create a diverse team, monitor team performance, raise capital, and delight customers. 

So, hiring a virtual assistant (VA) is a great way to unleash this resource’s full potential and boost your business’s efficiency and growth.

Hire the right Filipino Virtual Assistant for your business now.

Author
𝐁.𝐎.𝐒.𝐒. 𝐑𝐔𝐁𝐄𝐍 𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐀 is one of the Philippines’ international award-winning communications professional and digital marketing experts. Founder of, Growth VAs Inc., Coach Ruben dreams of providing 100,000 Online Jobs to Filipinos via Online Freelancing or Virtual Jobs.

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