Mailchimp Guise, RedRite, Leeds, Virtual Assistant

MailChimp Pop Up Forms – How To

by with No Comment ArticlesHelp Sheets

How to set up Pop-Up Sign Up forms using Mailchimp

Social media can only do so much to bring in customers, but keeping them attentive to your business is even more essential. This can be done by creating mailing lists and keeping people up to date with special offers and the goings on within your business. Creating a mailing list takes time and patience as well as some nifty sign up forms. In this help sheet we look at making a pop up form through MailChimp that can be placed on your website every time someone visits your webpage.

Step 1   

Log in to your MailChimp account and select Lists across the top

Step 2 Select a list that you wish to create a sign up form for, if you do not have one then you need to create one. (Please ask for the help sheet for this)

Step 3

Select Sign up forms from the options given and then select which type of sign up form you require. We will be looking at the pop up sign up form so please select this one.

Step 4

Now you get the MailChimp design screen as seen below. You get four choices when creating a pop up form – Just text, text and a top banner, text and a right picture or text and a left picture. You can also change the font style and colour, Button text, colour and layout as well as the ‘X’ close button in the corner.

Step 5

You can add fields such as First Name and Last Name using the Fields tab at the top.

Add a picture and any additional text using the Content Tab.

Settings tab allows you to decide how long a person needs to be on your page before the sign up form pops up and how wide the form needs to be. Always preview the form as you make changes to make sure it fits your preferences – This is done by clicking on Pop Up Preview in the top right corner, just click the ‘X’ in the corner to close this down, hitting the back button takes you back to MailChimp’s Sign Up form page not your designing page.

Step 6

Once satisfied with your form, click generate code. This will then provide you with a pop up filled with text – HTML coding to be precise. Copy and paste the text.

Step 7

Access your WordPress site, and select either your main page or a post in which you want the sign up form to appear on. On the editor screen select the text tab at the right top corner of the text box. At the bottom of the text box paste the code you copied earlier from MailChimp. Save/update the page/post and view it. Now after the designated time you should see your sign up form pop up.

If you have any issues with these instructions or with MailChimp and WordPress do get in touch and I will be more than happy to help. If you want more tips an help sheets sent straight to your inbox why not sign up to your Mailing list?

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RedRite UK – Virtual Assistant Leeds

Research, importance of research, RedRite, Virtual Assistant, Leeds

Research – How important is it?

by with No Comment ArticlesBlogs

Research seems to have filled every spare moment this April, but how important is it?

What a busy start to the month I have had so far, with Easter holidays, birthdays and plenty of interest from people I feel like the year may have finally truly begun for RedRite and hope the shower of interest this April will help my business bloom like the flowers of May.

One of the biggest services I have had an interest in this month is research. I have had clients who are looking to expand their connections and need help researching suitable individuals and businesses to contact. Clients who are interested in a particular app but want the full story and alternatives before making the final decision, and clients who need a little help coming up with blog content. All different types of research but each just as important as each other to the recipients.

According to Wikipedia “Research comprises creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of humans, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications. It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems…”

Research can come in a variety of forms, even watching the evening news can alert you to so much information that you can put to use, or converse with others about and expand your knowledge more. With so many access points to use when researching the amount of content out there is phenomenal, and finding what is relevant to you and what is not can be a tricky task. In my recent University studies I have been looking at information management and it is intriguing how the theories taught in the book can give insight to the way we research.

Every action of research starts with the need to obtain knowledge and to find it first a person needs to investigate the data available to them. For example you want to obtain knowledge regarding new technologies for your business. You can do a Google search for new technologies and those results are your data. This data then becomes what is known as capta (the process of Capturing Data) when you go ahead and click on several of the search results to investigate further. The data provided on each of those web pages are turned in to information because you are taking on board the data in front of you, making an opinion regarding it and placing in to context – the use the technology may have for your business. Once the information is applied in theory to its possible impact on your business you then hold the knowledge of new technologies for your business.

Research can be a time consuming aspect of everyday life in a business and sometimes not everyone has the additional time it takes to find the information they need to make an informed decision. Many apps and businesses obtain business purely because they are suggested to them or they happen to catch a fancy looking advert, when in reality there could be something far more suited to their needs out there. Unfortunately freedom of time makes the decision for a business owner in these situations rather than financial aspects or easier usability aspects and in the long term may end up costing the business more time and money.

Save a few quid by hiring someone to do the research for you. All it will take is to read over a well-structured document listing pros and cons of each app, the ease in which each app would fit with your company and any other information you require. We at RedRite would be more than happy to help.

Government budget 2016, RedRite, Leeds

Government released Budget 2016. How does it affect you?

by with No Comment ArticlesBlogs

Last week saw the new Budget announced by the government and with it comes a lot of changes that could seriously benefit people with in business.

No matter what industry you are, employees or just you, the changes could mean a big difference with such things as tax changes, threshold increases and even the end of Class 2 National Insurance contributions. We have looked through the Budget and picked a few of, what we feel are, the most imperative changes to small businesses.

Lower Taxes for working people

  • The Government have chosen to increase the current personal allowance to £12,500 and the higher rate threshold to £50,000 by the end of this parliament. Starting with increasing the personal allowance in 2017-2018 to £11,500, higher rate to £43,000 by April this year and then £45,000 by 2017-18.
  • This means that the average employee on National Minimum Wage working 30 hours a week will not have to pay income tax in 2017-18 and there will be 585,000 fewer higher rate tax payers since the start of this parliament.

Soft drinks levy to benefit schools PE curriculum

  • An unusual one in relation to business but the government plan to introduce a levy on soft drink producers and importers, the funds raised will then be distributed in to the school system by providing up to £320 million per year from 2017 to help schools support healthier and more active lifestyles. Up to £285 million a year provided to 25% of secondary schools to increase the school day in order to include a wider range of activities including more sport. Finally £10 million per year to expand breakfast clubs in up to 1,600 schools starting September 2017 to ensure pupils are receiving a nutritious breakfast. If you happen to run sports programmes or wrap around care for schools this may be of interest to you, offering you an added avenue in which to market your services.

Apprenticeships

  • The government announced in the Autumn Budget 2015 an introduction of an apprenticeship levy. This has once again been mentioned in the Budget 2016, with employers receiving a 10% top up of their monthly levy contributions in England which will be available for them to spend on apprenticeships training through their digital account. Further details on the operating model will be realised in April with details on the funding rates published in June.

Employment Reforms

  • The government are seeking advice from an external independent stakeholder group and will offer new peer and specialist support for those suffering from mental health conditions and young disabled people to help them get in to work. A White Paper will be issued later this year with more details on the roles to be played by Health, care and welfare sectors in this reform.
  • Although there has been increase in women returning to work after having children there is still 90% of women who haven’t due to caring for family or children and 1 million who want to work but cannot due to these situations. The government intend to launch a consultation in May 2016 on how to implement its commitment to extend Shared Parental Leave and Pay to working grandparents, with hopes to streamline the system and simplify the eligibility requirements, with intentions of using digital technology.
  • From Early 2017, the government will introduce Tax-Free Childcare to help working parents with the cost of childcare. Allowing more parents the ability to go back to work when they are ready and increase the number of hours they can possibly work. It will be rolled out with younger children enrolled in to the scheme first with all eligible parents brought in by the end of 2017. This will sit alongside the existing scheme Employer-Supported Childcare until it closes in April 2018 to support the transition between the schemes. It will also sit alongside the doubling the childcare entitlement from 15 – 30 hours for working families with 3 and 4 year olds from September 2017.

High wage Society

  • The mandatory National Living Wage will come in to effect 1 April 2016 at £7.20 for workers aged 25 and above. There are hopes that the National Living Wage of 60% of median earnings will reach around £9 in 2020.
  • The National Minimum Wage for 21 to 24 year olds will be £6.95 from October 2016. Other rates will increase accordingly

Goverment Budget

Tax System changes

  • The government are hoping for lower taxes for everyone by aligning tax treatments and imbalances.
  • Up until now employer-provided benefits are taxed more favourably than cash salaries and the self-employed pay lower taxes. The measures in Budget 2016 will aim to treat different forms of income in a similar way to fund a fairer more sustainable tax system for everyone.
  • The Government is considering limiting the range of benefits that attract income tax and NICs advantages when provided as part of a salary sacrificing scheme. However pension saving, childcare and healthcare benefits will continue to benefit from relief when provided through salary sacrifice arrangements.

These are just some of the changes proposed for working people. Come back next week when we have a look at the changes the government hope to implement to support businesses, enterprises and the self-employed.

For more help understanding what these budget changes could mean for you and your business, or want tips on how to take advantage of them please get in touch with us by clicking here.

Personal note from RedRite, Leeds

On a Personal Note This Month…

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How have you been this month? Can you believe it is nearly Easter?

Where has the month gone? After our last post I have just not stopped, with so much going on in the business and personal life it seems the month has gone in a blink of the eye and suddenly Easter is peaking over the hill.

The end of February saw me preparing for some time off and checking the record keeping of many clients and friends who were unsure whether they were safe from the changes of Working Tax Credits. The beginning of March saw me take a few days off to have surgery – a small procedure on my knee to help relieve some persistent pain I have been suffering with for some months now – then diving head first in to a large data project for one of our most exotic clients so far, a lovely fashion house in Malaysia. This month has also seen the introduction of several other businesses to our network including an accountants firm based in Wakefield, AFor Accountants, I am starting to focus more on businesses who want and need a little extra help getting themselves organised for the next financial year. Making sure record keeping is straight forward, simple and exactly what each business needs to keep them running smoothly no matter the industry or their budget.

Not just a busy month in business but on a personal front too. With 3 kids in a dance show and needing costumes, several school projects that all required time to create, my surgery and university assignments to improve the skill set I can offer my clients I do not think I have sat still for long at all this month.

It would be lovely to hear what you have all been up to. So please comment below or contact us on our Facebook page

Email Marketing Campaigns, Newsletters, RedRite, Leeds

Newsletter… For your business or not?

by with No Comment ArticlesBlogs

You have Social Media accounts, you have a website, business cards and the odd ad lying around the market but what about other continuous engagement with those that have shown an interest in your company?

How about a newsletter?

Nearly every organisation has a regular email that goes out to their consumers, potential and current. For example companies like Wowcher and Groupon send emails to their subscribers filled with current offers available, while Amazon and EBay send out emails with items related to your last purchase. Your newsletter does not even have to be a campaign to push products or services on to people, they can also be used to keep people up to date with information, like service providers who let subscribers know of changes in the services or macro forces that may impact on their businesses such as changes in tax laws.

Another form of newsletter is the ‘Hi how are you’ one. Authors particularly use this form of newsletter to keep their readers abreast of the goings on in the editorial process of writing a book. One of our favourite authors Vanessa Kier sends out emails with a sample piece of the writings she is currently working on as well as a little update as what is going on in her life. Keeping them personal yet professional at the same time makes the subscribers feel a part of her world. Her most recent newsletter even has a poll running looking for a name for one of the characters in her newest book with a promise of being mentioned in the acknowledgement – A good way to engage her subscribers.

Have you ever considered a newsletter for your business yet thought it would not fit with your industry? Then guess again!

Even a simple newsletter saying ‘hi’ once a month or even quarterly can remind your subscribers that you are still around, while bringing your business to the front of their minds regularly. We do not guarantee it will bring in a rush of new business but it allows the memory of your business, and who you are, to stay fresh for a time when your services/products are needed. With the use of engaging and eye catching themes, and content that makes your subscribers feel a part of your world yet still gets your message across, a newsletter campaign can be one of the simplest methods of communication between you and your customers, potential and current. A subscriber tab on your Facebook page, a link on other social media accounts and even on your website are all methods to slowly build up your subscribers list.

We currently work with Make-up artists, nutritionists and even a knitter to engage with their customers and let them know what is happening in their world, keeping them abreast not just about their services/products but also just to say ‘hey there, we are still here if you need us’.

Not have time or know where to start, then let us get it sorted for you. RedRite will work with you to design a Mail Chimp template that suits you and your business, guide you in regards to the content and can even create the content for you. We import your contacts and get your newsletter out there. A week after each newsletter goes out we will report on the open rate stats.

Get in touch for more information today!!

Top tips to being organised, RedRite, Leeds, Virtual Assistant

Top Tips to getting organised

by with No Comment ArticlesBlogs

Welcome to 2016!!

January is the best time to start getting organised for the year head. Planning your goals, setting achievable targets and starting the year off with a positive attitude.

Sometimes though it is not always possible to get the motivation to get going, especially when you are still in the Christmas season slump, so we have put together a few tips to help you not only get yourself organised but to also keep yourself organised.

Do you have any tips for getting organised that are not mentioned? Then please do share with us 🙂

  • Prioritise – At the beginning of every week set out the tasks that need completing and place them in order of importance as well as note the time needed to complete each task. This way if you have a few large important tasks you can organise your time better to complete them while also fitting in the little tasks.
  • 2 Minute Rule – When you are determined to get a large job completed but keep getting distracted by incoming e-mails, social media notifications or something else try using the 2 minutes rule. If the distraction is going to take NO MORE than 2 minutes to deal with, then handle it. Longer than 2 minutes then make a quick note and deal with it later when you have more time free.
  • Plan Ahead (as much as possible) – Especially with things such as social media, using software and apps such as Hootsuite you can organise your posts in advance so when working on a project or something unexpected comes up you know it is taken care of.

This can also be done with your newsletters. Set up the layout and basic content and then when the more up to date such as link to blog posts come up you can quickly add them. Same for blog posts, spend a Sunday afternoon typing up a few at a time and set their release dates in advance.

  • Set a Goal – Brainstorm everything you want to achieve in the following month/quarter/year and pick one goal to reach. Once picked make a note in a notebook of everything you will need to accomplish that goal, including materials, time, collaborations with other business owners and anything else. Then keep checking it to see how far off you are from accomplishing that goal.
  • Use a Diary – Only use it though for those jobs with a set deadline. Keep track of the important details and if using your phone set up reminders a week before hand and then 48 beforehand so you can prepare in advance. Brainwaves, reminders to call someone back, birthdays and little notes like that are better suited to a notebook/app rather than in the diary.

Apps such as Gmail are brilliant in that they add any noticeable dates in your emails and add them to your diary if you have it synced. It can also link to your Google Now page adding all the information you will need.

  • Work at your most productive time – When working for yourself you can pick when you want to work but its best to choose moments in the day you are at your most productive. If you are more focused in the morning put off that coffee date till the afternoon and get working, tasks can be completed far quicker when you are focused. Same if you are more focused in the afternoon, get your personal tasks done in the morning and focus on work in the afternoon.
  • Label!!! – We do not always have time to file as and when we receive paper but if you create a ‘To file’ pile and tackle it every Sunday it can be dealt with easier. Label your files/diary entries/documents in a way that you can easily locate and pull the information you need. If you happen to handle documents for several clients or own a few businesses then colour code the files/Emails. Label hard and soft copies identically so you do not get them mixed up.
  • Book in some down time – Working 24/7 can help you accomplish so much but it can also tire you out and ‘fry’ your brain. Set yourself a good routine for working and down time, even just a coffee every Monday morning or Friday afternoon. It can make the world of difference on your concentration levels and help improve productivity if you step back from it all for a short period. Too long a period and it will be hard to get back in to but the occasional afternoon or morning to focus on ‘You’ can work miracles.

If you are struggling to get started this year and feel there must be better systems you could use to operate smoother then get in touch with RedRite and see how we can help. Available when you need us.

Why hire a VA, Virtual Administrator, RedRite, Leeds

Why hire a Virtual Administrator?

by with No Comment ArticlesBlogs

Virtual Administrator services is a growing service throughout all levels of business but why??

Your desk is piled high with paperwork that needs electronically filling, your drawer is filled to the brim with business cards from networking events and your email box is ready to quit on you it is so full of unread emails, yet the thought of having to research and advertise for an assistant brings you out in a cold sweat. That is where a Virtual Administrator comes in, they take care of all these jobs plus more and the best bit is you only pay for the time they work, no need to clock how many minutes they waste on cigarettes breaks or how long their lunch break is.

Virtual Administrators are a growing trend not only in the small business arena but also in the large corporation world, with many employers turning to the ease of hiring a Virtual Administrator rather than wasting time and money advertising through agencies. Virtual Administrators can take care of any aspect of administration from screening and sorting your e-mails on a daily basis to managing projects that you do not have time to handle.

Every Virtual Administrator can research the life out of anything, has a professional demeanour in which to handle your correspondence with and some can even handle your taxes helping you save even more money. Whether it is a one-off job while your regular PA is off ill, or you are a small business needing someone who loves paperwork to handle the tedious tasks you despise, a Virtual Administrator is the life saver for it all. Virtual Administrators are ‘on-call’ for when you need them, yet are not hovering in the office filing their nails waiting for the work and charging you for it.

Here at RedRite we have the skills and experience in the following services plus many more:

  • Accounting Software Setup and Management – Including Payroll
  • Microsoft Office Applications – Word, Excel, Access etc
  • Social Media Marketing and Online Brand Reputation
  • Data Entry
  • Quote/Invoice Production and chasing
  • Audio/Copy Typing
  • Website Development
  • WordPress Setup and Management
  • E-Customer Service – Email, online chat, website/social media enquiries

If you are just setting up a business but do not have the time to deal with the creation of records, setting up social media and websites then a Virtual Administrator can help with that too, you do not have to be an established business to hire a Virtual Administrator. RedRite can help a business at any stage in its development, supporting it as it grows and making sure each step is as smooth as can be. Stop putting off getting everything sorted and hire someone who makes their living do so, Virtual Administrators love their jobs and it reflects in the quality of work you will receive.

For more information and to see how a Virtual Administrator can help you contact us today!

language, Word Meanings, Leeds, Redrite

Double meanings in an evolving language

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A constant evolving language and double meanings

The English is a forever evolving language, like many others in the world, with around 4,000 new words added each year to the Oxford English dictionary alone! This new words included updated meanings which can at times confuse what could have been a simple message.

Oxford Dictionay Double meanings

Although many words have held a double, less than respectful meaning the list is growing with each generation and new technologies evolving. Some words that have gained new meanings in the last century are:

  • Sick – No longer just means ill or poorly, it now also means really good or brilliant
  • Bad – Now can also be used as synonym of itself.
  • Pants – No longer an item of clothing but also a rubbish situation
  • Hump – Not just a part of a camel or a traffic slowing measure but also used in relation to a bad mood
  • Chat – (An unusual one) What was once a word for a conversation is also now used when describing something gross
  • Armour – A world renowned word for protection yet it is also used for describing a person’s body
  • Hard – Does not just describe the strength of something or density of an object but can be used when describing a person’s false sense of strength.
  • Bottle – A liquid container that now also appears to describe the state in which a person becomes upon partaking of the contents of the bottle.
  • Bomb – A device people would usually run from unless an EOD expert, is now a description for highly expensive costs or a really good situation/item

Animals and food have also had their names misused in the more recent generations of language.

  • Bacon – A derogative term for the Police
  • Anaconda – Description of a male’s particular body part
  • Bird – Used when talking about a woman

If you are an individual looking to approach a professional body either for a job or to offer a service then double check the words you are using do not have double meanings. With it becoming harder and harder to earn positions and look the best out of a constantly growing crowd of individuals in the same position something as simple as using the correct and upmost professional language can work miracles.

If you are applying for a job or designing marketing materials and want to the work checked for appropriateness then give us a shout today.

Environment, Business impact, Carbon footprint, RedRite. Leeds

Making a difference in the Environment

by with No Comment Articles

Making a difference to the environment is easier than you think for SME Businesses.

A lot of stories in the news are regarding large corporations and their environmental and ethical impact but what about small businesses and their impact? As a small business the difference you can make to the environment is limited but there are ways in which some businesses are making a difference. One such way is taking the office outside, in London there is the TreexOffice who rent out work stations in a treehouse and then invest the money back in to Hackney’s parks and green spaces. Similarly a retired federal prosecutor John Lenoir now uses his yacht as his office for civil right cases trail prep, video conferencing with other lawyers while sailing the blue seas.

If you run a café, small restaurant or similar food providing business where at the end of the working week you have supplies left over then why not get in touch with a local charity. See if the food can be donated to families who may be struggling and would appreciate some extra support. 1 in 6 parents go without food so their children can have a meal, even getting a few close to due date sandwiches could make a big difference, Oxfam are currently working to improve their lives through the Fare Share who work with retailers to provide surplus supplies and redistributes around the country to those that need it.

Another way in which a small business can help the environment is by recycling, even the materials in which your supplies are delivered as some suppliers take back the packaging to reuse. Make sure every item that can be recycled is separated from non-recyclables and if you can maybe even re-use it yourself. We have done such that and re-used sauce jars to create beautiful vases filled with silk flowers after painting them, a lovely idea if you own a restaurant or café.

 

If you use gadgets in your business and they break, do not just throw them in the bin dispose of them at electronic recycling points and reduce the space taken up in landfills. It also helps reduce the amount of toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury from being released into the environment. Using environmentally friendly lightbulbs is also a way in saving the amount of waste you have, not only do they cut back on the electricity bills but they also last longer so you are throwing bulbs out less often. Check with your local recycling centre as to what electronic devices they will accept and with your equipment suppliers as to what they will recycle.

These may seem like silly little things yet can make the world of difference, all those things such as turning taps off and electronics off in the home can be applied in the office as well. Something as simple as stopping one drip per second can save 10,000 litres per year!!

So wear an extra jumper in October, do a good deed and donate a little food to charity and save your company money while helping the environment 🙂

 

Business Paperwork, RedRite, Small Business, Leeds

Plan your paperwork and stay organised

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Plan, plan and plan some more to keep yourself organised.

So now you know what paperwork is necessary in smoothly running a business (If not visit our previous post) do you know how to plan it all in to your time? Finding the time to squeeze in extra work when you are so focused on the actual income generating aspect of your business can be difficult especially if you aim to do it yourself.

The easiest way to do things is use what you already have. Set up your business pages and email on your smart phone, then you can nosey and post where ever you are when you have 5 minutes break between jobs. However set up your notifications so that you are only bothered by them between your working hours, giving you time off on an evening and weekend to chill without the ‘chirp’ of your work disrupting.

Plan, plan and plan some more, the more work you have the more likely you are something will fall through the cracks. If you do not work on Sundays then take an hour or two to sit and type up some blog posts or social media posts, sign up to HootSuite or a similar software so that you can then schedule them to post across all your social media platforms ahead of time. As emails come in during the day highlight ones that will need responding and act on the urgent important one, then dedicate on hour on an evening where you go through the non-important emails you marked earlier. Choose a reasonable time so that your customers are seeing your emails as they come in. For example emailing out at 11pm at night means for some of your customers that email will be at the bottom of the pile when they check in the morning.

Once a week or fortnight set aside a few hours to go through your paperwork that has piled up – your invoices, new client information in hard copy, receipts etc. This way you can get it all tidied up efficiently and without the piles getting too big, if you have payment terms of 28 days then you can also chase up invoices during this time that have not been paid and you can easily work out the time frame without counting days.

If remember all these set aside times and what to do when gets confusing then use a simple planner. Highlight what is done on each day and if it is the same every week have weekly reminders set up. We use Wunderlist for everything, setting up weekly alarms for regular tasks and even alarms for the certain twitter hashtag hours we participate in so we do not have to remember them all. Do you prefer paper planners? Then set up a simple week page that can list all the tasks required on each day, and if there is a deadlines looking highlight them with bright colours so they catch your eye and you are constantly aware of them.

 

If all of this is still too time consuming and you would much rather leave it to someone else then consider hiring a virtual assistant who can take all this on for you and free up more of your time to relax with family and friends.

Call today for more information about Virtual Assistant services.