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The Miss MPS Blog

We help businesses market themselves online with interesting, shareable, unique content. Our blog is just a taster.

We're proud to have our content featured on LinkedIn, Start Up Donut, Kent Online and in New Business magazine.
02 Jun, 2023
In today's fast-paced and demanding work environment, leaving the office early may seem like a distant dream for many. But fear not, because we hold the secret to achieving this elusive goal: the exceptional powers of a Virtual Assistant (VA)! With our efficiency, resourcefulness, and knack for managing tasks, we can be your ultimate ally in reclaiming your precious time and bidding farewell to the office earlier than ever before. So, sit back, relax, and let's explore how as a VA we can work our magic and help you achieve your much-deserved early departure. 1. Master of Organization: Our organisational skills are akin to those of a superhero. We possess the extraordinary ability to streamline your workload, ensuring maximum efficiency and minimal time wastage. By entrusting us with tasks such as scheduling, calendar management, and email prioritisation, you can rest assured that your day will be optimised to its fullest potential. With our meticulous planning, we will help you stay on top of your responsibilities and complete tasks well ahead of schedule, giving you the freedom to leave the office early with a sense of accomplishment. 2. Defending the Fortress: Picture this: You're about to call it a day when your phone starts ringing incessantly, demanding your attention for urgent matters. Fear not! Your trusty VA has got your back. You could have the ability to hand over all calls, screen emails, and handle enquiries, ensuring that only the most crucial and time-sensitive matters reach your ears. With our impeccable judgment and communication skills, we can efficiently handle routine queries, saving you from being tied down by distractions and allowing you to exit the office in triumph. 3. Supercharging Productivity: A VA is a productivity powerhouse. Armed with an array of digital tools and automation techniques, we can work wonders in enhancing your output. From research and data analysis to social media management and account handling, we can tackle tasks that would otherwise devour your precious time. With our assistance, you can harness the full potential of your working hours, completing assignments swiftly and efficiently. The result? Early departures become your new reality. In the age of Virtual Assistants, leaving the office early has transitioned from a mere aspiration to an achievable reality. By harnessing the organisational prowess, gatekeeping finesse, productivity superpowers, and task delegation mastery of a VA, you can bid farewell to your desk earlier than ever before. So, embrace the modern world of remote assistance, unleash the power of a VA, and enjoy the sweet taste of freedom as you leave the office early, knowing that your productivity has never been higher. It's time to make early departures your new office norm! Call us today on 01732 757 870 and leave the office early next Friday!
23 May, 2023
As a virtual assistant, I've often thought about how my job is a lot like a glass of wine. Yes, you read that right – a glass of wine! I know it sounds a little strange, but bear with me and I'll explain. First of all, both virtual assistants and wine come in many different varieties. Just like there are different types of wine – red, white, rosé, sparkling – there are also different types of virtual assistants. Some are designed for basic tasks like scheduling appointments, while others can handle more complex tasks like managing your entire email inbox and bookkeeping. Secondly, both virtual assistants and wine can help you relax and unwind. After a long day of work, there's nothing like pouring yourself a glass of wine and letting your stress melt away. Similarly, a virtual assistant can take care of all the little tasks that add up and cause stress in your daily life. Need to schedule a meeting? Done. Need to book accommodation for a business trip? Consider it taken care of. As well as this when you buy a bottle of wine from a reputable winery, you know that you're getting a high-quality product that will taste great. Similarly, when you choose a well-known virtual assistant, you can trust that it will perform the tasks you ask of it reliably and accurately. Finally, both virtual assistants and wine can be a little unpredictable. You never know exactly what you're going to get – sometimes the wine might be too sweet, or the virtual assistant might make a bigger difference to your life than you had imagined. But just like you grow to love the unique qualities of different types of wine, you will also grow to love everything about your virtual assistant. So there you have it – virtual assistants and wine may seem like an unlikely pairing, but they actually have more in common than you might think! Whether you prefer a glass of red or a virtual assistant that can handle all your scheduling needs, both can help make your life a little easier (and maybe a little more fun). Why not give us a call and start to de-stress your life today?
19 May, 2023
Virtual assistants have become increasingly popular in recent years as more businesses and individuals are realizing the benefits of having a remote assistant. However, there are still some common misconceptions about virtual assistants that prevent people from hiring them. In this blog, we’ll explore these misconceptions and explain why you should consider hiring a virtual assistant for your business or personal needs. Misconception 1: Virtual assistants are too expensive. One of the most common misconceptions about virtual assistants is that they are too expensive. While it’s true that hiring a full-time virtual assistant can be costly, there are plenty of options for those on a budget. For example, you can hire a virtual assistant on a part-time basis or for a specific project. Additionally, virtual assistants are often more affordable than hiring an in-person assistant because you don’t have to worry about providing them with office space, equipment, sick and holiday pay. Misconception 2: Virtual assistants are not reliable. Another common misconception about virtual assistants is that they are not reliable. Some people worry that because they are not working in the same office as their assistant, they won’t be able to monitor their work. However, virtual assistants are just as reliable as in-person assistants. In fact, many virtual assistants have a strong work ethic and are highly motivated because they want to maintain a good reputation with their clients. Misconception 3: Virtual assistants are not skilled. Some people assume that virtual assistants are not skilled because they do everything. However, virtual assistants are often highly skilled professionals who specialize in a variety of areas. For example, you can hire a virtual assistant who is a social media expert, a copywriter, or a graphic designer. You can also find virtual assistants who specialize in more administrative tasks like scheduling, email management, and bookkeeping. Misconception 4: Virtual assistants are not able to communicate effectively. One of the biggest concerns people have when hiring a virtual assistant is that they won’t be able to communicate effectively. However, virtual assistants are often excellent communicators who can adapt to their client’s communication preferences. Many virtual assistants use tools like email, chat, video conferencing, CRM systems and project management software to stay in touch with their clients. Misconception 5: Virtual assistants are only for businesses. While virtual assistants are often hired by businesses, they can also be a great asset for individuals. For example, if you’re a busy professional who needs help managing your personal life, a virtual assistant can help with tasks like scheduling appointments, booking travel, and managing your inbox. Virtual assistants can also help with personal projects like planning a party or researching a vacation destination. So why you should hire a virtual assistant? Now that we’ve debunked some of the common misconceptions about virtual assistants, let’s talk about why you should consider hiring one. Here are some of the benefits of working with a virtual assistant: • Increased productivity: By outsourcing tasks to a virtual assistant, you can focus on the tasks that are most important to you. • Cost savings: As we mentioned earlier, virtual assistants are often more affordable than in-person assistants. • Flexibility: Virtual assistants can work on a part-time basis or for a specific project, which gives you more flexibility. • Access to specialised skills: Virtual assistants often have specialised skills that can help you to complete tasks more effectively. • Improved work-life balance: By delegating tasks to a virtual assistant, you can improve your work-life balance. Virtual assistants are skilled professionals who can help you increase productivity, save money, and improve your work-life balance. What are you waiting for, get in touch today to find out how we can help you with your business or personal needs.
by Clare Narramore 10 May, 2022
Got killer organisation skills and infinite levels of personality? Then you should join forces with Miss MPS, Kent's leading Virtual Assistant company! We have a flexible, part-time role available for those with previous experience in secretarial or administration roles , being an Executive Assistant, Office Manager or similar - we're looking for someone used to handling multiple tasks across various subject matters to a deadline. Who's suited to becoming a Virtual Assistant? Being a Virtual Assistant means every day can be different, as we work with multiple clients across all sectors. Because it's mainly home-based, although we are looking to get back into an office in the near future, it means there can be a degree of flexibility - this role is for 16 - 20 hours as week . We're trusted by business owners to work alongside them as if we were an employed member of staff. We need a superhero with excellent organisation skills, proven experience in understanding and engaging in complex issues, excellent written and verbal skills, up-to-date computer skills, with a positive, proactive can-do attitude. What's a typical day? Every day can be different! You'll need to be comfortable carrying out the below tasks : Basic data entry Diary management Taking and making calls Manage emails and take initiative where appropriate Plan board meetings and take minutes Undertake research and project work Produce documents and presentations Organisation of customer and staff events Social media posts Invoicing an reconciling on Xero Developing reports in Excel and similar Using systems such as Monday.com, Hubspot, Mailchimp, ServiceM8, Gas Engineer Software, Capsule, Xero, Basecamp, and lots more! Why should I go for the role? It's part time, and flexible. However, once hours are agreed, you have to commit to them. As well as competitive pay, we also provide you with a laptop and anything else you may need for the job. Interested? Drop us an email or call 01732 757 870 to find out if its a good fit . Not heard of us? Here's our story. Miss MPS is a Virtual Assistant business, providing a variety of services remotely for growing businesses. Our personable, friendly team are all based in Kent. We handle all those time consuming admin tasks that really eat up owner managers' time. We particularly focus on small businesses where o utsourcing admin can be far better value than hiring a member of staff, and avoids the stresses of employment.
Add some flair to your email signature
by Rob Fenn 04 Jun, 2021
On average, we send around 40 business emails per day. We’re so used to it, it’s easy to forget that it might be the first impression people receive you. So, as with any other form of marketing, you should make it count! 76% of UK businesses describe email marketing as ‘important’ or ‘very important’ 8% of businesses achieve more than half of their sales through email 68% of UK smartphone owners use their device to check email With your email software, you can set up a bespoke email signature to really make your emails stand out. Not only does it help you look more professional, it’s also an opportunity to shout about what you do, share an offer, or build trust with testimonials. Recently, we were asked to help create a slicker looking email signature for Excelerate Consulting. As a company providing business coaching, they realised the importance of setting a good example, so we got to work on a new design. Keep it simple The size of files in an email can trigger junk or spam filters, so we created an email template design that was simple, but professional looking. Because a lot of Excelerate’s work is 1-to-1, we felt it was important to incorporate a headshot of each member of staff. We also added links to social media profiles, so recipients can quickly research Excelerate and build faith. As we built the signature in HTML, elements are easily replaceable and editable. Crucially, the email signature isn’t also just one single image, which can easily be blocked by email clients. Take a look for yourself, here's Excelerate Consulting's Emily Lockwood's signature below.
Tips for looking like a larger business
by Clare Runham 14 Feb, 2021
Trust is arguably the most important factor when choosing to do business with someone else. It doesn’t matter how cheap something is, if you don’t trust them, you probably won’t take that risk, at least with your own money! Sadly, despite many small businesses offering a better service, it’s the trust factors that often mean people look for the all too familiar “safe” choice – a bigger competitor that’s been around longer than you have. In fact, people will frequently pay more for a worse service, because there’s that perceived safety. Nobody gets fired for buying IBM The instantly familiar quote for anyone in the IT sector - “Nobody gets fired for buying IBM” – is the perfect interpretation of our evolutionary make-up to be risk adverse. In their heyday, IBM was a safe bet for software or IT consultancy. For every project, they may not have necessarily been the best choice, but job security for the decision maker was paramount, just in case things did go wrong. How to even the odds So, if you’re the David against the Goliaths, there’s no getting away from the fact that people will see advantages to choosing a more established rival – you need to tackle the problem head on. The good news is some simple changes could end up saving you money, as all often too businesses will cut their prices to compete, when it’s not cost that’s the issue. Here’s our suggestions: Revamp your Website First impressions are everything. In the last few years, some excellent self-build website options (e.g Wix) have launched that require zero technical skills – it’s simply drag and drop - which look like they have cost many thousands. Within a few hours, you can have a good-looking website that already helps to make your business look more established, especially if you invest in good photography. If you need some help, we have built many with clients over the last few years. Develop a Brand Still using a logo that you created in Microsoft Word? For next to nothing, you can go on People Per Hour or Fiverr and get something far more impressive created that will really help your business look the part and increase confidence. This goes back to first impressions - a professional logo gives the perception of an established business. Get a Landline If your only contact number is your mobile phone’s, you instantly reveal yourself to be the small business that you are. More importantly, the fact its mobile, instantly raises a red flag. Does that mean you’ll just disappear without notice? It costs less than £20 to purchase a landline (we can help out there!) that you can re-direct to your mobile. Better yet, our Virtual Receptionist service means we can take your calls and make it seems like you have your own reception, customer care line, or bookings team. Ask for reviews To build trust, you’re going to need to demonstrate credibility by showing reviews. Just having a couple on your website isn’t enough – people will jump on Google to dig deeper, so you should have more than a handful on Google’s free review platform, or invest in the paid-for alternatives (e.g. Feefo or Trustpilot) if you really want to build trustworthiness. Not only will reviews help your conversion rate, they help with your Google rankings too. Register a Virtual Address Most start-ups don’t have an office, and many business owners don’t like the idea of advertising their home address across the web. The issue with that is having no physical address listed is an instant trust killer. There’s security in knowing that, if anything goes wrong, you can knock on a door and discuss it. So how do you get round the issue? Use a virtual mailing address – it builds trust, makes you look bigger, and protects your home. Get your face out there Why do people like dealing with small businesses? Because its more personal! People trust people more than they do companies, so why not tie this benefit up with the most important form of digital marketing – video. Consumers are increasingly impatient and would rather watch a video than read. So, if you have the confidence, here’s your opportunity to build trust and set yourself apart. A few simple steps can help build trust, giving you that vital foot in the door to demonstrate that you really can do better than the big guys. These techniques aren’t huge investments yet have been proven to help win more work. So what’s stopping you? Miss MPS is a Virtual Assistant business based in East Malling, Kent . We help small businesses grow by taking care of time-sapping admin, phone calls, and everything else mentioned in this article.
by Clare Runham 20 Feb, 2020
We all have those days when your phone is ringing off the hook and it feels like you are on the phone all day, when all you really want to do is get on with your work. Sadly, that’s the nature of running your own small business; you’re often left taking up the slack of work that could be done by other people if you had employees. I’ll let you in on a little secret that could completely change your business…..it will cost you as little as £27 a month for the phone to stop ringing. It’s not a lot, is it? Just £27 for some peace and quiet while you get on with building your business. Most people spend more than that on a week’s worth of shopping, or you could spend it on an amazing call answering service from Miss MPS that answers your calls in a profession and efficient manner. The caller doesn’t even know it’s a call answering service and doesn’t have to know unless you tell them. Here at Miss MPS, we have 3 ladies answering the calls all day every day for a whole range of client on a sophisticated internet-based phone system. The system that tells us the company name that the caller is calling for so that we can answer the call as if we are working in your office, right next to you. We can then take details from the caller to send to you in a message for you to call them back in your own time. We could even go one step further by processing orders or making appointments for you, that will save you a lot of extra time - all while you are concentrating on with the important task of growing your business. Sounds good doesn’t it? Finding it a bit hard to believe? Well think again, because it’s very real and we are based in the Kent countryside in East Malling. Our call answering packages start off at just £27 a month, check out our website https://www.missmps.co.uk/pricing or give me a call on 01732 757870 for more details.
by Suzy King 13 Feb, 2020
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching, in fact it’s just a day away from now, have you thought about what you are going to do for your someone special? Have you booked a table to take them out for a meal, ordered flowers, brought a present or booked a romantic weekend away? I hope I haven’t sparked a panic attach in those of you who have forgotten Valentine’s Day. If you are panicking, calm down, don’t worry, we can take care of everything for you and you will look amazing to your loved one. Want to go out for dinner at one of your favourite restaurants? We can do the calling around to your to get you a table, all we need is a few details. Want to get a big bunch of your partner’s favourite flowers but you either won’t be home to receive them when they are delivered, or don’t have time to pick them up from the florist yourself? Or have you seen a present that you would like to get but will have the same issues? That’s fine, you can have them delivered to our office so that they are safe, then you can either come to get them on the way home or we can bring them to you (within reason of course) or we can go to the florist and pick up the flowers for you! Do you want to book the most perfect romantic weekend away but don’t have the time to look at hotels and flights? No problem, tell us what you have in mind and we’ll look into everything for you and send you the details so that the only thing you need to do is press book. In fact, if you are that busy, we can do that for you as well so you receive the confirmation emails and know that everything is in hand. Here at Miss MPS, we are 3 ladies that manage the diaries of small and medium sized business owners so they can make the most of their work and free time to get the perfect work/life balance. Give us a call on 01732 757870 and let us know how we can help.
by Suzy King 21 Jan, 2020
Everyone’s time is important, especially when you are working all hours trying to build up your business, so here are 4 reasons why time management is so important at work. 1 Your sanity There are only 24 hours in a day. During that time we have to sleep, eat, get exercise, work and have some free time in order to maintain balance for your wellbeing. If your work hours are eating into time that should be used for something else, you could end up becoming extremely stressed and losing passion for your business. 2. Your reputation If you do tasks in a rush, you run the risk of making mistakes. It can be soul destroying when a client comes back saying you haven’t met expectations, but more importantly, it could damage your reputation with that client for good. 3. Your discipline Without planning, it’s easy to push the jobs you’d rather not do into the long grass. It’s easy to slip into the habit of doing the tasks you prefer doing, because you’re good at them, or enjoy them. To-Do lists help with accountability. Otherwise, delegate! 4. Your future If you are bogged down doing all those little tasks, who is going to the networking events? Who is coming up with the business plan? Who is building your business? Small business owners struggle to keep all those plates spinning, which normally means some things get left, to the detriment of business growth. If you are having trouble staying sane and in control of your time, you need a Virtual Assistant company to support you. You can offload tasks that are preventing you from staying focused, affecting your productivity, and getting in the way of your business’ growth. Get in touch through our Contact Me page or give us a call on 01732 757870 to see how we can help you manage your time.
by Sharon Danquah 01 Jan, 2020
We are delighted to announce that 2019 saw a significant increase in demand for our call answering service here at Miss MPS, with annual growth in calls rising by 36%. Most often, our team of virtual receptionists take calls when our clients are out of the office in meetings or are short-staffed – they rely on us to provide the same continuity of service as if they themselves were picking up the phone. We’d like to think we have done a pretty good job of that, shown by some of our clients using us as full-time receptionists. We don’t just take calls; we take orders, speak to suppliers and manage diaries so that our clients are using their time as efficiently as possible. Our Managing Director, Clare Runham, commented on the news; “I am ecstatic that our clients see the value of our call answering service. It has always been my aim to provide more than just message taking, and it’s been important to be able to prove that we can provide the service from our offices here in Kent, so that quality of service is never diluted. I’m grateful that our clients recognise and value what we do.” Our fantastic team based at our East Malling office answered more than 16,000 phone calls during 2019. With our research earlier in the year showing that 34% of small businesses are missing potentially vital calls , having us to pick up the phones means no opportunity is missed! Here’s to an even better 2020! A reminder of our Virtual Receptionist packages… All calls answered here in Kent by our in-house team No minimum term contract – use us only when needed Starting price of £25pm, plus £1 per call What to learn more about how we help? Our website is full of information, prices and endorsements from our current clients. Start on our dedicated Virtual Receptionist service page , or give us a call on 01732 757 870 to discuss your requirements!
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