How to Set-up Your Virtual Office
How to SetUp Your Virtual Office The beauty of an online business is that you can work from anywhere in the world with the right use and setup of technology. In this guide I go over the best ways to “setup” your virtual office. This will help maximize your time and online efforts as you begin to build your business. This guide will ensure that you have all the technical tools in place as well as all the necessary accounts setup. Don’t worry, you do not need a fancy Apple computer or double monitor setup. Though it doesn’t hurt! ;) Just a reliable laptop or computer that you are familiar with will do the trick.
Browsers Browsers are the way that you view the internet. 1. I recommend downloading Chrome and Firefox . If you are already use them, be sure to check that you are using the latest versions. 2. Internet Explorer and Safari will work but aren’t as robust as the first two. If you are using them, make sure it’s the latest version.
Setting up your computer 1. It’s a good idea to download the latest version of Flash Player. You can do so here . 2. Ensure proper ergonomics and computer setup. I work with dual monitors to increase efficiency and also recommend a wireless mouse, supportive chair and anything else that will assist with your comfort!
Setting up new accounts
If you have any of these already setup, that’s the case, great! If not, I highly recommend you signup for all of them using the same {gmail} email address, if possible. Why Gmail? Because many of these products are Google products and they require you to use a Gmail address with them. © 2016 Meg the Media Maven | megthemediamaven.com 2
1. Set up a Gmail Email account. Gmail is Google’s email service. With it comes many perks inside the email itself (including Google Hangouts!) Head HERE for a video tutorial. Try to create a username that is the same as your business name or personal name.
2. Download Google Drive Google Drive allows you to access your files anywhere through secure cloud storage and file backup for your photos, videos, files and more. Head HERE for a video tutorial. 3. Create a spreadsheet within Google docs and list all your social networks, their usernames and passwords. You will thankme later for this tip! Feel free to password protect the document for additional security. Head HERE for a video tutorial. 4. Set up a Google Analytics account. Google Analytics is where you will track all your visitors and activity taking place on your website. Head HERE for a video tutorial.
5. Sign up for Google Adwords Google Adwords is where you can use the Google advertising platform and create ads. It also contains a very important tool, the Keyword Planner tool where you can see search volume data on key words and phrases. Head HERE for a video tutorial. 6. Set up a Paypal account PayPal is the world’s most popular and accessible payment processor. With it you can send and receive payments as well as setup a business account where you can send out invoices to your customers. 7. Setup a free Hootsuite account Hootsuite is a social media dashboard that allows you to update ALL your social networks from this one website. Head HERE for a video tutorial. © 2016 Meg the Media Maven | megthemediamaven.com 3
8. Setup a Skype account Skype will be one of the ways you can meet with your clients as well as friends remotely. It’s free and you can conduct audio and video calls through the service. You can also use it as a messaging platform. 9. Signup and download Wisestamp Wisestamp allows you to create a customized signature for the bottom of your email which include social media icons and other links. 10. Signup and download the Chrome extension for Buffer . Buffer allows you to share any page you're reading to your social media accounts. Keep your Buffer topped up and they automatically share posts for you through the day. 11. Signup for a secure password manager like 1Password It saves all your passwords and login information securely so you will never forget another account login again! Very important when you’re dealing with many accounts. Aaaaaaaaaand that’s all she wrote for this guide! Now that you have your computer, workspace, tools and technical items in place you are ready to rock and roll building and growing that online business/ Understanding each item on this list is going to open up your online world. It will help you see what possibilities there are for things like getting paid (PayPal), posting to social media (Buffer) and staying organized (Google Drive). The online world is your oyster, go get ‘em! Your copilot in building your online business, ~Meg Need more help? Send me an email ( [email protected] ) and i’ll do my best to answer it or point you in the right direction.
© 2016 Meg the Media Maven | megthemediamaven.com 4
