The Internet is a remarkable tool for many people but it is not necessarily easy to decipher. A Virtual Assistant who has the skills to find relevant information and ignore the hodgepodge could specialize in research. Internet researchers are in great demand by a variety of people.

At school students are taught to pick out the central theme of a paragraph or story and then figure out the most important parts of what they have read.  As a researcher, that is what you will be asked to do for others who do not have the time or the skill to find it themselves. Compiling information that is useful to others is an important part of your business.

The Market

The Internet provides access to a enormous amount of information. Experts in different fields post their knowledge in articles and blog posts. Governments, agencies and professional organizations have digitized their databases and directories for use on the Internet by anyone who requires the information.

It is easy for the average person or business owner to get lost in the sea of information. Who uses that information? Businesses use the Internet to compile statistics and to learn about their competition. Writers, authors, journalists and television professionals use information from the Internet for their work.  Most of these busy professionals just don’t have the time to do their own research.

Conducting research can be a lengthy process. On the Internet, it begins with knowing how search engines work and the best way to find exactly what you are looking for from them. Most people use Yahoo!, Google or MSN but there are plenty of other search engines that the average person has never heard of. An Internet researcher is familiar with all of them and uses the one that will yield the greatest harvest of useful information.

Virtual assistants who want to niche into Internet research could provide some or all of these services to their clients:

• Compiling current statistical data
• Knowledge of all relevant databases and search engines
• Use proven methods for information gathering (relevant use of keywords)
• Spreadsheet and Word document expertise for presenting information in useful manner
• General and specific knowledge of client subject matter

Writers may ask for research on specific subjects like snake venom or 18th century London for their next novel. A business client may want statistics on auto maker revenue in the last ten years. Each is a different subject, but methods of researching are similar.

As a Virtual Assistant Internet researcher you may find that you have a niche subject in mind for your business. Maybe statistical information gathering and analysis are your forte. You could build a client base around just that for small and large corporate-type businesses. It is not easy to perform research and your clients will want the best.

Facebook is not only the largest social media site, it is also one of the most visited sites on the internet. With more than 400 million people participating in Facebook, businesses worldwide are creating extensive strategies to engage consumers through social media.

If major brands such as Coca-Cola, Harley-Davidson, Six Flags, Target, Apple and Pizza Hut are using Facebook to reach their target markets, then Facebook should definitely be a part of YOUR social media efforts.

To use Facebook effectively for your business, you should follow the following strategies and ideas:

1. Create a Fan Page. Fan Pages are a highly effective way to interact with your target market, receive feedback, promote new products or services, answer questions and build a loyal following.
2. Use Facebook’s custom html feature to build your list, offer free report downloads, create custom feeds, survey your fans and more.
3. Take advantage of Facebook’s many applications to offer special content to your audience. You can create custom landing pages, add audio and video as well as transcripts from events.
4. Promote an event. Facebook offers the ability to promote your event to your Facebook Fan Page members as well as all of your “friends.” All you have to do is create an event page and then email your fans and friends an invitation. Facebook will even keep track of who you invited, who is attending and who isn’t.
5. Announce sales, special promotions and offer coupons. Facebook fan page members and friends react well to receiving special promotions via Facebook.
6. Receive feedback. Many of the major brands use their Facebook fan page to receive feedback from fans about what types of products and services they want to receive or purchase. This is a fantastic way to give your target market exactly what they want.

As you can see from the above, Facebook offers businesses excellent opportunities for promoting products and services as well as building a strong community. If you are new to Facebook, it is vital to develop a strategy for how you want to reach your target market and how you are going to accomplish this. Facebook is big and powerful but don’t let it overwhelm you. Pick where you want to start and slowly add more features to your page or profile as you build your community.

Next we will cover LinkedIn and it’s unique features for building your business.