Truth is we are currently living in a pandemic-stricken world. And the best way for business owners to deal with it is to face it head on. Nobody’s exempt from this crisis. That’s why despite ongoing quarantining limitations, what we can do as a real estate business owner, is to find ways to stay productive even while working remotely from home.

1. Human interaction is still doable in the virtual world

We know that social distancing is one of the best measures to avoid the deadly coronavirus. While the real estate industry thrives in in-person customer engagement and relationships, networking and nurturing your current clients can be done the safe way online. You must stay healthy if you want to continue doing business amid the pandemic. 

Look for remote solutions to managing your existing clientele and keeping close contacts with your potential buyers. Whether that be a social media app or a property management tool, find ways to stay active and connected with potential property buyers or sellers.

2. Automate payments and systems

As in-person transactions pose greater risk of COVID-19 infection, people prefer to do business online. If you have not put your own remote systems in place, then it is time to do so if you want to stay in the real estate business during this health crisis. Automate your payment systems. There are some tools that allow you to automate not just payments made by your tenants or clients, but also your accounting tasks. 

3. Reinvent your marketing strategy

As we are heading to a more digitally stimulated world, as a real estate agent you must revisit your marketing techniques and make them more adaptable to the current situation. Set up an effective (not overly salesy) email marketing. Take advantage of social networking sites and other digital platforms to boost your online presence and branding. Consider investing in online ads or social media marketing campaigns to reach out to your target clients.

4. Consider Virtual Tours

Now that we are living in a “new normal”, people practice physical distancing and avoid non-essential travels. Thus, providing virtual tours on your website or a Facebook live even, may now be considered a realtor must-have. If your budget permits, then invest in high quality cameras for you to set up professional-looking remote tours for your would-be property buyers.

5. Level up your content

Maintain your blog and add fresh content regularly. Apart from your own blog site, having your own YouTube channel where you show properties available is also a great way to attract prospective clients. People’s content consumption preferences vary, so do all if you can. Keep in mind that when it comes to real estate, visuals are extremely important. Revisit your listings and blogs. Do you need to update or add new photos? Is there a need to rewrite your listing descriptions?

Finally, do not panic and maintain your focus. Know that this pandemic will also become a thing of the past just like any other problems. Keep yourself updated with real estate developments amidst COVID 19 pandemic. Don’t be afraid to learn new things even if you are not that technologically inclined. Above all, stay safe and healthy!

2020 has kept explosive surprises coming. And the business world hasn’t fallen short of these shockers. From being one of the most valuable fintech empires in the world, the German payment processing firm called Wirecard has crumbled just like that.

 After its CEO Markus Braun bowed out of the company and ultimately arrested due to alleged fraudulent accounting activities, Wirecard AG finally filed for bankruptcy on Thursday, June 25,, 2020.

But what does this insolvent status mean to subsidiary companies, its partners, and freelancers across the globe who relied on the supposed reputable financial firm for their online payments and other digital financial transactions? 

With the fallen fintech giant’s current financial chaos, nobody knows exactly whether global remote workers especially those wirecard-issued card holders can withdraw their money anytime soon, as millions of funds are temporarily frozen as a result of the shocking financial scam. 

Wirecard has an estimated debt of about 4 billion USD, and around 1.9 billion Euros that’s nowhere to be found in the company’s books, of which Wirecard later on admitted being non-existent to begin with. In their press release, the Germany-based company said that they are currently assessing whether to also file insolvency for its subsidiaries. Naturally, it caused panic amongst users of online money transfer cards issued by Wirecard Card Solutions Limited (WCSL) UK, such as  Payoneer Prepaid Mastercard and boon card.

However, all hope is not lost for freelancers with money still stuck due to Wirecard AG’s bankruptcy. Payoneer said that the UK FCA or Financial Conduct Authority has already intervened and is now overseeing WCSL in order to protect the interest of all Wirecard clients. But this in turn results in the temporary suspension on all card activities. 

For the time being, the funds on your card might stay frozen for as long as the FCA investigation is happening. The good news is Payoneer assures customers that they are working closely with the FCA to be able to resume all card activities as soon as possible. Payoneer also highlighted that clients can withdraw the money that is exceeding the maximum balance of their card as it’s being held by Payoneer and therefore not affected by the temporary freeze. 

But what about your pending payments, you may ask. Pending transfers on the other hand will go straight to your Payoneer account as a virtual currency balance just like how PayPal works. This means that you simply sign in, add a local bank account if you haven’t yet, and then you can transfer such funds to your bank for future withdrawal.

Just like the pandemic, nobody has seen the collapse of Wirecard coming. And just like any other massive scandals that we get to see time and again, the story of the disgraced fintech firm must serve as another important lesson for private customers and businesses alike. Giants like Goliath are not invincible. 

As virtual freelancers, being able to receive payments successfully and on-time is critical. Therefore, payment methods matter. The only way to make transfer and receipt of payments secure is to be more critical in terms of choosing the type of online payment service to use. 

It’s second quarter into year 2020 and all of a sudden, the world is on a pause due to the pandemic. Nobody saw it coming of course and therefore left many of us clueless of what the future would be like from now on. But it doesn’t mean it is game over for your business. Unless you yourself have called it quits, there’s no reason to close down without giving it a good fight. As a matter of fact, this health crisis has helped many to discover their hidden business prowess!

While there’s a lot of uncertainty right now, businesses may take advantage of the pandemic to be able to move forward and hopefully still get ahead. 

What are some tricks that you can apply to stay in the game despite one of the most challenging times that this generation has seen?

Revisit your marketing strategy

As cities and countries are on a lockdown, the internet has become people’s best friend. Grab this chance to reach out and connect to your current and potential customers! So if you haven’t fully harnessed the power of online networking platforms, it is high time you do so. Solidifying your online marketing strategies would benefit you not only today but even more so in the future. Remember, we are moving ahead into a much more digitized world.

Develop your social media presence

The above said, social media marketing is another timely marketing tool that you can benefit from amid COVID. Make sure that you have an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or any other popular social media platforms relevant to your business. 

Maintain your customer engagement via these platforms. Keep your blogs active and share links to fresh content regularly. Keep your followers informed about your business and products for sale. Also, keep your chat boxes manned so that you can speedily assist buyer inquiries.

Be eCommerce-ready

Now is the best time to re-assess your website. If you don’t have one, it is time to rethink this as the world is heading to an “all-electronic transactions” mode. Can prospective customers browse and buy goods directly from your website? Do you have a user-friendly, quick-loading interface? Is it search engine optimized so online customers can find you? Do you have chat support? Also, content is key in a digitized world. Make sure to create attractive and compelling content. Establish your brand. Make it known in the online ecosystem. 

Strengthen your customer relationships

If there is something that this pandemic has taught us, that is to give value to human connections and relationships. Now that we need to social distance ourselves even from our loved ones, we suddenly realized the importance of relationships. Same goes to our customers. Despite government quarantine implementations, we still can reach out to and engage with our existing customers. We still can develop and build trust to prospect and new buyers. That is by being available and active not just on social media but also on the phone. Be ready to chat and pick up calls if possible 24/7. Being responsive is key to keeping both old and new customers! Try to develop more product options and even promotions to keep them happy. 

Plan and stay optimistic

In this uncertain economic time, we can’t just stay locked down and hope that the virus will go away tomorrow and bring things back to ‘normal’. The truth is the world has already changed and we need to respond positively to it. While we need to move forward, we also need to be smart and cautious in terms of investments and changes implemented in your business. 

Plan with the current situation in mind in terms of how it’s going to affect your business down the line. Think of products that would sell well today and will continue to do so regardless. Get automated and digitized.

While we seem to be in economic limbo, think of it as an opportunity and take things one step at a time. After all, we never saw this pandemic coming.  Give yourself some room for adjustment and growth at least. 

As the medical world is scrambling to find a cure (much more a vaccine) for COVID 19, the real estate industry likewise is facing its biggest challenge ever yet. And that is, “How to survive and manage in this time of the pandemic”. While everybody is trying to stay safe at home, everything else around is also on a temporary halt (who knows until when), unpleasant repercussions on business and economy are expected. 

Things have slowed down, but the future is not dim at all. Thanks to the internet! A lot of businesses have turned to digital platforms and resumed business as usual. And it isn’t a bad idea for realtors to do the same. While we have all yet to see the long-term effects of the COVID-19 outbreak to various business sectors, the effects may vary per market. For instance, while the housing industry remains slightly optimistic, the effects are far more damaging to the tourism sector, specifically rental and luxury properties. 

Undeniably, this pandemic will have huge impact on real estate businesses. However, there are still a lot of things that realtors can do to thrive, survive, and come out stronger once this pandemic is over. Here are some easy tips to help you continue to engage with your current clients while also attracting potential clients. 

Make use of social media

Do business while keeping a safe distance, and that’s the power that social media platforms can offer. Especially that most of us are at home, we spend much more time on Facebook or Instagram than usual. Take advantage of this time to attract would-be clientele and establish connections with prospect buyers. Also, keep your content coming! Make sure to give your current followers updates from time to time. Let them know that you are still alive and kicking. Also, be sure to have your inboxes manned so you can answer questions or concerns straightaway. 

Keep your blogs fresh and updated

In the online world, content is king. And because you can’t share that much information via social media platforms with imposed character limits, use your real estate blog to share the freshest news, tips and tricks and updates about real estate. Blogging doesn’t just solidify your position in the real estate market, it also helps you nurture your leads by regularly sharing your blog links on your social media pages. 

Improve your listings

This is to let your current and would-be clients know that you are active and that your listings are updated. Revisit your listings. Tweak and add more details if necessary. Again, now that the world is on unexpected pause, many spend more time on the web than usual. People still look at their dream retirement houses or fantasy honeymoon destination. Fresh and more vibrant images can capture more prospective buyers and so do catchy titles and awesome copy.

Stay updated on Digital Closings

As most business transactions have switched online these days, as a realtor, you also must update yourself on the latest real estate eClosing options available to you. Is it already available in your state? Knowing the state-by-state regulations when it comes to online real estate closings is imperative if you want to give accurate information and advice to your clients.

Consider virtual real estate tours

If you haven’t yet, consider adding them to your listings. This is really a helpful and smart move as a real estate agent especially that on-site tours are on hold.  Hiring a pro videographer and photographer is still doable if safety precautions are being done. 

With the above said, there’s no doubt that a real estate business can get through this crisis. This too shall pass! Take advantage of available resources. Stay creative and resourceful. Remember, people still buy and consume despite the lockdown. When we would have put all these behind, you will pat yourself on the back for having emerged wiser and stronger.  

Working as a virtual assistant is a great alternative to making money even at the comfort of your home. And what’s more, anyone can work as a VA as long as you have good communication skills as well as organizational skills. But “What does it really take to become a virtual assistant?”, you may ask. There are a few steps to take to get you started.

#1 – What are your current skills?

Assessing your current skill set is essential if you want to take on a remote assistant job. Ask yourself, what skills do I have that I can offer to my potential clients? Make an inventory or list of those skills and capabilities if necessary. Not only will it help you identify your strengths, it will also help you determine your weak points and therefore help you to map out your next steps in terms of boosting your current skills. 

#2 – Identify the most in-demand skills 

It pays to do your own homework. Know the most sought-after skills online today and find out if you already possess them or need to get a quick course to equip yourself for the job. In fact, learning additional skills (especially those that many online clients look for) would be beneficial not just to your would-be employers but more so to yourself. It increases your confidence as it helps you to provide the best services for your clients and charge the fee that you want and deserve.  It’s super easy to learn extra skills these days. You can either do your own online research or take a free online course even! So, if you want to increase your value and hourly rate as a virtual assistant, boost your skill set ASAP.

#3 – Determine whether you want to be a freelancer or a company employee

You can offer your services to an established company or eCommerce business for instance, or be your own boss as a freelancing VA. If you want to be an online contractor or employee, there are a bunch of online job-sharing platforms to choose from. You can create a profile and then start looking up for jobs that best match your skills. On these online job sites or on social media sites, you can reach out and network with many types of employers from across the globe, and vice versa. 

However, some virtual workers prefer to maintain a certain level of freedom and flexibility in terms of work hours. So they prefer taking on freelance projects as opposed to getting a fixed full-time job. Many of these freelancers have their own websites or Facebook pages where they offer their VA services to clients. 

#4 – Find your own niche

In anything, whether it be in business or a profession, finding your own niche or area that you specialize in is almost tantamount to success. It’s because doing something that you love or truly care about is allowing work to be an enjoyable aspect of your life. If you are a happy worker, you will be more focused and do your best 100% all the time. That said, know the skills where you excel in and narrow those down. Combine or blend related skills and then build around those areas. 

Finally, continue to learn and grow as a virtual assistant. Remember, change is constant and the best thing to do in order to stay competent is to have an optimistic and open mindset. 

But to those who struggle to manage their personal life and work, then a few tweaks in your lifestyle might be necessary to achieve a certain level of equilibrium that is essential to function as a happy and healthy individual. Moreover, keep in mind that there is no such thing as a “perfectly balanced life” unfortunately. No matter how much we try to stay in control, life is unpredictable, and change is constant. So be kind to yourself.

Setting realistic expectations is important. You may have to go through lots of trial and error phases until you find your own approach to having a more meaningful and balanced life. 

Do what you love

Since work is a normal part of our life, why not make it an enjoyable part of your life. Assess your current job. Is it something that you see yourself doing in the next five or so years while being happy at the same time? Do you really care about what you do now? Otherwise, it is time to rethink and seek something that you would look forward to doing every day.

Start your day early

Starting early is a good way to get a head start on your tasks at home or at work. Make it a habit to get up early. If possible, do some meditation or exercise which helps you to have a clearer mind and better focus during the day. 

Plan your week ahead

Planning your week is a great tool to managing your time and staying focused. Take a few minutes to sit down at the start of every week to think about whether it’s going to be a heavy or light week for both personal and work life. Write down the things that you need to accomplish within that week. Doing this will help ease the tension as you have set some expectations for yourself. Follow your calendar as much as possible. Getting things done will give you a sense of fulfillment. So, create a daily or weekly checklist and make sure that you will have everything checked off by the end of your day or week!

Have a work end time

It is OK to work hard. But staying late all the time and not knowing when to draw the line and say “OK it’s time to stop now” will have serious repercussions in your personal relationships and worse your health. Many work-from-home parents find this step challenging. That’s why it is important to schedule tasks and stick to it as much as you can to avoid working overtime.

Find a fun hobby or project

Whether it be playing tennis, gardening, or painting, spare some time during the week for a fun activity. Hobbies will help us unwind and forget about the mundane things of this world even for just a few hours. It’s always OK to invest in your own personal happiness. 

Spend time alone as a couple or individual

Have a quiet date night or spend the weekend off with your partner. Spending time alone with your husband or wife is super important to keeping a healthy family life. Speak with your partner eye to eye, revisit your goals and dreams, or simply enjoy each other’s company. Also, give yourself and your partner some “me time” if necessary. Remember, time alone is as important as time together in marriage.

Put down your cellphone

If you want to maintain a balanced family-work life, connect with people without the cellphone. Having real, in-person conversations is crucial to maintaining healthy relationships inside and outside of the home. 

Finally, continue to learn to be a better person. If some days aren’t great, that is totally fine. The important thing is you strive to be better and appreciate each day as they come.

So you are excited about working from home as a virtual assistant but wondering, “Who actually hires virtual assistants?”. There are companies and businesses out there who are in desperate need of your help right now. However, there are a couple of things that you need to keep in mind before jumping into any type of remote work. Know the right places to find the right opportunity for you as well as the things that you need to watch out for so you can successfully work as a virtual professional.

The good thing about remote working is that there is a whole wide world of online work opportunities that are waiting for you to be uncovered. Mind you the possibilities are endless! 

But first, let’s talk about the types of businesses and companies that hire remote assistants. As a matter of fact, all sorts of businesses and organizations hire a virtual assistant. From solopreneurs to small eCommerce startups, to big established corporations, and even private practitioners such as dentists, authors, speakers, designers, doctors, chiropractors, and professional service providers such as law firms, schools, salons and spas, marketing firms, fashion houses, real estate businesses and many more do hire online assistants. 

Now that you know who hires virtual assistants, it’s time to find out the best places to connect with your prospective employers or clients. There are several ways for you to land a legitimate freelancing job online. 

#1- Online Job-Sharing Sites

Now that there is a greater demand for virtual workers, people turn to job sharing platforms to look for potential online work. That said, there are so many job search websites where you can look up for the best work opportunity that matches your skill set and background. Some of the most popular ones include Upwork, FlexProfessionals, BELAY, Equivity, Profit Factory, Coalition Technologies, Delegate Solutions, among many others. A quick Google search can give you a plethora of options in an instant! On these platforms, both the would-be worker and employer will need to create their profile and start connecting with prospects. 

#2 – Social Networking Sites

If you are ready to take on a virtual career, your next client may just be waiting to hear from you on LinkedIn or Facebook! These days where social media has become part of our norm, hiring and job hunting can be done on social media platforms. The good thing about this method is that you can browse the freshest jobs that are listed in your local area or anywhere in the world, and then you can connect directly to prospect employers. If you want to get noticed through these platforms, make sure that you build a descriptive profile that showcases your skills and abilities.

#3 – Real Life Networking or Referrals

Connecting with people in-person can do wonders not just in your personal life but also in your career. Build and expand your network as much as you can if you want people to know the services that you can offer. Our friends and family may not be the best employers to have but they can be your best marketing tool to promote your services as a VA. Even if you have decided to work in the online realm, real life relationships are still helpful in opening doors to more opportunities for you. 

Finally, when it comes to things done on the Internet, always practice caution. Be sure to learn how to spot online scammers especially if you transact using popular social media sites. No matter how much you want to get a job, make sure that the job you are applying for is legit. Overall, listening to your gut, doing your own research, and using known job platforms reduces your risk of falling prey to online predators.