So I just created a thread HERE in the Social Networking area with some links to different Twitter resources to help you get started with using Twitter and with getting familiar with how Twittering works. But I thought I would use the wonderful new blog feature to write some more specifics about how Virtual Assistants can use Twitter not only for their own marketing and networking purposes, but as members of the larger Virtual Assistant industry.

I've only been using twitter for a couple of months and I will freely admit that I'm thoroughly addicted. When I get up in the morning, I check my email first and then moments later, I log into twitter. All this usually happens before I've had coffee or breakfast...(and embarrassingly...

JKVirtualOffice

Thanks to Hamid at Codehead, LLP for his quick custom hack, it's easy now to embed YouTube videos in your forum posts; here's how:

Find the URL for the YouTube video you wish to embed. Find the ID of that video (whatever is after the v= in the URL. Let's say the ID is vr3x_RRJdd4 (which is the ID of a video for the Free Hugs Campaign)

Then you would enter the following into your post to embed the video:

PHP Code:

[youtube]vr3x_RRJdd4[/youtube]

and this is what you'll get:



Give it a try next time you want to reference a video from YouTube - it's a great way to enhance your post by including the video itself too!

VAF Admin

I start out my day, waking with an alarm,
some mornings, that's tough,
as my covers are warm.

Husband has made coffee, pour the cream in my cup.
Wake up my teen. "Hey, you'd better stay up!"

Throw on my sweats, brush my teeth, wash my face,
Feed the cat, feed the teen, "Yes, it's oatmeal for darn sakes."

"Leave the iPod at home, don't even ask.
And please don't forget your books and school lunch pass."
(Help me this day, as I ignore his morning sass!)

We'd better get going;
I've got much on my plate; emails, Twitter,
social networking won't wait.

Already my head is a-spin;
...

Your Virtual Wizard

I've never been really good at hypothetical questions, like the ones that ask "If you were a car, what make and model would you be?" I'm more about facts and figures than possibilities, so when I read the challenge question for this month, I was pretty sure I'd be giving this one a pass. Although it would be interesting to meet a celebrity like Oprah or the late John Lennon, I honestly couldn't get stirred up enough to write about the prospect.

Consequently, blogging wasn't even on my mind when I mentioned to my husband earlier this week how much I would love to meet Julie Bestry and Geralin Thomas, preferably at the same time. Not only are they both brilliant professional organizers (my kind of people), but they each...

OrganizedAssistant

Do you ever wonder what it would be like to know in advance the consequences of your actions? I heard a song on the radio today about just that, and then I thought of this month’s blog challenge and decided that the person I would most like to meet would be me. A me that is 5 years into my business and could answer all the questions I have in the present.
If I met the future me I would know exactly what marketing strategies I’m trying are going to work or not work. I would know exactly who to approach for business because the future me would already know where that perfect opportunity for a new client lies, and remember who my first client was, or will be. The future me would certainly make my business planning a lot easier,...

executive_assist

Forums and online communities are the original social networks - participating in the conversation and making the most of all that your free membership at Virtual Assistant Forums has to offer is an important part of your internet marketing plan - IF you take advantage of the opportunity. Here’s how!

Stay active:
You’re an important member of the Virtual Assistant Forums community! From the research and startup phase you've seen the benefit of participation in this top-notch forum, but how important is it to remain active on the boards after you're established? There are many reasons ongoing participation at VAF is important, here are just a few:

- Visibility among your peers - "Being an active member...

VAF Admin

For years I wanted to start my own business of a virtual assistant. However, I came up with all kinds of excuses for not doing so for so long. The excuses ranged from, “you work a full time job, you don’t have time to start a business” to “ you do not have the funds to do so”.

Well, about a year ago, I was sitting in church, yes church. I was listening to my pastor as he was teaching about our gifts that God has given us. God has given us all gifts and some of us are to use our gifts in ministry or a business. He also stated that a business is a ministry because you are helping others who are in need. For a couple of more Sunday’s he taught on a series of working in our gifts. I felt like he was speaking to me and me alone. I...

themomentisyours