You’ve made the decision to begin delegating many of the tasks that eat up your time, which in the long run eat away at your profits. Good for you, you are hiring a virtual assistant!

In my last blog I gave a few suggestions on how to find a qualified virtual assistant and a few tips on finding the one who is right for you. This month I want to share how to successfully get the most out of your virtual assistant and keep her or him around to help make your business a success for years to come.

Get to know your virtual assistant.

Like any relationship, whether personal or professional in nature, it is going to take time to build a strong, trusting, mutually respectful association with your...

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You've heard about virtual assistants and have been wondering if hiring a VA would be right for you. As a matter of fact, one of your colleagues has been noticeably more relaxed and has even started bragging about his golf game again since working with his VA. You’d like to know more about working with a virtual assistant but have been holding back because you’re not sure how to get started or maybe you’re thinking it would be too expensive for you.

If this sounds like you, please take the time to read on. The purpose of my writing this is to help guide you into the wonderful, liberating world of working with a virtual assistant.

Ask yourself what your needs are and make a list of the tasks you need the most...

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This month’s blog post does not have anything to do with business. It isn’t cute. It isn’t sweet. But it is informative, and it might possibly save your life one day. And if you pass on this information to your mother, your sister, your wife, your daughter, or any woman you hold near and dear to your heart, it can possibly save her life too.

My sister shared this information with me, and it had been passed on to her, and so on. I take no credit for this excellent, life saving advice and do not even know where the first message originated. I am only passing it on so that you can share it with people you know and love.

In daylight hours, remember and think about these things if you are ever in an emergency...

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it's not that bad.

I contract with businesses locally, and have been for over 10 years. I admit I had not wanted to do this type of thing once I officially became a virtual assistant. However, two months ago a former business contact asked if I would fill in for his assistant while she was recovering from minor surgery, which was to be for about two weeks. Those two weeks turned into two months, and as it turns out, will continue on for another two weeks -- although for only half-a-day.

Although working in-office is not my ideal situation, I still take comfort in knowing that I do it on my terms. And while at this office, I discovered a new love (business-wise), which is researching. I found that not only do...

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If you are not yet reaping the rewards of using social media to grow your business, NOW is the time to get started. If you are like me, a person with little previous social media experience, the thought of breaking out of your cocoon and spreading your wings may be a bit overwhelming. But it need not be. You will discover, as I did, that much like going to a fabulous party and meeting new people, social media networking can be so much fun, and it can be very valuable and profitable for the growth of your business.

I am by no stretch of the imagination an expert (pardon the pun) on social media. My area of expertise is in transcription and specialized administrative support. But once I discovered how useful and vital —...

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**This is a preview of what I'd like to post to my "official" blog page. I have included contributing members' names and links to their Web sites. Please let me know if it is OK with you that I refer to your comments. Absolutely feel free to let me know that I can use your comments, but prefer to stay anonymous . I just don't want to run my blog and use your words of wisdom without acknowledging your contribution in any way! Thank you!


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One of the most interesting and sensitive subjects that I have come across so far amongst virtual assistants has been the use of resumes. Being a somewhat newcomer to the virtual assistance industry, I admit...

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Going green -- everyone should have it as a New Year's resolution this year, especially we business owners who rely on energy-hungry products and practices to run our businesses on a daily basis. There have been many articles and blogs on the topic. However, it's a new year again and that's a great reason to start thinking and implementing ways to live and work greener. This really is an important topic, and it really is a big deal in more ways than just one.

For the most part, a good number of business owners have already implemented ways of going green -- without even realizing it! We've done so in part because we have all felt the impact of a bad economy in some way or another. Office supplies are more expensive, the...

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This is actually a revised version of my first blog on VAF. Since then I have written another blog and have posted it on my new blog site, which can be found at http://expertsupportsvcs.com/blog1. I have not had the easiest of times with "The Blog," as you will read in my story, which is why I elaborated somewhat on my original post.

Yes, I’m new to blogging, or as I have dearly termed it — “The Blog.” I just wasn’t getting what all the hype was about. I mean, what did I need “The Blog” for? I learned and started using Facebook (boy, did I start using Facebook). I created a Twitter page, and designed and created my own Web site. So why did I need “The Blog” if I tweeted and FB’ed and had a Web site?

...

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Yes, I'm new to the blogging era. I thought I was doing so great because I got into Facebook (boy, did I get into Facebook!), created a Twitter page, and designed and put up my own Web site. Now, you have to realize that I'm a transcription and translation specialist. My niche is not that sort of high-tech Web presence specialist that is, quite frankly, where it's at now.

To my own defense, however, I do know my transcription software. I also know all about designing newsletters and putting together the most creative presentations out there (okay, I'm patting myself on the back). But as far as blogging goes, well, let's just say that I'm definitely at "Point A."

But with that said, blogging will not be my...

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