Originally Posted by Vituousa

Hi Tina, The information provided on your website is extremely helpful to me. I especially found your startup experiences something to consider. I was thinking of going the route of attending chamber of commerce SBA's, and direct mail marketing. Could it be that sucess or failure of going this route is depended upon the area? Thank you Tina for the help you provide.

You're welcome!
It definitely depends on your area and on the services you provide. I think that more traditional administrative assistance might do a bit better attending local networking events. Especially in an area where technology is embraced.
When I started out I was living in a small town in Maine. I found there weren't many business people at the networking meetings that were even aware of Web 2.0 technology. Many of them still were reluctant to use e-mail for newsletters, etc in their businesses. Now I'm in an area of North Carolina that really embraces technology, with both Google and Apple having data centers in the area, people that I meet here are much more likely to understand my ability to provide services virtually.

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~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School

Originally Posted by Off~Site Secretary

Thank you for the valuable information you provided in this interview and on your website (which is very cool, by the way one of my favorites.) This response you give to people who ask what you do: “You know how every office has that one person that always knows how to deal with the computers, software and internet applications? The office geek? Well I’m the office geek for people without offices. “ is the absolute BEST! I am going to start saying that (if you don't mind ) My response to that question usually ends up being bland and boring no matter how often I practice! I also like how your to-do list has many client-related tasks, but also smart goals for your own business. Thank you so much for sharing these insights. ~ Melissa

Thanks! I'm pretty proud of my website and I try hard to keep implementing new things there to make the experience even better.
My new little office geek tagline is pretty popular and I don't mind others adapting it to help explain what they do. I would ask that you change it up a bit and not use it word for word. It took me three years to find the 'inspiration'.

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~Tina Marie Hilton of Clerical Advantage
& founder of VA Survival School

Great interview. Lot's of new information needed, so when I start my business.


Vee.

Originally Posted by Clerical Advantage

Thanks! I'm pretty proud of my website and I try hard to keep implementing new things there to make the experience even better. My new little office geek tagline is pretty popular and I don't mind others adapting it to help explain what they do. I would ask that you change it up a bit and not use it word for word. It took me three years to find the 'inspiration'.

Thank you... Tina Marie! I am not good at quoting much anything word for word... sound more like a wannabe actress I would mostly try to copy the comfortable confidence that I hear in my head when I read the response that you say. I just love it!!

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Melissa Rahko
www.offsitesecretary.com

Great interview! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Tina,

I love your explanation on "what you do" I think it would give a good chuckle but also get your point across at the same time. Great interview. It's always cool to read how others do things and how others work as well.

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Renee Shupe, Become a Techie Virtual Assistant
eMail Marketing & Aweber Training Starts May 15! - Save 50% using VAFAweber

Hi Tina,
I enjoyed getting to know you better through your interview. It really strengthens the sense of camaraderie to learn about other VA's experiences. Thanks so much for sharing!

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Carol Aldridge
www.ProgressiveBusinessSolutions.net

Very interesting interview and full of information for a VA-to-Be like me. Thanks for sharing.

What a great interview! I see your face pop up frequently, does make me realize the advantage of a face on the forum. I need to do this.

Your ideal client is a probable, and I can see how it would work.

If I get questions about blogs I will refer them to you.

thanks,

Penelope

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Penelope Myer
Penelope and Partners