Hi Everyone,

I'm working on getting all necessary software that I should be utilizing as a VA and was hoping that everyone could help by giving me a run down on what you consider required software for a VA, and do you have any favorites that you would recommend? Trying of course to keep startup costs under control so suggestions on free software would also be very helpful.

I did search previous forum posts but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. Have a great day all!

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Deb Frawley
Gem's Virtual Office

Hi Deb What a great question -
I have a few favorites (most are free!)
There are some good conversations for some in the 'resources' section of the forums as well - and then if you check out the 'resources ---> software' section in the directory, here, all of the current listings are products that were recommended by members in the forum.

I don't know that I'd say anything in particular is so much 'required' (aside from Microsoft's Office suite and the like) - I tend to discover new things as my client's needs evolve, but there are always old favorites.

My personal favorites are
PDF995 (you can turn just about anything into a professional looking PDF - this is great for client projects but also for your own practice (marketing materials, etc.)

eFax (rec'v faxes free via email) - the only drawback, of course, is not being able to *send* for free. But there's also FaxZero, which you'll find on this page - you can send a limited number of free faxes through their site.

Screenhunter5 - you can take snapshots of any part of or all of a webpage. Great for setting up tutorials for clients or showing them samples, etc. (There's also a really cool free product called 'Jing project' that lets you take video of whatever you're doing on your computer, then the file uploads to Jing (scroll down this page to find the link and listing ) and you just send the link to a client, etc. Also great for giving instruction, etc. (Like a video version of screenhunter)

Is there anything in particular you had in mind?
Truthfully, I think being able to use the net in general to track down fabulous new online technology, etc. is more valuable than even the most expensive software.

One thing I'm really big on with my clients, that isn't software but I think is important for a VA to know how to handle is an enewsletter program - I prefer Vertical Response because I can design custom templates, etc. they are affordable (no monthly fee) and they offer great stats on campaign results, but there are many other options as well.

I'm sure lots of other members will pitch in their personal favorites here too

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Microsoft offers Microsoft Accounting Express for free. It's a watered down version of their regular small business accounting software. It allows you to input client/contact info, your services info and charges, it will generate invoices, quotes, late notices, and much more. It's worth a look.

If you're looking for free software - look at OpenOffice.org - they have a suite that is beginning to rival Microsoft products.

I agree that having something that will transfer almost any file to a .pdf is a must. Most (if not all) professional printing companies can work with .pdf files (not all can work with Microsoft products).

Best wishes,

Jeanne

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Jeanne
NowAssistingYou.com
Virtual Assistant :: Web/Blog Design & Hosting :: Writer

Excellent information as always...thankyou...don't have a clue where I was looking that I didnt find all that information I just read

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Deb Frawley
Gem's Virtual Office

Once again, great suggestion. It looks like a great program to have. I downloaded, but will take the time later to explore!

Wow. Jing will be one of the most used tolls for the Real Estate agents. Believe it or not, I am currently working with an agent who did not know how to change the background on her computer. I was on the phone with her for 20 minutes trying to explain. This would have been a great tool. I can see myself using it to show clients so many things.

Yes, Jing is so great! And it seems like no one knows about it yet!

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There are a couple of awesome web conferencing tools I use that are free. One really awesome tool is Yugma (www.yugma.com) it is very much the same as go to meeting however you can record your meetings and can switch from one presenter to another to have a shared presentation. Once your meeting is over you can review your recorded session download and save it for future reference. I have actually used it for my own company training purposes.

Another really cool tool that will help when dealing with a client who has a hard tme comprehending and following direction is team viewer (www.teamviewer.com) this tool will allow you to remotely connect and control another persons computer so you can share files, complete a task for them, or just plain show them how to do something.

Thanks, there are some great suggestions on free software. I've added them to my Favorites to check out later.

Besides having the Office Suites, I do believe it is essential to have a PDF converter program. My clients ask me to convert documents into PDF for security.

I also use eFax, but I opted to pay the discounted one-year upgrade for approximately $10 a month. Having the upgrade allows me to have a local call in number (the free one gives a long distance number). I also frequently use it for its "converting into PDF format." I am able to fax documents to my eFax number and the document is emailed to me in a PDF attachment. There is some loss of quality when you use eFax, so I just use it in sending documents between my clients and assistants.

You might also want to check out www.Calendars.net. They offer free online calendars. I open a calendar for each client. It can be customized and password protected. It is great for scheduling appointments and keeping track of your clients whereabouts when traveling. I put all of the flight information on this calendar, too. I wish that it sent out reminders, but it doesn't.

Hope that helps.
Michele Guarino
A Second Office

Nice suggestions! I'll be sure to add these new ones to our Industry Directory (don't forget to check there for great resources too!)

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Here are some of my favorites:

Box.net - online file sharing

http://www.google.com/a/smallbiz/ - Google Apps... many great biz tools here

MyHours.com - http://www.myhours.com/ - Time Tracking

Pando - http://www.pando.com/ - Sending large files via e-mail

RoboForm - http://www.roboform.com/php/land.php?affid=bsetc - Stores passwords and forms that you fill out often...

Time and Date - http://www.timeanddate.com/ - You can check out calendars, holidays, etc. here... Great for scheduling around major holidays

Audio Acrobat - http://bsetc.audioacrobat.com/ - manage your audios, podcasts, etc. You can record telephone calls, teleseminars, etc. for easy storage

Feed Demon - http://www.newsgator.com/NGOLProduct...odID=FeedDemon - managing your blogs

Basecamp - http://basecamphq.com/?referrer=businessservicesetc - Client management and great if you have a team of virtual assistants

1ShoppingCart - http://www.marketerschoice.com/app/?pr=6&id=96539 - the most popular shopping cart and autoresponder system amongst internet marketers and the software I use for shopping cart and marketing

1001 Fonts - http://www.1001fonts.com/ - free and paid fonts

Stock Xpert - stock photography - http://www.stockxpert.com/

Basement Ventures - http://www.thebasementventures.com/ - free teleconference lines

GotVMail - toll free phone numbers with multiple extensions - http://gotvmail.com/land.php?sp=25288&img=3&kbid=3848

Ad Impact - http://www.adimpact.com/?aid=2501 - create post-it notes for your home page to help direct traffic where you wish

Bluehost - best web hosting company EVER - http://www.bluehost.com/track/eblaskie2/

Icebrrg - https://www.icebrrg.com/ - create online web forms

And then non-web-based software I always use:

- Adobe Professional 8
- Adobe PhotoShop, Illustrator & Page Maker
- Dreamweaver
- Smart FTP
- Microsoft Office
- Mozilla Firefox
- Skype, MSN Messenger & Yahoo Messenger
- Audacity for audio editing

Hope this helps!!!!

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Sincerely,

Erin Blaskie of Business Services, ETC

Thats a great list Erin. I'll be sure to check at least some of them out. I am interested in finding a good online storage systyem, so I am particularly interested in box.net. That will ge on the check into today list.

Thanks for sharing your list Erin. There are several on there I'm going to check out.

My list is fairly short, but here is what I use most often:

Microsoft Office (mostly Word and Excel)
QuickBooks Pro 2007
MyHours.com - free online time tracking
Airset.com - free online group collaborative tool (calendar, upload folders, task lists, message board, etc.)
Adobe Photoshop Elements 5.0
Adobe Pro 8
Microsoft Office Live - Email, online calendar
GoToMyPC.com - remote access

I should have done more research and taken better advantage of some of the free software out there before purchasing a couple of them, but some of them were products I had used at previous employers and was familiar with. Luckily I did buy most of it off Ebay for a fraction of the cost of buying retail.

I'm truly amazed at everything I have learned so far since becoming a VA. It has really opened my eyes up to a whole new way of doing things and a whole new world of technology. I always thought I was up on this kind of stuff until I came here! LOL I have been having the most fun, since I started this adventure, learning new ways of doing things, playing with new software, networking and meeting new people, learning how to build a website... maybe I'm just a big nerd but I'm having a blast!!

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Does anyone have a favorite desktop publishing program? Also is quick books the best/easiest accounting program? I use print shop pro microsoft office and AVG antivirus.

Thanks

John Runer

I just downloaded Open Office and its pretty easy to use and all of my MS Word documents work on it to. I really like the program especially since its in my price range - FREE .