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Misconceptions of the Virtual Assistant

Posted 03-08-2011 at 01:52 AM by E-Savvy SBS
I wrote this blog in response to tweets my fellow Virtual Assistants (VA's) and I were exchanging regarding the misconceptions of Virtual Assistants. It seems that there is a great disparity between what we believe a Virtual Assistant to be and what the public perceives a Virtual Assistant to be.

While starting my business I repeatedly stumbled upon the term Virtual Assistant and found that the description matched the core of what my business was about. However, I was skeptical about using the term and finally decided that I was doing The Virtual Assistance Community an injustice by not using the term. Just because the terms "virtual" and "assistant" may be misleading to our field, my fellow VA's will prove...
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Niche marketing

Posted 02-23-2011 at 07:59 AM by Red Bush
I am fairly new to blogging, so forgive me if I get it wrong. I want to specialise in a niche market applying to authors, writers, professional speech makers, etc, in fact anyone who has large projects to transcribe. This is where I am most comfortable. Any marketing and networking advice would be very gratefully received.
Regards
Drusilla
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What is Your Entrepreneur "Type"?

Posted 02-22-2011 at 08:56 AM by Off~Site Secretary
Updated 02-22-2011 at 09:04 AM by Off~Site Secretary (Reveals (3) Different Types; Not (4) ;))
By: Melissa Rahko; Off~Site Secretary

Why did you start your Virtual Assistant business and what type of business owner have you become?

An interesting Entrepreneur Test is available online. The test's goal is to help you to understand your strengths and to capitalize on them. If you know what best "drives you" you can use those qualities to drive your business.

It was fun for me to learn my "type". There are no "wrong" answers to the questions and the results are thought-provoking.

After answering the question, make a note of the type that you revealed and then download the .pdf file. The .pdf file lists the strengths for all (3) types, so you need to zero in...
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Virtual Assistants - are they for you?'

Posted 02-16-2011 at 10:03 PM by cheenee_laptoprunner
Virtual Assistant (VA) can be simply defined according to about.com as a person who helps someone else. They usually help business owners or small business by doing their administrative tasks. It is called “virtual” because they work from a home office. They can be accessed through emails, telephones, etc. These VAs are often experienced professionals who dedicates their time and expertise to helping their clients achieve corporate goals. Thus, they should be treated as partners rather than employees.

Aside from doing administrative tasks, VAs also offer technical and specialized services. These services include contact centre solutions, bookkeeping and accounting, Web-based business processes and solutions, Procurement sourcing,...
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Just Say No: United We Stand

Posted 02-13-2011 at 11:12 AM by eXPERT Business Support
**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!


-------------------------



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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Virtual Assistance, What can it do for Me?

Posted 01-31-2011 at 10:11 PM by cheenee_laptoprunner
Is doing administrative tasks such as maintaining office files, operating telephones, typing letters, etc., took all of your time? Do you wish that you can have an assistant to do those things for you without spending a huge amount of resources? Well, hiring Virtual Assistants (VAs) is the answer to that wish.

Virtual Assistants are independent contractors who takes care of the administrative tasks for you from a home office. It is like having an assistant in your computer/laptop that can be easily accessed by your finger tips. Most VA service providers offers 24/7 service so that you can be informed about your business anytime and anywhere. It is truly a runner on the go.

Nowadays, Virtual Assistance is not...
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Virtual Assistant Skype

Posted 01-21-2011 at 08:11 PM by JVOTS
I am very new to Skype - it there a virtual assistant forum for using Skype?

Are virtual assistants using Skype to hold virtual meetings?

Any reference information would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you. Sheila
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How do you approach networking?

Posted 01-20-2011 at 02:01 PM by rcleland
Networking Definition: the developing of contacts or exchanging of information with others in an informal network, as to further a career.

I think all business owners large and small know that networking is vital to the advancement of their career or growth of theircompany, but how many people actually do it and do it well?

Networking comes easy to some and not so easy to others. There are a number of things you can do to enhance the experience for all involved.

Maintain dialogue with many different people even if they can’t help you at the current point in time. Nothing looks worse than running to someone only when you need something.

Know what you can do and how it can benefit...
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Wall Street Virtual Office Space and Office Services

Posted 01-20-2011 at 09:20 AM by ywsoffice
Updated 01-20-2011 at 09:23 AM by ywsoffice (Adding more info)
In virtual concept office is a place where you came to design and bring for business targets or providing functions. With the arrival of engineering science and cyberspace enabled helps, various office works like call up responding, mail forwarding, employee co-ordination etc that can be finished virtually in a virtual office set up. At virtual office you can enjoy slowed down workplace surroundings with no involve to lease a space for personal office placement any more. Nowadays, virtual workplace is gaining popularity among people who needs to handle a lot of clients without spending thousands of bucks for the writes off required in a actual office.

Virtual Office Space
Getting an office place, for some people, thinks...
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Snowy Days and the Virtual Assistant

Posted 01-10-2011 at 10:22 PM by calliope
I was thinking about this today while it kept on snowing. I even remember checking Facebook and seeing folks who did go in to their corporate jobs and exclaiming that they were the only ones there, which I remember being sort of nice. It was always quiet.

Then I got to thinking about the fact that when it snows or the weather is really bad business owners who rely on their assistants are often with out them. But, if they have a virtual assistant the work isn't always stopped due to bad weather, because the VA is usually right there working from their own office. Plus IF there is a reason for the VA to not be able to complete a project during bad weather - I am thinking power outage or downed internet service - the business...
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Go Green, Keep Green . . . It's a Virtual Thing

Posted 01-10-2011 at 12:00 PM by eXPERT Business Support
Updated 01-10-2011 at 08:39 PM by eXPERT Business Support (revisions ;))
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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Social Media

Posted 01-05-2011 at 12:01 AM by Stewartwin
Social Media
January 2011

The technology boom has enabled people to do things today that could only be dreamed of twenty years ago. This technological renaissance has opened up so many unbelievable opportunities for businesses to get their name out there. One such way is through Social Media, and we are at the beginning of what I believe will be a Social Media explosion!

So what is Social Media? Wikipedia.org defines social media as: "...online content created by people using highly accessible and scalable publishing technologies." There are countless forms of Social Media and businesses all around the world have jumped on this bandwagon for marketing, and its working!

Myspace, Facebook,...
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Create Your Own Organizing Method

Posted 01-04-2011 at 12:39 PM by Wendy-Works
I remember when I was younger my father used to keep a very unique system for organizing his bills and invoices. He owned his own moving and delivery company and was working many hours on the job and away from his home office. His method was the coat hanger method. He would straighten out a metal coat hanger but leave the hook intact and bend the bottom into a rough knot. As the bills were paid he would thread them onto the coat hanger by piercing a hole through the center. First, he would record the date paid, check number and amount. Whenever he needed to refer back to the particulars of an invoice he would just go to the coat hanger, which was hanging on the wall in the office. Knowing the approximate date it could be found by flipping down...
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Tips in Creating Your Company Profile Online

Posted 01-03-2011 at 02:11 AM by cheenee_laptoprunner
Updated 01-03-2011 at 02:21 AM by cheenee_laptoprunner (Broken link)
Hello everyone!

I really don't know what to post on my first blog, so I decided to put an informative one. Hope this one helps.

Tips in Creating Your Company Profile Online
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My Ideal Clients All Have This Disease!

Posted 12-31-2010 at 01:04 AM by Business-Bytes
My Ideal Clients All Have This Disease!

What follows are my shamelessly (and un-apologetically), biased thoughts on the topic of my ideal client and a disease that I feel ALL should be afflicted with…

Humor!

When screening potential clients (PCs), I have noticed that some tend to avoid seeing the humor in life or work – like humor is a disease to be avoided at all costs. They are “humor challenged” – the politically correct description of this disease, by yours truly. Consequently, they fail to see the humor in situations that might send we that aren’t as “humor challenged” from anything between a chuckle or two, to a gale of full-blown, side-splitting, wee-your-pants laughter. In other...
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End-of-year-Blog What I would do now had I known earlier [Post #5]

Posted 12-30-2010 at 11:25 PM by MIM Enterprises
Well to start with every time I read a blog on VAF I am amazed by the quality of the writers. Especially when I read anything by RhondaHolscher I truly feel like I am experiencing what Rhonda is talking about; I learn a lot from your writing Rhonda, thank you!

I also love the way OrganizedAssistant writes especially about the corporate world and what / which parts are useful in a different world such as the 'virtual world' we are now members of.

Thank you as well Janine for organizing this fantastic area in which to learn and test the blogging waters. I for one can remember learning the way to blog here on VAF and the first time I found it very scary. To tell you the truth I still do find it...
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Save time and Stress - Editorial Calendar

Posted 12-30-2010 at 04:11 PM by rcleland
As I mentioned in my earlier post I am using this time to get myself and clients organized for the busy year ahead. One of the key items helping me with planning is an editorial calendar.

Have you set one up for yourself yet? Do you blog or regularly contribute to a newsletter? If so, you should take a few hours now and implement an editorial calendar.

For those of you not familiar with what this is, it is a plan you create that outlines what topic you will be discussing and when. Seems simple enough…and it is, it just takes a bit of preplanning.

I love, love, love excel and created a spreadsheet for myself to track everything. Here is my version of an Editorial Calendar that you can easily adapt...
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New Years Resolutions or New Years Commitments

Posted 12-30-2010 at 11:38 AM by Wendy-Works
Have you created a New Years Resolution or a New Years Commitment? I like mine to be always on an upbeat note. I think if you decide to stop complaining or procrastinating in the coming year, then just by being a negative statement it may set you up for failure. Instead, why not try making your resolutions more rewarding and positive in nature?
For business owners it could be a specific reward you give yourself, after you complete a given task. For instance; you commit to cold calling 5 suspected, clients or customers and when you have completed this task, you will reward yourself with a day trip to one of your favorite places. Or, you could say every time I update my to-do-list I will add a task that will bring pleasure, something...
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Community Service

Posted 12-28-2010 at 06:20 PM by dage292
Wanted to share an idea that I have about some community work that I am doing. Some local business that service our community don't use the internet a lot, so in order to get them more aware of what we do, I am creating a webpage for them. I have picked one particular service industry and just doing a simple page that has the links to their individual pages. This will create one page that everyone can go to to find out information about this service locally. I don't push one company over another and since they all do the same thing, I put the info that they have passed on to me, for their link. It has increased the individual business and also put information out to the general public about that business.
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What to write - a reflection

Posted 12-28-2010 at 06:04 PM by calliope
Last week I was talking with a friend of mine about my struggles with actually blogging. I told her that I felt like I needed to write something brilliant and her response was "write about what you know.", I laughed and told her she sounded like my college professors who always said the same thing.

In college I always struggled with writing my papers, partly because there was also the deadline and I hate deadlines. I still wanted to write the best papers ever. I always wanted to think about my research before writing. As I have gotten older I am better about meeting my deadlines. But I still have this innate desire to write the most brilliant things in the world. I can't even say what would be brilliant, because...
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The VAF Pool Party

Posted 12-28-2010 at 09:16 AM by Off~Site Secretary
My daughter finished up two semesters of swimming classes this summer and was eager to show me her new skills at a hotel swimming pool. As she displayed her new talents, she was unaware of a little girl watching her from the hot tub.

The little girl moved from the hot tub to the top step of the pool to get a closer look. Becoming braver, the little one moved onto the second step and began to call to my daughter. Still oblivious to the little girl, my daughter continued to swim in the deep end of the pool while basking in mom’s “full attention”.

After she showed me her new skills and gathered my “atta girl comments”, I told her the little girl was trying to tell her something. She smiled and swam closer to...
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Virtual Groups vs Local Meet-ups

Posted 12-27-2010 at 12:40 PM by Wendy-Works
I have been reading lately about the benefits of support groups in growing a successful business.

I belong to a few virtual groups and forums, but I am also enjoying the benefits of joining a group that hosts occasional meet-ups. These usually take place in the backroom of a restaurant, where our excited chatter won’t bother the regular patrons. Most of these groups have a leader, who takes care of reservations, other details and makes sure that the strict one minute time schedule for self introductions is adhered to.

These are free events, but occasionally if we have a professional guest speaker, a small fee may apply.

Meet-ups require a lot more of our valuable time than virtual groups do. So, most...
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New Years Day is the Official Launch of Wendy-Works VA

Posted 12-26-2010 at 12:13 PM by Wendy-Works
As the new year approaches the beginning of my new virtual assistant business has become a reality and not just a hope and a prayer. The excitement is building.
I have already learned a lot from this forum and my stacks of bought and borrowed books and community programs. I think one of the most important lessons has been that I can't do everything myself.
Outsourcing is the foundation of my business, so I realize what a treasure it is to be able to use these virtual companies to help build a strong business. Without, logo makers, business card craters, webinars, online schooling and more, it wouldn't be possible to get this far, this fast.
I am in a state of appreciation for being able to access and use all the itools...
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A non-blogger’s mastery of “the blog”

Posted 12-23-2010 at 01:14 AM by eXPERT Business Support
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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List of things to do before the year ends

Posted 12-20-2010 at 08:37 AM by rcleland
The end of the year is a great time to reflect on past events and to get yourself organized for the year ahead. I always feel I have accomplished the most when things are organized.

The holidays are stressful for many people with shopping, cleaning and parties, but when you own your own business there are other stressors that are added to the list. Here are a few of examples of things that get lost in the shuffle and how I like to take the down time between Christmas and New Years to deal with them:

Business Check Up
Take some time to look at any advertising or marketing you did. Did you spend more time and money then it brought in? What new strategies would you like to try for the coming year?...
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Getting started with the "BLOG"

Posted 12-14-2010 at 08:31 PM by eXPERT Business Support
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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Seasons Greetings From The-Anytime-VA!

Posted 12-13-2010 at 04:18 PM by AshleyB
Updated 12-13-2010 at 04:20 PM by AshleyB (html code messed up)
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Two-Thumbs Up For Mavenlink!

Posted 12-13-2010 at 02:23 PM by AshleyB
What's new with The-Anytime-VA?

The-anytime-VA is now using Mavenlink to manage projects and collaborate with clients.

Why Mavenlink?

Mavenlink is great because it allows businesses to collaborate with partners and clients; Manage invoicing, time-tracking, budgets, and payments; you can personalize the look and feel with custom branding and an online profile; and sign-up for other benefits and insurance Mavenlink provides. There are so many features you'll have to visit Mavenlink.com for yourself to get the complete details.

So, what's The Cost?

For all those great features I was describing above, you...
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The Benefits of Joining a Local Virtual Assistant Networking Group

Posted 12-13-2010 at 10:02 AM by OrganizedAssistant
Although working from home offers many perks, it is not without its downside. Many VAs who are used to working in a busy office setting find that they miss having co-workers around so they can seek advice, discuss ideas, and share a laugh once in a while.

Social networks and Internet-based virtual assistant groups play an important role in filling this void. Whenever you get stuck with a technical problem or need to tell someone about something terrible (or wonderful) that happened in your business, you’ve got access to a large group of online colleagues – and that’s great! Many business relationships and even friendships have emerged from this type of interaction.

Sometimes, however, communicating online just...
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My Take On, Using Social Media Marketing For Beginners.....

Posted 12-12-2010 at 10:13 PM by AshleyB
So you’ve got an online/ or offline business and you want to spread the word while providing useful information at the same time, via the internet.

Well, you are on the right track with wanting to get the job done by using social media marketing, But you may not know where to start or what to do next

Let’s start by identifying some popular social sites where you can and should sign-up! See the list below:

Facebook (www.Facebook.com)
YouTube (www.Youtube.com)
Twitter (www.Twitter.com)

So, you see we have Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube all listed above with links for you to visit and take a look around. I...
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New Beginnings

Posted 12-12-2010 at 12:47 AM by RhondaHolscher
Christmas is almost here and the new year is quickly approaching. I'm pondering... what the new year has in store.

I had a wonderful childhood aside from a few bumps in the road of life I've managed to get through adulthood fairly well. I've had my fair share of aches and pains as well as joys, and now I'm working on a new beginning. I started on this new beginning not so long ago after the loss of my parents.

The father of my children left me about 6 or so years ago, and I had just had our second baby. Our beautiful baby girl was only two months old when he decided he needed more out of life. At that time I was also caring for both my parents and had a c-section and was trying to recover from that. I felt...
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Decisions, Decisions

Posted 12-02-2010 at 11:54 PM by Business Cornerstone Services
If you encounter a problem in business or in your personal life, making the correct decision is crucial.

This 6 step process will help you reach the right decision every time.

To help you remember the process, here is a mnemonic:

IABEAD

I Am Better Equipped At Deciding

Identify, Analyze, Brainstorm, Evaluate, Anticipate, Do It…!!!

These are the 6 processes you should consider when you have a decision to make.

Depending on the complexity of the issue you may need to formally document each process so that the decision can be reviewed or amended based on changes in any of the steps.

Some complex decisions will require all 6 processes...
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Are you my ideal client?

Posted 11-29-2010 at 02:37 AM by ClassicConcierge
Have you considered the profile of your ideal client? Maybe this is the time to consider who that might be.

I know there is more than one profile of the model client depending on what product is involved. Developing a clear picture of your perfect client will benefit both parties involved in the relationship
If you can determine who fits this profile, this can only help result in a mutually beneficial working partnership.
Questions to ask yourself; who do you want to get onboard with? Do you have a preference for the type of industry you like to work with, what are their products are and what market segment do they service?
Working on creating a profile of your preferred client will help you create a base...
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My inspiration

Posted 11-17-2010 at 01:38 PM by kirstylynn
As I sit here and look around at my 2 bedroom apartment that I share with my three kids and my boyfriend, it just seams so crowed. My oldest has her own bedroom and my other two share a room. I personally do not have a bedroom, I sleep on a futon till just today, because I am getting a sectional with a pull out couch from a friend's parents. (I am so excited )

I came out of a horrible and emotionally abusing marriage three years ago and its amazing how far I have gotten since then. BUT something is missing. It's the freedom of wanting to be able to do what I need to do in order to support my children and offer them what we could not have when I was married for 8 miserable years. I want them to be able to have their own bedrooms,...
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I am addicted

Posted 11-17-2010 at 09:41 AM by kirstylynn
I have so much I need to do because I am getting new furniture today, though I seem to only find my self posting and reading here. lol

Though I have accomplished some small things to start my business
  1. I clean my desk (thats a good start..lol )
  2. I came up with a few ideas
  3. I started a FB Fan page
  4. I have a hobby that I focused on that now I have on a blog which is teaching me how to use a blog ( soon I will have a blog for VA )
OK so that is a start ... YIPPIE !!!
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You Are Strong Because Of Them

Posted 11-15-2010 at 11:59 PM by Virtually Efficient
I really believe that people want three things: 1) to be their own boss; 2) to control their own destiny, and 3) to work at something they believe in. I know very few people who don’t have these three basic desires. They may still be “just an employee,” but deep down, that’s their fantasy. Every “red-blooded” American wants to stand on his own two feet; he wants to work for himself and build security for himself and his family. Those are the desires and dreams that built this country.

Many people have been so beaten down that they have forgotten those basic dreams. They went out into the work world and got shot down a few times. All those people in their childhood who told them they could be anything they wanted to be seemed to...
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Blog Idea in Progress

Posted 11-15-2010 at 08:55 PM by kirstylynn
OK after many many many many oh and did I mention many months of trying to figure out what I should do when it comes to a blog.. and I just could not think of anything. Till I started focusing on my hobby again, and it hit me.. Why can't I just post photos of my hobby and then go with that and add links from other crafts sites onto my blog and focus on Arts and Crafts for children and Adults. Then may I can incorporate that into my VA business, But just how can I do that ... hmmmm ???

Now Idea No.1 down ( FINALLY )

on to Idea No.2 what to offer as a VA ....
hmmmmmmmmm
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Should I or Shouldn't I ? That is the question!

Posted 11-15-2010 at 11:48 AM by kirstylynn
For many years learning how to become a VA has gone through my brain many times over again, though I never followed through. Maybe it was just not my time or could it have been I did not have the resources or willing to learn how to become a VA and to make it a successful business.

Now that I have found the proper resource to start a VA Business of my own and the time I feel it just may be the right time for me to start. But what do I do ? What can I offer ?

I have a strong Medical background when it comes to the clerical side of things, though I also am an EMT and have had some small insurance (Car, Rental, Real Estate, etc. ) and Law experience.

Medical being my primary background...
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Dreaming Big !

Posted 11-14-2010 at 05:17 PM by kirstylynn
It's 4:05pm on a Sunday afternoon and It has been 5 days since I joined this forum and I already believe that this is one of the best sites I have come across in years. In fact it has been very difficult to learn the trials and tribulations of starting a VA business, when you can not find the right sources of information to start a VA business or to even learn how to start one. If anything I am beyond confused, overwhelmed and excited at the same time.

As a mom of three I have struggled for years to try to come up with an alternative to making money while being home with my kids, though still enjoying the freedom of working.

I have read many years worth of articles on work at home moms, though I never felt as inspired...
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Now That's a Niche!

Posted 10-26-2010 at 08:52 AM by Off~Site Secretary
The importance of having a niche specialty or marketing to a specialty niche can be a daunting concept. There is an interesting blog post regarding niche marketing entitled Unbelievable Stories of Niche Market Success.

When you offer a valuable solution to a client's problem you become invaluable. "People that don’t have the time, effort or care to do these activities are your market," is how the article states it. It is a simple concept that is challenging to develop.

In trying to develop my own niche specialty area, I have let a few ideas rattle around in my brain. I think I am starting to see a glimmer of vision building. So off to think some more

~ Melissa
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7-37, 60-41, 10-99… Part 4

Posted 10-26-2010 at 12:50 AM by Business Cornerstone Services
This series of articles is intended for informational use only and does not represent tax or legal advice; the information is believed to be correct at the time of publishing; the author cannot be held liable for any losses resulting from actions taken on the strength of the information provided.

If you need assistance with 1099s or any other IRS related form you are encouraged to visit www.irs.gov and/or seek the services of a reputable tax lawyer.

Essential Preparations


What can a small to medium business do to get ready for 2012?

Firstly, if you are using your social security number (SSN) as a tax identifier, stop..! Go to the IRS web site and apply for an Employer ID Number...
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7-37, 60-41, 10-99… Part 3

Posted 10-26-2010 at 12:47 AM by Business Cornerstone Services
This series of articles is intended for informational use only and does not represent tax or legal advice; the information is believed to be correct at the time of publishing; the author cannot be held liable for any losses resulting from actions taken on the strength of the information provided.

If you need assistance with 1099s or any other IRS related form you are encouraged to visit the IRS Web Site and/or seek the services of a reputable tax lawyer.

Business Implications

Under current law, a business is only required to file a 1099 with the IRS for services totaling $600 or more in a given tax year paid to individual workers that are not part of the wage or salary infrastructure of the company....
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7-37, 60-41, 10-99… Part 2

Posted 10-26-2010 at 12:45 AM by Business Cornerstone Services
This series of articles is intended for informational use only and does not represent tax or legal advice; the information is believed to be correct at the time of publishing; the author cannot be held liable for any losses resulting from actions taken on the strength of the information provided.

If you need assistance with 1099s or any other IRS related form you are encouraged to visit the IRS Web Site and/or seek the services of a reputable tax lawyer.
New Legislation

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 was a massive 2,400+ pages but hidden in plain sight on page 737 was a very important section.

Beginning in January 1, 2012 for tax returns in 2013 all companies will have...
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7-37, 60-41, 10-99… Part 1

Posted 10-26-2010 at 12:42 AM by Business Cornerstone Services
A sequence of numbers from an IQ test? A quarterback calling a last minute change of play? No, just some of the numbers that could mean a major headache to all companies in USA, but especially small businesses that do not have the resources or expertise to handle a potentially huge increase in accounting paperwork and tax procedures.

What do the numbers mean? 737 is the page number of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 that details changes to section 6041 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 which will affect submission of tax form 1099 for the year 2012.

This series of articles is intended for informational use only and does not represent tax or legal advice; the information is believed to be...
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Ralph Waldo Emerson with a Twist

Posted 10-23-2010 at 11:09 PM by Virtually Efficient
I enjoy reading reading Ralph Waldo Emerson. I wanted to put this up for you, but I wanted to give you my 2 cents worth...

Sometimes we are so caught up in trying to be a success that we don't really remember what being a success is. Check out Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem Success and see if it opens your eyes as it did mine.

Success
To laugh often and much
To win the respect of intelligent people and affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or redeemed social condition;
To know even one life...
Continue reading...
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How Can You Have a Healthy Life with a Positive Attitude?

Posted 10-23-2010 at 11:07 PM by Virtually Efficient
Okay, so I have talked about having a positive attitude before, but I wanted to give you some more information that might help you to see how you can have a positive attitude. Sometimes we know what we want, but we just don't know how to get there. Check these steps out and see if it is something that you can incorporate into your daily routine.
  1. Believe Happiness is a Choice. It really is you know. You have a choice to be happy or to not be happy. This isn't always easy, but it is always, always a choice.
  2. Rid Your Life of Negativity. It is really hard to be positive when you are surrounded by negative things. If you want to live a positive, juicy, joyful and happy life, you cannot - absolutely cannot - be surrounded by negative people who
...
Continue reading...
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Working from a Hospital Bed - Is it easy? Not for me!!!

Posted 10-21-2010 at 11:46 AM by Nancy's Virtual Office
Hi Everyone

I had major surgery on September 21 and was in the hospital for 9 days. Before going in a made a plan to write articles, work on my blog, and learning how to link and use LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. I was going to be able to work from the hospital and come home and start implementing all the articles to various avenues and be able to twitter and post etc to my heart's content. Boy was I wrong.

From the moment I woke up in ICU I had such terrible back pain. I had no issues per se with the surgery, just this back pain. They said it was because you lie on the table for 4 hours with no movement. So if your body is not in a great position you do not feel it until you wake up.

I was also on...
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How to Approach a Problem or Question in Business or in Life

Posted 10-14-2010 at 10:56 PM by Shandon Collins
We all have questions that rattle our brains day to day or problems that we seek to find an answer to. It is very easy to get wrapped up in the detail and complexity of a situation.

Principle
Keep it simple!

A ball of string that is tied in random knots can be a pretty big nuisance, but if we can find the core knot that is causing the most trouble then the other knots don't seem so bad!

Likewise, if we can find the primary question or root of our problems, the solution becomes more clear. Whether in research, business, science, or life, I believe we should all step back and look at what the core question or problem is in our unique situation.

I like to use a variation of the...
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My First Blog Post

Posted 10-08-2010 at 10:06 AM by yourstory
I am learning so very much from this site. Finding myself without a job (after 20 years of employment with this company) I was devasted. Our county has the one of (if not the) highest unemployment in the country right now. Finding a job here at my age is difficult if not impossible. I kept thinking of all the skills that I have and am good at, I realized that I just have to start out on my own ( a little scary) and do what I do best. So here I am, trying to get into the Virtual Assistant business. And I am so glad that I found this site.

Vicky
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Businss Reogranization 2010

Posted 10-06-2010 at 09:01 AM by ParadiseLegal
Today, I want to talk about the business of business reorganization. Big corporations refer to business reorganization as "trimming the fat". As the term implies, an owner must find ways to cut costs without sacrificing the quality of services and/or products or the integrity of the organization. Sometimes, business reorganization can mean filing for Bankruptcy because a business may be having financial difficulties. However, when I talk about business reorganization, I'm thinking about improvement of the company, it's processes and procedures, strategies, and putting things in a better order and perspective.

A few weeks ago, a young man gave a testimony at church about coming to a crossroads in your life and...
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