Virtual Assistant Forums Welcomes Guest Expert Diana Ennen for: “Publicity That Works – Get the PR Results You've Always Wanted”
Diana Ennen, author of 'Virtual Assistant The Series', shares in-depth knowledge and expertise on the topic of publicity with members of Virtual Assistant Forums during an informative chatroom event. Diana will demonstrate how virtual assistants can successfully incorporate publicity into their own marketing plans as well as their clients'.
The virtual assistance industry is booming as layoffs amid a down economy send the previously employed in search of a way to earn a living. The sheer number of new virtual assistant businesses means it takes much more than a traditional approach...
When I was an agent I started every day with the thought that I would take a listing. Yes, I am that positive. One particular week I had four listing appointments in two days. A fellow agent, and a friend, asked me the following morning how my appointments had gone as she had not seen me the days I had appointments. I said, "I think they went really well. I'm going to call today because they should be ready to list with me today." She busted out laughing and said, "They could throw you out of the house and you would still think they were going to list with you!" Needless to say, she was quite surprised when she came in for our morning meeting the following day to see me writing all four listings on the board. I got all four...
Hosted by Diana Ennen, President of Virtual Word Publishing and author of numerous books including 'Virtual Assistant the Series: Become a Highly Successful Sought After VA' and 'So You Want to Be a Work-At-Home Mom'. Diana discusses PR marketing techniques that work. From press release and article marketing to social media and online networking. Click to read.
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Posted 02-01-2010 at 12:10 AM by Admin_Moore_Business_Solutions
The meeting it was such a great thing. Possibly because I just couldn't decide who to meet so I invited them all.
There was my Dad at 16 fighting for the right to go to a special school for the blind and deaf. My grandparents didn't understand then why it was so important to him. For me to understand how even at the age of 16 his need to learn gave him strength to leave his family and go live with strangers. This is probable what gives me that wanderer spirit.
My grandmother, what a woman, she lived through so much. From the horse and buggy to seeing men go to the moon. Now that I have grandchildren there are so many questions I have for her. How did it feel when she saw her first car? Did she really...
Join us February 19th for Publicity that works. Steps you need to take today to get the PR results you’ve always wanted.
Ready to learn some of the best ways to get the word out about your business? Special guest Diana Ennen will discuss PR marketing techniques that work. From press release and article marketing to social media and online networking, we will show you how to get amazing results for 2010.
Diana Ennen is the President of Virtual Word Publishing and author of numerous books including Virtual Assistant the Series: Become a Highly Successful Sought After VA & Workbook and So You Want to Be a Work-At-Home Mom. She specializes in publicity...
Collette Schultz, has been a Virtual Assistant since 2007 while continuing to work outside the home and a full-time mom. Her company, Virtual Dream Office Services, has become one of the most recognized for her subcontracting expertise. Collette has been acknowledged with creating the ideal virtual subcontract business model. She is the “Software Savvy Sub.” Listen to our interview with Collette while she discusses the subcontract side of her nickname. Pass along this link and help others take advantage of Collette's expertise and experience. It will help them to start subcontracting or muli-VA's to find the subcontractors...
Posted 01-28-2010 at 02:59 PM by OrganizedAssistant
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...
You asked: "If you could meet anyone from the past or present or future who would that be and why?"
I'd like to meet Jillian from "The Biggest Loser" because I need a personal trainer real bad!
It's not enough to just go to my local YMCA and work out following a book, there is something about having a workout buddy join me, that gets me to move more.
On the bright side, tonight I worked out and my 4 dd went with me (the 3 oldest worked out with me, in around about way
I guess I just need someone to yell at me (positively) to get me to see how much I really am capable of doing! Sort of like a drill sergeant
Posted 01-24-2010 at 10:58 AM by D_Victoria_Virtual_Assistance
The answer to the question "If you could meet anyone from the past or present or future who would that be and why?" is simple for me.
If I had a time machine and was able to travel back in time, I would travel back to the 1980s for afternoon cookies with a wonderful lady. This lady was strong, smart, loved to cook, bake and lived and breathed for her family and friends. She was a wife, a sister (she was sister number 8 out of a family of 9 daughters), a friend, a wife and a mother.
This amazing woman waited at home while her young husband fought in World War 2. Years later she became a mother. Along with her husband, they raised three wonderful children together. As with any family, there were some...
Hosted by Dave Churchville, founder and CEO of ExtremePlanner Software, creators of ClientSpot, online project management software for virtual teams. Dave covers how to effectively and profitably manage client projects and expectations. Click to read.
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Who would I like meet…past, present or future? What a huge question with lots of possibilities. I asked my kids and my youngest son replied without hesitation, “Mom…she is the best cook!” You have to love that answer.
My mind clutters and gets distracted with all of the possibilities. How do I narrow it down, how do I make a final choice?
Finally I decide. I would choose someone from my present. My “anyone” has inspired me as an online professional, a mother and a Christian. She lives across the globe from me but probably has been the biggest influencer in my life over the past two years.
Kathie M. Thomas, founder of a Clayton Secretary, entered my virtual world back in 2007. She probably does...
Posted 01-21-2010 at 01:34 PM by Clerical Advantage
I had a hard time deciding just how to answer this question. My first, immediate reaction to the question was that I would love to be able to meet with my great-great grandchildren in the hopes that by starting my virtual assistance business I will have left them a legacy of some sort.
Although that would be pretty cool, the more I considered the question I started thinking of something else. Something that I know would be a huge inspiration to a small business woman like myself. I would want to sit down and have a cup of coffee with Margaret Chase Smith, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.
These names might be unfamilar to you, but all three of these ladies have served as Senators from the State of Maine.
Margaret Chase...
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,...
"I want to be Seth Godin." I don't remember who I was talking to at the time, but those words just rolled right on out. It shocked me.
Fortunately, I was on the phone, and could use the fuzzy telephonic interface to gloss over the statement with a careless chuckle. But however I may deny it to others, I did actually say that. Ever since, I wonder what the hell I meant by it.
It's not because he's glamorous. Godin's routine and reserve are notorious. He doesn't even Twitter.
It's not because he's cute, unless you like the large-nosed, bald-pated look.
And it's not only because he's smart, since a whole bunch of people are smart. When asked who I would want to meet from...
There are many people I would love to meet, both past and present, to pick their brain and have a conversation with. But the one person that I truly would love to meet and will never have the chance, is my husband's mother.
One reason, and the biggest, she has been deceased since before I met my husband. It saddens me that she would never meet our two children. I know this was a dream of hers, for him to have a strong family life, and I am sure that he thinks about that often.
The other is I would love to hear her story. She was certainly a strong woman, lived life for herself and not what the rules dictated. She broke those rules, divorced and remarried when it was not a common thing to do. She had three...
If I were to meet someone from the present, I would most like to meet Monica Reynolds, of the Mike Ferry Assistant Coaching program. I took her coaching program 2 years ago, but I was never able to meet her in person.
The coaching was done in a conference call on a weekly basis, and she has the best client systems of anyone I have ever met. She handles coaching for real estate assistants only, but her 450 page manual covers everything you could ever want to know about being an assistant in the real estate industry.
I believe that Monica is highly talented and extremely knowledgable about not only being an assistant, but also about the real estate industry itself. Meeting Monica and getting to sit and talk with her would be a great...
On January 11, 2010, at 9PM EST Dave Churchville of ClientSpot discusses project management concepts, techniques for managing client expectations, and tips for delivering projects on time and under budget.
Virtual Assistant Forums (VAF) welcomes Dave Churchville, the visionary behind the innovative virtual collaboration and project management software ClientSpot, to the community chatroom for an in-depth discussion on a simple approach to effectively and profitably manage client projects, including solutions for related issues and challenges.
On Monday, January 11, at 9 PM EST / 6 PM PST, Dave will review basic...
Hosted by Grant Griffiths, Home Office Warrior blogger and author of '31-Days to Kick Your Blog in the Butt' ebook and workbook as well as '30 days of Twitter Tips and Hints' ebook. Grant discusses how to create a better blog to more effectively promote any small business. Click to read.
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Dave Churchville of MyClientSpot.com joins us in the VAF Chatroom for a free, fun, and informative chat event:
The Least You Need to Know about Project Management
We’ll cover a simple approach to effectively and profitably managing client projects, with Q&A on issues and challenges.
Dave says, “I’ve found that many small service businesses don’t spend much time thinking about managing projects because they’re too busy just working on them. But as they start to grow without basic systems in place to track progress, accurately estimate work, and communicate effectively, the business can really suffer. ”
Projecting a professional business image is both extremely essential and powerful. It can mean the difference between attracting lots of clients and little to absolutely no clients at all. Imagine dining at a 5-star restaurant and being served an extravagant meal on a garbage can. At that point even the atmosphere doesn't seem as appealing. The same goes for your business image, it determines how others feel, think, and see your business. While imagine isn't everything it certainly has a major influence.
When making decisions upon elements such as web design and business décor you should always consider clients. These are fundamental participates. Often times they are the first elements your clients will meet prior to being...
Virtual Assistant Forums Appoints New Book Reviews Editor
Professional Virtual Assistant, LaTosha Johnson of TargetStars, Inc., is pleased to announce her appointment to the Book Reviews Editor position at Virtual Assistant Forums
LaTosha Johnson of TargetStars, Inc. has always had a passion for writing but when she decided to jump into social media with a new blog and newsletter she never imagined that her writing skills would land her the Book Reviews Editor position at Virtual Assistant Forums (VAF). "I am honored and excited to be the new community Book Reviews Editor. I have learned so much from my fellow members at VAF and am looking forward to the opportunity to review books that share practical...
Hosted by Mathew Dickerson, author of 'Small Business Rules - The 52 Essential Rules To Be Successful In Small Business'. Mathew discusses what it takes to be a truly successful small business. Mathew’s international bestseller, 'Small Business Rules: The 52 Essential Rules To Be Successful In Small Business', is a synopsis of the tenets that helped the author reach the pinnacle of success in all of his six businesses. As small business owners, Virtual Assistants can benefit from learning and implementing Mathew’s ‘Rules’ in their own practices. Click to read.
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Have had this resource bookmarked for a couple of years now and it's still active and doing well. There are a lot of artistic techniques in here along with the source files to help users learn some very simple design techniques to pretty up any website or marketing collateral. Enjoy. http://www.computerarts.co.uk/home
Virtual Assistant Forums Hosts Free Event For Members: Small Business Growth Through Blogging
Virtual Assistant Forums welcomes special guest and blogger extraordinaire Grant Griffiths as he shares the ins and outs of using a blog to successfully market a virtual assistance business.
Much has been written about the benefit of maintaining a business blog. In fact, blogging has become such a commonplace marketing venue for large and small businesses alike that many virtual assistants run blogs on behalf of their clients as well as for the benefit of their own practices. While blogs are known for potentially increasing search engine optimization and overall visibility online, this important media tool can...
Virtual Assistant Forums Welcomes Mathew Dickerson, Author of International Best Seller ‘Small Business Rules’
Internationally acclaimed author and successful entrepreneur, Mathew Dickerson invites Virtual Assistant Forums members to a free, live chat event discussing his "Small Business Rules" and how to implement them for success.
Virtual Assistant Forums [VAF] welcomes author Mathew Dickerson to the community chatroom as he discusses what it takes to be a truly successful small business. Mathew’s international bestseller, 'Small Business Rules: The 52 Essential Rules To Be Successful In Small Business', is a synopsis of the tenets that helped the author reach the pinnacle of success in all...
Hosted by Craig Cannings of VAClassroom. As businesses across all industries function more and more in an online environment, the demand for expert assistance at managing online product launches also increases. Because Virtual Assistants are skilled at servicing and supporting businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups via the internet, a VA is the perfect collaborative partner to help support online product launches. Craig discusses how VAs can tap into this hot new market– bringing more profitability to their clients, as well as their own practices. Click to read.
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Date/Time: December 17th, 2009, 9pm EST, 6 pm Pacific
Topic: Blogging as a Way to Market and Promote Your VA Business
Where: In the VAF Chatroom
With Guest Host: Grant Griffiths
About Grant Griffiths: In February of 2005 my first blog was born. This blog was used to market and promote my business. Soon blogging became my only form of written advertising because of its reach and effectiveness. What I also discovered is blogging is one of the most powerful marketing tools available for the small business, home business and professional service firm. In fact, I am so sold on the effectiveness of blogging, it is the...
Hosted by Christina Nelson of Vital Office Solutions. Why using WordPress to create your site is a great option – basics of creating and maintaining your own site. Wordpress sites allow the user to control their Website and its updates without the assistance of a costly programmer. Christina states, "Using WordPress as the foundation for your Website means you have unlimited options in design and set-up, as well as plenty of room to expand as needed." Click to read.
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On Tuesday, December 8, 2009 at 9 PM EST / 6 PM PST, Mathew Dickerson, international author will guest-host a free chat event in the Virtual Assistant Forums Chatroom.
Come join Mathew as he tells you how he successfully launched all of his businesses using his own success formula which helped to catapult him into a multi-faceted business career that has spanned several decades now.
As a special gift, one lucky community member will win a copy of Mathew’s book “Small Business Rules” and a t-shirt.
About Mathew Dickerson
Mathew Dickerson started his business life at the age of 12 creating hand-made tee shirts from his own screen prints. When he turned 21 he opened up his first IT company...
Posted 11-10-2009 at 03:07 PM by Your Virtual Wizard
As a virtual assistant, I am often asked, "What DO you DO?"
With about 5 seconds to capture the asker's interest before succumbing to the 'glazed over-deer-in-the-headlights-look' with my traditional, boring response, I decided to shake things up a bit…and respond with a question instead.
Now I know this goes against what my mother taught me, "Don't answer a question with a question..." but she'll forgive me for breaking the rules!
You see, as a virtual assistant…these two words do not really mean much at all to folks outside of the coaching, speaker, author or real estate professional industries, which tend to utilize my services more often for administrative and website work....
Virtual Assistant Forums [VAF] welcomes Craig Cannings of VAClassroom as he shares what it takes to successfully launch a product online and discusses how Virtual Assistants can add this new service to their own practice.
As businesses across all industries function more and more in an online environment, the demand for expert assistance at managing online product launches also increases. Because Virtual Assistants are skilled at servicing and supporting businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups via the internet, a VA is the perfect collaborative partner to help support online product launches.
Virtual Assistant Forums Hosts Free Event for Members: Your WordPress Website
Christina Nelson of Vital Office Solutions shares her expertise in WordPress in the Virtual Assistant Forums Chatroom. Nelson will show virtual assistants how to utilize the free WordPress platform to create a high-quality website.
As small business solopreneurs many Virtual Assistants seek to complement their business development by taking advantage of free marketing resources. However, free doesn't always equal 'quality', especially when it comes to websites. In order to be viewed as a professional service provider, a well-presented business website is crucial. WordPress, an extremely flexible blog and CMS software, gives Virtual...
Here's a sneak peak at the video we had produced for the new area here at VAF designed to help clients and potential clients learn more about how to hire and work with a Virtual Assistant
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Virtual Assistant Forums Introduces Revolutionary New Way for Select Advertisers and Virtual Assistants to Connect
Virtual Assistant Forums launches a unique new advertising initiative: the B2B Partners program; giving select advertisers of the highest quality the opportunity to connect directly with community members. The B2B Partners program aims to make it easier for Virtual Assistants to get straight information on the products and services they need to develop and maintain their professional practices.
Because the Virtual Assistance industry is fairly new and growing rapidly it's also an industry plagued by scams and low-quality products churned out in an attempt to pocket the precious dollars of hopeful...
The base skill that virtual assistants have is being a top-notch administrative expert. However, the online world is a different working environment that requires some specific online skills. Basics include knowing how e-commerce works (shopping carts, autoresponders, putting together virtual events, payment gateways), basics about websites or blogging, knowing how to find information online, etc.
Additional and more specialized skills would depend on your niche. Real estate virtual assistants need to know specialized programs for real estate agents. Virtual assistants who work with life coaches might need different skills including knowing...
Posted 10-11-2009 at 04:29 PM by Action Jackson VA
Starting a new business? Wondering why it is taking so long to get clients or results?
The business of doing business takes time. It takes time to develop your brand identity and then promoting that brand. If you are not Tweeting, using Facebook and placing ads on the internet then you are missing hundreds of thousands of potential clients as well as networking with your peers.
Why should I do all of this?
Let’s just say, if everyone is on Twitter, searching through internet advertisements and on Facebook and you are not promoting your products and services on these same avenues, then who are you advertising to?
Tweeting and using Facebook – Brings people from around the world together...
With the costs of living increasing, the economy shifting downward, and salaries simply still no enough to make both ends meet, it is no wonder that people are continuously looking for other means of paying for the day to day expenses. One of the alternatives that people turn to when they need extra cash is contract work - especially when they have the skills that are sought after in creative and technical industries.
Unlike other part time jobs, contract work allows you to do the work that you have already been doing, without forcing you to commute twice as much or juggle hours and schedules. This means that while you are working on the side, you are able to still practice the things that...
Posted 10-07-2009 at 12:56 AM by Moonlight Madness VA
Many clients have problems communicating what they want done on the job they request of you. It is so important to get exact specifics on the job they want.
A good example is a young client that I have owns a quarterly magazine and email newsletter that I maintain online. She has difficulty in communicating her needs through email because she is not knowledgeable in business writing nor is she computer literate. I make sure that I communicate her requests back to her in an easy to understand language so that we are both on the same page. The result is a happy client, unstressed Virtual Assistant, and compliments from the community for a magazine and newsletter they understand and enjoy reading.
Takeaway: Subcontractors are often in a dubious position: They're not quite independent, yet they aren't employees, either. How can you make subcontracting work for you? Here's some advice from an expert.
Independent contactors who subcontract find themselves in an ambiguous situation: They stop being completely independent, but they aren’t quite employees. If you, as an independent contractor, decide to subcontract, you probably won’t have as much freedom to do your work when and how you want. It’s also likely that you’ll need to budget extra time into your work for another layer of approval.
Hello VAF family! I am a newbie to the VA world and am wondering if receiving VA training through some of the of the websites I have visited is essential to your success. I have 15 years of administratative/secretarial work in addition to 10+ years in the food service industry. I am looking to cater to the hospitality industry, caterers, venues and all other aspects of the food service industry. I am wondering if my experience is sufficient enough or should I go for the training to be able to display the seal of completion given to me by the organization upon finishing the 20 week course.
Cincinnati Virtual Assistant Pioneers New Industry Movement
One Cincinnati man seeks to unite male service providers in the generally female-dominated Virtual Assistance industry with a new social group at Virtual Assistant Forums: Men of the VA Industry.
Virtual Assistance is thought by many to be a career field generally preferred by women. One man in Cincinnati, Ohio is pioneering a movement to change this stereotypical view of the industry.
Winston Stewart, owner of Cincinnati-based S-M Office Solutions, has become a proactive voice for male Virtual Assistants everywhere.
“When I decided to become a Virtual Assistant about nine years ago, I couldn't believe how few men...
There comes a time in many small businesses when a decision has to be made whether or not to hire employees.
Maybe you've reached the point where you need to grow, but you're not sure you're ready to bring on more people. Or maybe you want to stay small and lean, and don't want the bother of having employees. Or maybe it's just been a bad year (totally understandable in this economy!) and cash flow is crunched.
Whatever the reason, there's still work to be done. And today there are more ways than ever to get the work you need taken care of without hiring. Where you turn depends on what type of business you have, and your particular needs.
Here are a few suggestions on where you can get the workers...
Well, I made some progress! I went ahead and bought my domain name at GoDaddy, but have not committed to a web host yet. I know I don't need a huge space for this website, but I don't want a wimpy thing either. So I'm taking my time to decide what will work best for me. I've read some horror stories about people setting up their sites, then deciding to move them to another web host and being stuck, can't do it, first web host owns the name, etc. Hopefully I will have avoided that by owning the domain name outright. Looking very forward to the online video chat this Thurs evening because I'd like to maybe add a small video to my site. Back to researching . . .
Virtual Assistant Forums Hosts Free Event for Members: Online Video Marketing on a Budget
Darlene Victoria Gonzalez, of D. Victoria Virtual Assistance, brings her expertise in all things multimedia to the Virtual Assistant Forums Chatroom. Gonzalez will discuss how to utilize low-cost tools to create high-quality, online videos.
Did you know that more than 158 million viewers watched an average of 135 videos online during the month of July? In fact, Google Sites surpassed its all time high with 121 million unique viewers during the month, averaging 74.1 videos per viewer, according to comScore.com. With this increase in online video viewership comes a fantastic opportunity for virtual assistants to increase...
There are many great books to help you with business networking. Read as many books as possible so you can develop your own unique technique. Many people shy away from networking because they don’t know what to do. There are four simple steps that must be followed for effective business networking:
1. Choose Events Wisely: Attend events where there will be business owners or decision-makers to buy your product or service. Don’t waste time attending all events as there will be a lot of events where people are just not suitable to purchase from you.
2. Talk to Strangers: Walk up to people that you do not know and introduce yourself. Introduce yourself with a firm handshake, look them in the eyes and say your name...
My goal for my new business is to "open the doors" on 1/1/2010.
I'm not as far along with my business plan as I wanted to be, but I am making progress! I just keep coming up with more things that affect the plan! There is so much information on this forum alone that it can really be overwhelming, and then I look those up and find even more things to research.
I'm now working on the two different VA to-do lists we have on here, and have made another based on the forum listing of threads. I think if I can get through all these, I will at least have covered all the important parts of starting this new business. I hope to have this completed by this time next week, so I will have a more...
Join us February 19th for Publicity that works. Steps you need to take today to get the PR results you’ve always wanted.
About Grant Griffiths: In February of 2005 my first blog was born. This blog was used to market and promote my business. Soon blogging became my only form of written advertising because of its reach and effectiveness. What I also discovered is blogging is one of the most powerful marketing tools available for the small business, home business and professional service firm. In fact, I am so sold on the effectiveness of blogging, it is the...
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