Archive for the ‘Other Virtual Training’ Category

There’s nothing more frustrating for a Virtual Assistant than feeling that they’re not contributing or doing a ‘good job’ for their client.

In most cases Virtual Assistants want long-term and profitable client relationships … yet have no idea how to get there.

This happens for many reasons … but primarily it’s because Virtual Assistants have no clue what their clients really want.

This really isn’t the fault of the Virtual Assistant.  In many cases, the client has never shared what they really want and need from their VA.  They just expect it to happen.

That’s why my friends Cindy Greenway and Tina Forsyth have asked Andrea J. Lee, an Entrepreneurial Futurist, to share with you what clients really want from Virtual Assistants (and have a hard time finding).

This is one of the most important calls Cindy and Tina will host to date.  And it’s free for you to listen in.

REGISTER BY CLICKING HERE

This FREE call will be held on Tuesday April 6, 2010 at 11am Pacific / 2pm Eastern. To get the call-in details, go to YOUR AFFILIATE LINK and click on the popup to be taken to the opt-in box.

You may be experiencing a breakdown in your relationship with your client. You’re doing everything you can, you’re even putting in extra hours (at no extra cost to your client), yet your client has become even more difficult.

Andrea will share with you exactly why this is happening and what you can do to save or release this business relationship. Once you know what clients really want, you’ll be able to better assist them.

You don’t want to miss this … visit their registration page to hold your spot now.

Helping others get started working from home means that I get my share of questions from new online entrepreneurs.  Today is different day for me as I get to ask Karri Flatla, author of Alpha WAHM Blueprint: An Empowerment Guide for Work-at-Home Moms,  the questions.  She offered to answer three burning interview questions about her recently released book and becoming the work-at-home entrepreneur you’ve always wanted to be.  Hope you enjoy her answers to my questions below….ENJOY!

1. How do I bring my spouse on board with the idea of working from home?

This is such an important yet perhaps overlooked question women should be asking! In my book, Alpha WAHM Blueprint, I actually make a confession around this very topic; that is, I did NOT try to bring my husband on board at all in the beginning. In fact, I alienated him, and it’s only been in recent years that I’ve authentically made efforts to join forces with him (instead of forcing my vision on him).

When I first started my business in 2005 I was rebelling against the loneliness—and boredom—of staying at home with a new baby. While my husband worked hard on his own business, I winced at the thought of being “just a mom.” (Believe me, there is no such thing as “just a mom!”). But I was naïve and I wanted something to call my own again.

So I marched forward with my business plan, hardly consulting with my husband at all.

Big mistake.

What I should have done was shared my curiosities about becoming an entrepreneur and discussed how that might “look” and feel in our new and growing family.

Starting a business—especially a business from home with children around—is full of unknowns. Don’t keep your partner in the dark! Your decisions as a wife, mother and soon-to-be entrepreneur impact everyone you love in more ways than you can possibly imagine at this exciting, all-encompassing, yet-oh-so-fragile time in your life as a budding entrepreneur.

It may sound trite, but communication is king when it comes to building your marital alliances! And trust me, you’re going to need all the support you can get during this (ad)venture!

2. I keep getting distracted by domestic duties (laundry, cleaning house, etc.) when I know I should be working (the kind you get paid for). How do I avoid this?

As a Type A gal who worships “clean,” I can relate. But in my home, dirty dishes and piles of unfolded laundry have simply become a part of the domestic landscape. And guess what? The world keeps on spinning …

Seriously though, here are some tips to ensure domestic duties don’t drive you to (unprofitable) distraction:

• Clean it once and clean it well. That means if the kids get crumbs on the floor at lunchtime, resist the temptation to sweep until the little mess-makers are in bed. As long as the counters and dinner table are wiped and dirty dishes are in the sink, you’re golden.

• Contain the mess. My house felt much less chaotic when I finally removed the kids’ toys from our main floor, which is where we eat and where I work! The lion’s share of toys is now in the basement rec room, and that’s where they generally stay. Just make sure your kids know that certain areas of the house are “no-toy” zones and stick to it.

• Sometimes good enough is good enough. I don’t care if you work from home or not, being able to eat off the floors does not define you as a mother; it certainly doesn’t define your success as a WAHM. Leave a bed unmade and the clean clothes unfolded for an extra day if it means you can, uh, put that important project to bed a little sooner.

• Don’t go it alone. It amazes me how many women still shoulder domestic duties that their spouse and/or children could and SHOULD be helping with. Teach your children when they’re young to be respectful of the environment in which they live and share with others. A 5-year-old can clean up her toys at the end of the day and bring her dirty dishes to the sink. A 10-year-old can learn how to wash his own clothes and yes, even fold them too. And for goodness sakes, why are you ironing your husband’s shirts? Let the man dress himself; he did it before you came along and got by just fine. (If he didn’t always match, so what?)

3. I miss the real-time social life of an office environment. How does one still find that working from home alone?

Some women tell me that this is the one reason they’re not sure about starting a work-from-home type of business. They believe that flying solo will be lonely and even de-motivating.  Here’s the thing though: you’re only as lonely as you choose to be.

As a dyed-in-the-wool introvert who works from home, I’ve had to get out of my comfort zone (that being the computer screen) and seek out opportunities to socialize, online and offline. I have friends I meet for drinks or coffee maybe once a month here in my hometown, and it’s such a refreshing change from twitter and Facebook. Even if I think I’d rather stay home and vegetate on the couch, I put on some lipstick and head out the door anyway. Once I’m there and see a smiling face or two looking back at me, I’m so glad I made the effort. (And my husband and kids always survive a night without me!)

But I also have forged some online friendships that I cherish every bit as much as my offline ones. (Hi Tawnya!). Granted, making friends online can be a little more protracted because it takes more time to get to know someone without the face-to-face communication. However, between Skype, email and yes twitter and Facebook, I can honestly say it’s a rare occasion that I can’t “reach out and touch someone” when I feel the need.

You just have to make the effort; share some of yourself; show that you care; and be the kind of friend you want in your own life. It’s really that simple.

If you’ve not picked up Karri’s book yet, Alpha WAHM Blueprint: An Empowerment Guide for Work-at-Home Moms, I highly recommend doing so.  It’s a MUST read for anyone wanting to be that ALPHA work at home entrepreneur.

Investing in one’s business takes time, money and most importantly, effort!

It’s that time of the year when we  sit down with pen and paper and write down the many ways we could invest in our business in 2010. I firmly believe we are each responsible for our own business success.

You need to hold onto more than HOPE this 2010 to get ahead…

Hope is the target with which we humans use as a focal point to get over the hurdles life throws at us. For without hope giving us the power to dream, the power to believe, and most importantly, the power to act, life obstacles would seem insurmountable…Tawnya Sutherland

You need to take ACTION too and INVEST in YOU!

Take a moment right now and write down 5 ways you will take ACTION and invest in your business in 2010…

1. ____________________________________
2. ____________________________________
3. ____________________________________
4. ____________________________________
5. ____________________________________

Now print these out and pin to your office wall so you can visually see it every day.

And most importantly DO IT!

Beth Frank of Online Admin is an inspiration to all new Virtual Assistants taking action into their own hands. Starting out with the VBSS in September of 2008 she continually kept investing in her business to become the business success she is today. By continuing her education, taking certifications and networking with the right people, Beth has made it in the Virtual Assistant industry! Way to go Beth! …Tawnya Sutherland

Read more about the most recent ways Beth has invested in her VA practice…

I’ve been a senior administrative assistant for over 25 years. Although I still love what I do in the corporate world, I decided to see what else was out there that would offer me the same fulfillment, with more flexible hours. One day I researched “virtual assistant” and was amazed at the amount of information out there. In 2008 I decided to put my skills to use and open my own VA business.

I had no clue how to start a business. I joined VAnetworking and started to read through the forums. I had no idea starting a virtual assistant business could be so difficult. I felt I was going in all different directions. I had so many questions, ranging from what my start-up costs would be, to what types of equipment I would need to invest in. Business plan?? I had no idea where to begin.

After spinning my wheels for more than a month, I invested in the VBSS. The VBSS helped me to stay focused on a task through completion.

I joined the VAinsider Club, and really enjoy networking with established and new VA’s. I learn something new every day. One of the benefits of being a VAinsider is the seminars. I try to attend the seminars whenever my schedule allows. If I can’t attend, I try to listen to the recordings afterward. Another great feature of being a VAinsider Club member is access to the eBooks. I have read some of the eBooks, but still have much more to read and learn.

After my site was up and running, I started networking on LinkedIn and Twitter. Networking is not always easy. Due to my busy schedule and the fact that I still work full time, I can’t attend daytime networking events. I eventually found some evening networking events to attend. After networking on LinkedIn, Twitter, and attending networking events, I still didn’t have any clients. I then decided to take a course through VA Training. Taking this course assisted me in creating a business and marketing plan. It also helped me determine what my vision and goals are, as well as how to target my ideal market.

Social media has changed the way businesses communicate. I am currently taking the Social Media marketing on-line course through VAClassroom to learn new skills that I can offer to small-business marketers. Through VAClassroom I received training and became certified as an internet marketing virtual assistant. I have learned so much from these courses. I am planning on taking their new course, ‘Virtual Event Specialist’. Craig is an excellent instructor. I like that I can go back and review the videos for a refresher anytime.

Just recently I received my VA certification from VAcertified.com. I am so proud to display their logo. This certification adds credibility to our industry and it shows the world that I am who I say I am.

My web site is in WordPress. I am currently taking an on-line course “How to Build Your Own Web Site” by Tim Fahndrich. This course is providing me with a good base on how to maintain my site, and giving me confidence to add features without the fear of doing something that might crash my site.

In order to succeed in business you need to stay on top of all of the latest trends. Continuing education is a key factor in this success. So that I can continue to learn and grow my business, I will be attending my first on-line summit on November 6th. I am anxiously waiting to hear all of the great speakers lined up for the 4^th Annual IVAA On-line Summit.

Earlier this year I had my thyroid removed and diagnosed with thyroid cancer. I had to stop my medication and follow a low-iodine diet for three-weeks. I was so tired all the time that I couldn’t focus on my business, and I even gained unwanted weight. Right now I am happy to report that I am cancer free and my energy levels are back up where they should be. I am back to networking and even created my Facebook business page. I have started working out again and can now focus on my business.

Not only is education a crucial part of being successful in business; remaining healthy is also essential. Exercise, eat right, and listen to your body.

By Beth Frank - Online Admin

How are you investing in your business in 2010?

Add your comments below and let us know what you are doing this coming year to invest in your business!

With the uncertainty surrounding the economy these days, many women are trying to think of ideas to make money from home that compliment their Virtual Assistant business. You don’t want to fall for a scam but you do want something that is easy to do and still have time for your families. Starting a Santa letter business may be the answer you’re looking for.

What Exactly is a Santa Letter Business?

Each year thousands of children write letters to Santa Claus and never get a response, but your Santa letter business can change all that. By owning your own Santa letter business, you can give children something to cherish for years to come. A parent pays for a “letter from Santa” for their child and you write a personalized letter in response.

What Type of Equipment and Supplies are Needed?

There aren’t a lot of equipment needs for this business. In fact, you can get started with nothing more than a computer, Christmas stationery, a printer, and a way for parents to contact you. You may want to consider getting a post office box for your business so you won’t have people sending letters to your personal address.

What Skills and Attributes Will You Need?

A good command of the English language and the ability to type are all the skills you’ll really need. If you love children and can relate to them, you’ll do well in this business.

How Do You Decide What to Charge?

Parents want their children to be happy and to encourage the magic of Christmas as long as they can. It’s not unusual for Santa letter businesses to charge as much as $10 per letter. Of course, you may be able to find them cheaper online, but the quality of the letter leaves much to be desired. Deliver great quality and command a better price.

Think about what you would be willing to spend to have a personalized letter sent to your child from “Santa” and that will give you a good starting point for the price. Factor in your costs – stationary, postage, and printer ink – then add a little to the price of the letter to help pay for those items.

Use Creative Marketing Ideas.

Don’t wait too long to start advertising your new business. In fact, if you haven’t started by the first week of November, you may have waited too late. Sell letters from Santa on auction sites. You can also create order forms that can be given to schools and preschools to send home to parents. Consider creating a website and advertise there, send out postcards to people in your hometown, or put up fliers in local businesses. Set up your computer in a booth at a Christmas craft show and have letters made on the spot for parents and grandparents to take with them.

To Learn More:

Setting up a Santa letter business is a fun and lucrative business to start with a minimum of money and equipment. Get step-by-step help, download letter templates and more, by grabbing your “Just Add Sweat Guide to Start a Santa Letter Business”