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The Top 10 Ways to Maximize Your VAnetworking.com Membership ~ Written by a VAinsider
Since 2005, my ultimate information source for virtual assistant networking, professional development and support has been VAnetworking.com, the Virtual Assistant Networking Association. It’s hard for me to choose what the top, top tools that VAnetworking.com offers are but if I had to, my top 10 choices would include:
1.Virtual Assistant Networking Association Toolbar ~ this tool is a must, must have for all VAs! Why? Well to name a few reasons:
2. The mini RSS Feed; imagine being able to keep up with every single forum post, RFP, contest, seminar and everything in between by just one click. By scanning the headlines you can easily pick and choose which topics are of interest to you while keeping up to the minute on everything!
3. The VA Tools ~ you can’t live without this one. Basically, it’s a drop down list that will connect you to the top resources you need to start and run a successful VA business. Each category branches off into a mini directory that will link you to a choice of popular and effective tools currently being used by our fellow VAs.
4. VA Goodies ~ goodies? Yes, Goodies! And they are just that. This is another magical drop down list that again has links to all of the top VAnetworking.com resources including the VAnetworking.com Seminar Room, VA Directory, VA Contests (where you have the chance to win hot prizes including free advertising & training +++), VA Free Websites, and much more.
5. The VAnetworking.com Seminar Room ~ this is where you can participate in weekly chat sessions with fellow VAs as well as engage in professional development seminars on hot industry topics such as Internet Marketing, Business Development, Time Management ++. As the topics evolve with the industry, these seminars alone will give you enough ideas, skills and even that extra push you may need to take your virtual business to the next level. And that is only a few of the reasons why I love the VAnetworking.com toolbar!
6. Virtual Assistant Networking Association Forum ~ I am not sure if it’s because the forum is broken down into specific, niche areas of interest to VAs; the statistics that track each post according to date, time, and popularity; the advanced search function; or the actual “real” people that give some of the best “virtual” advice around but this VA forum continues to exceed my expectations.
These tools are all perks offered with a standard free membership! Can you imagine what some of the enhanced benefits that I am currently taking advantage of as a VAinsider look like?
Well, let’s start with my favourite VAinsider Membership Benefits:
7. The VAnetworking.com Seminar & VAnetworking.com Newsletter Archives ~ like a lot of you, I am a Mom to a really active, stubborn toddler and as much as I try I just cannot attend every seminar or remember everything I read in the newsletter. So, needless to say I rely on the archived versions and refer to them regularly. Recently, some of the key information I had to search for, which actually made me some quick cash, was on podcasting. I had a client who wanted me to install a podcast on their website (a client who I gained through the VAinsiders RFP system!). I needed a reliable source of information on how to do this. The first place I searched was the seminar archives and voila ~ there was a seminar that gave me the key information I needed to get this done accurately, and quickly.
8. VAnetworking.com’s Monthly VAinsider Virtuoso Marketing Seminars ~ lead by Tawnya Sutherland herself; this is my favourite VAinsider exclusive benefit. Marketing, especially Internet Marketing is something all VAs should, and I absolutely must, keep up to date on. I offer it to my clients as a service with a guarantee that states, “I am committed to keep up to date on the virtual industry as well as everything within the scope of services that I offer”. Now, can you image how much money I would have to spend without being a VAinsider to attend National seminars, maintain certifications and not to mention build and maintain relationships with the top gurus themselves. I am a behind the scenes kind of gal and wouldn’t even if I tried be able to keep up with the extreme level of dedication, participation and industry networking that Tawnya demonstrates. Take a look at some of her credentials on her website. I have marked my calendar and am eagerly anticipating the exclusive opportunity to attend these Internet Marketing Seminars with Tawnya Sutherland.
9. VAnetworking.com Request for Proposal (RFP) System ~ As a VAinsider I had the exclusive opportunity to gain 30 clients in 24 days through the VAnetworking.com RFP System! And, all 30 clients were actively looking for a VA! I was also lucky enough to have a detailed VAnetworking.com guide, “7 Essential Keys for Responding to RFP’s”, written by Darrell Williams, of Right Hand Man to help me every step of the way. I am not sure where else I could have had this exclusive opportunity.
10. Exclusive Marketing & Advertising Opportunities: Did you know that VAnetworking.com gets over 4,500,000 hits a month?
Where else can you afford to advertise on a site that gets this amazing amount of traffic? You could have a banner ad for as low as $50 per month. Imagine how impressed your clients and leads would be if you had a “client spotlight” section on your website and could tell them that you advertise with a banner ad on a site that generates 4,500,000 hits a month.
Additionally, my VAinsider Membership makes it simple for me to maximize my marketing and advertising campaigns. Here’s how:
An Upgraded listing which includes a banner ad to rise above other listings at the Virtual Assistant Search Engine Directory. The largest VA directory on the net!
Two special advertisement/announcement posts in the forum. Did you know that active VAnetworking.com Members have responded to general Virtual Assistant questions over 18,000 times as of Oct. 2007?
Preferred Advertising rates at VAnetworking.com, including a 25% discount and higher banner ad positioning versus a non-Star member. Some advertising areas include The VA Advertising Shop, Newsletter advertising, VA Chat Page, VA Article Directly, Main landing pages.
Access to participation in various publicity campaigns run by VAnetworking.com experts to help promote Virtual Assistants and your business globally.
To find out about all of the exclusive benefits that you could take advantage of as a VAinsider simply visit the VAinsider Membership Benefits section of the VAnetworking.com website today!
Business Things I love This Week!
I wanted to share some of the “things” that I love this week. These are all related to business - sorry. I don’t really do many fun things right now. Being a Mom and entrepreneur is hard enough so I kind of let the fun side of me go - only for a while though, I hope!
1. VAClassroom Teleseminar for Virtual Assistants, Solopreneurs and Small Business Owners; this seminar I look forward to because I had the opportunity to meet Mike McDerment, who will be speaking at the event, and he is very inspiring. So all you Solopreneurs this is your chance to learn some tips from a very successful entrepreneur.
2. A hot new WordPress theme release, I love it. It’s called WP-Vybe and comes in multiple colour options.
3. Twitscoop - If you love using Twitter as I do this is a must see tool. It will give you a real time tag cloud of the most popular topics being tweeted on twitter plus more…
4. 3 Video tips from A-list bloggers - I love the concept of adding video to your blog and business but am so chicken - I just have to do it!!!!
5. 8 Useful Tips for Building Your Mommy Blog Into a Business; this is a great article with really great tips that can apply to anyone who wants to make money blogging - not just Mompreneurs(tm)!
6. iThemes new look. Love it!
7. The brand new VAnetworking.com Blog. Love it too, it looks smashing!
I have found these tools and resources to be of value to me and my business and I hope you do too!
Learn How To Remain Inspired and Productive When Working From Home in This Exclusive Interview
Mark your calendar now for an exclusive VAclassroom.com interview with Mike McDerment the founder and CEO of Freshbooks.com, a painless billing, invoicing and time tracking software. You won’t want to miss this event!
The Freshbooks team are an amazing group, I know first hand because when they came to Ottawa for a social media function they took many of their local clients out to lunch including moi! It was a great opportunity for me to not only learn more about Freshbooks but also network with other local business owners. Thanks again Freshbooks!
I also took advantage of the opportunity to attend the social media event that evening where Mike and Saul, The Head of Magic, spoke about social media strategies and other entrepreneurial topics and was truly inspired by their presentation.
So be sure to tune in on August 7, 2008 at 2pm EST to here this exclusive interview with Mike McDerment and Craig Cannings:
Virtual Nirvana: How to remain inspired and productive when you work alone: You are your own boss! But working on your own can have its challenges; you’re isolated and sometimes it can be hard to stay motivated, productive and inspired. Mike McDerment, Entrepreneur and CEO at Freshbooks, will present a VAClassroom.com Webinar where you will learn productivity and entrepreneurial tips and insights that will help you become more balanced; effectively placing you on the path to virtual nirvana.
To be instantly notified when the event sign up information is ready, simply subscribe to the VAclassroomblog.com by email or RSS.
To learn more about Freshbooks you can read this article posted at the VAclassroomblog.com, “The “Time Tracking” Challenge for Virtual Assistants” or simply visit the Freshbooks.com site and signup for your own account, as well as the Freshbooks blog.
Go to VAclassroom.com to learn more about getting the training you need to become a Highly Skilled and Certified, Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant and Watch Your Income Potential Soar to New Heights in the Next 60 Days!
Check Out The Hot New WordPress Theme Directory
I was wondering why I was having difficulty accessing the old WordPress theme gallery over the last while.
Now, I am thankful to report that they have been busy creating a brand new awesome theme directory.
Check it out, WordPress Theme Directory!
Local Ottawa Entrepreneur Announces Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant Certification
For Immediate Release
Ottawa, Ontario
22 July, 2008
Local Virtual business owner makes the grade and receives coveted marketing certification.
Summer is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year, but also a period of great changes and growth, as Ms. Frances Palaschuk, owner of Ultimate Biz Assistant, a Virtual Assistance company specializing in eMarketing and business support, was awarded her Internet Marketing Certification from VAclassrom.com, one of the leading experts in the field.
“The Virtual Assistance Industry is not a myth anymore but a reality that is taking the Brick and Mortar world by its foundations,” says Frances Palaschuk. “The landscape of the web is changing fast, and as a Virtual Assistant, it is our responsibility not only to upgrade our services at all times, but also offer to our customers up to date assistance which is pertinent to their requirements. Choosing to further ones education is not a choice but a pre-requisite in our business.”
Always true to her word, and wanting to be able to widen the range of services she presently offers to her ever growing client base, Frances decided that going that “extra step” also meant going back to the basics by enrolling herself in one of the best eMarketing courses presently offered to Virtual Assistants. “This was one of the easiest choices I ever made says Frances, as marketing has always been of great interest to me and one of my secret passions!”
Learning and participating in the VAclassroom.com was a revelation as each course offered a better understanding and outlook on what the hurdles are that a business owner presently faces when they first expose their business to the online market. “As similar as the virtual and non virtual world may be, when it comes to marketing your own business, promoting your enterprise on the web is a totally different ball game.” explains Frances. “In our days a virtual business owner really has to take a different approach when it comes to marketing and promoting their business online. Not only are they faced with a confusing array of tools like Web Analytics, Webinars, and Keyword Research to name a few, but they also have to take into consideration their Networking value like Blogging, Social Media Networking, Podcasting and Video Marketing, and the list goes on!”.
As Ms. Palaschuck explains: “As a representative of the VA industry, being awarded this virtual Assistant Internet Marketing Certificate means everything to me. Our goal at Ultimate Biz Assistant, is not only to push buttons and enter submission to directories, we want to do more for our customers, we want to help them attain their eMarketing objectives and go beyond.”
About Frances Palaschuk
Frances prides herself with having spent the last 15 years working in industries such as real estate, building automation, telecommunications and customer care. With a passion for technology and being technical savvy Frances is able to keep up to date on Web 2.0 trends and develop strategic ways for her clients to implement these trends into their business.
About VAclassroom.com
VAclassroom.com offers a comprehensive skills training center for the fast growing Virtual Assistant Industry. There has never been a better time to start or grow a Virtual Assistant business then here in 2008! As many of you know, the Internet landscape continues to re-invent itself and businesses are in desperate need of talented Virtual Assistants to effectively service their evolving business and marketing support functions.
Company: Ultimate Biz Assistant
Contact: Frances Palaschuk
Address: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1E1X5
Email: ultimatebizassistant@gmail.com
URL: http://www.ultimatebizassistant.com
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Recent Posts
- The Top 10 Ways to Maximize Your VAnetworking.com Membership ~ Written by a VAinsider
- Business Things I love This Week!
- Learn How To Remain Inspired and Productive When Working From Home in This Exclusive Interview
- Check Out The Hot New WordPress Theme Directory
- Local Ottawa Entrepreneur Announces Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant Certification
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