post

Make your Business Bells Rock in 2009 with a Virtual Assistant

We may be virtual but we know how to Rock!!!

While you are making your list of projects and tasks to outsource in 2009, don’t miss out on this Jingle Bell Rock video featuring some of the smokin’ hot Virtual Assistant’s online!

Make sure to check your list twice and ring in the New Year in style with a Virtual Assistant from the VAnetworking.com Virtual Assistant Directory or put in an RFP with all your specifications here.

Some other free goodies just for clients looking for a Virtual Assistant or who simply want to learn more about the benefits of working with a virtual assistant check out the ebook, “Finding the Ultimate Virtual Assistant for your Business”, the VA Top 10 Article Series, and the blog specifically to learn about “Partnering with a Virtual Assistant“.

Technorati Tags: virtual assistant, virtual assistance

post

The Virtual Assistance Industry has Experienced Tremendous Growth in 2008

Cheers to Virtual Assistance 2009

______________________________________________________________________________

Virtual Assistants are Revolutionizing the Way Business Services are Delivered, Everywhere.

The Media’s Virtual Assistant Survey conducted by VAnetworking.com gives us a deeper insight into the virtual assistance industry, which has experienced tremendous growth in 2008. The mysteriousness behind the term virtual assistant has been replaced with intrigue and fascination. To professionals such as speakers, author’s, business coaches and online business owners – having a virtual assistant has become main-stream. Small scale businesses are able to achieve large scale growth and higher sales volumes simply by outsourcing to a virtual assistant. Business Services etc., a virtual assistant company in Canada was able to increase a clients’ subscribers list by 4,000 and generate $40,000 in sales over the same 4 month time period.

With the shift in the global economy and the pressing environmental issues facing the world, the general consensus is on conserving both money and energy. Not only does the virtual assistance industry contribute to the conservation of both of these global factors but it also allows professionals to leverage people and strengthen systems and resources.

In a localized business environment there may be one person who is responsible for the daily operation of the administration and marketing. What happens when that person is not seeking or given the opportunities to network with peers and enhance their skill sets? It is vital for businesses to be able to assess their options and participate in marketing activities such as social media marketing.

It is customary for a virtual assistant to explore multiple social media and traditional marketing strategies and implement these into their business successfully and those of their clientele. This practice is both extremely cost effective and yields noteworthy results.

The general mindset of a virtual assistant is typically technical in nature. Because they work virtually their whole foundation is built around technology. Every major breakthrough online contributes more and more to their success. The affects of social media tools such as blogs, facebook, and twitter have been profound.

The 3 key areas that have experienced significant growth within the virtual assistance industry in 2008 are:

1. Collaboration/Leadership/Professional Development

Take for example the milestones achieved by the leadership of Tawnya Sutherland at VAnetworking.com, with over 10,000 members worldwide this association reached its fifth year anniversary and won 1st place in the Startup Nation’s Baby Boomers Back in Business award. Providing training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for new, aspiring and seasoned virtual assistants alike.

And as stated by Erin Blaskie of BSetc.ca, “2008 saw the emergence of more multi-VA Teams”. Virtual Assistants that offer clients a “one stop shop” are building solid teams and implementing comprehensive project management strategies that enable them to effectively service multiple clients. Michelle Jamison, founder of MJVA.ca a multi-VA company in Canada has been in business since 1998 and authored a book titled, “The Virtual Assistant’s Guide to the Multi-VA Business” which shares everything Michelle learned and everything one needs to know in order to create a successful and fulfilling multi-VA business.

Seasoned virtual assistants and others who specialize in Internet Marketing are developing niche specific training and coaching packages designed towards educating newcomers to the profession and coaching them to success. Like Mary-Lou Ashton of Virtual Strategies, vatp.ca, who has been a pioneer in the Virtual Assistant profession in Canada since 1997. She provides coaching services to virtual assistants through her coaching business Vision to Action. Also, the VA Coach, Erin Blaskie offers a variety of solutions for new and seasoned virtual assistants in both group and self study training formats. And for those looking for industry specific training in Internet Marketing and Social Media the VAclassroom.com, founded by Craig Cannings offers an affordable and comprehensive certification program.

More and more industry specific Forums and Conferences are presenting hands on development opportunities for virtual assistants. Barbara Lang, of Virtually Anything-Administrative Services, started the Forum on Virtual Assistance (FoVA) in 2008, which presents virtual assistants with the opportunity to exchange ideas and information and gain valuable insight in facilitated discussion groups and workshop formats. This event was so well received that FoVA 2009 is a highly anticipated event within the industry.

2. Tools/Technology

Social Media Marketing and web based collaboration tools and software have totally transformed business. Having the ability to connect real time with such tools as twitter means that we are able to reach out to millions of people. Managing multiple projects with virtual work teams using web based project management systems such as Basecamp, Skype, and a variety of Google tools is a snap. Not to mention how productive and easy it has become to track time across multiple projects and give clients the ability to log in from virtually anywhere to view and pay their invoices seamlessly with tools such as Freshbooks.com.  Armed with the knowledge, passion, and desire for success entrepreneurs such as Kathie M. Thomas, an Author, Blogger, Speaker and Virtual Assistant Coach & Trainer, who founded A Clayton’s Secretary, vadirectory.net, in 1994, are able to achieve successes such as gaining a spot on the Top 100 Australian Blogs list. Also, Danielle Guérin owner of VADG, a fully bilingual (English/French) multi-VA company in Canada, won the Young Self-Employed Worker of Quebec award in the 2008 ARISTA Provincial Competition. This award celebrates Danielle’s talent and accomplishments. The winners were selected based on rigorous criteria and succeeded in impressing the jury with their professional achievements, creative spirit and involvement.

3. Clientele

A variety of people are now outsourcing multiple projects ranging from personal assistance to the management and operations of their entire business. It need not matter if you run a service based company, an actual brink and mortar store, are an entrepreneur, franchisor, or large corporation people are now keenly aware of the benefits that a virtual assistant will bring to their business. Seeking ways to overcome challenges, be innovative, save money, and participate in online collaboration and marketing are the common factors that the majority of clientele share. Like Terry Green owner of Fastype VA Services, Inc., a full-service multi-VA company with a team of qualified associates specializing in providing quality administrative and executive support to Professional Speakers and Coaches worldwide. Their clients span the globe from across the United States and Canada, to as far away as New Zealand, Antigua and Singapore.

The forecast on the virtual assistant industry for 2009 and beyond is remarkable. With the ongoing commitment, drive, and passion to provide extraordinary customer relations while presenting the best possible options to service their clients, virtual assistants are revolutionizing the way business services are delivered, everywhere.

Quotes:

The online world is evolving. Being simply a virtual assistant that offers administrative services is no longer enough. With the emergence of social networking and social media marketing, it’s vital to any online business to stay on top of these changes. For the growth of my business, I took the certification course to become a Social Media Specialist. I will achieve the certification in January. It’s not only internet marketers that need this service anymore. Every business, from Realtors to Entrepreneurs to Ebayers will be using Social Marketing to attract business. I heard an interesting quote recently. The Internet is a buyer’s market where sellers aren’t welcome. Sellers need to adapt. ~ Crystal Pina, Visions Virtual Assistance

Working virtually is not the future anymore, but an everyday reality that has now taken its rightful place! As a Virtual Assistant and owner of Virtual Managing Associates, working virtually throughout 2008 brought in many developments on a multitude of levels, may they be professional or personal. To some it all up in a few words I would only say: Working on a virtual basis is not only a frame of mind, but also a possibility to offer to your existing customers and associates your undivided attention, and a proactive outlook on the work at hand. ~ Christiane Jechoux, Virtual Managing Associates.

post

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!

post

What Are 2 Hot Niche Skills That Your Virtual Assistant MUST Have?

Camera Crew

Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant that is….

If you missed tonight’s seminar at VAnetworking.com titled, “How Virtual Assistants Can Create a Profitable Niche in the Social Media Landscape” don’t worry I will give you a sneak peak…

Two hot niches that your Internet Marketing Virtual Assistant MUST have include:

  1. Online Video Production and Marketing
  2. Online Reputation/Presence Management

First, let’s talk quickly about Video Marketing. Survey says that 83% of the 17000 Internet users worldwide that were surveyed, watch online video clips regularly (up from 62% in June/07).  Amazing fact!  With tools like the Flip Video Camera and Youtube you can create a great quality video within minutes.  And the nice part of today’s virtual workforce is that you can send that Video directly to your virtual assistant for editing, submission, stats tracking, and overall online video marketing and management.

Next, let’s look at Online Reputation Management.  In case you have not “Googled” yourself or your company lately or even a more scary thought “ever” than there is no time like NOW… It is so vital to the success of any business to manage what people are saying…Yes guys, that does mean the good, the bad and the ugly.  You must devise a concrete plan to track it all. It’s called Viral for a reason and believe me, you don’t want anything Viral going on behind your back – especially on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogs, discussion boards, or any other social media platform.  So take action ASAP. There are way too many cool tools and resources, as identified in today’s seminar, to make this a seamless process.

Want to hear the whole seminar?  Then visit VAnetworking.com for full details… Better yet, go directly to the VAinsider Club sign up page, trust me, it’s an immense resource for any virtual business owner and you will get instant access to this social media seminar and many more.

Want to learn these 2 Hot Niche Virtual Assistant Skills?  Then simply visit VAclassroom.com now!

post

Social Media For Business; An Ottawa Network Roundtable Discussion

The Ottawa Network

Last night, I attended a Social Media Roundtable discussion that was put on by a local networking group called “The Ottawa Network“.

The meeting was held at a funky new spot called The Code Factory. I arrived really early so I took the opportunity to go upstairs at 246 Queen, Ottawa street to check this facility. I was met by the owner, Ian, who gave me a tour. This space is amazing guys. It’s designed for those who work at home, and don’t get out much, like me! They have boardrooms, and a large workspace for personal use. There is a sweet cappuccino machine there to. All in all, it is a fun, hip, funky space perfect to break away and get out.

It was strange for me, a virtual eMarketing specialist, to be in a “real” setting talking about the “virtual” world in which I live most of my life, lol.

I am really surprised by the low percentages of people in business who actually implement social media strategies in their business plan development. Folks, did you know that it’s 2008, almost 2010? Think about it for a second here, 2010.

Doesn’t that sound futuristic? It sure does to me.

It’s time to become social folks, there is no excuse anymore, and you don’t even have to look good to do it.

Here’s how to get started:

  • Sign up for a Facebook account. And don’t swamp it up with all those silly applications – if you use it for business then use the tools like “my box” so you can advertise your own stuff. On my account I added my “Ultimate Blog Planner” as a free download.
  • Create a niche Facebook Group (and don’t whatever you do, create a dumb group) it must be of value
  • Setup a WordPress.org site – WordPress.com just doesn’t cut it for your business blogging. In fact, you are not suppose to advertise business at WordPress.com. WordPress is a content magament system that can power your entire website, it’s not just for blogs guys!
  • Take time to explore LinkedIn, Ryze, Ning, Twitter & Twhirl, and the other popular social networks. It will do you no good and waste your time if you just join without a goal or plan. Find out where the conversation that makes sense for you business is actually happening and spend your valuable time there.
  • Start hosting some teleseminars and get people excited about your business and services.
  • Create a video about yourself, your services, and your business. Even with your webcam you can produce some tutorials and how to’s.

Whatever you decide to do is up to you but just start doing it before 2010 hits.

The Ottawa Network

Switch to our mobile site