It's a new year (okay, I realize I am a little late with that news). 2009 was an awesome year for me. Little did I know when I started The Typing Bug that it would grow by leaps and bounds so fast. This little bug has taken me on so many new and exciting adventures. I can remember when I wondered if I would ever get my business off of the ground. Well, it didn't stay on the ground
for long. The Virtual Assistant industry
is one of the most welcoming I have
been affiliated with. I have also found
out that online friends ROCK!
Did you know that the typical office worker is interrupted every three minutes by a phone call, e-mail, instant message or other distraction. Wouldn't it be nice to not have to pay for the interruptions? With a Virtual Assistant, you only pay for the productive time, not the standard work block of time.
I almost hate to tell my little secret. Everyone enjoys my emails of all the new and exciting web-based software that I find but this website is so great, I just have to share it It is
Other than client emails, this is the first email I open each morning (or as soon as it pops in my inbox). I love it for numerous reasons. It is laid out in layman terms so I can tell if it is something that will help me or not and gives me examples of why I would want to use it anyway. It also gives me alternatives so if the program they are promoting doesn't work out for me, they give me 3-4 other programs that do basically the same thing. I love this website!!!
Welcome Message
Giveaway of the Day
The beginning of January brought a wonderful surprise. I was honored with VANetworking's VAccolade Business Entrepreneur Award. Their announcement states, "The VAccolade Award not only recognizes participation at VAnetworking, the world’s largest member-based VA networking association online, but also recognizes the professionalism with which Wilson presents herself on the Web, thereby giving her more credibility among other Virtual Assistants." What a great way to begin the year !!! Read more: http://ow.ly/14NHh
VAccolade Business Award
My Little Secret
Recently, I had an opportunity to offer mentoring to a couple of dynamic virtual assistants that were just beginning on their journey. What an awesome experience. So much so, that I am going to be offering it as a regular service. The response I have received so far has been very favorable.
The concept is very simple but yet unlike any I have come across so far. Instead of offering a 30 minute telephone consultation, I offer an unlimited 30 day email support. The difference is with a telephone consultation, you have your notes that you wrote during the phone call and all of the great ideas that popped in your head. Now, you get ready to implement the first one and something doesn’t work like it should. Okay, so you save it for another day and try something else on your list and you find that you only wrote the first half of the great website that the person suggested. Now what?
With my program, everything is in writing. You can refer back to anything we discuss at any time. At the beginning I ask a few questions about your business and yourself so I have a feel of who you are. Then I ask you to compile a list of initial questions that you would like answered. No matter how many new and/or follow-up questions you have after that for the next 30 days is no problem. It could be anything from “why do you I need a press release” to “do I need to put this on my business card” to “how do I decide on my niche” to "hey my neighbor wants me to help him out with his auto shop's paperwork, how do I figure a quote," etc.
One thing I make sure all my mentoring VA’s to understand is that I am not professing to be an industry expert. I am simply offering my opinions based on my experiences to hopefully help the beginning process run a little smoother.
Space is limited. If you are interested in more information and cost for this program, please email me with MENTORING in the subject line.
One Essential Ingredient
eBooks just $1.00 !!!!!
Over 1900 resell and private label rights ebooks/ software just $1 each. Free articles, affiliate programs, tutorials, & more. Free business building ebook with Master Resale Rights!
Marketing Blunders
ISSUE #4
New Does Not Mean Unskilled
I recently noticed how people are asking for help from virtual assistants and want to know how long they have had their business open before deciding whether to hire them or not. This is an insult. I started my VA business in July 2009. Does this mean I am inexperienced or not able to tackle the task? No. When I began my own business has absolutely nothing to do with my skill level. I have not met a VA so far that went straight from high school with no experience and became a VA. Most of us came from corporate America or the public sector and have 20-30 years of work history under our belt. So I would like to offer a word of advice to someone who is looking for a VA. Do not ask us how long we have been in business. Ask us about our work history, our backgrounds, our skill levels. That is far more relevant than the date on our business license.
Issue #1
live
chat
Mentoring Program
Issue #2
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"Deneen's mentoring program has helped me and my VA business improve. I have acquired new clients and retained clients because of her tips and advice. I would highly recommend this program to other VA's."
"Deneen has helped me to improve my communication skills and to expand my services to new products. Her talents and skills are exceptional. I find that her very 'open' program that allows you to send an email and ask a question is terrific!" Anita Hicks
Anita Hicks.
Want A Great Email Signature?
What is the one thing you must have that will compensate for all other problems, short comings and obstacles you will face in your journey to start your business? Persistence is the only quality you really need to make it through everything else.
It is very simple but that is all it will take. You can be very smart but if you give up too soon you won't get there. You can have a great idea but if you let negative events cause you to quit you aren't going to get there. Read more: http://ow.ly/14PhW
One of the most common questions I am asked is where I created my email signature. I love my WiseStamp signature block. It is super easy to create and use. Just go to www.wisestamp.com and either pick out a template or build your own. You easily include not only your standard contact information but also your IM addresses, social networking sites, even your last tweet on Twitter will show up. Super cool program and works great. It works with webmail too! I like that I can set up a business signature block and a personal one too!
Marketing blunder #11: The road to small business failure is paved with with a negative attitude and a closed mind! Just because a marketing method didn't work in the past doesn't mean you can't pinpoint what went wrong and give it another try. Sometimes changing the headline of an ad or including a testimonial of a satisfied customer or hiring a professional copywriter to devise a harder hitting message can make the difference between success and failure. Before giving up on a marketing idea, ask yourself "What can we do differently to make this work?" Read the entire list: http://ow.ly/14PpR
