How To Use Virtual Assistant Services To Develop A Business

As we move into the new year 2010, I am moving to the next level to promote my virtual assistant business. You may know someone who can use my services, please share my website, Dena's Tools and Tips.
How To Use Virtual Assistant Services To Develop A Business Source: businessmanage.coolblogsite.org

Ten Virtual Assistant Tasks

PRINTED FROM OFFICIALWIRE

If you are thinking of hiring a virtual assistant but do not know exactly how you can take full advantage of their time, here is a simple list of tasks that a virtual assistant can do for you
by Lawrence Perry

LONDON, ENGLAND -- (NewsPR.us and OfficialWire) -- 12/22/09 --

Search Engine Optimization- the virtual assistant can really help a business in its search engine optimization. Link building and article marketing and the other tasks involved in SEO are very time-consuming. A virtual assistant can make it easier for your business to improve your search ranking by putting in all the necessary work for SEO.

Marketing research- there is wealth of information available online about a wide range of topics. While in the past, people needed to go to the field to get the information they need on certain topics, today patient research online can already help individuals and businesses gain good information. You can have your virtual assistant do different kinds of online research for your business. If you need competitive intelligence, your VA can do the work for you.

Copywriting- some virtual assistants specialize in copywriting. You can hire them to create blogs, articles and other contents for your social media accounts. You can even have your virtual assistant write tweets, scripts and other texts for your business.

Appointment setting- if you are a busy business executive, the best way you can manage your time is if you have an assistant that carefully manages your appointments.

Trip planning- many business executives have their assistants plan their trips from booking plane tickets and hotels to planning the whole itinerary. The virtual assistant can plan not just business trips but vacations as well.

Event Planning- a company that is into organizing events can hire virtual assistants to help out. The virtual assistant can help in the different aspects of event planning from finding and booking locations, making invites, and booking suppliers for the event.

Social Marketing- social media marketing takes a lot of time. Hiring a virtual assistant to do all or most of the tasks means you can really focus on your social media tasks without the need to invest the time yourself.

Get important information and report on them- there is so much information being shared online and companies could really gain benefits from having someone collate important pieces of information and summarizing them.

Hiring employees- companies can use social media to get applicants and screen applicants for a job.

Monitor public perception- monitor how the public perceives your business and what you can do to manage public perception and company image.

Visit our virtual personal assistant sponsor: www.catchfriday.com

Why You Need A Virtual Assistant To Market Your Business

by: Diane Cullen Page

In today’s trying economy, it is extremely difficult to succeed. Small businesses and large businesses alike are facing record lows when it comes to sales. Even those in the service industry are seeing less and less clients sign up. So what’s the answer? Easy, hire a publicity virtual assistant to help with all your PR needs.

A publicity virtual assistant specializes in helping clients get more PR. They can handle everything from writing and sending out press releases to creating entire media campaigns. Their clients include authors, small businesses, online businesses, membership sites, coaches, etc. Any business that can use more publicity and marketing can benefit with a publicity virtual assistant.

Publicity virtual assistants take the time to learn their niche and to develop a relationship with their clients so that they can bring amazing results. Here are just a few of the tasks a publicity virtual assistant can help with.

Holiday marketing – A publicity virtual assistant can handle your entire holiday marketing campaign. It’s not too late to take advantage of all that can be done this year to make more sales. From social networking to writing and sending out promotional materials, a publicity virtual assistant will implement a plan unique for your business.

Article & Press Release Writing and Distribution – Article marketing works. It’s a great way to get more exposure for your business and when done right, can result in front page Google rankings, more clients, & lots of sales. Your publicity assistant can not only write your articles and releases for you, but they can help distribute them out to get the best results. Most already have a database of the best places to submit to. So turn it all over and sit back and reap the rewards.

Author Assistance - For authors, a publicity virtual assistant can help sell more books, set up speaking and book signings, create a blog tour, compose your media kit and promotional materials, etc. Even those looking to find a publisher can work with a Publicity VA and get that professional edge they need to succeed.

Google Adword Campaigns - Let your publicity virtual assistant set up your Google Adword campaign. You can benefit with added exposure, but also with the ability to see what keywords truly would bring in the best results.

Online Marketing - Need to get more press for your online shop, then look no further. A publicity virtual assistant can handle everything for you. Let them write better descriptions for your products, find the best keywords to drive traffic there, do research to find where best to locate your target audience, and then finally handle all your PR needs.

With the right publicity virtual assistant on your side, you can finally see the results you’ve been hoping for.

About The Author

Diana Ennen specializes in publicity and marketing and is the President of Virtual Word Publishing, http://www.virtualwordpublishing.com. Let her handle all your PR needs, large or small. She’s also the 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: A Christian’s Guide to Starting a Home-Based Business. Articles are free to be reprinted as long as bio remains

Article Source: Why You Need A Virtual Assistant To Market Your Business

Top 10 Ways an Educator Can Use a Virtual Assistant

By VAnetworking member Sherra Scott

While most services a VA offers are geared specifically to the corporate world, many times those services can be adapted to other areas. Education for instance – most people know that standing in front of a class giving a lecture is not the only thing educators do. There are countless hours behind the scenes poured into the preparation of just a single class and keeping the classroom organized. Some educators are fortunate enough to have an assistant, either paid or volunteer, to help out with that “behind the scenes” work. However, not every educator is that fortunate – that is where a VA can help. Here are ten ways an educator can use a VA.

1. PowerPoint presentations – A VA can create a PowerPoint presentation to go along with your lecture.

2. Typing – A VA can type letters to parents or students, the class syllabus, class handouts, labels for folders or cubbies or any other correspondence you need.

3. Class newsletter – A VA can create a class newsletter to keep parents and students updated on the current happenings in the classroom or on campus.

4. Update class website – Many teachers have a class website to keep parents and students updated on current class schedules and homework assignments, but how many actually update it regularly? A VA can keep the site up to date.

5. Certificates – A VA can create certificates for end of the year awards or other special awards throughout the year.

6. Research – A VA can do the “leg work” researching website links for supplemental material for your lecture or possible field trip destinations related to class curriculum.

7. Spreadsheets – A VA can create a spreadsheet to record grades with a column that will automatically average the grades for you.

8. Resume – A VA can type your resume for summer employment.

9. Grants – A VA can assist with research or typing for education related grants.

10. Grade papers – Mail that stack of papers you’ve been meaning to grade but haven’t had the time (with the answer key) and have your VA grade them for you. When complete the VA would put them back in the mail to you.

Stop by the Virtual Assistant Networking Assocation (VAnetworking) today and find that VA you’ve been looking for. They are waiting, ready to assist you with all your business needs.

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*Source: Virtual Assistant Networking Association
The ever popular, friendly, informative, educational & resourceful network for successful and aspiring "IN THE KNOW" Virtual Assistants and Achievers globally that everyone online is talking about.

Always Looking For Virtual Assistants

While wandering online, I've passed upon "we are looking for virtual assistants." Verily, this is a clear indication that a VA plays an important role in business development. Their dedication and commitment to serve their clients with utmost diligence and maintaining professional relations have started to show the industry that their capabilities as well as skills are indeed an indispensable ingredient for the company's success.

Generally, a business needs employees to run its internal affairs, do the selling and marketing strategy to invite and attract more clients, and managing the office works to monitor the progress of the business and to properly assess the next best move. That is how the entire system of business generally works; I said generally because not all circumstances warrant the need for a regular employee. A limited workspace can be an example. However, this minor conflict cannot and should not hinder the growth and expansion of your business. This minor conflict can be properly remedied through the aid of virtual assistants. And looking for a VA these days are quite hard and confusing because of the existence of several businesses engaged in outsourcing; but this is not really the main issue that needs urgent attention, just make sure you are dealing with a trustworthy outsourcing company of proven competence, that's it.

Virtual assistants are in the business of providing comprehensive business and office solutions, a team of individually unique and highly skilled professionals of their own fields of expertise that are always ready to accommodate any undertakings that a company needs or requires. Experts as they are, they can provide proper assistance that would streamline your company, create effective workflows and help you to trim down your operating costs without compromising business effectiveness and goodwill. VAs are always available online to cater your every business needs, helping you to achieve your business goals and desires. Companies who let their work be outsourced, or a portion thereof, actually save money and time as well, thereby allowing them to expand their operation to greater areas, and as a consequence, exposing themselves to a larger number of clients.

The presence of VAs to the business world cannot be undermined because in several research conducted, studies shows that their contributions really have a great and significant impact to the success and progress of companies employing their services. The companies employing them are really earning greater revenues because the need of paying medical insurance, paid holidays, life insurance and all the other typical things are gradually eliminated or at least minimized. That obviously translates an income on their part. Not only that, availing the services of a virtual assistant could help companies in unclogging its already clogged workload schedules. They also provide proper image building and promotion to reach more potential clients and at the same time upgrading the level of company goodwill. They help in promoting your sites to be more visible and recognizable, posting and publishing of useful articles and write ups, improving the looks of your page, creating flyers, leaflets and brochures to effectively promote your products, and such other functions and duties that would directly benefit the company. The company looking for  virtual assistants are indeed walking the right path and in no case will they get lost nor waste their time and money, considering the value of virtual assistants to their respective industry.

Taking heed therefore to the ad "we are looking for virtual assistants," there is only but one conclusion I can formulate. Employing a VA is an effective way of properly managing a business/company. Why? . . . Because part of good business strategy is the employment and utilization of proper tools and personnel that are helpful to the growth and progress of the company. And the employment of a virtual assistant, their good feedback as well as the successes they contribute to the company are not mere speculation but instead a fact supported by careful study and research. Employment of a virtual assistant cannot and should not be equated to redundancy. Instead, it is best described as effectivity making your way to the business world more noticeable, marketable, and most of all, profitable. Through this technique, one could assure himself that his business is indeed in good hands. One should worry no more on those things which are purely routine, for these things can be properly handled by a well-trained professional virtual assistant. You can now have a much better sleep at night, spend more time with your loved ones, and care much more of yourself.

Amiel http://www.virtualweboutsourcing.com always looking for virtual assistant Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amiel_Charcos

 

How to Get the Most Out of Your Virtual Assistant

By Stella Ferrero

When a small business entrepreneur hires a virtual assistant, he or she adds an extra expense to budget. After adding this amount in the expense list, you want a service that can be really a worthy deal for your business growth. Hence, it's important for you to know, how you can make the best use of your virtual assistance service provider. Read on to stay updated and enjoy the best of your business.

First you need to understand, your virtual assistant is not only your personal secretary but also a professional who has a good understanding of your business requirements. Therefore, if you make your VA aware of all of your business needs, he or she will surely be employing services that will help you in enjoying a great business experience as well as giving an advanced age to it.

If you are opting for a virtual assistance service, your optimum requirement is 'the best utilization of your money." So, it becomes obvious, you look for a way that is cost-effective as well as impactful. How about hiring an online personal assistant on hourly wage? There are many Virtual Assistant service providers who offer their service on hourly rates. This is a great deal for those who want to accomplished loads of work under a tight budget. This aids you in getting a fast and accurate work.

If you really want a service worth for the money spent by you, you must offer some responsibility to your virtual personal secretary. This will help you in concentrating on your business and increasing the revenue count of your business, as your VA will be finishing the tasks, you used to do earlier.

A VA can handle numbers of tasks, as when you browse online sites of most of VA service providers, you find almost all of them offer an array of services. It is profitable for clients, as they may get their numerous assignments done at one place and paying for only VA. Nowadays many VA help you in Appointment scheduling, blog management, article writing, preparation of presentations, several document, planning of travel itinerary as well as sending you prompt alerts to keep your work schedule on track. If you hire a VA, you can ask him or her to do the entire tasks, which are mentioned in the provided service brochure. Employ your VA to offer you the epitome of benefits.

Written by Stella Ferrero, a staff writer for VAssist247. VAssist247 provides virtual assistant and personal assistant for small businesses and working professionals, services include appointment scheduling, telephone answering, internet research assistance, calendar, travel, document, presentation, spreadsheet, crm, blog and email management. Hire a Virtual Assistant from VAssist247 a team of professional and dedicated VA's. Visit us at http://www.vassist247.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stella_Ferrero

Great Article re: Virtual Assistant Qualifications

I came across this article today that I thought would be great to post on my blog. It explains what the qualifications are for a virtual assistant (VA). The article explains what the minimum qualifications one needs to build this type of business. Of course, I believe that I fit the mold, and hope this article will give others an idea of what it is I am doing in my business. Please visit my website, Dena's Tools and Tips, for more specifics on my VA business after reading this article:

What Qualifications Do I Need To Become A Virtual Assistant?

Have you considered becoming a virtual assistant yet are not sure if you have the qualifications you need to succeed?

Starting a virtual assistant business is not very difficult or expensive in contrast to many other businesses, but there are some qualifications you need to have to be successful.

Most virtual assistants have at least five years of high level administrative experience. These are not receptionists or data entry clerks, but high level administrative or executive assistants.

Why do you need high level experience?

Virtual assistants need to have experience with a wide variety of software programs, excellent writing and editing skills, good grammar and an understanding of business procedures. Many VAs also have expertise in Internet, web design, marketing, graphics and bookkeeping. This knowledge and experience allows a VA to become a partner with their client and truly assist them in running their business.

Read more »

Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce

Just approved as a member of the Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce (VACOC). Danielle Keister is founder of VACOC. This site offers many resources for virtual assistants and for new clients . . . Click here to visit the VACOC website.

George Washington's Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

A great historical document surrounding this day:

A National Thanksgiving

8 Ways A VA Can Reduce Holiday Stress

We're all busy throughout the year but the holidays seem to add undue stress to our lives and our businesses. No need to stress, call on a virtual assistant to get you through the holidays and start the New Year off on the right foot.

1. Design custom holiday cards
Want to stand out from the crowd? Let your virtual assistant design a custom holiday card that's sure to impress your clients.

2. Organize and maintain mailing list
Do you often miss the opportunity to send holiday cards, or any other mailings, because your mailing list leaves a lot to be desired? Let your virtual assistant organize your contacts and maintain them on a regular basis.

3. Send out holiday cards
You've got your cards and your list is ready to go. Let your virtual assistant sign, seal and deliver them to the post office while you spend your valuable time on revenue generating tasks.

4. Event planning
Whether you're planning a corporate party or a personal gathering you can get overwhelmed with all the details. Let your virtual assistant handle the many details associated with your holiday event planning.

5. Travel arrangements
Trying to get home for the holidays or have guests coming to visit you? Let your virtual assistant make flight arrangements, hotel reservations, and coordinate transportation.

6. Gift buying
Finding the perfect gift for the client who has everything can be a real nightmare. Let your virtual assistant arrange for the perfect gift that will make a lasting impression.

7. Give yourself some time for you while your VA keeps your business operating
Give yourself a gift this holiday season - some time for yourself. Let your virtual assistant keep an eye on your email and voice mail while you enjoy some much needed time with family and friends.

8. Jump start the New Year by working with your VA to plan marketing strategies
Now is the perfect time to start planning your marketing strategies for the upcoming year. Let your virtual assistant help you strategize and re-energize your business growth with a solid marketing plan.

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© 2003 Kelly Poelker

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelly Poelker is a certified Master Virtual Assistant, President of Another 8 Hours, Inc. and Co-Author of Virtual Assistant - The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought After VA . To learn more about how to utilize a virtual assistant visit her website at http://www.Another8Hours.com.

10 Ways to Add Hours to Your Day . . . by using a Virtual Assistant

Have you ever heard of a Virtual Assistant? If you are a busy entrepreneur, you need to pay attention! A Virtual Assistant (VA) is an independent contractor who provides administrative support services by utilizing advanced technology to complete work and communicate with clients.

Below is a list of 10 ways a VA can help you get back to the business of building your business.

1. Secretarial Services. Are you spending too much time scheduling appointments? Do you have piles of routine paperwork to process? Do you wish you had someone to research and arrange your travel? A Virtual Assistant can assist with these tasks including scheduling appointments, completing forms, making travel arrangements, researching topics and maintaining a contact database.
   
2. Research. The Internet is a fabulous tool for research, but it can be quite time consuming. A VA can perform research for you and provide you a report on the findings. Before you know it, your project will be completed.
   
3. Presentations. Do you need a PowerPoint presentation? When you fax your notes, sketches and charts to your VA, they will be transformed into a professional slide show complete with handouts and transparencies.
   
4. Database Management. All business cards need to be in a database. Mail or courier your stack of cards to your VA and they will create a custom database for you. When you acquire new cards, send them to your VA and your database will be complete and up-to-date for your next marketing campaign or Christmas card mail! A VA can handle that too!
   
5. Email Management. We live in a “now” society and with so many people using email, it’s important you stay on top of it. Emails should be responded to within an hour, how are you doing? A VA can regularly check your email, respond where she can and notify you of urgent matters as they arise. This is a great service to consider if you are going on vacation or are often away from your computer.
   
6. Word Processing. Perhaps you need a handwritten document typed. Fax it to your VA and she will type it and either email it back to you or print it on your letterhead and put it in the mail for you. If you’ve typed up a proposal or a manual that needs to be formatted, simply e-mail it to your VA and she will give it a polished finish and send it back to you. Your VA can even convert a document to a PDF making file transfers quick and easy.
   
7. Personal. Do you wish you had a personal assistant to schedule your appointments, remind you of important dates and send thank you cards on your behalf? A VA can take care of all of these things and more. Anything you have an in house assistant take care of can be done virtually . . . except brewing the coffee!
   
8. Purchasing. A VA can order office supplies, hire someone to paint your office or purchase a laser printer by researching the best price, presenting you with quotes, and ordering the items to be delivered right to your office.
   
9. Invoicing. A Virtual Assistant can invoice your customers for you. Fax or email the details and she will create your invoices, print them off, address them and put them in the mail for you.
   
10. Track expenses. Are your receipts in piles around your office, your purse or the glove compartment of your car? You can put all your receipts in one envelope, (one for each month) and mail them to your VA monthly. She can create an Excel spreadsheet, break down the GST and easily track your expenses for you. This year, you will be ready at tax time!

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Ready to start adding hours to your day? Jaime Lee Mann is the owner of Mann Made Time, a Virtual Assistant business based in Kingston, PEI. You can contact her by phone at 902.675.4008, email jaime@mannmadetime.com or visit her on the Web at www.MannMadeTime.com.

10 Signs You Might Need a Virtual Assistant

1. You've missed out on opportunities because you forgot to follow up or didn't have time to submit a proposal.
2. You've sent out articles, proposals, or other important correspondence with spelling or grammatical errors.
3. You haven't sent out your "monthly" newsletter in several months.
4. You often work evenings and/or weekends to stay on top of administrative tasks.
5. You have projects requiring skills and/or software that you don't have.
6. You have lots of great ideas for your business, but no time to carry them out.
7. You haven't updated your website in over a year.
8. You've been procrastinating about tasks on your to-do list for several weeks--or longer.
9. You've had to turn down opportunities because you couldn't figure out when you would do the work.
10. You'd love to take your business to the next level--if you only had the time.

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Janet Barclay, MVA and owner of Organized Assistant, provides administrative assistance and website services to coaches, professional organizers and other small business clients.To receive monthly tips for Maximizing Your Time and Space, request a subscription to her ezine, The Organized Assistant Resource.

Why Would Someone Use a Virtual Assistant Anyway?

Time is precious to ALL business owners . . . so anything that frees up time and helps business is invaluable! A Virtual Assistant (VA) does both--and more! Business owners--like you--hire VA's to free up time, help business and SAVE money! Yes . . . I said SAVE $$$. That may seem like an oxymoron, but just stay with me here. VA's are self-employed. They pay their own taxes, their own insurance, they pay for their own equipment and furniture, for their own training, etc. Plus! YOU CAN MORE THAN LIKELY WRITE OFF VA’S FEES AS AN EXPENSE--and you don’t have to pay taxes for a VA (as you would for an employee) or provide benefits and insurance . . . THAT’S HUGE! Any savvy business person sees the value in this right away!

So, why should you hire a VA?

1. To save money

2. To fill a position or to help with a temporary project

You (i.e., business owner, entrepreneur, etc.) pay only for the VA services used--only when needed--no down time. One week you might have 20 hours of work for the VA, the next, only 5. Why would you pay a full-time, on-site employee (who probably can’t get done in a day, what a VA gets done in 2 hours!) benefits, vacation, taxes, lunch breaks, chatting at the copy machine, etc., . . . when you can partner with a VA to do it for you in half the time--for half the expense???!!!

Jennifer Cummings, Entrepreneur and Owner of Keytura, Inc., who has been using virtual assistants and virtual outsourcing for years says, "My virtual assistants and consultants have helped me execute so many of the ideas I just had sitting on my desk. Using their services, I take action . . . which means I make more money! They are invaluable to my business!"

At this point you might be asking, “Well, how do I know this VA is doing what I’m asking her to do? How can I trust her?”

Well, that’s not hard. #1 - If your VA is not doing what she says she’s doing, it’s eventually going to become VERY obvious. Things won’t be getting done and it will show. #2 – Your VA will keep track of – and provide you with a detailed record of – tasks completed & time they took. #3 – and this is HUGE…

Your VA is a business owner just like you!

Your business success is KEY to your VA’s business success!

If your VA screws up your business, she is, in essence, screwing up her own. What person in his or her right mind would do that???!!! You both (you and your VA) need to think of each other as business PARTNERS because that’s exactly what you are. You are partnering your businesses for success!

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Jennifer Claggett is a virtual assistant and a stay-at-home mom. Visit her website at http://www.VirtualAssistantMom.com to learn more invaluable, easy-to-use virtual assistant tools and information.

Ethics of a Virtual Assistant (VA)

• As a Virtual Assistant, I will maintain the highest ethics and honesty in all dealings with clients, colleagues and the general public.
• I will seek to deal with colleagues, suppliers and employees in a fair and equitable manner, and maintain the highest standards of personal conduct to bring credit to the Virtual Assistant profession.
• As a highly ethical Virtual Assistant, I will only take on projects that are within my abilities. If a project is not within my ability, the client will be notified immediately and I will provide recommendations for other highly skilled Virtual Assistants.
• Client information will be held in the strictest of confidence and will not be shared with others or used for personal gain.
• I highly value each client relationship and will not place one client above another.
• I will make a commitment to possess and increase the required knowledge, skills and training to be proficient and relevant in the provision of services.
• I will be honest about my intentions and never misrepresent my skills, peers, or my profession as a whole, whether to networks or to prospects, clients, and the community at large (virtual or otherwise).
• I will not knowingly be a part of any illegal or unethical activity.
• I will promote the Virtual Assistance industry with the utmost professionalism and give of my knowledge freely to new and existing VAs and the general public.

*Source: Virtual Assistant Networking Association VA Code of Ethics
The Largest Global Meeting Place Online for Aspiring and Successful Virtual Assistants

What is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?

VAnetworking.com: "A Virtual Assistant (VA) is a highly-trained independent entrepreneur who provides a myriad of business support services virtually via phone, fax and internet based technology to support and meet the growing needs of businesses worldwide.

Partnering with a VA reduces stress, protects cash flow, eliminates administrative hassles, and enables business people to find the success they originally set out to achieve.

A VA is your right hand person helping you to succeed in your business. The irony is you may never meet your VA as odds are they live nowhere near you!"

*Source: Virtual Assistant Networking Association Virtual Assistant Definition, the Largest Global Meeting Place Online for Aspiring and Successful Virtual Assistants.

Starting A New Blog

I am starting my new professional business blog for Dena's Tools and Tips, my virtual assistant business. I have learned a lot about creating blogs in the past year and will try to use what I have learned to build a blog that will promote my business to help others be successful in their businesses!