The internet has become an integral part of most people’s lives. They interact with friends, family and even form new relationships online. All of these online connections comprise a virtual community.
The members of a virtual community share pictures, videos, and specific news on various social platforms. Popular social platforms include Facebook , LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube. Sharing useful information with your virtual community keeps members interested and also provides an information pool to be accessed when needed.
There are several methods to share and engage your virtual community. I have highlighted a few in my “Social Media Marketing” series. Sign up to receive them @ http://www.SetUFreeVA.com.
I have a great coach – she’s been in the Virtual Assistant industry for close to 20 years. Our sessions are always educational – sometimes a little painful if I’ve been slacking (lol) – but definitely informative. She told me to create a Vision Board – a physical representation of my long term goals; something that will inspire me and help me over the bumps and bruises of building a business.
My vision board consists of various pictures and scenes from the web that capture my wishes and plans for the future. I have a map of the Caribbean Sea and the various islands – moving to a warmer climate is a priority; I also have 2 doves in a heart (I’ll keep you guessing about that one) and I have 3-5 headline captions of my ultimate business goal – to become an event planner extraordinaire! This is how I choice to create my vision board – this is no right/wrong way – just your personal preference.
I must say that this exercise was not as easy as I expected. I had to stop internalizing my hopes, dreams, and desires and physically display them – not a comfortable situation for me. But pushing through that discomfort enabled me to focus on the ultimate goal and work towards it.
Do you have a vision board or goal board? Does it help you to stay focused? How did you feel during the process?
Comments are welcomed!
There is an old adage that says “you never stop learning” or something to that effect. The learning process can be formal – classroom setting, instructor-led-, informal – life experience, skills picked up along the way or new age – virtual self-paced learning. Each of these mediums has their own following or followers.
For me, virtual self-paced education, both free and paid, work best for my schedule and attention span. VAClassroom comes highly recommended and offers a variety of courses and certifications for Virtual Assistants.
Sharpening your skills as a VA and business owner enhances your value to your clients as well as translates into an increase in your bottom line. But, do you ever feel overwhelmed by all the things you should, could, need to learn? How do you prioritize your continuing education?
Your comments are welcomed and appreciated!
As a Virtual Assistant (VA), I seek to, want to, need to improve my skills and learn more about the industry. My preference is to learn from those that know! My last post chronicled the highlights of a fantastic week and anticipated an even better week ahead. Well, I was not disappointed! I attended Forum on Virtual Assistance (FoVA) organized by Barb Lang. This investment in my business exponentially exceeded my expectations! I met several leaders in the VA industry; all of which freely shared their time, knowledge and experiences. I was a kid in a candy store – and I REALLY like candy! I embraced the opportunity to meet – face2face – VAs from around the global, make new friends and fortify virtual relationships with the human connection. For me, the absolute highlight of the event was the generosity shown by VA coaches Jeannine Clontz, Sharon Williams and Kathie Thomas – each successful business owners – to coach/guide/mentor 3 virtual newbies. That was pay-it-forward to the hundredth degree! Even better, I am one of the recipients! I will be coached by Sharon Williams, owner of the 24 Hour Secretary. This is the breakthrough I have been praying for! Thank you Lord!!!
A big shout out to my new friends; Kristi Pavlik, Lauren Pibworth, Grace White and Evelyn Olivares.
Special thanks to Barb Lang for organizing this mastermind event and to Patty Dost for being the catalyst to my good fortune.
I wish you all continued success in your VA practices. Thanks again! See you @ FoVA 2010!
Calling all Accountants, Financial Service Professionals, IT Professionals – have you been involuntarily separated from your employer? i.e. down-sized? outsourced? laid-off? The answer for many is yes. Now that door #1 has been closed – what is behind door #2? For some it’s solo-preneurship – and it that’s your goal – you are my target audience!
I’m a Virtual Assistant with several years of corporate experience in the financial services and technology industries. Each industry has its own “language”. Financial speak: balance sheets, income statements, cashflow – elementary? Yes, but do you want to take the time to teach the difference? IT speak: critical path, milestones, QA (Quality Assurance not Question/Answer) – again elementary, but think of the time saved when you onboard someone with this basic knowledge. We can hit the ground running!
So if you’ve decided that door #2 opens to a world of self-employment, being your own boss and saying “good-bye” to corporate America – give me a call (877-330-0474) – we speak the same language!
Resolutions and the New Year seem to go hand in hand…I read an article by CC Holland (http://blogs.bnet.com/teamwork/?p=560) listing 9 Productivity Resolutions for 2009. As with most promises made to self – they are most effective if shared with a friend/partner. Why not partner with a Virtual Assistant today? Increased productivity is one of many benefits from this union. I can:
* balance that hectic calendar
* manage that out of control inbox
* help you achieve work/life balance
It’s not too late to put that New “YOU” resolution into effect…visit setufreeva.com
Looking forward to a productive 2009!
I read a blog post by a solo-preneur referencing 5 tips for working with a VA to better enable clients to work with a virtual assistant (VA). In addition to the 5 tips listed, I’ll add my own:
• Expertise: clients usually have 2 or 3 major task for which a VA may specialize. For me, its organizational skills – balancing a hectic calendar, planning a gala event, maintaining/overseeing the timely completion of a project – these are things I enjoy and excel in.
• Human Capital Value: working virtually does not negate the need or desire to build a relationship with your client; the extending of great service is an extension of self.
• Outsourcing is Money-saving: VA’s add value to their client’s business; clients realize an immediate cost savings in that overhead and medical costs (to name a few) are attributed to the VA. The client pays only for the hours and/or projects needed
All the above amounts to a win-win situation! So ask yourself – do you need to be “set free”?
As a new business owner there are several sources for assistance, both free and fee-based, for business development, exploring business structure options and other business advisement and coaching. I found a great free resource for my budding virtual business in the Local Development Center of East New York (LCD), one of the Small Business Administration resource partners through the Women’s Business Center. I received business guidance and encouragement in solidifying my focus-market (financial services and technology), consolidating my list of services (word-processing, project management/organization, event planning) and assistance with business plan development. The LDC also invites guest speakers such as lawyers, financial advisors and an overview of book-keeping systems.
What sources did you or do you utilize in your business development? Feel free to share your free or low cost business development resources.
When you open your doors for business, you expect business to walk right in. For some people, virtual and otherwise, it may happen that way. For others, you may be wondering – when will it happen for me? When you are “standing in the gap”, as it’s sometimes called, what should you do? Fold-up shop? Take down the website? Stop marketing? The answer is a resounding “NO” to all questions. During this time I have gotten virtual support from the VA forums that I frequent. It has been advised that while in the “gap”, you: educate yourself – be on the cutting edge of new products/technology, network – both virtually and face-to-face, sub-contract – to booster your confidence and reaffirm your skills – these are just a few options. What will I do? All of the above, plus anything else that has worked for those gone before me. After all, imitation is the highest form of flattery; so I seek to imitate the successes around me.
Are you “standing in the gap”? If so, what are you doing now as you journey to success? Leave me a comment, I’d love to know!
