For Immediate Release
Collette Schultz
Software Savvy Sub
Phone: 608 853 1435
Email: infovdoswi@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.softwaresavvysub.snappages.com
A Software Podcast That Will Help Begin & Grow A Virtual Business
Software Savvy Sub, Collette Schultz shares what software other successful owners are using to run their virtual businesses. No matter what phase your business is in. If it's in the beginning phase or growing phase you always need new software that works for your business.
Asking similar ways that helps keep our upcoming guests, such as: Kelly McCausey, WAHM Talk Radio, Jeannine Clontz, IVAA president and Christina Hills, Shopping Cart Queen, use software to be successful in their virtual business. Our special guests will help you make an informed decision on software purchases. Each month, after signing up for the Software Savvy Sub's newsletter, the podcast will be published and available for download. Each podcast is approximately thirty minutes in length and provides you with links of the products discussed.
If you're tired of not knowing where to begin and researching software, then listening to this podcast series will help you determine the right software for your business. Many virtual subcontractors look to the Software Savvy Sub for direction and leadership in the virtual industry.
Collette Schultz has been a virtual subcontractor, while living on a Midwest farm, for the past three years. She is similar in many ways to the average working woman. What makes her an inspiration is the progress made implementing new marketing strategies through internet forums, increasing her visibility and continuing to live the dream of working virtually.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Virtual Outsourcing Can Make your Business More Profitable
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/virtual-outsourcing-can-make-your-business-more-profitable-252170.html
Many successful entrepreneurs believe that they are actually being frugal by not getting the help they need. Some assume that by doing everything themselves, they are saving money and thus earning more. In most cases, this simply isnt true. When you use your valuable time performing the tasks that generate the most profit for your company, you are using your time to its full income earning potential. If you are like most small business owners however, a great deal of your time is likely spent on paperwork and other administrative functions that are necessary to the success of your business, but dont directly generate income. Imagine how much more profitable you could be, if you could virtually erase this clerical time from your task set.
In order to illustrate this point, lets use the example of an entrepreneur who works an 8 hour day, and earns on average, $400 per day. This would mean that this business owner earns an hourly wage of $50. But, 2.5 hours of his or her day is spent on administrative functions. If we were to eliminate the time spent on these tasks, the entrepreneur would be earning close to $73 per hour for the remaining 5.5 hours. Now imagine if the entrepreneur could spend a full 8 hour work day on the tasks that generate the most revenue for their business. He or she could potentially be earning $584 dollars a day minus the cost of outsourcing the clerical work, which should be significantly less than the $184 per day gained.
Until recent years, the thought of getting the administrative aspects of your business off of your plate meant that you had to hire an employee. But, for many entrepreneurs this was not feasible due to lack of space or monetary concerns. This left many business owners with few options, except to continue doing it all themselves. Luckily, in todays world of advanced internet technologies, there are alternatives. In fact, there are very few tasks today that cant be outsourced. There are companies that specialize in customer service, Virtual Assistants for a variety of administrative functions and Accountants and Bookkeepers for financial matters. A simple Google search for just about any task on your to-do list should give you a variety of companies that specialize in the outsourcing of this service.
Virtual outsourcing is a means to accomplish the tasks you need performed without the significant cost of hiring an employee. Contracting the clerical aspects of your business on an as-needed basis means that you are paying only for the exact task you need accomplished. If this is a couple of hours of bookkeeping or administrative duties, it shouldnt cost you a fortune, and in fact will likely cost you much less than the money you could be earning by using this time on your companys primary income gaining functions.
How much is your time worth? If you do the math, you might be surprised at how much you could benefit from getting qualified help. Virtual outsourcing will likely make your business more profitable.
Kelly Sims is a Virtual Assistant and Owner of Virtually There VA Services. To sign up for her free newsletter providing useful information that enhances and simplifies the lives of busy entrepreneurs, visit her website at => http://www.virtuallythereva.com .
Many successful entrepreneurs believe that they are actually being frugal by not getting the help they need. Some assume that by doing everything themselves, they are saving money and thus earning more. In most cases, this simply isnt true. When you use your valuable time performing the tasks that generate the most profit for your company, you are using your time to its full income earning potential. If you are like most small business owners however, a great deal of your time is likely spent on paperwork and other administrative functions that are necessary to the success of your business, but dont directly generate income. Imagine how much more profitable you could be, if you could virtually erase this clerical time from your task set.
In order to illustrate this point, lets use the example of an entrepreneur who works an 8 hour day, and earns on average, $400 per day. This would mean that this business owner earns an hourly wage of $50. But, 2.5 hours of his or her day is spent on administrative functions. If we were to eliminate the time spent on these tasks, the entrepreneur would be earning close to $73 per hour for the remaining 5.5 hours. Now imagine if the entrepreneur could spend a full 8 hour work day on the tasks that generate the most revenue for their business. He or she could potentially be earning $584 dollars a day minus the cost of outsourcing the clerical work, which should be significantly less than the $184 per day gained.
Until recent years, the thought of getting the administrative aspects of your business off of your plate meant that you had to hire an employee. But, for many entrepreneurs this was not feasible due to lack of space or monetary concerns. This left many business owners with few options, except to continue doing it all themselves. Luckily, in todays world of advanced internet technologies, there are alternatives. In fact, there are very few tasks today that cant be outsourced. There are companies that specialize in customer service, Virtual Assistants for a variety of administrative functions and Accountants and Bookkeepers for financial matters. A simple Google search for just about any task on your to-do list should give you a variety of companies that specialize in the outsourcing of this service.
Virtual outsourcing is a means to accomplish the tasks you need performed without the significant cost of hiring an employee. Contracting the clerical aspects of your business on an as-needed basis means that you are paying only for the exact task you need accomplished. If this is a couple of hours of bookkeeping or administrative duties, it shouldnt cost you a fortune, and in fact will likely cost you much less than the money you could be earning by using this time on your companys primary income gaining functions.
How much is your time worth? If you do the math, you might be surprised at how much you could benefit from getting qualified help. Virtual outsourcing will likely make your business more profitable.
Kelly Sims is a Virtual Assistant and Owner of Virtually There VA Services. To sign up for her free newsletter providing useful information that enhances and simplifies the lives of busy entrepreneurs, visit her website at => http://www.virtuallythereva.com .
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The Art of Delegating Tasks to a Virtual Assistant
Written by: Celine Roque
Source: http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/01/30/the-art-of-delegating-tasks-to-a-virtual-assistant/#more-6756
“It’s all hype. Trust me, I gave it a shot. I worked with a virtual assistant and it was a complete waste of time. Wouldn’t do it again.”
This is what a friend of mine said when I was thinking about hiring a virtual assistant (VA) almost a year ago. Until I tried it myself, I didn’t realize that a great working relationship with a VA goes both ways. While they have to be efficient at executing your instructions, you also need to be good at the art of delegating if you want to make the most out of their services.
How exactly do you become good at getting the most out of your VA, thus freeing up much more of your own valuable time?
Get a VA that you trust 100%. Lack of trust is a sure way to waste your money. Not because the person you hire is going to scam you, but you’ll be spending an awful amount of time worrying about it. I’m talking about the time that the VA is supposed to free up on your schedule so you can work on other projects. If you’re going to spend the same time worrying about the tasks you delegated, then there’s no point to hiring a VA. Here are some ways you can find someone you can trust to work with:
•Ask your friends and associates for referrals.
•Do a thorough background check (if you’re hiring an individual).
•Look for online reviews of the service (if you’re hiring a company or team).
•At the very least, have a couple of phone or VoIP conversations with your potential assistants before you hire them.
Be specific about your instructions. “I find myself asking a lot of questions for clients if they send me general instructions. The more specific the instructions, the better the quality of the output.” said Ella Pelayo of epVirtualAssistants. Many VAs I’ve talked to echo this statement. You’ll be wasting both your own time, as well as your assistant’s, if your instructions require more clarification.
Generic instructions such as “check my email” or “research this topic” might give you results that are different from what you expected, so it’s best to include step by step instructions, as well as a few sentences describing the expected output. In a recent webinar, outsourcing expert Jeff Mills said that he even uses Jing, a free screencasting tool, to show VAs and contractors how to do more complex tasks. This is a useful suggestion, especially if the task is more complex than you can put into words.
Also, don’t forget to point out the maximum amount of time your VA needs to complete each task. This is especially important if you’re paying by the hour. Ask your VA to repeat your instructions to you, paraphrased, just to confirm that he understood the task.
Prepare a manual for repetitive or long-term tasks. When I first hired a VA to do customer support, I provided her with an FAQ document, as well as some email templates. The FAQ document dealt with any possible questions the VA might ask herself when encountering a complex customer support situation. Here are some of the questions I answered in the document:
•What do I do if the customer is not satisfied with the service?
•What do I do if a customer is asking for a service that we do not provide?
•What happens if the customer doesn’t send the needed deliverables on time?
Alternatively, you can provide a comprehensive guide or manual that your VA can use when tackling these problems. This kind of document establishes the rules and guidelines she should follow. The point is to give an easy reference so that the VA can handle as many problems as she can without having to ask you.
Know the special skills and abilities of each VA you hire. Many VAs are generalists and can do a variety of tasks such as booking flights, setting reminders, or providing customer support. But there are some specialized tasks which you may need assistance in, so it’s important that you know your VA can handle these tasks. After all, you don’t want to spend hours writing up detailed directions – that would be contrary to the simplicity you’re trying to achieve.
Hiring an assistant, especially a virtual one, might seem like a risky or expensive move for a web worker. But if you plan for it well and learn how to delegate effectively, you won’t have to worry too much about wasting your time or your money.
Do you work with virtual assistants? Were they as helpful as you expected them to be? How do you make the client-assistant relationship as effective as possible?
Source: http://webworkerdaily.com/2009/01/30/the-art-of-delegating-tasks-to-a-virtual-assistant/#more-6756
“It’s all hype. Trust me, I gave it a shot. I worked with a virtual assistant and it was a complete waste of time. Wouldn’t do it again.”
This is what a friend of mine said when I was thinking about hiring a virtual assistant (VA) almost a year ago. Until I tried it myself, I didn’t realize that a great working relationship with a VA goes both ways. While they have to be efficient at executing your instructions, you also need to be good at the art of delegating if you want to make the most out of their services.
How exactly do you become good at getting the most out of your VA, thus freeing up much more of your own valuable time?
Get a VA that you trust 100%. Lack of trust is a sure way to waste your money. Not because the person you hire is going to scam you, but you’ll be spending an awful amount of time worrying about it. I’m talking about the time that the VA is supposed to free up on your schedule so you can work on other projects. If you’re going to spend the same time worrying about the tasks you delegated, then there’s no point to hiring a VA. Here are some ways you can find someone you can trust to work with:
•Ask your friends and associates for referrals.
•Do a thorough background check (if you’re hiring an individual).
•Look for online reviews of the service (if you’re hiring a company or team).
•At the very least, have a couple of phone or VoIP conversations with your potential assistants before you hire them.
Be specific about your instructions. “I find myself asking a lot of questions for clients if they send me general instructions. The more specific the instructions, the better the quality of the output.” said Ella Pelayo of epVirtualAssistants. Many VAs I’ve talked to echo this statement. You’ll be wasting both your own time, as well as your assistant’s, if your instructions require more clarification.
Generic instructions such as “check my email” or “research this topic” might give you results that are different from what you expected, so it’s best to include step by step instructions, as well as a few sentences describing the expected output. In a recent webinar, outsourcing expert Jeff Mills said that he even uses Jing, a free screencasting tool, to show VAs and contractors how to do more complex tasks. This is a useful suggestion, especially if the task is more complex than you can put into words.
Also, don’t forget to point out the maximum amount of time your VA needs to complete each task. This is especially important if you’re paying by the hour. Ask your VA to repeat your instructions to you, paraphrased, just to confirm that he understood the task.
Prepare a manual for repetitive or long-term tasks. When I first hired a VA to do customer support, I provided her with an FAQ document, as well as some email templates. The FAQ document dealt with any possible questions the VA might ask herself when encountering a complex customer support situation. Here are some of the questions I answered in the document:
•What do I do if the customer is not satisfied with the service?
•What do I do if a customer is asking for a service that we do not provide?
•What happens if the customer doesn’t send the needed deliverables on time?
Alternatively, you can provide a comprehensive guide or manual that your VA can use when tackling these problems. This kind of document establishes the rules and guidelines she should follow. The point is to give an easy reference so that the VA can handle as many problems as she can without having to ask you.
Know the special skills and abilities of each VA you hire. Many VAs are generalists and can do a variety of tasks such as booking flights, setting reminders, or providing customer support. But there are some specialized tasks which you may need assistance in, so it’s important that you know your VA can handle these tasks. After all, you don’t want to spend hours writing up detailed directions – that would be contrary to the simplicity you’re trying to achieve.
Hiring an assistant, especially a virtual one, might seem like a risky or expensive move for a web worker. But if you plan for it well and learn how to delegate effectively, you won’t have to worry too much about wasting your time or your money.
Do you work with virtual assistants? Were they as helpful as you expected them to be? How do you make the client-assistant relationship as effective as possible?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Outsourcing your own work!
Written by: Lisa Forbes
http://www.perfectsolutions.us
There are so many things that you personally have to take care of but what do you do when you don’t have the time to do the non-essential tasks yourself. You outsource yourself.
Sometimes the Virtual Assistant is in need of a Virtual Assistant but where do you look? You have to realize that this is a business and you really have to treat it as such. Accounting, Marketing, Advertising and all the things needed to run a successful business. Sometimes it can be more than one person can handle OR it really isn’t your expertise.
I personally use another VA to help me with my accounting practices. It definitely has SAVED me money because of all the things that I am not aware of in tax deductions and reporting. If you keep up with your accounting practices, it will make tax time easy and you’ll get the most out of your deductions.
Here are some indicators that you may indeed need some help:
1.Is your website constantly being updated (blog, testimonials, ads, samples)
2.Is your accounting up to date? (accounts receivable/payables, expense reports, receipts, mileage)
3.Do you feel like your clients are not getting the service you would like them to have?
4.Social Marketing taking up too much time? (Twitter, FaceBook, Forums, Google Analytics)
5.Advertising/Marketing goals not up or non-existent?
These are just the top 5 reasons you should consider.
Now the next thing to so is fining a VA who will work with you and one you can trust. The best place to find other VA’s and network with them are on the forums. The best one’s out there are VAnetworking.com and Virtualassistantforums.com. You can also take a look at Elance for all your technical aspects.
http://www.perfectsolutions.us
There are so many things that you personally have to take care of but what do you do when you don’t have the time to do the non-essential tasks yourself. You outsource yourself.
Sometimes the Virtual Assistant is in need of a Virtual Assistant but where do you look? You have to realize that this is a business and you really have to treat it as such. Accounting, Marketing, Advertising and all the things needed to run a successful business. Sometimes it can be more than one person can handle OR it really isn’t your expertise.
I personally use another VA to help me with my accounting practices. It definitely has SAVED me money because of all the things that I am not aware of in tax deductions and reporting. If you keep up with your accounting practices, it will make tax time easy and you’ll get the most out of your deductions.
Here are some indicators that you may indeed need some help:
1.Is your website constantly being updated (blog, testimonials, ads, samples)
2.Is your accounting up to date? (accounts receivable/payables, expense reports, receipts, mileage)
3.Do you feel like your clients are not getting the service you would like them to have?
4.Social Marketing taking up too much time? (Twitter, FaceBook, Forums, Google Analytics)
5.Advertising/Marketing goals not up or non-existent?
These are just the top 5 reasons you should consider.
Now the next thing to so is fining a VA who will work with you and one you can trust. The best place to find other VA’s and network with them are on the forums. The best one’s out there are VAnetworking.com and Virtualassistantforums.com. You can also take a look at Elance for all your technical aspects.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Another Way to Grow your Virtual Assistant Business
We, as virtual assistants (VAs), generally attempt to grow our business by obtaining more clients or contracts. Now the new strategy is to enlarge our small business by creating a multi-virtual assistant company or organizing a team of VAs to subcontract or outsource projects to. These VAs provide services, which will complement your services rather than compete with them.
More and more virtual assistants are creating multi-virtual assistant companies, while others are subcontracting to other VAs. Normally, virtual assistants who work with multi-virtual assistant organizations or work on a subcontract basis are entrepreneurs themselves. On the other hand, VAs who are in the beginning stages of their business can gain experience and knowledge as business owners while at the same time establish their companies, as well as earn money. Operating a small business requires much more than just knowing how to type or perform any other administrative task.
However, it is a win-win concept because an established virtual assistant (va) can offer more services without having to be skilled in that particular area, as well as have the assistance of up-and-coming VAs. In some cases, a virtual assistant needs a va to help them with administrative tasks. In addition, you have a backup in case of your absence for any reason. Whether you operate a multi-virtual assistant establishment or subcontract to other VAs, you can offer their services in addition to yours.
For example, in an attempt to grow my virtual assistant business and expand my services, I’m applying the subcontracting strategy. I recently organized a team of three VAs with varying skills to subcontract projects to. My core service is word processing services, and the team services include bookkeeping, Real Estate Virtual Assistant (REVA) services, transcription, and website and graphic design. Their services complement mine rather than compete with them. Now I can offer their services in addition to my current offerings. If for any reason I am absent or need assistance with my administrative tasks, every member of the team is able to perform word processing services and provide administrative assistance.
If you are a virtual assistant who is in the process of growing your business or increasing your list of services, consider organizing a team of virtual assistants with various skills. As the virtual assistant industry grows so does the level of available skilled virtual assistants. It is a win-win situation for established virtual assistant companies, up-and-coming virtual assistants, and our clients.
Written by: Rita J. Cartwright http://rjswordprocessing.wordpress.com
http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/another-way-to-grow-your-virtual-assistant-business-208101.html
More and more virtual assistants are creating multi-virtual assistant companies, while others are subcontracting to other VAs. Normally, virtual assistants who work with multi-virtual assistant organizations or work on a subcontract basis are entrepreneurs themselves. On the other hand, VAs who are in the beginning stages of their business can gain experience and knowledge as business owners while at the same time establish their companies, as well as earn money. Operating a small business requires much more than just knowing how to type or perform any other administrative task.
However, it is a win-win concept because an established virtual assistant (va) can offer more services without having to be skilled in that particular area, as well as have the assistance of up-and-coming VAs. In some cases, a virtual assistant needs a va to help them with administrative tasks. In addition, you have a backup in case of your absence for any reason. Whether you operate a multi-virtual assistant establishment or subcontract to other VAs, you can offer their services in addition to yours.
For example, in an attempt to grow my virtual assistant business and expand my services, I’m applying the subcontracting strategy. I recently organized a team of three VAs with varying skills to subcontract projects to. My core service is word processing services, and the team services include bookkeeping, Real Estate Virtual Assistant (REVA) services, transcription, and website and graphic design. Their services complement mine rather than compete with them. Now I can offer their services in addition to my current offerings. If for any reason I am absent or need assistance with my administrative tasks, every member of the team is able to perform word processing services and provide administrative assistance.
If you are a virtual assistant who is in the process of growing your business or increasing your list of services, consider organizing a team of virtual assistants with various skills. As the virtual assistant industry grows so does the level of available skilled virtual assistants. It is a win-win situation for established virtual assistant companies, up-and-coming virtual assistants, and our clients.
Written by: Rita J. Cartwright http://rjswordprocessing.wordpress.com
http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/another-way-to-grow-your-virtual-assistant-business-208101.html
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Balance Beam of Work and Family
By Patty Benton
“Mommy, I need milk!” “Mommy, can I watch TV?” “Mommy, I want to go outside!” “Mommy, Bobby hit me!” are few of the comments WAHM(P-parents) hear on a daily basis. That is if their child can talk. Mine, just pushes the keyboard away and climbs on my lap-or even better-she throws herself on the floor screaming.
“Honey, when is dinner?” “Honey, what time are we leaving for…” “Honey, where is Bobby’s baseball bat?” are a few of the comments we may hear from our spouses.
All this, while we are trying to finish the project that is due first thing in the morning. Or working on our next advertising piece. Or doing one of the other million things any person who runs their own business HAS to get finished.
Does this sound like what you go through on a daily basis why you are working? If so, don’t feel alone, the majority of small business owners who work out of their homes, experience this trial.
Now, what are you going to do about it? Though I won’t claim to have this perfected (remember, my daughter likes to throw herself on the floor screaming), I have begun to find a balance. Here are some tips on how to find your balance between home and work:
Pay attention to when it seems you get the most interruptions. I find that about 5 pm everyday, my daughter would get whiny, and want my attention. So, after recognizing this pattern, I adjusted my schedule to give my daughter that important time she needs (after all, she is the inspiration for my business). I work through her nap and then until about 5. Then I take off 5-7 to spend time with her and for dinner. Schedule your work time to when you will be most effective. If you can only work for 2 hours here, 2 hours there, and then 4 hours here, so be it. Work only when you can be effective-even if it means working late into the night why everyone is asleep. I used to go to bed no later than 9, but have now found that I need the time why my daughter is asleep to work, so I have started staying up until 11 and working.
Enlist your partner/spouse to help. That is what marriage is all about-working together. If you are a woman, don’t feel like it is your job to do everything for your children! After dinner, my daughter has about an hour before she goes to bed, my husband takes this time and uses it to bond with her, while I work. Then we both put her to bed-together.
Split up the chores. Okay, the biggest distraction is a messy house (at least for me), so we split up the chores. Both my husband and I agreed on what we would each do. I cook, he cleans up afterwards. He washes and dries the laundry, I help take care of it. I keep the house picked up daily, but after my daughter goes to bed, he picks up whatever she has gotten out. Make it work for both of you!
Remember your spouse. Yes, they need their lovey time too. Make sure that you spend time just the two of you, even if you have to put that time into your schedule. I have a daily schedule and my day is mapped out. I’ve included family time, business time, and me time (VERY IMPORTANT). Every minute of my day is accounted for. Though this may sound tedious, it is essential to make sure my business doesn’t take away from my family, and my family doesn’t take away from my business.
Lastly, lay out your plan for your family. Make sure they are committed. Then enforce it. If it is your work time, work and make them entertain themselves. If it is your family time, focus on your family and leave the work for later. It won’t go anywhere!
Having your own business takes sacrifice from you and your family, but it’s worth it if you can find the balance. Make finding your balance a priority!!
“Mommy, I need milk!” “Mommy, can I watch TV?” “Mommy, I want to go outside!” “Mommy, Bobby hit me!” are few of the comments WAHM(P-parents) hear on a daily basis. That is if their child can talk. Mine, just pushes the keyboard away and climbs on my lap-or even better-she throws herself on the floor screaming.
“Honey, when is dinner?” “Honey, what time are we leaving for…” “Honey, where is Bobby’s baseball bat?” are a few of the comments we may hear from our spouses.
All this, while we are trying to finish the project that is due first thing in the morning. Or working on our next advertising piece. Or doing one of the other million things any person who runs their own business HAS to get finished.
Does this sound like what you go through on a daily basis why you are working? If so, don’t feel alone, the majority of small business owners who work out of their homes, experience this trial.
Now, what are you going to do about it? Though I won’t claim to have this perfected (remember, my daughter likes to throw herself on the floor screaming), I have begun to find a balance. Here are some tips on how to find your balance between home and work:
Pay attention to when it seems you get the most interruptions. I find that about 5 pm everyday, my daughter would get whiny, and want my attention. So, after recognizing this pattern, I adjusted my schedule to give my daughter that important time she needs (after all, she is the inspiration for my business). I work through her nap and then until about 5. Then I take off 5-7 to spend time with her and for dinner. Schedule your work time to when you will be most effective. If you can only work for 2 hours here, 2 hours there, and then 4 hours here, so be it. Work only when you can be effective-even if it means working late into the night why everyone is asleep. I used to go to bed no later than 9, but have now found that I need the time why my daughter is asleep to work, so I have started staying up until 11 and working.
Enlist your partner/spouse to help. That is what marriage is all about-working together. If you are a woman, don’t feel like it is your job to do everything for your children! After dinner, my daughter has about an hour before she goes to bed, my husband takes this time and uses it to bond with her, while I work. Then we both put her to bed-together.
Split up the chores. Okay, the biggest distraction is a messy house (at least for me), so we split up the chores. Both my husband and I agreed on what we would each do. I cook, he cleans up afterwards. He washes and dries the laundry, I help take care of it. I keep the house picked up daily, but after my daughter goes to bed, he picks up whatever she has gotten out. Make it work for both of you!
Remember your spouse. Yes, they need their lovey time too. Make sure that you spend time just the two of you, even if you have to put that time into your schedule. I have a daily schedule and my day is mapped out. I’ve included family time, business time, and me time (VERY IMPORTANT). Every minute of my day is accounted for. Though this may sound tedious, it is essential to make sure my business doesn’t take away from my family, and my family doesn’t take away from my business.
Lastly, lay out your plan for your family. Make sure they are committed. Then enforce it. If it is your work time, work and make them entertain themselves. If it is your family time, focus on your family and leave the work for later. It won’t go anywhere!
Having your own business takes sacrifice from you and your family, but it’s worth it if you can find the balance. Make finding your balance a priority!!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Have An Informtion Product? Leave The Web Research To Me.
One of the tasks I have listed for a subcontracting task is web research. My first experience was researching software, which I love. Thinking more about the services I offer I had to ask, is this really beneficial to my clients? The more I look at it how could it not be. A few reasons being, one I learn as I do the research. Second for the person I'm researching for it is saving hours of revenue they can be generating by selling the product themselves.
So if you wonder how you could benefit by outsourcing web research. The answer is selling more of your product.
So if you wonder how you could benefit by outsourcing web research. The answer is selling more of your product.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Announcing August 2009’s Forum Topic for the VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success Group
Collette Schultz
Software Savvy Sub
vdoswi@yahoo.com
August 4, 2009: Collette Schultz, mediator of the VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success Group at Virtual Assistant Forums, announces the August 2009 topic – “Software & Products Subcontractors Need to Succeed”. This open forum discussion will answer questions and concerns related to what type of software VAs should consider when setting up their home office; the products that are worth the investment, and the pros and cons of using freeware, shareware and web applications.
“A large majority of service providers don’t realize how much more can be done with the right product in hand. For instance, Microsoft Office is a software application no one should be without; yet many are still using Microsoft Works!
Although Microsoft Works has a Word application and can be saved in a compatible version, it does not offer the flexibility needed by a true professional. To be compatible and provide clients and contractors alike the highest level of quality in the projects being produced, it’s important invest in a power-horse program like Microsoft Office Professional.”, states Collette Schultz.
This is just a sample of the advice Collette Schultz will be sharing on the topic of software and products needed to succeed this month with the VA Subcontractors group. Group participants are encouraged to post their questions, concerns, and related stories based on personal experience.
To participate in the discussion group, you must abide by the rules and guidelines set by Virtual Assistant Forums. Please create an account and read the members guidelines then go to http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/groups/va-subcontractor-s-road-success.html .
About the Group Mediator:
Collette Schultz’ active participation at Virtual Assistant Forums has earned her the reputation as being an expert in the VA subcontracting field. She is honored to have the opportunity to bring the VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success discussion group to the virtual community.
The VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success discussion group was created for individuals who want to experience being a virtual assistant before starting a business of their own but don’t know where to begin. In this community setting, Collette hopes to bring participants the opportunity and information they need to succeed.
ABOUT VIRTUAL ASSISTANT FORUMS:
Virtual Assistant Forums [VAF] is the social networking and discussion forum for virtual assistants at all levels of business development. Register to claim and customize your profile and network with other VAs, share information and experience, post images and create videos, start a blog, create and join discussion groups, and network live in the chat room! Regularly published jobs, tons of great resources, a directory, and more - it's all in one place. To register for a free membership at this friendly, supportive community of professional VAs today visit http://www.virtualassistantforums.com
Software Savvy Sub
vdoswi@yahoo.com
August 4, 2009: Collette Schultz, mediator of the VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success Group at Virtual Assistant Forums, announces the August 2009 topic – “Software & Products Subcontractors Need to Succeed”. This open forum discussion will answer questions and concerns related to what type of software VAs should consider when setting up their home office; the products that are worth the investment, and the pros and cons of using freeware, shareware and web applications.
“A large majority of service providers don’t realize how much more can be done with the right product in hand. For instance, Microsoft Office is a software application no one should be without; yet many are still using Microsoft Works!
Although Microsoft Works has a Word application and can be saved in a compatible version, it does not offer the flexibility needed by a true professional. To be compatible and provide clients and contractors alike the highest level of quality in the projects being produced, it’s important invest in a power-horse program like Microsoft Office Professional.”, states Collette Schultz.
This is just a sample of the advice Collette Schultz will be sharing on the topic of software and products needed to succeed this month with the VA Subcontractors group. Group participants are encouraged to post their questions, concerns, and related stories based on personal experience.
To participate in the discussion group, you must abide by the rules and guidelines set by Virtual Assistant Forums. Please create an account and read the members guidelines then go to http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/groups/va-subcontractor-s-road-success.html .
About the Group Mediator:
Collette Schultz’ active participation at Virtual Assistant Forums has earned her the reputation as being an expert in the VA subcontracting field. She is honored to have the opportunity to bring the VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success discussion group to the virtual community.
The VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success discussion group was created for individuals who want to experience being a virtual assistant before starting a business of their own but don’t know where to begin. In this community setting, Collette hopes to bring participants the opportunity and information they need to succeed.
ABOUT VIRTUAL ASSISTANT FORUMS:
Virtual Assistant Forums [VAF] is the social networking and discussion forum for virtual assistants at all levels of business development. Register to claim and customize your profile and network with other VAs, share information and experience, post images and create videos, start a blog, create and join discussion groups, and network live in the chat room! Regularly published jobs, tons of great resources, a directory, and more - it's all in one place. To register for a free membership at this friendly, supportive community of professional VAs today visit http://www.virtualassistantforums.com
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
My New Logo
Thanks to a recent blogging contest I was privileged to win a new logo for my Software Savvy Sub podcast series. Not only did it turn out extremely well but it came from a fellow Wisconsin VA, Susi Schuele. She did a great job in her creativity. If you need a logo yourself I have added her contact information below.
Your feedback would be appreciated.
Created by:
Susi Schuele, Owner
Time Matters CIC
262-510-1236
888-890-4811 fax
http://www.myvirtualproject.com
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
User ID & Password Solutions
On my new website Software Savvy Sub, http://www.softwaresavvysub.info/wordpress, I've added a demo for a solution to organize ID's and passwords. It's called Roboform. A software you'll wonder how you lived without. It is my first one so would appreciate any feedback to improve the demos. Also if you have any software needs for a specific task let me know and I'll do some research. It might be the next demo I do on the site.
In the next month I'd like to feature one that is a solution for logging into a computer from any location, Logmein.
In the next month I'd like to feature one that is a solution for logging into a computer from any location, Logmein.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Give Credit Where Credit Is Due
Can you believe 2009 is half way complete? It's been an amazing and awesome year for me. Finally stepping out of my comfort zone has been the biggest step. When I say awesome I don't even mean profitable financially but more inspirational. How you may ask?
Two and a half years ago I completed my mentoring program with Diane Hess. She was the one that took me by the hand and introduced all the different possibilties there are for a VA to do. I must say it took her quite some time to come out of my shell. In 2009 is when it happened. With a few extra pushes from her in became a reality.
In January I also started listening to many podcasts. For me learning through audio works best. It's one of those things I can literally do on the go. Some of the podcasts I download and learn from every week are Darlene Victoria, Denise Griffitts, Melody Campbell, Kelly McCausey, Rick Cooper, Phil & Jason Montaro and Scott Fox. I could name a ton more but those are favorite at this time.
In March I started my own podcast series, Software Savvy Sub, www.softwaresavvysub.info/wordpress Also being really involved in forums and blogging became a high priority. Because I stayed consistant with it two of the forums brought me on as leaders. Virtual Assistant Forums asked me to create a subcontractors group and Find Virtual branded me as a a member of the Leader Board. Wisconsin Virtual Assistant Network gave me the opportunity to be their blog moderator.
So as you see the majority of the things I accomplished so far in 2009 aren't profitable. They're fulfilling and priceless...............
Two and a half years ago I completed my mentoring program with Diane Hess. She was the one that took me by the hand and introduced all the different possibilties there are for a VA to do. I must say it took her quite some time to come out of my shell. In 2009 is when it happened. With a few extra pushes from her in became a reality.
In January I also started listening to many podcasts. For me learning through audio works best. It's one of those things I can literally do on the go. Some of the podcasts I download and learn from every week are Darlene Victoria, Denise Griffitts, Melody Campbell, Kelly McCausey, Rick Cooper, Phil & Jason Montaro and Scott Fox. I could name a ton more but those are favorite at this time.
In March I started my own podcast series, Software Savvy Sub, www.softwaresavvysub.info/wordpress Also being really involved in forums and blogging became a high priority. Because I stayed consistant with it two of the forums brought me on as leaders. Virtual Assistant Forums asked me to create a subcontractors group and Find Virtual branded me as a a member of the Leader Board. Wisconsin Virtual Assistant Network gave me the opportunity to be their blog moderator.
So as you see the majority of the things I accomplished so far in 2009 aren't profitable. They're fulfilling and priceless...............
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Interested In Forming A Business Entity Webinar?
I'm in the process of forming a business entity. Someone from Laughlin Associates has offered to do an informational webinar specific for the virtual assistant industry. Would any of you be interested in joining the webinar? I plan on having it in July. Is there a specific day of the week you prefer? Most likely I would do it mid afternoon or mid evening CST. I would schedule it and let everyone know when and more specifics. Thanks for your feedback. I'm sure I'm not the only one interested in hearing about business entities specific to our industry.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Announcing "Virtual Assistant Subcontractor's Road To Success Group"
Collette SchultzSoftware Savvy Sub mailto:Subvdoswi@yahoo.com
For Immediate Release
Announcing "Virtual Assistant Subcontractor’s Road to Success" Group
June 1, 2009 –
Collette Schultz, the Software Savvy Sub and owner of Virtual Dream Office Services is proud to announce a new addition to the list of popular Virtual Assistant Forums discussion groups, the “ VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success”.This group is intended for virtual assistants who are interested in experiencing what it is like to work virtually prior to getting their own VA business off the ground. Participants can ask questions about finding work as a VA subcontractor, how to set up a home office, training programs and reading resources, finding the perfect mentor, setting policies and hours, as well as what software is needed to operate a virtual assistance business. Each month will forus on a different topic of discussion. Join us as we kick off June 2009 to discuss The Mind Set of a Subcontractor. Group conversation will focus on:
1. Why is dedication so crucial to a subcontractor’s success?
2. What does it mean to have the spirit of an entrepreneur? Why is that spirit important?
3. What boundaries should you consider setting as a subcontractor and why?
4. What defines you as a subcontractor?
5. What personality types are more likely to succeed in the VA industry?
To participate in the discussion group, you must be a registered member of Virtual Assistant Forums and abide by the community rules. Please create an account and read the members guidelines then go to http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/groups/va-subcontractor-s-road-success.html .Collette Schultz active participation in the Virtual Assistant Forums community has earned her an expert reputation as a VA Subcontractor. She is honored to have the opportunity to bring the VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success discussion group to the VAF community.SummaryThe VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success discussion group is intended for individuals who want to experience being a virtual assistant before starting a business of their own but don’t know where to begin as a subcontractor. In this community discussion forum, Collette hopes to bring participants the opportunity and information these individuals need to succeed.
ABOUT COLLETTE SCHULZ: Virtual Dream OfficeServices is my business. Living on a farm in Wisconsin, I never thought there would be chance to supplement my income and do it while at home. A few years ago I met my mentor, Diane Hess, of the Certified Virtual Professional program. After completing the program I gained the confidence to grow and promote myself as a subcontractor.
ABOUT VIRTUAL ASSISTANT FORUMS: Virtual Assistant Forums [VAF] is the social networking and discussion forum for virtual assistants at all levels of business development. Register to claim and customize your profile and network with other VAs, share information and experience, post images and create videos, start a blog, create and join discussion groups, and network live in the chatroom! Regularly published jobs, tons of great resources, a directory, and more - it's all in one place. To register for a free membership at this friendly, supportive community of professional VAs today visit http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/
For Immediate Release
Announcing "Virtual Assistant Subcontractor’s Road to Success" Group
June 1, 2009 –
Collette Schultz, the Software Savvy Sub and owner of Virtual Dream Office Services is proud to announce a new addition to the list of popular Virtual Assistant Forums discussion groups, the “ VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success”.This group is intended for virtual assistants who are interested in experiencing what it is like to work virtually prior to getting their own VA business off the ground. Participants can ask questions about finding work as a VA subcontractor, how to set up a home office, training programs and reading resources, finding the perfect mentor, setting policies and hours, as well as what software is needed to operate a virtual assistance business. Each month will forus on a different topic of discussion. Join us as we kick off June 2009 to discuss The Mind Set of a Subcontractor. Group conversation will focus on:
1. Why is dedication so crucial to a subcontractor’s success?
2. What does it mean to have the spirit of an entrepreneur? Why is that spirit important?
3. What boundaries should you consider setting as a subcontractor and why?
4. What defines you as a subcontractor?
5. What personality types are more likely to succeed in the VA industry?
To participate in the discussion group, you must be a registered member of Virtual Assistant Forums and abide by the community rules. Please create an account and read the members guidelines then go to http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/groups/va-subcontractor-s-road-success.html .Collette Schultz active participation in the Virtual Assistant Forums community has earned her an expert reputation as a VA Subcontractor. She is honored to have the opportunity to bring the VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success discussion group to the VAF community.SummaryThe VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success discussion group is intended for individuals who want to experience being a virtual assistant before starting a business of their own but don’t know where to begin as a subcontractor. In this community discussion forum, Collette hopes to bring participants the opportunity and information these individuals need to succeed.
ABOUT COLLETTE SCHULZ: Virtual Dream OfficeServices is my business. Living on a farm in Wisconsin, I never thought there would be chance to supplement my income and do it while at home. A few years ago I met my mentor, Diane Hess, of the Certified Virtual Professional program. After completing the program I gained the confidence to grow and promote myself as a subcontractor.
ABOUT VIRTUAL ASSISTANT FORUMS: Virtual Assistant Forums [VAF] is the social networking and discussion forum for virtual assistants at all levels of business development. Register to claim and customize your profile and network with other VAs, share information and experience, post images and create videos, start a blog, create and join discussion groups, and network live in the chatroom! Regularly published jobs, tons of great resources, a directory, and more - it's all in one place. To register for a free membership at this friendly, supportive community of professional VAs today visit http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Virtual Assistant Subcontractor’s Road to Success
Announcing "Virtual Assistant Subcontractor’s Road to Success" Group.
Being known as the Software Savvy Sub and owner of Virtual Dream Office Services I'm proud to announce a new addition to the list of popular Virtual Assistant Forums discussion groups, the “ VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success”. This group is intended for virtual assistants who are interested in experiencing what it is like to work virtually prior to getting their own VA business off the ground. Participants can ask questions about finding work as a VA subcontractor, how to set up a home office, training programs and reading resources, finding the perfect mentor, setting policies and hours, as well as what software is needed to operate a virtual assistance business.
Each month will forus on a different topic of discussion. Join us as we kick off June 2009 to discuss The Mind Set of a Subcontractor. Group conversation will focus on:
1. Why is dedication so crucial to a subcontractor’s success?
2. What does it mean to have the spirit of an entrepreneur? Why is that spirit important?
3. What boundaries should you consider setting as a subcontractor and why?
4. What defines you as a subcontractor?
5. What personality types are more likely to succeed in the VA industry?
To participate in the discussion group, you must be a registered member of Virtual Assistant Forums and abide by the community rules.
Please create an account and read the members guidelines then go to http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/groups/va-subcontractor-s-road-success.html .
I hope to bring participants the opportunity and information these individuals need to succeed.
ABOUT VIRTUAL ASSISTANT FORUMS: Virtual Assistant Forums [VAF] is the social networking and discussion forum for virtual assistants at all levels of business development. Register to claim and customize your profile and network with other VAs, share information and experience, post images and create videos, start a blog, create and join discussion groups, and network live in the chatroom! Regularly published jobs, tons of great resources, a directory, and more - it's all in one place. To register for a free membership at this friendly, supportive community of professional VAs today visit http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/
Being known as the Software Savvy Sub and owner of Virtual Dream Office Services I'm proud to announce a new addition to the list of popular Virtual Assistant Forums discussion groups, the “ VA Subcontractor’s Road to Success”. This group is intended for virtual assistants who are interested in experiencing what it is like to work virtually prior to getting their own VA business off the ground. Participants can ask questions about finding work as a VA subcontractor, how to set up a home office, training programs and reading resources, finding the perfect mentor, setting policies and hours, as well as what software is needed to operate a virtual assistance business.
Each month will forus on a different topic of discussion. Join us as we kick off June 2009 to discuss The Mind Set of a Subcontractor. Group conversation will focus on:
1. Why is dedication so crucial to a subcontractor’s success?
2. What does it mean to have the spirit of an entrepreneur? Why is that spirit important?
3. What boundaries should you consider setting as a subcontractor and why?
4. What defines you as a subcontractor?
5. What personality types are more likely to succeed in the VA industry?
To participate in the discussion group, you must be a registered member of Virtual Assistant Forums and abide by the community rules.
Please create an account and read the members guidelines then go to http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/groups/va-subcontractor-s-road-success.html .
I hope to bring participants the opportunity and information these individuals need to succeed.
ABOUT VIRTUAL ASSISTANT FORUMS: Virtual Assistant Forums [VAF] is the social networking and discussion forum for virtual assistants at all levels of business development. Register to claim and customize your profile and network with other VAs, share information and experience, post images and create videos, start a blog, create and join discussion groups, and network live in the chatroom! Regularly published jobs, tons of great resources, a directory, and more - it's all in one place. To register for a free membership at this friendly, supportive community of professional VAs today visit http://www.virtualassistantforums.com/
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
New Blog Up For Feedback
This week I'm very excited to announce I've got a brand new website up and running for my podcast series. This winter the podcasts series "Software Savvy Sub" was started to help the virtual business owner learn of software necessary to run a business. This week I just found a new host and created a brand new look. Please check it out and give me your feedback. www.softwaresavvysub.info/wordpress. It's been a great learning experience and sense of accomplishment.
Monday, May 18, 2009
3 Ways To Recruit A Top-Notch Virtual Assistant For Your Small Business
If you're a small business owner and haven't yet thought about hiring a virtual assistant, you're missing the boat�not to mention a chance to earn significantly more than you are now. That's because working with a top virtual assistant could easily free up 10 hours or more every week for you to focus on what's really important - growing your business. What is a virtual assistant? In the simplest terms, a virtual assistant is a professional who's an expert in any of a wide variety of tasks - from simple administrative work to more specialized fields such as copywriting or graphic design. A virtual assistant makes sense if you feel that you're "wasting time" doing tasks that would better be left to someone else. Virtual assistants have many advantages over hiring full- or part-time staff, including not dealing with the headaches of maintaining a payroll, not having to provide office space, and more. But working with a virtual assistant isn't foolproof. Here are three ways to find and recruit the best virtual assistant for your small business: * Use virtual assistants that have been pre-screened. Companies that know the virtual assistance industry inside and out can help you pre-qualify virtual assistant candidates by assessing their skills and abilities ahead of time. And this means more than just getting a read on their "hard" skills. It also means assessing "soft" skills such as communication style and rapport, which are critical in matching small business owners with the right virtual assistant. This can take a lot of the work out of hiring the right person. Check out www.Top100VirtualAssistants.com for an example of a service that pre-screens virtual assistants. * Decide on your specific needs. Where do you need the most help? What are the tasks that need to get done, but that you can't or don't want to do yourself? Knowing exactly what you want before you start interviewing potential virtual assistants is crucial. You don't want to hire someone with a set of skills that, while they may be impressive, aren't right for your particular job. * Budget wisely. Do a self-assessment and determine how much money you might typically make for an hour's worth of work. Then decide how much a virtual assistant is worth to you. For example, if you make $100 an hour, and you hire a virtual assistant for $40 an hour, by outsourcing just 10 hours worth of work a week, you would give yourself the ability to earn an extra $2,400 per month (or about $30,000 per year). It's also important to remember that a skilled virtual assistant can often do the same task in about half the time it takes the average small business owner (simply because they are a master of the technology, systems or other expertise that makes the task hard for someone not familiar with it). When this is the case, the right virtual assistant could wind up saving you more than $3,000 every month.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:A successful small business owner, Rebecca Trelfa runs a network of websites dedicated to the virtual assistance industry, including http://www.VirtualDynamos.com, http://www.Work-the-Web.com and http://www.Top100VirtualAssistants.com.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:A successful small business owner, Rebecca Trelfa runs a network of websites dedicated to the virtual assistance industry, including http://www.VirtualDynamos.com, http://www.Work-the-Web.com and http://www.Top100VirtualAssistants.com.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Don't Hit A Road Block
Having to admit I'm not much of a writer isn't something I like to brag about. One thing I will say is at least I continue to try and write to keep my blog going. Over the last few months I find others articles I enjoy and put them on my google watch list. Needless to say, within two month over half of them haven't had any new material posted to their blog. Whether it be articles, podcasts or updates about their business. So please don't get stuck. Keep writing. If we like you once most likely we'll like more things to come.
Keep up on your blogs.
Keep up on your blogs.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Two Winners Given Free IM Sessions
Thanks to my sponsor, Diane Hess http://certifiedvp.com, we were able to give free IM sessions to both commentors. The lucky winners were Laura @virtualsortileg and Crystal @flirt_designs
Read more on my blog www.softwaresavvysub.wordpress.com
Read more on my blog www.softwaresavvysub.wordpress.com
Friday, April 17, 2009
Microsoft Office Certified Master Interviewed (Episode 3)
In my podcast series, Software Savvy Sub, I interview Rebecca Thompson who is a Certified Master in MS Office.
Rebecca discusses Microsoft Office and it’s wide range of potential for the virtual business. As a certified user she was able to share how and why she became certified and how others can do so. The differences of what types of packages a business starting should purchase and how the online Microsoft Office can benefit. Due to so much information MS has to offer we summarized our discussion. In upcoming podcasts I will be asking Rebecca to come back and discuss each application individually.
Listen to the podcast at www.softwaresavvysub.wordpress.com
Rebecca discusses Microsoft Office and it’s wide range of potential for the virtual business. As a certified user she was able to share how and why she became certified and how others can do so. The differences of what types of packages a business starting should purchase and how the online Microsoft Office can benefit. Due to so much information MS has to offer we summarized our discussion. In upcoming podcasts I will be asking Rebecca to come back and discuss each application individually.
Listen to the podcast at www.softwaresavvysub.wordpress.com
Monday, April 13, 2009
First Virtual Professional Contest
Join in the first virtual contest being sponsored by Diane Hess, Virtual Business Mentor & Founder of CertifiedVP.
Here’s what someone will win:
One Hour free Mentoring 2 Success IM Session to discuss troubling questions Virtual Professionals (VAs included) may have about their business or view points etc
See more..... http://softwaresavvysub.wordpress.com/virtual-contests/
Here’s what someone will win:
One Hour free Mentoring 2 Success IM Session to discuss troubling questions Virtual Professionals (VAs included) may have about their business or view points etc
See more..... http://softwaresavvysub.wordpress.com/virtual-contests/
Monday, April 6, 2009
It All Takes Time
For years I have heard it takes at least three to five years for a business to get off it's feet. Since becoming a VA I have truly started to understand this. Still working full-time starting slow has been nice. However, I just can't help but wonder when things will really start picking up for me. Will it be possible to go full-time two years from now?
How about other virtual assistants and freelancers. How long did it seem it took your business to get up and off the ground? Share your story.
How about other virtual assistants and freelancers. How long did it seem it took your business to get up and off the ground? Share your story.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Hours Available To Subcontract
It's only fair to those who I offer services to to be an organized myself. Setting business hours is one of the first steps. Beginning today, April 1, s009 my available hours are as follows:
Monday thru Friday 4:30 pm to 11 pm CST
Weekends 7:30 am to 11 pm CST
Notice during the week my hours are after normal business hours. If it's necessary to contact me during those hours you're welcome to leave a message on my cell phone and I will return your call within 24 hours. Look at it this way, because I'm available after normal hours it can extend your own business production time.
Cell Phone:608-853-1435
Email Address: virtualdream@excite.com
Monday thru Friday 4:30 pm to 11 pm CST
Weekends 7:30 am to 11 pm CST
Notice during the week my hours are after normal business hours. If it's necessary to contact me during those hours you're welcome to leave a message on my cell phone and I will return your call within 24 hours. Look at it this way, because I'm available after normal hours it can extend your own business production time.
Cell Phone:608-853-1435
Email Address: virtualdream@excite.com
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Is Subcontracting For You?
http://www.mypodcastharmony.com/avp/
"Are you new to the virtual assistant industry and interested in subcontracting for another virtual assistant company? Perhaps you are wondering how earth to get started? Well, in the 13th episode of A Virtual Perception, I speak with Collette Schultz of Virtual Dream Office Services, Kena Roth of Virtually Assisting You, LLC and Diane Hess of Hess Business Professionals & Associates, LLC. Learn more about subcontracting, how to get yourself known as a VA subcontractor and more!
Darlene Victoria
"Are you new to the virtual assistant industry and interested in subcontracting for another virtual assistant company? Perhaps you are wondering how earth to get started? Well, in the 13th episode of A Virtual Perception, I speak with Collette Schultz of Virtual Dream Office Services, Kena Roth of Virtually Assisting You, LLC and Diane Hess of Hess Business Professionals & Associates, LLC. Learn more about subcontracting, how to get yourself known as a VA subcontractor and more!
Darlene Victoria
Never Stop Learning on Virtual Assistant Forum
Just recently Virtual Assistant Forum annouced their connection with www.connecting2give.com This post struck me for a couple reasons. One I love the fact of giving myself or service to benefit an organization or help others. The name Connect2give says it all. Second it talks about free give aways. Who doesn't want to win a prize, let alone one that will help me expand my VA subcontracting business.
One of the specifics to winning is to tell how I plan to help others with my VA business. This is where my niche "subcontracting for other VAs" comes into play. How can lightening the load for them not help them grow, lighten their stress and show them what I know so they can learn from me. It's all about networking.
I'm an active member on www.virtualassistantforum.com so look me up, hbplifestyle, and I'll se if there's a way I can help you grow.
One of the specifics to winning is to tell how I plan to help others with my VA business. This is where my niche "subcontracting for other VAs" comes into play. How can lightening the load for them not help them grow, lighten their stress and show them what I know so they can learn from me. It's all about networking.
I'm an active member on www.virtualassistantforum.com so look me up, hbplifestyle, and I'll se if there's a way I can help you grow.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Free Virtual Business Advise
Would you be interested in test driving our Mentoring 2 Success program? This is your opportunity to chat live with Diane Hess through Yahoo IM or Skype about some of the questions you have on building your virtual business. Sessions are limited to (15-20-30) minutes.Sessions held on:
Wednesday March 8 2009 & Saturday, March 18, 2009Advanced scheduling required. Sign up today for your FREE Session. Email at info@certifiedvp.com with a time.
Wednesday March 8 2009 & Saturday, March 18, 2009Advanced scheduling required. Sign up today for your FREE Session. Email at info@certifiedvp.com with a time.
Monday, March 2, 2009
How To Hit Your Local Target Market
Proud to announce my second series of upcoming podcasts. Certified Virtual Professionals presents for virtual assistants "Hitting Your Local Target Market"
http://web.3.c3.audiovideoweb.com/3c3web1013/Hitting%20Your%20Local%20Target%20Market%20Rv2.mp3
http://web.3.c3.audiovideoweb.com/3c3web1013/Hitting%20Your%20Local%20Target%20Market%20Rv2.mp3
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The New Software Savvy Sub
Can't believe how far I've come this year with brainstorming new ideas. I may have lots of ideas but working one at a time is a must to keep myself focused.
Like all other virtual assistants I've done my homework and came up with the following last year:
1. Subcontracting services to the Virtual Assistant industry is my focus
2. Creating my business name, logo and mission statement
3. Networking with this industry to get my name out there
4. Started the marketing process to prove my ability to the industry
So you ask what I've come up with so far for 2009?
1. Looking forward to continuing to subcontract administrative tasks to other VAs
2. Software is what I love to research, learn and implement. In March I plan to launch another part of my business to offer something to online businesses. Press release will be coming.
3. Created a name to compliment my new avenue of business is "Software Savvy Sub"
Now back to my brain storming. Keep watching for updates
Like all other virtual assistants I've done my homework and came up with the following last year:
1. Subcontracting services to the Virtual Assistant industry is my focus
2. Creating my business name, logo and mission statement
3. Networking with this industry to get my name out there
4. Started the marketing process to prove my ability to the industry
So you ask what I've come up with so far for 2009?
1. Looking forward to continuing to subcontract administrative tasks to other VAs
2. Software is what I love to research, learn and implement. In March I plan to launch another part of my business to offer something to online businesses. Press release will be coming.
3. Created a name to compliment my new avenue of business is "Software Savvy Sub"
Now back to my brain storming. Keep watching for updates
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Call For Software Application Experts!!!!
In 2009 I'm on to some new ideas for my business.At this time I'm looking for volunteers who feel they're experts with a computer applications of their choice. No matter what type, I'm interested, whether it be Google, Yahoo, Access, Quickbooks, Software for retailers, Excel, Power Point, project management, email marketing, multimedia, PDF, backup and more.If you claim to be an expert and feel confident in explaining your knowledge of the software this may be your opoortunity to shine. Please email me at vdoswi@yahoo.com if you're interested and I'll take you to the next step of the processl.I appreciate anyone who volunteers.
Even if you're not a Virtual Assistant and are an expert I want to hear from you.
Even if you're not a Virtual Assistant and are an expert I want to hear from you.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What Can A VA Subcontractor Do For You?
So be honest with yourself. Have you gotten to the point where you have no time to yourself since your VA business has taken off? What do you keep promoting to potential clients? Yes you said it, "Hire A Virtual Assistant." Take it to heart and subcontract one for yourself.
Now you ask yourself what would I have a VA do for me. Here's a list of things I've come up with so you don't have to think.
1. Ezine. An email newsletter will help you get prospective clients into your marketing funnel. Your VA can format the plain text and HTML versions of your email newsletter. All you need to do is write your primary and filler articles each week and forward those to your VA to format and send the finished product out to your newsletter list.
2. Media. Have your VA research an industry-specific media list . This value of this list is in developing relationships with these media contacts so that you're the expert they immediately think of when they're doing a story on your area of expertise.
3. Article Marketing. Write once and have that article work for you again and again. Have your VA submit articles you've written to online article databases to increase the number of links back to your website and to send more visitors to your website.
4. Strategic Alliances. Once of the quickest ways to grow your business is by creating strategic alliance or joint venture relationships. Have your VA research potential strategic alliance or joint venture partners who provide a service to a similar audience or whose client base could benefit from your product or service.
5. Product Development. Got recorded interviews sitting around gathering dust on your hard drive? How about information you've created for presentations that you've never done anything with? Have your VA coordinate the transcript and audio editing of any recorded files you might have and help you polish those into saleable products. Your VA can also help your format printed material into an ebook, ecourse, special report, etc. and before you know you, you'll become an information marketer!
What operational aspects of your business could you delegate to someone else? If you had extra time, how could you increase the revenues of your business? Give these questions strong consideration--and use your Virtual Assistant to help you make more profit with less of your time today!
A portion of his article was provided by:
Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps independent service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To claim your FR*EE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at OnlineBizU.com. Ask Donna an Internet Marketing question at AskDonnaGunter.com.
Now you ask yourself what would I have a VA do for me. Here's a list of things I've come up with so you don't have to think.
1. Ezine. An email newsletter will help you get prospective clients into your marketing funnel. Your VA can format the plain text and HTML versions of your email newsletter. All you need to do is write your primary and filler articles each week and forward those to your VA to format and send the finished product out to your newsletter list.
2. Media. Have your VA research an industry-specific media list . This value of this list is in developing relationships with these media contacts so that you're the expert they immediately think of when they're doing a story on your area of expertise.
3. Article Marketing. Write once and have that article work for you again and again. Have your VA submit articles you've written to online article databases to increase the number of links back to your website and to send more visitors to your website.
4. Strategic Alliances. Once of the quickest ways to grow your business is by creating strategic alliance or joint venture relationships. Have your VA research potential strategic alliance or joint venture partners who provide a service to a similar audience or whose client base could benefit from your product or service.
5. Product Development. Got recorded interviews sitting around gathering dust on your hard drive? How about information you've created for presentations that you've never done anything with? Have your VA coordinate the transcript and audio editing of any recorded files you might have and help you polish those into saleable products. Your VA can also help your format printed material into an ebook, ecourse, special report, etc. and before you know you, you'll become an information marketer!
What operational aspects of your business could you delegate to someone else? If you had extra time, how could you increase the revenues of your business? Give these questions strong consideration--and use your Virtual Assistant to help you make more profit with less of your time today!
A portion of his article was provided by:
Online Business Resource Queen (TM) and Online Business Coach Donna Gunter helps independent service professionals learn how to automate their businesses, leverage their expertise on the Internet, and get more clients online. To claim your FR*EE gift, TurboCharge Your Online Marketing Toolkit, visit her site at OnlineBizU.com. Ask Donna an Internet Marketing question at AskDonnaGunter.com.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Becoming an Independent Contractor?
It’s a rewarding career, but what should you look out for?
Working as an independent contractor or consultant can be a very rewarding, lucrative and satisfying career. Beyond knowing the dynamics of your field, however, you also have to understand how to keep the business operating smoothly and how to protect yourself and your assets. What does being an independent contractor entail and what should you be cognizant of along the way?
First, an independent contractor is an individual who is self-employed and utilizes a contract agreement to provide service to a client in exchange for an agreed upon fee.
Below are some frequently asked questions and guidelines to help you better understand what consulting and independent contractor work involves.
Q. Who do independent contractors and consultants typically work for?
A. This is dependent on the industry that the independent contractor focuses on. It might include information technology, web development, consumer products, and manufacturing, to name a few. Businesses both large and small will often utilize the services of an independent contractor for a variety of jobs.
Q. How do independent contractors receive payment?
A. Typically, any credentialed organization will disclose payment terms and conditions in a written agreement. It is essential you have a signed agreement in place prior to starting any work. The agreement should specify whether the contractor is paid on an hourly or time and materials basis, or is paid a project fee based on deliverables.. It will also outline how and when payment will be made. Terms relating to pay structure should be clearly defined and everything should be put in writing then agreed to by all parties before work commences. If the organization you are working with does not supply the contract or agreement, you should have one ready to go. Contract templates for consultants are readily available through businesses that specialize in draft agreements, and can save you time and ensure all of the necessary elements are included.
Q. What, if any, risks and responsibilities are involved with working as an independent contractor?
A. Like anything, there are some risks and responsibilities associated with self-employment. These might include becoming responsible for tax obligations and personal benefits; managing billing and collections; and maintaining current and necessary licensing and insurance. You also have to consider legal responsibilities and the exposure associated with job performance.
Q. Are independent contractors protected by any employment laws?
A. While this varies by state, independent contractors and self-employed consultants typically are not protected by employment laws, making written agreements even more vital. Laws, such as workers’ compensation, which pertain to safe working environments, would not necessarily apply to independent contractors. The same is true of laws that address discrimination or harassment.
Q. If a client is unsatisfied with the quality of my performance, product or service, what are the ramifications?
A. As the contractor or consultant, you are usually responsible for satisfying specific performance expectations, which should be set in your agreement. The agreement should outline in as much detail as possible how dissatisfaction or a problem will be rectified. For instance, if it’s a product, will you allow returns for a refund, or for a service-related job, will you redo it until it is correct?
Q. What if a client asks me to sign an agreement immediately?
A. Any reputable organization should give you time to consider the agreement before asking you to sign it. If they don’t allow you adequate time to think it over or consult with others, that may be a red flag. Before signing a contract, a good rule of thumb is to give yourself at least 24 hours to review the opportunity and determine if it’s inline with your career goals, as well as discuss it with a trusted professional.
Contractual Agreements: A Necessary Part of Business
Contractual agreements are essential to maintaining mutually beneficial business relationships, especially for independent contractors and consultants. In today’s business climate, they are not only useful tools, but can also protect you, your business and your intellectual property.
If you aren’t familiar with agreements and what they should contain, there are businesses that offer contract template software and contract drafting software to help you get started. These software packages help you develop a contract specific to your needs, and will often include very specific guides such as contract templates for consultants.
There are several types of contracts to be aware of, many of which are bundled together within contract template software packages. Some include:
* Consulting Services Agreements: These specify the work to be performed and define the terms of the working agreements. It also determines the parameters of your responsibilities; the price and payment terms; protect intellectual property rights; establishes confidentiality agreements; and limits losses and liabilities.
* Employment Contracts: When hiring new employees, these will protect intellectual property rights and confidential information. It also establishes non-compete and non-hire provisions, which prevent employees from taking clients or workers from the company.
* Network Installation and Maintenance Agreements: These safeguard against financial and material loss when providing network services. It also sets price and payment terms as well as performance delivery obligations. These agreements will also apply a disclaimer that stability, safety and security of the network is not guaranteed, and will not hold you liable for loss of profit, revenue or data.
* Staffing and Placement Agreements: These set the parameters for the relationship of your personnel with the client as independent contractors. It prevents the client from soliciting or hiring away your employees, and sets a specific timeline in which a client can seek remedies for alleged deficiencies or discrepancies in the work or cost of that liability. These agreements will also determine specific locations in which the services are to be performed and names the client representatives for whom your personnel will perform the work for.
* Subcontractor / Independent Contractor Agreements: These detail the performance expectations of a subcontractor and set the scope of services, price and payment terms, and solutions should you become dissatisfied with the services provided. It will also protect intellectual property rights and confidential information, and give you authority to terminate the agreement.
Well-written, concise agreements will spare you from problems in the future and will help you build a strong, reputable company. To ensure you include all of the vital information, utilize contract drafting software and also seek advice from a professional if you still have questions.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
http://www.contractedge.com/
James Cochran, is the founder of Contract Edge, a provider of contract template software for independent contractors. James is an expert when it comes to the ins and outs of independent contractor agreements, employment contracts for small businesses and all other types of IT consulting agreements.
Working as an independent contractor or consultant can be a very rewarding, lucrative and satisfying career. Beyond knowing the dynamics of your field, however, you also have to understand how to keep the business operating smoothly and how to protect yourself and your assets. What does being an independent contractor entail and what should you be cognizant of along the way?
First, an independent contractor is an individual who is self-employed and utilizes a contract agreement to provide service to a client in exchange for an agreed upon fee.
Below are some frequently asked questions and guidelines to help you better understand what consulting and independent contractor work involves.
Q. Who do independent contractors and consultants typically work for?
A. This is dependent on the industry that the independent contractor focuses on. It might include information technology, web development, consumer products, and manufacturing, to name a few. Businesses both large and small will often utilize the services of an independent contractor for a variety of jobs.
Q. How do independent contractors receive payment?
A. Typically, any credentialed organization will disclose payment terms and conditions in a written agreement. It is essential you have a signed agreement in place prior to starting any work. The agreement should specify whether the contractor is paid on an hourly or time and materials basis, or is paid a project fee based on deliverables.. It will also outline how and when payment will be made. Terms relating to pay structure should be clearly defined and everything should be put in writing then agreed to by all parties before work commences. If the organization you are working with does not supply the contract or agreement, you should have one ready to go. Contract templates for consultants are readily available through businesses that specialize in draft agreements, and can save you time and ensure all of the necessary elements are included.
Q. What, if any, risks and responsibilities are involved with working as an independent contractor?
A. Like anything, there are some risks and responsibilities associated with self-employment. These might include becoming responsible for tax obligations and personal benefits; managing billing and collections; and maintaining current and necessary licensing and insurance. You also have to consider legal responsibilities and the exposure associated with job performance.
Q. Are independent contractors protected by any employment laws?
A. While this varies by state, independent contractors and self-employed consultants typically are not protected by employment laws, making written agreements even more vital. Laws, such as workers’ compensation, which pertain to safe working environments, would not necessarily apply to independent contractors. The same is true of laws that address discrimination or harassment.
Q. If a client is unsatisfied with the quality of my performance, product or service, what are the ramifications?
A. As the contractor or consultant, you are usually responsible for satisfying specific performance expectations, which should be set in your agreement. The agreement should outline in as much detail as possible how dissatisfaction or a problem will be rectified. For instance, if it’s a product, will you allow returns for a refund, or for a service-related job, will you redo it until it is correct?
Q. What if a client asks me to sign an agreement immediately?
A. Any reputable organization should give you time to consider the agreement before asking you to sign it. If they don’t allow you adequate time to think it over or consult with others, that may be a red flag. Before signing a contract, a good rule of thumb is to give yourself at least 24 hours to review the opportunity and determine if it’s inline with your career goals, as well as discuss it with a trusted professional.
Contractual Agreements: A Necessary Part of Business
Contractual agreements are essential to maintaining mutually beneficial business relationships, especially for independent contractors and consultants. In today’s business climate, they are not only useful tools, but can also protect you, your business and your intellectual property.
If you aren’t familiar with agreements and what they should contain, there are businesses that offer contract template software and contract drafting software to help you get started. These software packages help you develop a contract specific to your needs, and will often include very specific guides such as contract templates for consultants.
There are several types of contracts to be aware of, many of which are bundled together within contract template software packages. Some include:
* Consulting Services Agreements: These specify the work to be performed and define the terms of the working agreements. It also determines the parameters of your responsibilities; the price and payment terms; protect intellectual property rights; establishes confidentiality agreements; and limits losses and liabilities.
* Employment Contracts: When hiring new employees, these will protect intellectual property rights and confidential information. It also establishes non-compete and non-hire provisions, which prevent employees from taking clients or workers from the company.
* Network Installation and Maintenance Agreements: These safeguard against financial and material loss when providing network services. It also sets price and payment terms as well as performance delivery obligations. These agreements will also apply a disclaimer that stability, safety and security of the network is not guaranteed, and will not hold you liable for loss of profit, revenue or data.
* Staffing and Placement Agreements: These set the parameters for the relationship of your personnel with the client as independent contractors. It prevents the client from soliciting or hiring away your employees, and sets a specific timeline in which a client can seek remedies for alleged deficiencies or discrepancies in the work or cost of that liability. These agreements will also determine specific locations in which the services are to be performed and names the client representatives for whom your personnel will perform the work for.
* Subcontractor / Independent Contractor Agreements: These detail the performance expectations of a subcontractor and set the scope of services, price and payment terms, and solutions should you become dissatisfied with the services provided. It will also protect intellectual property rights and confidential information, and give you authority to terminate the agreement.
Well-written, concise agreements will spare you from problems in the future and will help you build a strong, reputable company. To ensure you include all of the vital information, utilize contract drafting software and also seek advice from a professional if you still have questions.
Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com
About the Author:
http://www.contractedge.com/
James Cochran, is the founder of Contract Edge, a provider of contract template software for independent contractors. James is an expert when it comes to the ins and outs of independent contractor agreements, employment contracts for small businesses and all other types of IT consulting agreements.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
How I Became A Virtual Assistant
As a graduate of the CVP program. Virtual Dream OfficeServices became my business name. Living on a farm in Wisconsin, I never thought there would be chance to supplement my income and do it while at home. Having two small kids and working full-time there was no way for me to have a second job outside the home.
While going back to school for my associate degree in accounting, I did a research project on telecommuniting. Then, I got pregnant with my first child. While on maternity I researched more about working from home. At that time there were very few companies that hired employees this way and very few people did it as their very own business. I was too conservative to quit my job since I carry the health insurance for the family.
I live in a rural area and jobs are quite scarce if WAH didn’t work out. So, starting slow has helped. I switched jobs and less stress gave me more time to really do some calling for opportunities. Then I met my mentor, Diane Hess, of the Certified Virtual Professional program.(http://certifiedvp.com/portal/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx) Until I was given the opportunity to have hands on experience with Diane Hess, I really didn’t feel like I had much to offer.
Now, limiting my availability and making sure I stay fair to the family is my biggest hurdle.
In a few years if I can pay for a family trip to Disney World, that will be my final decision-maker to do this full-time.
While going back to school for my associate degree in accounting, I did a research project on telecommuniting. Then, I got pregnant with my first child. While on maternity I researched more about working from home. At that time there were very few companies that hired employees this way and very few people did it as their very own business. I was too conservative to quit my job since I carry the health insurance for the family.
I live in a rural area and jobs are quite scarce if WAH didn’t work out. So, starting slow has helped. I switched jobs and less stress gave me more time to really do some calling for opportunities. Then I met my mentor, Diane Hess, of the Certified Virtual Professional program.(http://certifiedvp.com/portal/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx) Until I was given the opportunity to have hands on experience with Diane Hess, I really didn’t feel like I had much to offer.
Now, limiting my availability and making sure I stay fair to the family is my biggest hurdle.
In a few years if I can pay for a family trip to Disney World, that will be my final decision-maker to do this full-time.
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