Choosing Technology For A Virtual Team

As a team member currently I'm doing research for my contractor on project management software. I came across this video on Youtube from The Anywhere Office. Hope it comes in handy for the subcontractor, multi-VA firm or business owner.

Press Release

For Immediate Release
Collette Schultz
Software Savvy Sub

Phone: 608 853 1435
Email: infovdos@yahoo.com
Web site: http://www.softwaresavvysub.info.com

Collette Schultz, better known as the Software Savvy Subcontractor, was interviewed by Roslyn D’Souza, Virtual Events Specialist. Schultz responded to questions about her successful pursuits with Schultz’s company, Virtual Dream Office Services, one of the most respected subcontracting service providers available to virtual businesses and multi-virtual assistants today.

The facts Schultz shared can assist anyone entering the field of virtual subcontracting or help those already in this type of non-traditional employment increase their profitability and market share. This interview brought forward topics about the “software savvy” side of Schultz’s nickname. You can listen to the entire interview at http://softwaresavvysub.snappages.com/podcasts.htm.

This call represents the kick-off of regular podcasts which will be held monthly to help others in the subcontracting field learn from Schultz’s experience. One call per month will address the subcontracting niche of Virtual Dream Office Services experience while the other call will concentrate on software savvy solutions for subcontractors or multi-virtual assistants.

In this initial call, Schultz shared the importance of finding your own niche market in the world of virtual business. She explained tips about how to locate that niche through which you can provide services to virtual businesses or multi-Virtual Assistants that you enjoy the most and in which your skills can provide a valuable benefit to the contractor.

Schultz learned how to locate contractors seeking subcontractors to help expand their virtual businesses through sheer necessity. During the time she gave birth to her children and was on leave from her traditional employment, she became intrigued with the idea of telecommuting. Over the past three years, she has begun to market the skills she developed in the traditional workplace as an online, web-based service with remarkable success.

She began her journey by locating a valued mentor, Diane Hess, who helped her refine and perfect her subcontractor skills through one-on-one two-way feedback. Hess, having already established her own successful virtual assistant business, critiqued Schultz’s work and listened to how Schultz felt about each project she had completed, leading her to find the niches in which she could excelled and enjoy. While Schultz acknowledges, “This doesn’t happen overnight, you must find your passion and build upon it. You want to do work you love, not just any project that is available. You want to locate your spot in the market and fill that specific niche for virtual businesses which need your subcontractor services,” she does encourage those who share her dream of breaking out of a traditional workplace and into the world of virtual subcontracting to pursue those dreams.

Schultz also plans to host special events for virtual subcontractors as well as a means of connecting virtual professionals with businesses requiring subcontractors to expand their businesses. Special events will be announced to everyone on her mailing list and you can ensure you receive this valuable information join by visiting http://softwaresavvysub.snappages.com/join-my-list.htm. You’ll be notified of all calls, podcasts, updates, events, and much more. The format of her connection service for virtual professionals and contractors is currently in the works and will also be announced upon completion. Also, be sure to stay up-to-date by subscribing to her Blog located at http://softwaresavvysub.snappages.com/blog.

While Schultz is providing free podcasts to those who wish to enjoy the information provided by her own personal growth experiences, she does acknowledge the need for additional sponsorship to continue to provide a free service. The first sponsor is Find Virtual, http://findvirtual.com If you are a company which needs subcontractors to provide your organization with that next level of growth or operate a multi-VA company, Schultz would love to hear from you via email. By promoting those entities which can benefit from subcontractors, she can provide valuable exposure to those virtual professionals online today. Contact her at infovdos@yahoo.com.

About Virtual Dream Office Services: Begun three years ago, Schultz’s subcontracting and virtual assistance serves many virtual businesses in the areas which she most enjoys: general administration, bookkeeping, presentation development, spreadsheet development, software consulting, and web research. You can locate her website at http://softwaresavvysub.snappages.com or contact her by phone at (608) 853-1435. ###

Press Release

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.

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 .

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?

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.

Information Technology Service Tips for Subcontracting and Partnering

Information Technology Service Tips for Subcontracting and Partnering

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Grow Your Business And Reach For The Stars!: Another Way to Grow your Virtual Assistant Business

Grow Your Business And Reach For The Stars!: Another Way to Grow your Virtual Assistant Business

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

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!!

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.

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

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

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.

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...............

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.

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/

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/

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.

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.

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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.