FEBRUARY 2, 2009
ISSN 1947-105X | Vol. 3, No. 5

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MARKETING & NETWORKING ISSUE

In This Issue:

• From the Editor
• Feature Article: Powerful Presentation Tips
• Reader Raves
• Next Free Teleseminar on February 19, 2009
• VACOC News: Directory of No-Cost Software
• Marketplace
• Find a Qualified Virtual Assistant Today
• About the VACOC

From the Editor

Does anyone like to speak in front of large groups? Seriously. If you love to speak, I want to shake your hand! Most of the rest of us mere mortals suffer from presentation anxiety and can use any help we can get. On that note, Colleen Johnson is back this week to share some of the tricks she's learned along the way.

Yours in goodness and success!

Danielle Keister
Founder & CVO Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce

Powerful Presentation Tips

I have sat through numerous meetings, conferences and seminars. Some just seem to drag on and on, while others are truly fantastic.
So, what makes that difference? How do you make your presentation powerful?

• Be yourself and show some personality. A monotonous tone droning on and on will not do. People want you to do well and they want to connect with you. Let them see the real you and allow your natural vocal inflections to flow into your speaking pattern.
  
  
• Speak up and project your voice. Many people suffer from nerves in front of large groups and their voice level tends to drop. Unfortunately, nothing is more irritating to an audience than having to strain to hear. If you're in a hall or large room, be sure to test the sound system before the presentation begins. Avoid unnecessary words such as “um” and “like” which can also become grating when used too often in a presentation.
  
  
• Make eye contact. Interact with your audience to keep them engaged. Ask them topic-related questions and keep the floor open for discussions. Don’t be selective. Use the whole room. Create conversations.
  
  
• Move about the room so you don't become stiff. Keep your audience attentive and awake. If you're stuck at a podium, remember to make some simple hand gestures to keep eyes on you.
  
  
• Add humor. Nothing breaks the ice like a good joke or funny story during an event. Just make sure that it’s appropriate and directed properly to your audience.
  
  
• Use visual aids sparingly, but creatively. Slides need not be wordy or elaborate. Stand out from the norm and infuse energy into your presentation. The best ones pop with color and imagery to accentuate your main points. If you're not overly creative yourself, check out the free PowerPoint templates from Microsoft.

Think about the last conference you enjoyed. How can you incorporate ideas from that event into your next presentation?

RESOURCE: A great guide for presentations including webcasts can be found at Manage Smarter.

About the Author: Colleen M. Johnson, MSVA, is the owner of CMJ Office, a virtual administrative and genealogy research business. CMJ Office provides top quality virtual administrative assistance for business owners, genealogy and history authors, speakers and researchers.

© Copyright 2009, The Portable Business™. All U.S. and International rights reserved. You are granted permission to republish this article only if used in its entirety with this copyright notice, title, article content, resource, author's bio and links left intact.

Let's Connect!

Reader Raves!

Regarding "The Ultimate Post Office Box" on 1/19/09: "Thanks again Danielle!! I'm truly enjoying the resources you've been sharing as you are making your transition. They are invaluable."
Karen Pina, GodsCoach.com

Next FREE Teleseminar: February 19, 2009

Join us on Thursday, February 19, for the next VACOC Guest Expert Teleseminar: "Exercising Your Brilliance for Innovation." Guest speaker Jim Canterucci believes when you're faced with a situation where you have to come up with and implement great ideas, and you can... that's Personal Brilliance. The four catalysts to Personal Brilliance are awareness, curiosity, focus and initiative. In Jim's session, based on his bestseller, "Personal Brilliance, Mastering the Everyday Habits that Create a Lifetime of Success," we will go beyond creativity to innovation. You'll benefit and so will the clients you serve!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY >>

- A D V E R T I S E M E N T -

VACOC News: Directory of No-Cost Software

You may or may not be aware that we maintain an extensive list of all the best no-cost software and online tools available on the Internet. We add to this list constantly so you may just want to download our toolbar below to keep it at your fingertips.

Download the VACOC Toolbar

The Results Are In!

The 2008 Virtual Assistant Industry Survey went fabulously and the results are fascinating. I want to thank all the participants for their efforts in promoting it and making it the best yet! All Virtual Assistants who participated in the survey and signed up to the mailing list at the end get a free copy of the survey.

If you are a Virtual Assistant and didn't participate this year, we really encourage you to take part in the next survey. You will be contributing to the effort that is helping the industry grow AND you'll get a copy of the full survey results report once the survey period is over. Only those who participate get the full survey report at no charge.

In the meantime, we offer an abridged version of the survey (about half) which gives some of the basic statistical data. Feel free to "take one down and pass it around." You may also publish the results contained in the survey highlights report as long as attribution is given to the VACOC.

- M A R K E T P L A C E -

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Do you have an accurate financial picture of your business? Would you rather focus on your business and not your books? Hire a virtual bookkeeper. Accounting and bookkeeping services on an as-needed or on-going basis. Specializing in QuickBooks clean-up. Give Us Your Books, Focus On Your Business™. Call: 301-668-8284, info@thefinancialboutique.net

SCRATCHING YOUR HEAD? Have you been wondering what this administrative solution called Virtual Assistance is all about? Not to worry! The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce has written an online guide to answer all your questions: The Client's Guide to Virtual Assistants.

TIRED OF WADING through the thousands of Virtual Assistant sites on the Internet? Would you like qualified, competent and reputable Virtual Assistants to come to you instead? Simply submit your Request for Partnership at the VACOC RFP Center.

MAKE 25% IN AFFILIATE EARNINGS! Join the VACOC Affiliate Program and earn extra money simply by referring people to our website. Monthly payouts with no minimums required. Sign Up Today!

Are You Reading This? Place your ad and get in front of nearly 5000 subscribers! Great rates & price breaks for multiple ads >> 

Find a Qualified Virtual Assistant Today!

You don't have to live in overwhelm. You CAN get just the help you need without having to hire in-house staff. Find yourself a great Virtual Assistant today, and go from struggling by yourself to getting things done and thriving on the road to success.

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ABOUT THE VACOC: Founded by industry veteran Danielle Keister in 2006, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™ is a professional association committed to empowering business-minded Virtual Assistants grow smarter, more successful practices, and providing business owners with tools and resources to connect with reputable, qualified Virtual Assistant professionals.

To change your subscription, see link at the bottom of email notification. The Portable Business™ (formerly The Gritty Business Buzz™) is a trademark of the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™. All logos and names are the copyrights of their respective owners.

Disclaimer: Neither Danielle Keister nor the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™ endorses the accuracy or reliability of any of the paid advertisements above nor the quality of any products, information, or other materials displayed, purchased, or obtained by you as a result of an offer in connection with any ad. Please do your own due diligence BEFORE purchasing any product.

© 2007-09 Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce™. All U.S. & International rights reserved.