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MARCH 9, 2009
ISSN 1947-105X | Vol. 3, No. 10
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MARKETING & NETWORKING ISSUE
In This Issue:
From the Editor
When you do business virtually, you don't get to shake the hand or look
in the eyes of that cool new businessperson you just met, the one who
might end up being your next client or referral source. Which is why it's
even more important to do all you can to make their online experience
with you as close to the real thing as you can. People want to connect
with people. One of the best ways to help establish that kind of trust
and rapport is one of the simplest--make sure they get to see who they
are talking with. Cheryl Harless is here this week with some great tips
for your home-made photo shoot.
Yours in goodness and success!
Danielle Keister
Founder & CVO Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce
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FEATURE ARTICLE -
Say Cheese!
 They
say a picture is worth a thousand words. If you are a solopreneur selling
yourself and your services, you need to have a professional picture of
yourself on your website and blog. It should also be on any website you
are a member of and where you connect with people (Facebook, forums, groups,
etc.). It’s a good idea to have it on print material as well such
as brochures or newsletters.
The picture needs to be a good headshot and you also need a good avatar.
Avatars are usually very small perfectly square face shots. This helps
lend credibility to your message. It says, “Yes! There is a real
person behind this website (or blog, forum post, etc.).”
Ideally the picture should be done by a professional. But let’s
face it; sometimes you just don’t have the time, money or inclination.
A good picture taken of you (by yourself) will suffice. However, if you
need to take pictures of yourself, below are a few tips for making self
portraits with a digital camera.
- Do it when you have some time alone (no less than an hour)
when you won't be disturbed.
- Use a digital camera and a large mirror. If the backdrop
is not ideal, put up a sheet or table cloth on a wall or door behind
you. Place the camera between you and your mirror within arms reach.
- Women, wear LOTS of makeup in a natural style--think enhance,
not color, and nothing that glitters. Men, a little mascara and blush
won’t kill ya! It won't show, but you will notice a positive difference.
- You need lots of light--best if natural or a combination
of fluorescent and incandescent.
- Okay, the mirror is there for two reasons: 1) so you can
see the back of the camera to set up the shots; and 2) so you can interact
with yourself and see the expressions you make.
- Set the camera up between you and the mirror. A tripod
works best, but if you don’t have one, stack up boxes or books--anything
that will remain steady. If the camera moves, you will not be happy
with the blurry pictures. Use the auto shoot option, or have the camera
within reach. Make sure your arm doesn’t get in the way!
- Now for the fun part: Make faces, talk to yourself, and
let yourself feel silly and carefree. If you are too serious, it will
show. Take tons of pictures. Check them over at first to see that lighting
is okay, and to see how you can move so that double chin doesn't show.
The most important thing is to HAVE FUN. The more fun you have, the more
it will show on your face and the more personable you will look in the
pictures. You should have a ton of pictures before you stop. Since we
are ALWAYS our worst critic, chances are out of hundreds, only a handful
will be acceptable. Choose the best, crop and resize and add it to all
the places mentioned above.
HINT: Changing your picture every 4 to 6 months is a
great way for you to stand out so people will take notice!
RESOURCE: A great place to store your photo for retrieval
on forums is on Photobucket.
It’s also a great place to store albums to share with friends. Personally,
I believe Photobucket
is one of the most user friendly image hosting sites on the web today.
 About
the Author: As principal of CH
Enterprises, Cheryl A. Harless is an administrative expert
with over 20 years experience. Cheryl specializes in Administrative Support
for the Equine Professional. She spent much of her youth around horses,
and loves them to this day. She speaks your language and shares your passion
for both your horses and your business. Don’t you deserve the best
of both worlds? To learn how her services can help you “Get
Out of the Office and Back to the Barn,” visit http://www.CH-Enterprises.com.
© 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
 "Hey,
I love getting your newsletter and I'm not even a VA!"
— Tom Mullooly, 401kExpert.
(Editor: Thanks, Tom! In fact, our ezine is written for business owners
in mind, not other VAs, so your words mean a lot!)
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Can you say "no?" Can you set boundaries and ask for what you
need? Do you speak up in meetings? Do you let people yell at you? When
you are served a cold meal in a restaurant, do you return it or eat the
cold food you are paying for? Are your clients treating you like an employee
or a collaborative business partner?
If you'd love to be more assertive and stand up for what you want in
your life and business, you'll definitely want to be on the call with
us!
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| The Portable
Business™ (formerly The Gritty Business Buzz™) is a
weekly electronic newsletter from the Virtual Assistance Chamber
of Commerce™ It is produced by our Virtual Assistant members
especially for the gritty, resourceful, fiercely determined small
business owners and independent professionals they serve--YOU!
Published every Monday. Our records indicate that
you are subscribed to this newsletter. To change your subscription,
see link at end of email.
EDITOR: Danielle
Keister, The
Relief Virtual Assistance
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT:
Denise Shears, Shears
Virtual Advantage
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