MARCH 16, 2009
ISSN 1947-105X | Vol. 3, No. 11

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WORKING WITH VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS ISSUE

In This Issue:

• From the Editor
• Feature Article: Working with a Virtual Assistant in Today's Economy
• Next No-Cost Teleseminar on March 19, 2009
• Marketplace
• Find a Qualified Virtual Assistant Today
• About the VACOC

From the Editor

When the going gets tough, the successful get busy. During these more challenging times, it's the perfect opportunity to focus more than ever on marketing and efficiency improvements. Smart business owners don't skimp on those things that make their biz a leaner, meaner more money-making mo-chine. Learn more about how your Virtual Assistant can be your best secret weapon in Christine Wade's sharp article this week.

Yours in goodness and success!

Danielle Keister
Founder & CVO Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce

- FEATURE ARTICLE -

Working with a Virtual Assistant in Today's Economy

Many business people seem to be struggling out there, what with the economic slowdown, but that's absolutely no excuse to quit trying to make your business the best that it can be. Think of it like this... if you don't give up at this critical time, but keep plugging away to improve and grow your business and continue marketing to clients (past, current and potential), when the economy does start to improve (and it surely will), it's YOU who will be out there ahead of the rest and looking good. Competition? What competition? All the competition gave up and went home!

This is the time to rally the troops. Have a meeting with your Virtual Assistant and create a marketing game plan for the next six months. This isn't the time to get reckless with your money, so I am not talking about a huge Adwords campaign or print advertising. I am talking about reviewing the content on your website to improve organic search results (which studies show hold more weight to the consumer than the paid search results do), carefully research the keywords that you are targeting and make sure that they are words that will actually get searched on. There's no point in targeting "Leprechaun Jewelry" if there aren't any Leprechauns out there typing that into the search box.

Another important thing that you and your Virtual Assistant should be doing now is making sure that you are keeping in contact with the people who have supported your business in the past. Newsletters, cards, postcards, press releases, etc... you cannot forget about them if you don't want them to forget about you when the economy picks up and it's time for them to start spending some money again.

Finally, make sure that you and your Virtual Assistant have an excellent handle on streamlining the daily operations of your business. When the economy picks up and all those people that you've been marketing to start coming around, you will be ready and able to serve as many of them as possible, as efficiently as possible. You'll not only earn their repeat business, but their referrals as well.

Here's to all the small business owners out there. May we all persevere and not just survive, but thrive as economic UPTURN arrives again!

RESOURCE: Here's a link to an article gallery on Entrepreneur.com with some low cost marketing ideas that you and your Virtual Assistant can get started implementing today!

About the Author: Christine Wade, a self-professed, self-taught computer geek turned Virtual Assistant (specializing in the Real Estate support industry), had over 12 years experience in the corporate world in administrative positions (ranging from general to executive assistance, as well as management) before she decided to venture out on her own in March of 2000 and opened her virtual doors. Stop by her website and see what her clients have to say about her services, learn why she gets so many word of mouth referrals for her company and perhaps even decide to experience it for yourself! Sign up to receive her blog via email!

© 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!)

Hey! Send us your feedback. Did you find an article insightful, helpful and informative? Have topic ideas you'd like to see covered in future issues? Let us know! We'd love to hear from you.

Next No-Cost Teleseminar: March 19, 2009

Join us on Thursday, March 19, for the next VACOC Guest Expert Teleseminar: "Assert Yourself Today!" with assertiveness expert Nancy Stampahar.

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!

RESERVE YOUR SPOT>>

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- 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!

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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.

See Your Ad Here!

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.