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SEPTEMBER 7, 2009
ISSN 1947-105X | Vol. 3, No. 36
Don't forget to add "newsletter@virtualassistantnetworking.com"
to your email friends list so you won't miss future issues!
STRESS BUSTERS ISSUE
In This Issue:
A Note from Danielle...
There's a fabulous saying out in Internet-land that you may have heard
some version of: "Givers get." It means that those who give,
get back, usually way more than they gave. Giving can be a stress-buster,
too. It's a feel-good, endorphin-making mo-chine. This week's article
focuses on how you can be a giver without harming your business in the
process.
Yours in goodness and success!
 Danielle
Keister
Founder & Virtual Assistant Expert
Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce
This
week I'm grateful for...
 Denise
Shears of Shears Virtual Advantage for putting herself
out there and always helping and encouraging others to grow as well. You're
the best, sweetie!
We Love Hearing From You!
 "This
was another excellent teleseminar. Thank you both!"
— Gerry Fifer
on the VACOC
Guest Expert Teleseminar with Jan King on 7/16/09.
How did YOU like this issue or a past teleseminar?
Was it insightful, helpful or informative? Have topic ideas you'd like
to see covered in the future? Let us know!
-
FEATURE ARTICLE -
Giving Is Good Therapy
 Being
in business is one of the most thrilling, self-actualizing, independence-building
rides we can be on. Being a business owner can also be one of the most
stressful "jobs" to have when success or failure is completely
on your own shoulders.
Women, I think, have it especially tough. Being the natural-born
givers and nurturers they are, they will often bargain with their value
in business—giving freebies, giving discounts... giving, giving,
and doing for everyone else until they have nothing left for themselves.
I think giving starts with taking care of ourselves first
in business. It's especially smart to NEVER bargain with our value, nor
give away the products and services that are the very lifeblood of our
business existence. So what can those who have the giving gene do that
won't be detrimental to their business health? Lots!
- Keep your business out of it. Let's
face it, giving and doing for others just feels great, doggone it! But
that doesn't mean your giving needs to be in the context of business.
Respect the value of your products and services. Save your giving for
non-business activities and ways that don't have you bargaining away
the value of your products and services.
- Success affords you more to give. Remember, the
more successful your business, the more you will be able to give via
those other avenues without devaluing or sacrificing the things that
earn your living.
- Give a gift. Send someone an online gift certificate.
Have a coffee or flowers delivered. For no special reason other than
to make someone's day and let them know that someone (you!) is thinking
of them and appreciates them.
- Do a favor. Know someone who is more harried than
usual? If time is something you have to give, offer to run some errands
for them. Or maybe you're a closet chef? Why not send over a home-cooked
meal for their family one night.
- Say something nice to someone. Acknowledge a trait,
talent or effort you appreciate about someone. Who knows, they might
just really need to hear it that day. Better yet, say it publicly if
at all possible so more people can chime in. We can all use those atta-boys
and atta-girls whenever and wherever we can get them!
- Volunteer at a charitable organization or community service
agency. Many run on a shoestring and will appreciate any effort
you can give.
- Give year-round. Don't wait until the holidays to
help those less fortunate. Your local agencies and churches will be
full of good ideas for ways you can give or be involved in making a
real, meaningful difference in someone's life.
- Give the Gift of YOU! Give back to the listservs
and forums you belong to by participating in conversations. If you don't,
you are depriving people (and potential clients) of the chance to get
to know you. They WANT to get to know you. They want to hear your thoughts,
opinions and input. And don't forget that asking questions is probably
THE best way to contribute to a forum or listserv--and you'll be helping
out the next person who had the same question but was too afraid to
speak up.
RESOURCE: Perhaps you know someone going
through a really, REALLY tough time right now who could use some specific,
short-term financial help? ChipIn.com
is a no-cost service that let's you create a custom online widget that
shows the financial goal, amount raised so far, and more information about
the cause. Donations are handled automatically via PayPal so it couldn't
be simpler!
 About
the Author: Danielle Keister is an author, business advisor and
innovator in the Virtual Assistant profession. Through her organization,
the Virtual
Assistance Chamber of Commerce, she is passionate about helping
Virtual Assistants grow stronger, more financially successful practices
that lead them to greater personal happiness, freedom and client satisfaction.
An administrative professional of 20+ years and veteran Virtual Assistant
of 12+ years, her no-nonsense approach to business development has gained
her recognition as one of the leaders in the field.
© Copyright 2009, The
Portable Business™. All U.S. and International rights
reserved. You may print this article for personal use or republish it
online only if it is left unaltered and used in its entirety, including
bylines, links, copyright notice, resource and author information. Contact
the author for any other permission.
-
NO-COST TELESEMINAR -
Is Your Consultation Converting Prospects Into Clients?
 Do
you wish you made more money in your Virtual Assistant practice? Are you
having trouble getting the kind of clients you'd prefer to work with?
Is your current process failing to convert prospects into clients? These
are just a few of the issues we'll explore at the next VACOC Guest
Expert Teleseminar on Thursday, September 17. Bring your questions
and your curiosity. I'll share with you some of the reasons you want to
have a consultation process in your practice, how long a consultation
should be and the three primary goals for your consultation to achieve.
If you want to increase your success in converting prospects into clients,
you won't want to miss this teleseminar!
RESERVE
YOUR SPOT >>
-
VACOC NEWS -
Take the 2009 Annual Virtual Assistant Industry Survey
Hey, VAs! It's that time of year again!
Each year, the VACOC conducts an industry-wide survey with the purpose
of taking a representative, group snap-shot of those who are in the business
of providing ongoing administrative support. Virtual Assistants
who participate get the survey results report absolutely free!
Our goal this year is 1,000 participants. Judging from past years' surveys,
the report will be about 75-100 pages chockful of useful, fascinating,
eye-opening data. So don't delay!
Take
the survey >>
- VACOC NEWS -
Join the VACOC Virtual Assistant Ethics Pledge
 Did
you know the VACOC offers Virtual Assistants the most highly used and
respected ethics pledge in the industry? Lots of VAs use our Virtual Assistant
Ethics Pledge on their websites to demonstrate to clients their commitment
to integrity and excellence in business. If you are a Virtual Assistant
reading this ezine, you can, too!
It doesn't cost a dime--just your promise to honor and abide by these
ideals. Simply place the badge on your website and you're good to go!
The coding includes a link that opens the full Ethics Pledge in a new
window so you don't have to type everything out yourself. How convenient
is that?
Click
here to get your badge today!
- VACOC NEWS -
New Service for Clients: Quickie Gigs™
 The
VACOC has a new service for clients we call Quickie Gigs™.
Here's the idea:
The core business of a Virtual Assistant is providing one-on-one, ongoing
administrative support to clients they work with in long-term, continuous
relationship. We always encourage clients to go that route because it's
where you are going to reap the most rewards in terms of value, continuity
and cost-effectiveness. However, if you have not yet found your right
Virtual Assistant or you are between Virtual Assistants, but still have
occasional tasks and projects you'd like completed, we can help you out!
Quickie Gigs™ is for simple, straightforward administrative
tasks and projects that can be completed and turned-around in a day or
so (24 to 48 hours) with no fuss, no muss. All you do is fill out our
online form with the project specs and once the preliminary account set-up
is completed, we'll get to work right away. Simple as that! For
more information, be sure and check
out our Quickie Gigs™ page.
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really believe so you can earn more with ease! Do you like journaling
and are ready to name core beliefs and do some shifting? September 10
- October 1, 1-2:30 PT, $149 before September 1. Taught by Mikelann Valterra,
Director, Women's Earning Institute.
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.
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