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SEPTEMBER 28, 2009
ISSN 1947-105X | Vol. 3, No. 39
Don't forget to add "newsletter@virtualassistantnetworking.com"
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MARKETING & NETWORKING ISSUE
In This Issue:
A Note from Danielle...
Hola, Amigos and Amigas!
LOL... just trying out my non-existent Spanish in honor of this week's
contributing author, my pal Victoria Miles from lovely and exotic Argentina.
You know, investing in your business is always smart. Hey, if you don't
invest in yourself and your business, don't expect anyone else to either!
;) But there are goldmines of marketing resources out there that won't
cost you a dime that will get you gobs of useful promotion while saving
your marketing dollars for other things. Vicky's got the low-down for
ya.
Yours in goodness and success!
 Danielle
Keister
Founder & Virtual Assistant Expert
Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce
This
week I'm grateful for...
 Kathy
Watkins of Turnkey Virtual Assistance. Kathy recently
helped me proof and edit my new book. As a writer herself with an exceptional
command of the language, she has an eye for detail like no one else. Thanks
so much, Kathy, for all your great help!
We Love Hearing From You!
 "The
Portable Business™ is of high calibre and so helpful to me."
— Karen Pivnick
of Topkat VA.
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 -
Top 5 No-Cost Marketing Avenues
 Small
business owners are always looking for ways to market their business.
However, many struggle with the issue of being on a tight budget without
realizing that there are several no-cost marketing avenues available.
Identifying those resources will help you focus and develop an action
plan to make the most out of your marketing efforts.
- Referrals: Just ask! Even though this source is often
neglected, word-of-mouth is probably one of the most productive ways
to get new clients. A satisfied client will be happy to recommend you...
if you just ask them to do so. (Be sure and let them know who makes
a great referral for you--they'll be more likely to send referrals your
way, more often, when they have a specific idea of who you're looking
for.)
- Articles: Just write! Never before has article marketing
been an easier way to promote your business. There are tons of article
directories in which you can publish your articles. Writing articles
will not only increase your exposure, but also present you as an expert
in your field.
- Press Releases: Just submit! Gaining brand recognition
and communicating your products and services through press releases
isn't just for Fortune 500 companies. There are many websites willing
to convey your company's message... if you just send it to them.
- Directory Listings: Just add! When searching for
services, products or information, everybody Googles. There are thousands
of general and specialized directories across the Web willing to list
your company. Utilize them!
- Teleseminars: Just speak up! There is a huge number
of people willing to learn online. Many more are interested in complimentary
teleseminars and are willing to dedicate their time to learn from you.
Offering teleseminars helps you build your list, grow your audience
and establish your voice as an authority in your field. Likewise, if
you are an attendee, be sure and speak up! Ask questions and announce
your name and company and where you are from.
RESOURCE: Article marketing and press
releases are both very effective means for getting the word out about
your business, establishing yourself as an expert in your field, and increasing
SEO for your website. Use the VACOC's Excel worksheet of over 150
free submission sites to get started on your publicity campaign!
 About
the Author: As owner of The
Bilingual VA, Victoria Miles is a Virtual Assistant providing
administrative and marketing support services to Hispanic small business
owners that benefit from bilingual assistance. Her background includes
extensive experience as a bilingual executive assistant in several multinational
companies. Not only has she assisted high level executives for 15 years,
but also was responsible for Corporate Communications and Marketing support
areas. Visit Vicky at her websites: The
Bilingual VA and Virtual
Assistance Argentina.
© 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.
-
VACOC NEWS -
Take the 2009 Annual Virtual Assistant Industry Survey
Hey, VAs! It's that time of year again!
UPDATE 9/28/09: 367 participants
so far—only 633 more to go! We're shooting for 1,000 so if you are
a VA, be sure and take the survey and keep those promotions going. They
really, really help. And if you are a client, please forward this email
to your Virtual Assistant. :)
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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