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NOVEMBER 30, 2009
ISSN 1947-105X | Vol. 3, No. 48
Don't forget to add "newsletter@virtualassistantnetworking.com"
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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT ISSUE
In This Issue:
A Note from Danielle...
Ah, the telephone. It's an incredibly important communication tool. We
can't do without it in business. Trouble is, it can also be the bane of
our existence and keep us from getting things done. And if you're a small
business, you like to stay light and flexible on your feet and may not
have anywhere to put a receptionist even if you had one. Keep reading
if you want to find out what smart business owners do to solve this dilemma.
;)
Yours in goodness and success :)
 Danielle
Keister
Founder & Virtual Assistant Expert
Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce
This
week I'm grateful for...
People who follow directions. You are such
a blessing and inspire my confidence in you!
We Love Hearing From You!
 “Thanks
for the reference to SeeJaneWork.com. I've never heard of it until your
newsletter and I LOVE IT!!! I will definitely be ordering some fantastic
things from there. I can't believe the awesome stuff they have, and the
fact that it's all geared towards the working, yet trendy, woman."
— Marisa
Moleiro, VIP Assisting.
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!
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FEATURE ARTICLE -
How You Can Get a Personal Receptionist
without Hiring an Employee
 Technology
can be a great thing. At the same time, it can also be a double-edged
sword. Take the telephone for example. You want to give personal service
and make it easy for customers and clients to reach you. But it can also
be a huge interruption and prevent you from transitioning into the critical
thought and concentration needed to perform the work you've been hired
to do, particularly if you are a solo professional. Since Virtual Assistants
aren't receptionists, answering phones isn't support they typically provide.
So what is a business owner to do? Why, call Ruby, of course!
Ruby Receptionists is a service that is dedicated to providing live virtual
receptionists to business owners who want a more personable alternative
to canned answering services. There's nobody quite like them—they
are a team of smart, personable off-site receptionists (only the best
and brightest are hired) who provide companies of all types and sizes
throughout the U.S. a richer, more customized experience.
For a small monthly fee, they'll provide your clients and callers with
helpful information when you can't or don't want to be reached. They do
everything a great receptionist does, just not in your office. That's
perfect for the solo or small practice professional, and your callers
can't tell the difference!
How it Works Ruby Receptionists offers an array of
monthly service plans carefully designed to meet the needs of most businesses.
For those with unique needs, they are also happy to create a custom plan.
Upon signing up, you are given your own unique 800 number. To use the
service, you simply forward the phone number you would like answered to
the 800 number. If your business line is also a personal line, you might
want to publish the 800 number on your website and give it to clients
so that you don't waste receptionist minutes on calls that aren't business.
When calls come in, Ruby Receptionists promptly answers with a greeting
of your choice (scripts can be customized) and seamlessly connects callers
to any phone number you’d like. Receptionist minutes are only expended
during the time that the receptionist is handling the call. Once a call
is transferred to you, you may talk with your caller as long as you’d
like at no cost.
For those times when you are unavailable to take calls, you may choose
to use one of the complimentary Voicemail boxes or receive your messages
via email or text messaging.
Problem solved! Your calls are answered by live, cheerful, professionally-trained
human beings and your business image comes across as more polished and
successful. You can take calls when and where you like and you're callers
will think your receptionists work right there in the office. So what
are you waiting for?
RESOURCE: Be sure and visit the Ruby
Receptionists website for more information and pricing. Oh,
and they even offer a 30 day complimentary month to try it out.
 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.
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VACOC NEWS -
Take the 2009 Annual Virtual Assistant Industry Survey
UPDATE 11/30/09: 719 participants
so far—only 281 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—the sooner we hit the mark, the
sooner YOU get your copy!
Take
the survey >>
- 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.
Let's Connect
Marketplace
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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 info to our Virtual
Assistant Partnering Center.
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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!
Find a Virtual Assistant Today
 You
don't have to live in overwhelm! Find
yourself a great Virtual Assistant today, and go from struggling
by yourself to enjoying more time, freedom and success.
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