Monthly Archives: January 2011

Advertising Your Virtual Assistant Business – 12 Easy Methods

Posted on January 29, 2011 by admin| Comments Off


How will business owners know you are available as a Virtual Assistant if you don’t tell them? I know it seems to be a matter of common sense but at times we become so focused on setting up our business, organizing our office, determining our prices and what services to offer, and connecting with other VAs we actually neglect the task of advertising. Advertising or marketing our business in every way possible is the best way of ensuring our target market knows who we are and how we can solve their problems or supply a need.

How can we reach potential clients?

Yellow Page Ads – in your local telephone book. It will depend upon what services you offer as to which section will apply to you. If bookkeeping is your focus then it is suggested you list your business under “Bookkeeping Service” or if you mainly provide typing services then “Typing Services” or “Administrative Services” would apply. Not every phone book is set up the same so it will depend upon your local phone company. If you live in a small town it might be a good idea to also list your company in the phone book of the closest large city, giving you even more exposure. Pennysaver or local classified type of paper. Most areas have a classified type of paper listing for sale items, job opportunities, etc. This is another inexpensive method of advertising and may give you a great deal of exposure. Local Newspaper: Advertise using an ad or place your service in the classified section. Forums for targeting your niche clients. What forums do your potential clients belong to? Are you also an interactive member? If not, you should be. Connect and interact with other members sharing ideas, assistance or even asking questions. Become known as a valuable resource in the forum community and someone they will turn to when they need your type of services. Chamber of Commerce. This is a perfect opportunity for a Virtual Assistant to be involved in their community and connect with other business owners. Well worth the yearly fee. Craigslist. Not only should you be posting your business regularly on this free service you should also be watching for others who need your services. Each major city has a designated section – review ads for your city but don’t forget you are “virtual” so look elsewhere. Don’t limit yourself. Forums. Connect with other Virtual Assistants by becoming involved in forums specific to VAs. Not only will you connect with others who are doing the same type of work you are, you may get referrals from other Virtual Assistants who are overloaded or not qualified to do certain type of jobs. Networking through social media. Don’t neglect LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. This is a perfect place to connect with your target client as well as other Virtual Assistants. Post regularly and connect with others. Don’t spam – others don’t like it. Create a Signature. Every piece of correspondence or email that comes from your office should include at the very least your name, name of your business, your website and information as how they can reach you. Flyers and brochures. Post them everywhere! If you are looking for local clients (and you should be) then post your brochures or flyers on every bulletin board you can find. Have your kids deliver them door to door in both the business section of your town but also the residential areas. Don’t forget there are many people working from their homes who could use your services too. Business Cards. Make them stand out – with the information of who you are, how they can reach you and what you can do for them. Give them to everyone you meet! Actually hand out two at a time in case they wish to give one of your cards to a friend or they lose one. Word of mouth or referrals. Probably one of the best ways of advertising your business is through word of mouth or referrals from current clients or family. Talk your business up with everyone! Let your family and friends know what you are doing and ask them for referrals. Don’t be bashful – you are in business and looking for clients.

The above ways of advertising your business are not necessarily going to work for everyone but they should all be tested to see which works best. You may decide to stay with one method or a combination of two or three. Not everything works for everyone.

When someone contacts you, find out where they got your name so you can keep track of what is working or not. Don’t neglect those thank you cards if the contact came from a referral. Everyone likes to be appreciated.

You are in business. Let the world know about it!

By: CarolAnn Quibell

About the Author:
Carol Ann Quibell is the co-owner of Lorac Virtual Solutions which provides businesses with start-up assistance, administrative help, writing services and training material. She loves to share her knowledge and skills with her clients so they will succeed.

Become a Virtual Assistant – Start a Virtual Assistant Business http://loracvs.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-simple-easy-to-follow-guide-can.html

For more information on Virtual Assistants click here: http://avirtualassistantbusiness.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-to-create-virtual-assistant.html



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Virtual Private Network and ISP Connection

Posted on January 29, 2011 by admin| Comments Off


VPN Broadband Access (Cable and DSL)

What Is Broadband?

Broadband technologies provide high-speed access to the Internet. These technologies are an alternative to dial-up methods that use a traditional analog modem.

The major broadband technologies are:
Cable Modem Service
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Service
Cable modem services use the same coaxial cable or fiber optic line that brings cable television into your home. A cable modem connects users to the Internet by means of the cable company’s network. Because of its superior bandwidth capacity, cable modem delivers greatly enhanced speed to users.

DSL services provide a high-bandwidth connection over the same wires that provide your telephone service. Since DSL uses a different frequency than the phone service, you can use the same line to make phone calls while your PC is connected to the Internet.
With both of these broadband technologies, your PC is always connected to the Internet.

Should I Use Broadband?

The high-speed, “always-on” Internet access provided by broadband technologies offers obvious advantages. And broadband might particularly benefit you if:
You need to be connected to the network for many hours a day from a fixed location.
You have large downloads/uploads to process on a regular basis.
You are a virtual worker who cannot get a reliable phone connection with a decent speed.

However, there are number of issues to consider when deciding if broadband is right for you:

Availability Cable modem or DSL services are not available in all locations.

Cost Broadband access is generally more expense than dial-up service. Prices typically range from $40 to $80 monthly depending on your area, your provider, and the specific type of service you need.

Security With a cable modem or DSL line, your PC is always connected to the Internet with a persistent IP address. Since this makes you a potential target for hackers, your PC should be secured by a firewall.

Portability Cable modem and DSL services are not portable. For example, you do not take them with you when you travel. If you need to access your network while traveling, you might need a separate dial-up ISP.

Comparing Cable Modem and DSL

Which is better, Cable modem or DSL? There is no simple answer to this question as each technology has its advantages. Indeed, local availability of these technologies will often determine which service you choose.

The following compares the two technologies on some key characteristics.

Cable Modem

Requires a cable connection.
Generally faster speed than DSL, but throughput can vary.
Cost relative to DSL varies based on location.
DSL

Requires a telephone line connection.
Generally slower speed than cable, but provides a more constant throughput with lower latency.
Cost relative to cable varies based on location.
More About Cable Modem Service

Cable modem service can be a particularly attractive option if you already have cable TV service or if you use only cellular phone service at your home.

Finding Cable Modem Service Providers

To find out if cable modem service is available in your area, start by calling your local cable TV company. Be aware, however, that some areas have more than one cable TV company. One provider might offer cable modem service, while the other does not.

Installation Issues

Typically, you will need to deal with only one vendor (the cable company) when installing cable modem service.

Some providers require that a service technician come to your home to install the service and setup your computer with appropriate software. Other providers give you the option of installing the software and setting up the cable modem yourself.

In either event, you should be aware that:

Not all cable modems work with every service provider. Before you purchase a modem, check with your provider to see which modems they support.
Even if cable TV functions in your home, you might not be eligible for Internet cable access if the line quality of your coaxial cable is too weak.
If you decide to install the cable modem yourself, be sure to:

Ask your cable company what kind of splitter to use. (In many cases, the cable company will provide you with a splitter.) When purchasing a splitter, ensure that it provides EMI isolation, and that it has sufficient frequency range (approximately 5-1000 MHz). The range should be printed on the splitter.

Place only one splitter between the point where the cable TV line enters the house and the cable modem/PC. If you have multiple TVs, split the line between the first splitter and the TV–not the line between the splitter and the modem.

Do not use amplifiers in the line leading to your cable modem as they are likely to distort the cable modem signals.

More About DSL Service

DSL is provided in a variety of specific service types. Some examples include ADSL, IDSL and HDSL. Sometimes the generic abbreviation DSL is used to collectively represent the various types.
DSL is an “always on” direct connection to the Internet usually made through a router, bridge, or DSL modem.

Finding DSL Service Providers

A good place to check for DSL availability in your location is the broadbandreports.com web site. Go to the Find Service function and be sure to pre-qualify the area in which you live. This site can give you an idea of what vendors support your area, how far you are from the provider, what types of DSL and options are available and approximate prices.

You should be aware, however, that a provider might choose not to support an area due to issues other than distance. This can be the case even if you successfully pre-qualify your area for DSL service.
Also, not all providers are listed on this web site. Therefore, you might want to check the other links listed in this topic as well.

Installation Issues

Typically, you will need to deal with three vendors (the phone company, the DSL provider, and the ISP) when installing DSL service. Even if your phone company is serving all three roles, they are usually separate divisions and communications between them can sometimes get confusing. Generally, the ISP is the designated point of contact.

As previously stated, the DSL service typically shares the copper phone line that you already have installed in your home. However with some types of xDSL (such as some IDSL implementations) do not always offer concurrent phone services on the DSL line. You should check with the ISP or phone company providing the service. In any event, DSL service can be configured to run on its own separately installed line.

Your DSL provider will set up a time for the phone company to change or install the line for DSL support. Sometime after the phone company completes this task, the DSL provider will install and test the inside wiring and equipment. Then your ISP should contact you to setup the mail and other special requirements that you may have.

When installing DSL service, you should be aware that:

Your DSL provider might need an IP address supplied by your ISP to properly test the line. Be sure the required IP address is obtained prior to installation time.

DSL installations do not always go smoothly, and delays in installation are not uncommon.

Installation problems can sometimes only be resolved effectively by getting all the parties involved together (such as through a conference call).

By: Aaron Adams

About the Author:
Researcher in Corporate Law for over 20 years. Now, Corp Set is providing the information You can’t do without for Your Own Business needs, at Home or Away.

With Virtual Private Network (VPN), keep Your Business, Your Business and not some one else’s, it’s Private and Secure. VPN is a Secure Band on the Internet that Hackers and other would be Interlopers can’t access.

I have researched VPN and Internet Business needs for Your Internet actvities to be Complete and Private on the Internet.

Whether you use the Internet or not, You use Computer Programs that can cause a world of headache and oodles of Money when things go wrong.

Corp Set and Your VPN Doctor work in sync to make Your Home, Identity and Business needs Safe and Secure.

We offer Good Business Sense in Setting up the best Entity for Your needs, what to watch out for so You don’t get scammed and Articles on “How To” set up Your Entity, PC Help, Troubleshooting Steps with Pictures even, VPN, Software and Hardware issues, Guides and General FYI.



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The Virtual Assistant

Posted on January 29, 2011 by admin| Comments Off


As a small business owner, outsourcing work to Virtual Assistants is fast becoming a popular and intelligent decision. The business owner saves enormous amounts of money by cutting the costs of offices and equipment overhead as well as expensive benefits packages.

The ‘Virtual Office’ creates an enormous amount of personal freedom and independence for both the small business owner and the virtual workers. The dedication and commitment that virtual workers demonstrate testifies to the satisfaction derived from a home office setting.

Being on the cutting edge of this profession offers tremendous opportunity for technical savvy entrepreneurs to secure a viable and stable home business opportunity. A good business plan and well thought out marketing campaigns are crucial to the organized success of a Virtual Assistant in both securing enough clients and/or work to meet their budget goal as well as adequately being able to balance clients and deadlines.

Virtual Assistant’s actually would be well advised to embrace a business partner or utilize a team of trusted colleagues to entrust overflow work to. The standards of a good Virtual Assistant aren’t easily met and establishing a virtual network of quality workers isn’t an easy task. Any overflow work that you outsource must exemplify the same care and quality as your own or you stand the chance of alienating your clients.

As the owner of a home business resource specifically geared toward professional mothers seeking home based work, I am often approached for advice on how to become a Virtual Assistant and also receive many inquiries about what skills are required to be successful in the field.

To gain and retain clients, my main advice is to maintain your professionalism in all of your interactions with your client. As much as it is a leap for you to give up the ‘security’ of working in a corporate office, it is also a very new concept for business owners to outsource their work to a team of ‘Virtual Workers’ who they may likely never even see face-to-face. There is a great level of trust employed in this relationship and your professionalism in correspondence and phone calls will go a long way in securing their trust.

Furthermore, I advise you to pay great attention to your accuracy and final product that you submit to your clients. Meet all of your deadlines, and know at least two days ahead of time if you are not going to be able to meet them. Communicate that to your client before the project is late and keep in communication on a daily basis from the beginning to the end of all projects with brief status reports.

Make yourself easily accessible through email, telephone and instant messenger. You should have access to whatever instant messenger service your client prefers. The most popular are ICQ, MSN, and Yahoo. Be certain to set your instant messengers to save your history so that you can easily refer back to client request or comments without having to solicit the client to repeat what they already have said.

A rule of thumb is to remain in communication with the client, but don’t waste their time. The client should end their work day each day with a sense of real gratitude of the skills, organization and trustworthiness you bring to the table. They should know that you are available to converse with at almost any time but you do not bother them unless it is absolutely necessary.

In the end the presence of a Virtual Assistant should prove to make the company more money because the owner and other business team members can focus on income producing areas of business that they otherwise wouldn’t have as much time to do.

The most common and I would say necessary tools for the job are the most current version of Microsoft Office. You should have and be comfortable using Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Access. You should have either Macromedia Dreamweaver or Microsoft Frontpage and know the basics of HTML and ftp’ing files to and from servers.

So much of a Virtual Assistant’s work is based online that it really is crucial to have DSL or Cable internet access. You also want to have a good computer that you can rely on.

There is so little expense in running a virtual office that I don’t believe it is wise to cut corners with your computer, software and other office equipment. Having the latest technology on hand and continuing to acquire and master new skills will increase your desirability and worth in the eyes of your clients. It will also demonstrate your commitment to your career.

When a client begins to trust you with important responsibilities and invests the time in training and familiarizing you with the procedures of their particular business, they need to be able to depend on you and to know that you are committed to your work.

In short, with administrative skills and above average technical savvy, coupled with an organized and professional approach – a career as a Virtual Assistant is definitely a viable and rewarding option.

By: Lori Redfield

About the Author:
About The Author

Lori Redfield, owner of FreelanceMom.com, http://www.freelancemom.com is a Virtual Assistant, Freelance Designer and Internet entrepreneur. To sign up for her monthly newsletter, visit http://www.freelancemom.com/newsletter.htm

lori@freelancemom.com



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