Virtual Assistant Moms - Tips for being a VA and a Mom

You can enjoy a vacation too

June 21, 2011

One of the things I enjoy most about having my own business and working for myself is the ability to take vacations, long or short, on my schedule, not someone else’s. The great thing is, if my business is set up properly I can still do some work while I’m gone. Of course, I make sure I have a VERY light schedule during my vacations but I can still answer a client question or even put in a full day’s work if I want to. Being a Virtual Assistant is something that can be done from any location as long as you have a strong Internet connection! Right now, my husband and I are at Daytona Beach Florida enjoying a few days in the sun, and then we’re going to Atlanta for some business / fun. If my business was not so easily taken with me I would not be able to go to Atlanta or the beach. I’m very thankful for the flexibility working “from home” affords me because “from home” can be the balcony of a beautiful hotel with an awesome view! Truly, being a Virtual Assistant is the perfect work from home position for a mom. It

The Dreaded Author Bio

June 15, 2011

By LisaNMA

As virtual assistants, we are quite used to marketing our clients. We write them up in a fabulous press release, chat to potential customers on the phone about their stellar sales record and even create a killer Facebook profile. We are trained to “sell” their good points without the least bit of self-consciousness, awkwardness or embarrassment. Even if it is a blatant exaggeration, we have no qualms sticking to the overly complimentary script. So, why can’t we do the same for ourselves? Why is it so unbelievably hard to write an author bio or an About Us page for ourselves? I’ve met very few mom VA’s (ok – none) that feel comfortable taking on this project for themselves. In fact, it is downright impossible for many of us to toot our own horns. It’s like we somehow think that because we work from our own homes (while also taking on the responsibilities of raising future citizens of this world, I might add)that we are no longer as important as someone on the fast track to the corner office. Well, I’ve got news for you, ladies; I have a corner office. Ok, it’s a desk, in the corner behind the sofa,

Do you really want to be a Virtual Assistant?

June 7, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

Do you really want to be a Virtual Assistant?

This is a real business, with a real opportunity to support yourself and your entire family but it is a job. It is WORK.

Coming soon — VA Mom Coaching Course

May 18, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

Just giving you a sneak preview of the new VA Mom Coaching program coming soon. Launch is July 4th, 2011. It should be obvious about why that is the launch date, but for now I’ll let your imaginations peculate. If you’ve always wanted individualized help launching your VA business this will be for you. If you’re not making enough money in your VA business, then this is going to be for you. Keep watching for hints, sign up for the newsletter for more hints, prizes, and information! This program is going to blow your mind! Starting and running your Virtual Assistant Business is one of the best ways to earn money from home today. I’ve never seen any serious person start a VA business and not get clients. Check back!

Lots of great deals only 5 bucks!

May 8, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

http://10daymaymadness.com/ < CLICK HERE!!!!!!! There are some awesome deals at the link above, these are for a very limited time! No need to say more so HURRY and place your order! You don’t want to miss out on these sales. There are memberships, items for virtual assistants, content galore, and more! photo credit: veronicaj3

Working from home during crises

April 30, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

If you work from home you’ve learned that you must work or you don’t get paid. Sometimes, things happen. Kids get sick, you get sick, time runs away from us and we don’t work as many billable hours that we thought we would but it’s still doable because these are probably the reason we work from home to start with. We work from home we want the flexibility to be able to take care of our family. We work from home so that we can earn money and balance motherhood. Sometimes it works, sometimes not so much. Working from home during a crises can be either impossible or doable depending on if you’re prepared or not. Here is what I have learned the last few days since the horrible and tragic weather we experienced in North Alabama. Now let’s be clear, my family and I are safe, and fine — yes, we had a close call, but all we have lost is a little food, a little money we didn’t plan on spending so that we could leave town and go stay someplace with electricity, hot water, hot food. I really wanted to take our daughter away from the devastation

Virtual Assistant Business: Is it right for me?

March 23, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

If you’ve been looking around for any length of time for a business that you can do from home, you’ve likely seen many of them and Virtual Assistance is just one of them. So, how do you know that being a virtual assistant is right for you? Do you have the right skills? Be honest with yourself, do you have the skills that a virtual assistant should have. You must be: Internet savvy Great with computers Proficient with Microsoft Office Have experience as an Administrative Assistant or Secretary An expert in the niche you choose If you’re not these things yet, that is perfectly fine, but you must be willing to learn whatever you need to learn, in order to be what you say you are a Virtual Assistant in whatever niche you choose. There are a lot of ways to learn. You can: Take a class Find an internship Find a mentor One thing I always tell new Virtual Assistants starting out is to be your own best client. By that I mean, do for yourself, expertly, the things that you claim that you want to do for others. Then, if you don’t have a lot of work history,

Blogs: Is your’s safe?

March 18, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

I want to share with you a post I wrote for my local business blogging website because I feel that it is very important, so if you have a WordPress blog or website please read it by clicking below: Along with blogging and having your own self hosted WordPress website (or any website) you have many choices to make that will make a difference in the health of your website or blog. In addition to choosing content, graphics and design, you have to choose a host, security, plugins and more. Well I am going to recommend some to you right now so you don’t have to.

Create your own WordPress website for your VA business

March 13, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

A really great website does not have to be expensive. Using self-hosted WordPress to create your Virtual Assistant website is an excellent way to get started fast. I am not talking about the free blogging platform at WordPress.com but rather I am talking about purchasing your own hosting and installing WordPress from WordPress.org into the hosting and creating a dynamic, beautiful and useful website for your business. If you’re new at this stuff trust me it is not hard. I see people learn it all the time, and fast. In fact I’m positive that anyone who wants to be a Virtual Assistant should learn WordPress and CAN learn WordPress. Many of the people you work with are going to want you to know how to do simple blog installs on their hosting account and this is not hard to learn. I’m teaching a class toward the end of this month and I want you to sign up for it. Anyone who signs up for it that reads this and follows the instructions will get 30 minutes of free, one on one coaching with me to discuss their Virtual Assistant business. So, here is what you do: Sign up for the

Business Cards — One of your best marketing materials

March 11, 2011

By Stephanie Watson

Business Cards — One of your best marketing materials

If you do not have a business card yet, then you need to get one. You can make them yourself or you can buy them online from many different sources. Use the front and the back. Consider having cards made that are unusual. When someone asks for your card give them two. Be creative with your business cards and people will be less likely to throw them out.If you’re a Virtual Assistant whose niche group is writers or authors you could get book marks made with your information on them. If you’re not sure how to go about giving someone your card ask for theirs! When you ask for theirs even if they do not have one, give them yours. A nice thing to do is have blank cards that you can easily write their information on it if they do not have cards. Use your business cards as a way to get referrals. Giving out two cards to each person instead of one will enable them to give your card away. Ask them to write their information on the back of the 2nd card so you can reward them for sending you clients. You can reward with either free