Are you writing at your blog regularly?

It may be time to hire a Blog Content Manager and Promoter.  Whether your goal is to attract new clients or increase traffic to your blog, a Blog Content Manager can assist. Maybe you’re an author and want to build an audience for book sales; perhaps you want to generate more traffic and increase ad sales. Whatever your goal is, a Blog Content Manager can help make sure your blog is regularly updated and promoted on social media networks.

Here’s what one client has to say:

Sue has been managing my blog content for over a year and her services have added tremendous value to my business. I’ve worked with a lot of contractors over the years, and Sue is one of the best. I greatly appreciate that I can count on her to deliver on her promises, and she always meets deadlines. Sue’s efforts have also given me more time to focus on growing my business, and the consistent addition of content has helped drive a tremendous amount of traffic to my site (http://BusinessInfoGuide.com). I would not hesitate to recommend Sue for blog content management and promotion. She is a true professional who will make your life a lot easier and help bring traffic to your website. – Stephanie Chandler, Business Info Guide

If you answered ‘yes’, it’s time to unplug and recharge your batteries. Take a weekend off, ignore your email, don’t Tweet and only use Facebook to stay in touch with friends and family.

This past weekend for the first time in many months I took time to read a novel. It was so relaxing to be unplugged and not concern myself with reaching out to my peers and prospects. I feel relaxed, recharged and better equipped to start the new week.

Take time this weekend to unplug and recharge your batteries. You may just find creative ideas come to you as you relax. Jot them down and take another day to explore how you can implement them in your business.

When did you start your business?
I have been working freelance on various projects since 2000, on a part-time basis.  I officially registered my business and began seriously providing Virtual Assistant services in 2006.

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
I have over 20 years of corporate experience in positions such as Executive Assistant, Administrative Assistant, Purchasing (Junior Buyer), Accounting, and Customer Service. Tired of the ‘rat race’, working long hours and nothing to show for it, I decided to use my existing skills to ‘work for myself’, and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience! It is SO gratifying.

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
I believe researching the industry and planning are key elements for new and aspiring VAs to consider. I found a business plan extremely helpful in giving my new business direction, as well as knowing where my business would fit in in the current and future markets. I always recommend a book to new and aspiring VAs that was extremely useful to me in starting my own business, ‘The 2-Second Commute’. As well, knowing one’s personality traits is important – I consider dedication, commitment and self-discipline to be valuable qualities to portray.

What resources have helped you in your business?
Numerous resources have helped me in starting, maintaining and growing my business. Firstly, VA associations and networking forums have been extremely supportive. Many forums (like CVAN) offer teleseminars and webinars of varying topics associated with running a VA business, as well as knowledge databases. Secondly, through these forums and my own research, I have come across many free and lower cost business applications that I use in my work. This may be very cost effective for someone who is just starting out and has a limited budget and working capital.

Share something about yourself.
I live in one of the most beautiful parts of the world, Vancouver Island. Connecting with nature is relaxing and inspiring. So, I love walking/hiking trails, swimming and biking. On the intellectual front, I enjoy reading, both fiction and non-fiction. I also thrive on constant learning and education, so I upgrade my skills with information from both books and the internet.

Leslie’s Contact Information:
Leslie Adams, Adams Virtual Assistance
Website: www.adamsvirtualassistance.com
Blog: www.adamsvirtualassistance.blogspot.com (as of Sept.1, 2010)
Facebook: Facebook profile page
LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile Page

When did you start your business?
March 2007 while working fulltime and raising my two children.

Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
This has been a dream.  I wanted to stay home with my children yet continue with a career that I would expand my knowledge and skills.  It also is an achievement of learning something different or outside my regular experience.

What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
Had I known I could have subcontracted for other VAs and learn as much as I have I wouldn’t have purchased so many unnessary learning tools. Learn from others.  Read VAs’ success stories.   Don’t get over booked when it comes to social networks.  Just a few and be an active member in the group by adding value.

What resources have helped you in your business?
eading success stories of others.  Corporate Mom Drop Outs is a book I can’t put down.  I also thrive on assisting other VAs by subcontracting.  They teach their knowledge by physically doing their tasks.  http://findvirtual.com has been one of my main resources along with Mom Masterminds. I’m also an audio learner there are a huge amount of podcasts that have taught me so much.  http://wahmtalkradio.com http://nicoleonthenet.com and Denise Griffitts series.

Share a success story or something about yourself.
No matter what type of goal I set I seem to accomplish it sooner or later.  The thing I want people to realize is how appreciative I am that I’m able to do so.  There are a lot of people who drop the ball if they’re not getting to the goal as quickly as they thought.  The key is to stick with it.  Maybe I’m not working from home full-time yet but I am learning more than I ever imagined and from the right people.  I’m from the midwest and technology isn’t many people’s forteit, however that’s what keeps me going.  So I chose to use it to my advantage and become a virtual assistant.

Additional comments you’d like to share.
If you’re a little nervous about getting started start slow.  Do it part-time for awhile.  Most of all I suggest working for someone else so they can somewhat take you under their wing.  It’s ok to ask for help.

Collette’s Contact Information:
Collette Schultz, Software Savvy Sub
Virtual Dream Office Services
Website:  http://softwaresavvysub.info
Blog: http://virtualdreamofficeservices.blogspot.com/
Twitter: virtualdream
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/virtualdream

2. Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
I selected a virtual assistance business because I am super at what I do, and this is a way to focus on my strengths and the industry I choose to work with.

3. What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
Two suggestions.  First, do not go it alone.  Chief Virtual Officer has been instrumental in my business development and guidance.  Second, be a consummate professional, remember that just because you are virtual and using electronic communication does not change the way you should represent yourself.

4. What resources have helped you in your business?
Resources that I have used to guide me as a business owner: Chief Virtual Officer business coaching calls, books such as Duct Tape Marketing – John Jantsch, Power of Intention, Wayne Dyer, and a membership of International Association of Administrative Professionals.

5. Share a success story or something about yourself.
My success story: I am a very successful volunteer Project Leader for the Hands On, United Way volunteer group.  I have been involved for over three years.  This has been a pivotal force in my life.  First, because I meet a lot of great people.  Second, because I’ve grown as a person from being involved in projects where I am helping someone who needs it.  I feel as though volunteerism is character building, gives you internal strength and takes you outside of yourself.  I would strongly suggest that everyone give of themselves, it changes your life.

6. Additional comments you’d like to share.
Going from being an employee to a business owner takes strength, fortitude, support and encouragement.  Be strong, open, flexible and eager to learn, your motivation and willingness will make the difference between being a successful business owner and or having a business that may not make it.

1. When did you start your business?
January 2008

2. Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
In 2007 I realized I had hit a “brick wall” in my corporate career. I began looking for a new job but wasn’t excited about getting another j-o-b. Then one day I watched a TV news interview of a successful VA out in Montana and realized I could do that! I purchased a couple of books on how to be a VA and with a little prior planning I quit my corporate job and established my new business.

3. What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
I have two:
Polish your networking skills and force yourself to get out of the house and meet people.
Do not buy anything at the office supply store until you absolutely have to!

4. What resources have helped you in your business?
I recently read The Commonsense Virtual Assistant and recommend it to new VAs. My local business assistance center and my local chamber of commerce have been a huge help in getting me clients.

5. Share something about yourself.
Being self-employed I tend to work too much. I am not comfortable “just sitting around”. Realizing I need to relax more I recently took a knitting class. It’s the perfect hobby for fidgety people and it gives me the mental break I need.

6. Additional comments you’d like to share.
If you are considering a career change I highly recommend becoming a Virtual Assistant. There is plenty of work for all of us!

Paula’s Contact Information:
Paula Hill – Virtual Assistant
Website: http://paulahill.com
Blog: http://paulahill.com/paulas-blog/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/paula_hill
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/panther.city.paula
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/paulahill

However, I really don’t know this person that well yet for one thing. I do appreciate that times are tough and we’re all looking for ways to get more business. However, proper social media etiquette means we don’t just post on other people’s wall’s for business. I’ll admit I’ve inadvertently posted something on a friend’s wall promoting my business. When it was brought to my attention, I immediately apologized and removed the post.

Here’s what I suggest. Send this type of message directly to your contacts and ask them if they’d mind sharing it with their friends. Then allow your contact to decide if it’s something they feel comfortable promoting on your behalf or not.

I’d love to hear your comments!

1. When did you start your business? 2008

2. Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant? To be able to stay at home with my children, continue my education online and supplement my husband’s income.

3. What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs? I would advise taking a class in marketing so you can tell people about your business.

4. What resources have helped you in your business? I have used Virtual Assistant, FindVirtual.com, and IVAA Forums, and attended class at Sierra College in their VOP program.  I also blog on my website and use Hootsuite to blog on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn.

I have been personally coached by Sue and Joel Canfield at Chief Virtual Officer.com.  They help me to set and achieve goals, work with my first client, and help me to start marketing myself successfully.  I have also attended the bi-weekly teleseminars which are reasonably priced at $20.00 each.  Additionally, I have purchased two of their books, “The Commonsense Virtual Assistant” and a workbook called, “Building Blocks, Succeed as a Chief Virtual Officer”. I have found these books to be well written, informative, and very useful in getting my business started.

5. Share a success story or something about yourself – a hobby perhaps. My goal as a Virtual Assistant is to use my 15 plus years of experience to help other people in their business life. I also want to share my hobby as a virtual genealogist to help others find their ancestors and build their family history.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us today Neilia. Learn more about Neilia below.

Neilia Dudley,  Butterfly Blue Virtual Assistant Services
Website:  www.butterflybluevas.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ButterflyBlueVA ]]> http://chiefvirtualofficer.com/blog/2010/07/14/va-interview-neilia-dudley-butterfly-blue-virtual-assistant-services/feed/ 1 http://chiefvirtualofficer.com/blog/2010/07/07/va-interview-joanne-jinks-hrva/ http://chiefvirtualofficer.com/blog/2010/07/07/va-interview-joanne-jinks-hrva/#comments Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:00:06 +0000 Sue L Canfield http://chiefvirtualofficer.com/blog/?p=869 Jo first contacted me after being referred by a fellow member of Find Virtual. Joel and I immediately knew she was the type of person we would enjoy working with. It’s been a pleasure to coach Jo as she’s growing her business in the UK.

1. When did you start your business?
I started the business in October 2008.

2. Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
I have a family and wanted to continue working whilst being there for my children.

3. What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
Have faith that you can do it and have faith in your abilities. Its hard work but the benefits for my family have been immense!

4. What resources have helped you in your business?
I have had experience of all of these but have found a real gem in 2 VA business coaches that helped me focus when I had lost my way and their advice has been invaluable. I didn’t read many books but did subscribe to other VA blogs and forums.

5. Share a success story or something about yourself.
I have changed my focus to being a Virtual HR Officer and am now on the verge of signing a contract with a company for over £10k a year… I still get to work from home and be with my children!

Here’s to your continued success Jo!

Joanne Jinks,  HRVA
Website – hrva.co.uk
Blog - hrva.co.uk
Twitter - Do You Need My Help
Facebook - Joanne Jinks
LinkedIn – http://uk.linkedin.com/in/jojinks

Sue: When did you start your business?
Julie: February 2010

Sue: Why did you choose to become a Virtual Assistant?
Julie: I have wanted to work from home for about three years now, I enjoy doing computer and administrative related work and when I discovered that other people were making a living doing it from home I decided to try it too.

Sue: What advice would you give new and aspiring VAs?
Julie: Get as much information as you can about the business. Read forums and blogs and talk to the people who are already doing it. And most of all network both online and in person.

Sue: What resources have helped you in your business?
Julie: I read a lot online before I started. I spent at least three weeks reading everything I could find about being a VA.  I joined several online communities and met some fantastic people who gave me some great advice.

Sue: Would you mind telling us a little something about yourself?
Julie: I love music, animals and gardening. I also love anything to do with computers. I am very much a homebody and I’m glad to have found a career that will allow me to enjoy all these things.
Thank you Julie for sharing with us today. Julie’s contact information follows:

Julie Dillman, Executive Digital Assistant
http://executivedigitalassistant.com
Twitter @ExecDigAssist
Facebook Executive Digital Assistant
LinkedIn ExecDigAssist