When Joel and I first met Paula online we knew she was our kind of people. She's smart, fun and easy to talk to. I hope you enjoy her interview.

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

Using Facebook to promote your business is great - when done appropriately. Many of us have gotten so eager to share with others what we do or so desperate for work, that we post on our friend's wall about our business hoping to get their friend's business. This recently happened to me. I know this person wasn't trying to offend me and even when to the extent of praising me as a leader in my field. I believe they thought that would make it okay to then post and solicit business for themselves.

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!

Neilia and I met at a local meetup for virtual assistants. She is enrolled in Sierra College's VOP (Virtual Office Professional) Program. Her specialty is in Genealogy. Let's learn some more about Neilia.

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