Proactive VAs are VAs that strategically seek ways to help their client’s business grow because of an invested interest in their business.
~ Tawnya Sutherland, VAnetworking.com ~

Monday Morning MotiVAtor – Motivating Proactive VAs to Success!

Why do people accept the opinions of others about themselves as truth? Who is going to live the rest of your life anyway? Now THAT is TRUTH!
~Doug Firebaugh~

So many times we do what others expect us to do rather than what we want to truly do. When you do this you are cheating yourself. We have so many times heard about people that are unhappy because they do what their parents, their spouse or their colleagues expect of them. Don’t let others live your life, don’t let others make decisions for you … follow your passions, follow your dreams and most of all listen to your heart … it will never lead you wrong!!

VAinsider tips!!

We are always listening … we want the VAinsider site and the membership to be advantageous to you. Don’t ever be afraid to send us an email or to post at the forum if there is something you can’t find, a new tool you would like to see, or even something you love about your membership. When we get this feedback, it is only then that we can make the changes necessary to have the best VA membership site for you, our members.

Are you a ProActive VA? Choose to be one starting today!!

Proactive VAs 

accept that they are responsible for their decisions; good or bad.

It can be so easy to blame others when things go wrong, but a proactive VA is someone that takes responsible for whatever happens good or bad. For example, when a task is misunderstood and completed incorrectly it can be easy to say “the client didn’t explain it properly”, but perhaps the better thought is “I didn’t ask the right questions”. Proactive VAs are those that take the time and necessary steps to avoid uneasy situations and when uneasy situations occur they take it as a learning tool and learn from it.

Accountability – Something to do for your VA Business this week

When we learn to drive we are told to look ahead on the road because when you stare at the front of the car you are sure to bump into something. Many times in business we are looking at the “hood” instead of into the distance. We focus on the present and on the near future and forget to focus on the “horizon” and that is why we are constantly bumping into things and feeling we are never getting anywhere in business. This week I encourage each of you to look up … look to the future and figure out what is on the horizon for you, your family and your business.

Mastermind Discussions – What you Missed at the Forum

Frustrations – what frustrates you the most in business?

To get in on the conversation

Upcoming Seminars – VAinsiders only

Tuesday, March 1, 2010 – 7pm EDT – VAinsider Chat/Mastermind night
Bring your questions and problems and we can brainstorm solutions
with Tawnya Sutherland

Tuesday, March 8, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Advanced Getting Clients
31 Inexpensive Marketing Ideas – Kickstart Your Marketing
with Tawnya Sutherland

Tuesday, March 15, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Thriving Business Accountability
Marketing and Production – Protocols and Procedures
with Tawnya Sutherland

Tuesday, March 22, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Internet Marketing
Q&A
with Tawnya Sutherland

http://www.vainsiders.com/proactive-vas/

Be sure to login in to the VAinsider Club Only seminar room. Please use your full name [first and last name] as username and the password that you receive in an email on the day of the seminar. Please note that if you do not use your full name we will have no choice, but to boot you as we need to make sure that only VAinsiders can access these seminars.

RFPs Submitted this past week

Login to Forum to view

RFP – Submitted February 22, 2011 – Internet Marketing
RFP – Submitted February 23, 2011 – Publisher/Editor Assistance
RFP – Submitted February 28, 2011 – WordPress Expert
RFP – Submitted February 28, 2011 – Coach Assistance

Be sure to follow us on Twitter #VAinsider as we tweet these RFPs immediately after they are posted.

Make sure that you are putting your best foot forward when responding to RFPs. A quick email with “I am interested in your RFP” just won’t cut it in today’s competitive market. Make sure your response lets the potential client know exactly what you can do for them and why you are the best person for the contract!!

Here are some great references from our own VAnetworking forum on answering RFPs:

Inspirational

How to get email from RFP

How to respond to RFPs

Also, remember that we have a resource book on responding to RFPs available for free in the NEW VAinsider area.

Finally, for a daily listing, be sure to subscribe to this link.

To your success,

Yvonne Weld
VAinsider President

Proactive VAs are VAs that strategically seek ways to help their client’s business grow because of an invested interest in their business.
~ Tawnya Sutherland, VAnetworking.com ~

Monday Morning MotiVAtor – Motivating Proactive VAs to Success!

You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing that we call “failure” is not the falling down, but the staying down.
~Mary Pickford~

I have said it numerous times … it’s not about the mistakes we make, it’s about what we learn from them, however more importantly I wanted to stress today that you can make a fresh start anytime; even today. I encourage each of you to take a step back and ask yourself these questions “Are you happy?” “Is your business where you want it to be?” “Do you like where you life is headed?” “Do your clients make it seem like work?” Today is the day to start afresh, “reinvent” yourself or your business or celebrate that you are on the road you want to be on.

VAinsider tips!!

One of the most popular things that I hear from Virtual Assistants today when asked about Conference topics and mentoring opportunities is that they want the ability to learn from others, to be a part of a “mastermind” type group. Your membership in the VAinsider club is your mastermind group. You have an opportunity to post your questions at the forum, participate in discussions at the forum and attend the VAinsider chat night on the first Tuesday of the month. Remember you will only get out of your membership what you are willing to put into it … start getting involved!!

Are you a ProActive VA? Choose to be one starting today!!

Proactive VAs 

use their time wisely.

There are only 24 hours in a day and only you can decide how you will use those 24 hours. It is up to you to prioritize each day what is important to you and if you allow “time wasters” to use up your valuable time only you can be accountable to that. So what is most important to you today? When you start each day prioritizing your 24 hours you will find that you are much more productive. If something is important to you, you must make the time and schedule it into your day. Quit living for “someday” (someday I will finish this, someday I will start this, someday I will have a successful business). Remember someday is not a day of the week!!

Accountability – Something to do for your VA Business this week

Take a moment to close your eyes and envision what you dream business looks like … is what your business looks like today getting you closer to that dream business? This week I truly encourage you to take stock and make sure you are on the right roadway to the success you dream about. Remember success is different for everyone and we won’t all be taking the same road. The key is making sure you are on the right road for YOUR journey!!

Mastermind Discussions – What you Missed at the Forum

If Money Was No Object … what would you do for your biz?

To get in on the conversation

Upcoming Seminars – VAinsiders only

Tuesday, February 22, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Internet Marketing
Q&A
with Tawnya Sutherland

Tuesday, March 1, 2010 – 7pm EDT – VAinsider Chat/Mastermind night
Bring your questions and problems and we can brainstorm solutions
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, March 8, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Advanced Getting Clients
31 Inexpensive Marketing Ideas – Kickstart Your Marketing
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, February 15, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Thriving Business Accountability
Production and Marketing – Protocols and Procedures
with Yvonne Weld

http://www.vainsiders.com/proactive-vas/

Be sure to login in to the VAinsider Club Only seminar room. Please use your full name [first and last name] as username and the password that you receive in an email on the day of the seminar. Please note that if you do not use your full name we will have no choice, but to boot you as we need to make sure that only VAinsiders can access these seminars.

RFPs Submitted this past week

Login to Forum to view

RFP – Submitted February 22, 2011 – Internet Marketing Assistance

Be sure to follow us on Twitter #VAinsider as we tweet these RFPs immediately after they are posted.

Make sure that you are putting your best foot forward when responding to RFPs. A quick email with “I am interested in your RFP” just won’t cut it in today’s competitive market. Make sure your response lets the potential client know exactly what you can do for them and why you are the best person for the contract!!

Here are some great references from our own VAnetworking forum on answering RFPs:

Inspirational

How to get email from RFP

How to respond to RFPs

Also, remember that we have a resource book on responding to RFPs available for free in the NEW VAinsider area.

Finally, for a daily listing, be sure to subscribe to this link.

To your success,

Yvonne Weld
VAinsider President

Proactive VAs are VAs that strategically seek ways to help their client’s business grow because of an invested interest in their business.
~ Tawnya Sutherland, VAnetworking.com ~

Monday Morning MotiVAtor – Motivating Proactive VAs to Success!

You have to find something that you love enough to be able to take risks, jump over the hurdles and break through the brick walls that are always going to be placed in front of you. If you don’t have that kind of feeling for what it is you’re doing, you’ll stop at the first giant hurdle.
~George Lucas~

I have already talked about loving what you do and about passion, but the reason I really like this quote is that we need to remember that we may just be doing what we love and know where we are wanting to go, but if we let obstacles get in our way and stop at the hurdles then we are only hurting ourselves. What do you need to get over that hurdle? Do you need some help or someone to help you climb over and lend a hand? That is what being an insider is all about reaching out and helping … don’t be afraid to share your struggles with others as you just may be amazed that someone else has been there before you and has just the answer you need to jump that hurdle!!

VAinsider tips!!

The forum is a great place to learn from others and get involved in conversations. Each week we try to start a new “mastermind” discussion so get involved and learn from others. If you have a situation you are currently in and want some advice this is a great place to post it because it is one of the few secured areas on our forum. Get involved and you will be amazed at how “talking with” and learning from others can improve your business and yourself.

Are you a ProActive VA? Choose to be one starting today!!

Proactive VAs 

know what their core values are and they stick to them

Core values are those things that mean the most to you … honesty, integrity, perseverance, etc.. For each person their core values are different. Recently I was contacted by a potential client and later found out they ran an “adult” website … it was all on the up and up, but I couldn’t bring myself to be associated with that type of client. I was willing to sacrifice a new client and the billable hours for a core value of mine. What sacrifices are you willing to make for your business? Are you willing to sacrifice those core values and if you do what repercussions might it have for your business? In every decision you make I want you to start asking yourself if it fits with your core values.

Accountability – Something to do for your VA Business this week

When was the last time you did a review of your business? Are you on track for reaching your business dreams and visions or have you gotten off track with your goals? Where are you spending your time and is it being spent wisely or do you have time wasters that you could work towards eliminating? Are you happy with the services you are offering? The clients you are attracting? It is a great thing to do an “inventory” of your business on ocassion and make the necessary changes to get your business back on the track towards success!!

Mastermind Discussions – What you Missed at the Forum

Volunteering – How do you decide?

To get in on the conversation

Upcoming Seminars – VAinsiders only

Tuesday, February 15, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Thriving Business Accountability
Office Administration – Protocols and Procedures
with Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, February 22, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Internet Marketing
Q&A
with Tawnya Sutherland

Tuesday, March 1, 2010 – 7pm EDT – VAinsider Chat/Mastermind night
Bring your questions and problems and we can brainstorm solutions
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, March 8, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Advanced Getting Clients
31 Inexpensive Marketing Ideas – Kickstart Your Marketing
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

http://www.vainsiders.com/proactive-vas/

Be sure to login in to the VAinsider Club Only seminar room. Please use your full name [first and last name] as username and the password that you receive in an email on the day of the seminar. Please note that if you do not use your full name we will have no choice, but to boot you as we need to make sure that only VAinsiders can access these seminars.

RFPs Submitted this past week

Login to Forum to view

RFP – Submitted February 8, 2011 – WordPress and Social Media Assistance
RFP – Submitted February 14, 2011 – Subcontractor – Websites/Ezines

Be sure to follow us on Twitter #VAinsider as we tweet these RFPs immediately after they are posted.

Make sure that you are putting your best foot forward when responding to RFPs. A quick email with “I am interested in your RFP” just won’t cut it in today’s competitive market. Make sure your response lets the potential client know exactly what you can do for them and why you are the best person for the contract!!

Here are some great references from our own VAnetworking forum on answering RFPs:

Inspirational

How to get email from RFP

How to respond to RFPs

Also, remember that we have a resource book on responding to RFPs available for free in the NEW VAinsider area.

Finally, for a daily listing, be sure to subscribe to this link.

To your success,

Yvonne Weld
VAinsider President

Proactive VAs are VAs that strategically seek ways to help their client’s business grow because of an invested interest in their business.
~ Tawnya Sutherland, VAnetworking.com ~

Monday Morning MotiVAtor – Motivating Proactive VAs to Success!

Experience is that marvelous thing that enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
~F.P.Jones~

So many times I have talked about the fact that if you don’t learn from a mistake you are inevitably going to make the same mistake again, but still some of us come up upon the same mistake over and over. It becomes easier and easier to recognize the pattern, but we can’t seem to stop ourselves from making that mistake. This is because it takes a conscious effort to decide to stop, to decide that we are not going to keep making the same mistakes over and over. Making a change is one thing, but you have to genuinely want to change or you will fall right back into old habits … open yourself to the possibility of change and make that effort – you will be amazed at what one little change can do for you, your self confidence and ultimately your business.

VAinsider tips!!

Our Getting Clients and Supercharge members have access to our RFPs and we would love to get some feedback from you with respect to the RFPs that we are providing. Have you had success? Where you haven’t had success what has the feedback been? We are continually striving to make your membership better and since this is one of the most important perks for allowing you to grow your business we would love to hear how it is impacting your business. Feel free to email me at president@vainsiders.com to let me know.

Are you a ProActive VA? Choose to be one starting today!!

Proactive VAs 

understand the concept “you have to spend money to make money”.

For those that are constantly saying they can’t afford to invest in their business (coaching, conferences, training, memberships, etc.) they run the risk of their business becoming stagnant. When you take the time to invest in yourself and your business you allow for growth of your company. When I started my business there was no talk of social media, but if I didn’t take the time to learn social media I would definitely stagnant my business. Sure I might still have sales and clients, but I am not allowing for taking my business to another level. When you open yourself to this it is only then that you can create the business of your dreams and “serve” your clients to the fullest potential.

Accountability – Something to do for your VA Business this week

We all tend to thank our clients at special ocassions such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, but why wait? When your client does something great show your appreciation immediately. If they have a success send them a quick note to let them know that you noticed. When you start to “appreciate” your clients and acknowledge them outside of simply completing work and sending invoices I guarantee they will start truly talking about you. Even better consider handwriting a note as the acknowledgement goes a lot further. I challenge each of you to find one little thing you can do for each client each month to acknowledge that you are glad to have them as a client … you will be amazed at how this will enhance your own business.

Mastermind Discussions – What you Missed at the Forum

Social Media Marketing – Do you find it overwhelming?

 To get in on the conversation

Upcoming Seminars – VAinsiders only

Tuesday, February 8, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Advanced Getting Clients
Advertising – Is it worth our time?
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, February 15, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Thriving Business Accountability
Office Administration – Protocols and Procedures
with Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, February 22, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Internet Marketing
Q&A
with Tawnya Sutherland

Tuesday, March 1, 2010 – 7pm EDT – VAinsider Chat/Mastermind night
Bring your questions and problems and we can brainstorm solutions
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

http://www.vainsiders.com/proactive-vas/

Be sure to login in to the VAinsider Club Only seminar room. Please use your full name [first and last name] as username and the password that you receive in an email on the day of the seminar. Please note that if you do not use your full name we will have no choice, but to boot you as we need to make sure that only VAinsiders can access these seminars.

RFPs Submitted this past week

Login to Forum to view

RFP – Submitted February 2, 2011 – Content Manager
RFP – Submitted February 7, 2011 – Research Assistance
RFP – Submitted February 7, 2011 – S2Member Pro Assistance

Be sure to follow us on Twitter #VAinsider as we tweet these RFPs immediately after they are posted.

Make sure that you are putting your best foot forward when responding to RFPs. A quick email with “I am interested in your RFP” just won’t cut it in today’s competitive market. Make sure your response lets the potential client know exactly what you can do for them and why you are the best person for the contract!!

Here are some great references from our own VAnetworking forum on answering RFPs:

Inspirational

How to get email from RFP

How to respond to RFPs

Also, remember that we have a resource book on responding to RFPs available for free in the NEW VAinsider area.

Finally, for a daily listing, be sure to subscribe to this link.

To your success,

Yvonne Weld
VAinsider President

Proactive VAs are VAs that strategically seek ways to help their client’s business grow because of an invested interest in their business.
~ Tawnya Sutherland, VAnetworking.com ~

Monday Morning MotiVAtor – Motivating Proactive VAs to Success!

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
Eleanor Roosevelt

We all have dreams, just some of us are more willing to take a leap towards pursuing our dreams. Many of us never pursue our dreams for fear – fear that once we reach our dream it won’t be what we expected. I urge and challenge each of you to take one step this week towards making your dreams come true. I know you can do it you are all business owners and I am sure that was a dream once upon a time. Don’t let fear hold you back from being all that you can be.

VAinsider tips!!

Successful business owners understand the need for networks and work to cultivate a strong network of peers and mentors that can assist them in obtaining the business of their dreams. The VAinsider club provides you with such an opportunity; remember not all of us can have the skills to provide absolutely every service for our clients. Our VAinsider chat nights are a perfect opportunity to meet and network with your peers to build those relationships that will help you obtain the success you desire. Make sure to attend our monthly chat night on the first Tuesday of every month. It is open to all VAinsider members.

Are you a ProActive VA? Choose to be one starting today!!

Proactive VAs 

have independent will.

Independent will basically means that you do what you want as opposed to what others expect or want you to do. Having idependent will is a great thing that every business owner should have. Independent will allows you to take chances and to do things you never thought possible. Every one of our businesses are different, and so they should be. The wonderful thing about being a Virtual Assistant is that you have the choice to make your business whatever you want it to be and by so doing you will be a better and more proactive business partner for your clients. I urge you to follow your dreams, to follow your heart and not worry about what you “should” do or what you think the expectation is. When you do this you will be much happier and more successful.

Accountability – Something to do for your VA Business this week

What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? This week I encourage each of you to figure out the answer to that statement and then take a step towards making that dream come true – don’t let fear hold you back!!

Mastermind Discussions – What you Missed at the Forum

If you knew you couldn’t fail …

To get in on the conversation

Upcoming Seminars – VAinsiders only

Tuesday, February 1, 2010 – 7pm EDT – VAinsider Chat/Mastermind night
Bring your questions and problems and we can brainstorm solutions
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, February 8, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Advanced Getting Clients
Advertising – Is it worth our time?
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, February 15, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Thriving Business Accountability
Office Administration – Protocols and Procedures
with Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, February 22, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Internet Marketing
Q&A
with Tawnya Sutherland

Be sure to login in to the VAinsider Club Only seminar room. Please use your full name [first and last name] as username and the password that you receive in an email on the day of the seminar. Please note that if you do not use your full name we will have no choice, but to boot you as we need to make sure that only VAinsiders can access these seminars.

RFPs Submitted this past week

Login to Forum to view

RFP – Submitted January 17, 2011 – Various Admin Assistance
RFP – Submitted January 17, 2011 – Event Management
RFP – Submitted January 20, 2011 – Various Tasks – Real Estate
RFP – Submitted January 24, 2011 – Various Subcontract Positions
RFP – Submitted January 24, 2011 – Various Admin Assistance
RFP – Submitted January 27, 2011 – Podcasting
RFP – Submitted January 27, 2011 – Atlanta Georgia (Event Attendance)
RFP – Submitted January 27, 2011 – Lead Generation
RFP – Submitted January 30, 2011 – Concert Promotion – New York
RFP – Submitted January 30, 2011 – Internet and Social Media Marketing

Be sure to follow us on Twitter #VAinsider as we tweet these RFPs immediately after they are posted.

Make sure that you are putting your best foot forward when responding to RFPs. A quick email with “I am interested in your RFP” just won’t cut it in today’s competitive market. Make sure your response lets the potential client know exactly what you can do for them and why you are the best person for the contract!!

Here are some great references from our own VAnetworking forum on answering RFPs:

Inspirational

How to get email from RFP

How to respond to RFPs

Also, remember that we have a resource book on responding to RFPs available for free in the NEW VAinsider area.

Finally, for a daily listing, be sure to subscribe to this link.

To your success,

Yvonne Weld
VAinsider President