» Monday MotiVAtor

Monday Motivator – July 26, 2010

yvonne — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:25:50 +0000

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!

In prosperity our friends know us; in adversity we know our friends.
~John Churton Collins 1848-1908~

Did you know that because we are virtual we can be anything we want to be. I could tell you I had a 6 figure VA business and I had 5 people subcontracting for me and how do you know whether I am telling the truth or not? It is quite possible I could be sitting doing nothing hoping for clients just the same as many other VAs. I can tell you one thing, as Virtual Assistants we always share the good, but rarely share the bad; the true struggles. One thing is for sure … the Virtual Assistant industry is a very caring and supportive network. Don’t be afraid to share your struggles because I guarantee someone else has had the same struggle – they just weren’t as brave to admit it.

When you begin to share your struggles and open yourself to the help that others are willing to provide you will also open your business to growth.

VAinsider tips!!

So many of you are not using the tools that are open to you. Very few of you are posting in the forum. Last week I told you that it was a secure site so please don’t be afraid to post anything. We are here to help you and as I said above, someone else is just as likely to be going through (or have gone through) the same situation and appreciate your braveness.

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

Proactive VAs never stop learning.

It should be your goal to learn something new each day. Even if it is something small. A great place to learn these things is on the internet (and in particular on our forum). There is a wealth of information out there for the taking. Make sure to set aside time each day to do a little “browsing”. You may just find a new innovation for a client or you may find an answer to a question you have been afraid to ask. When you begin to make learning a part of each and every day you will open yourself to truly becoming a Proactive VA for both your own business and your clients businesses.

Accountability – Something to do for your VA Business this week

This week in my Proactive VA series we talked about the importance of creating a manual for your business, but more importantly at the minimum having a list of your clients contact information that is available to someone you trust. If something happened to you tomorrow would someone know how to contact your clients and let them know you won’t be available? I urge each of you to create a contact list and post it somewhere in your “office” that someone is able to easily find it … it is that one thing each business owner should do to prepare for an “emergency”. One hopes it is never needed, but you will be glad you did it if it is needed.

Mastermind Discussions – What you Missed at the Forum

In the Face of Adversity – What do you do?

To get in on the conversation

Upcoming Seminars – VAinsiders only

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Internet Marketing
Topic to be determined
with Craig Cannings and Tawnya Sutherland

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 – 2pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Advanced Getting Clients
Newsletters
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Friday, August 13, 2010 – 2pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Thriving Business Accountability
Business Support Systems
with Yvonne Weld

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

For Supercharge members (and Getting Clients for Getting Clients series), please use your full name [first and last name] as username and the password which you can find by clicking on the links on the same page above. 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

RFP – Submitted July 19, 2010 – Various Admin Assistance
RFP – Submitted July 23, 2010 – Info Product Creation and Marketing
RFP – Submitted July 26, 2010 – Various Admin Assistance
RFP – Submitted July 26, 2010 – Call Centre 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

Monday MotiVAtor – July 19, 2010

yvonne — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:34:43 +0000

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!

Decisions are a way of defining ourselves. There comes a time in life when there is nothing else to do but go your own way. Where you are headed there are no trails, no paths, just your own instincts.
~Sergio Bambaren~

So many times as Virtual Assistants we have heard the importance of listening to our gut, yet again and again I hear stories of people that start “I should have listen to that little voice in my head”. Some call it women’s intuition, some call it a gut instinct, but no matter what you call it (and whether you are male or female for that matter) you need to remember that the little voice can never steer you wrong. Trust yourself and even when it is hard listen to yourself – when you do the decision making will become easier.

VAinsider tips!!

Did you know that the VAinsider area of the forum is a secure area. The other forum areas are open for the public to see and we must be careful what we post because it is out there for potential clients to see. If you don’t know what I mean then just simply google your name and you will see some of the posts you have made at different forums. However, the VAinsider area is a place where you can pose those questions without fear. In the alternative if you have a pressing question remember that Tawnya and myself are here for you always as a VAinsider member.

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

Proactive VAs live with awareness.

For every decision there is always at least two choices. How we make those choices can mean the difference between success and failure as a business owner. When you begin to act deliberately and with intention, awareness and personal choice and begin to carefully consider all outcomes before making any decisions it will be then that you can truly find the success you desire. Even more importantly, remember that if you find yourself in a situation where you determine the outcome is not a good one, then don’t act … don’t be afraid to walk away!!

Accountability – Something to do for your VA Business this week

This week I encourage you to take a good hard look at your business. This motiVAtor has been encouraging you to listen to your gut, so I ask yourself this question “Is there any aspect of your business where you wish you had listened to your gut?” Now is the time to take action … it is never too late to reverse a situation.

Mastermind Discussions – What you Missed at the Forum

Maintaining Consistency – Tips and Advice Needed

To get in on the conversation

Upcoming Seminars – VAinsiders only

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 – 2pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Advanced Getting Clients
Article Marketing
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Friday, July 23, 2010 – 2pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Thriving Business Accountability
Describing Your Business
with Yvonne Weld
(Please note that we are starting the series over again from the beginning)

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Internet Marketing
Topic to be determined
with Craig Cannings and Tawnya Sutherland

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

RFPs Submitted this past week

RFP – Submitted June 12, 2010 – Bookkeeping and Various Admin Assistance
RFP – Submitted June 19, 2010 – Various Admin Assistance

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

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

Monday MotiVAtor – July 12, 2010

yvonne — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:47:51 +0000

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!

When someone’s character seems impossible to fathom, observe his friends.
Japanese proverb

A lot can be said about a person just by looking at who they associate with. A quick look at the people they surround themselves with is very, very telling. So who are you associating yourself with? What types of clients are you allowing in your business? Are they influential people or the type of people that other’s tend to move away from. As Virtual Assistants a large portion of our business will inevitably come from referrals. Will the people that are referring you give your business creedance or do you think others will walk away because of the type of person that is providing the referral? Before signing the next contract take a good look at that person and determine if they will have a positive impact on your business.

VAinsider tips!!

There have been so many times that I have started to “invent” the wheel so to speak and then remembered all the templates that are available to VAinsiders. I suggest that you take some time to look through the templates that are available and make use of them in promoting and building your VA business.

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

Today I wanted to take a step back and look at exactly what “proactive means”. The “Free Dictionary” states that the word proactive means “tending to initiate change rather than reacting to events”. So many of us wait for things to happen before we do anything. We live in the believe “that will never happen to me”, “my client will never listen to me”, “my client is happy with his business the way it is” …. The only thing this tells me is that you are not proactive, but rather reactive. What sets apart the very successful VAs is that they are never afraid to take a chance, they are never afraid to be proactive, they are constantly looking for ways to improve their business and other’s businesses. Virtual Assistants are helpful in nature, but when you listen to that “little voice” and stop speaking out and move to reactive your business will definitely suffer!!

Accountability – Something to do for your VA Business this week

We are now in the second half of 2010 – definitely hard to believe!! So what can you do in the second half of the year that will make a big difference? Maybe it is something you have been afraid to try in the past? Today I challenge you to try something new. Make plans to make it a part of your business over the next six months. Maybe it is a new skill, a new marketing method or a new venture … start making plans today for a fantastic end to 2010.

Mastermind Discussions – What you Missed at the Forum

A New Marketing Method – Is there something you haven’t tried?

What is your Favourite VAinsider Membershp Perk – Do you feel your membership is missing anything?

To get in on the conversation

Upcoming Seminars – VAinsiders only

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 – 2pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Advanced Getting Clients
Blogging Tips and Tricks
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Internet Marketing
Topic to be determined
with Craig Cannings and 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

RFP – Submitted July 8, 2010 – Lead Generation
RFP – Submitted July 8, 2010 – Social Media and Various Admin Assistance
RFP – Submitted July 9, 2010 – Various Admin Assistance
RFP – Submitted July 12, 2010 – Bookkeeping and Various Admin Assistance

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

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

Monday MotiVAtor – July 5, 2010

yvonne — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:55:45 +0000

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!

Well done is better than well said.
~Benjamin Franklin~

Have you ever met someone that when they say something you think to yourself “yeah right”? They are the people that always seem to have a lot to say, but really don’t do a lot to put those words into action. In order to have a successful business you must be someone that actually stands behind their words. Is there something on your to do list right now or a project you would like to accomplish you can’t seem to get to? Today I challenge you to get up and take action and start moving towards being able to complete one thing that is hanging over your head!!

VAinsider tips!!

Each month we provide you, as a Supercharge member, with 3 Proactive VA seminars (1 for Getting Clients members). Also for all members there is access to the introductory Proactive Va series. For those that can’t attend the monthly proactive seminars did you realize that the previous class is available any time during that month to listen to? For more information visit the site at http://vainsiders.com/proactive-vas/intro-to-proactiveva/

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

Proactive VAs become true partners with their clients.

The number one thing that sets us apart as Proactive Virtual Assistants is that we have a true interest in our client’s business. If our client’s don’t succeed than obviously we won’t succeed either. Most administrative assistants are simply producers; they take the work and produce the results. Proactive VAs are those that move from producers to true partners. Instead of simply producing the work they look for ways to make things better for their client and improve the results for both the project and their business in general. I encourage you to take the steps to move away from just producing results and truly become a partner with your client. Don’t ever be afraid to offer a suggestion of how a project might work better or how a client might make their business even more successful than it already is. Your client will appreciate your efforts and thank you for the results.

Accountability – Something to do for your VA Business this week

Did you know that when you refer business to someone else they are likely to work extra hard to refer business to you. I challenge each of you to make referrals an active part in your business and to seek out referral partners. Find people in businesses you know you can refer to. For example, services you don’t offer, virtual IT support people, website designers, etc.. When you refer to others it is a natural reaction to want to “return the favor” and referrals are a great way to grow your business.

Mastermind Discussions – What you Missed at the Forum

Referral Partners – Qualities of a Good Referral partner

Referral Partners – Who are good referral partners?

To get in on the conversation

Upcoming Seminars – VAinsiders only

PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGES DUE TO HOLIDAYS

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 – 2pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Advanced Getting Clients
Blogging Tips and Tricks
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Internet Marketing
Topic to be determined
with Craig Cannings and Tawnya Sutherland

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

RFPs Submitted this past week

RFP – Submitted June 28, 2010 – Various Admin Assistance
RFP – Submitted June 28, 2010 – 1Shopping Cart Affiliate
RFP – Submitted June 28, 2010 – Seminar Promotion/Management
RFP – Submitted June 28, 2010 – Various Admin Assistance
RFP – Submitted June 29, 2010 – Various Admin Assistance

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

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

Monday MotiVAtor – June 28, 2010

yvonne — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:46:47 +0000

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!

Before success comes in any man’s life, he’s sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That’s exactly what the majority of men do.
~Napoleon Hill~

Napolean Hill was a fantastic writer and had some concrete ideas on how to be successful. I absolutely love his “Success Scrolls” and will often reread them when I am having a “bad day”. Here is a link for you and I hope that you will refer to them as well and be able to get as much out of them as I have. http://www.naphill.org/points/scrolls/

VAinsider tips!!

Our accountability threads are not be using as much as we feel they should be so I would love to figure out how we can make this work. The accountability threads were setup so that you would have a place to track the progress of your business. It was meant to serve as an inspiration when you looked back at your thread in 3 months and saw how far you had come. If you are a Supercharge member, be sure to take advantage of this. Once per week write down your goals or as great things happen in your business write them down. It will be a great tool to use to encourage you to see where you have come and celebrate your successes!! If you are a Supercharge member be sure to start your accountability thread today.

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

Proactive VAs have faith.

I have often lived by the mantra “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right”. Attitude can change a lot of things in your business. Just last week a client asked me to do something I had never done before. I was very clear with my client that this wasn’t something I normally did, but since I had the time and I knew it was something that could help my business if I just took the time to figure it out, I told her I would work on it for her. I held the faith that if other people could do it so could I. I started by reading the forum and lo and behold there it was … tips to help me complete the task. That together with my friend “google search” I was able to figure out how to complete the task and my client was ecstatic. The biggest key was I believed I could … I had faith. You will be amazed at what believing in yourself can do for the growth of your business.

Accountability – Something to do for your VA Business this week

Are you prepared for death? If something happened to you tomorrow (because let’s face it life is too short and unfortunately something could happen at anytime to any of us) would anyone know who your clients are and how to contact them? Would anyone know how to access your work in progress to forward it to someone to finish for you? As a Virtual Assistant and someone that truly cares for their clients, it is a good idea to be prepared. At the very least you should have a client list with contact information somewhere easily found by a loved one. You should also at least have information on how you store files on your computer. These two things will go a long way and be appreciated by your clients. Of course the best thing is to have a manual such as my “Ultimate Guide to Creating a Thriving Business” and we will be restarting our thriving business series in July for Supercharge members. You do not need to have my book to attend these classes as we will simply be giving you the tools on what you should include in a company manual that will allow your business to truly thrive.

Mastermind Discussions – What you Missed at the Forum

Critics – those that don’t see our value … How can we educate them?

Who is your favourite client? (No names please)

To get in on the conversation

Upcoming Seminars – VAinsiders only

Friday, July 9, 2010 – 2pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Thriving Business Accountability
Describing Your Business
with Yvonne Weld
(Please note that we are starting the series over again from the beginning)

Tuesday, July 13, 2010 – 2pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Advanced Getting Clients
Blogging Tips and Tricks
with Tawnya Sutherland and Yvonne Weld

Tuesday, July 27, 2010 – 7pm EDT – ProActive VA Series – Internet Marketing
Topic to be determined
with Craig Cannings and Tawnya Sutherland
http://www.vainsiders.com/proactive-vas/

Thanks to all who provided feedback on our classes. Starting in September I will be holding the Getting Clients series on the third Thursday night of the month at 9pm EST.

RFPs Submitted this past week

RFP – Submitted June 22, 2010 – Product Maintenance and Customer Service
RFP – Submitted June 22, 2010 – Traffic Geyser Expert
RFP – Submitted June 28, 2010 – Various Admin Assistance (Financial Planner)
RFP – Submitted June 28, 2010 – 1Shopping Cart Afilliate Expert – ASAP

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

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