Author Interview About My Ebook!

Filed Under Vanessa Andruz, Virtual Assistance

****** Blatant Self-Promotion Alert!!! **********

SellingBooks.com has posted an interview with Melodee about my ebook: The Adventures of Vanessa Andruz, Virtual Assistant!

Personally, I think they should have asked me to do the interview, but I’m just a fictional character…what do I know!

Anyway, if you’re an aspiring author, or just thinking about writing a book or ebook, SellingBooks.com has articles to answer all your questions.

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I’m Taking Over this Blog!

Filed Under Vanessa Andruz, Virtual Assistance

I know Melodee’s been busy lately with the Home Page Construction Company, but that’s no reason to let her Virtual Assistant blog sit idle for months at a time!

Vanessa AndruzSo – I’ve decided to take over this blog. I’ve even changed the name of the blog to Vanessa’s Virtual Assistant Blog. (How long do you think it will take Melodee to notice that?)

I’m Vanessa Andruz. I’m a Baby Boomer, Virtual Assistant, daughter and ex-wife.

My clients tend to be women entrepreneurs who take their business seriously. I love to help them create and maintain their websites, ezines, autoresponders, shopping carts and lots of other “techie” stuff.

I think Virtual Assistance is a calling, as well as a business. Helping a client grow their business is what I love to do!

If you feel the same way, subscribe by RSS feed or email. I’m going to be making some changes to this blog over the next few weeks - do you have questions about Virtual Assistance that you’d like answered? Just leave them as a comment or, heck, just email them to me (I took over Melodee’s “Send me an email” in the sidebar, too!).

It’s time to be bold! It’s time to feel the fear and do it anyway! (Hmmm…that sounds suspiciously like a book title…)
It’s time to grow your business!

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How to Start a Successful VA Business

Filed Under Vanessa Andruz, Virtual Assistance

Hi! Vanessa Andruz here. Melodee’s really busy at the moment, so I’m taking over her blog to announce my new ebook!

I’ve combined my previous ebook series, plus two more info-packed sections, into one comprehensive “How To” ebook for all you aspiring VAs out there.

Vanessa Andruz ebook

Here’s what you’ll read about in The Adventures of Vanessa Andruz, Virtual Assistant:

Want to know more? Check out my website: www.VanessaAndruz.com.

Another way to learn more about starting a VA business, is to sign up for Jessica Maes’ F*R*E*E teleclass being held on Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010.

Jessica MaesJessica  launched Maes Consulting, Inc. as a Virtual Assistance practice in 2005. In addition to working as VA, she also teaches and consults about Virtual Assistance. She’s written a book explaining Virtual Assistance titled: Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant, as well as a home study program titled: Launch Your Virtual Assistant Business In 30 Days (OR LESS!).

She’ll be discussing the ups, downs, ins and outs of starting and running a Virtual Assistance business!

And Melodee will be part of the teleclass, talking about her VA business. She’ll also be telling everyone about my adventures–unfortunately, I won’t be able to make the call.

Sign up for Jessica’s F*R*E*E teleclass here. (Even if you can’t make the actual call, you’ll be given access to a recording of the call–but you have to be signed up to receive it!)

Don’t tell Melodee that I told you . . . but she & Jessica are offering a fantastic ebooks discount to those signed up for this teleclass . . . Shhhhhhh!

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Great New Book: The Commonsense Virtual Assistant

Filed Under Books R Me, Virtual Assistance

Sue L Canfield recently released her book, The Commonsense Virtual Assistant – Becoming an Entrepreneur, Not an Employee. Today, she’s stopped by my blog.

Why did you write this book?
My husband, Joel D Canfield, and I co-authored the book to help newer and aspiring virtual assistants understand what it takes to run a successful business. Over the last two years, I found that many newer and aspiring virtual assistants were asking for and following my advice on how to run their business. Though they had the skills to be a virtual assistant, many had no idea how to run a business, write a business or marketing plan, how to market, and other basic business skills. Since my husband had already written a book for small business owners on how to be the best foundation for their business, we decided to add to the material and focus on the virtual assistant industry in our new book.

Tell me about yourself
I’ve worked as an administrative assistant for over 25 years and began my virtual assistant business in 2005 before I even knew there was such a thing. This past year I added virtual assistant coaching to my services to help newer virtual assistants succeed in their businesses. My husband and I work together from home along with our five-year old daughter in Roseville, California.
 
What qualifies you to write this book?
Joel and I have more than 50 years of combined experience supporting and operating small businesses. My success as a virtual assistant is in large part due to the advice I received from Joel. Our success in our businesses provides testimony to our qualifications.

What is the book about?
The book helps virtual assistants to understand that they are now business owners, entrepreneurs, no longer employees. Successful business owners need good business sense and a good understanding of what it takes to run a successful business. The book provides basic, commonsense information every entrepreneur needs to know along with advice specific to virtual assistants.

What do you want the readers to get out of the book?
The most important concept I would like my readers to understand is that they are now business owners and what that means. After reading the book, readers will have a clear understanding of how to set rates, manage their time, and market their business.

How can the readers contact you if they want further information?
Joel and I can be reached toll-free at 877.771.7746 or by email at Contact@BizBa6.com. They can also visit our website at http://www.bizba6.com.

How much does your book cost?
$19.95.

Where can the readers purchase your e-book?
They can visit our website at www.bizba6.com.

Sue, thank you for stopping by my blog.
You are very welcome. Thank you for having me.

About the Authors:
Joel and Sue have more than 50 years of combined experience supporting and operating small businesses. They operate BizBa6 Small Business Support Services and love not only their work but the life it allows them to live. This book (Joel’s third business book, Sue’s first) shares how they think about business–it’s a ‘why to’, not a ‘how-to’ because it focuses on how people think and what they want–not just your clients, but you, too.

Book Summary:
So, you want to be a virtual assistant. The virtual assistant industry is growing rapidly. Just about anyone can say they are a virtual assistant. You have a computer, internet access, and the desire to work from home. Voila! You’re a virtual assistant. But is that enough to succeed as a virtual assistant? Do you have what it takes to run a business? Yes, a virtual assistant is a business owner. Successful business owners need to have good business sense. As a business owner, you, the virtual assistant, need to understand what it takes to run a business. Pick up your copy for $19.95 at http://www.bizba6.com.

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Someday Syndrome Interview

Filed Under Melodee's Musings, Virtual Assistance

A couple of weeks ago I posted that Someday Syndrome by Alex Fayle was one of my favorite blogs. Alex is a Someday Mentor. He can help you through the Someday Syndrome that affects your life:

I’ve struggled with all of those “somedays” at one time or another.

I’m mentioning Alex’s blog again because he has posted his interview with me today! Stop by and check it out :-)

And check out his new ebook, too!

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Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant

Filed Under Books R Me, Virtual Assistance

Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant
Virtual Book Tour Stop #1

My VA colleague, Jessica Maes, has just launched her book Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant and she is currently on virtual tour to promote it! Jessica operates a busy Virtual Assistance practice from her home office in Madison, WI. Additionally, Jessica has taught a class at the University of Wisconsin through the Minicourse department called “Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant” since early 2009. The class has had great response based on the ever growing interest in the Virtual Assistance industry and the current job market conditions that have people exploring their career options more vigorously than ever before. Jessica wrote the book so that people beyond driving distance to the University can learn much of the same information she shares from the comfort and convenience of their own home. After all, this is a book about working virtually, so sharing the information offsite is a natural fit! You can read a free sample from the book by clicking here.

As part of this tour stop, Jessica is available to us today to answer your burning questions about the Virtual Assistance industry! Post your question by leaving a Comment below. Jessica will respond in the Comments section so be sure to check back!

To celebrate the book’s launch, Jessica has a few goodies to offer us. The first is a 20% discount off the purchase of the book. Simply use the promo code THANKYOU during check out.

The second is that one lucky ready will receive a free copy of the eBook version of the book! To be eligible to win, you simply need to post a question about Virtual Assistance in the comments section of this post. The winner will be chosen at random and announced here in a couple of days.

The book is currently available for immediate download via an eBook format and in hard copy. To purchase the book, click here.

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Organizing Your Life, Your Way! E-book

Filed Under Books R Me, Home Office Basics, Virtual Assistance

Virtual Assistant Janet Barclay of Organized Assistant is a qualified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® practitioner. She used her knowledge of Personality Type analysis, statistics from two surveys, as well as data collected from her workshops to compile the information provided in a very interesting e-book: Organizing Your Life, Your Way!

What Type are You?

In the first part of the e-book, Janet gives an overview of the 4 personality type preference areas which combine to form the 16 Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® personality types.

I was sure I could pick out my preferences easily. After all, I’ve spent over 50 years becoming acquainted with myself.

Extroversion (E) or Introversion (I)?

Prefer written communication (I)…avoid crowds and seek quiet (I)…Introversion, obviously.

Sensing (S) or Intuition (N)?

Live in the future (N)…enjoy new experiences (N)…Intuition, of course!

Thinking (T) or Feeling (F)?

Analyze information (T)…task-oriented (T)…this was easy – Thinking.

Judging (J) or Perceiving (P)?

Orderly lifestyle (J)…enjoy starting things (P)…work before play (J)…desire to have many experiences (P)…hmmm, this wasn’t quite as easy as the others.

Fortunately, Janet goes through each of the 16 personality types, listing their strengths and challenges. And – what I like best – she lists comments from real people within those personality types. After reading the comments, I knew my final preference was – Judging.

That makes me an INTJ. Cool, huh?

So What?

Now that I knew my personality type, I could look over Janet’s suggested “Preferred Time Management System” for that type and adjust my own system to be more effective.

Get yourself a copy of Organizing Your Life, Your Way! then stop back and let’s compare personality types :-)

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Vanessa Sets Up Her Home Office

Filed Under Home Office Basics, Vanessa Andruz, Virtual Assistance

Are you thinking of becoming a Virtual Assistant?

Would you like some help in starting your VA business?

If so, go to www.VanessaAndruz.com and check out the first three e-books I’ve written in The Adventures of Vanessa Andruz, Virtual Assistant series. The series takes you step-by-step through the process of starting a home-based business. By the end of the series you’ll have a completed business plan and be well on your way to having a successful VA business.

The e-books also chronicle the journey of Vanessa Andruz – an Executive Assistant who became a VA – and all the adventures she had while setting up her business.

Vanessa Andruz, owner of Andruz Business Solutions LLC, joins me today to talk about the third e-book in the series which was just released. Vanessa, why don’t you tell my readers about it?

I’d love to, Melodee! It’s called Vanessa Sets Up Her Home Office. Think your readers can guess what it’s about? (laughs) Just kidding. It’s about how I created a well-equipped VA home office, of course.

I’d never started my own business before so I spent a lot of time researching things like – the type of business structure I should use, what equipment I needed, the best internet access for where I lived, how to arrange the room to make it feng shui compliant, and lots more. The e-book contains all my research notes and links to the websites I used for my research. It even contains a link to download my notes for easy reference while setting up your own office!

I’m so glad you let me help you with this e-book, Vanessa. It’s very instructional. And it’s fun to read about the other things that were happening in your life during that time.

Oh, Lordy. You’re talking about the “gift” I got in the mail from my mother, and the heated conversation I had with my ex-husband, aren’t you.

And don’t forget what happened to your father at the Sedona Retired Welders Golf Invitational.

I felt so sorry for him! (giggles) But it was kinda funny.

Thanks for stopping by, Vanessa. I know you have a Virtual E-book Tour to organize so I’ll let you go. Send me your Tour schedule as soon as it’s available and I’ll post it here for my readers.

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Meet Mrs. Malapert – the “How To” Lady

Filed Under Home Office Basics, Mrs. Malapert, Virtual Assistance

When I need to learn how to do something on my computer and I don’t have time to find an answer myself, I ask Mrs. Malapert (see photo). She’s the “How To” computer expert for my business.

She really knows her stuff. [Aside: She's also a bit of a know-it-all. She reminds me of my high school English teacher who had a real knack for making me feel like an idiot. Ever know anyone like that?]

As I said, she knows her stuff, so I’ve asked her to Guest Post for me occasionally. She’ll be giving us tips on how to care for, and efficiently use our computers.

Thank you for being part of my VA blog, Mrs. Malapert.

Thank you, Ms. Patterson. I’m sure my expertise will be a welcome change from your usual posts.

Yes…well. What topics will you be including in your posts?

I’ll be providing your readers with some fascinating “how-to”s which I’m sure will be very helpful to them in their Virtual Assistance businesses.

Could you give us some examples?

No need to rush me, dearie! I was just about to enumerate them.

Some upcoming topics include:

  1. How to create and use an avatar
  2. How to find informative business blogs
  3. How to remotely connect to your client’s computer
  4. How to get website statistics with Google Analytics
  5. How to send large files to your clients
  6. How to organize your incoming emails in Outlook
  7. How to use Google Alerts effectively
  8. How to create a PDF file
  9. How to clean your computer
  10. How to back up a hard drive

Those all sound very interesting, Mrs. Malapert!

Of course they do, dearie. I’m sure you understand that those are just a sampling of the posts that I have planned. I want you to read all of the posts carefully, Ms. Patterson. I’m sorry to say, your knowledge of some of those topics is sorely lacking.

Ummm, yes, I’ll do that. Thank you, Mrs. Malapert. I’m sure everyone is looking forward to your insightful postings!

If you have any “how to”s that you would like Mrs. Malapert to discuss, just leave a comment or email me. I’m sure she’ll be happy to oblige :-)

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5 Reasons Why Baby Boomers Make Great Virtual Assistants

Filed Under Baby Boomers, Virtual Assistance

The perception of Virtual Assistants is that they’re young mothers who want to work at home to be with their small children. Some are, of course. But there are plenty of Baby Boomers (including myself) who have become VAs. Here’s why we’re successful:

  1. Experience. Besides having administrative, creative or technical experience, Boomers have a number of years of life experience. We’ve learned to take care of ourselves, our partner, our children, and anyone else who enters our life circle. Our clients get the advantage of our experience and our confidence in our skills.
  2. Lots of Networks. We’ve been networking, personally and/or in business for years so we have a built-in support network as well as a prospect list to help us market our business.
  3. Empathy. We’ve lived through good times and rough times. We’re able to understand what our clients are going through – we’ve been there ourselves!
  4. Fearlessness. We no longer sweat the small stuff. We’ve learned that we can do more than we ever felt possible, if we only give it a try.
  5. Sense of Humor. If you’ve lived as long as we have, you know that it’s important to laugh and enjoy what you’re doing. After all, that’s the whole point of life, isn’t it?

What other reasons can you think of for Baby Boomers success as VAs or in other businesses?

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