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Giving Thanks on Earth Day – My Earth Day Heros

meredithe — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 13:52:55 +0000

There is a lot of scary information out there about what might happen to us if we don’t start taking better care of our environment. Unfortunately, much of it is true. Fortunately, more and more people are starting to take the Earth Day message to heart. They are recycling not only their household garbage, but their computers and batteries too. They ride their bike or walk to work. They find ingenious uses for regular household items. I think that one of the best ways that we can help improve the environment is to recognize these people for the efforts that they have made. On my Card Mama site, I am offering people the chance to send a card (for free) to people they know who are doing a good job for the environment. If you have a card to send, click here. When you get to the Send Out Cards site, click on the banner and you will get a walkthrough of how to send cards and a chance to send some cards for free (on me).

For some easy and convenient ways to help th environment yourself, visit my lens on Squidoo, The Convenient Truth About Earth Day.

Highlight This Welcomes Podcast & Blog Hopping VA

meredithe — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:29:20 +0000

Welcome Sharon & fellow blog hoppers. I am having a great time reading everyone’s blogs. Please make yourselves at home and take some time to look around. Here’s Sharon…

Thanks for inviting me to visit today, Meredith. I’m really enjoying my daily hops from blog to blog, and responding to questions about the virtual assistant industry. I must say, I love your company name. After we’ve concluded our conversation about the VA industry, please share how you chose it. I’m sure it’s an interesting story. But first, let’s talk a bit about virtual assisting.

1. How can someone save money by hiring a VA when the hourly rates VAs charge are higher then the hourly rate I would pay an employee?

Actually, when you add it all up, you are not paying a VA more than you pay an employee. When you consider the hidden costs associated with retaining the services of a full-time employee, it makes business sense, financially, to retain the services of a professional Virtual Assistant. Here’s a simple salary comparison breakdown provided by the US Chamber of Commerce to illustrate this point.

Hiring a Full-time Assistant

Base Salary

Benefits

Vacation, holiday, sick time

Payroll Taxes

Administrative Costs

Space/Equipment

Annual Total

$15.00/hr x 2080 (52 weeks)

15% of salary

13% of salary

12%*

7% (recruiting, hiring, training, etc.)

In-house employee

$31,200

4,680

4,056

3,774

2,184

2,000

$48,000

Hiring a Virtual Assistant

(don’t forget you only pay for hours worked)

Base retainer of 20 hours a month @ $50/hr

$12,000

Occasional overage of hours agreed on between partners @ $50/hr

Annual Total:

2,000

$14,000

Actual Savings

$34,000

As you can see, retaining the services of a virtual assistant can result in tremendous financial savings. Remember, you are only paying for time on task, retaining the services of an admin expert requiring little or no training, and due to the tremendous cost savings, can increase your financial reserves for marketing, client services or to take a much needed vacation.

2. How Does One Celebrate International Virtual Assistant Day? Do I need to buy my VA a gift? Where can I find greeting cards for the occasion?

Interesting question, and yes, gifts are nice! Virtual Assistants celebrate by attending the official online ceremony (May 18, 2007 5:30 pm-7:30 pm, DST, New York) where winners of the Thomas J. Leonard Virtual Assistant of Distinction Award and Janet Jordan Achievement Award are announced and prizes distributed. Throughout the day, business owners submit VA testimonials describing why they appreciate their VA. On an individual basis, entrepreneurs may show their appreciation by offering a bonus, making additional referrals, sending gifts, etc. in acknowledgment of the day.

I’m not sure the greeting card industry is aware of IVAD. Next year, who knows! However, I am sure traditional congratulatory messages on greeting cards would be appreciated. And, you may inscribe a personal message when sending web-based cards. Personalized cards may also be found at Send Out Cards, an online card design and ordering company. (Personally, I am *addicted* to Send Out Cards — if you want to try it out (and enter to win a $10 Starbucks gift certificate – go to my Card Mama site.

3. What kinds of people decide to become VAs?

It’s very difficult to classify virtual assistants, as many are introverts as well as extroverts. Some enjoy working behind the scenes, supporting and contributing to a select number of clients’ business growth. Others, while supporting entrepreneurs, desire a larger client base and retain services of other VAs to assist in providing administrative support services. In either scenario, the VA is always passionate about providing professional administrative support to clients, regardless of geographic location.

4. What are some of the more unusual services provided by VAs?

Unusual? That depends on client needs, imagination and industry. However, one of the most unusual I’ve heard of relate to event management. The client chose an unusual conference theme, and wanted the formal dinner, and all information, promos, gifts, etc. associated with the theme. The VA had to literally research hundreds of specialty/novelty providers and then negotiate reduced pricing to stock the event. Now, traditionally conducting research isn’t difficult or unusual – but looking for items related to car racing grannies – that’s different!

5. How can I work with a VA to make my business more successful?

The key to a successful business relationship is communication.

· Present your needs clearly and ensure the VA understands.

· Plan and attend regularly scheduled meetings to review assignment progress and implementation.

· Keep your VA aware of shifting priorities, so that she may plan accordingly.

· Be willing to accept input, suggestions and feedback from your VA, as she is your administrative expert. She may recommend solutions to streamline operations and eventually save money.

I know, this was a brief visit today. I’ve OIVAC planning meetings to attend. But, I can’t depart without leaving clue number 10: (#10) glhlecnsae. Gillian of Fit for Business blog asked very interesting questions yesterday. Your questions were unusual, too. I wonder what Lori of Davis VAs has in store for tomorrow. See you then.

About Sharon Williams
Sharon is the Chairperson of the Alliance for Virtual Businesses and OIVAC, and president of The 24 Hour Secretary an administrative, secretarial and internet-based marketing support services company. She is the 2006 recipient of the Thomas Leonard International Virtual Assistant of Distinction Award and co-founder of Virtual Business University an e-learning environment for entrepreneurs willing to step towards their greatness.

Sharon — I chose yellow highlighter simply because I love office supplies! Actually, the name struck me while I was highlighting a document for someone. At any rate, it will be easy to come up with great promo items

5 Things I Do to Be Successful

meredithe — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 13:04:02 +0000

Andy tagged me for this meme on 5 things we do each day to be successful. Mine are:

1. Exercise. First thing in the morning works best for my schedule. Run, bike, lift weights it really doesn’t matter. I can notice a huge difference in my mood and productivity when I miss my workout.

2. Get a Game Plan. I spend a minute in the morning planning my day. It is a loose list and schedule — but being a little strategic really helps.

3. Reach Out and Touch Someone. I make it a point to call or send a card to someone I love every day.

4. Count My Blessings. I think about what I am thankful for each day. It helps keep me motivated.

5. Play with Suzanne. Right now, my life is mostly about making sure Suzanne is well taken care of. Seeing a smile on her face is my biggest reward!

What do you do to be successful?

Introducing… The Card Mama (free coffee)

meredithe — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:52:37 +0000

I am really enjoying playing with Send Out Cards, the service that allows you to send cards in your own handwriting from your computer in about 30 seconds. I always wished that I were the type of person that sent cards — now thanks to send out cards, I am. I’ve sent almost 100 personal cards to people in the past month! I finally got my website for Send Out Cards up and running. Check it out and enter to win a free Starbucks gift card!

Time Saver Tuesday: Hire An Expert

meredithe — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:33:24 +0000

When I lived in Washington DC, I always carried a map in my car. The many trees and winding roads made it very easy to get lost. Now, that I live in New Mexico where there are noticeably fewer trees and huge mountains to give me my bearings, the map is a little less important.

Still, sometimes the fastest way to get from Point A to Point B is to hire an expert. I just finished up with a personal trainer. Over the course of 12 weeks, she taught me over 100 different exercises I could do at the gym. Now, I can design my own routines using the exercises she taught me. It would have taken me much longer than 12 hours to get to that level of expertise on my own.

As many of you know, I am currently taking classes at AssistU to become a virtual assistant. The classes are taking me step by step through starting my own business. It would have taken me much longer to get that information on my own. Similarly, business owners who hire virtual assistants usually make more money because VAs are experts in getting the day to day part of business done so the owners can concentrate on developing and growing their business.

How do you use experts in your business?

In Defense of Press Release 1.0

meredithe — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:17:51 +0000

Jen over at Atypical VA , posted about Press Release 2.0. The new press release is friendly, fun and written so that your personality shows through. Yes, you should always have a hook, and of course, your releases should be attention-getting. However, depending on your goals, you should sometimes go the more traditional route. It all depends on the paper and your goals for publishing the release.

I write releases for local government agencies. My goal is to get information published in very small local papers. These papers often run the press releases more or less as written. I am saving the staff work by writing something that can be published in the paper. It also pays to cultivate relationships with reporters. Since they (and their editors) ultimately determine what goes in paper, you should deliver the information to them exactly how they like it. Some reporters prefer fun and personal, others would rather just have the facts.

What is your experience with press releases? How do you think press release 2.0 is different from your plain, old, ordinary well-written release?

What Passover Teaches Us about Marketing

meredithe — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 20:59:55 +0000

Happy Passover everyone!

I am taking a break from cooking to write this blog entry. I am quite proud — I am making Passover supper all by myself. My husband is the actual Jewish person on our family. He usually cooks for this meal. So far, so good As I was putting together the meal – it occurred to me that Passover has some real marketing lessons for us.

1. It is a true multimedia experience — during the meal, guests re-enact the Passover story using reading, song, and food! The Seder even acknowleges that people have different ways of learning. Good marketing efforts try reach people with different learning styles.

2. It touches multiple senses. You see, hear and eat Passover. Retention rates go WAY up when more than one sense is engaged.

3. It is repetitive. Not only is the message of freedom repeated throughout the Seder, most families in the United States do two Seders back to back. Also, many families use the same hagadah each year.

4. It tells a good story. Marketing is all about stories. The more you can get participants to buy into YOUR story the more likely they are to buy from you.

Happy Passover!

Mommy Wars: A Work/Life Balance Issue

meredithe — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:39:06 +0000

When I worked full time and lived in workaholic DC, I followed and felt every salvo of the Mommy Wars. I felt guilty working, but couldn’t quite imagine quitting and staying at home. The culture where I lived was all about tackling mommyhood with the same ambition and drive as one tackles work. Now that I am living in New Mexico and working from home, I feel much more in balance. We didn’t move so I could work at home, but the choice fits nonetheless.
In his blog, Reflections on Work/Life Balance, David Bohl reframes the issue as not one of right and wrong, but one of choosing to live your life on your terms. According to a new study, Moms spend 10 hours per week more with their children than they did when we were growing up. The price is free time and housework for the moms. We are trying to live up to a new ideal motherhood that is very hands on and involved. The key is balance, you can’t have it all, you just need to decide what you want (easier said than done… but that is an entry for another day). I think David is right on the money. The Mommy Wars are fueled by our frustration that we really can’t have it all — all the time.
What are your work/life challenges — and how are you addressing them?

Timesaver Tuesday: Audiobooks

meredithe — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:10:53 +0000

I have always been a voracious reader. I will read anything comes in the mailbox (including my husband’s engineering magazines). I have learned a lot by doing this. Right now, my reading is pretty much confined to stolen minutes in the bathroom and maybe a half hour before going to sleep. I am also working on a career transition and want to learn more about starting my own business, internet marketing, affiliate marketing, etc. There are a ton of great resources out there. One of my favorites is MastermindMoms. They have done a very clever thing — they offer most of their resources in an audio format. I can listen while I’m working. Lately, I’ve been listening to session each day. I have been learning a lot.

Do you you listen to audiobooks? Do you offer your products as podcasts?

Subject Lines: Getting Your Email Opened

meredithe — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 01:12:58 +0000

There is an interesting discussion going on over at WordWise about crafting e-mail subject lines to help your messages get read. The two best suggestions were to write the subject after you have written the message and to focus on what is in it for the reader (here are the sales numbers you requested.

The biggest faux pas is to use phrases like “you have won” because they trigger spam filters. I learned this particular lesson the hard way. I ran a recycling contest that was won by the local miliary base. I sent an email with the subject line “Congratulations, you have won!” to the base recycling manager. The email got caught in a spam filter and the army base found out that they had won when they read it in the newspaper (oops!). I have been a lot more careful since then.

Has an email subject line that you have written ever backfired?