NACVAS Blog

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Setting goals and objectives is one thing but achieving them is an entirely different animal altogether! Many approach their goal planning more like it is a wish list giving little thought to whether they can realistically reach them. Learning how to be successful at achieving goals requires that serious thought be given to what it will actually take to accomplish them. You then need to determine if you have the ambition, skills and resources to reach the objectives you have set for yourself.

There is no sense establishing goals for yourself that you either can't achieve or won't pursue.

Here is a look at the 5 elements your goals must have in order for you to accomplish them.

Specific

If you are not able to clearly identify what your goals are how can you reach them? This is very important since every aspect of your goal planning is dependent upon knowing EXACTLY what your target is.

If you do not know what your target is, how can you hit it?

Measurable

Measurable goals make it possible for you to track your own progress. The ability to monitor what has already been accomplished allows us to better focus our efforts on those uncompleted tasks. Measurable goals also allow you to use your own progress as a source of encouragement or motivation to continue moving forward.

Realistic

Objectives you are setting out to accomplish must be within the realm of your available resources and skill set. A careful and honest assessment of your own abilities and characteristics is required here so as to not set you up for disappointment and failure.

A self evaluation of your own character traits regarding resolve and focus is also needed here. This is a very important part of the planning process since these assets are going to be needed in order for you to successfully reach your objectives!

Time Table

You need to be able to calculate the amount of time it will take to accomplish each task as a means of evaluating the efficiency of your own efforts. If you are spending too much time on a particular task you are either unfocused or doing something wrong. These inefficiencies need to be identified early so that the necessary corrective actions can be taken.

Passion

How passionate are you about achieving the objectives you are setting for yourself? Are these objectives something you REALLY want to reach or are you simply going through the motions? The ambition that comes with this passion will be needed so that you can use it for the motivation that will be required.

Another resource of the ambition you need to have is resolve. You will likely encounter certain frustrations and possibly setbacks that your resolve or determination will help you overcome.

Establishing goals and objectives is more a process then it is a one time short term event. Understanding how to be successful at achieving goals comes with the realization that your goal planning should not be taken lightly. Determining whether the objectives you have set match up well with the ambition, skills and resources you possess is of the utmost importance. By insuring that your goals contain all of the 5 elements we spoke of above you can feel more confident and self assured that you will in fact successfully accomplish them.

TJ Philpott is an author and Internet entrepreneur based out of North Carolina. To learn more about establishing Goals and Objectives and to receive a free guide that teaches valuable niche research techniques visithttp://affiliatequickstart.com/ :

The Internet inarguably is the greatest invention of the last 100 years. It's almost a cliche to say that it has truly made the world a smaller place and brought people together. Thanks to the Internet constantly reinventing itself, we now have what are known as 'social bookmarking' sites that take the idea of 'internet connectivity' to the next level.

Social bookmarking is for everyone, but those who market themselves on the internet should especially engage in and partake of the benefits. Some of the notable benefits of social bookmarking are:

1. Get indexed: if you wish to have your site indexed, and quickly, then the best way is to submit it to any of the popular social bookmarking sites like StumbleUpon or Delicious, and you can rest assured that it will be.
2. Generate Traffic: Getting your site indexed by search bots isn't the only advantage of social bookmarking; it can drive a considerable amount of visitors your way. As social bookmarking demands that you tag your entries with relevant keywords, the traffic that is driven to your site will quite possibly be targeted, which will increase the chances of visitors returning to your site.
3. Creating a Brand: You have the option of creating and maintaining a public profile on the social bookmarking site you are a member of. This is a great feature, because it allows you to list all your links (also post other links you are interested in) on your profile, increase their visibility, and create an online persona for whatever you wish to promote. It increases your 'authority' and 'reputation' and you will be able to build a better and bigger social network more easily.
4. Build Backlinks: Building a personal profile on social bookmarking sites judiciously will cause the PR of the same to increase. This in effect will positively affect the links you bookmark on the said site. Not only will the link juice get passed on to them, but they'll also be indexed more readily by search engines. Getting high PR pages to link to you is difficult; with social bookmarking, you get the same advantage for free.

So, if you are looking to give your blog/site or your business a promotional boost, then don't hesitate, start bookmarking today, you won't go wrong with it.

Here is your laugh of the day! 

Blessings to you!

E-marketing is a tool that any online business needs to take full advantage of. If you provide a service to clients through the Internet, then you have the ability to market to one of the largest markets in the world. It is an understanding that you will find benefit in this type of promotion over others. First, many e-marketing methods are free to use and put into place, unless you hire a third party to do them for you. Secondly, if they are sent frequently and regularly, you will see growth in your business.

What Is E-Marketing?

E-marketing is a termed that can refer to any type of online marketing that you do. It is particularly used for email marketing ( a shortened version of it) but it can also be used for a number of other topics, including other Internet marketing methods. The goal of this type of marketing is simple: promote your business using the many powerful tools available on the web. Anyone providing services online, including attorneys, real estate agents, virtual assistants, and other freelancers will benefit from effective e-marketing.

How To Use It

To use e-marketing, you will need to put a plan in place and stick with it. Regularly using these services is the best way to start your business and to see growth in it. The first step is to create an online presence for your business. The best way to do this is through a website, but many people are using blogs instead. Brand yourself and get your website running. Then, start marketing it.

One of the key things to do is to create an opt-in list. This type of list allows for individuals who come to your website to sign up for your newsletter or other emails. This also gives you permission to email them, something that is very important in today's anti-spam world. Once you have an opt-in link on your website, encourage people to sign up by giving them free products, information, or an alluring discount. When you do this, you will be able to draw the customer back to the website repeatedly through effective email communications.

There are other types of e-marketing you will want to do, too. For example, be sure to incorporate search engine optimization in your blogs, articles, and your website in total. This allows the search engines to find you. Next, promote your website. Talk with other blog owners and do a cross promotion between the two. Visit other blogs that are on related topics and comment on them, leaving a link to your blog there. Use websites and services available online to meet others and to network. MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are good places to start.

When you incorporate all of these various e-marketing methods, you will see that more people can find your website and learn about what you have to offer. You can sell yourself to them once they arrive at your website. Best of all, most of these methods cost nothing to do.

Writing a successful proposal is essential to getting the business.  The challenge is, you have to get each element just right. As a Christian virtual assistant, your services are your bread and butter, but they also say a lot about your business, work ethic, and your overall quality. As you consider the proposal you will write for the next potential client, keep in mind that every word counts. While being long-winded will not help you, choose wording that is able to deliver your message clearly, and successfully.

What Goes Into A Proposal?

Depending on the type of business you are trying to get, your proposals should be very specific. The proposal should at least include:

• What you will do for the company: Specifically list what services you will be providing. This leaves no room for miscommunication and allows the proposal to compare easily to others. 
  
  
• What length of time will you do it: How long will you provide the services or what is the timeline for completing the project? Be sure that this is in a clear outline as well, since it also helps the potential customer compare your services to another.
  
  
• What cost will your services be: Do not be afraid to list your prices. You need to let the client know that what your costs are based on as well. For example, you may bill by the hour while for certain projects, you might bid on the entire project itself.
  
  
• Are there guarantees: In some cases, your business proposal should include a guarantee or reassurance of quality. For example, will you redo the work if not acceptable? Is there any guarantee that the project will be on time?

What Else Matters?

When it comes to completing the proposal, you need to keep several things in mind. For example, use the proper tense. Always say "I will complete this" rather than "I can complete this." Show you will do it. Also, keep your wording concise and simplistic. The potential client does not want to get out the thesaurus to know what you are talking about. They want to know just what you are saying instantly, so they can choose the right person for the job.

In addition to saying what you will do for the client's need, it is often appropriate to include information about who you are and why what you are offering is worthwhile to the client. What makes you right for this job? It could be your work experience, your specialties, your education, or other factors. Provide a brief summary of who you are and what services you regularly provide. This way, the client easily can see you are qualified to work with them.

The successful proposal is detailed, outlined, and specific. It gives the potential client a clear view of what you will do for them, since this is what they want to know most. It displays your professional business and allows the business to be impressed with what you can offer to them.

If you've chosen to start a VA business, you'll find a wide range of tools available for your use.  However, one of the most powerful tools for your needs remains social networking.  What is social networking?  How can it help you increase your business?  First, let's examine what social networking actually is.

Social networking has swept the Internet; bringing far-flung friends and family together from around the globe.  However, social networking also has many uses for your business.  Social networking websites allow you to connect with friends, business colleagues, and others in your industry.  By enabling you to make connections around the globe, these websites give you the ability to expand your offerings and services dramatically.

How do you use social networking to grow your virtual assistant business?  Actually, you'll find a number of ways to put these tools to use.  Social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, Del.ico.us, LinkedIn, and others provide you with a gathering place, a mini-PR room and more.  These valuable tools can help propel your career to the top.

Bringing in the News – All of these social networking websites enable you to spread news and current events through your contact list and via your profile page.  For instance, Facebook allows you to send bulletins to anyone on your contact list.  You can use this to share notes on your business, share insights gleaned, announce new services and more.   

Central Information – Social networking websites also give you a central location for all of your information.  For instance, all social networking websites allow you to create a profile.  This can be as in-depth or brief as you desire.  You can provide contact information, a brief list of recent accomplishments, information about your services, and other items that set you apart from others. By developing and creating a professional profile, you ensure that visitors know who you are, what you offer, and why they should choose you.

Build Your Network – Of course, you probably realize the importance of networking in your VA business already.  However, social networking websites can allow you to develop your networking to new heights.  In fact, these websites put the power in your hands.  While VA-specific networking websites are powerful tools, social networking websites allow you to search a larger database of members, connect with others on a larger scale, and increase your marketing dramatically.

Tease and Tantalize – A social networking site like Twitter allows you to provide brief messages and updates to your friends and clients. These can be excellent tools to drum up interest and increase website traffic. By sending short "tweets," you are able to generate interest in your offerings with only minimal text.  You won't find any long-winded messages here; tweets are more like instant messages than bulletins, so use them to your advantage.  Of course, you can also learn more from your contacts through this venue, as well. 

If you're new to social networking, start out slow - perhaps by picking one site in which to begin.  Talk to other VA's about what's worked for them and how they have used social networking to build their business.  With a little creativity and effort, you'll soon see your efforts pay off!

Christian virtual assistants need to advertise their services if they hope to pick up clients. The virtual assistant world is growing, rapidly. With the recent downturn in the global economy, many individuals who worked in offices full time are now offering VA services online. Each day, more people get online and start this type of business for themselves. If you are planning to be successful in such a unique and competitive environment, you will need to have some free or low cost, advertising strategies under your belt.

Networking Is Number One

The best free way to get business is to continuously be networking. Networking is a process of communicating with others about what you do and about what they do. It is often beneficial to meet others that are in the VA field and talk with them. Learn from them. Where are they finding clients? Sharing like this opens doors for you. In addition, there is no cost to this type of networking. You can do this on forums and message boards, using social networking websites or even just by talking to friends and family about your job.

Blog and Advertise

Setting up a website is essential for any virtual assistant. It will allow you to advertise what you offer, what your abilities are and what your fees are. Moreover, you can launch a variety of other advertising methods off your website. Here are some ideas.

• Get a blog going on your website. Update it at least weekly with helpful VA tips, news about you, or anything else. Keep some keywords about VA services in the blog's posts and soon you will be ranking well with search engines.
  
• When you post to your blog, head over to Digg.com and StumbleUpon.com. Let others know what you are talking about.
  
• Write a few articles and submit them to a variety of different article directories with links back to your website. This allows you to gain back links to your website which in turn boosts your search engine optimization and helps others find you.

These are just a few of the ways you can use your website as a near free method of advertising your business.

Local Advertising

There is still a benefit to using local advertising for your business, too. Keep in mind that not all virtual assistants do all of their work over the web. Many of them find local clients that allow them to work from home. You may wish to advertise in local papers or on local websites. Also, do not forget to network in the local area. This can be one of the best ways to find a healthy number of gigs, without the competition on the web.

Advertising your business is necessary. Finding ways to do it that do not cost anything is possible. These methods are some of the best ways to find Christian virtual assistant positions. Keep your eyes open for new ways to advertise. Ask yourself, if you were looking for the services of a Christian VA, where would you go to find them?

(A big thank you to Ben Bateman at http://www.MankindToons.com for his gracious permission to use the following cartoon. Please visit his website for more wonderful Christian humor!)

"And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done."

Have a blessed weekend, everyone!

Becoming a Christian virtual assistant is a tremendous option for your success.  More and more people are leaving the traditional workforce to start their own home-based business and, more than any other, a virtual assistant business is the choice they make.  In addition, more and more businesses are discovering the benefits of utilizing these services, which can save them money in both the short and long-term.  What should you do to ensure you are successful?  What steps should you take to become a VA pro?

•  Define Your Services – During your startup period, it's likely that you offered as many services as possible and took on any client that came your way.  However, that's not how the pros do it.  Define your services by your interests, hobbies and knowledge base.  Offer services that excite you.  Finally, cut down on your client base; get rid of any clients that you don't enjoy working with and you will find that your business does much better.  In short, define your niche, how you fit in it and what clients you want to service.

•  Define Your Clients' Needs – Offering services that have no benefit to your clients is a quick road to disaster.  Investigate the needs of your various clients and design your services around them.  This will allow you to increase your rates, as well as remain a vital part of your clients' business.  The pros know that you have to offer services that are in demand, in order to keep your business in demand.

•  Update Your Equipment – Take a look at your office and equipment.  Is your computer still running Windows 95?  Does your scanner take up an entire table?  If so, chances are you need to upgrade your equipment.  While you don't necessarily need the very latest technology, you cannot afford to use obsolete equipment.  A new computer, new printer, new scanner, and other equipment will actually increase your productivity and reduce the time it takes to perform many daily tasks.

•  Market Yourself – Professional virtual assistants know that it's all about marketing.  No matter how good your rates are, how high the quality of your work is, if you don't market yourself, you will have no business.  Does this mean you need a website?  A website is an excellent place to start, but it should not end there.  You should take advantage of networking sites, social networking sites, specialist professional websites, Internet groups and more.  Consider using a newsletter to help spread the word, or even authoring a blog.  Anything you can do to improve and promote your business and professional image is a good thing.

•  Get a Coach – If you are serious about becoming a professional VA, you should consider finding a mentor, or coach.  These professionals specialize in matching your talents with VA services and expanding your business.  A coach can be a tremendous investment that helps you rocket to the top of the industry.