Need an Editor?

I like to share resources with my readers, especially those that have made my life easier in some way. Well today I would like to share with you a human resource!

I met the owner of Vital Virtual Services recently, her name is Sharon too! Well it turns out that she loves the power of words just as much as I do. Her forte is editing. I must tell you that I have worked with her on many projects now and she astounds me with her ability to polish the final project.

Everyone in business needs an editor. Whether it be your newsletter, or your promotional materials. Don't allow your first impression to also be your last due to typos or poor sentence structure. Be sure and say, "Sharon sent me!".

A Cool Search Tool

Want to find some real substance on the web? How about a search engine that would bring you results in the following formats; MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and PDF?

Give it a whirl, Brupt a warning here, this can be quite addictive if you are an information junkie like me :)

My Top 5 Online Tools

Everyone has their favorite list of online tools. I wanted to share with you my top 5 favorites that I use everday;

1. GMail - the ultimate email tool in my opinion. Working virtually requires virtual tools that can keep up with your needs. With the storage capacity GMail provides and its consistent reliability factor, this tool is number one in my virtual assistant toolbox!
2. Onebox - my clients like the fact that they can send me faxes night and day and I like the concept of accessing my faxes, and sending them from anywhere. Onebox also offers the follow-me features and toll free phone numbers for your business needs.
   
3. PassPack - the virtual theme continues with online password management. Super encryption is key here and with PassPack you only have to remember your username, one pass word, and a packing key to have access to virtually all your passwords. My current count is 114!
4. Google Reader - keeping up with news and the blogs you follow is easy with Google Reader. The organized layout and ease of sharing interesting items with friends makes this web-based tool a favorite of mine. I also like that I can access it via mobile phone.
5. Skype - a great communication tool, in addition to the simple, easy-to-use chat feature, Skype keeps the personal touch in client conference calls with the webcam ability. My conference calls can happen virtually anywhere, it's the green way to run a VA business!
   

So You Want to be a Virtual Assistant

From time to time I receive inquiries from friends I know and people that just pop into my inbox asking that big question;

"How can I become a VA?"

It's really a loaded question that is hard to answer in a 5-minute email response. So in return, let me prepare you with the questions I will then ask you, so I can better answer your big question;

1. Why do you want to be a virtual assistant?
   
2. What is your administrative background?
3. Have you chosen a niche to market your services to?
4. Do you have a home office set up already?
5. Will this be a part time or full time occupation for you?
6. Do you have a landline phone, fax service (can be online) and high speed Internet?
7. Are you prepared to invest the time and money into your marketing needs?
8. Do you have a list of previous employers you can solicit your VA business to?
9. Have you made your list of 100 people that you know, so you can network?
10. Do you need a mentor?
    

Kristen's Custom Creations Made My Day!

It's here! I recently asked the talented and creative Kristen of Kristen's Custom Creations to make this custom inscribed necklace for my daughter, Michele.

It's so beautiful and I believe it will really help with the grieving process she is working her way through. For those of you that didn't read the previous post about it, our dog Sunny passed January 2nd.

I presented the necklace to Michele tonight and she was speechless! She loves it and will cherish it forever :)

Did You Wear Red Today?

Today is Wear Red Day! Your opportunity to show your ongoing support for the fight against heart disease in women. So sorry I didn't post this alert yesterday, I keep forgetting not everyone works from home and can change clothes real quick :)

An Exercise for Your Job Search

To present your best self in a job interview I suggest you consider the following activities as you prepare yourself;

1. Make a list of all the bosses you've had so far in your career (pet names are fine here).
2. Next make 2 columns for each name, approximately 5 lines in each column.
3. Now label one column "Positive" and the other "Negative".
4. Under the positive column, list for each boss the traits or characteristics that made your time at that specific job enjoyable. Also consider what you found helpful for your personal development.
5. Under the negative column, just the opposite, list the traits or characteristics of each boss that made your time at each specific job unbearable. How did it effect you personally and professionally?

Now that's preparation! Armed with this information, you are able to easily share in your next interview the ideal environment in which you seek to work and thrive. Your feedback is always welcome :)

Paw Print on Our Hearts

Pets definitely leave their pawprint on our hearts. My best business buddy was our sweet girl, Sunny, she would lay under my desk while I worked.

A lab and mastiff mix, we had rescued her as a pup from our local Jefferson County Animal Shelter. My daughter Michele is now an advocate and volunteer there, in Sunny's name. (The shelter is seeking financial donations.)

We took Sunny's pawprint a few weeks before she passed away. I really wanted to share this resource because I found it to be an excellent purchase and it has been comforting for us. I found it on Amazon.com.

The pawprint material is non-toxic (major consideration for us), and you can re-do it if you (or your dog) mess it up. It is also air-drying, no baking required. The frame holds a photo, the pawprint, and then behind the pawprint side of the frame is a keepsake box built right into the frame. So we placed her collar and dog tags in there.