Davis Virtual Assistants

The “cheap” refers to the cost of the Mastermind Event I’m holding on Tuesday, February 20th. Sixty minutes with me, via telephone, as I discuss some of the secrets of my success in the big, bad world of Virtual Assistance. All attendees will receive two free handouts, courtesy of Davis Virtual Assistants, and will be entered into a drawing for a 45-minute complimentary consultation with me. To sweeten the deal, after you register for this event, shoot me a message at Lori AT TheWildWE.com with “VA Mastermind Question” in the subject line. I’ll pick the 3 most interesting and thought-provoking questions and will respond to each during the Mastermind telephone call.

What would you pay for all of this?

$99.99?

$79.99?

$59.99?

Not even close, Wild Women! My VA Mastermind event is only $29.00. Don’t believe me? Click here to register and for more information for my Virtual Assistance Mastermind conference call.

I’ll “see” you on the 20th!

OFF-LIST is just that, and it means I want you to reply to my e-mail address ONLY. So, your reply is OFF the listserv’s distribution list and sent only to the writer of the message. Get it?

How can you avoid this embarrassment? Easy! After you click “Reply” IMMEDIATELY remove all e-mail addresses in the To, CC and BCC fields. Type your message to the writer and when you’re ready to send it out into cyberspace, go back to the original message, copy the writer’s e-mail address and paste it into your reply.

Easy and no more embarrassing moments, like notifying the members of the listserv about your rates.

For the love of all that’s virtual, please pay attention to the details. More important, stop driving me crazy!

Lori jumps off her soapbox. You may now return to your regularly scheduled programming, already in progress.

Seven years in business and an interesting and sometimes bizarre life have taught me the value of the word no. I’m not afraid to use it, but know many people who are petrified of uttering this single syllable word.

No is power and powerful.

No can be scary.

No can be positive.

No comes from the gut.

No indicates you’ve got your best interests at heart.

Trust your gut instinct when the “tire kickers” beat down the virtual door. If something doesn’t feel quite right when you’re chatting up a potential client, your gut and heart are trying to tell you something. Open your ears and listen! There is nothing wrong with saying no.

Remember, YOU are a business owner. You’re the Head Chick in Charge (or Dude) and it’s YOUR name on the nameplate and shingle. You don’t have to say yes, and sometimes it’s better when you don’t. It takes strength of character to say no, and the first few times you do it, I’ll guarantee your stomach will be in knots. Have faith in yourself and your decision-making process, and know that “no” means you’re exercising your power.

Many of my VA coaching clients, and all of my protege’s, have told me that saying no is tough and scary. We work together on this, and I give them tools they’ll have for life.

I encourage you to reach out to VA coaches, such as myself, to help you overcome any trepidations you have about saying no. If you need support in this area, contact me today, and let’s talk.

Rockin’ out today on iTunes. Here’s a list of today’s tuneage on heavy rotation:

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, You Wreck Me
Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Jammin’ Me
Triumph, Lay It On the Line
Sheila E., The Glamorous Life
Roseanne Cash, Seven Year Ache (whoof, the girl can sing)
Motley Crue, Kickstart My Heart
Meat Loaf, Paradise by the Dashboard Lights
Kool & The Gang, Jungle Boogie
Kool & The Gang, Hollywood Swinging
Elton John (everything on the One Night Only album)
The Beatles (everything on the 1 album)
Daryl Hall & John Oates
Chic
Cherry Poppin’ Daddies
Beastie Boys
Harry Chapin

The best part? The speakers are cranked, the Vic Furth’s are out and ready for practice, and I can dance around the home office when Brian Setzer and his Orchestra come up for their turn at bat. Can’t do any of that in a cubicle in Corporate America …

It’s ohhhh so good to work from home.

An Information Celebration Right in Your Email Inbox. Get instant access to trusted service providers, advice from top web marketing experts, great offers and more. Runs Jan 9 to Feb 9 - Learn more/sign up at Web Content Awareness Day today.

Well, it’s not my birthday today (that’s going down in March). Nevertheless, today is a very special day in Lori Land: Today marks my 7th year in business!

Seven fun, stressed out, crazy and wild years of doing business as a Virtual Assistant. Who would have thought that a downsizing would lead to the spectacular success I enjoy today? Well, actually I did, but I don’t want to brag!

I’d like to thank the Academy for nominating me in this very special category. (Uhhhh, blonde moment! Do forgive me.)

I’d like to thank my husband, family and friends for supporting me and putting up with me as I’ve built this empire.

I’d like to thank Dave Sperry, a business owner in San Francisco who laid me off in 2000, for helping me realize, once and all, I don’t have to rely on Corporate America.

I’d like to thank former supervisors Andrew G., Madison K., and Paul M. for showing me the type of boss I DON’T want to be.

I’d like to thank all the former pain in the ass clients for making me fine tune my client intake process.

I’d like to thank the good lawyer who helped me sue, and win, against the one evil former client who wouldn’t pony up a big time check for services rendered.

I’d like to thank my kick ass team of Associates for stepping up to the plate, and coming through for me every day. Also thank you for burning the midnight oil with me on more than one occasion.

I’d like to thank the folks who continue to inspire and motivate me: Dina Giolitto, Ann Zuccardy, Ja-Nae Duane, Kate Powers, Shannon Cherry, Seth Godin, Stephanie Cockerl, Hallie Crawford, Stacey Mayo, Lori Anne Wardi, all the Santas in the Jinglegram.com program, the team at 9rules.

I’d like to thank all my current and former coaching and mentoring clients. Your enthusiasm, drive and determination have kept me going, even on those days when I’ve wanted to throw the laptop against the wall and quit.

I’d like to thank the manufacturers of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Brita Water Filters and Pitchers, Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry Juice, Joy Wok Chinese, and the folks who distribute the prepackaged lettuces for the fuel. Thanks also to Annie Zee and her merry band of bakers at Vermont Shortbread Company for the scrumpdilicious raspberry and lemon curd shortbread treats.

I’d like to thank everyone who put me in my place when I was gettin’ too big for my britches.

I’d like to thank everyone who communicated me with over the years to say good job, thanks for the coaching, or you inspired and motivated me. Pretty cool.

I’d like to thank Loreal Excellence Cream 6RB for hiding the grays. (I’m not quite ready to look like Emmylou Harris!)

I’d like to thank Tank 1 and Tank 2, my trusty and faithful IBM keyboards.

Seven years, campers. Seven years! Lots of smiles mingled with a few tears today.

Virtually and respectfully yours,

Lori Davis
Director of the Future and Lead Shark
Davis Virtual Assistants

$64,000 Question: How do you determine when to use affect or effect? These two words confuse the H-E-double-hockey-sticks out of me, and I never know which word is appropriate!

Any Grammar Goddesses or Gods out there willing to pony up some advice?

For those of you who missed it, the January 2007 DavisVA.com Digest, our monthly e-newsletter, was released to the masses earlier today. Numerous rave reviews have come in through the pipeline, including one from the Copywriting Guru, who tells me I kick ass! Sweet.

Since I’m in a giving mood, I’ll share with you now the two tools I included in the Digest:

Davis Virtual Assistants 2007 and Me Planning Calendar. Twelve months of inspiration and amazing referrals. All free and just for you. Now aren’t you special!

Davis Virtual Assistants Going Virtual Checklist. Thought about “going virtual” but don’t know where to start? Start here! Easy-to-follow instructions on what to do and how to get started. My 2nd gift to you in the new year, so enjoy!

Remember, when you access the links above, save the Word documents to either your My Documents folder or your Desktop. Click the “File” menu and select “Save As.”

After you’ve downloaded these documents, call this virtual goddess and let’s get to work.

Do we no longer support AND defend the Constitution of the United States of America?

This does not portend well …