Archive for August, 2008

You + Me + Outsourcing = Your Competition in the Dust

Monday, August 25th, 2008

Good afternoon, my Killer Sharks!

Here’s the equation:

You

The overworked, stressed, tired and entrepreneurial Shark who’s in over her head with the details of running her business. Your mind is not where it should be, which is in a place to focus on your money-making activities. Your physical and mental energies are bunched up trying to paper-push your way through all the administrative things which must be accomplished in order to keep your business in business. Instead of bringing home the bacon each day, you’re managing your shopping cart, blog, article marketing, client intake, in-touch marketing, and website updates. That’s going to change, right here, right now.

Me

Me and the Davis Virtual Assistants Associates team. The ladies with the skillz to pay the billz, and the phone voices to manage effectively your client intake with ease, care and concern. We’re business owners just like you are, and we honor, respect and acknowledge your “business pain.” More important, we can alleviate your pain and set your fine self back on the path to making money.

Outsourcing

Long gone are the days when your assistant has to come to your office. “Going Virtual” with a professional Virtual Assistant company is all the rage, and this is one of those times when it’s a good thing to do what the other guy is doing. “Going Virtual” means that you (yes YOU!) will finally begin to act like the bad ass Big Kahuna that you are. “Going Virtual” means more time for family, friends and those long-forgotten hobbies. “Going Virtual” means you’re giving yourself the permission to achieve your biggest, baddest and wildest dreams.

The Sum of the Equation

You + Me + Outsourcing = Your competition clearing the smoke and gravel from their eyes as you zoom past them on the business highway at 150 mph. They’re wondering, “How does he do it?” and you tell ‘em, “I’m outsourcing!”

Call the ball, business owners: Irritated eyes and jealously, or success the likes of which you’ve never seen?

Get it?

Got it?

Good!

Dial: 866.611.LORI

HTML training coming up later this week

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

Fins up to all my Killer Sharks who are snuffing out the competition! For all my Guppies, I recommend you partner with a Virtual Assistant so you too can play with the big girls and boys in the deep end of the business pool.

HTML Coding. You need to learn the basics, DavisVA.com offers such a class(!) and our next HTML Basics Webinar is coming up this Thursday, August 21, 2008. Two hours of virtual classroom instruction where I’ll give you a skill you’ll use for life.

I know when you look at a “Page Source” everything looks like hieroglyphics to your eyes! I once felt the same way, that is until I began to understand the simple mechanics behind coding. There is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to learning to code, so let go of those preconceived notions you’ve got roaming around in that gorgeous head of yours. As with any new system you learn, there are methods to the madness, and the HTML “madness” is quite easy to understand. DavisVA.com’s HTML training is designed for newbie coders who need to know the basics, and for those folks who are petrified about learning to code. Plus, we’ve got you covered after your training is complete, with free and lifetime access to your instructor should you have any follow up questions, want us to review your code, etc. With those other trainers, you’ve got to pay for the “privilege” of after-the-training follow up. Whatever. Next!

Register now for DavisVA’s Virtual HTML Training webinar coming up this Thursday, 8/21/08. I’ll “see” you in class!

I’m not listening

Monday, August 18th, 2008

Good morning, campers!

To what am I not listening? That’s easy! I’m not listening to:

Your Excuses!


(Hey now, look at that … the Virtual Assistant is gettin’ all uppity very early on a Monday morning!)

I’m tired of hearing “I can’t” or “I don’t” or “I don’t have.” Whatever. Save your drama for your momma and go tell your pity party of 1 story to someone who’ll listen.

Riddle Me This, Sharks: If you were hit by a bus today and were on your way to meet your maker, would your life, up until impact, have been everything you wanted it to be? No hemming or hawing necessary with your answer, for it comes down to a simple “Yes!” or “No.”

The can’ts and don’ts can be turned around to your favor. Why? Because your life is about the choices you make.

Don’t come at me and say you don’t have money. You do have money so stopping eating out 6X a week, take your own aromatic and delicious coffee to work, and save a substantial portion of what you bring home each month.

Don’t come at me with “well, the other guy …” The other guy what? He’s more successful than you are? He’s spending more time with his family? He’s what? Keep your eyes on your own paper and don’t worry about the other guy. If you’re so concerned about keeping up with the Joneses, put plans in motion today to become more successful, to spend more time with your family, to [fill in the blank].

Don’t come at me with all the things you don’t have. Instead, turn inward and ask yourself the question of why you don’t have the things you want. What do you need to get those things? What do you need to do in order to get those things? If you’re expecting these “things” to fall from the sky and fall onto your lap, I’ve got a shiny and pretty unicorn tied up in my backyard for you. For everyone else with their feet planted firmly on this rock, you’ve got the answers to these questions, and you need to put those answers into action.

Your wimpy excuses are what’s holding you back. You are holding yourself back. Own it, realize what you’re doing, and make a promise to yourself to do something about it, today.

I challenge you (and especially you in the back … the chick who keeps raising her hand with “but”), right here and right now, to act like the bad ass that you are, and not give in to excuses. Your life is special and wonderful and brilliant and tough and hectic and [fill in the blank]. Your life is just that: Your Life! Do not allow anything or anyone to stand in your way. No matter what you want, you can have it. I don’t want you to wait for tomorrow, for tomorrow may not come.

Before I sign off this post, some sage advice from Rod Stewart via Young Turks:

We got just one shot of life, let’s take it while we’re still not afraid.
Because life is so brief and time is a thief when you’re undecided.
And like a fistful of sand, it can slip right through your hands.


One more time: If you were hit by a bus today and were on your way to meet your maker, would your life, up until impact, have been everything you wanted it to be?

Talk to me and let me know if me and my team may be of assistance as you work to erase the “I cant’s” and “I dont’s” from your brain.


Thrifty Thursday: Virtual Services BOGO

Thursday, August 14th, 2008

A fine and lovely good morning to all my Killer Sharks!

Thrifty Thursday ** for August 14, 2008 is a Virtual Services BOGO (buy one, get one) blowout! Fins up to those of you who’ve already cannonball’d into the deep end of the business pool. For everyone else, this week’s Thrifty Thursday has your name written all over it.

Thrifty Thursday ** gives you a BOGO, with up to 3 free hours of Virtual Assistance, on your September 2008 invoice. No matter what you need to outsource and get off your plate, chances are high the Davis Virtual Assistants team can handle it for you. Think I’m kidding, huh? Take a look at a brief list of the tasks we handle every day for our amazing clients:

  • Web-based newsletters, using Constant Contact, aWeber, EzineDirector and 1shoppingcart.com

  • Client intake (always more professional when your assistant calls on your behalf and determines if the prospect is truly a good fit for you)

  • Article Marketing (Hello, SEO!)

  • Craig’s List and Backpage campaigns

  • Shopping cart maintenance

  • Website maintenance using FrontPage, Dreamweaver, Adobe Contribute, HTML

  • Client Relationship Management

  • Database Management

  • Typing projects, data entry, and word processing

Outsourcing is good, outsourcing is relevant, and Davis Virtual Assistants, the world’s finest Virtual Assistant Company will be with you every step of your outsourcing journey. Plus, for September 2008, you’ll save some serious money in the process!

Thrifty Thursday ** phone lines for 8/14/08 close at 5:00 PM U.S. Eastern time next Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Contact the Virtual Assistant right now, and claim your virtual services BOGO for September 2008!

** This Thrifty Thursday discount may not be combined with any other offers or discounts offered by Davis Virtual Assistants. This discount may be claimed only by new Davis Virtual Assistants (DavisVA.com) clients. This discount is limited to three (3) free hours of virtual assistance during the month of September 2008.



Pop Quiz Hot Shot

Wednesday, August 13th, 2008

Good morning, my Killer Sharks!

Today’s all important Pop Quiz:

Are you ready to “go virtual”?

A very basic, and yet powerful, question which requires only the most simplest of responses: Yes!

“Going Virtual” means you’re about to snuff out the competition. Sweet.

“Going Virtual” means you’re about to let go of the insanity of handling your own back office administration.

“Going Virtual” means more time for family, friends, extracurricular activities and of course, more time for you to laser focus on money-making activities so you may keep your business in business.

“Going Virtual” isn’t scary, it isn’t expensive, and it’s one of the best decisions you’ll make regarding your business … and your life.

One more time, campers: Are you ready to “go virtual”?

Contact the Virtual Assistant, right now, and let’s find out!


Thrifty Thursday: Democracy Kicks Communism’s Ass

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

Good morning, campers!

Thrifty Thursday ** for August 7, 2008, extends a virtual shout out to all the American athletes, along with the other athletes who enjoy freedom, who are competing in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It also thumbs a nose at the tyrants (you know who you are) and the Communists around the world. (While we’re at it, let’s thumb our noses at those folks who want to redistribute my wealth: Shame on you Barack Hussein Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton. Vote McCain in November!) I can’t imagine living in a place where I’m not allowed to say “Communism sucks and your mamma dresses you funny.” Of course Communism does sucketh majoreth, but the dresses you funny part is wholesale subjective.

Thrifty Thursday ** is an 8.8% discount on your September 2008 and October 2008 invoices on any virtual assistant services we offer! From website maintenance to blog postings to shopping cart management, we’ve got you covered. If you want to jump on the article marketing bandwagon or you’ve got a massive business card scanning project, you’ve come to the right place. Let go of the stuff which is stopping you from your money-making activities, and save some bank in the process!

Thrifty Thursday ** phone lines close at 4:00 PM (U.S. Eastern) next Wednesday, August 13, 2008, so don’t delay. Contact the Virtual Assistant right now, and claim your “Olympic” virtual services discount for September and October 2008!

** This Thrifty Thursday discount may not be combined with any other offers or discounts offered by Davis Virtual Assistants. This discount may be claimed only by new Davis Virtual Assistants (DavisVA.com) clients.


I’m all in

Monday, August 4th, 2008

A superb good morning to not only my Killer Sharks, but also to my Guppies who’ve cannonball’d into the deep end of the business pool! Fins up to both groups for doing what you do, and for continuing to keep me inspired and motivated.

If you’re a Texas Hold ‘em addict, like I am, you understand very well the concept of “all in.” To shove everything into the pot with either the nuts or a stone cold bluff is extraordinarily powerful and ballsy. You’re showing your table mates you’re playing the big dance your way, and they’re invited to come along for the ride … if they dare.

Some of you, on the other hand, are sitting on the sidelines waiting to be invited to the business game. You’re afraid of the “all in.” Silly Guppies you are! You’re hemming and hawing while the Sharks at the table scoop up all the business, and all the while you’re wondering how in the hell they’re so successful. I double-dog-dare you, right now, to mosy on up to the table make your presence known at the business table, to boldly put your chip stack in full view, and invite yourself to the business party. Stop waiting for the invitation.

One of the best ways to accomplish this — and one of the numerous reasons Killer Sharks are so successful — is by outsourcing. When you let go of all those time suckers which are preventing you from focusing on your money-making activities, you’re making a very powerful statement to your competition. You’re also boldly inviting them to your business party, and you’re acting like the bad ass Big Kahuna that you are. Competition is a very good thing, and the only way you can remain competitive in your niche is by partnering with a professional Virtual Assistant.

Let’s spend some time addressing the concept of “time suckage.” It can be defined simply as activities which you’re currently handling which are preventing you from keeping your business in business. Here are some great examples of time wasters which you can outsource to Davis Virtual Assistants:

  • Shopping cart management (your info products need to get added to your shopping cart, then uploaded to your websites and blog)

  • Article Marketing (get all those great how-to bits and bytes out of your head and posted on the web, and greatly improve your SEO in the process!)

  • Appointment setting (it’s much more professional when your assistant calls on your behalf and it puts a better “face” on your business)

  • Blog administration (yet another way to let the universe know you’re the expert in your field)

  • Project management (let your Virtual Assistant handle the day-to-day details)

  • Personal appointments, personal shopping (never forget another important birthday or special occasion, and have your VA book your dental appointments and flight/hotel arrangements)

  • CRM, or client relationship management (one of the most important aspects of your business is your in-touch marketing system)

  • And the list goes on and on …

    All of the stuff you see above, and so much more, consumes your valuable time and brain power. More important, all this stuff keeps your focus on the administrative details and not the big picture. The administrative stuff, and some of the technical stuff as well, can be outsourced very successfully, and in short order you’ll wonder why it took you so long to finally make the decision to outsource!

    It’s Monday, August 4, 2008, and you’ve got one shot at greatness today. I say prepare now for your “all in,” and don’t be afraid to consider outsourcing. Call the ball and let’s chat …



DavisVA.com hosts 3 Webinars in August

Friday, August 1st, 2008

Good morning, campers!

August is generally a slow time of the year, what with the President relaxing at the Western White House and Congress away for its recess. Instead of staring at your belly button lint and wondering what to do during this month, check out the must-attend Webinars DavisVA.com will be hosting:

Learn How to Become a Virtual Assistant

Thinking about doing what I do for a living but don’t know how to start the process? DavisVA.com’s Ask the Virtual Assistant Webinar has your name written all over it. The next Webinar is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, 2008, so secure your spot today! Sixty-minutes of an information packed and fun Webinar where I’ll dispense up-to-date information on the Virtual Assistance field, how I got started and the one thing you should never do when you partner with a new client. At the end of my presentation, I’ll open the floor for a Q&A session, so hit me with your best shot! Attendees receive an MP3 recording of the call, all notes in PDF format, and the chance to win a complimentary coaching call with me, Lori Davis, Virtual Assistant Coach.

Register now for the Ask the VA Webinar.


Join a Virtual Assistant Team

You know me, you love me, and you wanna ride on my coattails. Bring it on, my fellow Virtual Assistants! Join me on Tuesday, August 12, 2008, for DavisVA.com’s Associates Webinar. All the information you need about joining my team, including my highly-competitive payout structure, and your questions and thoughts to round out the Webinar. If you need to get your feet wet prior to launching your own VA practice, this is the place to be.

A favor? Google “Virtual Assistant” and tell me what you see. Who’s on page 1 and the first Virtual Assistant Company that’s actually in business? Exactly. Now do you understand the level of inquiries I’m receiving on a daily basis regarding Virtual Assistant services? Good … ;-)

Are you still here? Silly goose you are! Scamper on over to DavisVA.com and grab your spot for the VA Team Webinar.


HTML Training

Sometimes you folks make me feel like a broken record! I’ve said it a thousand times and I’ll say it once more: All Virtual Assistants must know HTML Basics. I’m taking your clients because you haven’t acquired this most basic of skills, and I’ll continue to do so until you get with the program. HTML is super easy to learn and it’s a skill you can sell to your clients. They need you to code their articles and blogs posts, along with their Backpage and Craig’s List ads. Knowing the basics of HTML can earn you hundreds or thousands of dollars during the course of your career, but only after you add this bit of knowledge to your brain.

DavisVA.com’s HTML Training is coming up on Thursday, August 21, 2008, and it’s 2-hours of fun with you, me and other students who are also petrified about learning to code. Let go of those fears, take my hand and I’ll show you way!

Register now for DavisVA.com’s Online HTML Training.