Davis Virtual Assistants

Archive for October, 2008

Thrifty Thursday: These sites aren’t only for garage sales and finding a date

Thursday, October 30th, 2008

Good morning, campers!

Thrifty Thursday^** for October 30, 2008 is for those of you who want to jump on a certain success bandwagon — the Craig’s List and Backpage bandwagon — and also want to save some bank in the process. I know most of you only think of Craig’s List and Backpage.com as places to post your For Sale items, or as places to find a date or hunt down a missed connection. Both of these sites offer so much more, including opportunities to promote your businesses, teleclasses and webinars. The catch? There’s no catch, other than you partnering with a virtual assistant company which has been posting ads for years with great success …

Thrifty Thursday^** for 10/30/08 is a 5% discount on your November 2008, December 2008 and January 2009 Craig’s List and Backpage invoices. (I require all new clients sign-up for a minimum of 3 months of posting services and I’ll explain why during your consultation.) We’ll show you the power of posting ads and you’ll save some dollars in the process. Strategic posting of ads for my businesses is one of the many reasons I’ve been on Google page 1 for “virtual assistant” for so long. During your consultation we’ll discuss your business model, along with your SEO goals, to determine if ad postings are a good fit for you and for the services we offer.

Thrifty Thursday^** 10/30/08 phone lines close at 12:00 PM U.S. Eastern on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. Contact me, Lori Davis, Virtual Assistant extraordinaire, and let’s discuss your plans for both Craig’s List and Backpage!

^** 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.

Posted in backpage, craig's list, craig's list virtual assistant, craigslist, thrifty thursday, virtual assistant discount | No Comments »

Lori Recommends: Working with a Certified Professional Organizer

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Good morning, campers!

If you’re among the millions of folks who consider themselves unorganized (and you’ve got the office which looks as though it’s been hit by an F5 tornado to prove it!), help is here. All you’ve got to do is reach out and ask for it …

Lori Recommends my good friend and client Beth Flarida, Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®) and organizer for business. Beth has been in business for nearly 20 years, since 1991, helping business owners just like you get out from under the chaos and the clutter. She’s skilled, she’s understanding, and she knows how to make your office space one that’s conducive to a powerful work environment. I truly believe some of us are born with the “organizational gene,” and Beth is one such person.

What I appreciate most about Beth is she’s structured her practice to be able to work both on-site and virtually with her clients. No matter where you live, be it in the United States, Europe or any place else in the world, Beth will bring her substantial skills and organizational acumen to bear, and in the process make your office space everything you’ve always wanted it to be.

Visit the professional organizer on the web today, and let Beth know Lori sent you. Also, you must sign-up for Beth’s weekly newsletter, Answers From The Organizer™, the best newsletter about getting and staying organized.

Posted in certified professional organizer, lori recommends, organizer for business, professional organizer for business | No Comments »

Your (Business) Life Sucks

Monday, October 27th, 2008

Good morning, Sharks!

There, there now … don’t get your boxers and Victoria’s Secret unmentionables in a bunch because of the title of this blog post. Instead let’s examine this title at length …

Your (Business) Life Sucks

Step 1? Own your suckiness and let the world know all about it. That’s right, own it! Tell the next 10 people you see how much your business is keeping you from all the fun stuff of your world. Tell the next 10 people you see you don’t have a support team. Tell the next 10 people you see that your tax deductions have forgotten your facial features because you’re still at the computer when it’s time for bedtime. Open your office window and shout out to the world, “My business life does suck, and I’m going to make a change today!

Step 2? Close the office window, sit down, take a deep breath and commit to making a change.

Step 3? Make a list of everything you did this weekend. Did you have any play time or were you doing business-related stuff? Remember, all work and no play makes Jill a very pissed off business owner …

Step 4? Realize that your business life doesn’t have to suck, that you can have more “me” time, and that you most certainly can have more play time. How? By Going Virtual, of course! “Going Virtual” means you partner with the good, sassy and geeky folks at Davis Virtual Assistants. “Going Virtual” means that starting today, you will begin the process of getting an administrative support team in place. “Going Virtual” means you’ll snuff out the competition, you’ll have much more play and family time, and you’ll be a better and happier person.

Step 5? Schedule a complimentary consultation with this Virtual Assistant, and request your copy of DavisVA’s “Going Virtual Checklist.” I will show you, in 30 short minutes, why “Going Virtual” is in your very best interests, and how the Davis Virtual Assistants team can take your business life from sucky to successful!

Posted in go virtual, outsourcing expert, your business life sucks | No Comments »

Hey Mister DJ: All Fired Up

Friday, October 24th, 2008

You’ll find me listening to the same three songs each morning as I fire up the home office. The same three, without fail. Makin’ It by David Naughton with my favorite line I’m as bad as they come, number 2 to no one, followed by the song featured on today’s Hey Mister DJ, and then Motley Crue’s Kickstart My Heart. I don’t start a day without listening to these songs …

What can be said about the spectacular Pat Benatar and the band? Thunderous drums, kick ass rock ‘n roll guitar riffs, and that opera-trained voice of Ms. Benatar. We all remember the #1 song played on MTV, but what was number two? Drum roll please … it was You Better Run by Pat Benatar. I remember the Buggles killing the radio star, and I remember even more how blown away I was with the Run video. Sweet stuff in the first few baby steps of MTV.

This Hey Mister DJ is dedicated to my team of Associates, Apprentices and Joint Venture partners. Thank you for keeping me on my toes, and for bringing so many skills to the table. Thank you for keeping me hungry. Without you, I don’t know where I’d be. I love you all, and here’s to you for keeping me fired up …

Hey Mister DJ: It’s Texas Hold ‘em night here in Gloversville. Get me in the mood to take down all the pots and play me:

All Fired Up

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Thrifty Thursday: Put me in coach

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008

Good morning, campers!

Thrifty Thursday^** for October 23, 2008 is for my fellow Virtual Assistants, and for those of you who aspire to do what I do for a living. If you’ve been in the game a while and need to play a bigger game, this one’s for you. If you’re thinking of launching your own Virtual Assistant business, this one’s for you. It comes down to this: You want what I’ve got, but you’ve reached a plateau or you don’t know how to get there. You want my 30-second commute, you want to be home when the kids get off the school bus, and you want to put your amazing skills to use and reap the financial rewards. You’re tired of office politics, you’re tired of that 1 or 2 hour commute, one way, and you’re tired of not having control over your business life. Do you want what I’ve got, sweetheart? Show me …

Thrifty Thursday^** for 10/16/08 is an amazing 50% discount on all individual VA coaching calls through the end of 2008. Have I gone crazy? Nope. Am I out of my mind? Nope. This 50% discount through the end of the year is one of my gifts to you. I’m approached by so many Virtual Assistants and the VA wannabes who’ve raised their hand and asked for help, even more so now what with the national economy in its current state. So many of you are wanting to leave Corporate Cubicle Monkey Land, you know you’ve got the goods, and you also know you need coaching. My gift is to give you the same great knowledge, the same tested techniques, and the same support, and to do all of this while leaving more money in your pocket.

You’ve known me long enough to know I’m not a sugar-coater, so I won’t start being one now. Living and breathing the “virtual lifestyle” is one of the toughest things you’ll ever attempt. Get prepared, get coaching, get the support you need. I am here to help and guide you, to listen to your fears and concerns, and to get you moving. Our coaching partnership is one of trust and respect, and no questions and issues are off-limits. Plus, if I can prevent one person from making the stupid mistakes I made when I first started out as a Virtual Assistant, my time here on Earth will have been well-spent!

I can help you, but you’ve got to take the first step by reaching out to me and letting me know you need help.

This very special Thrifty Thursday^** for October 16, 2008 ends at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2008. Grab some Virtual Assistant coaching hours now at the 50% discount rate, and let’s get to work!

Posted in coaching discounts, coaching for virtual assistants, thrifty thursday, va coaching, virtual assistant coaching | No Comments »

Lori Recommends: Send Out Cards

Tuesday, October 21st, 2008

Good morning, campers!

Long gone are the days of wasting gas, dealing with traffic, and shopping at the big box retailer for just the right card (which of course they never seem to have) for that very special occasion. Long gone are the days of not having the correct postage to send that card, and forgetting to go to the post office for a single $.01 stamp. And yes, long gone are the days of all those “coulda, would, shoulda” moments of not remembering to send cards and not connecting with all those folks who cross your path.

I use the web-based Send Out Cards (SOC) system to maintain contact with a wide variety of people, including my prospects, clients and former clients, my coaching clients and students, and my Apprentices and Associates. SOC was the system I used to customize my wedding invitations, and I did so at a fraction of the cost of what a local printer would have charged. I also love to kick things up a notch and send timed campaigns (aka auto-responder cards) to different categories of contacts.

SOC is my go-to system after I attend local networking and business events, or give a presentation to a local business group. I send my thank you cards the next business day, via Send Out Cards, and work with my assistant to schedule consultations with the event attendees. Communication and the “keep in touch marketing” with prospects and referrers is the name of the game in business; if you’re not playing the game, you’re missing out and your business suffers. This is the “client relationship management” aspect of what we do as business owners, and SOC is one of the many secrets of my success in this area.

What do you think happens when you don’t stay in touch with your prospects and clients? That’s right … the other company gets the business. We’ve all heard it takes at least “7 touches” or “7 impressions” of our marketing message before a prospect pulls the trigger and decides to buy. By incorporating Send Out Cards auto-responder card marketing campaigns, you’re delivering one, or more, of these touches and impressions via a physical card. Target campaigns to different categories of contacts, including prospects and former clients. Let the former know why you and your team are the only team for the job; keep the latter informed about new services and products, and offer a special “welcome back” discount on the cards which you send.

The best part of SOC? A super-easy to use and fun system is about to go over the top with a brand new release of the website! The good folks at Send Out Cards are in final testing phase, and I can’t wait for the new site to go live. Creating cards, adding pictures and thought bubbles, changing fonts and font colors, adding signatures, auto-responder cards, client relationship management. I love it all, and I’m addicted. This is my SOC account, so go get your own!

If you’ve decided to make this year your break-out year and achieve success, you must include SendOutCards in your plans. This system has made a profound impact on my businesses, and it will do the same for yours. Plus, the DavisVA.com team can manage your SOC account for you. We’re experts on the system, and we use it every day. Exploit our knowledge of the system and take your marketing programs to all new heights!

Contact this Virtual Assistant today, request your complimentary Gift Account and a personalized tour of the SendOutCards system.

Posted in lori recommends, send out cards, send out cards trainer | No Comments »

Pop Quiz Hot Shot

Monday, October 20th, 2008

Good morning, Sharks!

Pop Quiz Hot Shot: What did you do this weekend? Did you take your family on a hike, or were you updating your contact manager? Did you have brunch with your father, or were you working on your 2009 marketing plans? Did you leave the television in off mode and you got the whole family out of the house, or were you working, working, working?

All work and no play makes Jill a very pissed off business owner. Yes, you are The Big Kahuna, The Cheese, The Bomb. And, you’re also a mom or dad, son or daughter, aunt or uncle. You can’t focus only on your “business” side, and neglect your family. And besides, the weekend is just that, the end to the week, and time for friends, family and hobbies.

Pop Quiz Hot Shot: Are you so consumed with work you’re neglecting your family and friends? I know you’re shaking your head up and down in confirmation. I say Own It! That’s right … own your silliness for working so much. Own those puppy-dog-eyes given to you by your tax deductions when you tell them, “Mommy has to work now; we’ll play later.” Own It when your hands look like Freddy Krueger’s because you’re in desperate need of a manicure. Own it for another 5 seconds. 5 … 4 … 3 … 2 … 1.

And now?

Go Virtual Now!

Look, there’s no such thing as a 4 hour work week; however, you can bring down the number of working hours to a more manageable level than the 80-hours you’re currently clocking each week. You can, slowly, begin to let go of your administrative back office. You can have more precious time with your family. You can ….

What did I do this weekend? Well, I went to the local farmers’ market, took in a movie, had a lunch date with my two best girlfriends, took my cats to the vet, played poker … and won, made a scrumptious and sexy meal for two for me and my man on Sunday night, got in some Christmas shopping, and took a hot and sudsy bubble bath Saturday night. Riddle Me This, Sharks: Where in any of my weekend activities do you see work? That’s right, you don’t! This virtual babe doesn’t work on the weekend. Why? Because I’ve got a team in place, and together we knock it out during the work week.

Pop Quiz Hot Shot: Do you want more “me” time, and more time for family and friends? Do you want more play time? Are you tired of 80-hour work weeks? The simple answer is Yes, and your next step is to contact this Virtual Assistant. I will show you how outsourcing will give you more play time, and how outsourcing will rescue you from all the work!

Posted in go virtual, outsourcing expert, pop quiz hot shot | No Comments »

Thrifty Thursday: ASDF, JKL;

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

Good morning my Killer Sharks! Get your fine self out of bed and let’s get rollin’ on the day …

Thrifty Thursday^** for October 16, 2008 pays homage to the keys ASDF and the home row on your keyboard. In other words, where would we be without data entry! All those business cards, little bits of paper and sticky notes which have overtaken your office space need to go somewhere instead of just lying around and collecting dust. You’ve got lots of data … you just can’t find it.

The Davis Virtual Assistants team has handled all sizes of data entry projects, and we want your project next on the docket! Outsource the insanity and let us handle it for you so you may concentrate on the big picture. Currently, we’re handling a massive project to upload 9,000+ articles to a web-based information portal. We also do business card data entry, along with typing projects of any size. Got a data entry or typing project? Today’s Thrifty Thursday has your name written all over it!

Thrifty Thursday^** for 10/16/08 is a jaw-dropping 15% discount on your November 2008 invoice when you outsource your next data entry project to my team. You’ve got better things to do than entering all of those biz cards or retyping documents. Those recipes you need added to your database? We can handle that as well. How about all of those contacts you want added to ACT!? Right here, sweetheart. Get your data entry project off your “this is driving my crazy list,” and save some serious bank in the process!

Thrifty Thursday^** 10/16/08 phone lines close at 12:00 PM U.S. Eastern on Wednesday, October 22, 2008. Contact this Virtual Assistant, talk to me about your data entry project, and let’s get to work!

** 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.

Posted in data entry, thrifty thursday | No Comments »

Feeling good, feeling fine, feeling saucy

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

My, my, my … two posts in one day. Aren’t you special.

Feeling really, really good this morning, and I’m continuing with my plans of World Domination for Davis Virtual Assistants. Riddle me this, my Killer Sharks: What are you doing to achieve World Dominance in your niche? What’s that? You’re not planning world domination for whatever it is you do to bring home the bacon? Are you kidding me! Are you nuts?! Are you insane?! Man, do I feel sorry for you. You’re swimming in the same fishbowl with all the other Guppies, looking really cute but gettin’ nowhere fast. No fins up for you today, unless …

Unless you decide to cannonball with full force into the deep end of the business pool with the other Business Sharks. Why? Because Sharks make it happen, Sharks don’t wait to be fed, and Sharks have the killer instinct. You’ve got the killer instinct in you, I know you do, but you need some helping getting it out and letting the world see. That’s where a support team comes into play, and more specifically the Davis Virtual Assistants team. When you outsource to DavisVA.com, you’re giving yourself the time and mental energy to focus on those things which bring you money. When you outsource, you’re not focusing on the administrative details which prevent you from making money. When you outsource, you’ve got more time for friends, family, your tax deductions and of course all of those long forgotten hobbies.

Killer Shark with lots of money and lots of time, or a wimpy Guppy who’s gasping for breath and floundering? Call the ball and let me know your answer …

Contact the Virtual Assistant, right now, and I’ll show you how outsourcing will make a profound and positive impact on your business.

Posted in call the ball, outsourcing expert | No Comments »

Oh what a beautiful morning

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

Good morning!

For those of you trapped inside the confines of the concrete jungle, for those of you who classify yourselves as Cubicle Monkeys who only see the light of day at lunch time, and for those of you who’ve yet to visit the gorgeous Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York …

These pics are for you:

P.S. Dear Santa: Please bring me a new and kick ass digicam this Christmas!

Posted in all i want for christmas, concrete jungle, ruminate | No Comments »

Gigglebox

Monday, October 13th, 2008

Good morning, campers!

Let’s keep today light, playful and worry free. Let’s not worry about gas prices, our retirement accounts, nor the cost of a gallon of milk. Let’s not discuss politics. Instead, let’s giggle out loud at the top of our lungs with these cute tax deductions below! Let’s remember that America’s economy will recover first, and strongest. Let’s remember why we’re in business for ourselves. Let’s remember we’re free. Let’s remember we can say and do what we want. Let’s remember when I was a very young girl, somewhat bored, and I’d give lemon slices to the babies of our family, fraternal twins Jeremy and Jeffrey, and watch them phreak out! You did this as well, so stop waggin’ your finger at me. Let’s all be thankful and grateful for what we have and remember, this too shall pass.

Posted in gigglebox | No Comments »

Hey Mister DJ: Freedom 90

Friday, October 10th, 2008

For those of us of a certain age, Freedom 90 is a pivotal point in our MTV experience, as well as in the career of George Michael. Today’s Hey Mister DJ has absolutely nothing to do with George or MTV, nor with 6′ models. Still, a shout out is in order for Linda Evangelista: Baby girl, I don’t get out of best for less than two grand a day.

I was looking for a song and its accompanying video which would help me explain how I’m feeling as we’re just 25 short days away from electing the next President of the United States of America. (Nothing really came to mind, other than Limp Bizkit’s “Break Stuff,” but I’m not sure you folks could handle it.) The good gentleman from Waukesha, WI, drove it home yesterday for me with his “Socialist” comment during the McCain/Palin town hall meeting. Thank you, whomever you are, for finally uttering the “S” word. Up until yesterday, my only reference to Waukesha was when Fonzie claimed he was going to see his aunt (was it his aunt?), only to be caught in a lie and eating ravioli’s from a tin can for Christmas. That episode always makes me cry. I’ve now got a much more memorable reference, and again I thank the good gentleman for Wisconsin for making it so!

Freedom. Capitalist Pig. Be what I want. Say what I want. Keep more of my dollars in my pockets. The American Experience. American Female. Business Owner. Head Chick in Charge. Invest in the markets. Invest in real estate. Open businesses. Define my schedule. Let it be known I am petrified, utterly and completely, at the thought of an Obama presidency. I won’t move away, as so many stupid actors have claimed over the years, but I won’t support him. I can’t support a man whose policies I feel are detrimental to my freedoms, my security and the Capitalist society in which I live.

For all you folks out there who aren’t registered to vote, I say shame on you. Shame, shame, shame, as I wag my well-manicured finger and stare down my nose in your direction. Your apathetic behavior floors me, and makes me sad. Your excuses for not registering and voting are weak and paltry, and so are you. My niece-in-law (is that phrase?) cast her first vote at the tender age of 18, and did a lot of research in preparation before she pulled the lever. Way to go, H.! The excuse of “I don’t like either one of ‘em” is what gets me the most. I’m not a complete and 100% fan of either candidate either; however, I’m casting my vote for the candidate I feel is best for the job, and the candidate who best represents my goals and my dreams for this country. McCain/Feingold? I ain’t no fan of that, sweetheart, but I am pulling the lever for the McCain/Palin ticket.

Hold onto my freedom. You’re damn skippy, George, and I’m right there with you.

Hey Mister DJ: Look into your Magic 8 ball and give me the prediction I want to see! While you’re at it, play me:

George Michael: Freedom 90