VAccolades from VANetworking

A few weeks ago, I received an exciting email from VANetworking, THE place for Virtual Assistants to connect online.

I had been selected as a recipient of the VAccolade Business Entrepreneur Award.

It was a very cool feeling to be recognized by my peers in that way. :)

Know what was even better?

• The increase in traffic
• The new clients
• The added credibility being recognized by such an influential group can give you.

Does your VA business deserve VAccolades too? Why don't you join us at VANetworking and find out?

How a Virtual Assistant Forum Can Help You Build Your Opt-in List

The most common reason why virtual business owners fail to make money with their opt-in lists is that they dove right in. They chose a topic they thought could be quite popular and would earn them money, but just because you write people from your list doesn’t mean they are going to instantly purchase from you.

For those who have started an opt-in list and have failed, here is some advice for rejuvenating your failed venture.

For those who are starting out, here are two quick and easy ways to build a profitable opt-in list.

1. Get your customers to trust you and your products first. Just launching an opt-in list will not will not make you an expert and a believable seller.

Instead, write and publish many articles before you start an opt-in list. Write about topics you know well and have expertise in. Visit forums to gain knowledge about your customers and their wants and needs, and then target those wants and needs.

2. While you're visiting forums, offer your expert advice and recommendations. When you feel that people trust you, you will be able to start your own opt-in list. You can build a base with other forum users by inviting them to join your list. Friends are always good customers. Put up a link to your site in your forum signature so that can see what your business is all about.

The truth is, the money will only come in when consumers and subscribers believe and trust in you. They want a product or service that is a good exchange for their money. People are not going to buy something that you recommend, if they don’t know you.

A good place to start networking and building your Virtual Assistant opt-in list is VA Networking. It's the "hottest, friendliest, informative, educational and resourceful network for VAs" and a great place to meet other virtual assistants, potential clients, and start to build your opt-in list.

Is your virtual assistant blog a winner?

More and more virtual assistants are blogging and letting their clients get to know the entrepreneur on the other side of the Internet connection.

Here are some things you can do in your virutal assistant blog:

• Give your clients and colleagues a peek at the personal side of your life. We all like to know we're dealing with a real person online!
• Post regular tips and tricks for your clients. It's a great way to keep visitors and clients coming back to your site.
• Share your latest news, without waiting for the next edition of your newsletter to go out.
• Write articles for your target market
  

If you're a member of VANA (Virtual Assistant Networking Association) your blog can reap other rewards too. The association gives the VA Blog of the Week Award 52 times a year to one of its over 7 000 members.

The VA Blog of the Week Awards recognize the virtual assistant's professionalism on the web and on his or her business blog.

And just what does an award winning blog look like? Take a look at the most recent winner, Right-Hand-Man Virtual Assistant Services.

The prize? Public recognition by other virtual assistants that your business is respected and credible.

You do have to be a member of VANA to win, though. If you're a virtual assistant, or thinking about becoming a virtual assistant, you really should be a member anyways!

They have awesome articles (including some of mine :)), helpful links, a Virtual Assistant Directory, RFPs, and - most importantly - the answers to all your virtual business questions!

VA Industry Supports Charities

Virtual Assistant Forums is pleased to announce its first annual charity sponsorship event; showcasing the inherently supportive nature of professional virtual assistants, for a good cause.

Get the whole story here.