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Top Ten Posts of the Day
Posted By: DenverMelissa
Posted On: Nov 20 2008, 04:03 PM |
Title: Strategic partnerships
Did I miss a sub-category somewhere? Any tips on strategic partnerships?
Thank you,
M
Melissa Cappleman
877-477-6450
melissa@officesavvyva.com |
Comments: 0 :: View Comments
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Posted By: Leisa
Posted On: Nov 20 2008, 08:34 AM |
Title: Have Any of You Changed Your Business Name?
Hello. Back after a LONG time away.
I am just curious if any of you have ever changed your business name. The reason that I am asking is because when I started in 2006, not many potential clients knew what a virtual assistant was. Many still don't. 
So, I chose "business solutions" instead. Now, I am wondering if I should change my business name from Gemstone Business Solutions to Gemstone Virtual Assistance. I did break out my resume writing into a separate name, because it has been such a good money maker.
I hesitate to do this just because of the "hassle" of redoing cards, brochures, business licenses, etc. While some of the search engines do find me, there are those potential clients who think that I am a gemstone business (importing and exporting rubies, pearls, etc). Most of them are from foreign countries and may not understand the symbolism or colloquialisms used.
I am in the process of breaking out my copywriting business which is by far my best money-making skill to Gemstone Copywriting--still a work in progress. Sorry just parked on GoDaddy for now.
Any thoughts by any of you who did change your business name? What were your reasons?
I really missed you guys. Thanks.
Leisa
Leisa Bain Good, PVA
Gemstone Business Solutions
Custom cut to your business needs.
GemstoneBusinessSolutions.com |
Comments: 12 :: View Comments
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Posted By: Office Pro
Posted On: Nov 20 2008, 08:25 AM |
Title: How to reach to VA's as a newbie for sub-contracting work?
Hello-
I am a complete newbie to VA work. I am an entrepreneur (that has licensed her business and has some free time on her hands). I have sales experience, marketing experience and 15+ administrative experience but wish to work from home rather than go back to the workforce. However, having my own business already that sometimes needs work, I do not wish to start another website and business again. I would rather do excellent work for an established VA to generate income and subcontract my administrative work. Not sure where to post this, but what are your suggestions on how to go about this? I have signed up for Flexjobs.com, signed on to Guru.com for freelance work and you are required to bid for jobs (which I am not sure these jobs even exist) or most of them are these outbound, inbound calling centers. I am a professional and my work reflects that. ALso, one more thing. Do you suggest I upgrade my membership here. I already paid several fees to post my work and resume. My husband is already so mad at me because he thinks these are all scams! Thank you and look forward to your suggestions.
Nina Frye |
Comments: 4 :: View Comments
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Posted By: fyerfli1983
Posted On: Nov 19 2008, 02:50 PM |
Title: "Overseas" Assistants
I had someone who was interested in using my services and he just got back to me saying that he is looking into an overseas assistant because of costs. I advised him that with going that route, you are going against quality; that is why they charge what they do. I did wish him good luck however with his search. Was I wrong to say that about the quality of the overseas assistants?
Thanks,
Lauren Ambrose |
Comments: 6 :: View Comments
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Posted By: Pat Z.
Posted On: Nov 19 2008, 12:17 PM |
Title: If you give Gift Cards
I just got an e-mail from a family member warning me about buying gift cards for Christmas. It seems that many stores are still selling gift cards even though they plan to close their doors (or a lot of their stores) as of Jan 1st.
There is no law preventing them from doing this. On the contrary, it is referred to as 'Bankrupcy Planning'.
I get lots of stuff that is urban legend, but looked it up on snopes here: http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/storeclosings.asp to see if it was true. While the e-mail I received was a mix of true and untrue, snopes has an accurate list. 
Just wanted to give everyone a heads up in case you do normally give gift cards.
Pat Z |
Comments: 3 :: View Comments
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Posted By: DVS
Posted On: Nov 19 2008, 09:33 AM |
Title: Business card: Standard Format or Non-standard?
I have not yet printed my business cards and was thinking maybe they looked 'too busy'. I have listed several of my services, since I intend to hand them out to local businesses, too.
My questions to all are:
1) Do you list your services, and how do you determine which to list?
2) Do you utilize the back to list services or other info?
3) Do any of you use a non-standard size or shape? I am thinking this might be a good marketing idea.
4) Does anyone use other than standard business card paper for their business card (or in addition to)?
This might include vellum, magnet, CD's, matchbooks, etc.
Sherry Bleeker
DayStar Virtual Solutions
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Comments: 8 :: View Comments
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Posted By: execuessential
Posted On: Nov 19 2008, 09:07 AM |
Title: Software to Track Password and Favorites
 Hello Ladies, I was wondering if any of you know how we can track all the different logins/passwords we have all be accumulating signing up for different forum groups, facebook, linked, etc. I have just been writing them down, but there has got to be a better way to track all of these. How do you ladies that have multiple clients emails, etc how do you keep track of the different passwords?
Also does anyone know of a way we can save or backup or track all of the "favorites" that I have been bookmarking just in case I experience (hopefully never) a computer crash. I know that those things seem to get lost when we have people do backups for our information.
Thanks,
Marla |
Comments: 2 :: View Comments
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Posted By: blondie53185
Posted On: Nov 19 2008, 05:21 AM |
Title: Looking for guidance
I am a start up VA. I am working on my business plan and am a little stuck on defining my market. I was going to hit the small business construction industry - but because of the economy, construction is very slow. Does it make sense to not target a market right now and maybe advertise more diversely? I was thinking of marketing to businesses that placed ads for clerical help. Is this a mistake? Should I keep trying to figure out what business types are thriving in this down ecomony? Any words of advise will be appreciated.
Thanks! |
Comments: 5 :: View Comments
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Posted By: MER33
Posted On: Nov 18 2008, 02:07 PM |
Title: How long until first client?
Hello Everyone! I hope I'm posting in the correct area - if not I do apologize.
I am a newbie and am working hard to learn everything I can and build my business. I am putting the word out everywhere I go - website, the kids' schools, former employers, friends and family - and now am working on marketing campaigns.
I was just curious... on average, how long can it take to sign your first client? In my mind, I assumed it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months. That figure just popped in my mind and it seems feasible, but now I wonder.
Thanks everyone.
Monique Edwards Robinson |
Comments: 9 :: View Comments
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Posted By: asc
Posted On: Nov 18 2008, 10:34 AM |
Title: Addresses on Business Cards?
Forgive me in advance if this has been asked and answered...I'm sure it has because this group seems to have covered everything that may come up...but I wasn't able to find my answer doing a search on it...
Do you have your address printed on your business cards?
If so, is it your home address or a POBox?
If not, have you found it to be a problem or has anyone said anything about it not appearing as a "legit" company without it?
Thanks so much in advance for your thoughts on this matter.
Suzanne
ASC - Assistant Services Company |
Comments: 15 :: View Comments
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