We’re getting close!
Our beta testers are in there now and picking out the things that we missed or overlooked, making sure that everything is working properly.
Be on the look out for a special announcement in your email today!
Until next time…
Heather
Coffee Break Time - Learning From the Simpsons
Are you aware that there are a number of colleges using a curriculum based upon The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D’oh! of Homer by William Irwin. Is that sad? Or is it positively brilliant?
The Simpsons are known for their signature one-liners. Sure they get a lot of attention quickly, but the meaning fizzles away just as fast. Is your marketing message full of cheap one-liners or do you have a hard core message? You can be catchy, but make sure that you are authentic. Authenticity is missing in many of today’s marketing messages.
What can we learn from each of the characters?
Bart – Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
Lisa – She’s smart, savvy and intelligent, yet is at times she is unable to relate to those around her. While it’s great to have book smarts, there are times when you have to put convention to the wayside and go outside the box.
Maggie – She is quiet and knows how to listen. She processes the information and stores it away for later use. Try this at your next networking event.
Marge – She is the pillar of her family and is what holds it together. She is forever after the mythical work/life balance.
Homer – If you sit around long enough, you’re bound to make an impression…and not necessarily a good one.
While taking a break for a few minutes today, I came across this “real life” clip of the Simpsons. Surprisingly it looks very similar to the familiar cartoon version.
Becki 
Proper Planning
It’s no secret…I think big. I have more ideas than I have time to implement. And often, it’s easy to get caught up in them.There are many things in my business that I have thought up and run with only to find out that I didn’t put enough thought into them and that they weren’t planned properly. They didn’t go over well because I was too excited to focus on their proper implementation.
I’ve also been subjected to the hype of new product launches and have fallen for the hype. It’s okay. I know it’s good marketing when I get suckered into the marketing ploy; when I get to the end of the sales letter and I’ve already got my credit card out and ready to pay.
However, in the past two months, there have been three product launches that I have really looked forward to and when it came time to pay, they weren’t planned very well. I’m a pretty easy going person but here are a few things that happened and how I felt and reacted.
The first was a new membership site by someone whose advice I highly admire. I think he’s a brilliant man and I have learned a great deal from him. In fact, I pay for his newsletter every month. So when he announced his new site, I was there within minutes, credit card in hand ready to get in.
I gave him my information (basically my credit card information and my name) and then I was taken to a login page. They never asked me to create a user name and password and I had no way to get in. I wanted it. They sold me. I wanted the information and I wanted it right then and there. It took me two days to finally get the information. I was so frustrated by then that I canceled my membership and asked for my money back.
A few weeks later I learned of a new product that was coming to the market. I was hooked by the sales letter, the hype, the follow up emails, the sneak peeks; oh I was all over it. I was on the site, counting down to 10am with my credit card in hand. At 10am, nothing happened. There was no where for me to pay. I finally got in at 10:30am and what was promised to me (the bonuses, primarily) weren’t there. A slew of emails came from the owner with incorrect links to get bonuses and to log in and I was frustrated. I cancelled my account shortly there after.
And then this last time just a few weeks ago. I was offered a “pre-launch membership fee” and that the site would go live in just 3 days, March 15th. It’s been pushed back 4 times now, there have been many other emails pushing other people’s products and there is nothing in the membership area. Today, I get an email stating that she is pushing it back to the 31st. She wasn’t ready, and to be quite honest, I’m not impressed with it at all. I’ve cancelled that membership as well.
My point is this. Hype is wonderful. Get people excited about what you have to offer, but make sure that you deliver. The Revolution launches Saturday at midnight. You can bet your bottom dollar that this site will be ready to go and all the major kinks worked out. The payment processor will work, the gateway to the member area will work and the links on the inside will be correct. I’m not saying there won’t be any glitches (what would a new product be without a glitch or two) but nothing major that would affect what we’ve promised you.
With that being said, I’m off to work on the site so that it’s ready for you on the 1st! .
Until next time…
Heather
My Green Thumb Update
I have a little update for you and it’s really just a brag and boast on my part. I have diligently been taking care of those plants over the last week. I’m like a little kid to be honest; every morning I wake up to see if there is a sign of life under all that dirt. I’ve watered them, made sure I brought them in off the porch when it got cold, and cleared off the top of my microwave because that is where they would get the best sunlight in the house.
No one, including myself, thought these plants would sprout. Talk about a lack of confidence! But, when you have a track record like mine, coupled with a brown thumb, it’s easy to not have that confidence.
Just to recap, we planted strawberries, grape tomatoes, tomatoes, an oversized cabbage, and sunflowers. Well, all 5 of my sunflowers have come through the dirt, the cabbage is double the size that it was when we repotted it and there is a new green stalk on the strawberries. The tomatoes are, well, I’m not quite sure if I messed those up or if I just need to give them a little more time.
Now obviously I didn’t sit down and write this to tell you all about my gardening escapades. Just like I related them to your business before, I’m going to do it again,
Gardening is new to me. Business is new to me. Yes, I’ve been in business for over a year. Yes, I consider myself successful. I don’t know everything there is to know. I still learn on a daily basis and I will continue to learn on a daily basis.
With the planting that I did, I stepped outside of my comfort zone. I didn’t think I would have any luck with those plants, yet I did it anyway. People laughed, and with every right. I’ve killed a cactus!
Regardless of what people said, I still planted. I followed my boyfriend around the house last night with a pot of strawberries and sunflowers exclaiming “look what I did!” Silly? Of course! But I was proud, so very proud of what I had accomplished.
I do the same thing with my business. A new client is still a thrill for me and something I’m proud of and if you think I follow him around the house with a signed contract, you’re right.
Perhaps the reason I’ve killed plants in the past is because I didn’t have an interest and know that I will kill them. I know that I put off this business thing for a long time because I thought that I couldn’t do it. No confidence.
So maybe I do have a little bit of a green thumb. I guess the only way to find out is to keep tackling these plants and see what I can do with them. The same way I need to tackle new challenges in my business.
The worst thing that’s going to happen is that I’m going to kill a plant, and I’ve done that before. It’s just one of those things, I didn’t know I had it in me.
The only thing between me and a green thumb is me. And the only thing standing between me and the success of my business is me.
We’ve got just 10 days to the Revolution. Are you ready?
Until next time…
Heather
Goal Tending: Top Ten Tips to Help You Attain Your Goals
Setting goals is an important key to the success of any business. People who keep up with and achieve their goals are noticed more, probably because they are the “movers and the shakers”. Because they are written, these particular business owners achieve their goals relatively easily. In contrast, people who choose not to set written goals don’t know where they are going or even where they want to go. So in essence these businesses are stagnant with no immediate hope of moving forward. Written goals are paramount to build your business and do well in life. Here are ten tips that can help you attain your goals:
1. Written goals are written by people who know exactly what they want to achieve. They know their business and personal worth, and act accordingly. A good way to start writing your goals is to make a list of your accomplishments every day. Also take some time to dream big. Where do you want to be next year? Five years down the road? Do you want to expand your offerings? Add product offerings? You will be surprised to know that you could find out a lot about yourself in this process that you never noticed before. Once you start looking at this list, not only will your self-confidence boom, but you will have a renewed fervor about your business.
2. Be clear about your goals. If need be, break your goals into smaller, more manageable tasks. Pat yourself every time you achieve a minor goal. It will boost your self-confidence, and help you achieve bigger goals.
3. Find a mentor who can help you reach your goal. Most people, who have done well in life, have a mentor who has traveled the same road on which they are traveling today. Meet your mentor regularly, and seek his/her advice and support as a routine. You will find that you are learning something valuable every day. The Virtual Assistant Revolution is designed to be a mentor for your business.
Not only will you have access to the forum and exclusive resources but you will have access to 2 interactive teleclasses per month as well as a quarterly Revolutionary Vision(TM) call. (more information about the Revolutionary Vision(TM) call is located here.)
4. Socialize with people who are positive and supportive. Life is give and take so make sure that you give them the same support and respect that they give you. Be sure to avoid people who are negative and critical of you and your business. Such people erode your self-confidence. They make you look at your negative self, and not your positive self. After some time, you get enveloped in their cynical and negative world-view and negativity is sure to set in about your business. Nothing can be more damaging than that. Take an inventory of those around you. Do they hinder or harm your success? If they are friends, dump such “friends” as soon as you can. Or ask yourself how you can help them change the way they think about you and life around them. If they are family members, you must take caution. If you have an open relationship, let them know how it makes you feel when they talk negatively about you or life in general. Let them know that you are making positive changes in your life and that you will not be able to listen to their banter anymore (this approach can also work with friends).
You want the MOST supportive people around you. The negativity in your life has got to go.
5. Pay attention to what your goals look like. Make sure you take pleasure in writing your goals. If you do, they will be more attainable in the long run. When you begin to attain your goals, you will have an air about you that in contagious. Remember that every human being wants to be found in the company of smart, intelligent, successful people. When your goals are realized and attained you will radiate a positive, smart look. Remember attainable goals very easily make the difference between success and failure.
6. Don’t be afraid of failures. Take them in stride and move on. Say to yourself that you will succeed the next time. Never make the mistake of allowing your failures to overwhelm you. Shrug off your failures as something inconsequential, and take on a new challenge. Of course, you must learn from your past mistakes, and be realistic about your abilities.
7. Keep your goals “fit” by exercising them regularly. A “fit” goal is much attainable and achievable when they are whittled down. If you are consistently not meeting your goals take some time to “exercise” them. Do they need to go on a diet? Can they be broken down into more manageable chunks? We all like to think and dream big. But if you are not achieving your goals, it may begin to affect the positive attitude that you exude and this can affect not just your business, but can carry over into other areas of your life.
8. Have a wide range of interests, and take an active interest in what’s going on in the world. Meet and talk to a lot of people. Don’t focus all your attention only on your business and your written goals. Don’t be afraid to divert your attention to new interests and new tasks.
9. Your goals should contain what that you love. You may have excelled at things in the past and then given them up because you’ve come to the conclusion that they are not right for you. Remember, you will never grow your business by doing the things that you hate. Burnout is inevitable and the goals will ultimately be unrealized.
10. Don’t be afraid to pick new goals if your goals have not come to fruition. Nothing can erode the confidence in your business better than having consistently unattained goals. We’ve all heard the saying, “good things come to those who wait.” Perhaps it’s just not the time for this particular goal to be realized. Don’t give up. Keep it written down and come back to it. If your goals are attainable you will also increase your self-confidence.
Try to practice these tips faithfully and see the difference in your business.
WORD OF CAUTION: Don’t make all of your goals too easy to attain.
Eventually you will stagnate. Take a leap of faith, dream big!
The world is yours for the taking!
Are you struggling with setting goals for your VA business? Don’t worry, we’ve been there. Heather and I have also been on the side of the fence where our goals were not attained. Did that stop us?
No. We got right back up on the horse and tried again. We’ve failed and failed again, but we have also gotten it right time and time again. We are not afraid of failure, instead we are afraid to think of what would happen if we didn’t try. (Never forget that Thomas Edison “failed” his way to success.) Over the past 3 years we’ve revolutionized our entire way of thinking, not only about ourselves but about our businesses. Now, we want to share that with you. The Virtual Assistant Revolution is just that a REVOLUTION. We want to help you change the way you think about yourself and your business. Our goal is to show you that there is more to the current state of your VA business. If you want to introduce a new product, gain the skills to offer a new service or if you want that six-figure VA business, it’s yours for the taking and we want to give you the tools to make it happen.
Here’s to you catching the vision of the REVOLUTION,
Becki
Teach A Man To Fish…
I saw this picture today and it struck me. Why? Because it made me think of the old saying “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”—Author Unknown
Some Virtual Assistants loathe research. Since there are so many forums out there, they are under the impression that if they post a question someone will answer it and no additional research will need to be done. Am I telling you that it is unacceptable to ask a question? No. However before you ask the question, make sure that you have done some of the research yourself. When you post a question let everyone know what you have come up with first and then perhaps ask if this is the best way to proceed. When you show that you have done your due diligence the VA community is more apt to assist you. Learn how to fish, don’t expect the fish.
Think back to grade school, high school or college to the time when there was no internet and you didn’t have the answers at your fingertips. What did you do? Chances are you researched until you found the answer. Remember the card catalog? Searching through those 3×5 cards for magazine references, books, etc. it was fun wasn’t it…it’s probably bringing back fantastic memories I am sure. Also think back to what you learned through that process. Your brain was stretched and expanded and you learned things you never thought possible. This knowledge was tucked away in your brain and called upon at a later time. You learned how to fish and in the process you are still being fed.
The Revolution is designed to be your fishing rod. Because as your rod you can either cast the line far into the lake or drop it just off shore. The choice is yours. But you have to take what you learn and apply it. Sure we will gladly answer your questions and make suggestions to improve your marketing, networking or whatever you need assistance with and provide awesome learning tools. But in addition to The Revolution you will need to continue to research and find solutions to the issues you face individually. Our desire is to teach you how to bait the hook, cast the line and catch the BIG fish.
Becki
Your Business is No Different Than Your Garden
Saturday was a beautiful, abnormally warm March day in Southwest Virginia. The kids and I decided that we would plant some fruit, vegetables, and flowers. We decided on porch plants because I do not have a green thumb and we wanted to start with something small and idiot proof. I have yet to keep a plant alive, even the ones that people swore I couldn’t kill.
It’s not that I don’t like plants; I do. I think they are beautiful. I love to eat fresh fruit and vegetables. But for whatever reason, this whole watering thing baffles me, and I completely forget to water them.
We repotted Matthew’s third grade project, his oversized cabbage that will grow to be more than 40 pounds. We also planted strawberries, tomatoes, grape tomatoes, and sunflowers. But here is where I struggle. When I woke up this morning, there sat 7 pots that just had dirt in them – no buds, no blooms, and no sign of life.
As a society, we have come to expect things instantaneously. We have microwaves to cook meals faster, online banking to expedite money transfers, and email to eliminate the time it takes for a letter to make it through the Postal Service. As a whole, we want things now.
Our businesses are no different. We send out a direct mail piece and we want something from it immediately. We submit an article and expect the traffic soon thereafter. We submit our press release and expect some kind of coverage within a day or so. We hang out our open sign and become disappointed when we don’t have some sort of bite right away.
Here is what we fail to realize, and I’m just as guilty as the next guy. With our businesses, we must plant our seeds, nurture them, and provide them what they need to flourish before we will see the results – the fruits of our labor.
Consider the Revolution the Miracle-Gro of your VA business. We’ll be here to aid in the growing process, providing additional nutrients needed to thrive.
The next time you feel discouraged because you have put so much time and energy into your business and have nothing to show for it, stop and smell the roses. Then realize that they weren’t planted yesterday.
Until next time…
Heather
The Power of Synergy and Group Dynamics
One of the best things about joint ventures is synergy.Think about this.
If I put person A in one room and person B in a different room and gave them each the same topic they would come up with various ideas on their own, some of which could overlap.
But when I bring persons A and B together they are able to feed off one another’s ideas and coming up with even more ideas.
That’s what happens when Becki and I get together. We’ve been known to have four hour phone calls brainstorming and the energy is amazing! (Thank goodness for unlimited long distance.)
You’d be surprised at how the VA Revolution started. Just a passing thought and then it grew and grew and grew and before you know it, we’ve got a page up counting down, people interested in what we have to say, and creating content like mad.
We found the motivation behind this. It started so small and there’s so much momentum behind it now. I’m excited about April 1st and to be honest, I want to open the doors right now. Unfortunately, we’re just not ready.
I’m a firm believer that we all have the ability to come up with awesome ideas. It’s simply a matter of being able to bring them out. It’s easier for some than it is for others and that’s one of the reasons behind the VA Revolution. You all have the capability of doing big things, but it’s a matter of stepping outside of your comfort zone, taking chances, and thinking big.
On the subject of thinking big…
Becki and I talk every day and this morning I awoke to an email sent in the wee hours of the morning and she was going on and on and on about this Revolutionary Vision Call. I kept thinking what is she talking about? So I had to call her and when she told me of this latest thought I about fell over. I’m very excited about it.
What’s even better is that I recorded our conversation (I didn’t tell her until we were done but you can see how we think (if you’re up to it… )
You can listen to the call at the bottom of the page
The Revolutionary Vision Call is going to rock! I can’t wait!!
Until next time…
Heather
PS. you’ll notice I use BYOAudio.com for my audio — Becki and I both do. But if all you want to do is add an audio message to your site, it can be pretty expensive. Members of the Revolution will get the opportunity to record a greeting for their website on us! Details when you join!!
Busy little bees!
Becki and I have been working overtime pulling together all of the things that we have to offer. Some of them are no brainers — I just uploaded my book, Making Dollars Out of Cents: 101 Tips for the Frugal Marketer last week.
But we had other information and resources that we’ve kept close to us — that is, up until now!
Some of the information we’ve reworked and some we’ve put together from scratch. Some is in a rough draft form and some we could sell tomorrow.
I digress…
I just uploaded a special report on how to add affiliate marketing to your VA site and make some side money, a special report on the success strategies of blogging and a blog submission directory. This list has over 145 sites where you can submit your blog to gain additional exposure.
We’ve got a lot more that just hasn’t been uploaded yet, so we’re still working.
We’ll see you on the 1st!
Until next time…
Heather
7 Ways To Spot a Brokeback Entrepreneur and How to Avoid Them
Are you bitter that your network isn’t producing results? Angry that the people you’ve been networking with isn’t sending business your way? Tired of working long hours on your business only to see your bank account almost empty and your bills piling up?The problem lies with you – yes, you. You have been giving too much away for too long and you’re now attracting brokeback entrepreneurs.Who’s a brokeback entrepreneur? This is someone who operates using a frugal mentality, but refuses to spend any money to operate their business.You’re a smart entrepreneur with an awesome product or great services. However, the only way you can start to reap the financial rewards you deserve is to rid your life of these brokeback entrepreneurs.First, you need to spot them. Then, you need a strategy to avoid them, or if they’re infiltrating your life already, you need a plan to get rid of them. Here are my 7 tips based on what my friends tell me.
- Brokeback entrepreneurs always pick your brain. They will email or call you everytime they encounter a problem that you have the expertise to solve.How to avoid them: Draft up an email that lists all the freebies you offer on your website. This will include links to your blog, articles on your website, your podcast and any other advice you freely offer online. Then end the email by saying, “If after reviewing my free resources you still have questions, you can rent my brain at $200 per hour.” You’ll never hear from the brokeback entrepreneur again.
- Brokeback entrepreneurs copy from you instead of thinking of fresh, new ideas. They will plagiarize your content, copy your website design and use your trademarked name in their marketing materials.How to avoid them: Use a website such as copyscape.com to monitor who’s copying your website content. Being proactive in protecting yourself will prevent the brokeback entrepreneurs from messing with you in the first place.
- Brokeback entrepreneurs attend every free event you offer. They live for the $0, no cost teleclass, webinar or workshop. They will never, ever pay for any of your events, preferring to listen to the same free one over and over again. Then, they’ll approach you at every break or dominate every Q&A session to get free advice.How to avoid them: You can’t. Instead, cut off the questions being asked by the the brokeback entrepreneur (without being rude of course) and invite him or her to contact you via email. When he or she does, follow my advice in #1 above.
- Brokeback entrepreneurs are uncomfortable when you upsell your products or services. They will email you after your teleclass or approach you after your speech and scold you about how wrong it is to use 2-minutes at the end of your 50-minute information share to sell them anything.How to avoid them: Keep your cool. Remember, price is to a brokeback entrepreneur as billions are to Trump, so they’ll never be your customer since they’ll never spend money with you. Instead, thank the brokeback entrepreneur for their advice, then move on to the next person. Don’t get into an argument with the brokeback entrepreneur. Chances are, when the brokeback entrepreneur complains to her or his colleagues that you actually tried to sell something, the brokeback entrepreneur will have egg on her or his face.
- Brokeback entrepreneurs will seek to barter their services with you. They never want to spend money on anyone’s services simply because no one is spending money with him or her.How to avoid them: Not all bartering relationships are bad. Instead, define the arrangement up front by writing up a statement of work. Detail the start and end dates, what’s included and excluded in the project, plus a timeline. Also, issue an invoice that shows the value of the work you’re providing, but has a $0 for the amount owing. Chances are, the brokeback entrepreneur will find someone else who isn’t taking the bartering relationship that seriously.
- Brokeback entrepreneurs expect you to drop everything for them. Because she or he is sitting in their home office twiddling their thumbs, the brokeback entrepreneur expects that you are as well. The reason why she or he has so much time on their hands is because they aren’t making money. So, when they leave you a voicemail or send you an email, they expect to see a response within the hour.How to avoid them: Update your voicemail greeting to let people know when you typically return greetings. A typical turnaround time is 24-hours. A rule of thumb is to respond to your clients and prospects inquiring about your product or service that same business day. Typically, a brokeback entrepreneur is neither, so get into the habit of responding to networking contacts within 3-business days.
- Brokeback entrepreneurs hang out together. Those who feel they shouldn’t spend money for anything beyond registering a domain name hang out with those of the same mentality.How to avoid them: If you want to be a millionaire, hang out with millionaires. If you want to have a successful business, hang out with people who have a successful business. If you want to be broke, hang out with broke people. It’s just that simple.
Leesa Barnes, Chief Divapreneur™, helps women start a new business or launch an idea on a shoestring budget. Through her coaching programs, speaking engagements and interactive workshops, Leesa is on a mission to help 10,000 women become their own boss by 2010, even if they lack the confidence or start-up capital to do so. Sign up for the Divapreneurs At Work ezine by visiting http://www.savialane.com and receive a F R E E ebook called “The One Thing 85 Women (and One Man) Used to Build a Profitable Business (And It Ain’t Money).”
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