Category Archives: Cool Stuff

Whew, I ‘ve been gone awhile

Man, how time flies. I’ve been so focused on getting the new Administrative Consultants Association site done that I had to completely abandon the ol’ blog here (which will undergo its own metamorphosis soon as well). I have a zillion draft posts, too, that I could have been posting, but I just couldn’t spare the attention span needed to clean them up and get them posted. But you know, I just don’t sweat that kind of stuff.

I’m so excited about finally moving forward on the new direction. It’s been a long time coming. I actually started the site design last year, but got mentally blocked and had to put it on ice until I got some clarity again. And one I did, it started moving like gangbusters!

I’ve still got a few loose ends to take care so the site isn’t officially done, but do take a look and let me know whatcha think:  Administrative Consultants Association.

I also want to ask for your help. I’d like to spotlight a few stories from those of you who have embraced the new Administrative Consultant term and how it has helped you in your business.

For example, I recently received a note from a member who related how much easier it’s been for her in talking with potential clients and in networking situations since she began using the term Administrative Consultant. She said she doesn’t get any more of the eyes-glazing-over/deer-in-the-headlights thing that she would always get when she called herself a Virtual Assistant.

And I know of several people(myself included)  who have experienced a dramatic shift in how clients and business people at networking events treat them… getting rid of the word “assistant” from the equation makes all the difference in the world.

So if you have converted over or are still trying out the term Administrative Consultant, please email me your positive anecdotes and experience in using the term. My goal is to share these on our home page or a dedicated pate on the new site and will include your name and backlink to your site.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Virtual Assistant Business Contracts Templates Forms Guides

Private or Public Forum?

If you’ve been by the Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce site lately, you’ve seen that we are in the midst of some major updating and site reorganization. One of the things we’ll be working on soon is our new forum platform, and I want to pick your brain about privacy.

The main question is whether the forum should be public (able to be viewed by anyone coming to the site) or whether it should be private (where only members with accounts can view the postings and conversations).

There are pros and cons to both and I honestly can’t decide which way to go.

The benefits of a public forum is that it attracts more users/members. Site visitors can see what’s going on and it’s great for PR and search engine rankings.

On the other hand, it’s not always a good thing that site visitors can see what’s going on. Some of the conversations I’ve seen on some of the public forums are quite embarrassing. If I was a client seeing some of these discussions and the questions asked, I’d be pretty leery about hiring some of these people if the quality of competence and qualification and lack of skill/knowledge was any indications of what I’d be getting.

Hey, I don’t blame anyone for asking questions, but clients and prospects just don’t need to see some of this stuff. Which is one of the benefits of having a private forum. I’ve always felt that VAs need a private sanctuary where members can let their hair down, vent on occasion if need be, and ask those questions and have those conversations without any fear that client eyes will ever see them. And in my experience, when there is a slight barrier to entry, you tend to attract the folks with a higher caliber of skills, competence, qualification and business sensibility.

The con of a private forum, however, is that you may not get the same amount of traffic and interest as you would with a public forum and people tend to lurk longer (which I can’t stand; I hate that feeling of someone looking over your shoulder, but never letting you know who they are).

So what do you think? If a combination of both private and public wasn’t an option, and you had to choose between one or the other, which kind of forum would you prefer? Which would make you feel more comfortable/safer participating in? Please select your choice in the poll below. I would love to hear your two cents and any suggestions you have!

Virtual Assistant Business Contracts Templates Forms Guides

New Video: How to Work with a Virtual Assistant

Hey, check out our new video to help clients understand how to work with a Virtual Assistant/Administrative Consultant. Would love you to subscribe to our channel, rate the video and leave your comments. Let me know how you like it.

Oh, and by the way, this was made for Virtual Assistants and Administrative Consultants to use on their websites so feel free!

Virtual Assistant Business Contracts Templates Forms Guides

Poll: What Is Your Favorite Social Networking Platform?

We are curious over on our Facebook book page: Of all the social networking platforms out there, whether you use all or just some of them, which one is your most favorite?

Virtual Assistant Business Contracts Templates Forms Guides

Get Ready to Toss Those Timesheets Out the Window for Good!

I know buying business products can be tough. The really good stuff does cost money. There’s just no way around it. But it’s an investment in your growth and success. And those of us with the really good stuff to offer can’t devalue ourselves and the knowledge we share. That’s a really poor business example, and none of us should help others at the expense of our own interests. Right?

I also know that cost can sometimes make great tools and training inaccessible for a lot of people
. Which is why I price my products at a range I feel honors the value and expertise I offer while still being accessible to a large number of people. Internet marketers charge literally thousands of dollars for the kind of learning, knowledge and guidance I offer in my products.

That’s why occasionally I offer a sale to make it a little easier for those who are still struggling financially
. I really want to help this profession grow and succeed to the next level. I have heard from many of you who would really love to get my new Value-Based Pricing & Packaging Toolkit, but the regular $147 price tag was still a bit out of reach. Sooooo, I’m going to open a window here to give you a really great savings…

From now until September 25, I’ve reduced the price of the Value-Based Pricing & Packaging Toolkit to $97 (a savings of $50). What’s also cool is that I’ve added a ton of new information to the product so you’re getting the benefit of all the added resources I’ve realized people need in implementing this new methodology in their business.

You’ll get:

  • 2 videos where I walk you through the entire presentation.
  • Written guides to teach you how to implement value-based pricing in your practice.
  • Success and profitability tips.
  • Visual illustrations and graphics to make the concepts crystal clear.
  • A diagram of my own successful business model.
  • Samples and templates to use in your own practice.

I’m probably leaving something out. The product page will give you the full low-down.  There’s just so much I’ve included that you will get with this product. And be sure to read the reviews on the product page from folks who attended my original clinic and purchased the product. I’m telling you, this is REALLY good stuff and I hope this price break will help give you access to it.

Virtual Assistants and Administrative Support Consultants: get ready to toss those timesheets out the window once and for all!

If you have any questions at all, please do email me. I’m always happy to help. :)

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Don’t Be Confused

Really, really smart thinking by Admiral James Stockdale (tip of the hat to Perry Marshall for noting it):

“You must never confuse faith that you will prevail in the end (which you can never afford to lose) with the discipline to confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”

Virtual Assistant Business Contracts Templates Forms Guides

How to Stop Selling Hours and Start Selling Support

I’m really excited about my upcoming Pricing & Packaging Biz Intensive next week. We’ve got a great group of people signed up so far. There are a few more spots available; be sure and sign up by July 19. What you learn in this clinic will blow your mind and revolutionize your business. Plus, as a registrant, you’ll get a ton of hardcopy tools and information to begin you on your journey toward improved billing, marketing and consulting with clients!

In the meantime, I want to invite you to ask me any questions you might have. For example, maybe you aren’t sure what I mean when I ask “Are you selling hours instead of expertise?” Or after watching my quick video below, you want to know more about why selling hours is debilitating your business, limiting your income and scaring away prospective clients. Ask me anything! I’ll post the good ones here for everyone and I will automatically keep your name and information confidential.

Virtual Assistant Business Contracts Templates Forms Guides

I’m Super Excited About My New Online Store

One of the things I’ve been busy with over the past couple months is getting my new online Virtual Assistant Business Forms store up and running. I wanted to put it on its own site to keep it separate from the new Administrative Consultants Association site we are setting up. Just makes things easier all the way around.

Well, this “little” project has taken a bit longer than anticipated. Basically, it’s done, but I have some more info to add on some of the pages as well as some cosmetic design tweaks. In the meantime, I need pre-launch buyers to make sure everything is all polished and runs smoothly. For that reason, I’m holding a 50% off sale for the next 48 hours only. My products are worth every penny they cost so it’s not often I have sales in the first place, and I will never have a sale at this steep a discount ever again. So, if you’ve been holding off buying any of my products, now is the time to get in there. They will never be this low-priced again and like I say, it ends in 48 hours.

Just type in this word into the discount code field when you checkout: 50offsale

Here’s the link: http://virtualassistantbusinessforms.com/

PS: Oh, and even if you don’t buy anything, I really would like to know you like the look of the new store compared with the old page. Is it more pleasing on the eye? Is it easier to navigate? Do you think it’s easier to find the products you’re looking for? Is there anything that is confusing or bugs you about it? I would really appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks in advance! :)

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How Do You Pimp Your Laptop?

Do you have one of those fancy designer laptops?

Do you like to put stickers or skins on your laptop cover?

Do you have a favorite laptop tote?

I’m looking for your pix of your laptop and accessories to share in my weekly ezine, The Portable Business™. Shoot me over a pic (word at grittyva dot com) and I’ll feature you with a link to your website in an upcoming issue!

Virtual Assistant Business Contracts Templates Forms Guides

The 2009 Virtual Assistant Industry Survey is Out

The 2009 Virtual Assistant Industry Survey is finally done!

As usual, those administrative support providers who met the qualifying criteria and completed the survey get a free copy and will have already received a message in their IN box over the weekend.

For everyone else, you can purchase a copy at the online store (in fact, you can get all four years’ worth of surveys—2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009—for the price of one if you order before May 31!). And, of course, those administrative consultants who missed taking part in the survey will have an opportunity to participate the 2010 survey and thereby get a free copy of next year’s report. Happy reading!

2009 Virtual Assistant Industry Survey

Virtual Assistant Business Contracts Templates Forms Guides