Project Based Contracts:Hiring a Virtual Assistant for Short Term Work

Posted under Virtual Assistants by Vivienne on Sunday 28 October 2007

There are two major ways that you can work with a virtual assistant. The first of these is with management projects, which are done over a long period of time. The second of these is based off of short term work, where you simply hire a virtual assistant for a shorter term project that you will need. Depending on the state of your business, you can determine the time allotment for your virtual assistant.

There are two types of ways that you can approach short term work with a virtual assistant. Both of these will make a difference in the type of contract that you decide to sign with the assistant, as well as the types of projects you will have your virtual assistant for. Of course, even if you are only hiring a virtual assistant for a short period of time, you can always use the assistant in the future, as they will be familiar with the company and its needs.

The first type of short term work that you can hire a virtual assistant for is with maintenance that will only need to be updated a few times a year. For example, if you have specific book keeping that you will need to have maintained once every quarter, a virtual assistant can work on this and consider it a short term project. Most likely, this will be considered a per-project agreement between you and the assistant.

The second type of short term work will be for when you need extra help for a specific time of year. Often times, virtual assistants will be hired for an event that is taking place or for an extra busy time of the year. This will allow the extra customer service and maintenance that is needed to be taken care of. There is also the possibility to hire a virtual assistant to do a short term project, such as build a website without the maintenance. This will allow you to find the best solutions for the extra push your business may need.

No matter what type of extra help you need, you can find a virtual assistant who can catch onto the vision and help you to reach your goal. No matter what the time frame is, you can easily find a virtual assistant who has the ability to do what is needed for your company.

Get the music in you!

Posted under creativity, music by Vivienne on Monday 22 October 2007

So you think you’re not musical?  Of course you are.  Don’t you sing in the shower? Shake your booty on the dance floor?  Have an opinion on American Idol?

The easiest way to make music and work with the rhythm is with percussion instruments like maraccas and tambourines.  They are cheap, easy to use and transport and a great introduction to music for kids.  If you’re keen and want to spend a bit more, have a look throughthe range of musical instruments on www.shopping.com  You can search by type of instrument or by price.  There are also many accessories for those who already play an instrument.  You can even buy ‘learn to play’ DVD’s - a great way to try out a new style before you sink money into lessons and courses.  They have all kinds of instruments, from woodwind to electric guitars to drum kits.  There is something for everyone, whether you are an expert or a raw beginner.  Check them out today!

Dieting to Lose a Few Vanity Pounds

Posted under Diets by Vivienne on Monday 22 October 2007

There are those among us who wish to lose a few pounds rather than 20 or more pounds. While many of us would be grateful if that were the case for us, most will find that the smaller the amount of weight needed to lose the more difficult it seems to remove. The good news is that those with little weight to lose generally do not face the painful issues with exercise and physical activity that plague those with far more weight to lose.

There are some great products on the market that will assist those with relatively little weight to lose enjoy the weight loss process without feeling deprived. The new market of 100-calorie snacks is an excellent tool for just this situation. You can get the treats you need to get you through the day without exactly packing on the pounds in the process. You can count calories to no end but if you have only a few pounds to reach your goal weight and aren’t delighted with your tight and tone new body, then perhaps it’s best to work on tightening and toning rather than more dieting.

The thing that far too many people forget along the way is that dieting can only get you so far when it comes to results. There will come a time when weight training and cardio exercises of some sort are the only thing that is going to get you to the body you so rightly desire. Dieting is good for dropping the pounds, but dieting alone is unlikely to bring you the body of your dreams. You should also keep in mind that exercising and ramping up your fitness routine is a great way to renew your dedication to the process and your enthusiasm. This is particularly true if you have found a fitness routine that is appealing to you.

The fitness routines of today are not the tired old aerobics workout of the 1980’s. You have many options ranging from kick boxing, Tae Bo, Yoga, Pilates, and even belly dancing for those that dare. The point is that you are not as limited as you may think when it comes to entertaining options for your workout routine. Find a workout that you can actually be excited about doing and do it. There is a lot of truth to the old Nike commercials that boldly proclaimed: “Just Do It”. Whatever it may be in your fitness routine, it will not do itself. You must be an active participant in your weight loss and fitness endeavors in order to achieve any results that will be favorable.

Whether your weight loss and dieting goals are to shed a few pounds or many pounds along the way it is quite likely that you will at some point reach a plateau in which you discover that you need to ramp up either your level of physical activity or calorie burning methods or you will need to ramp up your calorie cutting exercises. Either way, dealing with the setback is almost as important as your decision to lose those pounds in the first place. Get back in the game and renew your efforts. In no time you should have lost those few pounds that you were hoping to lose and established the body you were aiming to create.

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Making it Clear:Giving Your Virtual Assistant the Information They Need

Posted under Virtual Assistants by Vivienne on Monday 22 October 2007

When one is hired for a job, it is expected that the first two weeks will be for training. This will allow the person to become familiar with the job and to understand all of the details that are a part of the description. If you have decided to work with a virtual assistant, this may not be the case. Whether it is a project or long term maintenance, it is important to provide the information that is needed.

The first few times that you work with a virtual assistant, you should expect that the communication will be partly about the training into the job. It will be important that you let the assistant know what your business is all about. This includes allowing them to see the vision of the business, let them know the details of what you do, and allow them to see how you are running.

From here, you will need to make sure that you have an idea of what you want from the virtual assistant. For example, if you are telling them to answer the phones for you, make sure that they will answer it with your business name. This also means that you should provide them with some general information that may be related to the business. By doing this, you will have the ability to keep a professional look, even on the first day of the job.

Most likely, you will not have problems with the training. Because virtual assistants work for several people, they know the routine of the first few days. You can not only expect to provide a fast training. Most virtual assistants will have a list of questions that they will ask their clients when they are hired. This allows them to catch onto the job quickly, and will save you if you miss any of the details.

Making business decisions and passing them to a virtual assistant is one of the ways that you can be sure to keep your business image the way that you want to. By doing this, you will have the ability to pass the business to someone who has had some quick training and can make sure to uphold the quality of service that you want to offer.

Putting Together the Figures:Virtual Assistants and Database Management

Posted under Virtual Assistants by Vivienne on Sunday 21 October 2007

One of the abilities of using a virtual assistant is to have possibilities for maintenance care without having to spend your own time at the desk. No matter what the project or time period, a virtual assistant can help you to find better solutions. An area of expertise that many virtual assistants can help with is database management.

Database management can include anything from maintaining records that come in every month to handling databases for things such as web portals. By doing this, they give you possibilities for opening up your schedule and keeping accurate records at the same time. No matter what type of extra things you need to put into the file, a virtual assistant can help.

Most virtual assistants will be familiar with specific types of database management portals. You will want to make sure that the program they use is similar to the one that you can best access. Most likely, databases will be maintained in something such as Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access. However, there are other possibilities that will offer better maintenance. For example, SQL may be a better option for virtual assistants to maintain a website. Making sure you know about the program is important for better maintenance.

Another important part of getting a virtual assistant to work with the right database management is to understand exactly how you want things to be organized. This doesn’t just include knowing the categories. You should also be prepared to say how often you want the database managed, have an idea of what this work will take, and have the ability to communicate about the best possibilities for what you want. This will allow you to work with your virtual assistant as a team and create a job description that will be effective for both of you.

The basis for database management relies on the computer programs that are used as well as the type of organizational structure that you need. By making sure you have all the notes on how to approach database management, you can effectively use a virtual assistant for all of your organization needs.

Reading In Between the Lines:Using Virtual Assistants for Writing and Transcription

Posted under Virtual Assistants by Vivienne on Sunday 14 October 2007

Hiring a virtual assistant has endless possibilities. Depending on what you need, you can easily find an assistant that will provide you with the best services and quality, without taking any extra time or money from your business or from you. One of the possibilities for a virtual assistant is using them for writing and transcription. This will allow you to bring your business to a different level.

There a variety of virtual assistants, all that focuses on different things for their business. One of the common businesses with virtual assistants is writing and transcription. This particular field of expertise in a virtual assistant can provide you with a variety of things from a script and into writing.

The first set of services that a virtual assistant may offer with their writing and transcription is the basics of writing. This can be everything from article writing to copy editing and proof reading. There are a large number of writers who are working as virtual assistants and can give you quality work. If you need things such as press releases for your business or newsletter publishing for a website, you can hire a virtual assistant to help with what you need.

Some virtual assistants will focus on different options for writing services. One of the common abilities for many virtual assistants is transcription. If you have something that you have recorded and need the writing in a form such as Word, you can easily use a virtual assistant to take the recording and type in everything, word for word. You can also do this if you need something recorded live, such as a meeting. Many virtual assistants will be available to take diction or record notes that you may need to have available to you.

Whether it is simple typing or press releases, the right virtual assistant can help. By hiring a virtual assistant for writing of any type, you will have the ability to make your business more noticeable and will continue to stay organized. The idea of a virtual assistant that focuses on the words is to hire them to keep everything in writing.

Setting Goals When Dieting

Posted under Diets by Vivienne on Sunday 14 October 2007

As with most things in life, setting goals is very important when dieting. When you look at things truthfully and objectively you should notice that most of the things you’ve accomplished in life have been accomplished because you not only had a goal but also had a clearly planned and well thought out process for achieving that goal. That being said, why is goal setting so important when it comes to dieting?

First of all, it is difficult to achieve a goal if you do not have a clearly defined goal. There are times in life when it is almost impossible to tell whether you are succeeding or failing because you aren’t certain exactly what the desired outcome should be. Identifying your dieting goals before you begin eliminates this particular possibility.

Second, having dieting goals gives you a measuring stick by which you can judge your process. This is important so that you know when your efforts are failing behind and when you’re moving along schedule or ahead of schedule. In other words, you will know when to celebrate and when to give yourself a swift kick to the rear.

Now that we know why we set weight loss goals, let’s discuss how we should go about setting those goals that are so important for dieting success. You want to set goals that are aggressive without being impossible to achieve. If you set goals that are beyond your reach you will find that frustration will be your dieting partner until you reach the point where you give up all together. In order to avoid this you should take great care to insure that your goals are possible for you to achieve.

When it comes to weight loss be specific when setting your goals. Rather than setting a total goal of 40 or 60 pounds start with a specific goal such as 10 pounds in one month. Then you can extend the goal to the next month until you’ve reached the overall goal of 40 or 60 pounds. It is much easier to lose 10 pounds four times than it is to lose 40 pounds at once. It’s a trick of the mind but it works. Ten pounds sounds simple and achievable. Forty pounds sounds like an insurmountable obstacle.

Another thing about goals is that you want to hold yourself accountable but you shouldn’t call the whole thing off if you only lose 9 pounds instead of 10. Instead, find out where you dropped the ball for the final pound and set your 10-pound goal for the next month.

You should also take great care that you are working with your personal goals and not the goals that someone else is pushing on you. The truth is that if it’s personal to you, it will be much more rewarding than if you are doing this for someone else. If your heart isn’t in it, there are very few goals that are going to motivate you properly.

Finally, you should establish small (non-food) rewards for accomplishing your dieting goals. Perhaps your reward will be a new accessory for your new (or new old) wardrobe or a pedicure for your new look. Make your reward something fun and frivolous and teach yourself that accomplishing your goals can be accomplished by something other than food. This is a key to dieting successfully.

Studying the Math:Credibility of a Virtual Assistant

Posted under Virtual Assistants by Vivienne on Sunday 7 October 2007

Just like a job interview, most business owners will want to examine the credibility of a virtual assistant before they decide to sign a contract with them. Just like a resume, most business owners will want to make sure that the credentials are available for the virtual assistant. This will help to define how good they will be for the work that you are asking them to do.

There are several ways to define the credibility of a virtual assistant. There are no set standards for an assistant, meaning that the number one credential should be in your confidence to have them do the work, and in their confidence to do the work effectively. Having the personality and understanding the vision should be one of the number one considerations for a virtual assistant.

Beyond this, there are a variety of possibilities for a virtual assistant. One of the growing credentials for an assistant is the certification for a virtual assistant. However, this is not a required credential. It will simply allow the virtual assistant to gain the knowledge that they need in order to expand their abilities. Some will, instead, have credibility related to schooling or certification from things such as computer programming. There is also the possibility that they belong to the Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce as a member, or the national and international associations. This will help you to define whether they are virtual assistants, and will help you to see their seriousness in their job.

One of the other determining options that you can look into is the years of experience that the virtual assistant has. You can expect that a smoother job is going to be done with someone who has at least five years of experience in what they are marketing. Unless you have worked with virtual assistants before and know that they can do the job by your standards without that much experience, it is best to make sure they have some experience.

If you want to make sure that your business has the best reputation, then you also want to make sure that you have the right person working for you on the pieces to the puzzle. Having a virtual assistant with the required credentials is one of the necessary parts to helping you put together the whole of your business.

Saving the Pennies:Pricing a Virtual Assistant

Posted under Virtual Assistants by Vivienne on Monday 1 October 2007

If you are a smart business owner, you know the questions that are important to ask before you get involved in anything. One of the common questions that you have probably grown familiar to asking is “how much will this cost me?” Knowing how much each service will cost with a virtual assistant can help you to define what you want and need done and what isn’t essential to get done.

Most virtual assistants will price their services by the hour. The only exception to this is if it is only one project that has a standard pricing, such as websites. The hourly charge that a virtual assistant will provide will most likely be in relation to the type of services they offer, the going rate of virtual assistants and the materials that will need to be provided for the services.

For basic services from a virtual assistant, you can expect to pay an average of $30 per hour. This is standard from the Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce. However, if the services are more advanced, such as event planning, you can expect to pay up to $75 per hour. Even though this is more than a hired administrative assistant, you can expect to save money with these prices.

The reason why the pricing is set like this is because of the work that is done for you. Most likely, a virtual assistant will not be working for you eight hours a day. They also will not be working consistently throughout the week. When you factor this into how much work you need, you will be paying less than part-time assistance with the pricings. Included in the pricings are also things such as phone lines, supplies and other needs that the virtual assistant may have.

If you want to make sure that you get the best price for a virtual assistant, then you only have to see what types of services are included in the pricing. By knowing the standard pricings, and defining whether you will save money or loose money, you can determine the best way to save your pennies, while getting the quality work that you will need.

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