In today’s world, it is getting difficult with each passing year to save enough money for your retirement. Planning to retire at an early age? Good luck. It’s hard enough to save for retirement age, what more to save for an early retirement. Saving up for a nest egg is difficult unless you have other means to earn. If you have a job, it’s either you put up a business or franchise, or you start an online business.

There are several types of online businesses that you can get into. One of which is affiliate marketing. What is it? It’s much like being a salesman, where you peddle other people’s products and you get a commission for each sale you complete. If this is your sup of tea, then go for it. I personally know a few people who built their fortunes doing nothing but affiliate marketing. Be forewarned though, you must be good at marketing since your profits are entirely dependent on how much you sell. The more you sell, the higher your profits.

Check out these online business auctions at eBay:

COMPUTER STORE WEBSITE – PROFITABLE ONLINE BUSINESS

US $0.89 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Oct-07-2010 21:45:48 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

HEALTH CARE STORE WEBSITE – PROFITABLE ONLINE BUSINESS

US $0.89 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Oct-07-2010 19:09:47 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

MICHAEL JACKSON STORE WEBSITE – ONLINE TURNKEY BUSINESS

US $0.89 (1 Bid) End Date: Thursday Oct-07-2010 16:00:32 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Another, and probably the best form of online business is internet marketing. Internet marketing itself includes several types and it all involves SEO, or search engine optimization, which will be discussed later. In Internet marketing, you have your own product or service that you sell through your own site or blog. So you build a site, sell your product then market your site using the aforementioned SEO techniques. The best thing about this method is, you can add in affiliate marketing and adsense to your site to increase your revenue. Internet marketing is perhaps the best course to pursue.

We mentioned search engine optimization earlier, and here we discuss it. What is it really? Basically, you market your website. How? By making it rank higher in search engines. You build links, write articles and content and even make videos. What you are doing here is making an online presence that is too big for search engines to ignore. This makes your site rank higher, which in turn makes your site more visible to users. The power of SEO is that you have to choose your keywords carefully to make sure that people are searching for it, and the fact that most people nowadays use the Internet for most of what they do.

All this talk about affiliate marketing, internet marketing, SEO and what not may make running an online business seem difficult and confusing. But believe me, it’s not. Just like learning to ride a bike, at first it may seem difficult and life threatening, but once you get the hang of it, you are cruising through the streets. In online business, all you need is to get a fair idea how things work and you are all set. You can even do things that are not taught and do things your own way. You are not restricted to do anything like in other businesses. But of course, like all things in life, do something illegal or bad, and there will be repercussions. In all, just choose wisely and practice your freedoms well, and things will turn out peachy keen.

Hello there. Michelle here, from VA Live.tv. Today, I want to talk to you about a subject, which is cropping up a lot on forums from existing virtual assistants and my business managers and also in new virtual assistants. It’s kind of a touchy subject at the moment. A divide is starting to form in this industry relating to offshore virtual assistants and their counterparts or “onshore” virtual assistants. It is rather difficult to come up with a conclusive answer to the situation, I think. The VAs in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and other native English-speaking country seems to feel a little bit threatened by the virtual assistants from places like the Philippines, India, and places like that coming in and offering similar services at much lower rates. Also as well, something that came up from the forums, was these VA’s are sort of writing articles about virtual assistants which, in the opinion of the other VA’s is not entirely accurate.

This is of great concern to me and I will have a lot to talk about here, so first of all I’m going to sum it all up on video and expand upon this later on.

Check out these business auctions at eBay:

womens black OLD NAVY jacket blazer business cute sz 2X

US $4.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Oct-05-2010 14:07:45 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

NEW Start Right in E-Business: A Step by Step Guide …

US $60.59 End Date: Tuesday Oct-05-2010 14:16:18 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $60.59 Buy it now | Add to watch list

NEW Miller’s Bolt: A Modern Business Parable

US $10.37 End Date: Tuesday Oct-05-2010 14:11:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $10.37 Buy it now | Add to watch list

First of all, “What is a virtual assistant?” I have my own opinion on this, about what a Virtual Assistant is and not everybody agrees with my opinion and I will be showing that later on in another post about what I think a Virtual Assistant is. There’s a lot of confusion, basically and people may not agree about the definition of a virtual assistant. It seems like in the Virtual Assistant industry there’s this little cliques on the forums and things like that and little groups of people who says, “Well, a Virtual Assistant is this” and “a Virtual Assistant is this.” Everybody is entitled to their own opinion and freedom of speech about what they think a virtual assistant is. So, the conclusion that we can come to is that whenever you come across articles or other literature, or look at Virtual Assistant websites where they say “I am a Virtual Assistant and this is what a Virtual Assistant does,” then you should just accept their point of view. You can educate people yourself on what you think a Virtual Assistant is and if you are a Virtual Assistant or thinking of becoming a Virtual Assistant then, hopefully, you’re going to try and make yourself unique and different to other Virtual Assistants and that’s what’s going to make you really stand out and be really good in your business. So, don’t worry too much about what other people are saying and thinking about what Virtual Assistants are because you will have your chance to put your point across and your feelings across on what you think a Virtual Assistant is and what you are because you’re unique, you’re different and you’re not what other people are saying a Virtual Assistants are, even though you are technically a Virtual Assistant. Initially, this is what I have to say!

The second thing is that I don’t think you have to feel threatened by these other Virtual Assistants who are coming in at much lower rates. Remember that you have no control over what people say. Likewise, you have no control over the rates that are charged, the service that is provided and the standard of such service. So, make yourself different. Just focus on what you can control. Concentrate on how you are going to build your business to be better than anything else out there and you will find your own market. For example, if your rate is $30 an hour for a particular service and somebody in an offshore situation, or elsewhere in another country — or even in your own — quotes three dollars or four dollars for exactly the same thing, then it’s unlikely that the quality of the service provided is going to be the same as what you are able to offer. You really have to drum this into people, into potential clients, that what you’re offering is the best, is the best out there and that you’re the best Virtual Assistant. Basically, in this industry, you pay for what you get. I think it’s fantastic that there are Virtual Assistants out there offshore and I’m really embracing them because people need them. There are people who are beginning their own small businesses at home, working online without a lot of upfront funding. If they’re working jobs and they have a family to take care of, these people don’t have a lot of money and offshore Virtual Assistants who are charging these very low rates are absolutely perfect for these people. They’re doing some good in this world. So, it’s important to rise above the negativity and no matter what you think of these Virtual Assistants and how they might negatively impact your own business, just focus on what you do. You are responsible for educating people on what you think a Virtual Assistant is and, at the end of the day, these other Virtual Assistants they’re just trying to make living as well.

So, that’s basically what I want to say briefly about it. I have so much more to say on this subject it’s unbelievable, but my point is don’t sit around complaining about other people in the Virtual Assistant industry, that their stuff is not very good, that their material isn’t very good, that will shine through and other people will see it. By ensuring that your work is at the top of its game, you fully understand exactly what your market needs, then irrespective of what these other people are doing, you will undoubtedly be successful.

So, this is what I really want to say today. I certainly hope it was helpful. I hope that you will take a little bit of it on board and, of course, if you’re against what I say or if you’re for what I say, I’d love to hear your opinion on my blog post. Look after yourself and have a pleasant day. This is Michelle from VA Live.tv.

One strategy to build links to your site is to purchase them. There are several things to consider before doing this. One of the most important considerations is how the search engines look at such links. The different search engines have varying opinions, to a degree, but let’s look at Google’s policy to decide is this is a viable link-building strategy.

When you read Google’s Webmaster Tools section, you’ll find that Google lists paid links on its Link Schemes page. The term scheme itself has a negative connotation, implying something underhanded or subversive. And the last thing you want when trying to build links to your website is to be considered a “schemer” by Google.

Check out these business auctions at eBay:

ATM Blue/Red LED Neon Sign-For Business,Home,Sex,Fun!!

US $69.99 End Date: Saturday Oct-02-2010 9:35:56 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $69.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Neon Palm Neon Sign -Great for Bar,Home,Business,Party!

US $59.99 End Date: Saturday Oct-02-2010 9:36:01 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $59.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

KAREN SCOTT red blk wool business casual skirts 16P NEW

US $7.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Oct-02-2010 9:19:48 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $8.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

The Link Schemes page on Google lists what they consider inappropriate ways to build links to your site in an effort to increase your page rank (PR). Right there in black and white is “buying or selling links.” It seems they definitely frown on the practice of paying for links for your site.

So, does that mean that nobody does it? Far from it, indeed it is widespread…

If you want to be legalistic about it, you could call paying for an online ad buying a link to your site. However, there is a subtle difference. It is quite normal to buy advertising, whether it is in the form of a text ad, a banner ad or a block ads. Visitors can take one look at it and see that it is an advertising link. They can click on it or not, depending on whether they’re interested in buying what you’re offering for sale. There is nothing underhand about this.

What Google and the other search engines frown upon is paying for what looks to be a legitimate review or legitimate article, when in fact the writer was paid to write a glowing discourse about the product or company. You might well get some more links to your site by using paid reviews or articles, but what happens if you really annoy the folks at Google, will it be worth the money?

Google is the leader in the field and their best advice is to offer top class unique content, that is highly relevant, in order to get legitimate links from other websites and to build your status around the Internet. And to take advantage of this quickly, seriously consider taking on someone looking to become virtual assistant, or even a team looking to become virtual assistant business, to maximise your efforts in a very short span of time.

Obviously, the more quality content you offer, the more likely others will be to find your content valuable and provide a link to it. This is supposed to be the primary way to build backlinks to your site. Don’t forget, someone looking to become virtual assistant can help you with all the details, at a great price.

Having said that, paying for links is very commonplace, whether it is acceptable or not, especially in the world of blogging. There are any number of companies and websites that offer blogging for pay jobs—which sound great for the bloggers, but if a blogger is getting paid to write about your site… you’re paying for that link. So, should you engage in paying for links? This is up to you. Be very careful, however, because you don’t want to be banned by Google for participating in a link scheme. Do you think it’s worth the money?

Michelle Dale is The Managing Director of Virtual Miss Friday, an accomplished Executive Virtual Assistant Service which helps companies of all sizes reach their commercial targets. Want to get more information about online business building success strategies that really work? Contact VMF today!

If you create your own product, you will be poised to elevate your IM game – your business. If you’re struggling with product creation, we have some proven tips for you that we believe you will like.

One of the more effective product creation tips is to think carefully about your own hobbies, interests and passions. Many successful online entrepreneurs make their fortunes by selling their own products based on things that really interest them. It’s a fact that when you create product, it has to be something you’re passionate about. For instance, if you’re really interested in gardening and spend a lot of time on your hobby, this could be a good topic to work with. One of the reasons why people fail with their product creation is not because they didn’t do a good job, but it’s due to their own lack of interest in it, which eventually brings down the product itself. However, while you might really be passionate about your topic, you will still need to research the market to see if there will be demand for your product. You might be really fascinated by your hobby, but there may not be a lot of call for products related to it online.

Check out these online business auctions at eBay:

Online Mobile/Cell Phone supplies Website Business Shop

US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Oct-01-2010 19:00:30 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Established Online General Website Business Shop store

US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Oct-01-2010 8:00:11 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

HEALTH CARE STORE WEBSITE – PROFITABLE ONLINE BUSINESS

US $0.89 (0 Bid) End Date: Friday Oct-01-2010 18:47:12 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

For example, your hobby might be about building model trains, which should be easy to write an ebook about. However, even though you might find people around the world who share your interest, will there be enough of them happy to spend money buying products for it? So you’ll need to find the right balance between your hobby and figuring out the feasibility of a product for it. If you can find that balance, then you know you’ll have a viable product on your hands. When you’re already aware that your product will be potentially successful, it’s easier to create. Another product that a lot of people do not even consider is a membership site. The reason for this, even though it’s not a new model, is recent advances in technology have made them so much more easy to implement. When you have a membership site of your own, it gives out a sense of authority and makes you look more credible. Another aspect concerns human nature, and these kinds of sites give people a feeling of exclusivity or belonging to something others do not. Trust, respect, and positive business relationships are just a few of the many benefits you can enjoy. There are so many options available to you such as upgrades to premium memberships, etc. If you want to keep it for the long term, then always look for ways to improve and upgrade/update your content. Also, the money can be very good because you’ll receive a monthly income from the subscriptions due each month.

You can very easily create new products from private label rights information, or PLR information. The nice thing about PLR material is that you’re allowed to use it and market it as your own product. With PLR, there’s no stress about copyright issues, infringement, stress, etc, and that is a desirable thing for a lot of marketers. Then you’ll be able to sell, and you’ll look like the great expert. PLR material rights give you the ability to add, subtract, edit, or change the material as you like.

These are excellent tips on how to create your own product, and they really are not tough to do or understand.

Here are more topics on internet marketing, visit them:

Internet marketing tools

Internet marketing gurus

Early in 2010, I am launching a web-based training solution for up-and-coming and evolving Virtual Assistants. I have conducted a lot of research online and looked at everything that is currently available to new start up VA’s and I decided to go a different route, which is entirely distinct from any other training programs or courses aimed at virtual assistants; I am offering five FREE memberships to really help to launch this programme. If you want to know how, and what you need to do to get a FREE membership (worth $1997), you can skip to the end, but I recommend you read what I have to say

So what’s different about my programme compared to other VA courses?

Check out these business auctions at eBay:

The Legal Environment of Business 9th ed. College Text

US $19.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Thursday Sep-30-2010 19:30:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $29.99 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Korea South Business & Investment Opportunities Yearboo

US $26.07 End Date: Thursday Sep-30-2010 19:28:06 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $26.07 Buy it now | Add to watch list

0210 OLD BUSINESS CARD SEVEN DWARFS CABINS TWIN MT. NH

US $9.99 End Date: Thursday Sep-30-2010 19:19:36 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

1. It’s Not Sugar-Coated

I am a straight shooter here and will tell you exactly like I see it, using the full benefit of my honest approach and gained experience.

2. Resources and Support Team

I have built my existing business with a lot of good resources behind it and you will have access to this and my team to help you get going really FAST! You can, of course, choose to make entirely your own arrangements when it comes to technical development and creative, but I just wanted to know that I’m not setting this all up for you and then leaving you in the dark when it comes to the support that you might need to get it all done. I don’t expect you to learn anything new or technical in order to start your business.

3. Quality, Not Quantity

This is designed to be user-friendly and we have incorporated a very intuitive interface, with a step-by-step guide which is not overly complicated. I’m not incorporating a lot of “padding,” which would just overwhelm you. You won’t find a lot of that free junk and all those bonus offers that are supposed to make a course much more “valuable,” that is a sales tactic that I don’t like and you won’t see it here. There is nothing more valuable to you right now than the experience and expertise which I am going to pass on and my very carefully (cherry-picked) selected resources and tools (Yes, of course there are bonuses – but only freakin’ awesome ones which are essential to your business development and self-improvement) which I will provide in the members area. Remember, it’s all about quality and not quantity.

The objective is to get you into business and making money as soon as we can, so we don’t want too much information in there that is going to really slowly you and hold you back.

4. I Am Not Your Average VA

Since the time I started my business I have experienced not only what it has been like to start a VA business from scratch, but also while travelling, experiencing different things, running my business in sometimes difficult and challenging situations, and discovering ways in which to limit my tax liability, plus giving birth twice along the way, I have faced a variety of problems since setting off on this journey and I have always found ways (sometimes very creative and unique) to overcome them all. I don’t consider myself to be an average Virtual Assistant, not by a long shot.

5. It’s Not Bland or Boring

Do you get passionate about anything? Music, Sport, Religion – anything?

Then you know that when you have a passion and a love for something, no matter what it is, there is never anything bland or mundane about it – certainly not for you anyway. For me, this is my passion and I have been lucky enough to turn it into a business and a way to make a living. It’s very exciting to be able to make money at what you really enjoy doing. So this isn’t just a job for me, and this isn’t just a way of me trying to earn a few extra quid on the back of my VA business. So, ask yourself if you really want to do this, how enthusiastic you really are and if you want to be a virtual assistant and translate your love for whatever it is into a business that makes profits, where your daily life has some spice to it; jump on board and I will do anything it takes to help you get to where you want to be.

There are no frills to this, it’s just a focused journey, where I will help you to make your VA business a total success. So whether you’re looking to become a virtual assistant now, looking to become a virtual assistant in the future, or you’ve already become a virtual assistant, please come by for a visit to meet up with like-minded individuals – and you never know, you could win a chance at changing your business and lifestyle, forever!

There you have five reasons why my program is going to be a lot different to anything else out there and if you trust me to guide you here, then I want you to get one of my five FREE launch time memberships, to help you.

So tell me about the FREE membership?

All I would like you to do is leave in a comment below as to why you would like to join my Virtual Assistant Training Programme (I will send you the FREE eBook offered below if you choose this method). You can always send me a private e-mail as well, at info@virtualassistant-live.com.

In today’s world, many of what people need can be found in the Internet. Whether it can be said that this is a good thing or bad, is not up to me. What I can say about the fact though is that when you run an online business, it is not merely something that should be considered a gimmick. The only problem with an online business though is how to keep your customers. This is where front end marketing shines.

What is front end marketing? Well, basically it is where you offer something to your customers that would hep them keep coming back to you. Whether it is a free introductory gift, or if you can’t afford giving stuff out, it’s something cheap that you profit very little from, or just break even. Why? Because customers will appreciate that fact and will keep coming back to you because of that gesture of good will you do to them. It’s like training them that, hey, you are a great guy to deal with, who will give out free or cheap stuff if you can afford it. Or something to that effect.

I learned all about front end marketing from the well known Internet marketing guru, Jim Fleck, who has a whole lot to say about front end marketing and how to use it effectively. In an interview I read, he talks about the cost of acquisition. Basically it expands upon the idea of the phrase “it takes money to make money.” Implying that to be able to lure customers, you don’t just sit and wait, you must act and do something, even if costs a few bucks.

Here’s a good example about front end marketing at its best. I run a mobile photography studio, and though it is not related to Internet marketing, please bear with me. Besides, I am currently finding a way how to integrate this idea to my Internet businesses. Anyway, what I do is I offer free portraits. Out of my own pocket, I take photos and give them a print of it. That’s the front end marketing part. What I do next is, while shooting, I take about 10 photos then choose the 5 best and print them all out. By the time the clients come back to get their free print, they see the other prints and ask how much if they buy it. See where this is heading? What happens is that I spend for one free portrait so that the clients have a chance to buy more from me.

In Internet marketing, front end marketing is key if you want to achieve success. A lot of people visit a site to check prices then leave after a few minutes, seconds even. But if you have something to pique their interest, whether it is a free gift or a special deal, the chances of them staying is higher. And this in turn translates to them coming back for more. In my photography business, I get clients I don’t normally get. In the extremely competitive niche of photography, I had to offer something others don’t to help set me apart from the competition. Do the same in your business online, and you will soon see success.

Once creating a web marketing plan it is essential that you learn how to implement internet promotion software programs. This knowledge does not simply come to you. You need to put a little effort into learning about these so you can boost your success tremendously. If you’re here to see how to make use of these internet marketing tools then you’re in the right spot. By following some suggestions and hints you will learn the tricks of the trade very quickly at all.

1. Spend some time looking around the net to discover more regarding the different internet marketing programs available. There are many out there that are discovered to be scams yet many of them are beneficial to your online business. You will definitely run across plenty of helpful tips over the internet that will help you figure out what resources to use. Determining what resources to make use of is going to be your initial step to employing these.

Check out these internet marketing auctions at eBay:

Established INTERNET-MARKETING Website For Sale

US $99.00 End Date: Wednesday Sep-29-2010 23:51:55 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $99.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Internet Marketing Ecommerce Multiple streams of income

US $4.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-29-2010 17:54:58 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $14.95 Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Dan Kennedy Yanik Silver Internet Marketing 28 CD CDROM

US $27.77 End Date: Thursday Sep-30-2010 9:05:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $27.77 Buy it now | Add to watch list

2. Take a few ideas and hints from the most popular marketing specialists online. George Brown is a good example of one of those internet marketing specialists. He delivers a few greatly acknowledged software to assist net entrepreneurs with the adventure of marketing online. Have a look at the George Brown review to discover exactly what he has got to provide and discover some ways which he has applied a variety of marketing strategies.

3. Keeping in tune with SEO techniques is going to be pretty key in employing website marketing software programs. These are the best internet marketing strategies that you can put to use. These are transforming every once in awhile however, if you stay current with the various SEO techniques through website marketing applications then you’ll ensure that you remain current with your financial results.

Whenever getting involved with doing work on the web you must learn about the execution of website marketing applications. These specific software programs will assist you on your journey to obtaining a lot of financial independence. You may definitely try it without these but your own effects can come considerably faster if you make the decision to work with some very nice software programs in the process.

If you just spend time browsing sites online, having your own site could make your online experience better. You can set up a blog even if it’s just a hobby. If you have a business, you need a blog. Blogging and site-building is also a great way for small online business owners, with trivial web design knowledge to promote their businesses. Blogging is affordable for anyone. Designers charge so little for blog design even if they charge thousands for building a flash website. Perhaps the main reason is that a blog is so easy to install that anyone can do it in a few minutes.

When blogging first began becoming well-liked among internet marketers, it seemed as though more and more sites were being set up as blogs. There were still traditional sites around, but almost all of these sites had a blog attached to them

Check out these online business auctions at eBay:

Online Pet Shop Website business for sale! 100% complet

US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-29-2010 19:00:15 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

Established Gift Shop Website Business for sale- online

US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-29-2010 12:00:09 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

HIKING & CAMPING WEBSITE – ONLINE BUSINESS FOR SALE

US $0.99 (0 Bid) End Date: Wednesday Sep-29-2010 17:42:29 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

If you feel like starting a blog but you only want a blog as a supplement to your site, here are some tips

1. Choose a Blogging Platform

You can try most of the blogging platforms around without purchasing hosting yet. Do this if you are still attempting to find out what a blog is and how you can maintain it. Set up several small websites on Blogger and on Typepad. After this, you can go for wordpress.org and wordpress.com. After trying out all of the major blogging platforms, ask yourself if blogging is for you.

2. Get a Good Webhost and Domain Name

If you think you enjoy blogging and you could sustain it for a long time, it’s time for the next step. Some people realize that a blog is better rather than the current html design of a traditional website. If you get hosting, there are things you can do on your site that you can’t do on the free hosted blog sites. There are some blog platforms that prohibit the posting of advertisements.

A hosting plan will also give you more breathing room in terms of space for your themes or blog skins. Space and bandwidth are particularly important for internet marketers. If you’re a video blogger, space is extremely important. Getting hosted will also allow you to be more creative. Your new blog could also use a unique domain name to identify it from all the other websites on the web.

3. Blog and Socializing Online

Allowing users to comment on your weblog posts can increase your popularity tremendously. People react to posts because they want to offer feedback on your ideas and add their own. By making it possible for customers to post remarks publicly, and answering comments publicly, you can encourage people to interact with you more. Replying to these comments and communicating with the commenters or just saying thanks shows you care for the people who read your blog

Visit the following websites today for more tips:

SEO Tips

Internet Marketing Tips

Virtual Assistants come in many forms. Indeed, you will find a variety of eager people, willing to leap forth and release a host of skills! Okay, so maybe this is an exaggeration, but the fact is when someone has passion in them, whether it be for Model Railways or Lipstick, the passion can be turned into a virtual assistant niche which can generate a steady stream of like-minded clients, and here’s how…

A – Make a List of every “BUSINESS” related to your passion.

Check out these business auctions at eBay:

256MB Memory RAM Compaq HP Business Notebook nc6120

US $9.98 End Date: Monday Sep-27-2010 18:48:15 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $9.98 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Avery InkJet Clean Edge Business Card INKJET CLEAN EDGE

US $25.95 End Date: Monday Sep-27-2010 18:50:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $25.95 Buy it now | Add to watch list

1880s Business Card C.H. Barnes Attorney Meadville PA

US $19.99 End Date: Monday Sep-27-2010 18:53:05 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $19.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list

Each one of these is a potential client. I am going to take a really unlikely topic for Virtual Assistance — Surfing. (The outdoor variety, not the web version.) So in this case we would look at everything that is profitable from the surfing industry.

* Surf Shops

* Surf Tournaments

* Surfing Instructors

* Surfing Equipment

* Schools for Surfing

* Videos about Surfing

* Surfing Magazines

* Surfing Professionals

* And so on…

B – Find the “PROBLEMS” within the business.

When you have compiled a list of potential moneymaking segments within your passion, you need to look on the web for the particular issues that organisations and individuals face; as an example…

* An ambitious local surfing establishment is keen to sell products on the web, but doesn’t know where to start.

* The surf tournaments are running July to August — they need assistance with organising the events and contestants.

* Due to the amount of paperwork to be completed, Surfing Instructors find that they do not have enough time to take on additional students.

* Surfing equipment makers are looking for more outlets and they also need to spread the word more by engaging with social media.

* Surfing Schools understand how important it is to have an online presence, but they don’t know how.

* It would be great if a Surfing magazine could publish an online edition, but they don’t have any digital publishing knowledge.

* An up-coming surfing pro wants to be discovered, and needs video’s putting up on You Tube.

Go to blogs and forums to keep in touch with what’s happening in the real world. If you look carefully, you will be able to reveal things that are causing people problems according to the type of question that they tend to ask, what they write about and who they are looking for to help them with their issues. Remember that no business niche is perfect and there are always weak spots to be filled within every industry. When you discover this, you will be able to convert your passion into a virtual assistant business.

C — Create Your “PITCH”.

If you have found some businesses online, contact the businesses and people via email or phone, letting them know who you are. Get in there somewhere that you specialise in Selling Surfing Products Online, or Creating A Social Media Presence for Surfing Professionals – say something which is pertinent to them, and be very clear that you understand the types of issues they may be facing and how you are able to solve them (I am guessing you do because most people who are passionate about anything will already know a great deal about it – if you are stuck, then you are not pursuing a true passion).

Make sure that you go to forums and engage there, as well as commenting on blogs. In short, hang around everywhere that a potential customer from the list that you compiled above may be.

It doesn’t really matter what your passion is, somebody from within that business will need a virtual assistant, but they are just not aware of it at this point. Use this to your advantage to be the first to present a solution to their problem, and show them how you can enhance their business based on your expertise on what you are passionate about. Find out what they want – and deliver!

In February 2005 when I was 23, I was pretty fed up with several things, such as the daily commute to the city, the huge council tax bill, the ridiculously large mortgage that I would most likely be paying into my retirement and the sheer predictability of everything in my life. I am sure this is familiar.

Looking at my lot, I came to the conclusion that the only way forward would be to start my own business, but I could not do that easily, due to the cost of living every month. I decided that in order to start a business, I would need to get rid of my mortgage and my living expenses. Now this isn’t so easy in the UK, costs of living are high, and you need a steady job. So my only option was to dramatically reduce my living costs. This is when I decided I would have to take action and actually move in order to do this.

Check out these business auctions at eBay:

BUSINESS MEN Stainless Steel Black Dial Wrist Watch NEW

US $0.01 (0 Bid) End Date: Saturday Sep-25-2010 16:30:50 PDT Bid now | Add to watch list

AC Adapter Charger for HP/Compaq Business NX7100 nc6105

US $15.47 End Date: Saturday Sep-25-2010 16:20:38 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $15.47 Buy it now | Add to watch list

New LANCASTER Business Bag

US $299.00 End Date: Saturday Sep-25-2010 16:38:53 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $299.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list

So what happened is detailed here, as I quit my job and found financial freedom in the space of only three months:

Month 1 – Pick Your Destination and Turn in Your Notice

When you choose your destination make sure the cost of living is low, and Visa requirements are fairly unrestricted.

The year before I had taken a holiday for 2 weeks to Egypt, I was amazed at how cheap everything was. I knew a couple of people there from my holiday, and it was very economical to get to at the time, flights were next to nothing. I decided that would be a good place to go. Cheap rent, cheap living costs and great climate (I love the sun). Remarkably, I could pick up a Visa just by landing and going to the relevant office. One-year visas are remarkably cheap and you will find that there is good Internet access all around the center of the town of Luxor. There are internet cafe’s everywhere, and if you decide to go somewhere like Cairo, then the lifestyle there is pretty far advanced, and you can have all the luxuries you would normally have in the western world.

My house went on the market in February of 2005, I gave the mandatory month’s notice to my employer and planned to get to Egypt as soon as I could.

Month 2 – Let Go Of Your Material Possessions & Arrange Accommodation

In March 2005 I sold or gave away every item of furniture and the things that I was not able to take with me to my new destination. This was quite easy to achieve. Once I made the decision to leave, letting go of my possessions was just another part for the process, but I can really appreciate now how difficult letting go of “things” can be. But you have to look at them from the point of view of — how valuable are they, really? Do you absolutely have to have them to exist? In the majority of cases, the answer here will be no and you have to be very honest with all those ornaments, electrical items and clothes, by asking if they are really necessary, to provide you with that all-important inner happiness.

This is the time when I bought my tickets to Egypt, closed all my accounts and took care of all those loose ends. I had arranged temporary accommodation from a friend I met on holiday, an apartment close to the centre of Luxor, and actually that’s where I ended up living for 2 years. The rent was just 500LE which is £50 – the price in some shops for a pair of shoes. When you arrange accommodation, if you have a family, go for a flat or search on the internet for holiday rentals, see if the owner of the holiday rental will extend the rental period for 3 to 6 months. If it is out of season, many will do this and this will allow you plenty of time to get there, establish yourself and look for somewhere on a more permanent basis. If you are travelling alone, then you have many more options, from guest houses to hostels, studio apartments or individual rooms.

Month 3 – Pack Up Your PC & Go!

In April 2005 I flew to Egypt, by this time I was lucky, I had a buyer for my house, and the sale was going through. The sale closed in May when I was already living my new life.

I made sure I had a good, light notebook style laptop and an internet connection where I was going so I was able to start researching the best possible options for business opportunities right away, and of course stay in touch with friends and family. I had no idea at that time what a virtual assistant was, or that my endeavours were going to lead me toward the formation of Virtual Miss Friday, a truly exceptional virtual assistant business. My basic costs of living each month were around £100, which was about $200 at the time, so I pretty much lived like a queen, and did whatever I wanted. Yes it’s totally nuts… I was lucky enough to be able to enjoy my surroundings while also studying and researching. I felt very liberated and this was one of the most enjoyable periods of my life. And becoming a virtual assistant turned out to be absolutely amazing for me, and it could do the same for you too!

On reflection, many people thought that I was just crazy, but I think this is one of the most well thought out and sensible decisions I’ve ever made. Sometimes you have to act on your gut feeling and do it without thinking too much, or you will change your mind. If it feels right to you, then it’s most likely the right thing to do. Follow your instincts…