Advanced Access customers

Hello!

One of my Realtor® clients forwarded an Advanced Access e-newsletter to me that announced Single Property websites are now available to Advanced Access customers!  There was no mention in the e-newsletter that you must be a 4.0 user of Advanced Access.  It isn’t available to 3.0 users – OOPS!

In the case of this particular client, it doesn’t matter because he already uses Single Property Sites (which is a terrific program!) to market his listings!

It is still a good day to be a virtual assistant! :)

Jan

Your Pictures on Facebook

Facebook has agreed to let a third party advertisers use your posted pictures without your permission.  To opt out, click on SETTINGS up at the top where you see the log out link. Select PRIVACY SETTINGS. Then select NEWS FEED AND WALL. Next select the tab that reads FACE BOOK ADS. There is a drop down box, select NO ONE.  Then SAVE your changes.

60 Second Recording

Good Evening!

I recently decided to capture my son’s latest accomplishments in building his vocabulary (at 13 months!) by using the Sound Recorder on my computer.

Within the Windows operating system, you can locate the Sound Recorder by going to Start, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, and Sound Recorder.   Most microphones are standard issue when you purchase a computer these days so get your microphone set and click the record button.   It isn’t the best quality but I was happy to send out my recording and received oohs and ahhs from family and friends when they heard my little man’s voice!

I hope you have a minute or two to play with this nifty component!

Best to you,

Jan

Becoming a Virtual Assistant

On a fairly regular basis, aspiring virtual assistants (VAs) contact me stating they want to become a VA and don’t know where to start.  It truly can be overwhelming but here is my simple advice to get them rolling.

1) Determine who you will market to and how you will market to them.

2) Decide whether you will be a generalist or provide niche services?

3) Write your business plan including a marketing plan!  This key document will help guide you along the way and it should be reworked as your business progresses.

Starting your own business is not for everyone and you must be honest when you assess yourself and your skills.  Do your research as far as small business ownership is concerned and spend some time perusing all of the information available on the Small Business Administration website.

Good luck and best to you,

Jan

Does Hiring a Virtual Assistant Make Sense?

Well, that is something each business owner must ascertain for themselves.

Although I consider myself to be a positive thinker, the current economic shift has been tough on many businesses/employers and it may remain that way for a while.  Faced with having to make critical decisions regarding their workforce to keep the business solvent is not easy.   Replacing employees with a full-timer may not be the best option when times are still uncertain.

Luckily, the virtual world offers the relatively new solution of hiring a professional virtual assistant.  Choosing to partner with a virtual assistant might be the most cost-effective solution when you have to cut your traditional workforce.

Best to you,

Jan

Anti Virus

So, I scheduled an onsite “Computer Tutor” training session today for a client who claims to be not-so-savvy when it comes to the computer.  Very typical scenario, he’s newer to computers and finds them a bit intimidating.  Not a problem, that’s why I’m here.  (I offer virtual training and onsite training for those who want me to personally walk them through the steps and show them the how-to’s. )

He needed help accessing and surfing the World Wide Web, installing a program he bought, setting up a new email account, and walking him through some basic steps.

When I got there, the “normal” pop-up window (that “always comes up”) appeared stating they needed to update/upgrade their virus protection software.  This entailed purchasing a new, more expensive version.

This aggravates the hooey out of me because for the average user, there are terrific FREE versions of protection from reputable companies.   We downloaded a new FREE program, scanned his system, and removed the old program.  Voila!  It didn’t take long, he’s protected, and it was …. oh, that’s right, FREE!

Let me know if you have any questions!

Best to you,

Jan
Professional Virtual Assistant

Warning! Domain Renewal Hoaxes

Argh – this really chaps me.  Those sneaky official looking domain renewal letters sent out to people.  I’ve had several friends and clients who have received these and PAY!

I’m posting this blog because a new client called to say she received a letter to renew the domain.  I already coached her on who to pay and approximately when it would be due.  (She forgot and that’s why she called.)  She was going to pay this phony-bologna company but had the inkling that something didn’t seem quite right.  Precisely!

So here’s my plea – if you receive a domain renewal letter by mail, don’t pay it without checking it out first!  If you don’t know how, contact me, or your virtual assistant.  Unless, of course, you have about $100 that you are willing to give away.

Best to you,

Jan

“Administrative support only when you need it!”

www.eva-colo.com

Keyboard Shortcuts

So a while back, I provided some Mozilla shortcuts to help you maneuver more easily. During a recent Computer Tutor session (yes, I’m still a Virtual Assistant, but I love to teach/help/tutor), my student was thrilled to find out about using keyboard shortcuts that work in a Windows environment (and others!). Sometimes I forget that working in a world with computers is old to me, but new and foreign to others.  Plus, I believe in sharing what you know.

If you are ambidextrous like me, you may find it much more efficient to use both your mouse and keyboard shortcuts in unison.

Here’s a quick list of some of my favorite keyboard shortcuts.

Ctrl + a = select all

Ctrl + z = undo

Ctrl + x = cut

Ctrl + c = copy

Ctrl + v = paste

Ctrl + u = underline

Ctrl + i = italicize

Ctrl + b = bold

Alt + Tab = jump between open programs

Let me know if you’d like more examples (there are more than the ones I’ve listed above), how to use these shortcuts, or tell me about your favorite keyboard shortcut.

Best to you!

Jan

Holiday Shopping at Amazon.com

Hello All!

As an Amazon.com Affiliate, I receive special notifications when there are DEALS to be had! Guess what? For those of you with children on your holiday shopping list, you can save up to 35% on selected Fisher-Price toys when shopping right now.

Aren’t you interested in getting a bargain? Please use my website link to shop. It doesn’t cost you any more and they give me an itty-bitty kick back for sending them quality traffic if you shop and BUY via my link.

While I am a virtual assistant working from home, I find it easy, peaceful, and expeditious to shop online. I hope you can take a few minutes to shop from the warmth and comfort of your home and leave the chaos of traffic, crowds, and standing in line for someone with more time on their hands! :)

Thank you so much and happy online shopping!

Best to you,

Jan

Times Are Tough

This is truly echoing through the conversations of many these days. It has been profoundly prevalent amongst many entrepreneurs with whom I have elected to partner.

While I understand and empathize that these are tough economical times, I strive to be open-minded about the situation. It is increasingly difficult to do so, when I provide services in good faith, invoice for those services, then not hear a word from a client for weeks. Albeit, it may be a bit embarrassing for them to tell me, “Hey Jan, I am a little broke right now, can we work something out?” this simple communication would clarify the predicament and I would be much more willing to work with them. However, when I have to “chase” after them to pay, for them to hide/ignore or state they will get money to me next week, if next week never arrives, it just damages my faith in them as a client.

As an independent business owner and single mother, I try to be flexible, but bear in mind, my bills are still due and unfortunately my mortgage company isn’t as flexible. It is increasingly troubling to find out some trusted clients won’t communicate.

It has been difficult to get those ends to meet each month, but I am remaining positive in bringing new clients aboard, I have taken on a few new clients/projects and started selling Avon products as an independent sales representative. This is my way of being financially creative and accomplish the one thing that is most important to me…working from home so that I can raise my handsome 7-month old son, Jack!