The potential list of some services a VA can provide or arrange is endless. Here are some of the solutions Your Virtual Assistant can provide:
Handle e-mail or US mail
Make / Receive Telephone Calls
Research
File management
Adobe Photoshop
Notary Public
Plan Parties
Proof Reading
List Management
Transcription and Dictation
Bill Paying
Web Services
Make Appointments
Homework help
Send / Receive Faxes
Sort and forward mail
Make Travel Arrangements
Maintain Client Relationships
Bookkeeping
Process Service
Create / Maintain Databases
Client Follow-up
Reminder Service
A Personal Assistant to work when you need the help can be the answer to your business needs!
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Web Page Design You need a web site – it is like not having a phone, or even water and electricity at this point.To be a legitimate business at this time in our history requires a web site.
I used to do a lot of web pages for clients, but I have come to the conclusion that it is important for business owners to know how web sites work.If the business is big enough to have in-house designers, they should go that way.If they are small and very prosperous they could hire developers, but without a basic knowledge of how these pages and the internet works small business are at the mercy of anyone who says they are designers.Because of your ignorance about this subject you can be dazzled by “techno-talk” and bamboozled into spending a lot of money for very little.
So, if you have about $1,000 you can get developers started on a pretty nice web site designed professionally.If your designer is a legitimate business you will be able to find them so that periodically needed updates can be done and you will have to pay them to add photos, articles and if you have a web store – your catalog will need constant maintenance.
Designing a site yourself, used to be a matter of writing the material in a language called HTML.Simple html pages are not hard to do, and can be self taught.Complex pages are tricky and all of them are time consuming, but this is not rocket science or brain surgery.The first 10 or so that you do will probably not be work you are proud of.But now there are other alternatives.
Templates For a few years there has been another option, that of using templates.Most internet providers provide these for a small fee or free when you get a domain from them.You used to be able to spot a template made site at 20 feet.They have come a long way in the past few years.
Now web templates can produce quality products.These ready-made designs can be used as your starting point for fast development of your personalized web pages.These templates are “user friendly” and can be used for everything from eCommerce to personal off-line presentations.They are also the easiest product to quickly maintain your web sites.
The difference between template made pages that look and operate in an amateurish manner and those template pages that are professional really are a matter of using a few tried and true ‘tricks’.I can teach these to you in one or two sessions and then can talk you through most obstacles over then phone or by email.
Website templates are a great way to get your design project going in a hurry and at a fraction of the cost you could expect to pay a professional web design studio.
Getting started Study a lot of sites and decide what you like.Study other sites in your industry.
Start writing – the narrative you write for this work is called “copy”.You will be doing a lot of copy writing, and edit, edit again and again.Tell your readers what they need to know and quickly let people know why you are the one to provide the product or service.Use your “elevator speech” and then expand upon it.
Think about the pages you want or need.When you are first starting, do not be try to be “innovative” – You have about 3 seconds for people to decide yours is the site they will use for the information that they seek.
There are some pages that your readers will expect:
Home:This is the name of the page on the web that is the first page of a website. When you go to a Web address, this is the first page your browser looks for.
Contact:This is the page that tells people how to contact you.It may have a message form and even a map for directions to your business.It will usually include hyperlinks to your email.If you have multiple persons/jobs with emails this is where you give their names and contact information and maybe a photo and brief description of their job description.Also here are the phone numbers, fax numbers (beware; there is a very good possibility that you will receive unwanted spam faxes if you post your fax number here.I usually make a note “fax number available by request”), USPS mailing information, and any other contact information you want the general public to have. Privacy Policy: There are lots of samples to look at on the internet,read a few of them, and then write one that reflects your philosophy.One of my old site had one that said – “I won’t share your information with anyone, ever”.
Others:All the other pages are yours to name and use.If your business is like mine, you may have to have one called “Services” where you can describe all the things you do.If you sell products, then a catalog may be what you need.You may need general information pages and one for links.
I would suggest that just because you can put everything on a page – you resist the temptation to do so.(I know, I know – this is a weakness of mine).
Cost:The cost can be as little as $5.00 per month; it appears that the going rate is a little under $15 per month.If the site is a merchant site and requires secure credit card processing and shopping carts the costs will be higher – do your homework for this one.
What can I do for you?
I can help with everything from design to maintenance, but since I don’t “do” web pages any more - I would prefer to help you design your site and help you learn to do maintain your site yourself.This will save you money in the long run and you will have the ability to stay on top of this important facet of your business.
Template Links:Here are a couple of sites that have pretty good templates at good prices.
Network Solutions:http://www.networksolutions.comImage Café (this is the one I use most – not the easiest, but easy to learn).
Quick Business Sites:www.quickbizsites.com(this one is the best I have seen this year – very flexible and very professional)
Big Step:http://go.bigstep.com/(too expensive to what you get)
Go Daddy:http://www.godaddy.com(These are inexpensive, but do need more work to get a professional look) You can also buy template software to build your site and then upload your file following your internet providers.I have not really investigated these for about ten years so I have no suggestions at this time.
Virtual Spa Consulting
Interested in opening a spa or want to maximize your spa business? Let me show you how to provide innovative marketing ideas, menus, graphics, web services, branding, policies, procedures, and pricing.
I am a specialist that can provide comprehensive services to show you how to start a day spa, medi-spa, destination spa, hotel spa, massage, body therapy or beauty salon. I will help you create and guide you through the process to create a custom program that includes spa treatments, equipment selection, spa design, menu design, business planning, staff training, branding and/or marketing.
My unique experience as a business owner, office specialist and former spa owner and manager gives me the perspective you need to help your unique business.
Genealogy
I have been doing my family history and helping others since 1970. I can show you where to get started and get you back a few hundred years in just hours.
Homework help --
I can help with homework projects -- those huge semester ending things that panic the best of organized parents. Maybe your child only needs help with the research, maybe with assembly. Maybe running around getting supplies together. What ever the case - I can help.
I don't want to do the day to day algebra or geography. But projects relating to these or other subjects are just what I love to do.
Homework projects I have collaborated on are; the Pyramid Project, Science Fairs, Art History or History project.
Great Dane and other Canine Pages
I have shown and bred dogs most of my adult life. I can help you with breeding and whelping a litter.
I can help you with dog training ideas (if you "google" VL Feddema, most of what comes up are links to dog information - I am referenced in at least 6 languages for expert information on feeding puppies, breeding for color and genetic and inherited diseases in canines!).
Military Deployed Personnel And Their Families
I cared for all of my son's business matters while he was deployed in 2004 - and I learned a few things along the way. I came up with some systems and some form letters for use with creditors and learned how to deal with some of the trickier issues.
I am caring for the needs of a couple of deployed soldier in Iraq. One I do all of his business, the other I forward mail (scanned email), buy gifts for people at home, deposit collected rents, and deal with things on an "as needed" basis.
So, whether you need help or your are the helper and need some advice based on experience - let me know. I will work out something to get everything you need. My rates for Service Personnel is a discounted military rate (If it is something I already have, like the form letters I will send those to you for nothing, and will answer questions for nothing - If it takes very little time on my part, and no out of pocket I will do it for no charge.)
You and all the men and women before you are truly appreciated for putting your lives on hold and going off to take care of our country's business.
So, contract me or have your power of attorney holder contact me if you need help with anything. I will find a way to get the work done.
This is not a matter of politics - this is just my way of saying "thanks."
Other Ideas of things I can do to help ease your day...
I can do the endless waiting around to for repair persons, contractors and installers and free up your time for the work your business needs to be doing.
I can help with the research necessary for the selection of retail product lines, pricing and inventory system.
I can help with designing a requisition and purchase order system.
I can help with your payroll and HR benefits, including files for new hires, benefit enrollment, changes and terminations.
I can help you work with an accountant and set up General Ledger, business plan, projections, accounts payable/accounts receivable systems, payroll and teach to deal with the taxing authorities. So that you or another employee can then manage this internally.
Help you with client/vendor data base, filing systems, and other systems for a start up business.
I can help you represent your business at community functions, networking meetings, seminars and in business relationships such as banking, insurance, etc
Set up and man booths and displays
Help you prepare Power Point presentations for education of potential clients and network partnerships.
I can Help you design Standard Operating Procedures, Company Policies, job descriptions and compensation guidelines.
Help with layout and design of logos, letterhead, business cards, brochures, newspaper ads, literature and other advertising/marketing materials. I have wonderful connections in the printing industry.
I can help you negotiating with web page designers or teach you to set up and manage your own basic web page, and internet site.
I have 15 years experience as a property manager - advertising, showing properties, tenant negotiations and maintenance management, budget administration, contract negotiation and contractor relations.
I can do or teach you to use Microsoft Outlook(email), Word, Excel, Power Point, Quicken, Quick Books, Adobe Photoshop (Creative Suite - pro package) and related design software; UNIX experience, HTML web editing and publishing
Art and Photo design expert, brochure layout, menu planning.
Stone sculpture and acrylic/oil painting.
Ability to research, comprehend and report as a resource on almost any subject
I could do shopping for you
Birthday gift shopping.
Get your car serviced.
Pick you or guests up at airports.
I could run your kid to riding lessons or pick them up at school
I can get your dry cleaning
If you can think of it and it is moral - there is a good chance I can do it for you.
