Networking All The Day Long November 18, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Business, Family, Follow-up, Home-based business, Internet Marketing, Networking, Outsourcing, Radio show, Talk Show, Veterans, Virtual Assistant, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, entrepreneur, fundraising, marketing, non-profit, philanthropy, potential clients, prospecting, prospects, small business owner.Tags: Networking, Referrals
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My husband says, I have been “running the roads” a lot lately. That’s a southern thing if you don’t understand that phrase. But he is correct. I have been going a lot of places in the last couple of weeks and according to my calendar, I’m not going to slow down until around Christmas.
Now for a virtual professional, that’s a bit of a culture shock to actually go outside of your virtual world. But I love getting out of here. I love to visit and talk with people and network everywhere I go.
I shared a booth with one of my clients at the National Philanthropy Day luncheon in Knoxville last week and enjoyed catching up with old friends and making new ones. And of course, sharing my business and the services I provide for administrative support and online marketing. I walked away with a great list of people to follow-up with this week.
As I mentioned in an earlier post, the East Tennessee Veteran’s Memorial was being dedicated this past weekend and I was honored to be invited to a reception and the dedication ceremony. The Mayor’s were there, as well as other politicians, high-ranking military personel and many familiar faces from my time with the organization. The ceremony was incredibly moving and I was proud to be an American and to have been involved in the early stages of the memorial’s planning. And it proved to be a great place to network. I was invited to be on a local radio show and several people are interested in learning more about my business.
I’m looking forward to the next couple of weeks and the many networking opportunties to share what I do and how I can help other business owners with their administrative and marketing needs.
So Honey, I have a few more “roads to run.”
Joe the Plumber’s Debate October 16, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Business, Family, Networking, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Women-owned Business, debate, election, vote, voters.Tags: debate, election, presidential election, presidents, twitter, vote, voters
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OK, I will admit that I’m not really much into politics, but I have to say that the debates have been pretty interesting only because I log into Twitter and watch all the comments that come through. It is hilarious!!
In the last presidential debate the Twitter community was actually keeping up with how many times Sen. McCain said, “my friends.” This time it was all about Joe the Plumber. Who is Joe the Plumber? Maybe is one of the “my friends” club.
Anyway, I loved keeping up with the debate through Twitter. How about you?
Are you addicted to technology? October 14, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Business, Efficiency, Home-based business, Internet Cafe, Live Streaming, Live Web Streaming, Networking, Online Marketing, Outsourcing, Radio show, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Web TV, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, entrepreneur, marketing, non-profit, sales, sales professionals, small business owner.Tags: Technology, Virtual Assistant, WebTv
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I was asked that question today when I was the special guest on the Cherries For Life WebTV show at Cherries Internet Cafe in Knoxville TN. My answer…YES! MY name is Terri and I’m a technology junkie! There I said it. I love technology. Granted, I don’t always understand all of it, but nonetheless, I love it!
As a virtual assistant, I couldn’t work without technology. Check out my interview. I come on the show at 21 minutes in, if you want to fast-forward. But if you want some strange but yet unique trivia, just watch from the beginning.
Simple, Practical and Easy Fundraising Tips August 19, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Business, Home-based business, Internet Marketing, Networking, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, author, entrepreneur, fundraising, marketing, mentor, non-profit, philanthropy, seminar, small business owner, speakers, trainer, training.2 comments
Wouldn’t it be great if someone could help all those struggling non-profit organizations with their fundraising program? Just to find someone who understands their needs and can offer a simple plan for meeting and exceeding their goals?
Well, I know of just a person. She is an incredible teacher, coach, mentor and Master Trainer for non-profit fundraisers and I have the privilege of working with her as her virtual assistant. She is Sandy Rees, Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) and one of 125 Master Trainer’s in the world for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
Typically, as a virtual professional I don’t leave the “virtual office” very often, however, I have had the opportunity to travel with Sandy recently to other AFP chapters in the South and watch her in action. To say she is awesome, is truly an understatement. She is captivating, funny, knowledgeable, engaging and right-on with her information. People comment as they walk away from her training sessions that they can’t wait to get back to the office and implement the ideas Sandy gave them. Now just how many times have you been anxious to get back to the office?
This is me at Sandy’s table at the Chattanooga Center for Nonprofits Philanthropy Institute
Sandy is a published author of Fundraising Buffet, A Heaping Helping of 101 Practical Ideas to Increase Donations and Deepen Donor Satisfaction. If you are looking for a dynamic speaker, an engaging trainer or a practical, step-by-step approach to fundraising, then look no further than Sandy Rees, CFRE or check her out at GetFullyFunded.
I’m currently out of the office, and won’t be returning August 14, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Blogging, Business, Efficiency, Ezine, Ezines, Family, Home-based business, Internet Marketing, Life, Networking, Online Marketing, Outsourcing, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, blogs, career, entrepreneur, job loss, laid off, marketing, retirement, small business owner.add a comment
That is an autoresponder I received from a friend of mine when I recently sent out my ezine Gifts. At first glance, I thought that was the funniest thing I had ever read. I thought, how clever she is. She has decided to retire early from her job and has left a comical message for her co-workers and friends.
Well, unfortunately, that was not the case. She happened to call me that same week and after laughing hysterically about the autoresponder, she told me that she had been laid off from her job because of what else? Downsizing due to a lost contract (she works for a governmental agency). She had been with this company for 18 1/2 years! She was devastated, but I told her to stay positive, that God was in control of this situation.
As more and more people are “downsized” and asked to take early retirement, home-based businesses will become increasingly popular and almost the norm. When I decided to start a home-based business more than a year ago, I had no idea if it would work, if I can handle the stress of running my own business and taking care of my family from the same space and if the services I provide would be needed. But I’m happy to report that all is good in my virtual world! My business is growing day by day. I am providing a very beneficial service to other business owners, freeing them up to manage their business. And my plans are to utilize the services of other virtual professionals to assist and support my business as part of my virtual team.
If you have been thinking of starting a home-based business, I would highly recommend it and there are many great resources out there to guide you along the path. If your background is in administration, like me, check out
or visit our website at www.avirtualbiz.com for other links and resources to help with your online success. Take charge of your career, and always be In The Office and In Control of your future.
You Never Know Who’s Listening August 4, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Business, Family, Home-based business, Life, Networking, Outsourcing, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, entrepreneur, marketing, small business owner, web design, web development, websites.2 comments
My husband and I were in the grocery yesterday and ran into a former neighbor. As we were catching up on family happenings and neighborhood gossip, she asked me where I was working now. I told her I had my own business and that I provided administrative and management support to small businesses and entrepreneurs. Sometimes, people give me that “deer-in-the-headlights” look when I say this, so I in an attempt to make it a little more understandable for her, I told her I developed databases and websites for people. That got an “Oh, great” from her. Just over her should I noticed a lady at the meat counter who turned around and smiled at me.
After we said goodbye and I made my way to the meat counter to select a juicy steak for dinner, the lady that had smiled at me was still standing there. She turned and said, “I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation and I heard you say you built websites. I need one.”
Well, who would have ever thought that just catching up with an old neighber would produce a new client, but it looks like it just might. I exchanged information for her and asked her to give me a call and I would discuss developing the website. She told me that her daughter is in high school and wants a website that she can use as her online portfoilo as she begins to apply for colleges. What a great idea!
Later, as my husband and I were sitting down to enjoy those delicious steaks, I told him you just never know who’s listening or where you are going to find someone that needs your services. Even at the meat counter at the local grocery store.
We Have Feelings Too. July 8, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Business, Efficiency, Family, Health, Home-based business, Life, Networking, Online Marketing, Outsourcing, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, entrepreneur, holidays, marketing, respect, small business owner.1 comment so far
After a wonderfully long weekend where I didn’t step foot into my home-office, I re-entered my virtual 
workplace this morning and visited several of my local hangouts. One is VAnetworking.com. We have an incredible forum where we can share ideas, ask any question without the fear of feeling stupid and on occasion, VENT!
This morning as I weaved my way through the threads of the weekend, I came upon one by a fellow VA who had encountered a terrible experience with a client. As most of us in the US know, this past weekend was Independence Day…July 4th. We typically don’t work on July 4th. Which is exactly what this VA had in mind. Not to mention that she was feeling under the weather too. However, she had a client call her at 11 pm on July 4th! If she had been feeling OK, she would have been out enjoying fireworks at this time of night, but because she was sick, she was asleep. But wait…the story doesn’t stop there.
The next day, she was feeling better and went to see a movie with her children. This same client called her six times and the last time with some pretty colorful language included in the voice mail.
Needless to say, she is terminating the contract with this client. What this particular client didn’t understand or appreciate is that Virtual Professionals are real people with real feelings and real lives!! We are small business owners, who just happen to work from home. We can be the best partner a small business or entrepreneur can have. We are dedicated, hard-working, motivated and knowledgeable in our specific area of expertise. We respect each of our clients, their time and their business, and we expect that same respect back.
I’m very proud of my fellow VA, for taking a stand and not accepting this kind of behavior. She has no regrets and by sharing her ordeal with us, we can better prevent this from happening in our business.
Newsletters - Easy as 1,2,3 July 1, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Blogging, Business, Efficiency, Email, Ezine, Ezines, Follow-up, Insurance, Internet Marketing, Journaling, Networking, Online Marketing, Outsourcing, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, Writing, blogs, email newsletters, marketing, non-profit.1 comment so far
I work for several clients that produce an email newsletter, or better known as an Ezine. I have helped them to set up the layout and design, and input content and images for publication. But…I had never done one for myself and my business.
Oh my gosh, can I just tell you how much fun I had? Of course I gave myself a deadline, which was yesterday, to have the first one out and that became a little stressful at 11 pm last night when I still hadn’t hit the Send button. But I met my goal and it was out of my inbox and into the outbox of more than 300 contacts in just a matter of minutes!
I searched for the best techology to use for my Ezine and I selected Constant Contact. They have more than 300 templates to choose from, great reporting features to see who opens your email, how many bounced because of bad addresses and who just didn’t want to hear from you. (That was a little tough, but I’m trying not to take it personally) 
In addition to the excitment of fulfiling a goal and utilizing a great tool, I have received many compliments, one much appreciated critique and several inquiries for my services. BINGO! Feedback, just what I was hoping for.
I know the next one will be much easier and I won’t put so much pressure on myself to make it perfect (which it wasn’t). But it was easy, fun and fast, three things we need more of. If you need to boost your business, consider Constant Contact it’s a great tool to market your business and services and if you don’t want to do it yourself or don’t have the time to do it, check with a Virtual Assistant to take care of it for you.
How many hands do you have? June 25, 2008
Posted by Terri Brooks in Business, Efficiency, Follow-up, Internet Marketing, Networking, Online Marketing, Outsourcing, Referrals, Technology, Virtual Assistant, Women Entrepreneurs, Women-owned Business, Work at Home, non-profit.add a comment
If you are a small business owner or a solopreneur, just how many hands do you have? You have a great product or service and you are an expert in your field, but are you spending all of your time telling others about what you do and not really doing it? That’s called marketing folks! Congratulations, you have just become Director of Marketing for your company, but what about the work that needs to be done to keep the business going?
That’s where most of us get bogged down. We have a great idea or product. We decide to start a business to help others with our services and we begin the process of business cards, brochures, websites, networking groups, signing up for all the social media sites and talking to everyone we know about our great new business! But wait…who is doing the work? You are now in charge of marketing the business, AND doing the work. After a long of day of marketing, you get to put on the worker hat and spend the rest of your night doing the actual work. Sound familar?
There is a solution. You can outsource those marketing tasks and free yourself up to do what you really wanted to do in the beginning. You have an extra hand…just reach out and take it. Visit www.avirtualbiz.com to review virtual services available and for many other resources that can put you back in your business.
