Thursday, January 15, 2009

Free Gift to you From Sunny Florida

It's cold out there! I mean really cool. Even here in S. Florida we are feeling the chill.

To warm you up -- I'm giving away 1/2 hour PR and Virtual Assistant Coaching calls with me. I've been in business since 1985 and I'd love to share how you too can succeed in your own virtual assistant business or get more PR for your business.

The first 3 who write also get a free copy of The Bizymoms cookbook.

Email to diana@virtualwordpublishing.com Subject - Burr Promotion - Free Coaching

Thanks!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Goals for the New Year

Hi

Let's talk about how we can make our 2009 the best EVER! What are your goals? What are you going to do to make them a reality?

Let's work together to see if we can make this happen.

Thanks!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Follow me on Twitter

This year I'm determined to get more involved on Twitter and some of the other social networking sites. In fact, on Twitter, I'm starting a "Doing Business Better in 2009 Tips" -- which will be full of different tips to excel in your virtual assistant business or I'll provide PR tips, success tips, etc.

Join me in making 2009, the best year ever for business!

http://twitter.com/dianaennen

Thanks!

Diana Ennen
Virtual Word Publishing
www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Friday, January 02, 2009

Dr. Phil Show Mentions Becoming a Virtual Assistant

How cool is that? Taking time off for the holidays and watching Dr. Phil and I see a segment on the economy and one of the guests mentions starting a virtual assistant business to help with finances. I was thrilled. Can you remember when no one even knew what a virtual assistant is? Not no more. Yeah for us!

Plus, I'm really excited because I know that it works. I know that you can become a virtual assistant and succeed. Why? because I know so many who are doing it. Businesses are faced with record layoffs. Work still needs done and that's why a virtual assistant is the perfect match. They can work on as needed basis and get er done. (Can you tell how much time I've taken off this week!)

What does it take to succeed? I think knowledge of the industry is key. You want to do as much research as you can to learn all the do's and don'ts. Plus, fortunately today so many pros are out there on blogs, social networks, etc., that you can get great advice. Read, research, and seek out the pros who are successful themselves.

Second, make sure you match your skills and experience to the right client. So many virtual assistants think you have to do it all and you don't. Find the niche that fits you.

I'd love to talk with anyone who is interested in becoming a virtual assistant. As many know, I'm an email away. diana@virtualwordpublishing.com

I've love to also hear from other virtual assistants. Do you see more demand for us? Tell us what industry you are seeing the growth.

Thanks Dr. Phil!

Diana Ennen, www.virtualwordpublishing.com

Monday, December 08, 2008

Unemployment at an All Time High - Fight Back by Starting a Virtual Assistant Business

Unemployment at an All-Time High-Fight Back by Starting A Virtual Assistant Business

Margate, FL (December 2008) In November alone, 533,000 jobs were lost and the unemployment rose to 6.7 percent nationwide with an estimated 10.1 million people throughout the country out of work. While here in Florida, the news is even worse as Florida hit a 15-year high unemployment rate of 7 percent in October, according to South Florida Sun-Sentinel. So what’s the answer for those people who are out looking for jobs and those companies which are cutting back, but still need work done. Simple-Virtual Assistants.

Virtual assistants are independent contractors who offer administrative support, publicity and marketing assistance, and more to companies large and small throughout the world. These tasks can include anything from typing, medical or legal transcription to website creation and marketing. And because virtual assistants work globally, they are not hindered by their local economical situation. This is a perfect business for those who have recently been laid off, or those who just need to supplement their income.

In fact, according to a recent South Florida-based CBS4 News segment entitled “Working from Home Can Rake in Big Bucks,” the Virtual Assistant business is “one of the fastest growing home-based businesses and getting even bigger.”

Diana Ennen, who was featured in the segment, stated she received a tremendous response from people out of work and looking to supplement their income. “It has been fabulous to be able to help those in my community get back on their feet,” says Ennen.

Ennen, along with Kelly Poelker, founder of the Academy for Virtual Professionals, co-authored Virtual Assistant-The Series: Become a Highly Successful, Sought after VA, a staple in the VA Industry for those wishing to start a business or excel in their current business. Both agree that starting a Virtual Assistant business is “one of the best ways you can survive in this gloomy economy.”

Ennen and Poelker also agree that another reason why virtual assistants are excelling today is the fact that with so many businesses cutting back, the work still needs to be done. A virtual assistant is able to handle all those tasks from the convenience of their own office. The work gets done, often times even better because of the extensive qualifications and experience of the virtual assistant.

For more information on starting your own business stop by www.vatheseries.com or take a look at the Academy of Virtual Professionals’ website at http://www.academyvp.com. Times can be tough, but with the right virtual assistant, you can still survive and thrive.

Thursday, December 04, 2008

When the Economy Gets Tough, Shoppers Get Going

When the Economy Gets Tough, Shoppers Get Going….to the New Mompreneurs Marketplace

Scarsdale, New York—The predictions about this holiday retail season may be gloomy, but resourceful moms are banding together to buck the trend by selling their one-of-a kind gifts at the newly redesigned Mompreneurs Marketplace. This one-stop virtual mini-mall features an impressive array of mom-owned businesses, all offering unique products and services that will help spread the joy without ruining your budget.

Spearheaded by Ellen H. Parlapiano and Patricia Cobe, founders of the dynamic community at www.MompreneursOnline.com, the user-friendly e-commerce site provides a way for moms to cooperatively market their businesses while promoting the concept of work/family balance. And it offers consumers the opportunity to support mom-owned businesses, while shopping for unique and affordable gifts. Shoppers will find something special for everyone on their holiday list, from adorable baby and children’s gear to gourmet food treats, indulgent beauty gifts, artisanal jewelry and crafts, on-trend fashion accessories, inspirational books and CDs, and much, much more.

These are just a few of the treasures you’ll discover as you browse through the MompreneursÃ’ Marketplace.

• Give the gift of endless summer with colorful beach-inspired clothing and shell jewelry courtesy of Salty Chix. The items at this breezy boutique will warm your recipient all winter long.

• Personalized note cards and stationery bow pads from Good Thoughts Paper come in trendy colors with coordinated patterned ribbons—packaged and ready to go for all those teachers and co-workers on your list.

• Pamper a deserving friend or relative with Flower Peddler natural bath and beauty products. Fragrant oils, clays, salts and lotions derived from plants and herbs soothe and refresh.

•For that new mom celebrating baby’s first Christmas, check out Stickee-Buns—tiny onesies with a cute non-slip design on the seat to prevent an infant from slumping or sliding down in a car seat or swing. Parents will also love the duds at Modern Munchkin, Hippos Toes and Lilypad Baby.

•The gift of knowledge is always appreciated. Introduce young children to a second language with interactive DVDs, toys and games from The Bilingual Fun Company or Boca Beth.

•Tempt chocoholics with artisan chocolates from Red Thread Confections. The sweets are handcrafted in small batches using fair trade organic single origin cocoa beans.

The entrepreneurial women who make up the Marketplace not only provide a stress-free shopping experience, many offer special holiday services, such as discount coupons, complimentary gift wrap and free shipping. It all adds up to a friendly, fun-filled holiday shopping experience that won’t break the bank.

Mompreneurs is a trademark of Ellen Parlapiano and Patricia Cobe, founders of the Mompreneurs® Marketplace and co-authors of Mompreneurs: A Mother’s Practical Guide to Work-at-Home Success and Mompreneurs Online: Using the Internet to Build Work@Home Success; both published by Perigee. Visit the website and message boards at www.mompreneursonline.com.