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Low cost ways to promote your business

Promoting a business is an ongoing challenge, whether you're just starting out or have been in business for years, here are a few marketing tips that will help you find new customers, without spending a fortune....

Failing gracefully : The secret to startup success

Fear of business failure is always in the back of your mind when you work for yourself, but you can't let it hold you back....

Eight things you didn't know about My Virtual Assistant

So!  You thought you knew everything about My Virtual Assistant, didn't you?Well, here's a list of 8 things you might not know......

Let's get comfy

Recently I treated myself to a new chair for my office.Previously I had a big, heavy, black office chair, which did the trick, but really wasn't 'me', so I decided it was time to get a chair that suited my personality and simply made me feel happy....

My Virtual Assistant celebrates third business birthday!

My Virtual Assistant is three years old today! Wow! I can't believe it's been three years already!...

How to make the most of your year

I recently found some tips on how to work smarter, manage your career and lead a more meaningful life, so I thought I'd share a few of them with you:...

Working from home

Of course, being able to work from home is truly a luxury, envied by many, and something I never thought I would be in a position to do. However, in creating my own work-from-home business, I have discovered a few things about myself....

New Zealand All Blacks win 2011 RWC

Well, the 2011 Rugby World Cup may be over for the next four years, but for me, wonderful memories of it will linger on for many years to come.I was lucky enough to be on a lovely boat right in the middle of Auckland Harbour to watch the opening ceremony fireworks and we couldn't have picked a better spot if we'd tried....

NEXT New Zealand Woman of the Year 2011

Huge, huge congratulations to my wonderful client, Author and Publisher, Jill Marshall, for winning the Arts and Culture category at NEXT New Zealand Woman of the Year Awards 2011, on Thursday 6th October.My Virtual Assistant is proud to have worked with Jill Marshall to create the website for Curly from Shirley....

The importance of testimonials

Displaying comments from happy customers on your website is one of the best ways to build your credibility and show potential customers that you are trustworthy, reliable and an expert in your field.Check out these five valuable tips:...

Get over your fear of public speaking

I thought I would pass on this awesome invitation to you.This is a fantastic opportunity to hear two wonderful speakers/presenters and discover how to overcome your fear of public speaking....

Who knew being a Virtual Assistant could be so much fun?!

Back in March 2009, when I first launched my business I thought it would be pretty cool working from home and being my own boss, and of course, those things are wonderful, but I didn’t realise how much fun it was going to be as well!...

How to feel happier at work

Being happy at work is related to how much you like your job, but there are some small steps you can take which will help boost your mood.Making sure you feel comfortable, combined with sprinkling a few small pleasures throughout your day and using your time wisely, can all contribute to more happiness when you are at work....

Keeping in touch

An effective way to keep in touch with your clients and prospective clients is by writing a business newsletter.Newsletters are a great way to let people know that you are still in business and still around....

Getting creative

After just over two years in business, somehow I seem to have 'fallen' into creating websites for my clients.I have always been pretty creative (I'm crazy about art and interior design) and when I was working in the 'real' world co-workers used to refer to me as the 'Layout Queen'.I guess it's just that I like things to look good on a page!...

Introducing Curly from Shirley, The Christchurch Dog

A new publishing venture aims to become a million-dollar miracle for Christchurch, New Zealand. 'Curly from Shirley, the Christchurch Dog' is a children's book, which will raise funds for the 'Garden City' and help locals to recover from a massive earthquake....

A Summer Wrap @ Valley de Sol

My Virtual Assistant was absolutely thrilled to be part of A Summer Wrap @ Valley de Sol, which was an intimate outdoor music concert, held on 19 March 2011 and put on by the Howick Business Brunch, BNI Group (Business Networking International)....

Happy Second Birthday!

Happy Birthday to My Virtual Assistant!  Celebrating two years in business (already!) today!I would just like to say thank you to my wonderful clients, networking groups, friends and family - I wouldn't have made it this far if it wasn't for your support and belief in me!...

Ideas going down the drain

I wish someone would invent a waterproof notepad!I am constantly coming up with wonderful ideas when I'm in the shower.I've conjured up everything from awesome speeches, and emails to songs, business articles and even blogs, whilst enjoying a hot, steamy shower and then lost them all as soon as the taps are turned off!...

Do you lack discipline?

I came across this great article today, written by Leo Babauta.Leo talks about things we can do when we lack discipline.Lack of discipline can apply to any of us at any time in our personal lives, but it can also have great relevance to small business owners or people who work from home....

Thinking about starting your own business?

Some people have a great idea for a business but don't do anything about it.Drafting up a business plan is a pretty good place to start and it can be prepared in a weekend. If you have been putting your business ideas on hold, why not just take that small step of putting a business plan together and see how it looks?Now that's not too scary, is it?...

The Today Show interview on VA's

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Low cost way of finding new staff

Now here's an idea!If you're looking for new staff, a low-cost and effective recruiting tool is probably right in front of you!...

Wishing you a happy 2011

While enjoying the summer holiday and thinking about New Year's resolutions, I stumbled across the following story about Jim Carrey:...

When two is definitely better than one

Back when my old computer decided to give up the ghost, I decided to replace it with a lovely new laptop.Obviously, my laptop gives me the freedom to continue working in other locations apart from my home office and, when necessary, I can use it for off-site presentations and client meeting...