When I decided a few years ago to have my professional photos redone, it was my first time to work with a professional photographer.

She really knew her stuff and we busted out all the stops - hair, clothes, makeup, tiaras.

You know, all the essentials.

Before we got to shooting, though, she pulled out a bra that was 2 sizes bigger than I wore. She said, put this on and stuff it with a roll of paper towels.

I was looking at her crazy. “You want me to do what?”

For any of you who have met me in person, you know I am not lacking in the bust department. It’s a fact.

I couldn’t figure out why we would want to draw more attention to that part of my body.

She said, “Yeah, stuff a roll of paper towels in that large bra. It will make your chest look bigger which will make your waist look smaller.”

Another fact is that I have no waist. I have what experts call an apple shape.

I nodded slowly, and I went to find a roll of paper towels and...

There are a lot of industries, such as restaurants and travel, that are hurting during the pandemic. 

Others are growing. Zoom is one and the Virtual Assistant industry is another.

During a pandemic is a great time to start and market your Virtual Assistant and Virtual Expert® business.

Here are 4 ways to market your VA and VE®  business during a pandemic.

1. Update Your LinkedIn Profile

Make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date. Add a new, smiling photo. Add keywords so people can find your services when they search on LinkedIn or Google. (Yes, LinkedIn is searchable on Google also.) 

Keywords should include words that your ideal clients will use to search for the help they need:

• - virtual assistant
• - your services, such as bookkeeping, writing, editing, proofreading
• - if you specialize in certain software, use those names. For example, Aweber, WordPress, Constant Contact or ConvertKit

2. Create Content

People have more time to consume content. Before...

There are more Virtual Assistant Clients than ever before.

Let’s talk about why the VA industry is growing so fast, and how you can find VA clients during this crisis.

Let's start with 3 reasons there are more VA and VE® clients than ever before:

1. The new normal is now working from home, virtually and remotely.

That means more business owners than ever are interested in working with Virtual Assistants and Virtual Experts®.

2. Business owners need help – both those with brick and mortar and online businesses.

They need help figuring out how to pivot from where they are now to where they need to be to keep their businesses thriving.

3. More people are buying MORE stuff online.

Clients need you to build websites, set up eCommerce, create content, provide marketing, and perform all the techie tasks ... to know a handful of things out of the hundreds of tasks needed.

With so many  VA and VE® clients,  here are some ways to find them during a...

If you're worried about keeping your Virtual Assistant and Virtual Expert® clients during this pandemic, I am here to reassure you. There is zero need to worry.

Your clients need your assistance now, more than ever -- so they can pivot if needed and continue to grow their businesses.

Here are 3 tips on how to keep your VA and VE® clients during this pandemic.

Tip #1: Maintain Or Establish A Leadership Position In The Market

• Communicate (start with the thing on all our minds -- the pandemic)
• Over-communicate
• Get seen in ways you never have before:

a. Facebook Live & Articles

b. Blog

c. YouTube Videos

d. LinkedIn articles & video

e. Get interviewed on podcasts

f. Do a webinar

g. Double down on everything you've already been doing to market and get seen

You will have a massive head start on all who wallow in the worry.

Now that you're communicating more and being seen more, here are a few steps to lead your market:

1.Address worries and concerns as they relate to how...

I want to introduce you to Julie.

Julie is a graduate of my Virtual Expert® Training program and is totally location independent... Because she created her own remote job.

As she puts it: "my life fits in a suitcase, my business fits in a backpack, and I fit best in a big city with a waterfront ... New York City, Chicago, Barcelona, or Nice.)"

And she’s been to all four places by the way.

Since jumping on her remote job journey, she’s lived in the USA, Spain, Portugal, France, the Canary Islands, Austria, and Great Britain. And now she’s in Hong Kong.

When I first met Julie, she told me that she wanted to travel. She wanted adventure and to see the world. She wanted to be able to pack up and go wherever the wind blew her.

Since her niece was born four years ago, that wind tends to blow Julie wherever her niece is. And Aunt Julie has the ability to go whenever and wherever she feels like it.

Being a smart businesswoman, Julie knew she needed an income. She also...

As a parent, you know working at home is going to save you time and effort. You also know there's one big challenge you'll face:  How to get work done while your children are also at home.

I'll give you 3 tips that many parents swear by on how to be productive in your Virtual Expert® business while having your children also at home:

1. Set up a private office in your home where you do all of your work. Ideally, it's a separate room with a door you can close to keep everyone, including your children, out while you're working.

If you don’t have an extra room, you can set aside space within a larger room that you can call your office.

Everyone in your family should know that when you are in your office working you are not to be disturbed unless it is an emergency.

It's also a great idea to make a sign that indicates when you're at work and unavailable. One creative mom created a color-coded sign that showed her kids when she's available. It starts with:

Hi there!

...

One of the best ways to increase your profitability is to increase your productivity. That’s because the more tasks you can complete, the higher your income. (Oh YEAH)

When you increase your productivity you’re happier because you don’t feel like you’re wasting time, and you feel more fulfilled.

When you increase your profitability, you’re happier because … well, you know why … you have more money, honey.

Here are 5 ways to increase productivity and profitability

1. Ask for what you want

According to Steve Jobs, “Most people never pick up the phone. Most people never call and ask. And that’s what separates the people who do things from those who just dream.”

2. Don’t allow other people to steal your energy

If you want to be productive, setting up a distraction-free environment isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must. Getting in the zone to do deep work, however, isn’t only about turning off your...

Virtual Assistants (VAs) and Virtual Experts® (VEs) make the business world a better place to be in. Across the globe, VAs and VEs are removing tasks from business owners’ and entrepreneurs’ shoulders so they can stay in their zone of genius. The VA/VE is happy because they get to focus their services on those they enjoy. Businesses of all sizes thrive as a result. Better yet, everyone is happy and everyone feels successful. Happiness is important, even in our careers.

 We as human beings need to feel seen. Heard. Appreciated. Valued. And when it comes to our contribution to a business, corporation, organization, or individual, we want what we bring to the table (experience, skills, education, accolades, connections) to matter more than implicit biases clouding the view of our excellence. We want to be given a chance to succeed and contribute.

We want to be paid for what our knowledge and contributions are worth and offered opportunities that our knowledge and...

by Kathy Goughenour

Planes are grounded. Airlines are suffering. People heading places to see new sights, take vacations, go to conferences, or visit family is at an all-time low.

Everyone is gathering virtually. In fact, people are even going to the zoo or museums online just to get the slightest taste of the travel they long to do.

Who knows how long the travel industry will be suspended?  What do you do then as a travel agent with no one to send anywhere? How do you continue to professionally thrive, pay your bills, and use the specific skills you have that make you good at what you do?

 You become a Virtual Assistant.

Travel Agents make exceptional VAs. Here’s why:

As a travel agent, you are excellent at truly getting to know the travelers you help. To create the most customized travel arrangements, you ask questions, truly listen, and learn the preferences of your clients - from what modes of transportation they like, to hotel chains they prefer, to where they...