TVN Tip of the Week - Networking

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Today's virtual world is not so far from the neighborhood marketplaces of a century ago. We join communities (like The Virtual Nation), have chats, and through our websites, we open a store and hang out a shingle.

But how do we effectively turn this into a business? For the new VA, promoting her business may take as much time as doing her business. Often the most obvious path (and one of the most effective) costs nothing. It is simple, free word-of-mouth networking.

No matter how long you have been in business, utilizing your existing relationships can springboard you to a new customer base.

#1 Send an email or quick hand-written note to every "boss" or manager from your "old life" -- before your VA business. Let them know what you are doing and ask for referrals. Chances are that they remember your hard work and creativity.

#2 Include everyone from your day-to-day contacts in a bi-monthy ezine (remember to have an opt-out button and full contact information to comply with email laws). Often, these personal relationships will net unexpected assignments and opportunities. (Need some ideas for your ezine? Check out The Virtual Nation's.)

#3 Volunteer a couple of hours a week to local organizations -- both those you belong to and those you don't. As VA's we all bristle at disorganization and jump in to serve our kids' scout troop and our church, but offering to assist your local chamber of commerce or political organization with mailings a few times a year can be big network builders. The point is, use your skills to make connections OUTSIDE of your every-day circle.

Turning your own relationships into business is like filling a vase with flowers from your own garden. These are people who know you and appreciate the unique flavor and warmth you bring to every situation. Invite them into your successful adventure as a VA, and in return, offer them the bargain of a lifetime -- the creative, talented, one-in-a-million YOU.

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With Gratitude, Michelle Ulrich,

Chief Villager & President

The Virtual Nation(tm)

http://www.thevirtualnation.com

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TVN Tip of the Week

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Looking for Subcontracting Work?
Are You Getting Your Name Out There Among Your Peers?

Talk to anyone building a business in the VA world, and the conversation will quickly turn to clients -- either the search for more, or managing those we already have. One of the best solutions to these challenges is subcontracting. The new VA will often find a client base in her own peers who are further down the career path, and established VA's can share their abundance and experience with talented and enthusiastic newcomers.

If you are one of those newcomers, however, the question becomes how do you get your name out there in the least expensive way. Certainly joining professional groups, such as The Virtual Nation or the IVAA is a strong introduction, and as soon as time and resources will allow, every one of us should have a virtual presence through websites and ezines, etc.

Another vibrant, inexpensive way to gain exposure, especially if you haven't had the time to develop a web presence yet, is through banner and ezine ads on already established Ezines. At the Marketplace on The Virtual Nation's website, you can find exactly these types of opportunities for as little as $25.00. You can even publish your own article this way with live links and archival.

With minimum research there are many other such opportunities for affordable peer exposure and the chance to develop strong business relationships and mentoring opportunities. Embracing these opportunities is a win-win for all of us in the VA world.

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With Gratitude, Michelle Ulrich, Chief Villager & President
The Virtual Nation(tm)
http://www.thevirtualnation.com

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"Self" Coaching Resources at The Virtual Nation

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If you just can't seem to fit one-on-one business coaching or even team coaching into your schedule or business right now, perhaps do-it-yourself coaching is the way to go.

One of the GREAT books waiting to be read at The Virtual Nation's BOOKSTORE is Bringing Out the Best in Yourself at Work: How to Use the Enneagram System for Success, by Ginger Lapid-Bogda

In Bringing Out the Best in Yourself at Work, Enneagram teacher and business consultant Ginger Lapid-Bodga shows professionals how to apply this popular tool to their work as a way to improve productivity and help build positive relationships with coworkers. The Enneagram is a proven psychological system based on nine personality types; it helps people achieve self-awareness and develop strategic approaches to interpersonal interactions. This system is used by such organizations as the Walt Disney Company, Silicon Graphics, the Federal Reserve Bank, and the CIA. This book provides a proven system to achieving career and life goals, such as:

• Communicating more effectively
• Providing and accepting constructive feedback
• Preventing and resolving conflict
• Bringing out strong leadership skills
• Discovering methods for professional development
• Working better in teams

This is a MUST HAVE for anyone seeking to have a more fulfilling and effective career.

You may find this book and many other resources geared toward professional development compiled by our own Michelle Ulich at the BOOKSTORE at The Virtual Nation.

GET THIS BOOK NOW!

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More on Business Coaching - Affordable and Priceless

Type "Business Coach" into Google and you'll come up with more than 71,000 hits -- and while this may be overwhelming, it clearly evidences the strong and growing role that coaching plays in today's business world.

As we line up at the starting gate of our own new business ventures, who are our teammates? Have we chosen a mentor who has the expertise and enthusiasm that we need?

Michelle Ulrich has taken her role at The Virtual Nation and used it to teach others how to create and succeed in their own virtual careers using eCommerce and technology. Michelle has given more than twenty-five presentations at colleges, professional associations and coaching societies, and has been the keynote speaker for both the International Association of Administrative Professionals and the Women's Council of Realtors. Her presentations on eCommerce on a Shoestring Budget and Creating Excellence in Life and the Workplace Everyday have been vital to many new and exisiting business.

Because of her committment to mentoring other professionals toward success, Michelle has put together three coaching opportunities that will fit into anyone's business model and budget.

6-week Mentor Coaching $97
Belong to a group of your peers where you can safely ask questions, share, help your peers and have a pool of knowledge should you decide to grow your business and need subcontractors. You also get unlimited email coaching.

Mentor Coaching Club $17/month
Continue your group coaching experience! With the coaching club, you and your peers can continue your group coaching experience, discussions, peer support and more.

Personal Coaching $75/mo and up
With personal coaching, you have direct access to Michelle Ulrich, seasoned Virtual Professional. To learn more about Michelle and her vast professional experience, visit her at www.michelleulrich.com/michelle.htm.

With personal coaching, you will explore in a one-on-one setting via telephone how to work through your individual challenges. All information is held in the strictest of confidences and our agreement with you will illustrate this as well. Coaching sessions are tailored to fit your unique situation and needs. Some commonly covered topics are:

• Take time for yourself to gain clarity and a fresh focus
• Confidently discuss your rates and services through role playing
• Explore your passions and possibly refocus your business
• Attract your ideal client Is your message clear and concise?
• Assess your current marketing materials and techniques
• Are you ready to subcontract some of your own workload or clients' projects?
• How to effectively work with subcontractors

If you are interested in this type of coaching, please email Michelle for a complete intake package and available start dates at michelle@thevirtualnation.com or go to http://www.thevirtualnation.com/services.htm.

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TVN Tip of the Week: 6 Weeks of Affordable Business Coaching for $97 - Maximize Your Efforts & Success with Business Coaches at The Virtual Nation

Are you having trouble putting the foundation of your business in place?
Are you overwhelmed by what you don't know?
Or have you gotten started and need help to hit that grand slam of finding clients, managing projects, and making money!

Sign up for six weeks of Mentor Coaching with an experienced Virtual Professional from The Virtual Nation and cover all the bases! http://www.thevirtualnation.com/services.htm

• Virtual office setup
• Confidently discuss your rates and services through role playing
• Attract your ideal client
• Keep on top of technology
• Marketing and networking both online and offline
• Learn how to focus your time using simple techniques that work
• Openly discuss individual and unique challenges
• Group setting for peer comraderie
• Confidentiality agreements signed by all participants

An Overview

Week 1: Get to know your peers: introduce yourself, challenges, what you hope to get out of the class and more. Sign into private yahoo group, introduce yourself to your peers, post your photo and contact information.

Week 2: Change your employee mindset to a business owner mindset by learning the language of business. New dialoguing and languaging skills and techniques learned through role playing. Learn negotiating tactics for prospects who aren't sure how to work with a VA and more.

Week 3: Learn why being authentically 'you' will attract the clients you want to work with. We'll explore values, creating your unique message, and more.

Week 4: Marketing and networking that works for you, not just the general populace. We'll explore both traditional and non-traditional methods.

Week 5: Doing the work: how to focus, time management vs. project management, and developing systems that work for you.

Week 6: Review and cover unanswered challenges, concerns, questions and succcesses!

Are you ready to take your business in a new direction? Now, you can! Just select the coaching day of the week that best suits your schedule from below. (If these days and times do not work for you, please send us an email at info@thevirtualnation.com to discuss some alternatives.)

Choose between:

Coaching calls Mondays at 10:30 am - 11:30 am Pacific (Dates to be determined.)

Coaching calls Thursdays at 9:00 am - 10:00 am Pacific (Dates to be determined.)

**NOTE: Limited to 20 people per group. Some classes may be extended due to holidays and/or previously scheduled out of office dates.


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The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide

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Are you trapped by the 9-5? Do you dream of leaving your commute in the dust? Do you have a skill or product that could really take you places?


If these questions speak to you, why not tap into the abundance and expertise of fellow entrepreneur, Stephanie Chandler. Stephanie is an Author, Speaker & Entrepreneur. In 2003 she left her corporate job to begin her new life of freedom, hard work and creativity as her own boss. Along the road, she has led many others to occupational freedom, helping them build a path to a more fulfulling life after corporate America. Use this book as a tool to moving past your fears and beginning your adventure.


In her book The Business Startup Checklist and Planning Guide: Seize Your Entrepreneurial Dreams, Stephanie outlines all the things you need to plant the seeds of an idea and develop the roots of a successful business plan and new life.


Let's face it, we simply cannot know what we do not know. Culling information from the experts and taking tips from those who have gone down this path before us can be invaluable. Stephanie Chandler's book is a vital step toward beginning any business or entrepreneurial effort.


Click on the link below to read a more indepth description and order this valuable tool.


http://astore.amazon.com/tvn4105-20/detail/1593303009/002-9400124-6123268

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With Gratitude,
Michelle Ulrich, Chief Villager & President
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The Virtual Nation™
A community of learning. A nation of culture. A virtual village.
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PO Box 3692, Citrus Heights, CA 95611
(916) 536-9799 Office | (866) 844-9360 Fax
Michelle@TheVirtualNation.com | www.TheVirtualNation.com
Michelle@MichelleUlrich.com | www.MichelleUlrich.com

"If it takes a village to raise a child, then it takes a virtual village to grow a successful business." ~Michelle Ulrich