Creating Positive Buzz: The Online International Virtual Assistants Convention
Since 2006 the Online International Virtual Assistants Convention has grown by leaps and bounds. Not only can attendees learn from experienced professionals, but also have the chance to network with like-minded individuals from all around the globe.
As a virtual business owner and Virtual Public Relations Assistant, I will be attending the 4th Annual Online International Virtual Assistant Convention (OIVAC), held this year from October 1-3, 2009.
The list of tangible and non-tangible benefits associated with hiring a VA is extensive and all-inclusive. The biggest advantage is the elimination of the accumulation of costs associated with providing employee benefits, paying taxes, purchasing furniture and equipment, the additional costs often associated with training opportunities, and the burden of overhead for additional office space. “As Independent Contractors and Entrepreneurs, Virtual Assistants are responsible for paying their own benefits, insurance, taxes, and other associated costs.
“A VA works from a fully-functional, furnished office, and provides their own equipment, technologies, software, etc. VAs are paid only for time spent on a task and utilize time-tracking software that records duration and billing information associated with the assignment. As a result, the client is not charged for downtime, breaks, lunch, or time away from the office when emergencies occur, etc.” shares Sharon Williams, OIVAC founder. It’s clear that small business owners can experience significant savings both in time and money by hiring a Virtual Assistant.
Further, says Williams, “The 4th annual OIVAC is an event held completely online that offers educational seminars, workshops, an international exhibition and networking opportunities for aspiring and veteran VAs. It also allows VAs to experience, first-hand, examples of how effective and efficient communication and use of technology can launch a practice.”
Worldwide, thousands of office support providers have joined the ranks of work-from-home, full-time, business owners. By attending the Convention, I have access to industry-recognized experts, as well as a wealth of knowledge, experiences and information specifically crafted to benefit me and my business. If you have questions, you’ll find the answers at OIVAC!
About Alliance for Virtual Businesses
Established in June 2003, the Alliance for Virtual Businesses™ is volunteer-directed organization, whose primary mission is to promote the growth of free enterprise between virtual assistants, entrepreneurs, small businesses, corporations, associations and other business entities. At the Web site client-related case studies, industry-related demographics, and a wealth of other types of information are available to facilitate learning about our industry. Visit the Web site at www.allianceforvirtualbiz.com.
About Online International Virtual Assistants Convention
The OIVAC is an online, interactive, “live” yet virtual environment Convention of Virtual Assistants, eager to “Enhance Their VA Practices By Using the Latest in Technology and Communication.” Visit the Web site at www.oivac.com.
Simplified public relations and the small business.
As an entrepreneur and founder of two small businesses, I know the challenges that come hand-in-hand with the entrepreneurs life.
Massive to-do lists, not enough time to accomplish all that we desire to, marketing and promoting ourselves and our businesses often taking a back seat to the simple day-to-day monotony that we so badly need to outsource. In my decade plus experience in corporate and entrepreneurial marketing and PR I’ve seen small businesses all too often eliminate marketing from their priorities.
This is a huge mistake. But it can be avoided with strategically and cost-effectively planning ahead to simplify marketing and public relations tasks so that they are virtually on auto-pilot. Using simplified public relations strategies, you can make lasting connections with complementary organizations without spending a great deal of time or money.
What is simplified public relations? In the manner of getting back to the basics, my belief is that at the core of every successful small business are relationships. Relationship building and public relations go hand-in-hand. Public relations strategies don’t have to be complex and scary for the entrepreneur. You simply need to take a look at your desired end result and work backward. From there you can simply plan out your public relations activities on one sheet and schedule them out on your calendar for the year. The hardest part is coming up with the appropriate outlets to contact and researching what news they want to hear.
If you come from a place of service, offering them your expertise and remain genuine, you’ll have an easy time developing lasting relationships with media outlets. They’ll value you as a source and maybe even seek you out for a newly developed story. Just remember to remain professional, appreciative and put yourself in the contacts shoes…they likely get inundated with queries and press releases on a daily basis.
In small business and the entrepreneurial world, positive public relations = relationship building + service + strategic partnerships + informing others. Done right, it can be an invaluable source for business growth.
Copyright 2009 Teresa H. Berger, MBA & Innovate Services PR|Editorial
Creating Positive Buzz: Two Women. 190 miles.
Carla and Caroline take on 190 miles coast to coast.
Philadelphia, PA – This past July Philadelphia area business women, Carla Wilson and Caroline Wright, trekked 190 miles coast to coast in England. Their journey began as a physical challenge putting themselves to the test and ended up as a unique way to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Carla Wilson and Caroline Wright, a native of England, set out on a 190 mile hike from St. Bees along the Irish Sea to Robin Hood’s Bay along the North Sea. Each day the hike was in the range of 15-20 miles and at times they hiked through non-stop hail and rain. Both are Philadelphia area business women and were able to take two weeks away from their businesses without skipping a beat. The goal of this trip was two-fold. First it started out as a life-long dream of Caroline’s to complete a long-distance hike and Carla was her chosen sidekick for the adventure.
The second goal only seemed natural to the two area women; raise funds for cancer research with each mile walked. For the 190 miles walked Carla and Caroline set out to raise $1,900 or $10 per mile. To date they are at 78% of their goal and are back on American soil. Carla mentions, “…my cousin passed away from cancer – specifically melanoma. And since I never followed through in making the donation in her name that I had wanted to do, I thought I’d set up a fundraising effort to raise important funds for research for the cure of this disease – and dedicate my walk to her and others. Unfortunately, so many of us know folks who are living with or have battled cancer. We need to help kick cancer’s butt.”
With cancer touching so many lives in various ways these days, it’s hard not to take notice of those putting their bodies to the test to raise awareness and funding. Carla and Caroline completed their journey and would love to help in the fight against cancer. For more information on their story and cause, please visit http://wrightsolution.wordpress.com/.
Innovate Services & Client Media Mentions…
http://www.business-opportunities.biz http://blog.cristinafavreau.com http://www.ivaa.org/pdfs/latestcast.pdf http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog
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