Over 10,000 Virtual Assistants from around the globe invited to participate in the sixth annual survey conducted by the Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce

Tacoma, WA -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/09/2011 -- The sixth annual Virtual Assistant Industry Survey™, conducted by the Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce (VACOC), is currently underway. Over 10,000 Virtual Assistants from around the world have been invited to contribute to the statistics and body of knowledge that is improving the industry's understanding of itself and education of its market.

The goal of the annual Virtual Assistant Industry Survey™ is to take a representative, group snapshot of those who are in the business of providing ongoing administrative support on a partnering basis with clients. The aggregated results shed light on how well Virtual Assistants are earning, their challenges in finding and working with clients, and help identify where training, support and other educational gaps may exist.

"Our annual survey gives Virtual Assistants a full-on, 'behind-the-curtains' peek into how others in the industry are operating, what they're charging, how they're marketing and see where they might make improvements in their own practice to make more money and better serve their clients," explains VACOC founder, Danielle Keister.

The in-depth survey leaves no stone unturned, covering the categories of:

* Individual Demographics

* Education, Experience & Credentials

* General Business Demographics

* Tools & Equipment

* Employees & Subcontractors

* Clients

* Hours

* Services

* Marketing

* Pricing

* Success, Profitability & Entrepreneurship

* Training & Continuing Education

This year's survey theme is "VA Industry Certification." Past years' themes have focused on training, ethics and standards in the industry, and social networking.

"We've been conducting this survey on behalf of the industry since 2006. Past participation has been outstanding. This year, we're shooting for 1,000 participants by April 1," says Keister.

Gloria Luzier of Superior VA Solutions LLC has participated in all six years of the survey. "I want to be informed about the nature and trends affecting the industry. There is no other organization (of which I'm aware, anyway) that provides quantitative data about our industry. "

Libby McIntyre of McIntyre Office Assistance is an annual participant of the survey. "Aside from simply finding the survey results interesting, I look to it to see where my business stands in comparison to others… such as fees, education, services provided, etc. This knowledge can help me as I move forward in making decisions regarding my business."

Sandra Bell of Office Solutions 4 U is a new participant. "This is my first time participating so I'm eager to see just what the stats are, how I stand among my peers, and gain insight into what I may be doing great or not doing at all."

Amy Kazor of Accomplish Virtual Assistant is hoping to learn information that may help her change her business plan. "I'm interested in market trends and identifying skill sets I may need to look at enhancing based on those trends."

There are 100 questions on the online survey with two additional free-form responses at the end. Questions are multiple-choice, making participation fast and easy. It takes the average respondent only 15-20 minutes to complete the survey.

All Virtual Assistants who take part in the survey will receive a complimentary copy of the 75-100 page results report at the end of the survey period.

Virtual Assistants are invited to spread the word and take the survey at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/survey.htm

ABOUT THE VACOC
The Virtual Assistant Chamber of Commerce is a professional association dedicated to providing Virtual Assistants with the tools, information and resources to grow stronger, more financially successful practices that bring them greater personal happiness, freedom and client satisfaction. To join and get tools for your business success, visit the VACOC at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Intuitive Artist to share with small business owners the five steps in learning the art of intuition

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/10/2008 -- Jennifer Crews, M.A., intuitive artist, educator, author and speaker, will be presenting "Know Your Inner Consultant: 5 Steps in Learning the Art of Intuition" at a complimentary teleseminar on Thursday, January 17, 2008, at 8pm EST. The teleseminar is being hosted by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce.

A gifted intuitive artist, Crews speaks extensively to small business groups, helping business owners become more in-tune with the fundamental inner resources each has at their disposal.

"Everyone is blessed with intuition," states Crews. "With practice and dedication to learning, every small business owner can excel and strengthen this innate gift in themselves."

At this teleseminar, Crews will show small business owners five simple steps to learning the art of intuition and discovering their own inner consultant. The first of the five steps is becoming aware of the inner language, the source of receiving information. Attendees will learn all the steps in mastering their invisible intelligence and strengthening their intution in business and other areas of life.

CALENDAR LISTING

WHAT: "Know Your Inner Consultant: 5 Steps in Learning the Art of Intuition"

SPEAKER: Jennifer Crews, M.A.

DATE: Thursday, January 17, 2008

TIME: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

DURATION: 60 minutes

COST: FREE!

REGISTER HERE: http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/teleseminar.htm

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants and their clients grow smarter, more successful businesses, and providing business owners with free tools and resources to connect with qualified Virtual Assistant professionals. Anyone interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Founder of the Emotional Endurance Institute to share her secrets for changing employee thoughts into entrepreneurial thoughts.

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/13/2007 -- Suzanne Mulvehill, MBA, author of "Employee to Entrepreneur: A Mind, Body and Spirit Transition" will be presenting Breaking Out of the Employee Mindset as a teleseminar on Thursday, November 15, 2007, at 8pm EST. The teleseminar is being hosted by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce.

New business owners commonly find themselves still thinking and acting as if they were still employees, even though they are running their own businesses. This mindset traps them in a role that inhibits their ability to lead and grow their business successfully.

Mulvehill says, "The mindset is everything. If an entrepreneur thinks wrong, the business won't succeed," says Mulvehill. "Thoughts like 'AM I going to make?' and 'I don't think I can do this anymore' have to go."

New thoughts like "I'm giving it my all, no matter what," and "If I'm making mistakes, I'm making progress" need to come automatically and be programmed into the entrepreneurial mind so success can flow.

During the teleseminar, participants will learn how to change employee thoughts into entrepreneurial thoughts; learn strategies for making thoughts work for, not against, the business owner; and understand the seven employee mindset shifts that must take place in order to embrace entrepreneurial success.

CALENDAR LISTING

What: "Break Out of the Employee Mindset"

Speaker: Suzanne Mulvehill, MBA

Date: Thursday, November 15, 2007

Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Duration: 60 minutes

Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/teleclass-registration.htm

ABOUT THE VACOC
The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants and their clients grow smarter, more successful businesses, and providing business owners with free tools and resources to connect with qualified Virtual Assistant professionals. Anyone interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Virtual Assistants and online business owners to learn about the top 10 branding mistakes and how to fix them.

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/16/2007 -- "Branding is not about getting your prospects to choose you over your competition; it's about getting your prospects to see you as the only solution to their problem."

That's the mantra of Rob Frankel, branding expert and author of the groundbreaking bestseller, "Revenge of Brand X: How to Build a Big Time Brand on the Web or Anywhere Else."

Branding is a lot more than just a name and a logo. It's how users and prospects are turned into evangelists for a business. But even more important about what business owners know about branding is what they don't know. It's costing them real business and real dollars.

In a teleseminar hosted by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce on October 18, Frankel--who's been called "the best branding expert on the planet"--will be speaking to business owners and showing them the top 10 ways they are currently killing their brand--and how to fix every one of them.

CALENDAR LISTING

What: "The Top 10 Mistakes That Are Killing Your Brand"

Speaker: Rob Frankel

Date: Thursday, October 18, 2007

Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Length: 60 minutes

Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/teleclass-registration.htm

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants and their clients grow smarter, more successful businesses, and providing business owners with free tools and resources to connect with qualified Virtual Assistant professionals. Anyone interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Following the tremendous success of its first annual survey, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com, conducts second annual survey of the Virtual Assistant profession.

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/15/2007 -- The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce (VACOC) is buzzing with activity during the month of August as it conducts its second annual survey of the Virtual Assistant industry. This effort is of keen interest to the media, as over 8,000 Virtual Assistants from around the globe are invited to participate. Results are available at no-cost to all who participate.

The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce Virtual Assistant Industry Survey provides the most comprehensive, in-depth and accurate information in the Virtual Assistant industry today. It includes detailed cross-sectional data that represents every area of the industry; and offers unprecedented information about general business and individual demographics, market data, and services. Other survey topics include:

* experience/credentials;
* clients/target markets;
* hours;
* pricing;
* employees/subcontractors;
* marketing;
* training and education;
* success, profitability & entrepreneurship; industry organizations;
* industry training programs; and
* professional standards & ethics.

"The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce Virtual Assistant Industry Survey is making--and changing--history by promoting the profession, increasing awareness, and transforming the way mainstream media reports on the profession," states founder Danielle Keister. "Our survey gives the media all the information they need to most accurately write the articles and profiles about the Virtual Assistant industry that exhibit the true professionalism and value we bring to the marketplace."

The 2007 Virtual Assistant Industry Survey is open to all professional Virtual Assistants, regardless of their membership in the VACOC. Says Ms. Keister, "We want to hear from every Virtual Assistant who currently has an open practice and self-identifies as a Virtual Assistant." A free copy of the 2007 survey will be provided to every participating Virtual Assistant after September 1, 2007. Virtual Assistants can participate by visiting VirtualAssistantNetworking(dot)com/survey(dot)htm

Over 400 Virtual Assistants from around the world participated in the 2006 VACOC Virtual Assistance Industry Survey. The 71-page 2006 report is available for purchase at virtualassistantnetworking(dot)com(slash)virtual-assistant-business-forms(dot)htm The 2007 survey is expected to be even more successful with the help of Virtual Assistants who are spreading the word through their blogs, newsletters, forums and listservs.

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants and their clients grow smarter, more successful businesses, and providing business owners with free tools and resources to connect with qualified Virtual Assistant professionals. Anyone interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at VirtualAssistantNetworking(dot)com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Danielle Taylor is the Press Release Communications Officer for the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce. She is a professional Virtual Assistant and operates Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance, providing expert business support and office management to small business owners and solo entrepreneurs. Her background includes senior administrative and office management positions with leading corporations and start-up ventures. Visit her at taylorVA(dot)com to learn more, and receive a free report about the Top 10 Reasons to Delegate in Your Small Business.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Virtual Assistants and other virtual service providers to learn how to leverage virtual office technology to work more collaboratively with clients, streamline operations, reduce time and resource costs and cultivate deeper client relationships.

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 07/17/2007 -- Faced with increasing competition from offshore and commodity service providers, Virtual Assistants and other independent service providers must find ways to deliver more value while differentiating themselves from the emerging competition. Leveraging virtual office technology is an increasingly popular method by which Virtual Assistants and independent professionals are growing their businesses.

That's the scenario Shahab Kaviani begins with in his upcoming webinar sponsored by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, a professional association dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants and their clients grow smarter, more successful businesses.

"Leveraging virtual office technology allows Virtual Assistants and other virtual service providers to streamline their operations and work more collaboratively with clients while expending less time and resources," explains Kaviani. "By providing a shared collaborative environment, Virtual Assistants can improve their clients' experience and give them instant access to critical information any time, any place.

In this guided online tour, Webinar participants will get an upclose view of the collaborative workspace experience, and learn how to grow their businesses by steamlining operations without increasing overhead, improve client retention, and deliver more value. They'll also get to hear from Virtual Assistants who have successfully leveraged virtual office technology in their practices to distinguish their services and streamline their operations.

"At the rate we are seeing Virtual Assistants adopt these technologies, and providing them as value-added services to their clients, we expect services like HyperOffice to be part of the standard offering within the next 18 months," states Kaviani.

Several items planned for discussion include:

* What is virtual office technology?
* Key considerations to take into account when choosing a virtual office technology provider;
* How to streamline operations to support clients without increasing overhead;
* How to store all customer information in a single place with permission-based customer access;

And much more!

Calendar Listing

What: "Leveraging Collaborative Virtual Office Technology for Virtual Assistants and Solopreneurs"

Speaker: Shahab Kaviani, HyperOffice

Date: Thursday, July 19, 2007

Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Length: 60 minutes

Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/teleclass-registration.htm

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants and their clients grow smarter, more successful businesses, and providing business owners with free tools and resources to connect with qualified Virtual Assistant professionals. Anyone interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Small business attorney Nina Kaufman, Esq., to talk with Virtual Assistants and small business owners on what they can do to protect their valuable intellectual capital

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 06/05/2007 -- Soloprenuership is on the rise. In particular, the growth of women-owned businesses has exploded over the past two decades--and these companies tend not to have employees (approx. 75%) and tend to be service-based (over 50%). Each one of them is a potential intellectual property incubator, creating valuable intellecutal capital for its clients and itself in the course of any given day.

But protecting the valuable contributions they make is often a source of confusion and woe for many small businesses. Educating solo service professionals, like Virtual Assistants, how to identify the legal issues that they face so that they can protect themselves economically has been a calling for Nina Kaufman, a small business attorney, edutainer, and entreprenuer. And given the fast pace at which information flies in the Digital Age, forethought and intellectual property planning is absolutely necessary.

On June 21, Nina will be presenting a teleseminar on this topic to the Virtual Assistant commuity. Sponsored by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, this teleclass will help Virtual Assistants and other solo professionals identify the "brainchildren" that need protecting and the steps they can take to do so.

A few of the scenarios that will be covered include:

What's the difference between a copyright, a trademark, and a domain name?
Can I get a trademark once I have a domain name? And what if someone tries to get a trademark using my business name?
What if my articles appear on someone else's website (or blog) without permission?
Who owns the program that I collaborated on with someone else?
Can I use ideas in my business that I generated for a client?
This teleseminar is open to all Virtual Assistants and solo professionals. Register today to reserve your spot!

Calendar Listing

What: "You'd Protect a Human Child--Why Not a Brain-Child? Intellectual Property for Solopreneurs"

Speaker: Nina Kaufman, Esq., of Wise Counsel Press

Date: Thursday, June 21, 2007

Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Length: 60 minutes

Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/teleclass-registration.htm

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants run smarter, more successful businesses, and providing business owners with free tools and resources to connect with qualified Virtual Assistant professionals. Anyone interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Writing guide and template for Virtual Assistants taking the mystery out of writing press releases

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/31/2007 -- Virtual Assistants and other solopreneurs are masters when it comes to do-it-yourself enterprise. Though blessed with flexibility and agility, as small business owners, they often must make do with much less than their larger business counterparts. Sometimes that means venturing into territory in which they don't necessarily have experience--such as writing press releases.

The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is helping demystify the process of writing press releases with its "Press Release Writing Guide & Style Template." The five-page guide is intended for Virtual Assistants, their clients and any solopreneur or independent professional who wants to write better press releases using a simple, effective formula. The guide includes:

- press release template with editable form fields,
- press release guidelines and tips,
- list of all the parts of a press release with descriptions and instructions for each,
- sample press release exampling the formula used for effective press release writing, and
- press release writing resource list.

"How to write a press release is a question that is constantly asked by our members," says Danielle Keister, founder of the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce. "We end up repeating so much information or correcting bad advice that I decided a single resource would be of real benefit to our Virtual Assistant members and the small business owners we serve."

The guide is instantly downloadable and available for purchase at the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce's online forms store at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/virtual-assistant-business-forms.htm

More Info: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is an international professional association dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants grow smarter, more successful businesses, and providing business owners with free resources and tools to connect with qualified Virtual Assistant professionals. For more information, visit the website at http://www.virualassistantnetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Marketing guru to share practical ways to avoid being viewed as offering a commodity service for Virtual Assistants and other independent professionals

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/14/2007 -- Especially for Virtual Assistants and other professional service providers, pressure to reduce the price of services is tremendous to attract and retain customers. There is little more frustrating than offering a high-value service that is measured as a commodity--a service offered by many and compared by price.

That's the scenario Jim Logan begins with in his upcoming teleseminar sponsored by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants and their clients grow smarter businesses.

"How to Insulate Yourself from Your Competition, Protect the Price of Your Services, and Avoid Becoming a Commodity" is an approach to marketing for Virtual Assistants and independent professionals that changes the way professionals market their services to attract clients to their business and minimize the prssures to discount pricing.

"Newcomers and offshore companies add to the frustration of competition with discounted offers and low-cost operations. The temptation to lower your prices is gerat. Some days it feels like discounting your service is the only thing you can do to protect your business," says Logan.

"In reality, you have lots of options to discounting your service. You don't have to tbe a low-cost provider to attract new clients or protect your customer-base. That's a fool's game you can't win."

Teleseminar participants will learn how to protect their position in their market, insulate themselves from common competitive pressures, avoid the pressure to compete on price and discounted services, and how to attract their ideal client. Jim Logan will discuss how to avoid being viewed as a commodity and stand out from the crowd, resulting in higher margins, better clients and greater satisfaction in your work.

Several items planned for discussion include:

The three things prospective clients consciously or subconsciously think about when deciding whether or not to purchase your services;
The most important thing to highlight when describing your service;
Why the least valuable thing you have to offer your customer is your time;
How to increase your hourly rate without billing by the hour; and
How to differentiate your service from your competition and attract your ideal client.
Calendar Listing

What: "How to Insulate Yourself from Your Competition, Protect the Price of Your Services and Avoid Becoming a Commodity"

Speaker: Jim Logan, Marketing Consultant

Date: Thursday, May 17, 2007

Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Length: 60 minutes

Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/teleclass-registration.htm

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants run smarter, more successful businesses, and providing business owners with free tools and resources to connect with qualified Virtual Assistant professionals. Anyone interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Annual Honor bestowed on the year’s most inspiring Virtual Assistant volunteers

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/02/2007 -- The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce (VACOC) celebrated its one year anniversary on April 19 with a virtual party for members. In addition to announcing this year's InnoVAtive award recipients, two attendees received surprise Member of the Year awards for their tireless volunteer work for the Virtual Assistant professional association.

Joy Slaughter of http://www.acapitalsolution.com and LauraLee Sparks of http://www.thesimplesolutionva.com were each presented with a monetary gift along with a beautiful Member of the Year award certificate.

Both expressed their surprise and gratitude. Commented Slaughter, "It's so rewarding to hear that we've made a difference in the industry and to many individual Virtual Assistants. I'm very honored!"

Ms. Sparks summed up her surprise by saying, "I believe everything we do comes back to us, and I reap the rewards of my involvement with the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce daily."

Danielle Keister, Founder of the VACOC and the InnoVAtive Awards program, states "It is always our intent at the VACOC to recognize the hard work, commitment and dedication that takes place behind the scenes in our community. I am honored to extend this gesture of appreciation on behalf of our community to two such wonderful women, whom I also call friends."

The Member of the Year Award will become a permanent category of the annual InnoVAtive Awards program in recognition of the outstanding volunteerism contributed by members of the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce.

Everyone who is interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants run smarter, more successful businesses, and providing resources and tools for business owners to connect with qualified Virtual Assistants. Everyone who is interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Danielle Taylor is the Press Release Communications Officer for the VACOC. She is a professional Virtual Assistant and operates Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance where she provides business support and office management to small business owners and solo entrepreneurs including event planners, authors, personal chefs and alternative health professionals. Her background includes office management and senior administrative positions with leading corporations and start-up ventures. Visit her at http://www.taylorva.com to learn more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Annual Honor bestowed on the year’s most inspiring Virtual Assistants

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/30/2007 -- The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce (VACOC) celebrated its one year anniversary on April 19 with a virtual party for members that included the Virtual Assistant industry's InnoVAtive Awards Ceremonies.

The InnoVAtive Award is an honor given by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce to Virtual Assistants who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and inventiveness in the categories of:

- Smart Virtual Assistant Business Practices
- Virtual Assistant Industry Promotion
- Virtual Assistant Education & Training
- Virtual Assistant Business Growth and Achievement

Nominations are solicited in March and April, and the winners announced each year at the VACOC Anniversary Celebration. Nominees do not need to be VACOC members to receive an award.

Vickie Turley of Elite Virtual Assistants received the InnoVAtive Award for Virtual Assistant Business Inspiration. Vickie's work and dedication to promoting the Virtual Assistance profession has flourished during the past year. Danielle Keister, Founder of the VACOC says, "Not only is Vickie an inspiration and role model for new VAs on what they can achieve when they set their minds to it, but she always goes the extra mile to motivate and support other new Virtual Assistants. We are so happy that Vickie has been recognized by her colleagues with this award."

The InnoVAtive Award for Virtual Assistant Business Education was presented to Stacy Brice of AssistU. This is the second time Ms. Brice has received the award, and as Ms. Keister states, "There is still nothing in the industry to rival the brilliance, wisdom and caliber of AssistU and its leader, Stacy Brice, and the nominations submitted proves many agree. We are honored to show our appreciation to Stacy for her ongoing leadership and vision for the Virtual Assistance profession she created."

Everyone who is interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://ww.virtualassistantnetworking.com

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants run smarter, more successful businesses, and providing resources and tools for business owners to connect with qualified Virtual Assistants. Everyone who is interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://ww.virtualassistantnetworking.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Danielle Taylor is the Press Release Communications Officer for the VACOC. She is a professional Virtual Assistant and operates Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance where she provides business support and office management to small business owners and solo entrepreneurs including event planners, authors, personal chefs and alternative health professionals. Her background includes office management and senior administrative positions with leading corporations and start-up ventures. Visit her at http://www.taylorva.com to learn more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Knowing the differences help consumers find the right professionals

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 04/04/2007 -- The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce (VACOC) sets the standard for quality, substance and excellence in the Virtual Assistance profession. As such, the VACOC uses a variety of tools to spread the word in an effort to distinguish Virtual Assistance from other types of virtual professions. The VACOC Glossary is one of those tools.

Danielle Keister, founder of the VACOC, created the Glossary to help both Virtual Assistants and consumers understand the differences between telecommuters, secretarial services, virtual staffing agencies and Virtual Assistants. Used incorrectly, terminology can be a barrier to locating services or partnering with the professionals one needs to grow their business. Says Keister, "The VACOC Glossary is a way to solidify terminology so that people will know the correct words to use, and be able to find the exact professional they are searching for. It saves everyone a lot of wasted time."

The Glossary contains explanations of the differences of each administrative outsourcing term including freelancing and personal assistance. It is a must-read for every Virtual Administrative Professional to help them more accurately classify the types of outsourcing they provide. The Glossary may be viewed by anyone by visiting http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/outsourcing-glossary.htm

Everyone who is interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants build smarter, more successful businesses, and providing free tools and resources for business owners to connect with qualified, professional Virtual Assistants. For more information or to join, visit http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Danielle Taylor is the Press Release Communications Officer for the VACOC. She is president of Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance where she provides clients with professional administrative support and executive office management. Visit her site at http://www.TaylorVA.com to learn more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Virtual Assistants and other solo professionals to learn how to harness the power of radio to promote business and give great interviews

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 03/12/2007 -- Virtual Assistants are often so focused on their client work that they sometimes let their own business building tasks take a back seat.

And once they do have a full client roster, they often find they've hit an income cap, because there are only so many billable hours in any given day.

Teaching solo service professionals, like Virtual Assistants, how to leverage their time and talent so they can work with their ideal clients and make more money at the same time is a passion for Alicia Forest, Multiple Streams Queen and Coach.

On March 15, Alicia will be presenting a teleseminar on this topic to the Virtual Assistant community. Sponsored by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, this teleclass will give Virtual Assistants a proven model to follow that will enable Virtual Assistants to quickly add passive income streams to their own business as well as offer this knowledge as an added benefit to their clients.

A few of the concepts that will be covered include:

How creating a "Marketing & Product Funnel" gives you a roadmap to more clients and more money; 6 simple steps to creating passive income streams, quickly and effectively; How serving instead of selling helps to build your business with integrity; And much more!

This teleseminar is open to all Virtual Assistants and solo professionals. Register today to reserve your spot!

CALENDAR LISTING

What: "6 Simple Steps to Creating Passive Income Streams for Your Solo Business"

Speaker: Alicia M. Forest, Client Abundance

Date: Thursday, March 15, 2007

Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Length: 1 hour

Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com/teleclass-registration.htm

About Alicia M. Forest, Client Abundance

Alicia M. Forest, MBA, Multiple Streams Queen & Coach, is an author, entrepreneur, and expert marketing coach to coaches, consultants and other solo professionals in over 40 countries. As the founder of Client Abundance, her mission is to be the lamplighter for other solopreneurs on the path to abundance in business and in life by leveraging the power of the Internet to make more money in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Alicia teaches solopreneurs how to attract more clients, create profit-making products and services, make more sales, and ultimately live the life they desire and deserve through her one-on-one VIP mentoring, group coaching programs, and teleseminars, as well as through her best-selling "21 Easy and Essential Steps to Online Success System™," the "Search Engine Marketing Success System," and the forthcoming "Ultimate Guide to Building Your Email List for Solopreneurs."

Alicia recently finished writing her first print book, "6 Steps to 6 Figures for the Solo Professional," which is slated for publication in 2007.

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants build smarter, more successful businesses, and providing free tools and resources for business owners to connect with qualified, professional Virtual Assistants. For more information, visit http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Virtual Assistants and other independent professionals to learn how to harness the power of radio to promote business and give great interviews

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/12/2007 -- Every business owner knows public relations is necessary to promote their business. Yet, public relations wasn't exactly anyone's major in college, so to speak.

Besides, most are busy just handling the details of their business.

And then there are those snooty people in the media who make them feel like a pebble on the beach.

Many business owners aren't even sure what to do first or how much time and money to spend to get it done. They've heard that there's a way to get publicity for free, but that assumes they know something about publicity, PR and the media.

Where to start? Virtual Assistants, independent professionals and small business owners have an opportunity to learn the answer to that question in a one-hour teleseminar with Pat Lynch of WomensRadio, hosted by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce.

Pat Lynch started her own PR, advertising and marketing firm in Atlanta at the age of 25, and was the first women to do so in the South. Pat is going to share some:

practical advice on getting started methods of ramping up to be the media expert, and taking advantage of on-the-ground radio as well as the new Web world--Web radio and blogs, too!

No matter what level of media sophistication, Virtual Assistants and business owners will get something from this fast-paced trip to help them use radio PR to promote their businesses.

CALENDAR LISTING
What: "Using Radio PR to Promote Your Business"

Speaker: Pat Lynch, WomensRadio

Date: Thursday, February 15, 2007
Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Length: 1 hour
Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com/teleclass-registration.htm

About Pat Lynch, WomensRadio
During her 34 years in advertising, marketing and public relations, Pat was an innovator in the use of media. She began a media company for women in 1996. The first project was WomensRadio. In 2002, she launched WomensCalendar and WomensCalendar eNewsletter that reaches some half million women leaders each week.

In 2004, her company launched two new media services: Press Your Point, a powerful, yet inexpensive press release service; and AudioAcrobat, a unique and very easy-to-use audio recording and streaming service. In 2005, her company launched the all-new Women's Radio with it's "hub" of 30 minute-long programs.

Pat is a frequent speaker at women's events, not only about the use of media, but more importantly, about her favorite subject "Speaking Up."

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants build smarter, more successful businesses, and providing free tools and resources for business owners to connect with qualified, professional Virtual Assistants. For more information or to join, visit http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Prescreening members for minimum qualifications helps business owners find professional Virtual Assistants without wading through thousands of unqualified sites.

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/06/2007 -- The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce (VACOC) now offers business owners an all-inclusive way to find and partner with qualified Virtual Assistants.

The VACOC Virtual Assistant Directory is a secure one-stop resource that matches client needs with the most qualified Virtual Assistants available.

Listed members of the Virtual Assistant Directory must meet a rigorous screening criteria that includes validation of their professional online presence, proof of qualifications to operate as a Virtual Assistant, and a commitment to uphold the highest ethical standards in the industry. Potential clients are assured of receiving only quality partnership leads from the VACOC Virtual Assistant Directory.

The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is serious about client satisfaction. Its Virtual Assistant Directory includes information to help business owners hire the best-suited, most qualified Virtual Assistant for their needs with its guide, "How to Hire a Virtual Assistant." This document is filled with tips to help business owners know what to look for and what questions to ask in order to find the right Virtual Assistanta.

There are hundreds upon hundreds of Virtual Assistant sites on the Internet, and a great many of those are run by people who don't have any qualifications whatsoever to be offering these services, much less taking people's money.

"With our Virtual Assistant Directory, business owners don't have to wade through thousands of sites trying to determine who is qualified as a Virtual Assistant," states Danielle Keister, founder of the VACOC. "Our custom-built advanced search engine allows clients to search by name, geographic location and service category. Oh, and it's free to use on top of that!"

The VACOC Virtual Assistant Directory currently lists members in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and the Philippines with expectations to increase member listings for all parts of the world as member sites are submitted for prescreening and approval. Business owners can also take advantage of the VACOC Request for Partnership Center.

Everyone who is interested in learning more about the Virtual Assistant Directory and the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com.

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants build smarter, more successful businesses, and providing free tools and resources for business owners to connect with qualified, professional Virtual Assistants. For more information or to join, visit http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Danielle Taylor is the Press Release Communications Officer for the VACOC. She is president of Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance where she provides clients with professional administrative support and executive office management. Visit her site at http://www.TaylorVA.com to learn more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Resource newsletter of savvy insights for the indomitable entrepreneur makes it debut this month.

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 02/01/2007 -- The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce (VACOC) has just launched its newest resource for small business owners. The Gritty Business Buzz, a resource of savvy insights for the indomitable entrepreneur, makes its debut this month. The newsletter wil be published the second Wedneday each month.

The newsletter includes five key areas that address the constant needs of small business owners: business management, marketing and networking, outsourcing/Virtual Assistance, stress reduction and technology and software.

Danielle Keister, founder of the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, explains, "We strive to meet the needs of the small business owner who is running a solo or small to mid-sized business. We know the small business entrepreneur is always looking for ideas, products and services to run smarter, more efficiently and more productively while getting the most value for their dollar."

The Gritty Business Buzz will address all of these functions and provide business owners with resources and information they need to meet their business goals.

The premiere issue of Gritty Business Buzz hit the Web on January 10. New readers can subscribe to the newsletter at http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/grittybusinessbuzz.htm

Everyone who is interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance, and its professional providers is encourage to visit the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce at http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com.

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants build smarter, more successful businesses, and providing free tools and resources for business owners to connect with qualified, professional Virtual Assistants. For more information or to join, visit http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Danielle Taylor is the Press Release Communications Officer for the VACOC. She is president of Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance where she provides clients with professional administrative support and executive office management. Visit her site at http://www.TaylorVA.com to learn more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Virtual Assistants and other professional service providers to learn about the power of marketing and branding.

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/19/2007 -- In marketing, when a product is invisible, or when a product is a commodity (like tea), then the packaging becomes all important.

That's true for any professional service. The longer the business image says "struggling professional" or "amateur," the longer the struggle. People listen with their eyes. A business must look as great as it is (or better).

In this powerful presentation, Mark Merenda of SmartMarketing explains the importance of marketing and branding in a not heard before. Just a few of the concepts that will be covered include:

Why image is vitally important to professional service businesses

How clients "listen" with their eyes and what image is telling them

The power of first impressions and how quickly and lastingly they are formed

Why investing in business image is one of the smartest revenue-generating moves to make
Plus more, with whatever questions come up.

This teleclass is aimed at Virtual Assistants; however, all professional service providers who have struggled with justifying the expenditure of funds on marketing and branding will benefit from the information presented and are welcome to attend.

CALENDAR LISTING
What: "The Power of Marketing & Branding Professional Services: When the Product is Invisible, the Package IS the Product"

Speaker: Mark Merenda, SmartMarketing

Date: Thursday, January 18, 2007
Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Length: 1 hour
Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com/teleclass-registration.htm

About Mark Merenda, SmartMarketing
Mark Merenda founded Smart Marketing in 1994 after leaving a post in corporate America as president of a $17 million-a-year software company. Since that time he has built Smart Marketing into one of the country's premier marketing firms for financial professionals and attorneys. Visit Mark's blog at http://smartblog.typepad.com

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants build smarter, more successful businesses, and providing free tools and resources for business owners to connect with qualified, professional Virtual Assistants. For more information or to join, visit http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Live holiday get-together over the Internet a hit with Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce members

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 01/02/2007 -- What do you do for your Virtual Assistant association members during the holidays when they are scattered across seven countries and three continents?

Why, you throw a Virtual Holiday Party, that's what!

That's exactly what the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce--a volunteer-run Virtual Assistant professional association with members from around the world--did this year.

Utilizing the skills and resources they know best, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce Holiday Party Elves (Laura Lee Sparks of The Simple Solution, Joy Slaughter of A Capital Solution, Mia Chambers of Acumen Virtual Assistance, and Sandi Johnson of Virtually Yours LLC) set up virtual basecamp using GoToWebinar, an online meeting solution for larger groups from GoToMeeting.com, and began concocting the clever online holiday festivities.

This, in addition to a conference line, enabled all attendees to fully participate in traditional party games, resource and gift exchange, and view a special presentation made to Danielle Keister, the organization's founder.

For this professional group of Virtual Assistants, who generally only communicate with each other through the written word, this was a much-celebrated event, allowing them to view, talk and share screens with each other in real time. While many typically use this technology for expanding and enhancing their clients' online capabilities, the VACOC Virtual Holiday Party was a first.

"What a blast we had this evening!" exclaimed Vickie Turley, who with partner Rebecca Kennedy run Elite Virtual Assistants.

Jane Cosh of Jane Cosh Solutions pointed out, "Isn't amazing how the Internet has changed all of our lives even to the point of being able to have a party (online)?!"

Rita Ballard of Healer's Helper echoed everyone's sentiments. "Was that fun or what?! Thanks so much to all of you who put so much hard work to make the party such a rousing success. I hope we do it again next year!"

Imagination, innovative thinking, and teamwork made this a huge success. All had a terrific time, and the most common question asked was "Can we do this again next year?!"

Virtual Assistants and business owners interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional service providers are encouraged to visit the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce at http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com.

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants build smarter, more successful businesses, and providing free tools and resources for business owners to connect with qualified, professional Virtual Assistants. For more information or to join, visit http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Joy Slaughter is on the Steering Committee of the VACOC. She owns A Capital Solution where she specializes in remote administrative support for holistic service providers. Visit her site at http://www.ACapitalSolution.com to learn more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Virtual Assistant association sets the record straight on what Virtual Assistance is and how Virtual Assistants work

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 12/19/2006 -- Virtual Assistance has recently received much attention--and for good reason. The Virtual Assistance industry has grown considerably in the past nine years. That is because Virtual Assistants (VAs) are becoming the "go-to" outsourcing resource for business owners.

However, many discussions have centered on the true definition of a Virtual Assistant, leaving room for misinterpretation from potential Virtual Assistant clients as to how a Virtual Assistant can help them meet their goals while reducing their operating expenses.

The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce (VACOC), a Virtual Assistant networking association and small business resource, clears up the confusion with its comprehensive definition of what a Virtual Assistant truly is:

A Virtual Assistant is a professional service provider who specializes in providing remote administrative support services as an independent contractor, and works with clients in an ongoing, collaborative professional relationship.

Virtual Assistants work from their own offices, and utilize today's technology to deliver their services and communicate with clients.

A Virtual Assistant's support is primarily administrative, secretarial and clerical in nature. However, many Virtual Assistants offer additional specialties that fall under creative and technical services.

Virtual Assistants come from a variety of business backgrounds, but the single-most important qualification to become a Virtual Assistant is at least five years administrative experience earned in the real (non-virtual) world working in upper-level capacities such as administrative assistant, executive assistant, secretary, legal assistant, paralegal, legal secretary, real estate assistant, office manager, etc.

From this level of experience, a Virtual Assistant is expected to possess the skill sets, training and business knowledge which are the hallmark of a truly qualified Virtual Assistant.

Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce founder, Danielle Keister, started the organization with the goal of raising professional standards while advancing awareness and better understanding of Virtual Assistance in the marketplace.

Virtual Assistant members have access to many free resources including the Virtual Assistant definition, online networking forum, weekly chats, monthly guest expert teleclasses and webinars, Virtual Assistant directory and community calendar just to name a few.

Keister characterizes her vision as one of unifying and strengthening the Virtual Assistant society. "Our main initiatives are to help Virtual Assistants run smarter, more successful businesses, and provide business owners who would be their clients with tools and resources to help connect them with qualified, professional Virtual Assistants," states Keister.

She believes the VACOC Virtual Assistant definition positions the association to become the globally recognized brand in Virtual Assistance excellence.

Virtual Assistants and business owners interested in learning more about Virtual Assistance and its professional providers are encouraged to visit the VACOC at http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com.

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants build smarter, more successful businesses, and providing free tools and resources for business owners to connect with qualified, professional Virtual Assistants. For more information or to join, visit http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Danielle Taylor is the Press Release Communications Officer for the VACOC. She is president of Taylor-Made Virtual Assistance where she provides clients with professional administrative support and executive office management. Visit her site at http://www.TaylorVA.com to learn more.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Virtual Assistants to learn how to charge what they’re worth and have customers happy to pay

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 11/06/2006 -- The subject of pricing often brings up feelings of fear and scarcity for Virtual Assistant business owners, and yet there is little guidance on how to handle it.

"Just raise your prices," and "You have to charge what you're worth" might sound good on paper, but don't really tell Virtual Assistant business owners how to price without starving themselves or pushing away clients. Yet, pricing doesn't have to be such a struggle. Everyone has had experiences when something was the right price, even if it was a lot of money, and they felt great about it.

So how do Virtual Assistants get there in their own businesses? Practice guidelines are needed, but Virtual Assistants also need permission to bring their heart into the picture, because the heart knows more than about finding the "Right Price" than it is given credit for.

This is the premise of an upcoming teleclass on November 16 presented by Mark Silver of Heart of Business to the Virtual Assistant community. Sponsored by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, this teleclass will give Virtual Assistants a framework for pricing that takes into account not only business sense, but allows for the heart of the Virtual Assistant business owner to play a much bigger part.

A few of the concepts that will be covered include:

• The "Resonant" Price and how to find it;
• The myth of "worth" and how it keeps Virtual Assistants pricing low;
• The dangers that transactional thinking poses to profits, and how to avoid them;
• Why what the competition is charging is irrelevant, and how Virtual Assistants can set their own pricing confidently;
• Plus more, with whatever questions come up.

CALENDAR LISTING

What: "Your Right Price"
Speaker: Mark Silver, Heart of Business

Date: Thursday, November 16, 2006
Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Length: 1 hour
Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com/webinar-registration.htm

ABOUT MARK SILVER, HEART OF BUSINESS: Heart of Business is dedicated to helping people who are in business to make a difference in the world, and who also need to make a profit. Its founder, Mark Silver, is a dedicated user of Virtual Assistance, and teaches that any successful business is going to require more than a single person's efforts. The author of "Unveiling the Heart of Your Business: How money, marketing and sales can deepen your heart, heal the world and still add to your bottom line," Mark is a fourth generation entrepreneur who has also been named a master teacher in his Sufi spiritual lineage. Thousand of heart-centered business people around the globe read his weekly Business Heart articles, published every Wednesday, available here: http://www.HeartOfBusiness.com

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants build smarter, more successful businesses, and providing free tools and resources for business owners to connect with qualified, professional Virtual Assistants. For more information or to join, visit http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce founder talks with Pat Lynch on WomensRadio.com

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/30/2006 -- Virtual Assistance is becoming more and more well-known, but business owners seeking the services of a Virtual Assistant are increasingly having a difficult time wading through the vast Internet wildnerness to separate the truly qualified professional Virtual Assistants from those who have little to no experience or only entry-level skill sets.

The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce is working hard to help business owners become more informed consumers of Virtual Assistant services, and providing them with the tools and resources to find highly skilled, professional Virtual Assistants to support them. Its founder, Danielle Keister, recently spoke with Pat Lynch of Women's Radio (http://www.WomensRadio.com).

"We at the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce are on a mission to help business owners become more aware of Virtual Assistance. We want them to know that ours is a profession of highly-skilled administrative experts that exists to provide strategic, cost-effective administrative support to the small business owner who doesn't have the time, space or budget for in-house staff. The industries we currently serve are only a fraction of those we could be helping to achieve greater levels of business success," declares Keister.

To serve the mainstream business community, the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce only accepts Virtual Assistant members who meet a certain standard of qualification. Its website has a wealth of information for business owners wanting to find out more about Virtual Assistants, including the definitive guide "How to Hire a Virtual Assistant: Your 10-Step Guide in Finding the Perfect Fit" (http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com/How-to-Choose-a-Virtual-Assistant.htm).

Business owners can use the "Request for Partnership" page (http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/rfp-center.htm) to submit information and have qualified Virtual Assistants respond to them directly. Alternatively, there is a professional Virtual Assistant directory (http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/directory/) where business owners can search by geographic area, business name, and even specific services needed.

All of this is provided as a free service to business owners.

You can hear the full interview on WomensRadio.com here: http://www.womensradio.com/content/templates/?a=1110&z=9

ABOUT THE VACOC: The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce (http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com) is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide to promote shared business interests, opportunities and advancement of the Virtual Assistance profession. It is dedicated to bringing the worlds of mainstream business and Virtual Assistance together. Its resources and programs help Virtual Assistants and their clients run better businesses.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Marketing guru to share The Seven Steps of Fearless Marketing for Virtual Assistants and other Independent Professionals

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/10/2006 -- What if marketing yourself wasn't such a pain in the "you-know-what?" What if marketing was actually fun? Yes, fun. And what if your marketing activities actually resulted in new clients?

No, this is not fantasy.

Sponsored by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, a professional organization of Virtual Assistants worldwide dedicated to helping Virtual Assistants and their clients run better businesses, "Fearless Marketing" is an approach to marketing for Virtual Assistants and Independent Professionals that cuts through the fear, confusion and avoidance that are so common when attempting to attract clients to your business.

If you avoid marketing, are afraid of possible rejection, are worried about doing marketing wrong and don't know where to start or what to do, this teleclass is for you.

When you understand these steps, you'll be well on the way to marketing that is both fearless and effective. Here's what will be covered in this information-packed teleclass:

The Seven-Steps to Fearless Marketing

1. Marketing Stance - Why your mindset about marketing is sabotaging your efforts to market yourself and what you can do to develop a new stance.

2. Marketing Ball - How marketing is a game where you need to know the rules before you can expect to win. You'll learn the fundamentals of "Marketing Ball."

3. Marketing Language - Before you start marketing, you need to know the language of marketing. That is, you need to know exactly what gets attention and interest.

4. Marketing Message - And then you need to develop your own unique marketing message that powerfully communicates why your services are valuable.

5. Marketing Currency - Then to get beyond attention and interest, you must get prospects involved in how your services can help them. You need to manufacture "marketing currency" to do this.
6. Marketing Tactics - You not only have to implement various marketing tactics, more importantly, you need to know exactly when and where to apply them in the marketing ball game.

7. Marketing Action Plans - Finally, you must develop specific marketing action plans for each tactic, designed to move prospects who are strangers, into prospects who are ready to do business with you.

That's a lot of information to cover, but in 90 minutes you'll have a whole new picture of how marketing works and how you can make it work for you. If you want to be a fearless marketer who attracts all the business you can handle, this recorded teleclass is your first step.

CALENDAR LISTING

What: "The Seven-Steps to Fearless Marketing"
Speaker: Robert Middleton

Date: Thursday, October 19, 2006
Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Length: 1 hour
Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com/webinar-registration.htm

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Publicity expert to share the secrets of how Virtual Assistants can position themselves as experts so the media flock to them

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/10/2006 -- The media flock to experts. They interview them. They put them on the covers of magazines. They feature them on TV shows like "60 Minutes" and "Nightline" and on hundreds of radio shows on National Public Radio and in your own community.

Join publicity expert Joan Stewart, a.k.a., The Publicity Hound, as she shares the secrets of how Virtual Assistants and small business owners can position themselves as experts so the media start flocking to you, too. Joan, a former editor of three daily newspapers and a weekly business journal, has accepted and rejected thousands of story ideas from experts, so she knows the kinds of sources the media seek out, and the kinds they ignore.

Joan publishes "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free weekly ezine read by more than 19,000 people worldwide. You can subscribe at her website, http://www.PublicityHound.com.

Sponsored by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, a professional association dedicated to connecting the Virtual Assistance and mainstream business worlds, this free online webinar is open to Virtual Assistants and small business owners interested in learning how to create their own publicity opportunities.

During this session, Virtual Assistants and small business owners will learn:

• Why it's important to become an expert, then promote your expertise;
• Where to find a valuable document—for free—that will explain the 10 levels of expertise and how to achieve each level;
• Where to begin a publicity campaign so you do the important legwork that will pay off months later;
• How to create a "Top 25 Media Hit List" of your key media contacts who are in the best position to help you;
• The Number One thing journalists will expect you to do before they agree to cover you;
• How to pitch story ideas so you hit every journalist's hot button;
• When you want the media to write about you, and when you want to write articles yourself;
• Why "how-to" articles written by experts help them sell a product, service, cause or issue;
• Joan's favorite fun things to do for getting publicity (there's something here for everybody);
• How to break bread with reporters…everything you must know about meeting reporters for lunch
• The one thing you must Never do during your publicity campaign so you don't embarrass yourself;
• How to build valuable relationships with the media so you stay on their radar screens.

…Plus we'll leave plenty of time for your questions. Don't miss out!

CALENDAR LISTING

What: "How to Use the Media to Promote Yourself as an Expert and Get FABULOUS Publicity"

Speaker: Joan Stewart, The Publicity Hound

Date: Thursday, September 21

Time: 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST

Length: 1 hour

Cost: FREE!

To Register: http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/webinar-registration.htm

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Marketing expert to talk to Virtual Assistants on How to Get More Referrals…Now!

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 08/14/2006 -- Many small business owners aspire to building their businesses based on referrals from customers and colleagues. It seems so straightforward: you do a great job for your customers and they spread the word.

So why do so many small businesses struggle to get referrals? To begin with, you have to ask for referrals, and you need to ask in a way that makes it easy for your referral sources to send you prospective customers.

Join marketing expert Judy Murdoch of Highly Contagious Marketing as she speaks to Virtual Assistants on getting more referrals at a free online webinar, Thursday, August 17, sponsored by the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce.

During this hour-long presentation, Murdoch will talk to attendees about how to ask for referrals that will bring a steady, growing stream of highly qualified prospects into their businesses.

Virtual Assistants will learn:

-- The single most important reason people give referrals (you may be surprised)
-- The three most deadly sins of referral marketing and how to make sure you do not make them!
-- Who to ask and who not to ask for referrals
-- How to make sure people send you only highly qualified referrals
-- How to inspire and reward the people so they keep sending you referrals

Attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of Murdoch's More Referrals workbook which includes a hands-on guide to help them get their own referral marketing program off to a strong start.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION: How to Get More Referrals…Now! Presented by Judy Murdoch of Highly Contagious Marketing (http://www.judymurdoch.com), Thursday, August 17; 5pm PST / 6pm MST / 7pm CST / 8pm EST. To register, visit: http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com/webinar-registration.htm

ABOUT JUDY MURDOCH:
With over 20 years in the advertising and consumer products marketing fields, Judy Murdoch brings a wealth of business development experience and know-how through her company, Highly Contagious Marketing. Judy has worked with a diverse roster of companies from Fortune 500 to four-person entrepreneurial ventures. Former employers and clients include Helene Curtis, Foote, Cone and Belding, Abbott Labs, General Motors, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Manugistics, and NICE Systems to name just a few. To learn more about Judy and Highly Contagious Marketing, please visit her website at http://www.JudyMurdoch.com

ABOUT THE VACOC:
The Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce (http://www.virtualassistantnetworking.com) is a professional association of Virtual Assistants worldwide to promote shared business interests, opportunities and advancement of the Virtual Assistance profession. The VACOC represents Virtual Assistants who are committed to the profession and building successful businesses. Members enjoy unlimited access to a networking forum, free business resources and tools, Virtual Assistant member directory, low-cost business forms, weekly chat sessions and free monthly guest expert webinars. Join today—it's FREE!

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Founder of the Virtual Assistant profession awarded for exemplary industry leadership.

Tacoma, WA -- (ReleaseWire) -- 06/27/2006 -- Stacy Brice, founder of the Virtual Assistant profession and president/CVO of AssistU, the industry's premier business training and finishing school, receives the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce InnoVAtive Award for Exemplary Industry Leadership.

The InnoVAtive Award is an honor given by the VACOC to Virtual Assistants who have demonstrated high standards of excellence and inventiveness in the areas of smart business practices, industry promotion and Virtual Assistant education and training.

Brice was selected by VACOC founding member, Danielle Keister, for being a consistent and unwavering example of the highest, most honorable and dignified ideals for the profession, and for creating a business school that is as much about a state of grace as it is entrepreneurship.

"Recognition of Stacy's vision, leadership, and all that she has built and continues to stand for in this industry is long overdue and so well-deserved," states Keister. "It gives me great pleasure to be the first organization in our industry to extend this acknowledgement to her."

Brice was pleased when news of her award was announced.

"This is really special to me; I am honored. And I accept this on behalf of every Virtual Assistant who lives and works with the highest standards, and shares the vision of what this profession can be. Without them, out there, building great businesses that contribute to their having high quality lives, my days would be far less colorful; my purpose unfulfilled; my vision meaningless."

To learn more about Brice and her Virtual Assistant training organization, AssistU, visit the website at http://www.assistu.com.

For more information on the Virtual Assistance Chamber of Commerce, to join the forum and download FREE business tools and resources, visit the VACOC website at http://www.VirtualAssistantNetworking.com.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm